Optical Disc Drive Airflow Guide Mechanism for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical disc drives experience turbulence and unbalanced air pressure due to the narrow gap between the disc and the chassis, leading to shocks, jarring, and noise during operation, especially when used vertically.

Innovation Solution

A guide mechanism with protruded guide passages having oblique surfaces and divided channels on the chassis to direct airflow, with obtuse angles and varying channel lengths to balance air pressure, and optional upright ribs for vertical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the chassis is designed as a rectangle with projections for vertical positioning, then the disc can be stably positioned on the tray, but the narrow area between the disc and the long side wall increases turbulence and unbalanced air pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc positioning stabilityVSAvoidairflow turbulence and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide passages as intermediary structures that mediate between the disc and the chassis side wall. These passages provide a controlled pathway for airflow, preventing direct turbulent interaction between the disc and the chassis, thus reducing noise and vibration while maintaining stable disc positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide passages are specifically positioned at locations where turbulence occurs (near the long side walls with projections). By locally modifying the airflow characteristics only in these problematic areas rather than changing the entire chassis design, the solution maintains disc positioning stability while addressing the turbulence issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the optical pickup module is positioned to read data from the disc, then data reading function is enabled, but shocks and jarring adversely affect the reading function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reading functionVSAvoidshocks and jarring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful airflow turbulence into a beneficial controlled flow pattern. By designing guide passages that channel the airflow generated by the spinning disc, the previously harmful unbalanced air pressure and turbulence are transformed into a controlled, balanced flow that reduces shocks and jarring, thereby protecting the data reading function.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the guide passage has obtuse angles and unequal channel lengths, then airflow is effectively guided to balance air pressure, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair pressure balanceVSAvoidguide passage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide passage is segmented into multiple channels with different lengths and angles. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for specific airflow patterns, achieving balanced air pressure control while keeping each individual channel relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 guide mechanism effectively balances air pressure above the disc, minimizing shocks, jarring, and noise by smoothing airflow through the guide passages, even when the drive is used vertically.

Implementation Method 1

the guide passage has two guiding oblique surfaces positioned at its both ends... the airflows produced by the revolving disc is guided to flow through the guide passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow guidance through oblique surfaces:

Implementation Method 2

an angle formed between each of the guiding oblique surfaces and the side wall of the chassis is an obtuse angle, and a length of the front channel is longer than that of the rear channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence reduction through geometric design:

Data Source

PatentUS7681211B2Mechanism for guiding airflows within optical disc drive

Publication Date: 2010.03.16 LITE ON TECH CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a mechanism for guiding airflows within an optical disc drive, in which the optical disc drive comprises a chassis having a side wall and a tray for loading or unloading a disc. The guide mechanism of the present invention includes at least one guide passage which is protruded outwardly from the side wall of the chassis and has two guiding oblique surfaces at its both ends. Further, the guide passage is positioned on an extended line of a diameter of the disc normal to the side wall of the chassis. The airflows produced by the revolving disc is guided to flow through the guide passage. According to the guide mechanism the shocks, jarring, and noise of the optical disc drive is minimized.