WO2000058950A1

WO2000058950A1 - Removable drive door with seal

Info

Publication number: WO2000058950A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/008258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Long Nguyen
Original assignee: Castlewood Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-03-31
Filing date: 2000-03-28
Publication date: 2000-10-05

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for inhibiting external interference and environmental contaminants from entering through an access portion to an internal chamber of an electronic device. An access panel (100) may be coupled to a fastening frame (105) of the electronic device. The access panel is rotatably attached to the fastening frame so that the access panel can be moved between an open and closed position over the access portion. A protruding edge can be formed around the perimeter of either the fastening frame or the access panel. The other of the access panel and the fastening frame can have a recessed portion (130) which may contain a gasket (115) or other form of a seal. The protruding edge may slide into the recessed portion such that the protruding edge (111) and the gasket are forced into contact with one another. When in contact, the protruding edge and the gasket form a substantially airtight seal, thus preventing any particulate contaminated air from entering an inner chamber of the electronic device.

Description

REMOVABLE DRIVE DOOR WITH SEAL

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/127,018, filed March 31. 1999, under 37 C.F.R. § 1.78, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The present application is also related to U.S. Patent Application No. 09/431,004. filed November 1, 1999, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally related to recording systems for digital video, and in particular, provides a door assembly that creates a seal for a removable hard disk drive.

Video Cassette Recorders ("VCRs") dominate the consumer video market, due in part to their combination of low cost and recording capabilities. VCR analog magnetic tape recording cassettes can be used to record, play-back, and store video images in a format which is well adapted for use with existing analog television signals. The ability to record allows consumers to use the standard VHS VCR to save television shows and home movies, as well as for play-back of feature films.

The structure of VCR systems and recording media is adapted to record and archive existing television signals. Specifically, a large amount of analog data is presented on a standard television screen during a standard length feature film. VCR systems record this analog data using analog recording media. The VCR recordings can be removed from the recording/play-back equipment for storage, thereby reducing the system costs when large numbers of movies are stored. While VCR systems successfully provide recording and archive capabilities at low cost, these existing consumer video systems have significant disadvantages. For example, accessing selected portions of a movie stored on a VCR tape can be quite slow and cumbersome. In particular, the cassette must be rewound to the beginning of the movie between each showing, which can involve a considerable delay. Additionally, transferring data to and from the tape takes a substantial amount of time. Although it would be beneficial to provide high speed accessing and transfer of the video data, this has remained a secondary consideration, as movies are typically recorded and played by the consumer m real time. Alternatives providing faster access are commercially available (for example, optical video disks), but these alternatives generally have not been able to overcome the VCR's low cost and recording capabilities.

Recent developments in video technology may further decrease the VCR's advantages over alternative systems. Specifically, standard protocols have recently been established for High Definition Television ("HDTV") signals. The digital data presented m a single HDTV feature film using these protocols can represent a substantial increase over existing VCR system capacities. While digital video cassette tapes are available, these modified versions of existing analog VCR systems do not appear to have sufficient storage capacity for a feature film m all of the proposed HDTV formats. Optical disks can accommodate these larger quantities of digital data. Unfortunately, despite many years of development, a successful low cost optical recording system has remained an elusive goal.

Personal computer magnetic data storage systems have evolved with structures which are quite different than consumer video storage systems. Modern personal computers often include a πgid magnetic disk which is fixed in an associated disk drive. These hard disk dπve systems are adapted to access and transfer data to and from a recording surface of the disk at high speeds. It is generally advantageous to increase the total data storage capacity of each hard disk, as the disks themselves are typically fixed in the drive system. Hence, much of the data that is commonly used by the computer is stored on a single disk.

The simplicity provided by such a fixed disk dπve system helps maintain overall system reliability, and also helps reduce the overall storage system costs. Nonetheless, removable hard disk cartridge systems have recently become commercially available, and are now gaining some acceptance. While considerable computer data can be stored using these removable hard disk cartπdge systems, their complexity, less than ideal reliability, and cost has limited their use to selected numbers of high-end personal computer users.

One particular disadvantage of known removable hard disk computer storage systems is the need to ensure that the internal working mechanisms of the disk drive system are free from environmental contamination and external interference. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present mvention provides devices and methods for inhibiting external interference and environmental contaminants from enteπng an internal chamber of an electronic device, such as a removable hard disk dπve More specifically, the present invention provides a door assembly which sealablv engages a disk dπve housing to form a substantially airtight seal

The present invention provides devices and methods for inhibiting external interference and environmental contaminants from enteπng through an access portion to an internal chamber of an electronic device An access panel may be coupled to a fastening frame of the electronic device The access panel is rotatably attached to the fastening frame so that the access panel can be moved between an open and closed position over the access portion A protruding edge, preferably a knife edge, can be formed around the peπmeter of either the fastening frame or the access panel The other of the access panel and the fastening frame can have a recessed portion which may contain a gasket or other form of a seal The protruding edge may slide into the recessed portion such that the protruding edge and the gasket are forced into contact with one another. When in contact, the protruding edge and the gasket form a substantially airtight seal, thus preventing any particulate contaminated air from enteπng an inner chamber of the electronic device In most embodiments, a biasing mechanism, such as a spπng-loaded hinge or similar device, may be used to urge the access panel mto the closed position, such that the protruding edge can be firmly and continuously pressed against the gasket

In one aspect, the present invention provides a door assembly for a removable media system The door assembly compπses a body having an opening and an access panel coupled to the body The access panel is movable between an open position and a closed position such that the access panel m the closed position covers the opening A gasket is attached to either the access panel or the body When the access panel is in the closed position, the engagement between the gasket and access panel provides a seal to the opening In another aspect, the present invention provides a disk dπve The disk drive compπses an inner chamber that receives a removable recording media. A fastening frame is coupled to the inner chamber such that an access portion of the fastening frame provides access to the inner chamber An access panel is coupled to the fastening frame and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The access panel in the closed position covers the access portion. A protruding edge is formed on one of the fastening frame and the access panel, and a gasket is attached to the other of the access panel and the fastening frame. When the access panel is in a closed position, the gasket and the protruding edge provide a seal to the inner chamber. In a further aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device which receives a removable storage media. The electronic device compπses an inner chamber which receives the removable storage media and a body which provides access to the inner chamber. The body defines a periphery around an access portion to the inner chamber. A door having a recessed portion is rotatably coupled to the body. The recessed portion of the door receives a gasket. When the door is in a closed position, the gasket engages the periphery of the body to provide a seal to the inner chamber.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designations represent like features throughout the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a video system including a high definition television and an external disk drive.

Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of an external disk drive for use with a removable rigid recording disk cartridge, according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. IB is a perspective view of an internal disk drive similar to the external drive of Fig. 1, in which the internal drive is adapted for insertion into a standard bay of a computer or television. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the internal disk drive of Fig. IB, in which a cover of the disk drive has been removed to show a receptacle for the removable cartridge and some of the major disk drive components.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a removable cartridge housing a rigid magnetic recording disk. Fig. 3A is an alternative perspective view of the cartridge of Fig. 3, showing the door and door actuation mechanism. Fig. 4 is a simplified perspective view of the internal drive of Fig. 2. in which the voice coil motor and arm have been removed to show the cartridge release linkage and the head retract linkage.

Fig. 5 A is a top view of a base for the internal drive of Fig. 2, in which the base is substantially entirely formed from sheet stock in a single stamping process. Fig. 5B is a front view of the base of Fig. 5 A.

Fig. 6 A is a top view of the internal drive of Fig. IB. in which the cover has been removed to show insertion of the cartridge of Fig. 3 therein.

Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge being inserted into the internal drive of Fig. IB.

Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge of Fig. 3 fully inserted into the internal drive of Fig. IB.

Fig. 7B is a top view of the cartridge inserted within the drive. Fig. 7C is a perspective view of the disk drive housing cover showing integral cover springs.

Figs. 8A-8B are perspective views of the access panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 9A-9B are a perspective view and an exploded view of the access panel and fastening frame according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having the gasket attached to fastening frame and the protruding edge on the access panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The cartridges used with the disk drive system will preferably contain a single two-sided rigid magnetic recording disk which is capable of storing at least about 2.2 gigabytes of data, ideally being capable of storing at least about 5.0 gigabytes of data. The devices and methods of the present invention may find applications for storing a wide variety of data for use with notebook computers, desktop computers, TiVo systems, digital vcrs, more powerful computer workstations, and the like. The cartridges, disk drive systems, and methods of the present invention are particularly well suited for use m recording, archiving, playing back digital video data, and for fabricating video storage systems. Due to the low cost, large capacity, and archivability provided by the recording system of the present invention a standard length movie in a format suitable for high definition television ("HDTV") may be stored using no more than t o cartπdges. and ideally mav be stored on a single cartπdge having a smgle, two sided hard disk

As schematically illustrated in Fig 1 , a video system 2 includes a high definition television 4 which is coupled to an external disk dπve 10 External dπve 10 will read recorded digital data from a removable disk cartπdge, and \\ ill transmit that data to HDTV 4, preferably using one of the standard digital formats or protocols now being established No general purpose computer need be coupled between external dπve 10 and HDTV 4, although such a general purpose computer may be incorporated mto video system 2 to allow flexible manipulation of the video data. In the exemplary embodiment, external drive 10 is less than 2 in by less than 5.4 m by less than 7 in The small size of the dπve (and the small size of the disks on which the movies are stored) helps decrease the overall space which is required for video systems and the associated movie library Referπng now to Figures 1A and IB, external disk dπve 10 and internal disk dπve 20 will share many of the same components However, external dπve 10 will include an enclosure 12 adapted for use outside a personal computer, high definition television, or some other data manipulation or display device. Additionally, external dπve 10 will include standard I/O connectors, parallel ports, and/or power plugs (not shown) similar to those of known computer peπpheral or video devices Internal dπve 20 will typically be adapted for insertion into a standard bay of a computer In some embodiments, internal dπve 10 may instead be used withm a bay m a HDTV, therebv providing an integral video system Internal dπve 20 may optionally be adapted for use with a bav having a form factor of 2 4 inches, 1 8 inches, 1 inch, or with any other generally recognized or propπetary bay Regardless, internal dπve 20 will typically have a housing 22 which includes a housing cover 24 and a base plate 26 A fastening frame 105 pivotally couples an access panel 100 over an opening to the internal dπve. As illustrated in Fig IB, housing 24 will typically include integral spπngs 28 to bias the cartπdge downward within the receiver of housing 22 It should be understood that while external dπve 10 may be very different m appearance than internal dπve 20, the external dπve will preferably make use of base plate 26, cover 24, and most or all mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic components of internal dπve 20

Many of the components of internal dπve 20 are visible when cover 22 has been removed, as illustrated in Fig 2 In this exemplary embodiment, a voice coil motor 30 positions first and second heads 32 along opposed recording surfaces of the hard disk while the disk is spun by spindle drive motor 34. A release linkage 36 is mechanically coupled to voice coil motor 30. so that the voice coil motor effects release of the cartridge from housing 22 when heads 32 move to a release position on a head load ramp 38. Head load ramp 38 is preferably adjustable in height above base plate 26. to facilitate aligning the head load ramp with the rotating disk.

A head retract linkage 40 helps to ensure that arm 50 and heads 32 are retracted from the receptacle and onto head load ramp 38 when the cartridge is removed from housing 22. Head retract linkage 40 may also be used as an inner crash stop to mechanically limit travel of heads 32 toward the hub of the disk. Base 26 preferably comprise a stainless steel sheet metal structure in which the shape of the base is primarily defined by stamping, the shape ideally being substantially fully defined by the stamping process. Bosses 42 are stamped into base 26 to engage and accurately position lower surfaces of the cartridge housing. To help ensure accurate centering of the cartridge onto spindle drive 34, rails 44 maintain the cartridge above the associated drive spindle until the cartridge is substantially aligned axially above the spindle drive, whereupon the cartridge descends under the influence of cover springs 28 and the downward force imparted by the user. This brings the hub of the disk down substantially normal to the disk into engagement with spindle drive 34. A latch 46 of release linkage 36 engages a detent of the cartridge to restrain the cartridge, and to maintain the orientation of the cartridge within housing 22. A more complete description of the stamped base and loading assembly can be found in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 6,028,736, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

A cartridge for use with internal drive 20 is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3 A. Generally, cartridge 60 includes a front edge 62 and rear edge 64. A disk 66 (see Fig. 7B) is disposed within cartridge 60, and access to the disk is provided through a door 68. A detent 70 along rear edge 64 of cartridge 60 mates with latch 46 to restrain the cartridge within the receptacle of the drive, while rear side indentations 72 are sized to accommodate side rails 44 to allow cartridge 60 to drop vertically into the receptacle.

Side edges 74 of cartridge 60 are fittingly received between side walls 76 of base 26, as illustrated in Fig. 4. This generally helps maintain the lateral position of cartridge 60 within base 26 throughout the insertion process. Stops 78 in sidewall 76 stop forward motion of the cartridge once the hub of disk 66 is aligned with spindle drive 34, at which point rails 44 are also aligned with rear indents 72. Hence, the cartridge drops roughly vertically trom that position, which helps accurately mate the hub of the disk with the sp dle dπve

The structure of base 26 can be seen most clearly m Figs 4, 5A, and 5B Base 26 generally compπses a stamped sheet metal structure, ideally being formed of stainless steel Openings 80 accommodate the spmdle dπve, data transmission cables, component mounting fasteners, and the like Openings 80 are substantially formed dunng the stamping process, but may optionally be modified afterward to provide threaded openings, etc Mounting pads 82 are also generally defined by the stamp tools, so that head load ramp 38, the head support structure (which generally includes voice coil motor 30 and head support arm 50, as illustrated in Fig. 2), and spindle dπve 34 are substantially located relative to each other

Bosses 42 and side wall 76 are also formed by clamping the sheet metal stock between the male and female tool parts, while side rails 44 and stops 78 may be formed by independently movable tool portions Hence, the cartridge engaging surfaces and component mounting pads are positioned on base 26 simultaneously dunng the relatively rapid stamping process, rather than individually machining each of these surfaces.

Once base 26 is stamped to shape, the vanous components may be mounted to the base to assembly the disk dπve. Voice coil motor 30 and arm 50, which together support head 32 (see Fig. 2) are mounted directly to their associated pad 82.

Spindle dπve 34 will then be bonded to the base mateπal which extends downward from its associated opening 80 The dnvmg member will rotate about a fixed position, rather than telescoping axially to engage the disk withm the cartridge. The position of the spmdle dπve assembly can be adjusted dunng the bonding process using a gauge to align the disk on the spindle dnve with the motion of heads 32.

Head load ramp 38 is also mounted on an associated stamped pad 82 of base 26. The head load ramp will preferably flex about a central fulcrum 84. This facilitates adjustment of a height of the head load ramp over the base using a rear screw 86, as more fully descπbed in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 5,973,886, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This allows the height of the head load ramp adjacent the disk to be easily adjusted so as to smoothly transfer the heads between the recording surface and a "park" position along the head load ramp

As shown in Fig. 5A, also formed dunng the stamping process are linkage mounts 88. Release linkage 36 and head retract linkage 40 will be mounted to linkage mounts 88 using πvets or other tasteners which accommodate the sliding and/or pivoting of the linkage members, as appropπate

Heads 32 will often be separated from the spinning recording surface by a thin layer of air More specifically, the data transfer head often glides over the recording surface on an "air beanng," a thin layer of air which moves with the rotating disk.

Although recording densities are generally enhanced by minimizing the thickness of this air beanng, often referred to as the glide height, glide heights which are too low may lead to excessive contact between the head and the disk surface, which can decrease the reliability of the recording system To avoid a head crash (in which the data transfer head contacts and damages the disk), the disk dπve system of the present system will generally position heads 32 on head load ramp 38 whenever the disk is rotating at insufficient velocity to maintain a safe glide height

Referπng now to Figs 6B-7B. arm 50 pivotally supports heads 32. When no cartndge is disposed internal dnve 20 and no power is supplied to voice coil motor 30, biasing spπngs of head retract linkage 40 and release linkage 36 urge arm 50 to a parked position on head load ramp 38 (Fig. 2). As cartπdge 60 is inserted mto the receptacle of internal dπve 20, the cartπdge actuates head retract linkage 40 so that the voice coil motor is free to pivot the arm from the parked position. As shown m Fig. 6A, as the cartndge 60 enters the housing 22, a door opening mechanism 48 engages a linkage on the cartndge to automatically open cartπdge door 68.

Dunng insertion, cover spnngs 28 urge forward edge 62 of cartπdge 60 downward, while rear edge 64 remains elevated (so long as the cartridge πdes along rails 44) as cartπdge 60 slides mto the receiver, biasing spπng 90 attached to head retract linkage 40 is tensioned. Biasing spnng 90 is generally overcome manually dunng insertion of the cartπdge.

Once cartπdge 60 is inserted so that disk 66 is substantially aligned axially with spmdle dπve 34, rear side indentations 72 (see Fig. 3) allow rear edge 64 of the cartπdge to drop downward below rails 44 This downward movement is opposed by base spπngs 94 These base spπngs generally compπse simple wire structures screwed or otherwise fastened to base 26, and the upward urging force imposed on cartπdge 60 by the base spnngs is again manually overcome during insertion.

As base spnngs 94 are compressed against base 26, latch 46 slides into detent 80, so that the latch restrains cartridge 60 withm the receiver of internal dπve 20 Simultaneously, spindle dπve 34 aligns with and engages the hub of disk 66, with centeπng alignment and d ing engagement between the spmdle dπve and the disk generally being facilitated by a protruding, tapeπng nose on a magnetic chuck of the spindle dnve and a corresponding counter sunk armature at the hub of disk 66 As descπbed hereinabove, the door 68 of the cartπdge 60 opens automatically dunng insertion of the cartndge into the housing 22 Actuation of head retract linkage 40 dunng insertion also frees arm 50 to move heads 32 from head load ramp 38 to recording surfaces 92 along the major surfaces of disk 66

While cartπdge 60 is disposed withm the receptacle of dπve 20, the position of the cartπdge is generally maintained by engagement between the surfaces of the cartndge and the stamped surfaces of base 26 More specifically, cover spnngs 28 and latch 46 hold cartπdge 60 in contact with bosses 42, thereby ensuring alignment between the major surfaces of the cartndge and the disk dnve structure. The fore and aft position of the cartndge is generally maintained by engagement between side rails 44 and rear indentation 72, with head retract linkage 40 biasing these two elements against each other As descnbed above, the sidewalls of base 26 fittingly receive side edges of cartndge 60, so that the position of the cartπdge withm the receptacle is substantially fully constrained. The tolerance of the positioning of the cartndge withm dnve 20 should be sufficient so that the disk with the cartπdge is rotatable withm the cartndge housing, and so that the heads (as supported by the head support structure) have free access to the recording surfaces of the disk.

As descnbed above, cartndge 60 is held m the receiver of internal dnve 20 by engagement of latch 46 with detent 70 Voice coil motor 30 may effect release of the cartndge by engagement between a tab of arm 50 and a corresponding tab on release linkage 36. Expulsion of the disk from the receptacle of internal dnve 20 is effected after the disk has spun down with heads 32 safely parked along head load ramp 38 Voice coil motor 30 actuates release linkage 36 so as to disengage latch 46 from detent 80

When latch 46 is disengaged, engagement between rails 44 and indents 72 initially prevents the cartπdge from sliding along the plane of the disk. Instead, base spπngs 94 urge rear edge 64 of cartπdge 60 upward, disengaging spindle dπve 34 substantially axially from the hub of the disk Once these dnvmg structures are safely disengaged, biasing spnng 90 of head retract linkage 40 urges cartndge 60 out of the receiver, and the head retract linkage also ensures that arm 50 is safely positioned with heads 32 along head load ramp 38 Generally, the biasing system will slide the cartndge rearward so that a portion of the cartridge extends from the drive, and so that the cartridge can be easily manually removed and replaced by the user.

Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate a door assembly that provides protection to the internal mechanisms of internal drive 20. Generally, the door assembly has a fastening frame 105 which can be integrally or removably secured to the access or receiving end of the internal drive 20. The assembly has an access portion 107 that provides a throughway to the internal mechanisms of the drive 20 and an entryway for the cartridge 60. To seal the internal drive access portion, an access panel 100 can be movably positioned over the access portion 107. The access panel 100 has at least one coupling member 120 for coupling the access panel 100 to the fastening frame 105. The access panel 100 is typically flush mounted with a front face 205 of the fastening frame 105. In some embodiments, a recess means 130 can be define don the access panel 100 to provide clearance to the rear edge 64 of the cartridge 60 after it has been inserted into the drive system. In the specific embodiment shown in Figs. 8 A and 8B, the fastening frame

105 has the access portion 107 and lateral walls 150. The lateral walls 150 are formed by lateral strips of material disposed inward of the access portion 107. The lateral strips can be buttressed against portions of the base plate 26 and the cover 24 to provide closure to the cartridge insertion portion of the internal drive 20. The lateral strips on the fastening frame have a recessed portion 160 disposed along the inner sides of the access portion

107 that follow along the periphery of the fastening frame 105. The recessed portion 160 can receive and capture the access panel 100 when it is in the closed position such that the access panel 100 is flush mounted with the surface 205 of the fastening frame 105. The frame 105 may be attached to the internal drive 20 using a rivets, screws, adhesives, or any other conventional means for attachment. The fastening frame 105 may be manufactured into any shape or form necessary to fit the access portion of the internal drive 20.

In most embodiments, the access panel 100 has at least two coupling members 120 which extend down from a bottom edge 125 of the access panel. The front surface of the coupling members is also maintained flush with a front surface 127 of the access panel 100. The access panel 100 and the coupling members 120 are elements of a unitary part, most likely made of molded plastic or a similar material. The back face 126 of the coupling members 120 has a receptacle which can receive a pivot mechanism, such as a pivot rod 200. The access panel 100 rotates about the axis of the pivot rods 200. In a specific configuration, the receptacle may be a bushing or similar structure, which accepts insertion of the pivot rod 200 to provide pivotable movement. A biasing device 210, for example a spring, may also be coupled to the pivot rod to apply a force that biases the access panel in the closed position over the access portion 107. The coupling members 120 and the pivot rods 200 when coupled together form a hinge which supports the access panel 100 and provides pivotal movement about the axis of rotation.

To combine the access panel 100 and the fastening frame 105, the bushings 126 of the coupling members 120 are placed into the receptacle . The pivot rods 200 are then inserted into the bushings 126. This configuration allows the front face of the access panel 127 to be made flush with a remainder of the front face 205 or outward surface of the fastening frame 105. The access panel 105 with flush hinges provides the internal drive 20 a sleek shape that has substantially no protruding hinge parts, thus making the internal drive 20 much easier to place in an external drive 10, any other housing, or standard bay of a computer. In some embodiments, as noted above, the access panel 100 can have a recess means 130 which provides clearance and receives the rear edge 64 of the cartridge 60 (Fig. 3). The recess means 130 is typically a raised portion or cavity formed along the outer surface 127 of the access panel 100. The cavity can be formed, extruded, or stamped into any shape necessary. Advantageously, the recess means 130 can be substantially arc shaped so it can easily receive the rear portion 64 of the cartridge 60 described above. The access panel 100 is received into the recessed areas 160 of the fastening frame so that the door can completely close off the access portion 107 to external contaminants. Often, the cartridge 60 is seated and secured in the internal drive 20 with a portion of the cartridge 60 extending out through the access portion. Such a configuration allows a user to easily grasp the cartridge without having to place their fingers into the internal drive 20.

In some embodiments, a tab 140 can extend outwardly from the front face 127 of the access panel 100. The tab 140 can be located, for example, near the top edge 141 of the access panel or above the recessed area 130 and for aesthetic purposes can be made to conform generally to the shape of the recessed area 130. In use, the tab can be grasped manually by the user to overcome the biasing spring 210 and to open the access panel 100.

Another exemplary embodiment of the door assembly that provides protection to the internal mechanisms of internal drive 20 is illustrated in Figs. 9A and 9B. Generally, the components of this embodiment includes the components described above. The door assembly generally has a fastening frame 105 which can be integrally or removably secured to the access or receiving end of the internal drive 20. The door assembly also has access portion 107 to provide a throughway to the internal mechanisms of drive 20 and an entry means for cartridge 60. To enclose the internal drive access portion, the access panel 100 may be disposed over the access portion 107. The access panel 100 has coupling members 120 for supporting the access panel on the fastening frame 105. The access panel 100 is typically adapted to be flush mounted with a front face 205 of the fastening frame 105. In some embodiments, a recess means 130 can be define don the access panel 100 to provide clearance to the rear edge 64 of the cartridge 60 after it has been inserted into the drive system.

The fastening frame 105 has the access portion 107 and lateral walls 150. The lateral walls are formed from lateral strips of material disposed inward of the access portion 107. A back side of the lateral strips 1 16 can be buttressed against portions of the base plate 26 and the cover 24 to provide closure to the cartridge insertion portion of the internal drive 20. The back side 116 (which is attachable to internal drive 20) can have a bezel edge 109 to facilitate the mounting of the fastening frame 105 to the internal drive 20. Fastening frame 105 may be coupled to the internal drive 20 using screws, rivets, an adhesive, or any other conventional means of attachment. Fastening frame 105 may be manufactured into any shape or form necessary to fit the access portion of the internal drive 20.

In one embodiment, a protruding edge 111 is on a front side 117 of the lateral strips on the fastening frame. The protruding edge 111 preferably extends around the periphery of fastening frame 105. Protruding edge 111 may have a sharp edge or "knife edge" such that the knife edge may contact at least a portion of access panel 100 when the access panel is in the closed position. Access panel 100 may be formed with a recessed portion 113 that is configured to receive edge 111. Recessed portion 113 may extend around the periphery of access panel 100 and may be deep enough to receive edge 111 such that the access panel is flush with the surface 205 of the fastening frame when the access panel is in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, recess 113 can support a gasket material 115 that engages the knife edge 111 to provide a seal. The gasket material 1 11 may include any soft material primarily used for sealing, such as rubber and the like. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10. the knife edge 111 can be positioned on the access panel 100 and the gasket 115 and recessed portion 1 13 can be positioned on the fastening frame 105. Such a configuration will provide substantially the same sealing as the above described embodiments. In operation, when access panel 100 is closed over access 107, knife edge

111 is received into recess 113 and forced into contact with gasket 115. The combination of the soft gasket and the knife edge provide seal without the need for high compression forces and/or perfectly flat mating components.

The description of embodiments of the invention is presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the description above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. This description of embodiments will enable others skilled in the art to best utilize and practice the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A door assembly for a removable media system, the door assembly comprising: a body having an opening; an access panel coupled to the body, wherein the access panel is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the access panel in the closed position covers the opening; and a gasket attached to one of the access panel and the body, wherein the access panel in the closed position engages the body such that the gasket provides a seal to the opening.

2. The door assembly of claim 1 further comprising a protruding edge on the other of the access panel and the body, wherein the access panel in the closed position engages the protruding edge with the gasket.

3. The door assembly of claim 2 wherein the body comprises a first perimeter about the opening and the access panel defines a second perimeter about the access panel, wherein the protruding edge extends around one of the first perimeter and second perimeter.

4. The door assembly of claim 2 wherein the gasket is on the access panel and the protruding edge is on the body.

5. The door assembly of claim 2 wherein the gasket is on the body and the protruding edge is on the access panel.

6. The door assembly of claim 2 further comprising a recessed portion, wherein the gasket is positioned within the recessed portion.

7. The door assembly of claim 6 wherein the recessed portion defines an outer peripheral edge that receives the protruding edge.

8. The door assembly of claim 2 wherein the protruding edge is a knife edge.

9. The door assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for biasing the access panel into the closed position.

10. The door assembly of claim 1 wherein the access panel in the closed position is flush mounted with the body.

1 1 A disk dnve compπsing: an inner chamber that receives a removable recording media; a fastening frame having an access portion therethrough to the inner chamber; an access panel coupled to the fastening frame, wherein the access panel is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the access panel in the closed position covers the access portion; a protruding edge formed on one of the fastening frame and the access panel; and a gasket attached to the other of the access panel and the fastening frame, wherein the gasket and the protruding edge provide a seal when the access panel is in the closed position.

12. The disk dnve of claim 11 further comprising a recessed portion which receives the gasket.

13. The disk drive of claim 11 wherein the access panel pivots between the open position and the closed position.

14. The disk drive of claim 13 wherein the access panel in the open position is pivoted outward from the inner chamber.

15. The disk dnve of claim 11 wherein the protruding edge is formed on the fastening frame and the gasket is attached to the access panel.

16. The disk drive of claim 11 wherein the protruding edge is formed on the access pane and the gasket is attached to the fastening frame.

17. The disk dπve of claim 11 wherein the access panel is biased to the closed position.

18. The disk drive of claim 1 1 wherein the access panel further comprises a cavity means which provides clearance to a rear edge of the removable recordin *g_. media seated within the inner chamber.

19. An electronic device which receives a removable storage media, the electronic device comprising: an inner chamber which receives the removable storage media; a body which provides access to the inner chamber, wherein the body defines a periphery around an access portion to the inner chamber; and a door rotatably coupled to the body, the door having a recess about a perimeter of the door that receives a gasket, wherein the door is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, such that the door in the closed position engages the gasket with the periphery to provide a seal to the inner chamber.

20. The electronic device of claim 19 wherein the periphery defines a protruding edge which extends toward the door, wherein the protruding edge engages the gasket when the door is in the closed position.