Patent · US Expired

Disk drive having a disk loading mechanism

US5970043A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 1997
Grant dateOct 19, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 5, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B17/30
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A disk loading mechanism of a disk drive includes a turntable which supports a disk at a playback position. A clamper clamps the disk on the turntable when the disk is rotated. A clamper holder supports the clamper such that the clamper is vertically movable relative to the turntable. A turntable moving unit vertically moves the turntable relative to the clamper between a non-contact position and a supporting position, the turntable and the disk being not placed in contact with each other when the turntable is at the non-contact position, and, when the turntable is at the supporting position, the disk being supported on the turntable. A clamper holder moving unit moves the clamper holder between a first position and a second position, the clamper and the disk being not placed in contact with each other when the clamper holder is at the first position, and, when the clamper holder is at the second position, the disk on the turntable is clamped by the clamper. The turntable moving unit and the clamper holder moving unit are configured to effectively prevent deformation of the disk when the disk is clamped by the clamper or released from the clamper.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.