Compact disk drive head disk assembly with conformable tape seal

• US 5,270,887 A
• Filed: 12/04/1991
• Issued: 12/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Western Digital Corporation
• Original Assignee: Western Digital Corporation
• Inventors: Edwards, John R., Flanigan, Charles D., Casey, Shawn E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heinz, A. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANS, JEFFERSON A
• Application Number:
  US07/802,347
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 360/97.01-97.04, 360/98.01, 360/106, 360/137
• US Class Current: 360/97.03
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 25/043 using rotating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1466 sealing gaskets, gasket in general F16J
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/54 with provision for moving the head into or out of its operative position or across tracks

Abstract

A disk drive head disk assembly having a compact configuration includes an actuator assembly mounted to a base plate through a three point mounting system. The actuator includes a voice coil which engages a magnet assembly having an integrated latch/magnet spacer including a fixed magnetic latch and cantilevered beam crash stop. A single piece tape seal having a thick adhesive formed on a tape substrate encompasses the junction between the base and cover of the head disk assembly providing a substantially airtight seal to thereby maintain a desired clean environment within the disk drive.

Claims

1. A sealed housing for enclosing the mechanical components of a high density disk drive data storage device of the type including a disk stack assembly, spindle motor, actuator assembly and actuator motor, comprising:

a base, having a substantially rectangular shape and including a base plate with side walls, said base being adapted to receive the disk stack assembly, spindle motor, actuator assembly and actuator motor of the disk drive, said base plate including one or more openings to allow external control electronics to connect to the interior of the drive, said side walls having a recess indented from the outside upper surface of the side walls;

a cover, having a substantially rectangular shape matching that of said base and side walls having a recess indented from the outside lower surface of the side walls to form a housing, said cover being adapted to mate with the base at the respective upper and lower surfaces of the respective side walls, said recesses providing a channel indented from the outside side wall surfaces, said channel having a depth dimension extending inwardly from the outside surfaces of the sidewalls, a width dimension generally parallel to the outside surfaces of the sidewalls, and a length dimension extending around the perimeter of the housing; and

a tape seal, having an elongated shape with a length dimension, a width dimension and a thickness, said width dimension substantially corresponding to the width of said channel and said length dimension sufficient to extend around the perimeter of the housing, said tape seal having a substrate and an adhesive layer formed on said substrate, said adhesive layer being substantially thicker than said substrate, for adhering the tape seal to the outer surface of said housing in said channel and for providing a high degree of adhesive compliance so as to achieve a substantially air-tight seal.

2. A housing as set out in claim 1, wherein said tape seal adhesive layer is approximately three times the thickness of said substrate.

3. A housing as set out in claim 1, wherein said base and cover are made of die cast aluminum, and wherein the maximum misregistration between the side walls of said base and cover is 20 mils., and wherein said tape seal is approximately 13.5 mils. thick, including a substrate thickness of about 3.5 mils. and an adhesive thickness of about 10 mils.

4. A housing as set out in claim 1, wherein said substrate is composed of a polyester backing and an aluminum foil deposited thereon.

5. A housing as set out in claim 1, wherein said adhesive is an acrylic adhesive having relatively high surface tension.

6. A housing as set out in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said tape seal is substantially the same as the depth dimension of said channel.

7. A housing as set out in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said adhesive layer is at least about two times the maximum misregistration between the side walls of said base and cover.

8. A method for sealing a disk drive housing enclosing the mechanical components of a disk drive data storage device, said housing including a base, said base having a substantially rectangular shape and having side walls, said side walls having a recess indented from the outside upper surface of the side wall, and a cover, the cover having a substantially rectangular shape matching that of said base and side walls having a recess indented from the outside lower surface of the side walls, said cover being adapted to mate with the base so as to form a housing, said respective recesses in the cover and base providing a channel indented from the outside side wall surfaces, comprising the steps of:

providing a tape seal, said tape seal having an elongated shape with a length dimension, a width dimension and a thickness, said tape seal length dimension being sufficient to extend around the perimeter of the housing, said tape seal having a substrate and an adhesive layer formed on said substrate, wherein said adhesive layer is thicker than said substrate;

adhering the tape seal to the outer surface of said housing in said channel; and

crimping an overlay region between the two ends of said tape seal;

wherein the crimping of said tape seal, with said adhesive layer thicker than said substrate to provide a high degree of adhesive compliance, achieves a substantially air-tight seal.

9. A method for sealing a housing as set out in claim 8, wherein said step of adhering the tape seal comprises pressing the tape seal into the channel of said housing, with said adhesive layer contacting said outer surface of said housing, by applying a roller to said tape seal.

10. A method for sealing a housing as set out in claim 8, wherein said step of crimping comprises applying a spring loaded styler having a predetermined spring force to said overlap region of the tape seal.

11. A method for sealing a housing as set out in claim 8, wherein said tape seal adhesive layer is approximately three times the thickness of said tape seal substrate.

12. A method for sealing a housing as set out in claim 8, wherein the thickness of said adhesive layer is at least about two times the maximum misregistration between the side walls of said base and cover.

13. A method for sealing a housing as set out in claim 8, wherein said substrate is composed of a polyester backing and an aluminum foil deposited thereon.