Optical Disc Library Pick Blade Mechanism for Accurate Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disc selector systems in optical disc libraries face challenges with accuracy, reliability, and space efficiency due to high friction, backlash, and the need for significant vertical space, making it difficult to select and move individual discs without disturbing adjacent discs.
Innovation Solution
A disc selector mechanism with a motor-driven slide assembly and pivotally coupled pick blades that move laterally along a shaft, allowing for precise linear translation and pivoting to lift discs into a gripper device, utilizing low-friction components and minimal vertical space, and incorporating encoder feedback for accurate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional disc selector system is used, then the system can select and move discs, but it experiences high friction and backlash that reduce accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical linkages with a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into precise linear motion of the pick blade. The cam profile is specifically designed to control the pick blade's trajectory, ensuring accurate engagement with the disc edge while minimizing friction and backlash in the mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cam mechanism to optimize performance. By adjusting the cam's radius, eccentricity, and profile shape, the system achieves precise control over the pick blade's motion, improving both accuracy and reliability of disc selection while reducing friction.
2Productivity
If a conventional disc selector system is used, then the system can select discs, but it requires significant vertical space that reduces library capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the disc selection mechanism from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal one, with the cam mechanism and pick blade operating in the lateral dimension rather than requiring significant vertical space. This allows the disc library to accommodate more cassettes vertically while maintaining fast disc retrieval capability.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional disc selector system is used, then the system can move discs, but friction and mechanical complexity increase the risk of disturbing adjacent discs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the disc selection function into a separate, isolated mechanism using a cam-driven pick blade that operates independently from the main library mechanism. This isolated mechanism reduces mechanical complexity and minimizes the risk of disturbing adjacent discs while maintaining smooth disc handling.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a system comprising a motor and a disc selector mechanism. The disc selector mechanism is coupled to a bottom of a guide cage and maintained in a space below the cage. The disc selector mechanism comprises a shaft, transmission components, and a slide assembly that is laterally slidable along the shaft in response to the motor driving the transmission components. The slide assembly comprises a slide coupled to the shaft, a pivot bar coupled to the slide, and pick blades pivotally coupled to the pivot bar. A linear motion of the slide assembly along the shaft drives a linear translation of the pivot bar. The linear translation drives a pick blade of the slide assembly to move towards a side of the cage and out of the space and to pivot to a raised position to contact and lift a disc upwards into a disc gripper device.