Disk Conveying Device Inclination Control Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disk conveying devices often cause disk-like recording media to become slanted during storage, leading to potential scratching or damage when they come into contact with other disks in a miniaturized cartridge, due to inadequate holding mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A disk conveying device with a conveying mechanism and holding lever system that includes holding grooves and a discharge lever to regulate the inclination of disk-like recording media, using an urging spring to ensure proper alignment and contact with the disk cartridge, and a route guide to prevent interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only two conveying rollers are used to hold the disk-like recording medium, then the conveying mechanism is simple, but the disk-like recording medium is likely to be slanted in the thickness direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying mechanism complexityVSAvoiddisk inclination stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is divided between multiple components: conveying rollers for horizontal conveyance and a dedicated holding lever for vertical inclination control. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while collectively providing stable disk positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding lever acts as an intermediary component between the conveying rollers and the disk. It provides additional support and regulation of disk inclination without directly replacing the conveying rollers, thus maintaining simplicity while improving stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the disk cartridge is miniaturized to reduce size, then the device becomes more compact, but the distance between disk-like recording media decreases causing them to easily come into contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge volumeVSAvoiddisk contact and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding lever regulates disk inclination in advance during the conveying process, ensuring disks are properly aligned before they enter the cartridge. This preliminary action prevents contact-induced damage even when cartridges are miniaturized with reduced spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of reduced spacing in miniaturized cartridges is counteracted by the holding lever's inclination regulation, which creates sufficient clearance between disks during storage. The miniaturization benefit is achieved while the harmful effect of disk contact is prevented through this compensating mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If the disk-like recording medium is held by only two conveying rollers during storage, then the structure is simple, but the disk is likely to be slanted causing contact with other disks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding structure complexityVSAvoiddisk positioning reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is segmented between conveying rollers (for horizontal movement) and the holding lever (for vertical inclination control). This functional segmentation improves positioning reliability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding lever is designed to pivot dynamically to regulate disk inclination during conveyance. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures reliable disk positioning while maintaining structural simplicity, as the lever adapts to the conveying motion rather than requiring a complex fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively prevents disk-like recording media from being scratched or damaged by maintaining their alignment during storage and conveyance, ensuring stable handling and reduced risk of contact-induced damage.

Implementation Method 1

an urging spring configured to urge the holding lever to press the outer circumferential portion of the disk-like recording medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8984544B2Disk conveying device

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is a disk conveying device including a conveying mechanism configured to convey a disk recording medium inside and outside a disk cartridge including a plurality of holding grooves into which both end portions of the disk recording medium positioned at opposite sides with a center hole interposed therebetween are inserted, the plurality of holding grooves being formed in a line in a thickness direction of the disk recording medium, and a discharge lever configured to press an outer circumferential surface of the disk recording medium to the disk cartridge side when the disk recording medium is conveyed by the conveying mechanism.