IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,876,112
Granted Patent B2
US 6,876,112 · App. 10/913,063 · Granted Apr 5, 2005

Low power spindle motor with a fixed shaft

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,876,112
App. No.
10/913,063
Granted
Apr 5, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spindle motor for use in a disk drive having a base frame, a housing cover, a fixed shaft and a rotatable bearing sleeve. The fixed shaft has a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section with a step formed therebetween. The rotatable bearing sleeve has a central cylindrical opening, the shaft being inserted into the central cylindrical opening. A bearing gap is formed between the fixed shaft and the rotatable bearing sleeve, the bearing gap being filled with lubricating fluid. One end of the fixed shaft is secured to the base frame while another end of the shaft is secured to the housing cover.

Claims (11)

1. A spindle motor for use in a disk drive comprising:

a fixed shaft having a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section with a step formed therebetween;

a bearing sleeve having a central cylindrical opening, said shaft being inserted into said central cylindrical opening;

a bearing gap formed between said shaft and said bearing sleeve, said bearing gap being filled with lubricating fluid;

a thrust plate fixedly mounted on said shaft in the area of said step;

a base frame; and

a housing cover,

wherein one end of said fixed shaft is secured to the base frame while another end of said fixed shaft is secured to the housing cover.

2. The spindle motor according to claim 1 , wherein an annular disk is placed into said bearing sleeve to seal said central cylindrical opening such that said annular disk and said thrust plate are located in an opposing relationship.

3. The spindle motor according to claim 2 , wherein a thrust hydrodynamic bearing is formed between said thrust plate and said annular disk.

4. The spindle motor according to claim 2 , wherein a tapered capillary seal is formed at an open end of said annular disk, said tapered capillary seal sealing said lubricating fluid in said bearing gap.