Disk drive having a disk loading mechanism

A disk drive having a disk loading mechanism which comprises:

• a turntable for supporting a disk at a playback position to rotate the disk around a center of the turntable;
• a clamper for clamping the disk on the turntable when the disk is rotatable around the center of the turntable;
• a clamper holder for supporting the clamper such that the clamper is vertically movable relative to the turntable;
• a turntable moving unit for vertically moving the turntable relative to the clamper between a non-contact position and a supporting position such that when the turntable is in the non-contact position a transporting passage is provided between the turntable and the clamper through which the disk may pass and when the turntable is at the supporting position, the disk is supported on the turntable for the clamper to clamp the disk to the turntable;
• and
• a clamper holder moving unit for vertically moving the clamper holder between a first position, a second position and an intermediate position between said first position and said second position with the clamper holder being moved into said positions in a predetermined sequence for controlling the movement of the clamper in relation to the turntable such that when the clamper holder is at the first position no contact occurs between the clamper and the disk and, when the clamper holder is at the second position, the disk on the turntable is clamped by the clamper, and
• wherein the turntable moving unit and the clamper holder moving unit are interconnected such that said clamper holder and turntable move relative to one another in a predetermined sequence such that, when the disk on the turntable at the playback position is released from the clamper, the clamper holder moving unit vertically moves the clamper holder to said intermediate position before the turntable is moved from the supporting position to the non-contact position by the turntable moving unit, and vertically moves, after the turntable is moved to the non-contact position, the clamper holder from the intermediate position to the first position and wherein the clamper holder in said intermediate position keeps the clamper out of contact with the disk when the turntable is moved.