Disc Drive Buffer Mechanism for Tray Ejection Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disc drives require an electronic switch to slow down tray ejection speed, which increases costs and occupies space, as they rely on mechanical braking to prevent disc collision with the frame.
Innovation Solution
A disc drive design featuring a buffer portion adjacent to the tray's sliding groove, where a protrusion contacts the buffer to gradually reduce the tray's ejection speed, eliminating the need for an electronic switch by using a slantwise or curved buffer surface to absorb the protrusion's force and slow down the tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronic switch is used to reduce tray ejection speed, then the disc is protected from collision, but the cost and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electronic switch from the system and replaces it with a purely mechanical buffer structure. The buffer portion is integrated into the tray assembly, extracting the speed reduction function from electronic components and implementing it through mechanical means, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining disc protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic control system (motor braking controlled by electronic switch) with a passive mechanical buffer structure. The buffer portion uses physical deformation and friction to absorb kinetic energy and reduce tray speed, substituting electronic-mechanical control with pure mechanical energy absorption.
2Speed
If an electronic switch is used to control tray braking, then the ejection speed is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer portion is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be easily manufactured and integrated into the tray assembly. It uses basic materials and straightforward geometry to achieve speed reduction without requiring expensive electronic switches, control circuits, or complex braking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer structure automatically performs speed reduction through its mechanical design, eliminating the need for external electronic control systems. The buffer engages passively when the tray approaches the end of its travel, using its own structural properties to absorb energy and reduce speed without requiring active control or additional power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The buffer portion effectively reduces the tray's ejection speed, preventing disc collision and allowing for smooth unloading, thereby eliminating the need for an electronic switch, reducing costs and internal space usage.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusion contacts the buffer portion to reduce the tray ejection speed
Implementation Method 2
the buffer portion is disposed adjacent to an end of the sliding groove. During the disc ejecting process, the protrusion contacts the buffer portion to reduce the tray ejection speed
Data Source
AI summary
A disc drive including a frame, a tray, a movable element and a buffer portion is provided. The tray is slidably disposed in the frame and includes a sliding groove. The movable element includes a protrusion slidably disposed on the sliding groove. The buffer portion is disposed adjacent to an end of the sliding groove. During the disc ejecting process, the protrusion contacts the buffer portion, to reduce the tray ejection speed.