Housing with compliant member which biases a sealing material

Abstract

Method and apparatus for sealing a housing, such as a housing of a data storage device. Opposing first and second housing members are provided with the first member having a groove of selected depth and width. A substantially planar member is affixed to the first housing member and has a compliant portion adjacent the groove. The compliant portion can be cantilevered so as to project partially across the groove, or can completely span the groove. A sealing material is compressed between the compliant portion and the second housing member to form a seal therebetween. During compression of the sealing material, the compliant portion deflects into the groove to apply a compliant force against the sealing material. Preferably, a layer of elastomeric material is disposed between the planar member and the first housing member to provide constrain layer damping of the first housing member.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 opposing first and second housing members, said first member having a groove of selected depth and width;    a substantially planar member affixed to the first housing member and having a compliant portion which projects at least partially across the width of the groove; and    a sealing material which is compressed between the compliant portion and the second housing member to form a seal therebetween, wherein the compliant portion deflects into the groove to apply a compliant force against the sealing material.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compliant portion is characterized as a cantilevered distal end which is supported at one end of the groove and projects partially across the width of the groove.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compliant portion is characterized as a medial portion of the planar member which is supported at opposing ends of the groove and projects completely across the width of the groove.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of elastomeric material disposed between the planar member and the first housing member to provide constrain layer damping of the first housing member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing member comprises a substantially planar first surface to which the planar member is attached.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material comprises a form in place gasket (FIPG).  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the groove extends adjacent a peripheral edge of the first housing member.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second housing members form a housing for a data storage device.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus comprising opposing first and second housing members, and first for establishing a compliant seal therebetween.  
   
   
       10 . A method comprising: 
 providing opposing first and second housing members, the first housing member having a groove of selected depth and width and a substantially planar member affixed to the first housing member and having a compliant portion which projects at least partially across the width of the groove; and compressing a sealing material between the compliant portion and the second housing member so that the compliant portion deflects into the groove to apply a compliant force against the sealing material.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising applying the sealing material as a bead to a selected one of the compliant portion and the second housing member to form a form in place gasket (FIPG).  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the compliant portion of the providing step is characterized as a cantilevered distal end which is supported at one end of the groove and projects partially across the width of the groove.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the compliant portion of the providing step is characterized as a medial portion of the planar member which is supported at opposing ends of the groove and projects completely across the width of the groove.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a step of disposing a layer of elastomeric material between the planar member and the first housing member to provide constrain layer damping of the first housing member.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the groove of the providing step extends adjacent a peripheral edge of the first housing member.  
   
   
       16 . A data storage device comprising a housing formed in accordance with the method of  claim 10.