Disc drive with self-pressurizing fluid bearing and shaft-supporting-ball retaining element
US5710678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B19/2009
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention replaces the current spindle motor ball bearing system of a hard disc drive by a system comprising three separate elements, including a self-pressurizing journal bearing for establishing radial stiffness which comprises a rotating shaft and sleeve with air or other fluid therebetween. A chevron or herringbone pattern is established on the sleeve or shaft to establish a self-pressurizing hydrodynamic bearing which maintains the stability of the system while providing for very simple manufacturing of the system. Additionally, a thrust bearing is defined based on the air pressure build-up between the housing for the disc stack and the disc stack itself. The term "integrated air-bearing" is used to name this thrust bearing because it is built up with components such as discs and housing which exist in any typical hard disc assembly. The integrated air-bearing may be sufficiently established by building up the bottom surface of the housing or the base of the housing to within a very close distance of the lower surface of the disc; preferably, both the top surface of the top disc and bottom surface of the bottom disc are located close to pads, or other configuration…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.