Hydrodynamic bearing, spindle motor and hard disk drive

US7290933B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Minebea Co., Ltd. · JP

Inventors

• Dieter Braun · Spaichingen, DE
• Joerg Hoffmann · Mettlach, DE
• Andreas Kull · Hüfingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 2004
• Grant date: Nov 6, 2007
• Expiry date: Nov 18, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C2370/12
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing, particularly for a spindle motor, comprising a shaft, a thrust plate connected to the shaft and a bearing sleeve closed at one end by a cover plate, the bearing sleeve enclosing the shaft and the thrust plate with a slight radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap filled with a lubricant. As is already known, the surfaces of the bearing sleeve and the shaft facing each other form at least one radial bearing region and the surfaces of the bearing sleeve, the cover plate and the thrust plate facing each other form at least one axial bearing region. In the hydrodynamic bearing according to the invention, at least one connecting channel is provided which connects a section between the bearing sleeve and the shaft abutting the radial bearing region and a section of the bearing gap abutting the axial bearing region to each other.