Optical Disk Drive Linkage Mechanism for Dust-Proof Tray Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical disk drives (ODDs) compromise their appearance integrity and allow dust ingress due to a protruding button and opening hole, which can lead to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
The ODD design incorporates a housing, tray, panel, first linkage, and second linkage, where the first linkage rotates to push the second linkage, actuating the tray to move out without needing an opening hole, maintaining appearance integrity and preventing dust entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button is disposed in an opening hole on the panel to actuate the electronic switch, then the user can easily operate the ODD, but the appearance integrity is compromised and dust can enter through the opening hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the protruding button from the panel surface and relocates it to the inner side of the housing. The button is now connected to the tray through a linkage mechanism, allowing it to be pressed from the inside without creating an external opening hole, thus maintaining appearance integrity while preserving operability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a linkage mechanism as an intermediary between the button and the tray. When the button is pressed, it rotates the first linkage which in turn rotates the second linkage to actuate the tray, providing indirect actuation that eliminates the need for a protruding button on the panel
2Ease of operation
If a button is disposed in an opening hole on the panel, then the user can easily operate the ODD, but dust from external environment enters into the ODD through the opening hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the button from the external panel surface and relocates it to the internal housing structure. This eliminates the opening hole that would allow dust entry, while the button remains accessible for operation through the relocated positioning on the inner panel
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary transmission system that allows the button to be positioned internally while still effectively actuating the tray. This intermediary mechanism enables the button to operate from inside the sealed housing without requiring external access through an opening hole
3Ease of operation
If the button protrudes from the panel, then the user can easily locate and press the button, but the integrity of the appearance of the ODD cannot be maintained intact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional button placement by positioning the button on the inner side of the housing rather than on the outer panel surface. The button operates from inside the housing, reversing the traditional inside-out arrangement and eliminating the protrusion that compromises appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the button from the external appearance of the ODD by relocating it to the internal housing structure. The button is extracted from the panel surface and repositioned internally, connected through the linkage mechanism to maintain functionality without visual prominence
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
This design maintains the ODD's appearance integrity and prevents dust ingress, ensuring normal operation by eliminating the need for an opening hole and allowing the tray to be actuated smoothly without external button protrusion.
Implementation Method 1
By rotating the first linkage with respect to the panel in a first rotating direction, the second linkage is pushed by the first linkage and rotates with respect to the panel in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction so as to actuate the tray to move out of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical disc drive (ODD) including a housing, a tray, a panel, a first linkage, and a second linkage is provided. The tray is movably disposed at the housing to move into or move out of the housing. The panel is connected to the tray and located at a side of the housing. The first linkage is rotatably disposed on the panel and located between the housing and the panel. The second linkage is rotatably disposed on the panel and located between the first linkage and the panel. By rotating the first linkage with respect to the panel in a first rotating direction, the second linkage is pushed by the first linkage and rotates with respect to the panel in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction so as to actuate the tray to move out of the housing.