Optical Disc Tray Unlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical disc devices for laptops rely on solenoids for unlocking the tray, which increases costs and requires additional space for mounting, limiting their design efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical disc device with a locking module that uses a step motor and lead screw to unlock the tray without a solenoid, employing a hook and gear mechanism to disengage the tray from the body, allowing for cost reduction and simplified configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid is used to unlock the tray, then the tray can be reliably unlocked from the body, but the manufacturing cost increases and the mounting space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the solenoid component from the tray unlocking mechanism. Instead of using a solenoid to rotate the latching portion, the patent uses the existing step motor to directly drive the unlocking action through a gear mechanism, thereby removing the unnecessary solenoid component and reducing device complexity while maintaining unlocking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The step motor is given a dual function: it serves both to move the optical pickup radially across the disc and to unlock the tray from the body. By making the step motor multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for a separate solenoid, reducing component count and simplifying the overall device configuration
2Reliability
If a solenoid is used to unlock the tray, then the unlocking function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the solenoid component from the tray unlocking mechanism. Instead of using a solenoid to rotate the latching portion, the patent uses the existing step motor to directly drive the unlocking action through a gear mechanism, thereby removing the unnecessary solenoid component and reducing device complexity while maintaining unlocking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive solenoid with a mechanical gear mechanism driven by the existing step motor. This substitution uses simpler, more cost-effective mechanical components instead of electromagnetic components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the same unlocking function
3Reliability
If a solenoid is used to unlock the tray, then the unlocking function is achieved, but the mounting space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step motor is given a dual function: it serves both to move the optical pickup radially across the disc and to unlock the tray from the body. By making the step motor multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for a separate solenoid, reducing component count and simplifying the overall device configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the unlocking function with the existing step motor and gear mechanism. By combining multiple functions into existing components, the patent eliminates the need for separate solenoid mounting space, thereby reducing the overall mounting space requirement in the compact laptop optical disc device
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
Enables the tray to be unlocked without a solenoid, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the device's configuration while maintaining functionality, by utilizing a step motor and lead screw to control the unlocking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw; a motor for rotating the lead screw; and a guide feed for converting a torque of the lead screw to a linear force for moving the optical pickup by meshing with the lead screw
Implementation Method 2
a spring for providing elasticity to rotate the hook in a direction where the hook engages the locking projection
Data Source
AI summary
An optical disc device includes an optical pickup and a transfer unit for linearly moving the optical pickup in a radial direction; and a locking module that is mounted on a rear side of the tray for unlocking the tray from the body, the locking module including a locking part having a hook for engaging a locking projection formed on the body and being mounted to be rotatable; a circular gear being mounted to be rotatable in connection with the transfer unit; a first connecting part for rotating by a linear force transmitted through the transfer unit moving outward; and a second connecting part for rotating by a force transmitted sequentially from the first connecting part and the circular gear and to transmit torque to the locking part to cause the hook to be unlocked from the locking projection.