U.S. patent application number 10/847278 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for housing with compliant member which biases a sealing material.
Invention is credited to Hampton, Steven W..
Application Number | 20050253342 10/847278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35308680 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050253342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hampton, Steven W. |
November 17, 2005 |
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.
Inventors: |
Hampton, Steven W.;
(Mustang, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Seagate Technology LLC
1280 Disc Drive
Shakopee
MN
55379
US
|
Family ID: |
35308680 |
Appl. No.: |
10/847278 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/628 ;
G9B/33.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/181 20130101;
G11B 33/1466 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/628 |
International
Class: |
F01C 001/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The claimed invention relates generally to the field of
housing structures and more particularly, but not by way of
limitation, to an apparatus and method for forming a housing
seal.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Disc drives are digital data storage devices which store and
retrieve large amounts of user data in a fast and efficient manner.
The data are magnetically recorded on the surfaces of one or more
data storage discs (media) affixed to a spindle motor for rotation
at a constant high speed.
[0003] An array of vertically aligned data transducing heads are
controllably positioned by an actuator to read data from and write
data to tracks defined on the recording surfaces. An actuator motor
rotates the actuator to move the heads across the disc surfaces.
The heads are configured to be hydrodynamically supported adjacent
the disc surfaces by fluidic pressures established by the high
speed rotation of the discs.
[0004] It is generally desirable to enclose the heads and recording
media in a sealed housing to protect these components from the
deleterious effects of fluid-borne contaminants from the
surrounding atmosphere. Some device designers have proposed
hermetically sealed designs that contain a lower density atmosphere
within the housing, such as an inert gas (helium, etc.), to reduce
windage and vibration effects and achieve higher levels of
operational performance.
[0005] With the continued demand for higher performance data
storage devices, there remains a continual need for improved
housing seal configurations. It is to these and other improvements
that the claimed invention is generally directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] As embodied herein and as claimed below, the present
invention is generally directed to an apparatus and method for
sealing a housing, such as a housing of a data storage device.
[0007] In accordance with preferred embodiments, 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.
[0008] In some embodiments, the compliant portion is cantilevered
so as to be supported at one end and to project partially across
the groove. In other embodiments, the compliant portion is
supported at both ends and completely spans the groove.
[0009] 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.
[0010] The sealing material is preferably characterized as a form
in place gasket (FIPG). A layer of elastomeric material is further
preferably disposed between the planar member and the first housing
member to provide constrain layer damping of the first housing
member.
[0011] These and various other features and advantages which
characterize the claimed invention will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and upon reviewing the
associated drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a data storage
device constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational, cross-sectional exploded view
of a portion of the housing of the device of FIG. 1 to illustrate a
sealing arrangement in accordance with a first preferred
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a final, assembled
state.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a portion of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 in
greater detail.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment for
the sealing arrangement of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0017] FIG. 6 provides yet another alternative preferred embodiment
for the sealing arrangement of FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] While the claimed invention has utility in any number of
different applications, FIG. 1 has been provided to illustrate a
particularly suitable environment in which the claimed invention
can be advantageously practiced.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective top plan
representation of a data storage device 100 of the type used to
magnetically store and retrieve computerized user data. The device
100 includes a sealable housing 101 formed from a base deck 102 and
a top cover 104.
[0020] The housing 101 provides a controlled interior environment
for various constituent components of the device 100, including a
spindle motor 106 which rotates a number of data recording discs
108, and an actuator 110 which supports a corresponding array of
data transducing heads 112 adjacent the disc surfaces.
[0021] The actuator 110 is controllably positioned by a voice coil
motor (VCM) 114 which aligns the heads 112 with tracks (not shown)
defined on the disc surfaces. A flex circuit assembly 116 provides
electrical communication paths between the actuator 110 and control
electronics supported on a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)
118 mounted to the underside of the base deck 102.
[0022] Of particular interest to the present discussion is the
manner in which the top cover 104 mates with the base deck 102 to
seal the housing 101. A first preferred embodiment is shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows the top cover 104 to include a substantially
planar first surface 120 into which extends a groove 122. The
groove 122 is formed by opposing sidewalls 124 and a recessed
surface 125 at a distal extent to provide the groove 122 with a
width W and a depth D. While the groove 122 has a substantially
trapezoidal configuration, other cross-sectional shapes can be used
as desired.
[0024] The groove 122 circumferentially extends adjacent a
peripheral edge 126 of the top cover 104, as shown in FIG. 1. The
top cover 104 is preferably formed from sheet stock aluminum and
the groove 122 is preferably formed using a suitable stamping
operation, although other materials and processing methodologies
can be employed.
[0025] A substantially planar member 128 is attached to the first
surface 120 of the top cover 104. The member 128 is also preferably
formed from sheet stock aluminum and includes a compliant portion
130. The compliant portion 130 is characterized as a cantilevered
distal end which projects partially across the width of the groove
122 as shown.
[0026] The compliant portion 130 supports a suitable sealing
material 132, such as a bead of viscous elastomeric material that
is controllably applied to provide a form in place gasket (FIPG).
Other sealing materials and configurations can be used, however,
such as a preformed gasket having a selected cross-sectional shape,
such as circular (i.e., a hollow or solid o-ring).
[0027] The base deck 102 in FIG. 2 is provided with a substantially
planar second surface 134 in facing relationship with the first
surface 120. During assembly, the top cover 104 is brought into
alignment with the base deck 102 so that the sealing material 132
contactingly engages the second surface 134. Threaded fasteners 136
are inserted into through-hole apertures 138 in the top cover 104
and threaded apertures 140 in the base deck 102. This secures the
top cover 104 to the base deck 102 and compresses the sealing
material 132 between the compliant portion 130 and the second
surface 134 to form a seal therebetween, as depicted in FIG. 3.
[0028] During compression of the sealing material 132, the
compliant portion 130 deflects upwardly into the groove 122,
thereby exerting a compliant force downwardly against the sealing
material 132 to support the sealing material. The groove 122
advantageously provides localized structural rigidity to the base
of the cantilevered portion 130 at the point where deflection of
the portion 130 substantially begins. The groove 122 also provides
the necessary clearance for the portion 130 to deflect.
[0029] The amount of compliant force applied to the sealing
material 132 by the member 128 will depend upon a number of
factors, including the dimensions, orientations and materials used.
Thus, different amounts of deflection and force can be provided as
desired depending upon the requirements of a given application.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the top cover 104 in greater detail. The planar
member 128 is preferably attached to the first surface 120 of the
top cover 104 using a thin layer of elastomeric material 142, such
as pressure sensitive adhesive. The member 128 and the material 142
preferably extend across a substantial portion of the top cover 104
to provide constrain layer damping to reduce undesired vibrations
and audible noise during operation of the data storage device
100.
[0031] FIG. 5 provides an alternative embodiment to that shown in
FIGS. 2-3. In FIG. 5, the sealing material is initially applied to
the second surface 134 of the base deck instead of to the member
128. Once the top cover 104 is mated to the base deck 102, the
resulting structure is substantially similar to that shown in FIG.
3. A groove (not shown) or other guiding feature can be formed in
the base deck 102 as desired to locate the sealing material 132 and
to provide additional surface contact area for the material.
[0032] FIG. 6 provides another alternative embodiment. In FIG. 6,
the top cover 104 includes a substantially planar member 144 which
is generally similar to the planar member 128 discussed above. One
difference, however, is that the member 144 includes a compliant
portion 146 which fully spans the width of the groove 122. The
compliant portion 146 is thus characterized as a medial portion of
the planar member 144 and is secured to the surface 120 of the top
cover 104 at opposing ends of the groove.
[0033] Upon compression of the sealing material 132, the compliant
portion 146 deflects, or bows into the groove 122, thereby applying
a compliant force upon the sealing material 132. Because the
portion 146 is secured at both ends instead of just one end as with
the cantilevered portion 130, the portion 146 will tend to be
substantially stiffer than the cantilevered end 130. Thus, use of a
thinner or otherwise more compliant material may be desirable for
the member 144 as compared to the member 128. As before, remaining
portions of the member 144 can be used to provide constrain layer
damping of the top cover 104.
[0034] It will be noted that the various preferred embodiments
presented herein provide certain advantages over the prior art. The
embodiments are easily manufactured and accept tolerance variations
within ranges that are readily achievable using standard
manufacturing processes.
[0035] The compliant portions 130, 146 supply compliant support to
the sealing material so that lower compression forces can be
utilized during the clamping of the top cover to the base deck.
This eliminates the need for the addition of expensive structural
members or extra material as in prior art designs.
[0036] The groove 122 advantageously provides enhanced structural
rigidity to support the controlled deflection of the compliant
portion 130, as well as to provide clearance for such deflection
while maintaining the desired sealing between the interior and the
exterior of the housing.
[0037] Also, the need to machine or otherwise precision form a path
for a preformed sealing gasket (such as in the base deck) can be
eliminated, as well as the sorting of various housing members
during the manufacturing process to locate base deck/top cover
pairs with desired dimensions and/or tolerances.
[0038] It will now be understood that the present invention (as
embodied herein and as claimed below) is generally directed to an
apparatus and method for sealing a housing.
[0039] In accordance with some preferred embodiments, the apparatus
comprises opposing first and second housing members (such as 102,
104), the first member having a groove (such as 122) of selected
depth and width (such as D and W in FIG. 2). A substantially planar
member (such as 128, 144) is affixed to the first housing member
and has a compliant portion (such as 130, 146) which projects at
least partially across the width of the groove.
[0040] A sealing material (such as 132) 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.
[0041] In some embodiments, the compliant portion is characterized
as a cantilevered distal end (such as 130) of the planar member
(such as 128) which is supported at one end of the groove and
projects partially across the width of the groove. In other
embodiments, the compliant portion is characterized as a medial
portion (such as 146) of the planar member (such as 144) which is
supported at opposing ends of the groove and projects completely
across the width of the groove.
[0042] Preferably, a layer of elastomeric material (such as 142) is
disposed between the planar member and the first housing member to
provide constrain layer damping of the first housing member.
Moreover, the first housing member comprises a substantially planar
first surface (such as 120) to which the planar member is attached.
The sealing material is preferably characterized as a form in place
gasket (FIPG).
[0043] In accordance with other preferred embodiments, the method
preferably comprises providing opposing first and second housing
members (such as 102, 104), the first housing member having a
groove (such as 122) of selected depth and width (such as D and W
in FIG. 2) and a substantially planar member (such as 128, 144)
affixed to the first housing member and having a compliant portion
(such as 130, 146) which projects at least partially across the
width of the groove.
[0044] The method further preferably comprises compressing a
sealing material (such as 132) 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.
[0045] The method further preferably comprises 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). In
some preferred embodiments, the compliant portion of the providing
step is characterized as a cantilevered distal end (such as 130)
which is supported at one end of the groove and projects partially
across the width of the groove. In other preferred embodiments, the
compliant portion of the providing step is characterized as a
medial portion (such as 146) of the planar member which is
supported at opposing ends of the groove and projects completely
across the width of the groove.
[0046] The method further preferably comprises 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.
[0047] For purposes of the appended claims, the recited "first
means" will be understood to correspond to at least the sealing
material 132, the groove 122 and the substantially planar members
128, 144 with respective compliant portions 130, 146 as shown in
FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6.
[0048] It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of various
embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the
principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by
the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims
are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary
depending on the particular application of the housing without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0049] In addition, although the embodiments described herein are
directed to the sealing of a data storage device housing, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject
matter is not so limited, but rather extends to any number of
different housing applications.
* * * * *