Optical system driving device having improved vibrational characteristics and optical recording apparatus incorporating the same

An optical recording apparatus comprising:

• a drive mechanism for rotating a recording medium;
• and
• an optical system driving device including;
• a holder holding an optical element;
• support means for supporting the holder and permitting its displacement in a focusing direction;
• the support means including a fixing portion and an elastic member having two ends, one end of which is fixed to the fixing portion and the other end of which is connected to the holder;
• a carriage mounting the holder and the support means and moving in a tracking direction;
• and
• drive coils secured to the holder for displacing the holder in the focusing direction;
• a flexible printed board provided on the elastic member for supplying a drive current to the drive coils;
• and
• a vibration damping sheet member mounted on the one end of the elastic member fixed to the fixing portion and generally only in a region where the elastic member and the fixing portion overlap, and held between the flexible printed board and elastic member,
• wherein the optical element is located opposite the recording face of the recording medium.

An optical recording apparatus comprising:

• a drive mechanism for rotating a recording medium;
• and
• an optical system, driving device including;
• a holder having an optical element;
• a support means for supporting the holder and permitting the displacement of the holder in a focusing direction;
• a carriage mounting the holder and the support means moving a tracking direction;
• drive coils secured to the holder and for causing the holder to be displaced in the focusing direction;
• a fixing portion having on one side, a first upright portion facing the holder and on the opposite side, a second upright portion paralleling the first upright portion with a height higher than that of the first upright portion, and a groove formed between the first and second upright sections;
• a pair of parallel leaf springs respectively having one end secured to the second upright portion of the fixing portion and another end connected to the holder, and having a rectangular hole positioned in the groove;
• a flexible printed board provided on the pair of leaf springs for supplying a drive current to the drive coils;
• and
• a vibration damping material, which is introduced between the first and second upright portions and in the groove, contacting the leaf spring,
• wherein said optical element is located opposite the recording face of the recording medium.

An optical system driving device comprising:

• a holder having an optical element;
• support means for supporting the holder and permitting the displacement of the holder in a focusing direction;
• a carriage mounting the holder and the support means moving a tracking direction;
• drive coils secured to the holder for causing the holder to be displaced in the focusing direction;
• a fixing portion having on one side, a first upright portion facing the holder and on the opposite side, a second upright portion paralleling the first upright portion with a height higher than that of the first upright portion, and a groove formed between the first and second upright sections;
• a pair of parallel leaf springs respectively having one end secured to the second upright portion of the fixing portion and another end connected to the holder, and having a rectangular hole positioned on the groove;
• a flexible printed board provided on the pair of leaf springs for supplying a drive current to the drive coils;
• and
• a vibration damping material, which is introduced between the first and second upright portions and in the groove, contacting the leaf spring.