Drive motor for magnetic disks, optical disks, and magneto-optical disks

Abstract

A motor for rotating a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk comprises an armature concentrically secured to a center shaft affixed to the base frame of a disk drive unit. A rotor frame is rotatably supported in a cantilever fashion on a free end of the center shaft by a pair of bearings. The rotor frame is cup-shaped with a depending cylindrical sidewall encircling the outer peripheral surface of the armature. The sidewall includes a disk support that projects outwardly from the sidewall. A permanent magnet secured inside the sidewall interacts with magnetic fields produced by the armature. The cantilever support makes it easier to bring armature leads through a hole in the mounting frame as a part of the manufacturing process. In an alternate embodiment, the center shaft is shortened so that the lower bearing on the shaft rests upon the frame. The cup-shaped rotor is mounted on the bearings with a hub having a depending cylindrical wall mounted on the lower bearing. The frame has an upstanding cylindrical wall encircling the depending cylindrical wall of the hub. The armature is mounted on the outer surface of the upstanding wall so that it encircles the lower bearing. This embodiment has a short axial length which produces a compact motor.