Magnetic disk drive

Abstract

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic disk drive that reliably prevents entry of water or other form of liquid through a breathing hole for the enhanced performance, reliability, and the like. In one embodiment, a box body forming part of a hard disk drive (HDD) has a top cover. The top cover includes a breathing hole drilled therein. The breathing hole serves to eliminate any pressure difference between an inside and an outside of the HDD. A fiber waterproof body, which includes a waterproof fiber material or the like, is fitted in a large-diameter hole of the breathing hole. A pore waterproof body, formed by bundling up an infinite number of slender pores, is mounted in a small-diameter hole of the breathing hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view showing a HDD according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view as viewed from a direction of an arrow II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fiber waterproof body shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pore waterproof body shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the same elements as those shown in FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fiber waterproof body shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the fiber waterproof body shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the fiber waterproof body shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the same elements as those shown in FIG. 2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a first fiber waterproof body shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a second fiber waterproof body shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the same elements as those shown in FIG. 2 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the same elements as those shown in FIG. 12 in a condition, in which a water-absorbing polymer swells.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view showing a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view showing a condition, in which a water-absorbing polymer swells.

Claims

1. A magnetic disk drive, comprising: a box body having a head disk assembly built therein for writing data to, and reading data from, a magnetic recording medium,wherein the box body includes a wall surface having a breathing hole drilled therein to penetrate therethrough, andwherein the breathing hole includes a waterproof body having therein a plurality of pores, the waterproof body preventing entry of a liquid in the box body by using surface tension of the liquid when the liquid enters the pores.

2. A magnetic disk drive, comprising: a box body having a head disk assembly built therein for writing data to, and reading data from, a magnetic recording medium,wherein the box body includes a wall surface having a breathing hole drilled therein to penetrate therethrough, andwherein the breathing hole includes a waterproof fiber material that blocks circulation of a liquid, while allowing circulation of a gas.

3. A magnetic disk drive, comprising: a box body having a head disk assembly built therein for writing data to, and reading data from, a magnetic recording medium,wherein the box body includes a wall surface having a breathing hole drilled therein to penetrate therethrough, andwherein the breathing hole includes a fiber material mixed with a water-absorbing polymer that swells to fill gaps between fibers when water enters the breathing hole.

4. A magnetic disk drive, comprising: a box body having a head disk assembly built therein for writing data to, and reading data from, a magnetic recording medium,wherein the box body includes a wall surface having a breathing hole drilled therein to penetrate therethrough, andwherein the breathing hole includes a flexible container disposed therein, the flexible container having a water intake and accommodating therein a water-absorbing polymer that absorbs a liquid to swell when the liquid enters the flexible container through the water intake.