Patent · US Expired

Hydrodynamic bearing assembly and spindle motor having the same

US6749339B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
9References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 2001
Grant dateJun 15, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16C2370/12
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention is to provide a hydrodynamic bearing assembly, which realizes the high rotation rate in a stable manner and the robust rigidity. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly has a total radial gap of 3 microns or less for preventing the contact in the thrust bearing. The thrust bearing is a pomp-out type one, and the radial bearing has offset grooves on the surface thereof to supply the fluid flow sufficiently to the thrust bearing. The grooves also eliminate a half-whirl. A depth ratio relative to the diameter of bearing is preferably 0.005 or less to avoid the reduced translation rigidity. The radial gap is smoothly enlarged from the center to both ends along the axis, and the shaft is biased to incline the shaft relative to the sleeve, so that the shaft can be rotated with the robust rigidity. Also, a pair of the thrust bearings is provided on both ends of the radial bearing so as to realize the robust rigidity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.