Oliff & Berridge, PLC
Support structure for an optical pickup
 An optical pickup includes a movable unit supported in such a manner that the movable unit can move in tracking directions as well as in focusing directions. The movable unit has a laser unit including an objective lens, a reflecting mechanism, a light source, and a light detecting mechanism all constructed in an integral fashion. An axis of rotation of the movable unit intersects an optical axis of a light beam emitted by the laser unit. Also provided are two rotating mechanisms (for example, pivot pins or hinges) separately disposed in a direction along the axis of rotation, both rotating mechanisms having a common axis of rotation. Such an arrangement makes it possible to realize a small-sized, optical pickup having a driving mechanism suitable for high speed seeking. Such an optical pickup makes it possible to realize an optical recording/reproducing apparatus that can transfer data at a high rate of speed over a short access time. 
Seiko Epson Corporation
G G
G11B G11B
inventional inventional
Hirokazu Tomohiro
Ito Makigaki