Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing is constructed to support stably a rotating body to which a non-uniform force is applied, and a hard disk drive (HDD) employing the fluid dynamic bearing is provided. The fluid dynamic bearing includes a journal bearing part supporting a rotary shaft in a radial direction of the rotary shaft, a thrust part formed at one end of the rotary shaft, a thrust bearing part facing the thrust part and supporting the rotary shaft in a longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of grooves formed on a surface of the thrust bearing part and/or the thrust part. The plurality of grooves include a first groove group including a plurality of grooves having the same shape and arrangement, and a second groove group adjacent to the first groove group and including at least one groove asymmetric with respect to the grooves of the first groove group.

Abstract: A spindle motor structure including a spindle motor installed on a base and having a hydrodynamic bearing supporting a shaft to be capable of rotating using hydrodynamic pressure and a driving source rotating the shaft using an electromagnetic force. A circuit board is installed to face the base and supplies driving power to the driving source. A heater is installed on the circuit board at a position facing the hydrodynamic bearing and heats the hydrodynamic bearing.

Abstract: A shipping comb for use when moving an actuator of a hard disk drive, the actuator including a swing arm installed on a base member of the hard disk drive capable of pivoting, at least a pair of load beams coupled to an end portion of the swing arm, and at least a pair of sliders respectively coupled to the load beams to face each other. The shipping comb includes a frame operative to be coupled to the actuator and capable of pivoting, a first finger provided at the frame and for maintaining an interval between the load beams by being inserted between the load beams, and a second finger provided at the frame and for preventing collision between the sliders by being inserted between the sliders.

Abstract: A mounting pad for a disk drive is provided. The mounting pad includes a sealing layer, which is formed on one surface of the disk drive so that a gap between a base and a cover of the disk drive can be sealed; an adhesive layer, which is formed on a surface of the electronic system facing the disk drive; and a vibration attenuation layer, which is interposed between the sealing layer and the adhesive layer to attenuate physical shocks and/or vibrations applied to the disk drive from the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to install the disk drive in the electronic system more firmly, attenuate physical shocks and vibrations applied to the disk drive from the outside, and seal a gap between the base and the cover of the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk drive having an anti-shock structure is provided. The disk drive includes: a base member; a spindle motor supported by a spindle motor support formed on the base member, the spindle motor rotating a data storage disk; an actuator rotatably coupled to an actuator pivot supported by a pivot support formed on the base member, the actuator moving a read/write head to a position on a recording surface of the disk; and slots formed in the base member around the circumference of each of the spindle motor support and the pivot support, the slots for partially controlling the stiffness of the base member. The slots include a first slot formed on a circumference region of the spindle motor support near the pivot support, and a second slot formed on a circumference region of the pivot support opposite to the spindle motor support. Due to the structure of the disk drive, the spindle motor and the actuator pivot are inclined in the same direction when an external impact is applied.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit (FPC), electrically connecting a spindle motor on a base of a disk drive with a printed circuit board (PCB) outside of the base, and a disk drive including the FPC, are provided. The FPC includes a wiring portion having one end connected to the spindle motor; a bonded portion connected to the other end of the wiring portion and attached to the base; electrode supports, each having a predetermined elasticity and extending from an outside edge of the bonded portion; a wiring disposed along the wiring portion and the bonded portion; and first electrodes disposed on the electrode supports and connected to the wiring. The first electrodes contact second electrodes disposed on the PCB due to the elasticities of the electrode supports. The disk drive allows the spindle motor to be electrically connected to the PCB using only the FPC, i.e., without using a separate connector.

Abstract: Provided is a structure for mounting an embedded type disk drive in an electronic system having opposite surfaces corresponding to both surfaces of the disk drive. The structure includes a mounting damper coupled to a corner portion of the disk drive to protrude from either surface of the disk drive, and a mounting groove formed in each of the opposite surfaces of the electronic system at a position corresponding to the mounting damper. As the mounting damper is inserted in the mounting groove, the disk drive is mounted in the electronic system.

Abstract: A spindle motor structure including a spindle motor installed on a base and having a hydrodynamic bearing supporting a shaft to be capable of rotating using hydrodynamic pressure and a driving source rotating the shaft using an electromagnetic force. A circuit board is installed to face the base and supplies driving power to the driving source. A heater is installed on the circuit board at a position facing the hydrodynamic bearing and heats the hydrodynamic bearing.

Abstract: A shipping comb for use when moving an actuator of a hard disk drive, the actuator including a swing arm installed on a base member of the hard disk drive capable of pivoting, at least a pair of load beams coupled to an end portion of the swing arm, and at least a pair of sliders respectively coupled to the load beams to face each other. The shipping comb includes a frame operative to be coupled to the actuator and capable of pivoting, a first finger provided at the frame and for maintaining an interval between the load beams by being inserted between the load beams, and a second finger provided at the frame and for preventing collision between the sliders by being inserted between the sliders.

Abstract: A head-gimbal assembly of a hard disk drive includes a loadbeam connected to a pivot arm, a slider on which a magnetic head is mounted, an elastic support member having one end coupled to the loadbeam and the other free end portion at which the slider is supported, and a damper provided between the loadbeam and the slider to attenuate vibration transferred between the loadbeam and the slider.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing is constructed to support stably a rotating body to which a non-uniform force is applied, and a hard disk drive (HDD) employing the fluid dynamic bearing is provided. The fluid dynamic bearing includes a journal bearing part supporting a rotary shaft in a radial direction of the rotary shaft, a thrust part formed at one end of the rotary shaft, a thrust bearing part facing the thrust part and supporting the rotary shaft in a longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of grooves formed on a surface of the thrust bearing part and/or the thrust part. The plurality of grooves include a first groove group including a plurality of grooves having the same shape and arrangement, and a second groove group adjacent to the first groove group and including at least one groove asymmetric with respect to the grooves of the first groove group.

Abstract: A disk drive having an anti-shock structure is provided. The disk drive includes: a base member; a spindle motor supported by a spindle motor support formed on the base member, the spindle motor rotating a data storage disk; an actuator rotatably coupled to an actuator pivot supported by a pivot support formed on the base member, the actuator moving a read/write head to a position on a recording surface of the disk; and slots formed in the base member around the circumference of each of the spindle motor support and the pivot support, the slots for partially controlling the stiffness of the base member. The slots include a first slot formed on a circumference region of the spindle motor support near the pivot support, and a second slot formed on a circumference region of the pivot support opposite to the spindle motor support. Due to the structure of the disk drive, the spindle motor and the actuator pivot are inclined in the same direction when an external impact is applied.

Abstract: Provided is a structure for mounting an embedded type disk drive in an electronic system having opposite surfaces corresponding to both surfaces of the disk drive. The structure includes a mounting damper coupled to a corner portion of the disk drive to protrude from either surface of the disk drive, and a mounting groove formed in each of the opposite surfaces of the electronic system at a position corresponding to the mounting damper. As the mounting damper is inserted in the mounting groove, the disk drive is mounted in the electronic system.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit (FPC), electrically connecting a spindle motor on a base of a disk drive with a printed circuit board (PCB) outside of the base, and a disk drive including the FPC, are provided. The FPC includes a wiring portion having one end connected to the spindle motor; a bonded portion connected to the other end of the wiring portion and attached to the base; electrode supports, each having a predetermined elasticity and extending from an outside edge of the bonded portion; a wiring disposed along the wiring portion and the bonded portion; and first electrodes disposed on the electrode supports and connected to the wiring. The first electrodes contact second electrodes disposed on the PCB due to the elasticities of the electrode supports. The disk drive allows the spindle motor to be electrically connected to the PCB using only the FPC, i.e., without using a separate connector.

Abstract: A mounting pad for a disk drive is provided. The mounting pad includes a sealing layer, which is formed on one surface of the disk drive so that a gap between a base and a cover of the disk drive can be sealed; an adhesive layer, which is formed on a surface of the electronic system facing the disk drive; and a vibration attenuation layer, which is interposed between the sealing layer and the adhesive layer to attenuate physical shocks and/or vibrations applied to the disk drive from the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to install the disk drive in the electronic system more firmly, attenuate physical shocks and vibrations applied to the disk drive from the outside, and seal a gap between the base and the cover of the disk drive.

Abstract: A head-gimbal assembly of a hard disk drive includes a loadbeam connected to a pivot arm, a slider on which a magnetic head is mounted, an elastic support member having one end coupled to the loadbeam and the other free end portion at which the slider is supported, and a damper provided between the loadbeam and the slider to attenuate vibration transferred between the loadbeam and the slider.