Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing system, particularly for the rotary bearing of spindle motors to power hard disk drives. The bearing system includes a bearing sleeve, a shaft accommodated in an opening in the bearing sleeve and at least one radial bearing section provided between the bearing sleeve and the shaft with the aid of which the shaft and the bearing sleeve are supported rotatably in relation to each other. A bearing gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing sleeve and is filled with a liquid lubricant. A lubricant reservoir and equalizing volume independent from the design of the bearing arrangement is provided in that at least one duct is formed in the bearing sleeve that extends from an outer section of the bearing sleeve to the bearing gap and that is at least partially filled with lubricant.

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.

Abstract: A spindle motor for use in a disk drive having a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The rotor assembly has a hub and a rotating shaft with an outer diameter, the hub being mounted for rotation on the rotating shaft. The stator assembly has a bearing sleeve with a bottom opening, the rotating shaft being inserted into the bearing sleeve for rotation. A counter-plate is inserted into the bottom opening of the bearing sleeve thereby closing the bottom opening. A thrust plate is mounted on the rotating shaft in opposing relationship with the counter-plate, the thrust plate having an outer diameter. A fluid dynamic thrust bearing is formed between the counter-plate and the thrust plate. A ratio between the outer diameter of the shaft to the outer diameter of the thrust plate is reduced to reduce spindle motor's power consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of construction of a spindle motor having a bearing unit, a rotary shaft, a rotary hub member and an electro-magnetic motor is presented. The rotary shaft has a flange attached at a mid-section in an axial direction, between large and small diameter sections of the rotary shaft. Grooves between the bearing unit, rotary shaft and flange create radial dynamic pressure generating areas, each with as long as possible a span, and thrust dynamic pressure generating areas to both sides of the flange.

Abstract: A spindle motor for use in a disk drive including a shaft and a bearing sleeve. The shaft has a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section with a step formed therebetween. The bearing sleeve has a central cylindrical opening, the shaft being inserted into the central cylindrical opening. A bearing gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, the bearing gap being filled with lubricating fluid. A first hydrodynamic thrust bearing is formed in the area of the step. A hydrodynamic radial bearing is formed in the area of the larger diameter section of said shaft.

Abstract: A spindle motor for a hard disk drive having a stationary component with a first bearing surface, and a rotating component with a second bearing surface located in opposing relationship with the first bearing surface. The first and the second bearing surfaces form a hydrodynamic bearing. A bearing gap is formed between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface, the bearing gap being filled with lubricating fluid. An oil-free recess is provided in the motor for placement of electromagnetic components of the motor. The stationary component is provided with a first set of seal surfaces, and the rotating component is provided with a second set of seal surfaces. The seal surfaces of the first set are located opposite the seal surfaces of the second set and form a labyrinth seal sealing the bearing gap from the oil-free motor recess.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A spindle motor for use in a disk drive, the spindle motor including a shaft having a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section with a step formed therebetween. The spindle motor also includes a bearing sleeve having a central cylindrical opening, the shaft is inserted into the central cylindrical opening. A bearing gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, the bearing gap being filled with lubricating fluid. A thrust plate is fixedly mounted on the shaft in the area of the step such that an upper side of the thrust plate is placed adjacently to the larger diameter section and a lower side of the thrust plate is placed adjacently to the smaller diameter section of the shaft.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing system for use in a spindle motor, especially for the actuation of hard disk drives, wherein the bearing arrangement features a shaft and a sleeve which, supported by a lubricant circulating between their bearing surfaces, are rotatable relative to one another. A reservoir for the lubricant is formed by a recess provided in the shaft and the inner surface of the sleeve. The reservoir is provided in the area of the face of at least one opening in the sleeve. To enable the fill level of the lubricant in the reservoir to be checked, the recess is provided with tapering transitional areas contours of which form an acute angle with the cutting plane of the shaft.

Abstract: A spindle motor for use in hard disk drives having a base plate, a stationary shaft, a rotationally driven rotor, and a bearing system rotationally supporting the rotationally driven rotor. The shaft is fixedly mounted on the base plate. The base plate includes a drilled hole for insertion of a portion of the shaft such that this shaft's portion and the inner surface of the hole define a joint length l, when this portion is pressed into the drilled hole. The shaft has at least one notch located along the shaft's circumference and interrupting the joint length l.