Photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus including improved magnetic head lifting mechanism

Abstract

A holder holds a mini-disc cartridge and mounts the disc on a turntable. An optical pickup transport holding an optical pickup for applying a laser spot to a signal record track of the disc is movably supported by a guide rod. A magnetic head contacts the disc and applies a magnetic field to the back surface of the disc where the laser spot is applied. A switch judges whether the data record to the disc is to be permitted. The magnetic head is pushed against the disc only when the mounted disc is permitted to record data and the data record is to be performed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus including a disc loading mechanism for mounting on a turntable a photomagnetic disc accommodated in a cartridge, an optical pickup for applying a laser spot to a signal record track of said disc, and a magnetic head for applying a magnetic field to the back surface of said disc where said laser spot is applied, characterized by a magnetic head lifting mechanism for making said magnetic head contact said disc or separate from said disc, said magnetic head lifting mechanism being connected to said disc loading mechanism and operated by a drive source provided to said disc loading mechanism, and   a detector means for discriminating an outer shape of the cartridge of said mounted disc to detect whether said mounted disc is allowed to record data,   .[.at least one cam which connects.]. .Iadd.means for connecting .Iaddend.said disc loading mechanism and said magnetic head lifting mechanism,   wherein said magnetic head lifting mechanism responds to both the detection result obtained by said detector means and record/reproduction mode information to operate said magnetic head so that said magnetic head is brought into contact with said disc .[.only.]. when said mounted disc is allowed to record data and a record mode is set, and wherein said .[.at least one cam.]. .Iadd.means for connecting .Iaddend.is adapted to take three positions to provide a first state where said disc is spaced apart from said turntable, a second state where said disc is mounted on said turntable and said magnetic head is spaced apart from said disc, and a third state where said disc is mounted on said turntable and said magnetic head is made in contact with said disc, so that it is allowed to move to said third state when said mounted disc is allowed to record data and a record mode is set.   
     
     
       2. The photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical pickup moves in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction that said photomagnetic disc accommodated in a cartridge is inserted into said apparatus. 
     
     
       3. A photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus including a disc loading mechanism for mounting on a turntable a photomagnetic disc accommodated in a cartridge, an optical pickup for applying a laser spot to a signal record track of said disc, and a magnetic head for applying a magnetic field to the back surface of said disc where said laser spot is applied, characterized by a magnetic head lifting mechanism for making said magnetic head contact said disc or separate from said disc, said magnetic head lifting mechanism being connected to said disc loading mechanism and operated by a drive source provided to said disc loading mechanism, and   a detector means for discriminating an outer shape of the cartridge of said mounted disc to detect whether said mounted disc is allowed to record data,   .[.a common cam which connects.]. .Iadd.means for commonly connecting .Iaddend.said disc loading mechanism and said magnetic head lifting mechanism,   wherein said magnetic head lifting mechanism responds to both the detection result obtained by said detector means and record/reproduction mode information to operate said magnetic head so that said magnetic head is brought into contact with said disc .[.only.]. when said mounted disc is allowed to record data and a record mode is set, and wherein said .[.common cam.]. .Iadd.means for commonly connecting .Iaddend.is adapted to take three positions to provide a first state where said disc is spaced apart from said turntable, a second state where said disc is mounted on said turntable and said magnetic head is spaced apart from said disc, and a third state where said disc is mounted on said turntable and said magnetic head is made in contact with said disc, so that it is allowed to move to said third state when said mounted disc is allowed to record data and a record mode is set.   
     
     
       4. The photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 3 wherein said optical pickup moves in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction that said photomagnetic disc accommodated in a cartridge is inserted into said apparatus. .Iadd. 
     
     
       5.  The photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting comprises a cam. .Iaddend..Iadd.6. The photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for commonly connecting comprises a cam. .Iaddend..Iadd.7. The photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 5, wherein said cam comprises a slider and cam gooves. .Iaddend..Iadd.8. The photomaonetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cam comprises a slider and cam grooves. .Iaddend..Iadd.9. A method of mountino a photomagnetic disc accommodated in a cartridge on a turntable of a photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus, and applying a magnetic field to the back surface of said disc, comprising the steps of: holding said disc with a holder,   detecting whether said disc is allowed to record data,   moving back and forth a slider to lift and lower said holder,   attracting said disc on a turntable when said holder is at a lowered position, and   if said disc is allowed to record data. recording data by moving said slider further backward to press a magnetic head against said disc.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.10.  A method of mounting a photomagnetic disc accommodated in a cartridge on a turntable of a photomaongetic disc record/reproduction apparatus by a disc loading mechanism and applying magnetic field of a magnetic head to the back surface of said disc by a magnetic head lifting mechanism, comprising the steps of: holding said disc with said disc loading mechanism, said disc loading mechanism including a holder,   moving at least one of back and forth a slider operably connected to said disc loading mechanism and marnetic head lifting mechanism to lower said holder by actuating a drive mechanism,   detecting whether said disc is allowed to record data, and   if said disc is allowed to record data, recording data by moving said slider further backward to press said magnetic head against said disc by actuating said magnetic head lifting mechanism. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. The photmagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnetic head is spaced in a predetermined position apart from said disc at the first and second states..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The photomagnetic disc record/reproduction apparatus of claim 3, wherein said magnetic head is spaced in a predetermined position apart from said disc at the first and second states..Iaddend..Iadd.13. The method of claim 9, wherein said holder is lifted and lowered without moving said magnetic head..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The method of claim 10, wherein said holder is lowered without moving said magnetic head lifting mechanism..Iaddend.