Compact disc mass storage with magazine transfer - has handling unit with permanent magnets that interact with steel plate on disc drive for clamping

摘要

Compact discs (CDs) [5] are used for reading and writing stored data. The read/write CD drive system has a number of discs stored in a vertical stack magazine [3]. The discs are each within a disc holder [6] that locates in horizontal parallel grooves [10]. An automatic handling unit [12] extracts the discs singly from commanded locations and places the disc on to a drive unit [8] mounted at the side of the magazine. The handling unit has a number of permanent magnet elements retained by clips. A ferro magnetic plate is set into the drive unit and interacts with the magnets to retain the disc.