Driving Mechanism Patents (Class 369/266)
  • Patent number: 10930305
    Abstract: A magnetic phonograph record stabilizer is configured to hold a phonograph record in a biased contact against a turntable. The stabilizer features a base which is engaged with a magnetic housing which is moveable from a first position where magnetic attraction biases the base toward the turntable. The magnetic housing is slidable to a second position eliminating the biasing from the magnetic flux so the stabilizer can be removed from the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Glen Tippetts
  • Patent number: 10224784
    Abstract: A motor includes a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a shaft, a rotor hub, and a flywheel. The rotor hub is arranged to extend in an annular shape around the shaft. The flywheel is arranged axially above the rotor hub. The rotating portion of the motor includes an annular inertia portion. The inertia portion comprises a material having a specific gravity greater than a specific gravity of a material of the flywheel. At least a portion of the inertia portion and at least a portion of the radial bearing portion are arranged to radially overlap with each other. The inertia portion having the specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of the flywheel is arranged at a position radially overlapping with the radial bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoichi Sekii
  • Patent number: 10177625
    Abstract: A motor includes a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a shaft, a rotor hub, and a flywheel. The rotor hub is arranged to extend in an annular shape around the shaft. The flywheel is arranged axially above the rotor hub. The rotor hub includes a joining portion fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. A center of gravity of the rotating portion and the joining portion of the rotor hub are arranged to radially overlap with each other. The center of gravity of the rotating portion is arranged axially above a radial bearing portion and at a level equivalent to the level of the joining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Sekii, Naohiro Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20120236702
    Abstract: To prevent the peak power/current consumption from exceeding a permitted level when more than one active mechanical mechanism of an electronic device (e.g., an optical storage apparatus) is involved in accomplishing a particular task, a method of controlling the electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a plurality of mechanical mechanisms including at least a first mechanical mechanism and a second mechanical mechanism. The method includes following steps: driving the first mechanical mechanism by applying a first control signal to the first mechanical mechanism; driving the second mechanical mechanism by applying a second control signal to the second mechanical mechanism; comparing the first control signal with a first predetermined threshold, and accordingly generating a first comparison result; and selectively adjusting the second control signal according to at least the first comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Yao-Lung Chuang
  • Publication number: 20120127847
    Abstract: There is provided a motor including a rotating member coupled with a shaft and rotating in connection with the shaft, and a fixing member having the shaft inserted thereinto to support the shaft and including a round part whose outer surface corresponding to the rotating member is formed to be rounded to thereby allow oil to be sealed between the round part and the rotating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Jo Yu
  • Publication number: 20120008488
    Abstract: An improved turntable is described with inherent properties for reducing noise generated by external sources or by the parts of the turntable. The plinth of the turntable is comprised of an elastomeric layer and at least one stiffening layer that adds rigidity to the plinth. The support feet, spindle bearing, and armboard only come into contact with the elastomeric layer, which dampens energy, allowing the turntable produce the audio on the record without excessive noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Merrill Williams Audio, LLC
    Inventors: George Earnest Merrill, Robert Edwin Williams
  • Publication number: 20110181981
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Edward K.Y. Jung, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20110158080
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disc clamp including a disc clamp body having a rotational axis hollow engaged with a rotational axis; a first disc balancer that is projected from the disc clamp body in the horizontal direction and formed in a first thickness A; and a second disc balancer that is bent downwards from an end of the first disc balancer in order to fix the disc and formed in a second thickness B, wherein an angle formed between a horizontal surface of the first disc balancer and the second disc balancer is from 92° to 95°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hoeop Yoon
  • Patent number: 7566827
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mazur, Alan Flum
  • Patent number: 7489056
    Abstract: The disclosure is concerned with a bonding method for bonding metallic members, which comprises the steps of: fitting a metallic members to another metallic member, followed by effecting preliminarily plastic bonding by means of a preliminarily bonding punch; and generating compression force in an axial direction of the members in the vicinity of the fitting portion of the bonding members after the preliminarily plastic bonding, and allowing part of the material of the bonding member to effect plastic-flow in such a manner as to fill a gap defined between the metallic members, so as to plastically bond the members; whereby the members are tightly integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouji Harada
  • Patent number: 7112904
    Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic rotation transmitting device capable of obtaining a large transmitting torque without using a large-sized permanent magnet, in an axial-type magnetic rotation transmitting device, which includes a driving rotation body having one or plural magnetic line(s) in which plural first magnets (10A) are disposed in a circumferential direction on a first disk (11A) at almost equal intervals, a drive source rotationally driving a drive shaft of the driving rotation body, and a driven rotation body having one or plural magnet line(s) in which second magnets (20A) of the same number as the first magnets (10A) are disposed in the circumferential direction on a second disk (21A) at almost equal intervals, symmetrically disposed to, and magnetically coupled with the driving rotation body with a magnetic coupling gap and, which utilizes a magnetic operation and which allows the driven rotation body to rotate by rotationally driving the drive shaft by means of the drive source, the first magnet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Maguneo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7105338
    Abstract: Improvements to turntables that facilitate inoculation of petri dishes. In one embodiment, the present invention is a motorized turntable for a petri dish that allows the user to use both hands for inoculation of the petri dish. In another embodiment, the present invention features an improved upper plate for a petri dish turntable that allows the user to more easily remove the petri dish from the upper plate after inoculation. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for rotating a conventional turntable for petri dishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Holmes, Richard G. Halstead, Richard G. Malmquist, Douglass M. Nolte
  • Patent number: 6836460
    Abstract: This invention provides a disc driving device used for rotationally driving a disc-shaped recording medium, comprising: a motor (3) in which a rotary shaft (2) attached to a rotor housed in a case (1) is provided to protrude from the case; and a turntable (4) having a setting portion (4d) for setting a disc (201) thereon and a cylindrical portion (4a) provided to protrude inward, and mounted on the proximal end side of the rotary shaft (2) so as to cover the proximal end side of the rotary shaft (2) by the cylindrical portion (4a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Nagasaka, Yasuo Osada, Renji Tamura
  • Patent number: 6815850
    Abstract: A spindle design for a hard disk drive assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a significantly large gap between the rotating, ferromagnetic hub with its permanent magnet rotor and the rotating sleeve of the fluid bearing journal member. The large gap may be filled with a medium, such as air, or a non-permeable material. The large gap is preferably on the order of several hundred microns. Because of the large gap, the magnetic flux leakage from the rotating hub members and sleeve into the stationary shaft at the center of the spindle is negligible. Consequently, iron loss in the shaft caused by magnetic flux leakage into the shaft is reduced to acceptable noise levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Albrecht, Chen-hsiung Lee
  • Publication number: 20040114498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spindle motor employed for a disk player. The spindle motor comprises: a deck plate; a shaft rotatably disposed on the deck plate; a stator having a core wound with coils which is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and generates a magnetic force; a magnet which is provided at the upper part of the stator and generates a magnetic force; a cap type rotor which is coupled to the upper end of the shaft integrally with the shaft so as to be located at the upper part of the pulling magnet and the stator and is provided on the upper part with a track having a different height from another; a magnet which is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotor so that it can be opposed to the core of the stator with an air gap therebetween; and a turntable which is disposed on the upper surface of the rotor integrally with the rotor and mounts a disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chil Sung Lee, Tae Heon Kim
  • Publication number: 20040114497
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spindle motor adopted to a disk player. The spindle motor includes: a deck plate; a pivot mounted on the deck plate, for being rotatable; a rotor of a cap shape, joined to an outer peripheral surface of an upper side of the pivot and having tracks formed in different heights on an upper portion, and on an inner peripheral surface of which a magnet is mounted; a pulling magnet provided to a lower portion of the rotor, for generating attractive force pulling the rotor to the lower portion; a stator including a metal bearing positioned on a lower portion of the rotor and mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the pivot, a holder provided to an outer peripheral surface of the metal bearing, and a core wired by a coil provided to an outer peripheral surface of the holder; and a turntable including a disk chuck fixed on an upper surface of the rotor, for centering and settling a disk, and a jaw installed on the disk chuck, for fixing a settled disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chil Sung Lee, Tae Heon Kim
  • Publication number: 20040095878
    Abstract: A disc carrier assembly for a spindle motor for an optical disc drive includes a rotor and a disc carrier. The rotor includes an end wall and a peripheral wall. The end wall has a central hole. The disc carrier includes a main plate having an inner side and an outer side. The inner side of the main plate is in intimate contact with the end wall of the rotor. The main plate includes an engaging portion on the inner side thereof. The engaging portion includes an axial hole through which a shaft is securely extended, allowing joint rotation of the disc carrier and the shaft. The engaging portion further includes an annular groove for securely receiving a peripheral wall portion delimiting the central hole of the end wall of the rotor, allowing joint rotation of the disc carrier and the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yin-Rong Hong
  • Publication number: 20040081066
    Abstract: A turntable that has a platter that can be vertically positioned so that the VTA between the stylus of the cartridge and the record can be easily adjusted without tweaking or touching the tone arm. The turntable includes a base, a platter, a spindle assembly configured to position the platter above the base, and a spindle adjustment mechanism configured to selectively position the vertical position of the platter with respect to the base. In one embodiment, the spindle adjustment mechanism includes a drive shaft that is configured to engage the spindle assembly and to selectively drive the spindle assembly up or down. As the spindle assembly is moved up and down, the platter moves up and down with respect to the base. In another embodiment, the spindle assembly includes a spindle shaft configured to rotate inside a chamber of the spindle assembly. A bolt which attached to the spindle shaft is configured to move up and down when the spindle shaft is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Salvatore J. Calaio
  • Publication number: 20040032821
    Abstract: A device and a method to dampen the vibrations of a rotating disk in a data storage device, having at least one read/write device to read and write data onto and from the storage disk, and a drive unit including a stator and a rotor supporting the storage disk, whereby stator and rotor are set rotatable to each other by means of a bearing arrangement. One side of the storage disk forms a bearing surface which lies directly opposite a stationary bearing surface wherein at least one of the two bearing surfaces features a groove pattern which is formed in such a way that vibrations of the storage disk arising from its rotation are dampened or compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Olaf Winterhalter
  • Publication number: 20030095496
    Abstract: A device for stabilizing the rotating speed of a record player has a passive element fitted on the same shaft of a rotating, disk, which activates a record to rotate together. The passive element is formed with a surface expanding outward from a center portion fitted with a shaft and having its outer annular portion engraved with annular minute net holes. A sensor facing the positions of the net holes is provided under a printed circuit board for detecting the change of the shifting speed of the net holes. The signal data detected by the sensor is fed to a micro-processor to carry on operation, and after that, the value of the signal data is transmitted back and automatically modulates the voltage supplied to the rotating disk to let the rotating disk and the record rotate steadily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Ya Horng Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 6556536
    Abstract: A vacuum apparatus particularly suitable for disk recording systems has a rotatable shaft mounted on a support body by an air bearing, the air bearing being provided within a vacuum chamber. A second rotatable shaft extends through the wall of the vacuum chamber in which it is mounted by a second air bearing. The second shaft has a hollow center which communicates with an output of the air bearing for removal of air exhausting from the air bearing. The air bearing may be provided within a second chamber within the vacuum chamber and may be movable relative to the axis of the second shaft. In a disk recording system, the air bearing may support a turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Unaxis Nimbus Limited
    Inventors: Gerald Alfred John Reynolds, Jonathan Halliday
  • Patent number: 6532204
    Abstract: A disk recording system for disks such as videod isks or compact disks has a turntable on which the disk is supported adjacent a recording head. A shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable rotates in a bearing and that bearing is itself movable about an axis defined by another shaft. The bearing of the shaft is an air bearing and there is a damper unit for damping that movement. There may be a sensor for detecting the rate of rotation of the shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable. The radial displacement of the head relative to the axis of the turntable may be determined on the basis of rotation of the other shaft, and the rotation of the turntable controlled on the basis of the product of signals representing the radial displacement and the rate of rotation of the shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nimbus Communications International Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Numa Labinsky, Gerald Alfred John Reynolds, Jonathan Halliday
  • Patent number: 6510122
    Abstract: Disk storage devices have exhibited an increase in rotational vibrations which attend high speed rotation due to weight unbalance of a disk. Accordingly, an unbalance correcting mechanism, provided with correcting balls to correct the aforesaid unbalance, meets a problem that the correcting balls are made unstable at the time of low speed rotation to generate vibrations and noises. A disk drive device is provided with an unbalance correcting mechanism comprising an annular-shaped groove provided in a turntable on a spindle motor and a plurality of correcting balls received in the groove, and in which a sliding resistance member is provided on a bottom surface of the annular-shaped groove to suppress a sliding resistance of the correcting balls on the sliding resistance member, and a correcting ball motion auxiliary member is provided on an inner peripheral side wall of the groove (toward an axis of rotation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yamauchi, Hisahiro Miki, Shigeki Mori, Shinobu Yoshida, Takashi Kouno, Yoshihiro Sato, Kuniyuki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20020186647
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling power transmission apparatus for optical disk drive includes a motor with a magnetic conductive member attached to its spindle and a shaft for driving the optical disk drive having a magnetic inductive member mounted thereon. The magnetic conductive member has a plurality even number of north and south pole magnets alternatively located thereon. The magnetic inductive member has a plurality even number of south and north pole magnets located thereon to mate against the magnetic conductive member. The magnetic conductive member is spaced from the magnetic inductive member to produce magnetic attraction between the north and south poles between the two members. Motor rotation power may be transmitted through this magnetic coupling to the optical disk smoothly and with less noise than conventional gear train engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: DELTA ELETRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sun-Cha Her, Shao-Hsiung Chang
  • Patent number: 6492750
    Abstract: A cylindrical case provided with a chamber is coaxially attached to a rotary shaft of a motor. A plurality of balancers are movably provided within the chamber so as to cancel a rotation eccentricity of the motor. A viscous member such as high viscosity fluid is provided on at least one of the surfaces of the balancers and an inner face of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshimi Kikuchi, Daisuke Higuchi, Kian Hock Yeoh
  • Patent number: 6459668
    Abstract: The number of revolutions of a disk is once increased to a higher level than a resonance frequency of a rotation support system at the startup of rotation of the disk, and subsequently servo control for a pickup actuator is made to work to read information from the disk. It is possible to increase reproducibility of the disk unbalance correction and improve the apparatus in reliability without generation of vibrations and noises, and to spin the disk at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Satou, Shinobu Yoshida, Yoshiaki Yamauchi, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Tomoki Hirata, Takashi Ishikawa, Hisahiro Miki, Hisanobu Tajima
  • Patent number: 6424613
    Abstract: There is provided an iron core coil motor using an iron core coil, as a stator coil, formed by winding a coil winding around an iron core. Floating in the shaft direction of rotor is prevented with an attracting force generated by offsetting the center of magnetism of iron core of coil and the center of magnetism of rotor magnet and moreover the attracting force is set to 0.8 to 2.0 times the total weight of the rotating elements including rotor. Thereby, generation of noise and vibration can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikuta, Mitsuhiro Ueno, Kentaro Soeda, Yuji Shishido
  • Publication number: 20020067686
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for playing storage discs which can be set into rotation about a central axis of rotation (13) by a drive motor (15) and which cooperate with an optical unit (4) which during the rotation writes information onto or reads it from an active side, which storage disc (8) can be pressed against a disc platen (14) with the aid of a pressure device (5), which acts upon one of its disc surfaces (8c) in order to be held in its play position and to preclude vibrations of the storage disc (8) itself, the disc platen (14) having a diameter which substantially corresponds to that of the storage disc (8). The pressure device (5) of the apparatus acts only upon the information-free central (9) and is freely rotatable. The disc platen (14) is in frictional engagement with the storage disc (8) when this storage disc is pressed into position with the label side (8a) and is constructed as a turntable, which can be set into rotation by the drive motor (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Norbert Kunze
  • Patent number: 6333912
    Abstract: In a self-compensating dynamic ball balancer for a disk player including a deck plate, a spindle motor is installed at the deck plate for providing a rotational force to a disk. A turntable is installed at a rotation shaft of the spindle motor for accommodating the disk. A clamper holds the disk in place on the turntable and an optical pickup is installed at the deck plate to be capable of moving across the disk for recording and/or reproducing information on/from the disk. The self-compensating dynamic ball balancer also includes a main body, having a circular race, installed at at least one among a rotor of the spindle motor, a rotation shaft of the spindle motor, the turntable, and the clamper. A plurality of balls are placed inside the race such that the center of gravity thereof is located opposite to that of the disk with respect to the rotation shaft of the spindle motor by the centrifugal force generated during rotation of the disk. A cover member is installed to cover an opening of the race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-seung Sohn
  • Publication number: 20010040864
    Abstract: A recording disk has a surface provided with guide grooves for controlling the position of a recording head, and recording bits formed in the guide grooves for high-density recording. The recording bits have the shape of a tadpole in a plane. The width Ws of the recording bits is greater than the width Wg of the guide grooves. An AFM probe serving as a recording head travels along the guide grooves without running off the guide grooves. When a tip part of the AFM probe coincides with the recording bit, the tip part drops deep into the guide groove, whereby the recording bit is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumio Hosaka, Hajime Koyanagi, Atsushi Kikukawa, Kenchi Ito, Kimitoshi Etoh
  • Patent number: 6304543
    Abstract: In a rotor unit of a disk supporting and rotating means, a disk support portion and a rotor accommodating portion project from a pole-shaped portion that extends along the disk rotation axis. When an optical head is moved so that its lens portion is opposed to an innermost portion of a disk, it goes into a space that is formed between the disk support portion and the rotor magnet accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Teac Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20010010679
    Abstract: A disk drive motor rotates one or more recording disk carried on a rotor. The rotor is provided with a plurality of annular space so as to be aligned with each other and at least one barrier element is disposed between each of the annular spaces. A plurality of balancing members is accommodated in each of the annular spaces so as to be movable in a circular direction thereof. Because of the balancing device has a plurality of annular paths accommodating a plurality of balancing members, the disk drive motor of the present invention is improved in precision of the correction or counterbalancing for the mass imbalance and correct a large amount of the mass imbalance without increasing the radial and axial dimensions of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: HARUSHIGE OSAWA, NAOKI HOROTA
  • Publication number: 20010010678
    Abstract: A spindle motor device has an integrated rotor in place of a separated turntable. An optical disc is loaded to the turntable when driving means move a tray which can hold at least one optical disc. A bracket is mounted to a deck and has a fixed coil. A rotating shaft is rotatably held on the bracket by bearing means while rotor with turntable function rotates an optical disk chucked by a chucking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: YONG CHE JUNG, BYUNG SAM SON, KI HYUN KIM, CHUNG UNG KIM
  • Patent number: 6256289
    Abstract: A storage media driving motor having a shaft, a turntable jointly rotatable with a replaceable storage media mounted on the shaft, a rotor yoke rotating jointly with the turntable, a stator including a core and a winding wound around the core, and a driving magnet fitted into the rotor yoke so as to oppose the stator. The turntable and the rotor yoke are integrally formed so as to define a rotor, and inner-periphery-side concave section opening outwardly in the axial-line direction of the rotor formed in the vicinity of a portion where the rotor is fitted to the shaft, and a center ring for determining the position of the storage media is arranged in the inner-periphery-side concave section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6249505
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a disk drive motor comprising a rotor having an annular space formed therein coaxially with the axis of rotation, and balancing member accommodated in the annular space and capable of changing its mass distribution circumferentially along the circle of the annular space. In case of any imbalanced rotation occurring during the rotation, the balancing member temporarily gather to a portion of the annular space where the mass imbalance is taking place. However, when the motor speed exceeds the value at which resonance takes place due to coincidence between the frequency of the vibration of the balancing member and the natural frequency of the motor, the balancing members move to a position symmetrical with the point of mass imbalance to eliminate the mass imbalance, thereby suppressing the run-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Miyamoto, Harushige Osawa, Masanobu Chuta
  • Patent number: 6205110
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a disk drive motor comprising a rotor having an annular space formed therein coaxially with the axis of rotation, and balancing member accommodated in the annular space and capable of changing its mass distribution circumferentially along the circle of the annular space. In case of any imbalanced rotation occurring during the rotation, the balancing member temporarily gather to a portion of the annular space where the mass imbalance is taking place. However, when the motor speed exceeds the value at which resonance takes place due to coincidence between the frequency of the vibration of the balancing member and the natural frequency of the motor, the balancing members move to a position symmetrical with the point of mass imbalance to eliminate the mass imbalance, thereby suppressing the run-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Miyamoto, Harushige Osawa, Masanobu Chuta
  • Patent number: 6181671
    Abstract: To improve the accuracy in holding a disc and to reduce unwanted vibration occurring when the disc is rotated at a high speed (the whirling of a turn table and a rotor), a spindle motor for rotating a disc comprises a turn table (3) that holds a disc (1) to rotate it, a rotor (4) that applies rotational driving force to the turn table, and a rotating shaft (5) provided on the rotation axis of the rotor, wherein the rotating shaft is fixed on the rotation axis of the turn table using a first support member, and the turn table and the rotor are supported by a second support member consisting of a filler filled in a predetermined gap (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ikawa, Teruyuki Takizawa, Kenji Akimaru
  • Patent number: 6128268
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for a record player includes a fixing base, a solenoid, a housing, a spindle, a sleeve, a turntable and a magnetic ring. The solenoid is fixed on the fixing base for rotating the housing. The spindle is located in the center of the housing and extends upward through the sleeve fixed in a center hole of the turntable. The magnetic ring is fixed under the lower surface of the turntable and faces the upper surface of the housing with an aperture, producing strong magnetism against the housing. Thus, the turntable is pulled down-ward to increase tightness between itself and the sleeve so that the turntable may rotate synchronously with the spindle, preventing inertia torque and slide difference between the turntable and the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Hanpin Electron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Chih Liu
  • Patent number: 6125098
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a disk drive motor comprising a rotary member having an annular space formed therein coaxially with the axis of rotation, and ring-shaped balancing members accommodated in the annular space and capable of changing its mass distribution circumferentially along the circle of the annular space. In case of any imbalanced rotation occurring during the rotation, the balancing members temporarily gather at a portion of the annular space where the mass imbalance is taking place. When the motor speed exceeds the value at which resonance takes place due to coincidence between the frequency of the vibration of each of the balancing member and the natural frequency of the motor, the balancing members move to a position symmetrical with the point of mass imbalance to eliminate the mass imbalance, thereby reducing motor run-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventor: Harushige Osawa
  • Patent number: 6078467
    Abstract: A radial gap type medium driving motor for rotating a recording medium has first coil units having first windings of a first number of layers and second coil units having second windings of a second number of layers that is larger than the first number of layers. The first and second coil units are formed by winding wire on tooth-like poles of tooth-like pole blocks of a stator. A frame provided with a bearing portion for rotatably supporting the medium driving motor has a first accommodating portion for accommodating the first coil units and second accommodating portions for accommodating the second coil units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Akutsu, Hitoshi Tamayama, Hirofumi Ouchi, Yuji Nakahara, Nobuaki Miyake
  • Patent number: 6049520
    Abstract: A drive mechanism in a data storage apparatus for positioning and rotating a two-sided data storage medium. The drive mechanism includes at least one repeller adjacent each side of the data storage medium repelling at least one control element on the data storage medium thereby positioning the data storage medium. The drive mechanism also includes a plurality of driver elements located adjacent the data storage medium. Each of the driver elements is capable of selectably attracting or repelling the at least one control element on the data storage medium thereby causing the data storage medium to rotate while the data storage medium is positioned by the at least one repeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Bassett
  • Patent number: 6038205
    Abstract: A spindle motor comprises a fixed journal, a hub for loading disks, a ball bearing for rotatably supporting the hub and an annular member fixed on one of the fixed journal and the hub. The fixed annular member is configured to create to create a small space with the hub or fixed journal which is opposite the one on which the annular member is fixed. When L1 is the dimension of a space between a top surface of a top disk and a surface of a member facing said top surface of said top disk, and L2 is the dimension of a space between a bottom surface of a bottom disk and a surface of a member facing the bottom surface of the bottom disk, the annular member has grooves for generating air flow directed toward the space of longer dimension, one of said dimensions L1 and L2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Katakura, Masaaki Satoh
  • Patent number: 6021885
    Abstract: A rotary drive device for a flat object which is transported by a conveyance means to a processing station. At the processing station the object is rotated about an axis orthogonal to its surface extension by the rotary drive device. The rotary drive device includes a receptacle for the object and an axially projecting guidance means which cooperates with a hole in the object to center the object. When the object is positioned on the conveyance means above the receptacle, the object can be connected to the receptacle free of rotational play by a releasable fixation means. The receptacle is arranged on a rotatable plunger that can be moved back and forth so that elaborate pivoting and lowering motions of the conveyance means is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Basler AG
    Inventor: Jens Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 5798999
    Abstract: A disk recording system for disks such as videodisks or compact disks has a turntable on which the disk is supported adjacent a recording head. A shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable rotates in a bearing and that bearing is itself movable about an axis defined by another shaft. The bearing of the shaft is an air bearing and there is a damper unit for damping that movement. There may be a sensor for detecting the rate of rotation of the shaft defining the axis of rotation of the turntable. The radial displacement of the head relative to the axis of the turntable may be determined on the basis of rotation of the other shaft, and the rotation of the turntable controlled on the basis of the product of signals representing the radial displacement and the rate of rotation of the shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Nimbus Communications International Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Numa Labinsky, deceased, Gerald Alfred John Reynolds, Jonathan Halliday
  • Patent number: 5742450
    Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet DC motor for use as a disk drive spindle motor has a radial working gap but uses flat coils that generate magnetic fields that interact with the permanent magnet fields across the radial gap. The stator includes a plurality of angularly spaced stator teeth that have faces radially spaced across the gap from the permanent magnet. The magnetic flux from the permanent magnet is directed radially across the gap and into the stator teeth. Each stator tooth has an axially oriented post around which is wound a flat coil that generates an axial field. The central axis of the coil forms part of the magnetic circuit. The magnetic flux directed radially into each stator tooth is turned axially into the post. The axially directed magnetic flux through the coil and post on each tooth is redirected from the axial direction to the circumferential direction by a ring magnetic flux guide. The ring flux guide interconnects the stator teeth and forms part of the magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Moser
  • Patent number: 5600624
    Abstract: An optical disk system comprising a turntable (56) adapted for contact with a CD-disk (6) and having a motor-driven shaft. The system includes an optical unit (10) for projecting a laser beam onto the surface of the CD-disk and detecting laser light reflected back to the unit after it has been modulated with information stored on the disk. The turntable and the motor-driven shaft are supported for rotation by an air journal unit to facilitate the work of the drive motor and to reduce mechanical disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 5572505
    Abstract: A self-winding spring starter for rotating data storage devices. The spring is fixed on one end to a chassis or a cowling. The spring selectively engages the rotating assembly at its other end via a clutch when the rotating assembly is being stopped. The assembly stops, reverses, and fully stops again before being locked into place by a brake. The spring thus winds, unwinds, and re-winds, cocking itself in the appropriate direction for re-start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: William D. Llewellyn
  • Patent number: 5463613
    Abstract: A drive for the turntable of an analogue record player has an output shaft for rotating the turntable via an endless belt extending around the output shaft and the periphery of the turntable. A disc rotatably supported in line with and connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith has a diameter considerably exceeding the diameter of the output shaft. A motor rotates the disc with a speed considerably greater than that of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 5453973
    Abstract: The specification discloses a disc driving device having a spindle motor for driving a storage disc with a hub mounted on a spindle of the spindle motor in a sealed housing. The spindle motor comprises the spindle, a stator frame for supporting the spindle with bearings therebetween and a core assembly fitted over the stator frame. The core assembly comprises a laminated core subjected to an electroless metal plating, an insulator generally covering the laminated core, which insulator has projections for fixing a flexible board and retainers for holding winding coils on the laminated core. The sealed housing comprises a housing having a concave portion at the bottom thereof. The concave portion comprises a upper portion having a concave wall and a lower portion having a cylindrical wall coupled to the upper portion. The stator frame is fixed in the lower portion, and a part of the hub is positioned in the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Nishio
  • Patent number: 5448549
    Abstract: Process for stopping a record-shaped, rotating information medium, for example, a CD. CD-players, for example, are provided with a loading and unloading mechanism for the information medium, the CD. However, before a CD can be automatically unloaded by the CD-player after reproduction or activation of a STOP-key, the rotation of the CD must be stopped in order to avoid damages of its sensitive surface. Because the moment of inertia and the diameter of records (CDs) are varied, and because a small mini-CD exists, it may occur that the CD is still rotating during the unloading process. To stop the record (CD) safely independently of its moment of inertia and its size, a first applied braking pulse (B1) causes the record (CD) to be braked to full stop and subsequently to be accelerated in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Baas