Slot-in Optical Disc Drive Loading Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current slot-in optical disc drives have complex lever mechanisms that increase weight and cost, and are often limited to loading only 12 cm discs, with potential damage if an 8 cm disc is mistakenly inserted.

Innovation Solution

A simplified disc loading/unloading mechanism using a driving element with a loading drive groove, a disc loading element, an elastic element for unloading, and a small disc ejecting element to handle both 12 cm and 8 cm discs efficiently, reducing weight and cost while preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If complicated lever mechanisms are used for disc loading/unloading, then the disc loading function is achieved, but the weight and cost of the optical disc drive increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc loading functionVSAvoidweight of optical disc drive

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complicated lever mechanisms from the disc loading/unloading system, replacing them with a simplified structure consisting of a driving element with a loading drive groove and a disc loading element with a loading driven pin. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces the weight of the optical disc drive while maintaining the essential disc loading function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical lever mechanisms with a simpler mechanical system based on a driving element and disc loading element that work together through a loading drive groove and loading driven pin. This substitution achieves the same disc loading function with significantly fewer and lighter components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If complicated lever mechanisms are used for disc loading/unloading, then the disc loading function is achieved, but the cost of the optical disc drive increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc loading functionVSAvoidcost of optical disc drive

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical lever mechanisms with a simpler mechanical system based on a driving element and disc loading element that work together through a loading drive groove and loading driven pin. This substitution reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the disc loading/unloading mechanism is designed only for 12 cm optical discs, then the loading function for 12 cm discs is achieved, but the drive cannot handle 8 cm discs and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading function for 12 cm discsVSAvoidcompatibility with different disc sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the disc loading element and driving element with universal functionality that can accommodate both 12 cm and 8 cm optical discs. The loading drive groove and loading driven pin are configured to adapt to different disc sizes, allowing the same mechanism to perform the loading function for both standard and mini discs without causing damage or requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 weight and cost of optical disc drives by using fewer components and allows for the handling of both 12 cm and 8 cm discs, enhancing market competitiveness and preventing damage from incorrect disc insertion.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element used for providing an elastic force on the disc unloading element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8341655B2Slot-in optical disc drive with disc loading/unloading mechanism

Publication Date: 2012.12.25 PHILIPS & LITE ON DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

A slot-in optical disc drive is provided to comprise a driving element moveably disposed in the optical disc and capable of moving toward a disc loading direction and a disc unloading direction, wherein the driving element has a loading drive groove; a disc loading element pivoted in the optical disc drive, wherein the disc loading element has a loading driven pin for operating with the loading drive groove; a disc unloading element pivoted in the optical disc drive; and an elastic element used for providing an elastic force on the disc unloading element.