Hard disk drive embedded gasket base
A hard disk drive enclosure base includes a groove extending from an internal sidewall surface into the sidewall and a gasket seal embedded in the groove. In the context of progressively larger recording disk diameters, corresponding expanding disk shrouds, and corresponding narrower baseplate sidewalls, such a baseplate is configured to enable a first cover to physically engage with a portion of the embedded gasket seal that extends inward away from the sidewall surface, thereby providing a suitable drive sealing mechanism.
1 . A hard disk drive (HDD) comprising:
a disk medium rotatably mounted on a spindle;
a head slider housing a read-write transducer configured to read from and to write to the disk medium;
an actuator configured for moving the head slider to access portions of the disk medium; and
an enclosure base comprising:
a groove extending from an internal surface of a sidewall into the sidewall, and
a gasket seal embedded and encompassed at least 180 continuous degrees within the groove;
wherein the groove and the embedded gasket seal are discretely positioned at each of a 0° position, a 90° position, and a 180° position of the base.
2 . The HDD of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first cover coupled to the base;
wherein the embedded gasket seal is configured to seal an interface between the first cover and the base.
3 . The HDD of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first cover coupled to the base;
wherein:
the groove extends into the sidewall substantially normal to the sidewall surface,
a portion of the embedded gasket seal extends inward beyond the sidewall surface, and
an outer edge of the first cover physically engages with the portion of the embedded gasket seal that extends inward beyond the sidewall surface.
4 . The HDD of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first cover coupled to the base;
wherein:
the groove extends into the sidewall at a downward angle from the sidewall surface,
a portion of the embedded gasket seal extends inward beyond the sidewall surface, and
an outer edge of the first cover physically engages with the portion of the embedded gasket seal that extends inward beyond the sidewall surface.
5 . The HDD of claim 1 , wherein the disk medium has a diameter greater than 97 millimeters.
6 . The HDD of claim 1 , wherein the disk medium has a diameter less than or equal to 97 millimeters and a disk shroud clearance greater than 0.2 millimeter.
7 . The HDD of claim 1 , wherein the disk medium has a diameter less than or equal to 97 millimeters and a disk shroud clearance greater than or equal to 1.0 millimeter.
8 . The HDD of claim 1 , further comprising a lighter-than-air gas contained therein.
9 . An enclosure base for a hard disk drive (HDD), the base comprising:
a groove extending from an internal surface of a sidewall into the sidewall; and
a gasket seal embedded and encompassed at least 180 continuous degrees within the groove;
wherein the groove and the embedded gasket seal are discretely positioned at each of a 0° position, a 90° position, and a 180° position of the base.
10 . The base of claim 9 , wherein:
the groove extends into the sidewall substantially normal to the sidewall surface; and
a portion of the embedded gasket seal is configured to extend inwardly beyond the sidewall surface to provide a seal seat for an outer edge of an HDD cover.
11 . The base of claim 9 , wherein:
the groove extends into the sidewall at a downward angle from the sidewall surface; and
a portion of the embedded gasket seal is configured to extend inwardly beyond the sidewall surface to provide a seal seat for an outer edge of an HDD cover.
12 . A method of manufacturing a hard disk drive enclosure base, the method comprising:
forming a groove extending from an internal surface of a sidewall of the base into the sidewall at each of a discrete 0° position, a discrete 90° position, and a discrete 180° position of the base; and
embedding, and encompassing at least 180 continuous degrees, a gasket seal into the groove at each of the discrete 0° position, the discrete 90° position, and the discrete 180° position of the base.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein:
forming the groove includes forming the groove to extend into the sidewall substantially normal to the sidewall surface; and
embedding the gasket seal includes embedding the gasket seal such that a portion of the gasket seal extends inward beyond the sidewall surface.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein:
forming the groove includes forming the groove to extend into the sidewall at a downward angle from the sidewall surface; and
embedding the gasket seal includes embedding the gasket seal such that a portion of the gasket seal extends inward beyond the sidewall surface.