GB2043986A - Storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage apparatus is disclosed for at least one magnetic disc (6) which is rotatable in a closed housing (1, 2) and by which rotation air movement towards the rim of the magnetic disc(s) (6) is provided. A metal guide plate (7) is provided with an opening (8) arranged to be directly above the magnetic disc(s) (6) and with an opening (9) arranged to be at least partially outside the region of the magnetic disc(s) (6). The plate (7) is disposed in the housing (1, 2) above the magnetic disc(s) (6) for guiding the air which is moved by the magnetic disc(s) (6) between the openings (8, 9) above and below the metal guide plate (7). The openings (8, 9) in the metal guide plate (7) are covered by a planar filter (10) to trap dirt and dust particles from the circulating air. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Storage apparatus The present invention relates to a storage apparatus for a magnetic disc.

It is known in magnetic disc storage apparatuses to provide devices in a housing enclosing the magnetic disc or discs for filtering air circulating in the housing in order to remove from the air dirt and dust particles which may impair recording and reading. The air in the housing is set into motion by the rotation of the magnetic disc or discs. This movement, in known storage apparatus, does not provide an adequate passage of the air through the filters. Additional blowers are therefore used to re-inforce the air circulation in the housing.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage apparatus comprising a housing, means to carry a rotatable magnetic disc within the housing, a plate member disposed within the housing and provided with a first opening so disposed as to face a major surface of the disc when disposed in the housing and with a second opening generally co-planar with the first opening and so disposed as to be at least partially beyond the periphery of the disc when disposed in the housing, and generally planar filter means covering the openings, the first and second openings being further disposed that rotation of the magnetic disc causes air to circulate through the first opening towards the magnetic disc and through the second opening away from the magnetic disc.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single Figure of which shows a storage apparatus.

The apparatus comprises a housing provided with a lower part~1 and an upper part 2. A sleeve 3, encircles the housing between the lower and the upper parts and comprises resilient material, preferably rubber. The sleeve 3 provides for airtight closure of the upper part 2. The sleeve 3 also carries a drive mechanism body 4, which contains a driving device for a shaft 5, on which a magnetic disc 6 is fastened. The driving mechanism body 4 furthermore carries a magnetic head system (not shown). The storage system is thus oscillatorily insulated by the sleeve 3 against the outer housing parts.

Disposed parallelly above the magnetic disc 6 at a spacing of for example 10 millimetres, is a metal guide plate 7, which is provided with an opening 8 directly above the magnetic disc 6 and an opening 9 disposed radially beyond the periphery of the magnetic disc 6. The openings 8 and 9 are covered from above by a leaf-shaped filter 10. This preferably comprises glass fibre and allows the penetrating air to pass largely unhindered, while it holds back all solid particles with a diameter of, for example, more than 0.3 micrometres. An adequate gap for an unhindered air current between the openings 8 and 9 is provided between the filter 10 and the upper plate of the upper part 2.

The magnetic disc 6 in operation rotates for example at a speed of 3600 revolutions per minute. The air current, effected thereby and directed towards the disc rim, produces an underpressure of about 1 to 2.5 millibars above the magnetic disc 6 compared with the other regions within#the housing. To balance this pressure difference, the air above the metal guide plate 7 is guided back, while it passes the openings 8 and 9 and the filter 10. Disturbing dirt particles are retained in the filter 10.

For re-inforcement of the air circulation, an additional air-moving device, preferably a small impeller, may if required be fastened above the magnetic disc 6 on the shaft 5.

The above described embodiment has the advantage that the air current effected by the rotation of the disc or discs provides for adequate circulation through the filter.

1. A storage apparatus comprising a housing, means to carry a rotatable magnetic disc within the housing, a plate member disposed within the housing and provided with a first opening so disposed as to face a major surface of the disc when disposed in the housing and with a second opening generally co-planar with the first opening and so disposed as to be at least partially beyond the periphery of the disc when disposed in the housing, and generally planar filter means covering the openings, the first and second openings being further so disposed that rotation of the magnetic disc causes air to circulate through the first opening towards the magnetic disc and through the second opening away from the magnetic disc.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is so disposed to be above the magnetic disc when disposed in the housing.

3. An apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filter comprises glass fibre.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising means disposed to rotate with the magnetic disc to promote movements of the air.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rotatable drive shaft for the magnetic disc, the shaft being connected to air impeller means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the carrier means being arranged to carry at least one further magnetic disc co-axially with the first mentioned disc.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate comprises

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Storage apparatus The present invention relates to a storage apparatus for a magnetic disc. It is known in magnetic disc storage apparatuses to provide devices in a housing enclosing the magnetic disc or discs for filtering air circulating in the housing in order to remove from the air dirt and dust particles which may impair recording and reading. The air in the housing is set into motion by the rotation of the magnetic disc or discs. This movement, in known storage apparatus, does not provide an adequate passage of the air through the filters. Additional blowers are therefore used to re-inforce the air circulation in the housing. According to the present invention there is provided a storage apparatus comprising a housing, means to carry a rotatable magnetic disc within the housing, a plate member disposed within the housing and provided with a first opening so disposed as to face a major surface of the disc when disposed in the housing and with a second opening generally co-planar with the first opening and so disposed as to be at least partially beyond the periphery of the disc when disposed in the housing, and generally planar filter means covering the openings, the first and second openings being further disposed that rotation of the magnetic disc causes air to circulate through the first opening towards the magnetic disc and through the second opening away from the magnetic disc. An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single Figure of which shows a storage apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing provided with a lower part~1 and an upper part 2. A sleeve 3, encircles the housing between the lower and the upper parts and comprises resilient material, preferably rubber. The sleeve 3 provides for airtight closure of the upper part 2. The sleeve 3 also carries a drive mechanism body 4, which contains a driving device for a shaft 5, on which a magnetic disc 6 is fastened. The driving mechanism body 4 furthermore carries a magnetic head system (not shown). The storage system is thus oscillatorily insulated by the sleeve 3 against the outer housing parts. Disposed parallelly above the magnetic disc 6 at a spacing of for example 10 millimetres, is a metal guide plate 7, which is provided with an opening 8 directly above the magnetic disc 6 and an opening 9 disposed radially beyond the periphery of the magnetic disc 6. The openings 8 and 9 are covered from above by a leaf-shaped filter 10. This preferably comprises glass fibre and allows the penetrating air to pass largely unhindered, while it holds back all solid particles with a diameter of, for example, more than 0.3 micrometres. An adequate gap for an unhindered air current between the openings 8 and 9 is provided between the filter 10 and the upper plate of the upper part 2. The magnetic disc 6 in operation rotates for example at a speed of 3600 revolutions per minute. The air current, effected thereby and directed towards the disc rim, produces an underpressure of about 1 to 2.5 millibars above the magnetic disc 6 compared with the other regions within#the housing. To balance this pressure difference, the air above the metal guide plate 7 is guided back, while it passes the openings 8 and 9 and the filter 10. Disturbing dirt particles are retained in the filter 10. For re-inforcement of the air circulation, an additional air-moving device, preferably a small impeller, may if required be fastened above the magnetic disc 6 on the shaft 5. The above described embodiment has the advantage that the air current effected by the rotation of the disc or discs provides for adequate circulation through the filter. CLAIMS

1. A storage apparatus comprising a housing, means to carry a rotatable magnetic disc within the housing, a plate member disposed within the housing and provided with a first opening so disposed as to face a major surface of the disc when disposed in the housing and with a second opening generally co-planar with the first opening and so disposed as to be at least partially beyond the periphery of the disc when disposed in the housing, and generally planar filter means covering the openings, the first and second openings being further so disposed that rotation of the magnetic disc causes air to circulate through the first opening towards the magnetic disc and through the second opening away from the magnetic disc.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is so disposed to be above the magnetic disc when disposed in the housing.

3. An apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filter comprises glass fibre.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising means disposed to rotate with the magnetic disc to promote movements of the air.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rotatable drive shaft for the magnetic disc, the shaft being connected to air impeller means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the carrier means being arranged to carry at least one further magnetic disc co-axially with the first mentioned disc.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate comprises metal.

8. A storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.