JPH04113056A - Power transforming system by rack and pinion - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smoothly start gearing at the time of gearing start by forming a top rack face width small and forming a pinion tooth between the top rack tooth and a second rack tooth into a small face width by removing a face width area corresponding to the top rack tooth. CONSTITUTION:At the time of starting the gearing of a pinion 71 with a rack 83, a top rack tooth 83a passes the tooth cut part 71b of a pinion tooth 71a having a small face width and makes contact with the tooth surface of the next pinion tooth 71c, and at the same time, a second rack tooth 83c following the top rack tooth 83a makes contact with the tooth surface of a pinion tooth 71a having a small face width to form the state in which the pinion 71 and the rack 83 embrace each other. As the top rack tooth 83a having the face width formed small and the pinion tooth 71a pass each other without mutual contact, the both never cause an interference. When the rack 83 is thereafter moved by one pitch, the general tooth surfaces of the pinion 71 and the rack 83 are mutually geared, and the pinion 71 is rotated by the linear movement of the rack 83.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a power conversion mechanism that converts linear motion into rotational motion by meshing a pinion and a rack.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, various mechanisms installed in electronic devices such as disc players have adopted a power conversion mechanism using a rack and pinion, in which the rack reciprocates on a straight line tangent to the pitch circle of the pinion. By repeating engagement and disengagement with the pinion, linear movement of the rack is converted into rotational movement of the pinion, and various operations are realized.

(Problem to be Solved) However, since the tooth profiles of the rack and pinion are formed in a shape that allows power to be transmitted through rolling contact when the two are in mesh, the rack moves back and forth as described above, causing damage to the pinion. In the engaging/disengaging mechanism, when the rack starts to mesh with the pinion, the leading tooth on the pinion side of the rack cannot smoothly intervene between two successive teeth of the pinion, and the leading rack The tooth comes into contact with the front pinion tooth of the two pinion teeth to be intervened at an abnormal position, for example, hits the end face forming the tip circle of the pinion tooth, and as a result, the gap between the rack and the pinion There was a problem where excessive force was applied, causing damage to the tooth surface.

An object of the present invention is to form tooth surfaces in mutually different width areas for rack teeth and pinion teeth that interfere with each other when the rack and pinion start meshing. To provide a power conversion mechanism in which a rack and a pinion smoothly start meshing by adopting a structure in which the rack and pinion do not mesh with each other.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the rack-pinion power conversion mechanism according to the present invention, among the plurality of teeth constituting the rack (83) as shown in FIG. (83a) is formed to have a smaller tooth width than that of the other succeeding rack teeth (83c).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 42, among the plurality of teeth constituting the pinion (71), the pinion tooth (71
A) is formed to have a smaller tooth width than the other pinion teeth (71c) by omitting the tooth width region corresponding to the leading rack tooth (83a).

(Function) When the pinion (71) and rack (83) begin to mesh,
The leading rack tooth (83a) passes through the tooth-missing part (71b) of the pinion tooth (71a) with a small tooth width and comes into contact with the tooth surface of the next pinion tooth (71c), and at the same time, the leading rack tooth (83a) The second rack tooth (83c) following the tooth (83a) is
In contact with the tooth surface of the pinion tooth (71a) with a small tooth width,
As shown in FIG. 43, the pinion (71) and the rack (83) are in a state of being hugged.

At this time, the leading rack tooth (83a
) and the pinion tooth (71a) pass each other without contacting each other, so there is no interference between them.

Thereafter, when the rack (83) moves one pitch, the normal tooth surfaces of the pinion (71) and the rack (83) mesh with each other, and the linear movement of the rack (83) causes the pinion (71) to rotate.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the power conversion mechanism using the rack and pinion according to the present invention, when the rack and pinion start meshing, no unreasonable force is applied between them, and the meshing starts smoothly.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is implemented in a compact disc player will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the examples are for illustrating the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing its scope.

As shown in Figure 1, a tray (61) is retractably arranged on the front panel of a flat cabinet (1).
61) is guided in reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction by a plurality of tray guide parts (14) formed on the chassis (11) in the cabinet (1).

A movable base (2) is attached to the central opening of the chassis (11) so as to be movable up and down, and a turntable (24), a spindle motor (25) for driving the turntable, and a pickup assembly are mounted on the movable base (2). (27
), a pick-up transport mechanism (8) is provided for reciprocating the pick-up assembly.

Further, on the chassis (11), there is a tray drive mechanism (6) for driving the tray (61) in and out, and a movable base (2).
A movable base drive mechanism (2o) for driving the tray up and down, and a prime mover for switching and transmitting power to the tray drive mechanism (6), the movable base drive mechanism (20), and the pickup transfer mechanism (8). A mechanism (3) and a switching mechanism (7) are provided.

Furthermore, on the chassis (11) is a turntable (24).
A clamp plate (15) rotatably supported by a support plate (16) is installed above the plate.

As shown in the figure, with the tray (61) installed at the disc ejection position, the movable base (2) is installed at the lower end, and the disc is placed on the tray (6I) and a signal reproduction command is issued. Then, the tray (61) is driven horizontally into the cabinet (1) by the tray drive mechanism (6) and reaches a predetermined position on the turntable (24). Next, the movable base (2) is raised by the movable base drive mechanism (2o), the disc on the tray (61) is lifted by the turntable (24), and is further pressed against the clamp board (15) located at the upper position. Then, disk clamping is performed. In this state, turntable (
24) rotates, and the pickup assembly (24) rotates.
7) moves back and forth along the disk radius line, and the signal is reproduced.

As shown in Figure 10, the movable base (2) is formed into a rectangular frame shape, and a pair of support shafts (21) (21) protrude to both sides at the end in the tray storage direction. 11 and 1
As shown in Figure 2, these support shafts (2], ) (21/) are supported on the chassis (11), and the movable base (2) can be rotated up and down. Further, a drive shaft (22) projecting outward is provided on one side of the free end of the movable base (2), and the drive shaft (22) is connected to a movable base drive mechanism (20) to be described later.
) and is driven up and down.

A vertically extending plate-shaped positioning rib (23) is provided on the front surface of the free end of the movable base (2), and the positioning rib (23) can be tightly fit into the chassis (11). A guide recess (18) is formed (see Figure 3).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the process of the movable head (2) rising, the positioning rib (23) moves into the guide recess (1).
8) to guide the movement of the movable base (2) in the vertical plane.

Therefore, the movable base (2) is accurately positioned at the rising end shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 without any deviation in the direction along the rotation axis, and as a result, the turntable (2)
4) is installed in a predetermined position. -Reliable disc clamping operation is realized (.

ing.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a turntable (24) and a spindle motor (25) for driving the turntable are attached to the free end of the movable base (2). Two guide shafts (26) (26) extending parallel to the radius line of the turntable (24) are installed in the central opening, and the pickup assembly (27) is connected to the pickup assembly (27) by these guide shafts (26) (26). ) round-trip transportation is provided.

The driving mechanism (3) that transmits power to the hair and tray drive mechanism (6), the movable base drive mechanism (2o), and the pickup transfer mechanism (8) is mounted on the chassis (11) as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
) is disposed on one side of the pickup transition path and serves as a power source, a driving motor (31), a driving gear (32) fixed to the output shaft of the motor, and a large diameter gear portion that meshes with the gear. (34) and a small-diameter gear portion (35), and a drive gear (36) consisting of a large-diameter gear portion (37) and a pinion portion (38) that mesh with the small-diameter gear portion (35). ), first and second slide plates (4) (5) reciprocally driven along the pickup transition path by the pinion part (38), and both slide plates (4) (5) by the pinion part (38). ) is provided with a timing gear (39) for mutually switching the drive of the two.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, on the chassis (11) are two pivots (13) (12) on which the drive gear (36) and the timing gear (39) are respectively supported, and a first and Long holes (40a) opened in the second slide plate (4) (5)
) (50a) and guide bosses (19) that are to be fitted into the guide bosses (19) to guide the movement of both slide plates are arranged on a straight line orthogonal to the direction of movement of the slide plates. As a result, drive gears (36
) and a timing gear (39) are arranged.

The first slide plate (4) has elongated holes (40a) (40b) at the front and back in the sliding direction shown by arrows in the figure, and these elongated holes (40a) (40b) are inserted into the guides on the chassis (11). The bosses (19) and (19a) penetrate through the first
The movement of the slide plate (4) is guided. The first slide plate (4) has a pinion portion (38) of the drive gear (36).
) should mesh with the first rack part (41), and the second rack part (42) should transmit power to the tray drive mechanism (6), which will be described later.
) and a third rack portion (43) with which the timing gear (39) is to be engaged. Also, the third rack part (43)
A protrusion (44) extending from the lower end of the rack in the thickness direction in the sliding direction is formed on the side of the rack.

On the other hand, the second slide plate (5) is placed on top of the first slide plate (4), and the chassis ( 11) The upper guide bosses (19) and (19b) pass through each of them to guide the movement of the second slide plate (5).

The second slide plate (5) has a horizontal wall (51) and a vertical wall (52), and the horizontal wall (51) has a drive gear (3).
The first rack portion (
54), a second hook part (55) with which the timing gear (39) meshes, and a third rack part (56) for operating a switching mechanism (7) to be described later. A protrusion (57) extending in the sliding direction from the upper end in the thickness direction of the rack part is formed on the side of the rack part (55). Further, a stepped cam groove (53) is formed in the vertical wall portion (52), and a protrusion (52a) is formed at the end of the second slide plate (5) on the disk ejection side.

Tray (6) As shown in Fig. 3, on the chassis (11) are the pinion part (64) and large diameter gear part (65) that are to be engaged with the second rack part (42) of the first slide plate (4). a small diameter gear portion (67) in which a second relay gear (63) is disposed, is pivotally supported by the guide boss (19b), and is engaged with the large diameter gear portion (65) of the second relay gear (63); A tray feeding gear (66) consisting of a pinion portion (68) and a pinion portion (68) is installed.

On the other hand, a rack (62) is formed on the back surface of the tray (61) and extends in the tray ejection/removal direction, and the rack (620) is always engaged with the pinion portion (68) of the tray feeding gear (66). .

When driving the tray, the driving mechanism (3) and the tray drive mechanism (6) are set in the gear meshing state shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. When the driving gear (32) rotates counterclockwise due to the driving of the driving motor (31), the rotation is transmitted to the driving gear (36) via the first relay gear (33), and the rotation is transmitted to the driving gear (36) through the first relay gear (33). Due to the drive, the first slide plate (4) moves from the left moving end force in FIG. 3 to the right.

This causes the second relay gear (63) to rotate counterclockwise and the tray feed gear (66) to rotate clockwise. and,
The tray (61) is driven by the pinion portion (68) of the tray feed gear (66) in the direction of the arrow, and the tray (61) is finally moved to the disk storage side shown in FIG. is transported to the moving end.

As a result, the disk (10) on the tray (61) is placed at a predetermined position above the turntable (24).

The disk ejection operation is performed by reversing the driving gear (32).
This is performed by an operation opposite to the disk storage operation described above.

Note that when the tray is driven, the second slide plate (5) is at the left moving end, and the first rack part (5) of the slide plate (5) is
54) and the pinion portion (38) of the drive gear (36) is released, and the second slide plate (5) remains stopped. In addition, two pick plates (81) and (84) constituting the pickup transfer mechanism (8), which will be described later, are located at the right moving end, and the rack portions of the pick plates (81) and (84) are located at the right moving end. (82) (85) and the pinion part of the drive gear (36) (
38) has been released, and the pi-sofa-knob transfer mechanism (8) remains stopped.

B. Base (20) The drive shaft (22) of the movable base (2) shown in FIG.
Cam groove (53) of the second slide plate (5) shown in Fig. 13
When the second slide plate (5) slides in the horizontal direction as shown in Figs. 15 to 17, the drive shaft (22) of the movable base (2) moves to the second slide. Pressed by the slope of the cam groove (53) of the plate (5), the movable base (2) is driven from the lower end in FIG. 15 to the upper end in FIG. 17.

When driving the movable base, the driving mechanism (3) is set to the gear meshing state shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, and the drive gear (36
) is the pinion part (38) of the second slide plate (5).
It meshes with the rack part (54). When the driving gear (32) rotates counterclockwise, the drive gear (36) rotates in the same direction, and the pinion part (38) drives the first rack part (54) of the second slide plate (5). , second slide plate (5
) to the right. As a result, the movable base (2) is driven upward from the lower end as described above.

The cam groove (53) of the second slide plate (5) has a raised part (53a) formed at the starting end of the upper horizontal cam surface, and as shown in Fig. 16, the cam groove (53) When the drive shaft (22) rides on the raised portion (53a), the movable base (2) performs an overstroke rotation that slightly rises from the horizontal position, and then returns to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 17. The purpose of this operation will be described later.

In the process of raising the movable base (2), the tapered shaft portion (24a) of the turntable (24) moves toward the tray (as shown in FIG. 21).
61) into the central hole (10a) of the upper disk (10), and furthermore, the upper surface of the disk part (24b)
O) is lifted. At this time, the disk storage position of the tray (61) is set to a position shifted toward the disk ejection side by a slight distance A1, for example, about 0.7 mm, from the center of the clamp board (15). This is because, as shown in the figure, the turntable (24) lifts the disc (10) from the tray (61) in an inclined position just before reaching the horizontal position. That is, the position of the tapered shaft (24a) of the turntable (24) in the tilted position is shifted from the position in the final horizontal position, and the tray (61) is located at the center of rotation of the tapered shaft (24a). The centers of rotation of the upper disk (lO) are made to coincide with each other, thereby allowing the tapered shaft portion (24a) of the turntable (24) to fit smoothly into the disk center hole (10a). When the movable base (2) finally rises to the horizontal position, the center of rotation of the turntable (24) will coincide with the center of the clamp board (15). Therefore,
The disc (10) on the turntable (24) is the 17th disc.
As shown in the figure, the disc is pressed against the clamping board (15) without eccentricity, and the disc clamping is completed.

The operation of lowering the movable base (2) to release the disk clamp is performed by an operation opposite to the disk clamp operation described above.

Note that when the movable base is driven, the engagement between the binion portion (38) of the drive gear (36) and the first slide plate (4) of the first slide plate (4) is released, and the first slide plate (4) is not engaged with the first slide plate (4).
) remains stopped at the right end of movement.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, a rotary lever (91) is rotatably attached to the back surface of the chassis (11), and there is an intervening lever between it and the chassis (11). It is biased to rotate counterclockwise by an attached spring (92). The rotating lever (
One free end (91a) of the second slide plate (91)
5) and extends toward the protruding piece (52a) of the other free end (
91b) extends to a length capable of receiving the back surface of the movable base (2).

Figure 18 corresponds to Figure 15, and the second slide plate (
5) is located at the left moving end, the protruding piece (52a) is separated from the rotating lever (91), and the rotating lever (91) is rotated counterclockwise by the bias of the spring (92). It is held in this position, and the free end (91b) is detached from the back surface of the movable base (2).

Figure 19 corresponds to Figure 16, and the second slide plate (
5) moves to the right, and the protruding piece (52a) moves to the rotating lever (9).
1) to rotate the pivot lever (91) slightly clockwise by pressing one free end (91a) of the pivot lever (91).

At this time, a part of the rotating lever (91) begins to come out toward the back side of the movable base (2), but as shown in Fig. 16, the movable base (2) is moved from the horizontal position to an upward overstroke. Since it is rotating, the rotating lever (91)
does not collide with the movable base (2).

Figure 20 corresponds to Figure 17, and the second slide plate (
5) reaches the right moving end, the protruding piece (52a) further presses one free end (91a) of the rotating lever (91), and rotates the rotating lever (91) clockwise. The other free end (91b) is fully exposed to the back surface of the movable base (2). At this time, the movable base (2) descends from the overstroke position as shown in FIG. 17, and is held in a horizontal position by the free end (91b) of the rotary lever (91).

As a result, the movable base (2) is held in a stable horizontal position.

As mentioned above, the tray (61) is driven by the first slide plate (4), and the movable base (2) is driven by the second slide plate (5). Department (
In order to switch and transmit the power of the timing gear (38) to the first slide plate (4) and the second slide plate (5), the timing gear (
39) is provided. The power transmission switching operation by the timing gear (39) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 22 to 29.

FIGS. 22(a) and 23(b) and 23(a) and 23(b) show the gear meshing state during tray drive. Second
The slide plate (5) is installed at the left moving end, and the binion part (38) of the drive gear (36) is connected to the second slide plate (5).
) is disengaged from the first rack part (54) of
The first rack part (41) meshes with the binion part (38). Therefore, the first rack part (41) is driven to the right by the counterclockwise rotation of the binion part (38).
As described above, the tray is transported in the disk storage direction. At this time, the timing gear (39) is
), the tooth has a tooth notch at the lower end in the tooth width direction (39
a) (see Fig. 13) protrudes above the protrusion (44) of the first slide plate (4), and the tooth (39a)
The teeth (39b) and (39c) on both sides of the timing gear (39) engage with the end surface of the protrusion (44), thereby locking the timing gear (39). Also, as shown in FIG. 22(a), the teeth (39a) of the timing gear (39) are connected to the second teeth of the second slide plate (5).
It meshes with the rack part (55), thereby also locking the second slide plate (5).

FIGS. 24(a) and 25(b) and 25(a) and 25(b) show the gear meshing state when the tray is transported to the disk storage position. As shown in FIG. 24(b), the binion part (38) and the first rack part (41) of the first slide plate (4)
) reaches the end point, and the first slide plate (4
) starts meshing with the timing gear (39), and the timing gear (39) rotates slightly clockwise. By the rotation of the timing gear (39), the second slide plate (5) of FIG. 24(a) is rotated.
The rack part (55) is driven, and the second slide plate (5) moves slightly to the right. As a result, the second slide plate (5
) starts to mesh with the binion part (38).

26(a)(b) and FIG. 27(a)(b), the binion part (38) further rotates counterclockwise, and the drive by the binion part (38) is transferred to the first slide plate (4). ) to the second slide plate (5). As shown in Fig. 26(a), the binion part (38
) of the second slide plate (5).
) is driven to the right, and along with this, the timing gear (3
9) rotates slightly clockwise. The timing gear (
39), the first slide plate (4) moves to the right as shown in FIG. 26(b), and the engagement between the binion part (38) and the first rack part (41) is completely released. .

28(a)(b) and FIG. 29(a)(b) show the gear meshing state during driving of the movable base, in which the binion portion (38) drives the first rack portion (54). The second slide plate (5) is moving to the right. At this time, the timing gear (39) has a tooth (39d) having a tooth-missing portion at the upper end in the tooth width direction, and the tooth (39d) projects below the protrusion (57) of the second slide plate (5). Teeth (39d)
The teeth (39c) and (39e) on both sides of the timing gear (39) engage with the end surface of the protrusion (57), thereby locking the timing gear (39). Also, as shown in FIG. 28(b), the teeth (39d) of the timing gear (39) are located at the third position of the first slide plate (4).
It meshes with the rack part (43), thereby also locking the first slide plate (4).

Note that when the tray (61) is driven in the ejection direction after lowering the movable base (2) during disk ejection, the binion portion (38) is reversed and a switching operation opposite to that described above is performed.

As mentioned above, the first slide plate (4) and the second slide plate (
5) are arranged one on top of the other, and on both sides of these slide plates (4) and (5), a binion section (38) serving as a drive source and a timing gear (39) for power switching are arranged. Then, the binion part (38) and timing gear (39)
Since the rotation centers of the two are aligned on the same straight line orthogonal to the direction of movement of the slider plate, a more accurate power transmission switching operation can be achieved compared to a case where both rotation centers are shifted from each other.

In other words, if both rotation centers are misaligned, both slide plates (
4) Variations in dimensional accuracy when molding (5'), especially deviations in the phase relationship between the rack parts formed on each slide plate (4) (5), and slide plates (4) and (5). There is a possibility that the switching timing by the timing gear (39) may be deviated due to thermal expansion caused by temperature changes, and the above-mentioned switching operation may not be performed normally.

On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment in which both rotation centers are aligned,
Even if a longitudinal dimensional error occurs in the slide plates (4) and (5) due to the above reasons, the positional relationship of the pinion part (38) and timing gear (39) with respect to the rack part of the slide plates (4) and (5) will be affected. Since there is no change, there is no change in the time of starting meshing and the time of releasing meshing, and there is no shift in the switching timing. Therefore, normal power transmission switching operation is always achieved.

Pickup (8) As shown in Fig. 2, a first rack plate (81) and a second rack plate (84) are arranged vertically on top of each other along the pickup transition path on the chassis (11). .

The second rack plate (84) is guided in reciprocating linear movement in the pickup transfer direction by a guide mechanism (not shown) formed at the engagement portion with the chassis (11).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the first rack plate (81) engages with the second rack plate (84) with a certain amount of play in the pick-up transfer direction.

A compression spring (87) is provided between the first rack plate (81) and the second rack plate (84) for biasing the first rack plate (81) to the left with respect to the second rack plate (84). It has been intervened.

The first rack plate (81) has a pickup assembly (2
7) side end, there is a protrusion (8) that protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the rack plate.
1a) is formed, and a coil spring (88) is attached to the protrusion.
The proximal end of is locked. On the other hand, the second rack plate (84
) has a stopper (86) projecting from the end on the side of the pickup assembly (27). The stopper (8
6) is provided with a protruding piece (86a) extending downward as shown in FIG.

FIG. 35 shows the engaged state of the pickup assembly (27) and both rack plates (81) and (84) during pickup transfer, and shows the state in which the pickup assembly (27)
The base (27a) is interposed between the coil spring (88) of the first rack plate (81) and the stopper (86) of the second rack plate (84), and is compressed by the biasing force of the coil spring (88). (See Figure 40).

Therefore, by driving both rack plates (81) and (84) in this state, the pickup assembly (27)
is transported together with both rack plates.

37 and 38 show the structure of the attachment of the coil spring (88) to the protrusion (81a) of the first rack plate (81).
1a), the end surface (8
A locking piece (81b) having a substantially right triangular cross section is provided protrudingly spaced apart from the coil spring (88) by a distance slightly larger than the wire diameter of the coil spring (88). coil spring(
When attaching the coil spring (88) to the protrusion (81a), the coil spring (88) is rotated and placed around the protrusion (81a) as shown by the broken line in the figure. Along with this, the tip (88a) of the coil spring (88) intervenes between the end surface (81c) of the first rack plate (81) and the locking piece (81b), and the installation is completed as shown in Fig. 38. do. In this state, the tip of the coil spring (88) is attached to the locking piece (81).
It is locked by b), and is securely prevented from being pulled out.

At the time of pickup transfer, the driving mechanism (3) and the pickup transfer mechanism (8) are set to the gear meshing state shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, and the pinion portion (
38) is the first rack part (82) of the first rack plate (81)
and the rack portion (85) of the second rack plate (84) at the same time. Therefore, by rotating the driving gear (32) in the forward and reverse directions, the pickup assembly (27) is reciprocated along the guide shaft (26) (26).

In addition, when the pickup is transferred, the first slide plate (4) and the second slide plate (5) are both installed at the right moving end, and the pinion part (38) of the drive gear (36) and both slide plates ( 4) The meshing with the rack parts (41) and (54) of (5) is released.

Figure 39 of the base pickup shows the positional relationship between the pickup assembly (27) and both slide plates (4) and (5) when the movable base (2) is set in the lowered position, and Figure 40 shows the pickup transfer. This shows the state of engagement between the two.

In FIG. 39, the first rack plate (81) and the second rack plate (84) are each installed at the right moving end, and the coil spring (88) of the first rack plate (81) is connected to the pickup assembly (84). 27) and is in a free state, and the clamping and holding of the pickup assembly (27) by the coil spring (88) is released. However, the stopper ('86) provided on the second rack plate (84)
The protrusion (86a) contacts the pickup assembly (27) and prevents the pickup assembly (27) from freely moving away from the turntable (24).

In FIG. 40, the pickup assembly (27)
is compressed by the coil spring (88) of the first rack plate (81) and the stopper (86) of the second rack plate (84), and as a result, the pickup assembly (27) and both rack plates (81) (84) move as one.

[J Movement of the base and pickup] As mentioned above, the movable base (2) is connected to the pinion part (of the drive gear (36)).
By driving the second slide plate (5) by the drive gear (38), the pickup assembly (27) is driven by the drive gear (38).
The first and second rack plates (81) and (84) are driven by the pinion section (38) of the pinion section (6), respectively, and the power of the pinion section (38) is transferred to the second slide plate (5).
) and both rack plates (81, 84), a switching mechanism (7) is provided on the chassis (11) as shown in FIG.

The switching mechanism (7) includes a switching pinion (71) arranged on an extension line in the moving direction of the first rack plate (81), and a spring (7) that biases the switching pinion (71) to rotate.
2). The switching pinion (71) is supported by a pivot (12a) on the chassis (11) as shown in FIG.
The lower end includes an arm portion (74) projecting outward, and a locking piece (73a) projecting from the collar portion (73).
A spring (72) is stretched between the hook (Ilc) on the chassis (11) and the hook (Ilc) on the chassis (11). Switching pinion (71
) is formed at a predetermined opening angle on the chassis (11).
The arm part (7
4), the rotation angle range is defined by the contact.

Figures 31 to 34 show the process of switching the power transmission path from the second slide plate (5) to both rack plates (81) and (84) by the operation of the switching mechanism (7) after disk clamping is completed. .

In the state shown in FIG. 31, which shows when disk clamping is completed, the binion portion (38) of the drive gear (36) meshes with the terminal end of the first rack portion (54) of the second slide plate (5).

Further, the second rack plate (84) comes into contact with a stopper (not shown) on the chassis at the right end of movement and is stopped.

The switching pinion (71) is engaged with the second rack portion (83) of the first rack plate (81), and the spring (71) is engaged with the second rack portion (83) of the first rack plate (81).
The switching pinion (71) is rotated clockwise under the urging force of 2), and the arm portion (74) of the switching pinion (71) hits the stopper surface (lla) on the chassis and stops. As the switching pinion (71) rotates clockwise under the urging force of the spring (72), the first rack plate (81
) is pulled to the right with respect to the second rack plate (84), and the compression spring (87) is accordingly compressed.

When the drive gear (36) rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG.
drive the first rack part (54) of the second slide plate (
5) Move to the right. As a result, the third rack part (56) of the second slide plate (5) moves to the switching pinion (71).
) and rotate the switching pinion (71) counterclockwise against the spring (72). The rotation of the switching pinion (71) causes the first rack plate (81
) is driven, and the second rack part (83) of the first rack plate (
81) moves slightly to the left.

When the drive gear (36) further rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in Fig. 32, the switching pinion (71) is rotated as shown in Fig. 33.
The rotational biasing force of the spring (72) against the rotation changes from clockwise to counterclockwise. The switching pinion (71) further rotates counterclockwise due to the biasing force in the counterclockwise direction, so that the third rack portion (
56) is driven to the right, the first rack plate (8
The second rack part (83) of 1) is driven to the left. As a result, the first rack part (82) of the first rack plate (81) starts to mesh with the pinion part (38) of the drive gear (36), while the pinion part (38) and the second slide plate (5 ) is disengaged from the first rack portion (54).

Thereafter, for a short period of time, the first rack plate (81) is moved to the left by both the driving force of the drive gear (36) and the rotational biasing force of the switching pinion (71), and finally the position shown in FIG. In the state shown, the arm portion (74) of the switching pinion (71) stops when it hits the stopper surface (llb) on the chassis, and the switching pinion (71) and the first latch plate (8) stop.
1) is disengaged from the second rack portion (83). In addition, with the first rack plate (81) moved to the left moving end with respect to the second rack plate (84) by the biasing force of the compression spring (87), the rack portions of both rack plates (81) and (84) (82) and (85) overlap each other in the same phase, and these rack parts simultaneously engage the pinion part (3) of the drive gear (36).
8).

Thereafter, both the rack plates (81) and (84) are reciprocated by the drive of the pinion portion (38) of the drive gear (36), and the pickup assembly is transferred.

After signal reproduction by the pickup assembly (27), when ejecting the disc, use the pickup assembly (27) to eject the disc.
) is transferred to the turntable (24) side as shown in Fig. 4, and then, by the operation of the switching mechanism (7), the power transmission path is transferred from both rack plates (81) (84) to the second slide plate (5). Switch to This process is performed by an operation opposite to the above-mentioned switching operation, that is, from the state shown in FIG. 34, through the states shown in FIGS. 33 and 32, and then back to the state shown in FIG. 31.

As mentioned above, the drive of the tray (61) and the movable base (2)
are both driven by the rotation of the drive gear (36), or in these driving processes, as shown in FIG. The first rack part (82) of the first rack plate (81) and the pinion part (38) of the drive gear (36) do not come into contact with each other. Completely disconnected. Therefore, the tray (
61) Alternatively, when the movable base (2) is driven, the pickup transfer mechanism (8) does not act as a load.

In the process of transitioning from the state shown in Figure 34 to the state shown in Figure 33, the switching pinion (71) and the second rack part (83) of the first rack plate (81) , from a completely disengaged state, the rack part (83) moves longitudinally toward the pinion (71), and meshing between the two is started.1 At this time, the rack part (83) and the pinion If (71) has a normal configuration with complete tooth surfaces, at the start of meshing, the rack part (83)
The leading tooth of the pinion (71) will start contacting the tooth surface of the pinion (71) at an abnormal position, and until the state of normal engagement is achieved, unreasonable force will be applied to the tooth surface, resulting in tooth surface defects, etc. It causes

Therefore, in this embodiment, the rack part (83
) The leading tooth (81a) is approximately half the widthwise portion (8
1b) is formed into a shape lacking. Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the pinion (71) is connected to the leading tooth (
The tooth (71a) to be engaged with the leading tooth (83a)
It is formed into a shape in which the portion (71b) corresponding to a) is missing.

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the first rack plate (81
) moves in the direction of the arrow and starts meshing with the pinion (71), the leading tooth (83) of the first rack plate (81)
a) passes through the tooth (71a) of the pinion (71) and meshes with the next tooth (71c). In addition, the rack part (83
) is the second tooth (83c) of the pinion (71).
1a), and the rack portion (83) and pinion (71) are in a state of being hugged as shown in FIG. 43.

During this process, no unreasonable force is applied to the tooth surfaces that mesh with each other.

After the meshing starts, the normal complete tooth surface meshing state is achieved, and the pinion (71) is moved by the movement of the rack plate (81).
is driven to rotate.

The combination structure of the rack and pinion described above is the combination of the third rack part (56) of the second slide plate (5) shown in FIG. 31 and the switching pinion (71), or the combination of the first slide plate (5) shown in FIG. 4) second rack part (42) and second relay gear (
63) is also adopted for the combination of the pinion part (64).

In the former combination, the second slide plate (5)
After moving to the right from the position shown in Figure 1, the right leading tooth of the third rack part (56) is moved to the switching pinion (71) as shown in Figure 32.
), the third rack part (56) and the switching pinion (71) hug each other, and meshing starts smoothly.

In addition, in the latter combination, after lowering the movable base (2), in the process of ejecting the tray, the first slide plate (4) moves to the left from the position shown in Figure 5, and the first slide plate (4) moves to the left from the position shown in Figure 4. As shown in the figure, when the left leading tooth of the second rack part (42,) meshes with the pinion part (64) of the second relay gear (63), the second rack part (42) and the pinion part (64) hug each other. ,
Meshing begins smoothly.

The above description of the embodiments is for illustrating the present invention, and should not be construed to limit or reduce the scope of the invention described in the claims.

Further, it goes without saying that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the overall configuration of a disc player according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view of the tray driving state, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the movable base driving state, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the pickup transfer state, and Fig. 6 shows the main part of the cross section along the line diagram showing,
Figure 7 is a diagram showing the main part of the cross section along the line ■-■ in Figure 3, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the main part of the cross section along the line ■-■ in Figure 4,
The figure is a diagram showing the main part of the cross section along the line IX-■ in Figure 5.
Figure 0 is an exploded perspective view of the movable base mechanism, Figures 11 and 1
Figure 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the movable pace in its descending and ascending states, Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the first and second slide plates, and Figure 14 is an assembled state of the first and second slide plates. , FIGS. 15 to 17 are partially cutaway side views showing a series of operations of the movable base drive mechanism, and FIGS. 18 to 20 are back views showing a series of operations of the movable base support mechanism. FIG. 21 is a partially cutaway side view illustrating the disk storage position of the tray, FIGS. 22 and 23 are a plan view and perspective view, respectively, illustrating the first slide plate driving state, and FIGS. 24 and 25 are FIGS. 26 and 27 are a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, illustrating the first half operation of switching from the first slide plate drive state to the second slide plate drive state, and FIGS. A perspective view, FIGS. 28 and 29 are a plan view and a perspective view illustrating the driving state of the second slide plate, FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the switching mechanism, and FIG.
34 are a series of plan views showing the switching from the second slide plate driving state to the first and second rack plate driving states, FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the pickup transfer mechanism, and FIG. The figure is an exploded perspective view of the pickup transfer mechanism.
FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view showing the installation of the coil spring to the first rack plate in an enlarged manner, FIG. 38 is a partially cutaway side view showing the assembled state of the structure, and FIGS. 39 and 40 41 to 4 are partially cutaway side views showing the pickup assembly pinching operation by the coil spring;
3 shows the structure in which the rack and the binion are combined, FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing the second rack part of the first rack plate, FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the second rack part and the switching binion before they are engaged, and FIG. The figure is a perspective view showing the mating state at the start of meshing. (81)...First rack plate (84)...Second rack plate (87)...Compression spring (88)...
Coil spring (9)...Movable base support mechanism (91)...Rotating lever (11)...Chassis (18)...Guide recess (2)...Movable base (23)... Positioning rib (27)...Pickup assembly (3)
... Driving mechanism (32) ... Driving gear (36
)...Drive gear (39)...Timing gear (4)...First slide plate (5)...Second slide plate (6)...Tray drive mechanism (61)...Tray (66)...Tray feed gear (68)...Binion part (71)...Switching binion (72)...
・Spring (8)...Pickup transfer mechanism

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a power conversion mechanism comprising a pinion (71) and a rack (83) that reciprocates on a straight line tangent to the pitch circle of the pinion and repeatedly engages and disengages with the pinion, the rack ( 83), the leading rack tooth (83a) on the pinion side is formed to have a smaller tooth width than the other succeeding rack teeth (83c),
Among the plurality of teeth constituting the pinion (71), the pinion tooth (71a) to be interposed between the leading rack tooth (83a) and the succeeding second rack tooth (83c) is the leading rack tooth (83a). ) A power conversion mechanism using a rack and pinion, characterized in that the tooth width region corresponding to (71c) is omitted to form a tooth width smaller than that of other pinion teeth (71c).