Apparatus and method for reducing shock and vibration caused by

Abstract

In an optical disc player having multiple read/write stations, the shock and vibration which is induced by the operation of loading one disc cartridge onto the turntable of one station may disrupt the recording/playing process in another station. The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for cushioning the shock of the loading process. As the cartridge is being loaded, pressurized air is supplied through orifices in the turntable reference plate to reduce the shock throughout the system. The air between the moving cartridge and the reference plate acts as a spring and damper to reduce the shock of the load cycle. In one embodiment, the pressurized air is supplied through the same orifices which are subsequently used to draw a vacuum which retains the cartridge against the reference plate.