Disc Player Lock Mechanism Interlocked with Swing Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disc players have complex structures, increased part counts, and higher costs due to complicated lock mechanisms, which also result in thicker devices and inadequate self-holding of the lock state under impact.
Innovation Solution
A disc player design featuring a simplified lock mechanism where the drive unit's operation is interlocked with a swing plate, eliminating the need for extra actuators and incorporating a cam member and trigger cam to securely lock the drive unit to the chassis, ensuring the lock state is self-held even under external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lock mechanism is used to lock the drive unit to the chassis, then the lock state can be maintained, but the structure becomes complicated, the number of parts increases, and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is integrated into the swing plate structure itself. The swing plate includes a lock protrusion that directly engages with the lock recess on the chassis, eliminating the need for separate lock components. This merging of the locking function into the existing swing plate reduces structural complexity while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing plate serves multiple functions: it clamps the disc during operation, acts as a structural support, and provides the locking function through its integrated lock protrusion. By making the swing plate multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity and part count.
2Reliability
If a conventional lock mechanism is used to lock the drive unit to the chassis, then the lock state can be maintained, but the thickness of the disc player increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock protrusion and lock recess are designed to fit together in a nested manner within the existing thickness of the swing plate and chassis assembly. The locking features are integrated into the available space without requiring additional thickness, allowing the lock mechanism to be embedded within the existing structural envelope.
3Reliability
If conventional proposals are made to secure self-holding function under impact, then the lock state can be maintained under impact, but the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock protrusion has a curved surface that engages with the lock recess. This curved geometry provides self-holding capability under impact forces, as the curved contact surface naturally resists disengagement forces from multiple directions without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact forces that might otherwise cause the drive unit to shift or become loose are converted into beneficial self-holding forces through the curved lock geometry. The impact forces press the lock protrusion more firmly into the lock recess, enhancing the locking reliability rather than compromising it.
4Ease of operation
If an extra actuator is added to operate the lock mechanism, then the lock operation can be controlled, but the number of parts increases and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swing plate's own movement during normal operation (opening and closing) automatically performs the locking and unlocking functions. When the swing plate closes to clamp the disc, the lock protrusion automatically engages with the lock recess. When the swing plate opens, the lock automatically disengages. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate actuators.
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 solution reduces the number of parts and costs, simplifies the structure, and minimizes thickness while effectively maintaining a secure lock state, ensuring the disc player remains locked even when subjected to impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the lock mechanism comprises a cam member and a lock member, the cam member is mounted on the base plate so as to be freely rotatable
Implementation Method 2
gears are formed integrally with a base end and a free end of the cam member, the gear at the base end is engaged with a gear formed on the swing plate
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a disc player which can be reduced in the number of parts and in cost, and which can be designed to be thin and provided with a function of sufficiently self-holding a lock state.A drive unit 9 is constructed by a base plate 13 and a swing plate 17 for pinching a disc in cooperation with the base plate 13, and a lock mechanism 260 is disposed between the base plate 13 and the swing plate 17, and the operation of the lock mechanism 260 is interlocked with the operation of the swing plate 17.