Minebea Company, Limited

Minebea Mitsumi Inc.

Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea Gmbh

Mineabea Co., Ltd.

Olaf Winterhalter

Joerg Hoffmann

Andreas Kull

Martin Hafen

Guido Schmid

Stefan Schwamberger

Martin Engesser

Vladimir Vladimirovich Popov

Martin Bauer

Thomas Fuss

Jürgen Fleig

Joerg Hoffman

Thilo Rehm

Rudolf Neumann

Tobias Kirchmeier

Matthias Wildpreth

Mathias Wildpreth

Helmut Hans

Carsten Etling

J&uuml;rgen Oelsch

Jürgen Oelsch

Jorg Hoffmann

Michael Bruckhoff

Holger Schoenfelder

Markus Loehr

Ralf Dittes

Helmut Hueneke

Manfred Rauer

The invention relates to a fluid-dynamic bearing system, in particular for the rotary support of a spindle motor, the bearing system comprising: a first conical bearing and a second conical bearing counteracting the first conical bearing, a fixed shaft along which the two conical bearings are arranged, a sleeve, a first and a second conical bearing component, which together with the sleeve form the first and second conical bearings, bearing structures applied to the sleeve and/or the conical bearing components, a bearing gap filled with a bearing fluid extending between the sleeve and the shaft and between the sleeve and the conical bearing components and sealed at each of its ends by a conical capillary seal, and a hub which rotates together with the sleeve about a rotation axis. The invention is characterized in that a pump seal is arranged between the first conical bearing and the adjacent capillary seal.

Fluid-dynamic bearing system

The invention relates to a spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing system comprising axial and radial bearings that contains a rotor component () which encloses a stationary shaft (), which in turn is connected at both its ends to axially aligned bearing parts () that are fashioned such that they form capillary sealing gaps (), a recirculation channel () filled with bearing fluid that connects the remote regions of the bearing to each other, and an electromagnetic drive system () for driving the rotor component.

Spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing system and a stationary shaft

The invention relates to a spindle motor, preferably for driving a hard disk drive, having a stationary motor component and a rotatable motor component that is rotatably supported with respect to the stationary motor component and that is driven by an electromagnetic drive system, at least one storage disk being fixed to the rotatable motor component using some means of mounting and fastening. According to the invention, at least parts of the rotatable motor component and at least parts of the means of mounting and fastening have a wear resistant surface coating or are subjected to a wear resistant surface treatment.

Spindle motor for driving a hard disk drive

A fluid dynamic bearing having at least one first bearing part as well as a second bearing part that are rotatably supported with respect to one another about a rotational axis and separated from one another by a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid. Associated bearing surfaces of the bearing parts form a first and a second radial bearing that are marked by grooved bearing patterns disposed on at least one bearing surface. Between the radial bearings, there is a separator gap having an enlarged gap distance compared to the bearing gap. The ends of the grooved bearing patterns of the radial bearings adjoining the separator gap penetrate into the separator gap. This measure prevents the creation of negative pressure at the ends of the grooved bearing patterns, as a result of which the formation of air bubbles is also reduced.

Fluid dynamic bearing

The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system having a stationary bearing component and a moving bearing component, that are separated from one another by a bearing gap filled with a bearing fluid. There are two radial bearing regions separated from one another and marked by radial bearing grooves. A separator region having a larger bearing gap width is disposed between the radial bearing regions. The radial bearing grooves of the two radial bearing regions have inner ends facing each other and outer ends facing away from each other. At least the outer ends of the radial bearing grooves are connected to each other by connecting grooves. According to the invention, wear zones provided especially for this purpose are disposed adjoining the connecting grooves, so as to prevent material wear at other regions of the bearing.

A fluid dynamic bearing system used particularly for a spindle motor having a shaft that is accommodated in a bearing bush and rotatably supported with respect to the bearing bush, a bearing gap filled with a bearing fluid being located between the shaft and the bearing bush. At least the outside circumference of a section of the shaft extending into the bearing bush is made of a plastic material. As an alternative, a film made of a plastic material whose thickness is less than the width of the bearing gap can be disposed in the bearing gap.

Fluid dynamic bearing system

A method for filling the bearing gap of a hydrodynamic bearing with a lubricant, where drops of lubricant are produced in a defined manner and are applied to a defined region of the bearing to be filled.

Method and apparatus for filling the bearing gap of a hydrodynamic bearing with a lubricant

The invention relates to a spindle motor having a hydrodynamic bearing system, particularly to drive platters in a hard disk drive, the platters being disposed on a rotor, and the bearing system being formed by a bearing sleeve arranged on a baseplate and a shaft rotatably supported in an opening in the bearing sleeve and at least one thrust plate connected to the shaft. A liquid lubricant is filled into a bearing gap formed between the shaft, the thrust plate and the bearing sleeve. The invention is characterized in that the thrust plate rests directly against the rotor and is accommodated in an annular recess in the bearing sleeve facing the rotor.

Spindle motor having a hydrodynamic bearing system

The spindle motor described herein comprises a rotor having a rotor hub and a shaft connected to the rotor hub, a cylindrical bearing sleeve having a central bore to accommodate the shaft and a collar disposed at the receiving aperture, a cup-shaped bearing housing closed at one end to accommodate the bearing sleeve, a baseplate to hold the bearing receiving portion, a stopper ring disposed at the inside circumference of the rotor hub between the collar and the baseplate, and at least one radial bearing region formed between the outside diameter of the shaft and the inside diameter of the bore and defined by surface patterns. According to the invention, an annular axial bearing region is provided formed between a lower face of the collar and an upper face of the stopper ring. This design and construction makes it possible to realize spindle motors having small dimensions and, in particular, low overall heights.

Spindle motor of a small-scale design

The present invention provides a bearing comprised of a hydrodynamic bearing and a pivot bearing, which can be used with a spindle motor. It also provides a spindle motor utilizing a hydrodynamic bearing and a pivot bearing.

Hydrodynamic pivot bearing

A hydrodynamic bearing for use in a spindle motor, having a shaft, a bearing sleeve encompassing the shaft with a small radial space, and a skewback at one end face of the bearing sleeve which is fixedly connected to the bearing sleeve. The shaft features a thrust plate or a conical or cone-like extension at its end face which faces the skewback. The diameter of the conical extension increases in the direction of the end face of the shaft. A bearing gap formed between the shaft and the bearing sleeve is filled with a bearing fluid. Dynamic pressure generating grooves are provided on one of the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bearing sleeve to generate an excess pressure in the bearing fluid.

Hydrodynamic bearing for a spindle motor

Hydrodynamic bearing for use in a spindle motor includes a shaft, a bearing sleeve encompassing the shaft with a small radial clearance, a plurality of hydrodynamic pressure generating grooves formed on at least one of an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the bearing sleeve, and a base-plate, flange or another frame element of the motor. The bearing sleeve is constructed as a single component with the frame element of the motor.

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Epfendorf, Germany

Olaf Winterhalter