Filtering apparatus for disk drive

• US 20050041334A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jeong, Woo-cheol, Kim, Do-wan, Kim, Tae-soo
• Granted Patent: US 7,307,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/97.20
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/146 constructional details of filters

Abstract

A filtering apparatus of a hard disk drive which includes an actuator to move a read/write head to a predetermined position over a disk and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) bracket installed in a corner of the base member. The filtering apparatus includes: a filter holder protruding from one side of the FPC bracket toward the read/write head; and a filter disposed in the filter holder which filters foreign materials in air flowing in the disk drive.

Claims

1. A filtering apparatus of a hard disk drive which includes an actuator to move a read/write head to a predetermined position over a disk and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) bracket installed in a corner of the base member, comprising:

a filter holder protruding from one side of the FPC bracket toward the read/write head; and

a filter disposed in the filter holder, which filters foreign materials in air flowing in the disk drive.

2. The filtering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter holder is integrally formed with the FPC bracket.

3. The filtering apparatus of claim 2, wherein the filter holder and the FPC bracket are formed by plastic injection molding

4. The filtering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter holder has a “

U”

shape with an upper side open.

5. The filtering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter holder has a first filter support groove configured to accept at least one side end portion of the filter i.

6. The filtering apparatus of claim 5, wherein the filter holder has a second filter support groove configured to accept a lower end portion of the filter.

7. The filtering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter holder has a guide portion at an end which guides a flow of air toward the filter and forms an air flow path between the guide portion and the FPC bracket.

8. The filtering apparatus of claim 7, wherein the guide portion is integrally formed with the filter holder.

9. The filtering apparatus of claim 8, wherein the filter holder and the FPC bracket are formed by plastic injection molding

10. The filtering apparatus of claim 7, wherein the guide portion is perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the filter holder.

11. The filtering apparatus of claim 7, wherein a width of the air flow path gradually increases in a direction further away from the filter.

12. The filtering apparatus of claim 10, wherein the guide portion has an arch shape.

13. A hard disk drive comprising:

a base with a bracket in a corner of the base;

a recording/reproducing section; and

a filter section disposed between the bracket and the recording/reproducing section, which filters foreign materials from air in the hard disk drive.

14. The hard disk drive of claim 13, wherein the bracket is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) bracket.

15. The hard disk drive of claim 13, wherein the recording/reproducing section includes a read/write head which records data to a disk and/or reproduces data from the disk and an actuator which moves the read/write head.

16. The hard disk drive of claim 13, wherein the filter section includes a filter which filters the foreign materials from air flowing therethrough, a filter holder configured to hold the filter, and a guide portion which guides air toward the filter.

17. The hard disk drive of claim 16, wherein the guide portion is disposed at an end portion of the filter holder.

18. The hard disk drive of claim 16, wherein the guide portion is perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the filter holder.

19. The hard disk drive of claim 16, wherein the guide portion is parallel to the side surface of the bracket.

20. The hard disk drive of claim 16, wherein the guide portion is arch shaped.

21. The hard disk drive of claim 16, wherein the guide portion is integral with the filter holder.

22. A filter system for a hard disk drive having a bracket in a corner thereof, comprising:

a filter;

a filter holder which includes a guide portion at an end opposite the bracket; and

an air flow passage formed between the guide portion and the bracket, which guides air through the filter.

23. The filter system of claim 22, wherein the filter is a porous material through which air is passable.

24. The filter system of claim 23, wherein the porous material is a sponge.