NIDEC CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160056675 | BRUSHLESS MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A brushless motor includes a stationary unit and a rotary unit rotatably supported with respect to the stationary unit. The stationary unit includes an armature and a base member arranged to support the armature. The rotary unit includes a magnet, a hub made of a magnetic material and a rotor yoke made of a magnetic material. The armature includes a plurality of coil patterns arranged along a circumferential direction. The hub includes an inner lower surface, an outer lower surface and a recess portion. The recess portion is arranged between the inner lower surface and the outer lower surface and depressed upward. At least a portion of the magnet is accommodated within the recess portion. At least one of the inner lower surface and the outer lower surface is positioned above a lower surface of the magnet. | 02-25-2016 |
20160037683 | HEAT MODULE - A heat module includes a fan, a heat sink, a heat transfer member, and a plurality of connection portions. The heat transfer member includes a lower surface capable of being in thermal contact with a heat source, and an upper surface thermally connected to the heat sink, and is arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the fan in a plan view. The plurality of connection portions are arranged between the heat transfer member and the housing to define an axial gap between an upper surface of the heat transfer member and a lower surface of the lower plate portion. The heat transfer member includes a heat source contact portion arranged on a side, closer to the fan, of an end portion of the fan at which the air outlet is defined. | 02-04-2016 |
20160032929 | BLOWER FAN - The second holder member includes a cover portion including, in an inner edge portion thereof, a cover portion cylindrical portion arranged to extend downward; the rotor cylindrical portion includes an annular rotor raised portion arranged to project radially outward from an outer circumferential surface thereof; the second holder member is attached to the first holder member; and a lower end portion of the cover portion cylindrical portion is arranged to be in axial contact with the rotor raised portion. | 02-04-2016 |
20160003261 | HEAT MODULE - The fan includes an impeller, a motor, and a housing. The housing includes a side wall portion and a lower plate portion. at least one of the lower plate portion and an upper plate portion arranged to cover an upper side of the impeller includes an air inlet. The upper plate portion, the side wall portion, and the lower plate portion are arranged to together define an air outlet on a lateral side of the impeller. At or near an opposite end of the heat pipe, the heat pipe includes a contact portion arranged to be in contact with one of an upper surface of the lower plate portion and a lower surface of the upper plate portion. A longitudinal direction of at least a portion of the heat pipe extends at an angle with respect to the air outlet. | 01-07-2016 |
20150382507 | HEAT MODULE - A heat module includes a heat receiving portion, a fluid channel, a fan, a radiator including heat dissipating fins and a radiator tube fluid channel, and a pump. The pump includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a rotor holder and a pump impeller. The pump further includes a casing, a pump fluid channel, a pump inlet, and a pump outlet. At least a portion of the rotor holder and at least a portion of the pump impeller are arranged to radially overlap with each other. The fluid channel includes a tube fluid channel. The tube fluid channel includes a pump inlet-side tube fluid channel, a pump outlet-side tube fluid channel, and a heat receiving portion tube fluid channel. No heat receiving portion tube fluid channel is arranged in the pump inlet-side tube fluid channel. | 12-31-2015 |
20150362258 | HEAT MODULE - A heat module includes a fan and a heat pipe. A flat portion of the heat pipe includes a recessed portion being recessed toward a center of the heat pipe in a cross section. A heat receiving portion arranged between the heat source and the heat pipe includes a heat source contact portion arranged to be in thermal contact with the heat pipe. In at least a portion of the heat pipe which extends between a portion of the heat pipe which is in thermal contact with the fan contact portion and a portion of the heat pipe which is in thermal contact with the heat source contact portion, a difference between a maximum axial height of the heat pipe and a minimum axial height of a portion of the heat pipe where the recessed portion is defined is smaller than a wall thickness of the recessed portion. | 12-17-2015 |
20150198176 | FAN - A blower fan includes a lower plate portion made of a material having a thermal conductivity of 1.0 W/(m·K) or more, and a side wall portion made of a material having a thermal conductivity of 1.0 W/(m·K) or more. An upper plate portion arranged to cover an upper side of the impeller includes an air inlet. The upper plate portion, the side wall portion, and the lower plate portion are arranged to together define an air outlet on the lateral side of the impeller. The blower fan further includes a heat source contact portion with which a heat source is to be in contact, the heat source contact portion being arranged in a surface of the blower fan which faces away from the impeller. The heat source contact portion and the side wall portion are arranged to at least partially overlap with each other in a plan view. | 07-16-2015 |
20150198166 | FAN - A blower fan includes a heat source contact portion. A side wall portion includes a tongue portion. In a plan view, The heat source contact portion is arranged to cover a portion of a region surrounded by a third imaginary straight line tangent to an outer circumferential surface of a blade support portion and extending in parallel with the second imaginary straight line toward the air outlet in the first region, a fourth imaginary straight line tangent to the outer circumferential surface of the blade support portion and extending in parallel with the first imaginary straight line in the third region, the outer circumferential surface of the blade support portion, and the air outlet. | 07-16-2015 |
20150180292 | ROTOR CORE, MOTOR AND MOTOR MANUFACTURING METHOD - A rotor core includes a laminated steel body including a plurality of magnetic core plates stacked one above another. The core plates extend in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a vertical center axis. The rotor core includes a plurality of magnetic pole portions arranged along a circumferential direction. At least some of the core plates include claws protruding from the magnetic pole portions in the circumferential direction and outer connection portions arranged radially outward of the claws to interconnect the magnetic pole portions adjoining to each other. The claws restrain the magnets from being displaced radially outward by centrifugal forces. In addition, the outer connection portions restrain the rotor core from being deformed by centrifugal forces. The outer connection portions restrain the claws from being displaced by centrifugal forces so as to further restrain displacement of the magnets. | 06-25-2015 |
20150176587 | FAN - A fan includes a stationary portion; a bearing mechanism; and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes an impeller including a plurality of blades and an annular impeller cup arranged to support the blades. The rotor portion includes a cover portion and a cylindrical portion. The impeller is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the rotor portion. The outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and an inner circumferential surface of the impeller cup have a joining portion therebetween. At least one of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the impeller cup includes a groove portion recessed radially from the joining portion. The groove portion includes an upward facing surface. An adhesive is arranged in the groove portion. At least a portion of the adhesive is arranged above the upward facing surface of the groove portion. | 06-25-2015 |
20150130306 | MOTOR - A motor includes an impeller including a plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential direction and fixed to a shaft between a cover portion and an armature. The cover portion includes at least one cover portion through hole arranged to axially overlap with the blades. A cylindrical portion includes at least one cylindrical portion through hole arranged to radially overlap with the blades. | 05-14-2015 |
20150110649 | COOLING APPARATUS - A cooling apparatus includes an impeller, a motor, a base portion, and a motor circuit board. The impeller includes a plurality of blades and a blade support portion. Of the plurality of blades, at least one pair of circumferentially adjacent blades are arranged to have a channel defined therebetween, the channel extending from axially upper edges to axially lower edges of the blades, and being arranged to be open toward the upper surface of the base portion. The base portion includes a heat source contact portion with which a heat source is to be in contact. At least one of the blades includes a blade edge opposed portion having an axially lower edge arranged opposite to the upper surface of the base portion. An outermost edge portion of the motor circuit board is arranged radially inward of a radially inner end portion of the blade edge opposed portion. | 04-23-2015 |
20150084461 | INNER-ROTOR MOTOR - A motor includes a shaft supported by upper and lower bearings and rotatable about an axis; a rotor magnet fixed to the shaft; a stator arranged radially outside and opposite to the rotor magnet with a gap therebetween; an upper bracket holding the upper bearing; and a lower bracket holding the lower bearing. The upper bracket includes an upper cylindrical cover press fitted to a stator core from above, an upper bearing holding portion, and a top plate portion arranged to join the upper cylindrical cover and the upper bearing holding portion. The lower bracket includes a lower cylindrical cover press fitted to the stator core from below, a lower bearing holding portion, and a bottom plate portion arranged to join the lower cylindrical cover and the lower bearing holding portion. Each of the upper and lower brackets is fixed to the stator core through press fitting. | 03-26-2015 |
20150055246 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes an upper bearing portion and a lower bearing portion each of which is inclined with respect to a central axis. The upper bearing portion includes an upper dynamic pressure generating groove defined in at least one of an upper outer circumferential surface of a shaft portion and an upper inner circumferential surface of a sleeve. The lower bearing portion includes a lower dynamic pressure generating groove defined in at least one of a lower outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and a lower inner circumferential surface of the sleeve. The radial distance between a lower end portion of the upper dynamic pressure generating groove and the central axis is shorter than the radial distance between an upper end portion of the lower dynamic pressure generating groove and the central axis. | 02-26-2015 |
20150043159 | FAN - A blower fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a centrifugal fan. At least a portion of each of a plurality of blades of an impeller portion is arranged above a stator. A lower plate portion is arranged to define an air channel portion and an air outlet arranged on a lateral side of the impeller portion when a side wall portion arranged to surround an outer circumference of the impeller portion and an upper plate portion arranged above the impeller portion are present. The air channel portion is arranged to extend in a circumferential direction between an outer circumference of the stator and the side wall portion. At least a portion of a circuit board is arranged in the air channel portion and on the lower plate portion. A plurality of lead wires extending from the stator are connected to the circuit board in the air channel portion. | 02-12-2015 |
20150043158 | BLOWER FAN AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A blower fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a centrifugal fan including a stationary portion, a bearing mechanism, and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a lower plate portion and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of teeth each of which has a radially inner end including an upward projecting portion arranged to extend axially upward. | 02-12-2015 |
20150030481 | DYNAMIC PRESSURE BEARING APPARATUS AND FAN - A dynamic pressure bearing apparatus includes a bearing portion; a shaft; a substantially annular bushing; a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion; and a seal gap. A minute horizontal gap extending radially is defined between an upper surface of the bearing portion and a lower surface of the bushing. The seal gap is arranged to be in communication with an exterior space through the horizontal gap. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030268 | SLEEVE, FLUID DYNAMIC PRESSURE BEARING INCLUDING THE SLEEVE, SPINDLE MOTOR INCLUDING THE FLUID DYNAMIC PRESSURE BEARING AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE SPINDLE MOTOR - A porous oil-impregnated sleeve is used for a fluid dynamic pressure bearing. The sleeve includes an inner surface, a first axial end face, a first recessed portion, and a first dynamic pressure generating groove. The first recessed portion is positioned on the other side of a line segment, which connects one-side end portion of the inner surface with an inner end portion of the first axial end face, in a cross-section including the central axis. A bottom portion of the first recessed portion, which has the longest distance between itself and the line segment, is positioned closer to the other side than a bottom portion of the first dynamic pressure generating groove in the axial direction. | 01-29-2015 |
20150023814 | BLOWER FAN - A stationary portion of a blower fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a stator and a stator holding portion to which the stator is fixed. A rotating portion of the blower fan includes an annular rotor hub portion arranged around a central axis; a rotor magnet arranged along a circumferential surface of the rotor hub portion, and arranged radially inside a stator; and an impeller including a plurality of blades arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotor hub portion. An upper end of the stator is arranged at a level lower than that of an upper end of the rotor magnet. The impeller is arranged axially above the rotor magnet and is arranged to extend radially outward. The blades are arranged axially above the stator. | 01-22-2015 |
20150022037 | OUTER-ROTOR MOTOR - An outer-rotor motor includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion, and a bearing mechanism arranged to support the rotating portion such that the rotating portion is rotatable about a central axis extending in a vertical direction with respect to the stationary portion. The stationary portion includes a stator, a mounting plate, and a circuit board. The rotating portion includes a shaft, a rotor holder, and a rotor magnet. The mounting plate includes a projecting portion arranged to project radially. The outer-rotor-motor further includes a guide structure connected with the projecting portion. The guide structure is arranged to extend axially, radially outside the rotor holder. A leadwire is electrically connected to the circuit board, and is guided along the guide structure. Provision of the guide structure, which is arranged to guide the leadwire radially outwardly of the rotor holder, contributes to preventing a contact between the leadwire and the rotor holder. | 01-22-2015 |
20150010411 | BEARING MECHANISM, MOTOR, AND BLOWER FAN - In a bearing mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a seal portion in which a surface of a lubricating oil is located is defined in a seal gap defined between an outer circumferential surface of a first tubular portion and an inner circumferential surface of a second tubular portion. The first tubular portion includes, in an area where the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular portion is in contact with the lubricating oil, a maximum outside diameter portion at which the outside diameter of the first tubular portion is greatest, an annular shoulder portion including a surface facing toward the surface of the lubricating oil and at which the outside diameter is smaller than at the maximum outside diameter portion, and an inclined portion at which the outside diameter gradually decreases from the annular shoulder portion toward the surface of the lubricating oil. | 01-08-2015 |
20150008784 | MOTOR - A motor includes an armature arranged radially outside a rotor magnet, and a casing configured to fix the armature and hold upper and lower bearings configured to rotatably support a shaft at a radial center thereof. The armature includes a stator core, an insulator arranged to cover the stator core, coils each of which is defined by a conducting wire wound around a separate one of magnetic pole teeth with the insulator intervening therebetween, and passage lines each of which is arranged circumferentially between adjacent ones of the magnetic pole teeth to electrically connect one of the coils and another one of the coils with each other. The insulator includes magnetic pole tooth insulating portions arranged to cover a separate one of the magnetic pole teeth; and a core back insulating portion integral with each magnetic pole tooth insulating portion. | 01-08-2015 |
20150008769 | MOTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MOTOR - A stationary portion of a motor includes resin bodies including an inner and outer resin portion arranged between a tooth and a coil and between the tooth and an insulator. The outer resin portion covers circumferentially outer sides and axially outer sides of the coil. The inner and outer resin portions are continuous with each other through a connecting resin portion. The insulator includes an opening portion arranged to extend along circumferential side surfaces of the tooth. The inner resin portion is arranged to contact the circumferential side surfaces of the tooth and a conducting wire in the opening portion. Heat generated in the coil is transferred to the tooth through the resin body such that a large area of a path along which the heat is transferred from the coil to the tooth is secured. | 01-08-2015 |
20140369839 | BEARING MECHANISM AND BLOWER FAN - A sleeve housing of a bearing mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cylindrical portion arranged to cover outer circumferences of a sleeve and a plate portion, and a bottom portion arranged to close a lower portion of the cylindrical portion. The bottom portion includes a plurality of projecting portions arranged in a circumferential direction in an upper surface of the bottom portion. Each projecting portion is arranged to project upward to be in contact with a lower surface of the sleeve. Each of the projecting portions and the plate portion are arranged radially opposite each other. At least a portion of an adhesive is arranged to exist between an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. | 12-18-2014 |
20140363272 | SERIAL AXIAL FAN - A fan includes a first motor portion, a first impeller fixed to a first rotating portion of the first motor portion, a second motor portion arranged along a central axis of the first motor portion, a second impeller fixed to a second rotating portion of the second motor portion, a tubular wind channel portion arranged to surround the first and second impellers, and support ribs arranged to join the wind channel portion to the first and second motor portions. The first impeller includes first blades arranged in a circumferential direction about the central axis and the second impeller includes second blades arranged in the circumferential direction, a rotation direction of the second impeller is opposite to a rotation direction of the first impeller. A surface of each first blade which faces the second impeller is concave. A surface of each second blade which faces the first impeller is concave. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362470 | SPINDLE MOTOR FOR USE IN DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A lead wire guide member is made of an electrically insulating material, and arranged to extend along a lower surface of a base portion. A movement restricting portion is arranged in the lower surface of the base portion. Lead wires are arranged to pass through base through holes to reach the lower surface, and extend along the lower surface to be connected to the circuit board. A spindle motor further includes a sealant arranged between an entire circumferential extent of each base through hole and an entire circumferential extent of the corresponding lead wire. The lead wire guide member includes an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is arranged opposite to the lead wires. The outer edge is arranged to at least face radially outward. The movement restricting portion is in contact with the outer edge of the lead wire guide member. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362469 | SPINDLE MOTOR FOR USE IN DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING STATOR - A motor includes a base portion including a plurality of base through holes passing there through and a stator arranged on an upper side of the base portion. A plurality of coils of the stator include three coil groups including one or more of the coils defined by a single conducting wire. A joint portion where at least two of three common wires are joined together to define a single common wire is provided on the upper side of the base portion. Each common wire is one end portion of the conducting wire defining a separate one of the three coil groups. Each of the common wire elements and lead wire elements passes through a separate one of the base through holes. Each base through hole includes a circular sealing portion between an inner circumference and an entire circumferential extent of a corresponding one of the wire elements. | 12-11-2014 |
20140346918 | MOTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MOTOR - A stationary portion of a motor includes a stator core, insulators, and coils. The stator core includes a core back having an annular shape, and a plurality of teeth extending radially inward from the core back. A radially inner end portion of each tooth has a circumferential width substantially equal to or smaller than a circumferential width of a remaining portion of the tooth. The core back includes a protruding portion protruding radially inward between adjacent teeth, a cut extending radially outward from the protruding portion, and a through hole extending in an axial direction through the core back defined at a radially outer end portion of the cut. The protruding portion increases a radial dimension of the core back to achieve a reduction in magnetic reluctance in the vicinity of the cut. | 11-27-2014 |
20140319936 | MOTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MOTOR - A motor includes a housing, a stator holder, a stator, and a flow path for a cooling fluid. The cooling flow path is provided between the housing and the stator holder. A coil of the stator is covered by a resin portion. The stator holder may include a holder cylindrical portion and a holder flat plate portion. | 10-30-2014 |
20140300255 | MOTOR PROVIDED WITH A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD - A motor includes a stationary unit, a rotary unit, and a bearing unit. The stationary unit includes a stator, a PCB and a base member. The stator includes a stator core and coils. The stator is arranged radially outward of the bearing unit. The PCB includes through-hole portions, land portions and PCB fixing portions. The base member includes a stator holding portion arranged to hold the stator and a bearing holding portion arranged to hold the bearing unit. The rotary unit includes a shaft positioned radially inward of the bearing unit and a magnet opposed to a circumferential surface of the stator core. The through-hole portions are arranged along a circumferential direction of the PCB. At least a portion of the PCB axially overlaps with the bearing unit. The PCB fixing portions are arranged radially outward of the through-hole portions. | 10-09-2014 |
20140292124 | MOTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MOTOR - A motor may include a stator having coil groups of plural phases and a connector, the stator comprising a plurality of split stators. Each of the split stators may include a split core having an arc-shaped core back section and a tooth section, an insulator, a coil which has a lead-out line that is connected to the connector. The insulator may have a first void extending between a first inner wall and a first outer wall. The first inner wall may have a lead-in groove. The stator may have a support ring disposed on the upper side of the first void. The support ring may have a second void extending between a second inner wall and a second outer wall. A plurality of lead-out lines of different phases may respectively accommodated in the first void and the second void. | 10-02-2014 |
20140265739 | DC BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A DC brushless motor includes a housing including a plurality of attachment portions each of which is arranged to extend toward an apparatus, a base portion joined to the attachment portions, and a bearing holding portion joined to the base portion; a bearing member held by the bearing holding portion; a shaft supported by the bearing member to be rotatable about a central axis, and including a portion on one axial side to which blades that perform stirring in a heating chamber are joinable; a rotor holder fixed to the shaft; a rotor magnet held on an inside of a cylindrical portion of the rotor holder; a stator arranged radially inside the rotor magnet; and a circuit board electrically connected with the stator, and arranged axially opposite the opening of the rotor holder. | 09-18-2014 |
20140211342 | SPINDLE MOTOR WITH HYDRODYNAMIC BEARING STRUCTURE HAVING CAPILLARY SEAL AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A lubricating oil is arranged between stationary and rotating portions of a spindle motor. When the motor is stationary, upper and lower surfaces of the lubricating oil are respectively located in upper and lower capillary seal portions. A first angle defined between an outer circumferential surface of the plate portion and an inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical portion at the upper capillary seal portion, and a second angle defined between an outer circumferential surface of a sleeve and an inner circumferential surface of the wall portion at the lower capillary seal portion, in a section taken along a plane including a central axis is respectively in the range of about 1 degree to about 8 degrees and in the range of about 1 degree to about 10 degrees, respectively. The upper capillary seal portion has maximum radial and axial dimensions smaller than those of the lower capillary seal portion. | 07-31-2014 |
20140203691 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a bearing, a rotary unit, a stator, a thin flat base member, and a cylindrical holder extending in an axial direction. The base member includes a first through-hole, a peripheral edge portion, and a thin portion. The thin portion is located radially outward of the peripheral edge portion. The thin portion has an axial thickness smaller than an axial thickness of the peripheral edge portion. The holder includes a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion. The first protrusion portion extends radially outward and is located axially above the peripheral edge portion. The second protrusion portion extends radially outward and is located axially below the peripheral edge portion. The bearing is located inside the holder. A stator core is located radially outside the holder and axially above the thin portion. | 07-24-2014 |
20140192439 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor includes a shaft component, an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion, and a sleeve portion. The shaft component includes an inner shaft portion and an outer shaft portion. The sleeve portion is disposed between the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion. A radial gap is defined between the sleeve portion and the outer shaft portion. A fixing range in which the outer shaft portion and the inner shaft portion radially overlap is provided. At least a portion in an axial direction of the fixing range radially overlaps with an existing range in the axial direction of the radial gap. | 07-10-2014 |
20140183987 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND MOTOR UNIT - A motor unit includes a rotating portion and a stationary portion. The rotating portion includes a shaft, a rotor hub, and a rotor magnet. The rotor hub includes a top plate portion and a cylindrical portion. The stationary portion includes a sleeve and an armature. The armature is arranged radially opposite the rotor magnet. A lubricating fluid is arranged between an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve with at least one of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve including an upper radial dynamic pressure groove array and a lower radial dynamic pressure groove array. An axial position of a center of gravity of the rotating portion is arranged above an axial position of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array. | 07-03-2014 |
20140178194 | BLOWER FAN - In a blower fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a side wall portion includes a tongue portion arranged to project between an air outlet and an impeller. A side surface of the tongue portion includes a tongue portion tip arranged to touch a first imaginary plane including a central axis; a first tongue portion side surface arranged to extend from the tongue portion tip along an outer envelope of the impeller; and a second tongue portion side surface arranged to extend from the tongue portion tip toward a side edge, the side edge being a line of intersection of the air outlet and the side wall portion. The second tongue portion side surface is arranged to cross a second imaginary plane including the central axis and touching the side edge. | 06-26-2014 |
20140178186 | BLOWER FAN - In a blower fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a side wall portion includes a tongue portion arranged to project between an air outlet and an impeller. A side surface of the tongue portion includes a tongue portion tip arranged to touch a first imaginary plane including a central axis; a first tongue portion side surface arranged to extend from the tongue portion tip along an outer envelope of the impeller; and a second tongue portion side surface arranged to extend from the tongue portion tip toward a side edge, the side edge being a line of intersection of the air outlet and the side wall portion. The second tongue portion side surface is arranged to cross a second imaginary plane including the central axis and touching the side edge. | 06-26-2014 |
20140153132 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A base member of a motor includes a base through-hole extending through a bottom portion thereof. Two or more lead wires extending from coils pass through the base through-hole. Thus, as compared with a case where the lead wires pass through different base through-holes respectively, it is possible to reduce the number of the base through-holes. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize or prevent a reduction in the rigidity of the base member. Insulating sheet portions are arranged on the lower and upper surfaces of the base member. Each insulating sheet portion includes an overhang portion which overlaps with the base through-hole when seen in a plan view. The lead wires extending from the coils are led out toward the lower surface of the base member through holes, cutouts, or slits defined in the overhang portion. This makes it possible to easily distinguish the led-out lead wires from each other. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152075 | WHEEL UNIT - A wheel unit includes a motor, a pinion gear fixed to a rotating portion of the motor, a wheel including an annular ground surface and rotating about a final gear support shaft, a final gear fixed to the wheel directly or via another member, a speed reduction mechanism which decelerates rotation of the pinion gear and transmits the rotation to the final gear, and a gear case which accommodates the pinion gear, the speed reduction mechanism, and the final gear. A rotation support portion rotating along with the final gear and the wheel while being supported by the gear case is provided between the final gear and the wheel. An outside diameter of the rotation support portion is greater than an outside diameter of the final gear support shaft. | 06-05-2014 |
20140139947 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor of a disk drive apparatus includes a base unit, a stator core, a covered cylindrical rotor hub, a rotor magnet, and a bearing mechanism. The height of the stator core in an axial direction is about 50% or more and about 70% or less of the height of the stator. A torque constant Kt of torque generated between a stator and a rotor magnet is about 4 mN·m/A or more and about 6 mN·m/A or less. A motor constant Km is about 2 mN·m/(A·√Ω) or more and about 4 mN·m/(A·√Ω) or less. | 05-22-2014 |
20140138067 | HEAT SINK AND HEAT SINK FAN - Each fin of a heat sink includes a main fin connected to a core and extending radially outwards, and a pair of branch fins extending radially outwards from a branch point at a radially outer end of the main fin. Among a plurality of fins, in each of three fins which are adjacent in the circumferential direction, a width of an end portion of the main fin viewed along the center axis expands radially outwards at an angle which is larger than an expanding angle of the pair of branch fins. A difference between a distance from the center axis to the branch point in the center one of the fins and a distance from the center axis to the branch point in each of the other two fins is equal to or larger than a width of a root of the main fin in the center radiating fin. | 05-22-2014 |
20140132122 | MOTOR - A motor includes a shaft, an annular rotor magnet, an armature arranged to cover the rotor magnet, an upper bracket fixed to an axial upper portion of the armature, and a lower bracket fixed to an axial lower portion of the armature. The armature includes an annular core-back, a plurality of magnetic pole teeth protruding radially inward from the core-back, an insulator arranged to cover the magnetic pole teeth, and a coil wound around the magnetic pole teeth through the insulator. The insulator includes an annular core-back insulating portion arranged radially outward of the coil and extended axially upward. The upper bracket is fixed by a plurality of fixing members positioned radially inward of an outer circumferential surface of the core-back. | 05-15-2014 |
20140127009 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN, HOUSING COMPONENT CAST, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HOUSING COMPONENT - A centrifugal fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an impeller, a motor portion, and a housing. The housing includes an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion, and a side wall portion. The upper plate portion or the lower plate portion includes an air inlet. One of the upper and lower plate portions and the side wall portion together define a single housing component molded by casting. A portion of the one of the upper and lower plate portions which is along a boundary between the side wall portion and the one of the upper and lower plate portions defines an increased thickness portion arranged to have an axial thickness greater than that of a remaining portion of the one of the upper and lower plate portions. | 05-08-2014 |
20140126956 | SOLDER JOINT STRUCTURE AND SOLDER JOINING METHOD - A solder joint structure includes a metal pin in the shape of a prism or a circular or substantially circular cylinder; an aluminum wire including a wound portion wound around the metal pin; and a solder layer arranged to join the metal pin and at least one portion of the wound portion to each other. The at least one portion of the wound portion includes a deformed surface resulting from a partial disappearance or elimination of the aluminum wire in a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the aluminum wire extends, and the solder layer is directly and closely adhered to the deformed surface. | 05-08-2014 |
20140091679 | BASE UNIT, MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A base unit includes a base member including a first through-hole, a peripheral edge portion, and a thin portion, and a bushing including a bearing holding portion and first and second protrusion portions. The first and second protrusion portions respectively extend radially outward from an upper end portion and a lower end of the bearing holding portion. The first through-hole axially extends through the base member. The first through-hole is defined by an inner surface of the base member radially opposed to the bearing holding portion. The peripheral edge portion extends radially outward from the first through-hole. The thin portion is arranged radially outward of the peripheral edge portion. The thin portion has an axial thickness smaller than that of the peripheral edge portion. The bushing is arranged within the first through-hole. The peripheral edge portion is arranged between the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091667 | ARMATURE AND MOTOR - In an armature, a plurality of teeth extending from an annular core back each include a projection portion arranged to extend in a circumferential direction from a circumferential side surface of the tooth. Insulators, each of which is attached to the stator core and is arranged to cover at least a portion of a separate one of the teeth, include an insulator contact surface arranged to be in contact with the projection portion. A portion of the projection portion and the insulator contact surface are arranged to be in contact with each other. | 04-03-2014 |
20140086036 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion including a rotor hub, and includes a recording disk and a clamper mounted thereon. The rotor hub includes a hub circular plate portion whose outer circumferential portion includes a hub slanting surface, and a hub cylindrical portion whose outer circumferential portion includes a hub screw portion. The hub screw portion, to which the clamper is screwed, includes at least a first hub screw groove, a first hub screw thread arranged to be adjacent to the first hub screw groove, and upper and lower flanks arranged to together define the first hub screw thread. The hub slanting surface connects with the first hub screw groove. The length of the hub slanting surface is longer than the length of the upper flank. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085749 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft and an upper annular member. The rotating portion includes a sleeve. The shaft includes an annular or substantially annular upper shaft recessed portion recessed radially inward from an outside surface of the shaft. The upper shaft recessed portion is arranged opposite to an inside surface of a hole of the upper annular member. An adhesive is arranged in a gap defined between the upper shaft recessed portion and the inside surface of the hole of the upper annular member. | 03-27-2014 |
20140082927 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPINDLE MOTOR - A disk drive apparatus includes a rotor hub including an outer surface with a hub screw groove and a hub information mark indicative of a start position of the hub screw groove. A method of manufacturing the disk drive apparatus includes the steps of preparing a spindle motor including the rotor hub, preparing a clamper including a clamper screw groove, and fitting a recording disk to the spindle motor. The method further includes the steps of detecting a position of the hub information mark and, based on the detected position of the hub information mark, positioning each of the clamper and the spindle motor in a circumferential direction, and screwing the clamper to the spindle motor. | 03-27-2014 |
20140078879 | BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing apparatus includes a stationary shaft, an upper annular portion, a lower annular portion, and a sleeve. An outer circumferential surface of the upper annular portion includes a cylindrical surface and an inclined surface arranged above the cylindrical surface. The cylindrical surface has an axial length smaller than that of the inclined surface of the upper annular portion. One of an upper surface of the sleeve and a lower surface of the upper annular portion includes a pumping groove array defined therein. An upper surface of a lubricating oil is defined in an upper capillary seal portion, while a lower surface of the lubricating oil is defined in a lower capillary seal portion. The upper capillary seal portion has an opening angle larger than that of the lower capillary seal portion. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078617 | HYDRODYNAMIC BEARING APPARATUS AND SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A bearing apparatus includes an upper annular portion that has a circular or substantially circular ring shape, and is arranged to project radially outward from a stationary shaft. One of an upper surface of a sleeve and a lower surface of the upper annular portion includes a first pumping groove array arranged to send a lubricating oil radially inward. The sleeve includes a second inner circumferential surface arranged radially outside of the upper annular portion. One of a lower surface of a cap, an upper surface of the upper annular portion, the second inner circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface of the upper annular portion includes a second pumping groove array arranged to send the lubricating oil radially outward or axially downward. | 03-20-2014 |
20140072423 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN - A centrifugal fan includes an impeller, a motor portion, and a housing. The housing includes an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion arranged to have the motor portion fixed thereto; and a side wall portion. A flow control member is arranged to extend in a line along a boundary between an inside surface of the side wall portion and one of a lower surface of the upper plate portion and an upper surface of the lower plate portion. The flow control member includes a flow control surface arranged to extend radially outward from the one of the lower surface of the upper plate portion and the upper surface of the lower plate portion to the inside surface of the side wall portion while becoming more distant from the one of the lower surface of the upper plate portion and the upper surface of the lower plate portion. | 03-13-2014 |
20140063653 | STOPPER, MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor includes a stator and a rotor including a disk portion, a cylindrical portion, and a stopper. The stopper includes a stopper protruding portion and is fixed to an inner surface of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion includes a cylindrical portion protruding portion that opposes an outer surface of the stopper. Adhesive is included between the cylindrical portion and the stopper. A gap between an upper end portion of the outer surface of the stopper and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion protruding portion defines a first tapered gap. A gap between a lower end portion of the outer surface of the stopper and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion defines a second tapered gap. The adhesive is included in the first tapered gap and the second tapered gap. The stator includes an annular or substantially annular surface below the second tapered gap. | 03-06-2014 |
20140042854 | ROTOR - A laminated core of a rotor includes an inner core portion and a plurality of outer core portions. The inner core portion axially extends in a cylindrical shape in a region located more radially inward than magnets. The outer core portions are arranged in a circumferential direction in a region located more radially outward than the inner core portion. The plurality of outer core portions and a plurality of the magnets are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, magnetic flux generated from a pair of magnetic pole surfaces of the plurality of magnets can be effectively used. In addition, the laminated core includes caulking portions in each of the inner core portion and the plurality of outer core portions. Accordingly, a plurality of thin plate cores are firmly fixed. | 02-13-2014 |
20140042844 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A base member of a spindle motor includes a base through-hole and a base groove portion. The base through-hole extends through a bottom portion of the base member. The base groove portion is arranged on a lower surface of the base member to extend radially outward from the lower end portion of the base through-hole. A first insulating sheet portion is fixed to a bottom surface of the base groove portion by an adhesive agent or sticky material. Lead wires extending from coils are led out into the base groove portion through the base through-hole. The lead wires extend outward along a lower surface of the first insulating sheet portion. The lead wires are soldered to land portions of a circuit substrate at an outer side of the bottom portion. A portion of the first insulating sheet portion overlaps with a lower opening of the base through-hole in plan view. | 02-13-2014 |
20140042834 | ROTOR AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF ROTOR - A rotor includes a laminated core, a plurality of magnets, and a resin portion. The laminated core includes a plurality of outer core portions arranged in a circumferential direction. The plurality of outer core portions and the plurality of magnets are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. In addition, the outer core portion includes a through-hole that penetrates in an axial direction. The resin portion includes a columnar portion that is disposed inside the through-hole. Accordingly, the rigidity of the resin portion is enhanced. In addition, the resin portion includes a gate mark portion. At least a portion of the gate mark portion is positioned farther radially inward than the through-hole. | 02-13-2014 |
20140026397 | BASE MEMBER, MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A thin base member for use in a disk drive apparatus in which a bearing mechanism and an actuator are arranged includes a plurality of lower recess portions, a C-shaped smooth surface, and a fan-shaped recess portion. The C-shaped smooth surface is arranged in a region of an upper surface of the base member around the region where the bearing mechanism is arranged and the C-shaped smooth surface has a height constant or substantially constant in a circumferential direction. At least a portion of each of the lower recess portions is provided below the C-shaped smooth surface, in which the C-shaped smooth surface has a cross section positioned at the lower recess portions to protrude in a direction toward which the upper surface of the base member faces or in a direction toward which the lower surface of the base member faces. | 01-30-2014 |
20140016229 | SPINDLE MOTOR INCLUDING A FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS WITH SAME - A stationary portion of a motor includes a shaft component, an upper plate portion, and a lower plate portion. A rotating portion includes a sleeve portion which is disposed between the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion. The shaft component includes an inner shaft upper portion, an inner shaft lower portion which is located in a lower side of the inner shaft upper portion, and an outer shaft portion. The outer shaft portion is located on an outer circumferential surface of the inner shaft upper portion and an outer circumferential surface of the inner shaft lower portion. The inner shaft upper portion and the upper plate portion are preferably defined by a single monolithic member, and the inner shaft lower portion and the lower plate portion are preferably defined by a single monolithic member. | 01-16-2014 |
20140010065 | BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing apparatus includes a first cup portion defining a portion of a stationary portion of a bearing apparatus includes a first circular plate portion and a first cylindrical portion projecting downward from an outer edge portion of the first circular plate portion. A rotating portion of the bearing apparatus includes an annular recessed portion arranged to accommodate at least a lower end portion of the first cylindrical portion. The stationary portion includes a second cup portion including a second circular plate portion arranged to extend radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of a stationary shaft below the first cup portion and a second cylindrical portion arranged to project upward from an outer edge portion of the second circular plate portion. One of the first and second cup portions is integral with the stationary shaft defining a single monolithic member, and the other is fixed to the stationary shaft. | 01-09-2014 |
20130342934 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor arranged to rotate a disk about a center axis extending in an up-down direction includes a rotary unit including a rotor magnet and a stationary unit including a stator opposed to the rotor magnet and a base plate. The base plate includes a flat plate-shaped member positioned around the center axis and made of a first kind of metallic material and a base body axially overlapping with the plate-shaped member and made of a second kind of metallic material. The first kind of metallic material is larger in Young's modulus than the second kind of metallic material. The base body includes a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical bearing attachment portion axially extending about the center axis and a bottom plate portion radially extending from a lower portion of the bearing attachment portion. The plate-shaped member is positioned below the bottom plate portion to contact the bottom plate portion. | 12-26-2013 |
20130335860 | BASE PLATE, BASE UNIT, MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE BASE PLATE - A base plate of a disk drive apparatus includes a motor base disposed around a central axis and a base body portion extending radially outward of the motor base. The motor base is made of a metallic material of a first type. The base body portion is made of a metallic material of a second type. The base body portion is a casting product in which the motor base is an insert component. An upper protruding portion and a lower protruding portion are defined in one of an outer end portion of a bottom plate portion of the motor base and an inner end portion of the base body portion. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335859 | BASE PLATE, BASE UNIT, MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A base plate of a disk drive apparatus includes a motor base disposed around a central axis and a base body portion extending radially outward of the motor base. The motor base is made of a metallic material of a first type. The base body portion is made of a metallic material of a second type. Thus, the axial thickness of a portion of the base plate close to the central axis can be significantly reduced and a reduction in the stiffness of the portion can be prevented. Further, the motor base includes a flange portion and a plastic deforming portion. The flange portion and the plastic deforming portion are respectively in contact with at least a portion of both axial end surfaces of an inner end portion of the base body portion. Thus, extraction of the motor base in the axial direction is prevented. | 12-19-2013 |
20130323093 | MOTOR AND FAN - A base plate of a motor includes an inner bottom plate portion and an elevated portion. A land portion is arranged on an upper surface of a portion of a circuit board which overlaps with the inner bottom plate portion in a plan view, or on a portion of the circuit board which overlaps with the elevated portion in the plan view. A conducting wire extending from a coil is electrically connected to the land portion. This structure enables the conducting wire to be connected to the land portion on the circuit board without the conducting wire being drawn outward beyond an outer circumferential end portion of the base plate. The axial position of the conducting wire connected to the land portion and the axial position of the base plate at least partially overlap with each other. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321952 | BEARING MECHANISM, MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer ring-shaped portion, and an upper opposing portion. A lower seal portion serving as a pumping seal portion is provided in a lower seal gap between the sleeve portion and the lower outer ring-shaped portion. An upper seal portion is provided in an upper seal gap joined to an upper thrust gap. The lower portion of the sleeve portion includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion positioned below the large-diameter portion. The sleeve portion includes a communication path joined to the upper seal gap. The communication path includes an opening portion opened in a border between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The outer peripheral portion of the lower opposing portion includes an outer periphery protrusion portion radially opposed to the small-diameter portion and axially opposed to the large-diameter portion. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321951 | BEARING MECHANISM, MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer annular portion, and an upper opposing portion. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a lower thrust plate. A radial dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a radial gap. A lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a lower thrust gap. A lower seal portion is defined in a lower seal gap located between the sleeve portion and the lower outer annular portion. An upper seal portion is defined in an upper seal gap continuous with an upper thrust gap. The sleeve portion includes a first communicating channel in communication with the upper seal gap, and a second communicating channel located between the sleeve body and the lower thrust plate. A lower mouth portion of the first communicating channel axially overlaps the lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321946 | BEARING MECHANISM, MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, and an opposing portion including a surface arranged opposite to an end surface of the sleeve portion on one of upper and lower sides with a thrust gap defined therebetween. The thrust gap includes a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therein. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a thrust plate fixed to an end portion of the sleeve body on the one of the upper and lower sides. The sleeve body includes an annular surface arranged opposite to the thrust plate, and an annular body projecting portion arranged to project in an axial direction inside of the annular surface. An outer circumferential surface of the body projecting portion and an inner circumferential surface of the thrust plate are arranged to be in direct or indirect contact with each other. | 12-05-2013 |
20130313935 | BRUSHLESS MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A brushless motor includes a stationary unit and a rotary unit rotatably supported with respect to the stationary unit. The stationary unit includes an armature and a base member arranged to support the armature. The rotary unit includes a magnet, a hub made of a magnetic material and a rotor yoke made of a magnetic material. The armature includes a plurality of coil patterns arranged along a circumferential direction. The hub includes an inner lower surface, an outer lower surface and a recess portion. The recess portion is arranged between the inner lower surface and the outer lower surface and depressed upward. At least a portion of the magnet is accommodated within the recess portion. At least one of the inner lower surface and the outer lower surface is positioned above a lower surface of the magnet. | 11-28-2013 |
20130308226 | SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SPINDLE MOTOR - A spindle motor includes a shaft arranged to extend in an axial direction, and a base portion arranged to define a portion of a housing, and including a through hole in which the shaft is inserted. A fixing region is defined between an inner circumferential portion of the base portion and a lower portion of the shaft. The fixing region includes a press-fitting region and an adhesion region defined on a lower side of the press-fitting region and in which a seal gap is defined between the inner circumferential portion of the base portion and the lower portion of the shaft. The seal gap is arranged to gradually decrease in radial width with increasing height. The seal gap is arranged to include an adhesive arranged therein over an entire circumference thereof. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308225 | SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SPINDLE MOTOR - A spindle motor includes a shaft arranged to extend in an axial direction, and a base portion arranged to define a portion of a housing, and including a through hole in which the shaft is inserted. A fixing region is defined between an inner circumferential portion of the base portion and a lower portion of the shaft. The fixing region includes a press-fitting region and an adhesion region defined on a lower side of the press-fitting region and in which a seal gap is defined between the inner circumferential portion of the base portion and the lower portion of the shaft. The seal gap is arranged to gradually decrease in radial width with increasing height. The seal gap is arranged to include an adhesive arranged therein over an entire circumference thereof. | 11-21-2013 |
20130301161 | BASE UNIT - A base unit includes a stator, a wiring substrate, and a base portion. The base portion includes a tubular portion, a first recess portion surrounding the tubular portion, and first through-holes arranged within the first recess portion. The wiring substrate includes a connection portion arranged on an upper surface of the base portion and provided with lands, a power feeding portion arranged on a lower surface of the base portion, and an extension portion arranged to interconnect the connection portion and the power feeding portion. A first bonding layer is arranged between the connection portion and a bottom of the first recess portion to bond the connection portion and the bottom of the first recess portion. A second bonding layer is arranged between the power feeding portion and the lower surface of the base portion to bond the power feeding portion and the lower surface of the base portion. | 11-14-2013 |
20130271871 | BASE UNIT, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A base unit includes a base member and a connector. The base member includes a bottom plate portion, a window portion, and a first groove. The first groove is defined in an upper surface of the bottom plate portion around the window portion. The connector includes a board portion and an electrode terminal. The board portion is arranged on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion to cover the window portion and the first groove. The electrode terminal is arranged to overlap with the window portion in the axial direction. An adhesive is arranged between the upper surface of the bottom plate portion and the lower surface of the board portion. The adhesive is arranged to extend continuously in an annular or substantially annular shape around the window portion while being arranged in at least a portion of the first groove. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271870 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - In a spindle motor, a cup portion of a base member includes a cylindrical portion and a bottom plate portion. The cylindrical portion is concentric or substantially concentric with a central axis extending in a vertical direction. The bottom plate portion closes a bottom portion of the cylindrical portion. The bearing mechanism is accommodated in the cup portion. An adhesive is arranged between an outer circumferential surface of the bearing mechanism and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. At least one of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing mechanism and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion includes an axially extending vertical groove. A communicating hole which is not filled with the adhesive is arranged in at least a portion of an inside of the vertical groove. The communicating hole extends continuously from an upper to a lower end portion of the vertical groove. | 10-17-2013 |
20130259716 | BEARING APPARATUS AND BLOWER FAN - A bearing apparatus includes a bearing portion; a shaft; an upper thrust portion; a rotor cylindrical portion extending downward from an outer edge portion, and arranged radially outward of the bearing portion; and an annular seal cover fixed to an outer circumferential surface. A seal portion having a surface of lubricating oil defined therein is defined in a seal gap defined between an inner circumferential surface of the rotor cylindrical portion and an outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion. The seal cover includes a fixing portion fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor cylindrical portion; and an inner flange portion extending radially inward from the fixing portion below a lower end portion of the rotor cylindrical portion, and having an inner circumferential portion arranged opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion to define a vertical gap together with the outer circumferential surface. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258522 | BRUSHLESS MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A stationary unit of a brushless motor includes a flat armature and a base member arranged to support the armature. The armature includes a power supply portion to which a lead wire is connected. The base member includes a wall portion and a window portion. The wall portion is radially opposed to an outer edge portion of the armature. The window portion is positioned below the power supply portion to axially extend through the base member. An adhesive agent exists between the wall portion and the outer edge portion of the armature. Accordingly, the base member and the armature are strongly fixed to each other. Further, a sealing material is interposed between a whole periphery of an edge of the window portion and the armature, so that the window portion is sealed. (FIG. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257229 | BRUSHLESS MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND BRUSHLESS MOTOR MANUFACTURING METHOD - A brushless motor includes a plate-shaped armature and a magnet facing either one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the armature. An inner peripheral surface of a base member and an outer peripheral surface of a bearing mechanism contact with each other or face each other in a diametrical direction with an adhesive therebetween in a first fixing part. Further, a rotor yoke and a hub protrusion contact with each other or face each other in a diametrical direction with an adhesive therebetween in a second fixing part. Then, a press-fitting or adhesion is carried out in the other of the first and the second fixing part. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257211 | ROTOR UNIT, ROTATING ELECTRICAL MACHINE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ROTOR UNIT - A rotor unit includes a plurality of rotating bodies arranged along a central axis. Each of the plurality of rotating bodies includes an annular rotor core surrounding the central axis, a plurality of magnets arranged in the circumferential direction around the rotor core, and a holder arranged to hold the magnets. Further, the holder includes a plurality of partitioning portions each axially extending between respective ones of the plurality of magnets. The axial dimension of the plurality of partitioning portions is longer than the axial dimension of the respective ones of the plurality of magnets which are held by the plurality of partitioning portions. Further, the plurality of rotating bodies is disposed in a state where the circumferential positions of the plurality of magnets are out of alignment. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257184 | ROTOR UNIT, ROTATING ELECTRICAL MACHINE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ROTOR UNIT - A rotor unit includes a rotor core made of laminated steel sheets that are vertically laminated, and a holder made of resin. The rotor core and the holder are fixed together through insert molding. For this reason, the process of manufacturing the rotor core and the holder is shortened. Additionally, in the outer peripheral surface of the rotor core, a portion of resin that defines the holder is present between the plurality of steel sheets that defines the rotor core. For this reason, the fixing strength of the rotor core and the holder improves. Additionally, since a separation between the rotor core and the holder is prevented, magnets can be easily press-fitted. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257183 | STATOR PORTION OF MOLDED MOTOR, AND MOLDED MOTOR INCLUDING THE SAME - A stator portion of a molded motor includes a plurality of windings, a wiring board, and a resin arranged to cover at least a surface of each winding. The wiring board includes a through hole extending through the wiring board in an axial direction. The through hole is arranged axially opposite to any winding to facilitate discharge of air out of a gap between the wiring board and the winding during a molding process, while the distance between the wiring board and each opposed winding is short in the stator portion of the molded motor. The resin is thus continuously arranged in gaps between the windings and the gap between the wiring board and each opposed winding. | 10-03-2013 |
20130249339 | MOTOR - A winding structure which is disposed over an armature and a commutator includes an equalizer. The equalizer includes a going portion and a return portion which are wound across one group of teeth through a slot and connected between two identical segments. In a case where an integer number is an expansion value among values which are integer multiples of a value which is acquired by dividing the total number of the slots by the total number of pole pairs, when one group of the teeth having the same total number as the expansion value is given as an element teeth group, the going portion and the return portion are wound across the element teeth group through the slots positioned at both sides of the element teeth group. | 09-26-2013 |
20130243356 | FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A fluid dynamic bearing apparatus includes a first minute gap, a second minute gap, a third minute gap, a fourth minute gap, and a fifth minute gap. A flow of a lubricating oil from the fifth minute gap to the fourth minute gap is caused by a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves arranged within the fluid dynamic bearing apparatus. This flow causes air bubbles mixed in the lubricating oil within the fifth minute gap to flow toward the third minute gap and be discharged to an outside through the third minute gap. The fluid dynamic bearing apparatus further includes a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves and an all around groove. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242429 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor includes a shaft component including an inner shaft portion and an outer shaft portion. A radial gap is defined between a sleeve portion and the outer shaft portion. A radial dynamic pressure generating groove array is arranged on at least one surface of an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve portion and an outer circumferential surface of the outer shaft portion, which define the radial gap. The radial dynamic pressure generating groove array includes an upper and lower radial dynamic pressure generating groove array. The inner shaft portion is fixed to the outer shaft portion in an interference fit. An axial range of a fixing region of the inner shaft portion and the outer shaft portion which is in the interference fit is included in a range between the upper and lower radial dynamic pressure generating groove array. | 09-19-2013 |
20130236340 | MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND FAN - There is provided a motor including, a rotating portion and a stationary portion. The mounting plate includes a substantially cylindrical fixing cylindrical portion; an annular upper plate portion; an annular circumferential portion; and a mounting portion. A lower end of the fixing cylindrical portion is arranged at a level lower than that of a lower end of a bushing press-fit area. At least one of a lower end of a sleeve fixing area in which an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and an inner circumferential surface of the bushing cylindrical portion are in contact with each other and a lower end of a radial gap which supports the shaft is arranged at a level higher than that of an upper end of the bushing press-fit area. | 09-12-2013 |
20130236339 | FAN MOTOR - A fan motor includes a base member including a bottom plate portion, a bearing support portion, and a screw receiving portion. The bottom plate portion extends in directions perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a central axis below a circuit board. The bearing support portion extends upward from the bottom plate portion and has a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape. The screw receiving portion is arranged to project upward from the bottom plate portion on a radially outer side of the bearing support portion. At least a portion of the screw receiving portion is arranged in a hole portion defined in the circuit board. | 09-12-2013 |
20130236303 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN - A centrifugal fan may include an impeller arranged to rotate about a rotation axis, an impeller case arranged to accommodate the impeller, a motor arranged to rotate the impeller, and a motor case arranged to accommodate the motor. The impeller may include a boss portion joined to a shaft arranged to rotate about the rotation axis, a hub arranged to extend radially outward from the boss portion, and a plurality of blades. Each blade may be arranged to extend radially outward. An inner wall of the impeller case may include an inside surface extending radially outward along an upper end portion of each blade. A side end portion of an air inlet defined in a central portion of the impeller case may include a curved surface projecting radially inward. | 09-12-2013 |
20130234547 | MOTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MOTOR - An insulator of a motor includes a body portion and a wire guide portion. The body portion is arranged to cover an upper surface, a lower surface, and circumferential side surfaces of each of a plurality of teeth. The wire guide portion is arranged to project downward from the body portion. A drawn-out portion of an electric wire which extends from a coil is arranged to reach a land portion arranged on a lower surface of a circuit board after passing through the wire guide portion. In addition, an area of contact between the drawn-out portion and the wire guide portion is arranged at an axial height lower than that of the lower surface of the circuit board. | 09-12-2013 |
20130230421 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN - A centrifugal fan includes an impeller arranged to rotate about a rotation axis, a motor arranged to rotate the impeller, and a case arranged to accommodate the impeller and the motor. The case includes an upper case, a lower case, and a joint portion at which the upper and lower cases are fixed to each other. An interior of the case includes a first annular space positioned radially outward of the motor. The first annular space includes a second annular space defined by a portion of a space defined by an annularly continuous collection of imaginary circles each of whose diameter is the shortest distance between an inner circumferential edge of the joint portion and a radially outermost circumferential portion of a motor accommodating portion and each of which touches the inner circumferential edge of the joint portion. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229727 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stationary unit, a rotary unit and a bearing mechanism. The stationary unit includes a base member, a stator including a plurality of coils and a wiring substrate electrically connected to the stator. The base member includes a tubular portion, a first accommodation portion, an opening portion, a plurality of coil accommodation portions, a second accommodation portion, and at least one through-hole. The wiring substrate includes an arc portion and an extension portion. A lead wire is led out from at least one of the coils and is connected to the arc portion by soldering within the through-hole. | 09-05-2013 |
20130221770 | ARMATURE AND MOTOR INCLUDING ARMATURE - An armature includes an insulator mounted on a tooth portion around which a conducting wire is wound. A pair of a first member and a second member, which are combined so as to abut each other, is provided. The first member includes a first end wall which covers an upper side end in the axial direction of the tooth portion and a pair of first side walls which partially cover both side portions of the tooth portion. A first overlap portion is provided on a tip portion of the first side wall. A plurality of ribs extending so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to the winding direction of the conducting wire is disposed on an outer surface of the first overlap portion. | 08-29-2013 |
20130209294 | FAN - In a fan, a housing includes decreased thickness portions and increased thickness portions arranged alternately in a circumferential direction. A distance between a central axis and an edge increases from an air inlet toward an air outlet. An inner circumferential surface has a minimum radius smaller than a distance between the central axis and an outermost portion of the edge. At a boundary between upper and lower housing portions of the housing, the inner circumferential surface has a radius greater than the distance between the central axis and the outermost portion of the edge. The increased thickness portions include component fastening structures defining a fastening structure arranged to fit the upper and lower housing portions to each other. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209293 | CEILING FAN MOTOR AND CEILING FAN - A ceiling fan motor includes a stationary unit, a rotary unit, and a bearing unit, wherein the stationary unit includes a shaft arranged along a center axis extending in an up-down direction, and an armature directly or indirectly fixed to the shaft. The rotary unit includes a rotor holder arranged to cover the armature from above and below, the rotor holder including an upper rotor holder member and a lower rotor holder member, and a rotor annularly arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the rotor holder in a radially opposing relationship with the armature. The bearing unit rotatably supports the rotor holder with respect to the armature, and includes an upper bearing member arranged between the shaft and the rotor holder at an axial upper side of the armature, and a lower bearing member arranged between the shaft and the rotor holder at a lower side of the armature. | 08-15-2013 |
20130201812 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a flat stator, a rotor magnet arranged above the stator, and a magnetic portion made of a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic portion is positioned lower than the stator and the magnetic portion are axially overlapped with coils. A magnetic attraction force is generated between the magnetic portion and the rotor magnet. Since the magnetic portion is positioned lower than the stator, it is possible to cause magnetic fluxes to efficiently flow between the rotor magnet and the stator. Further, the stator includes a protrusion protruded radially outward beyond an outer circumferential portion of a rotor hub. Accordingly, in a plan view, the stator is positioned radially outward of the rotor hub. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201811 | SPINDLE MOTOR HAVING MAGNETIC CIRCUIT FOR STATOR AND ROTOR MAGNET, AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE HAVING THE SAME - A spindle motor includes a base portion; a stator arranged above the base portion; a rotor hub including a cover portion positioned above the stator, and a side wall portion arranged to extend downward from an outer edge of the cover portion; a rotor magnet positioned radially outward of the stator, and fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the side wall portion of the rotor hub; and a bearing mechanism arranged to support the rotor hub and the rotor magnet to be rotatable. A height of the rotor magnet as measured in an axial direction is preferably in a range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm (both inclusive), and a height of a stator core of the stator as measured in the axial direction is preferably in a range of about 50% to about 75% (both inclusive) of the height of the rotor magnet. | 08-08-2013 |
20130194701 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor, which is for use in a disk drive apparatus which includes a housing including a base member and a cover member, includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a stationary shaft and the base member. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion. The stationary shaft is inserted into the bearing hole. The stationary shaft includes an annular surface arranged to come into direct or indirect contact with the cover member, the annular surface being located higher than the sleeve portion and extending in a circumferential direction, and an upper protrusion arranged to be fixed to a cover inner circumferential surface defining a cover penetrating hole of the cover member, the upper protrusion protruding upward from the radial inner side of the annular surface. The base member includes a fixing portion arranged to directly or indirectly fix the cover member. | 08-01-2013 |
20130193883 | MOTOR DEVICE - A motor device may include a motor unit and a converter unit. The motor unit may include a brushless DC motor, an inverter circuit, and an inverter drive circuit. The inverter circuit may supply a drive current to the brushless DC motor. The inverter drive circuit may supply a drive pulse signal to the inverter circuit. The converter unit may be connected to the motor unit. The converter unit may include an AD/DC converter and a microcomputer. The AC/DC converter may convert an AC voltage to a DC voltage to be supplied to the motor unit. The microcomputer may receive a digital control signal and may output an analog control signal. The inverter drive circuit may receive the analog control signal outputted from the microcomputer and may output a drive pulse signal to be supplied to the inverter circuit. | 08-01-2013 |
20130193800 | ARMATURE AND MOTOR - An insulator of an armature includes an upper resin member and a lower resin member. Each of the upper and lower resin members includes decreased thickness portions. Axial positions of the decreased thickness portions of the upper and lower resin members are arranged to overlap at least partially with each other. Each of the upper and lower resin members further includes a rib arranged to project from a corresponding one of the decreased thickness portions. The rib improves the strength of the corresponding decreased thickness portion and reduces the likelihood that any of the decreased thickness portions of the upper and lower resin members will be damaged when the two members are fitted to each other. | 08-01-2013 |
20130187499 | MOTOR - A motor includes a bearing holder and an attachment plate fixed to a radial outer surface of the bearing holder. The attachment plate includes a flat portion including a circular hole and a burring portion axially protruding from the circular hole. The bearing holder includes holder protrusion portions each including a radial outer surface at least partially making contact with the burring portion and holder recess portions and the holder protrusion portions and the holder recess portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction. The burring portion includes a plurality of caulking sections extending radially outward to make contact with the circuit board and the plurality of caulking sections are arranged radially outward of the holder recess portions. | 07-25-2013 |
20130187498 | MOTOR - A motor includes a bearing holder having a substantially cylindrical shape and a surrounding member fixed to a radial outer surface of the bearing holder. The bearing holder includes a plurality of holder protrusion portions each including a radial outer surface at least partially making contact with the surrounding member and a plurality of holder recess portions positioned radially inward of the plurality of holder protrusion portions. The plurality of holder protrusion portions and the plurality of holder recess portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction. A central angle of a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the surrounding member remaining out of contact with each of the plurality of holder protrusion portions is equal to or larger than a central angle of a portion of an outer circumferential surface of a bearing unit. | 07-25-2013 |
20130181569 | BUS BAR, MOTOR, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THESE - A bus bar which electrically connects end portions of a plurality of conductive lines and a method for manufacturing the bus bar are such that an intermediate region of a single wire rod is folded to define a plurality of terminal forming portions extending to a lateral direction of the wire rod. The whole wire rod including the terminal forming portion is rolled. The rolled wire rod is bent into a certain shape. | 07-18-2013 |
20130181564 | ROTOR AND MOTOR - Magnets may be embedded in first recessed portions of a rotor core, and at least one stopper is each attached to an axial end of the rotor core. The rotor core may include second recessed portions each including a locking portion arranged to project inward therein. The stopper may include a base portion arranged to close the first recessed portions, and elastically deformable hook portions each arranged to be inserted into a separate one of the second recessed portions to be engaged with the locking portion. The rotor core may include first plates and second plates placed upon one another. Each first plate may include first locking elements each defining an opening, while each second plate may include second locking elements each defining a larger opening. The locking portions may be defined by arranging the second plates axially inward and placing the first plates upon the second plates. | 07-18-2013 |
20130177461 | AXIAL FLOW FAN - In an axial fan including a motor, a substrate that connects ends of a plurality of coils is disposed at a position axially under a bottom portion of a case with an axial gap therebetween. A spacer is interposed between the substrate and the bottom portion, and the substrate is fixed to the spacer. A plurality of through holes provided in the bottom portion are disposed in axial alignment with a plurality of through holes provided in the spacer. An air flow produced by rotation of an impeller at least partially passes through the interior of the case to be discharged to outside of the case through the through holes in the bottom portion so that heat generated inside the motor can be efficiently transferred to outside of the case. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175957 | SINGLE-PHASE BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A single-phase brushless motor includes a plurality of coils configured to be driven with a single phase, a sensor which detects a magnetic pole change according to the rotation of a rotor, and an energization mechanism which drives the rotor at a predetermined rotational speed. The energization mechanism is arranged to switch between a rectangular wave energization in which a voltage applied to the coil represents a rectangular waveform and a pseudo-sine wave energization in which the applied voltage represents a waveform of a pseudo-sine wave. The switching between the rectangular wave energization and the pseudo-sine wave energization is performed by gradually changing the waveform. | 07-11-2013 |
20130171015 | FAN MOTOR - A fan motor includes a motor; an impeller; a motor control board; an AC/DC converter board; electronic components mounted on the AC/DC converter board; and a housing arranged to contain the motor, the impeller, the motor control board, and the AC/DC converter board. The housing includes a base portion arranged to hold a stationary portion of the motor on an axially upper side thereof; and a case portion arranged to extend to assume a tubular shape on an axially lower side of the base portion. The AC/DC converter board is arranged in an interior space of the case portion. At least a portion of the interior space is filled with a resin material. Surfaces of the AC/DC converter board and the electronic components are covered with the resin material. The fan motor further includes a projecting portion arranged to project into the interior space. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169106 | SINGLE-PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR - A single-phase induction motor in which coils are wound around a plurality of teeth by a concentrated winding method is constructed such that an area of a smallest of all cross-sections of a core back element taken along planes which are parallel or substantially parallel to an axial direction is about 0.90 or more times an area of the smallest of all cross-sections of the teeth taken along planes which are parallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction, to prevent or minimize leakage of the magnetic flux. | 07-04-2013 |
20130164158 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN - A side wall of a centrifugal fan includes a gap expanding portion arranged to gradually expand a gap between an impeller and the side wall from an upstream end toward a downstream end with respect to a rotation direction of a rotating portion. In the centrifugal fan, an electronic component arranging portion of a board is arranged in an area surrounded by the gap expanding portion, the impeller, and an air outlet, and accordingly does not overlap with a motor or the impeller in an axial direction. The electronic component arranging portion is arranged in an area extending, in a circumferential direction about a central axis, from a position 180 degrees upstream from a middle of the air outlet downstream to the middle of the air outlet, that is, in an area where a wind channel has a large width. | 06-27-2013 |
20130156573 | FAN - A fan includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion, and a plurality of blades. The stationary portion includes a stator, an integral one-piece molded metal bearing housing, a bearing portion in the bearing housing, and a molded resin base portion supporting the bearing housing. The rotating portion includes a rotor holder, a rotor magnet, and a shaft. The bearing housing includes a cylindrical portion, and a protruding portion extending radially outwards from a lower portion of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion includes a groove portion extending in an axial direction and arranged in a circumferential direction. The groove portion is joined to a region on the lower side of the protruding portion along a connecting position between the cylindrical and protruding portions. A resin on an upper side of the protruding portion, a resin on a lower side, and a resin in the groove portion are continuous. | 06-20-2013 |
20130156569 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN DEVICE - A centrifugal fan device includes an impeller supported to rotate about a center axis extending in an up-down direction; a motor arranged to rotate the impeller; and a housing arranged to surround the impeller. The housing includes an intake portion positioned above the impeller and an exhaust portion positioned radially outward of the impeller. The impeller includes a base extending in a direction orthogonal to the center axis, a ring-shaped shroud positioned above the base and having a diameter which decreases as it goes upward, and a plurality of blades arranged between the base and the shroud. The housing further includes a plurality of ribs protruding from an inner surface of the intake portion toward the shroud. | 06-20-2013 |
20130149134 | FAN - A fan includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion, and an impeller arranged to rotate about a central axis together with the rotating portion to produce an axial air current. The rotating portion includes a rotor holder. The impeller includes a cup portion arranged to cover the rotor holder and a plurality of blades arranged on an outer circumference of the cup portion. The cup portion includes a cup cover portion arranged to extend radially outward from the central axis; a cup cylindrical portion being substantially cylindrical in shape, and arranged to extend in an axial direction from an outer edge portion of the cup cover portion; and a cup through hole arranged to extend through the cup portion at a position overlapping with a portion or boundary between the cup cover portion and the cup cylindrical portion. | 06-13-2013 |
20130136631 | FAN - A fan includes blades and a motor. The motor includes a rotor holder; a shaft; a sleeve; a holder; and a thrust plate. A radial bearing portion arranged to support the shaft in a radial direction is defined in a radial gap defined between the shaft and the sleeve. A lower seal portion having a lower surface of a lubricating oil defined therein is defined between the thrust plate and the holder, while an upper seal portion having an upper surface of the lubricating oil defined therein is defined between the holder and the sleeve. The holder includes a connection channel defining portion arranged to define a connection channel to connect an upper space defined between the upper seal portion and an inside of the rotor holder with a lower space at which the lower seal portion is arranged. | 05-30-2013 |
20130128379 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion. The upper thrust portion includes a tubular first outer circumferential surface arranged radially outside the upper thrust portion, and a tubular second outer circumferential surface arranged above the first outer circumferential surface. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion, a tubular portion, and an annular cover portion. The annular cover portion includes a plate portion and an inner annular projecting portion arranged to project upward or downward. An inner circumferential surface of the inner annular projecting portion is arranged above an inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion. An upper seal portion includes a surface of a lubricating oil located therein. The inner circumferential surface of the inner annular projecting portion and the second outer circumferential surface are arranged opposite to each other with an axially extending gap therebetween. | 05-23-2013 |
20130121859 | BEARING APPARATUS AND FAN - A bearing apparatus includes a cylindrical bearing portion; a cap member; a cylindrical holder; a shaft; and a thrust plate. The holder includes an increased diameter portion. The bearing portion includes a plate accommodating portion. An outer circumferential surface of the plate accommodating portion is arranged to have a diameter greater than a diameter of an outer circumferential surface of a portion of the bearing portion which is on an upper side of the plate accommodating portion. The distance between the outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the plate accommodating portion is arranged to be smaller than the distance between the outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the portion of the bearing portion which is on the upper side of the plate accommodating portion. A thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a thrust gap. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120868 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A motor includes a seal cap and a tubular portion. The seal cap includes a first seal cap lower surface which is an annular surface facing axially downward, and a second seal cap lower surface which is an annular surface facing axially downward and arranged radially outward of the first seal cap lower surface. The tubular portion includes a first tubular portion upper surface which is an annular surface arranged axially opposite to the first seal cap lower surface, and a second tubular portion upper surface which is an annular surface arranged radially outward of the first tubular portion upper surface and in contact with the second seal cap lower surface. The first tubular portion upper surface includes an oil-repellent film region covered with an oil-repellent film. A substantially annular radially extending gap is defined between the first tubular portion upper surface and the first seal cap lower surface. | 05-16-2013 |
20130119808 | MOTOR - A rotary unit of a motor includes a shaft, a ring-shaped plate, a rotor core defined by a plurality of core pieces, and a plurality of magnets arranged along the circumferential direction. The core pieces and the magnets are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The ring-shaped plate and the respective core pieces are fixed to each other by combining the recesses provided in one of the ring-shaped plate and the respective core pieces and the protrusions provided in the other of the ring-shaped plate and the respective core pieces or combining a first through-hole provided in the ring-shaped plate and a protrusion provided in each of the core pieces. The core pieces are fixed to the ring-shaped plate without having to provide a through-hole in each of the core pieces. This reduces a magnetic resistance of each of the core pieces. | 05-16-2013 |
20130101450 | MOTOR AND FAN - A first seal portion having a surface of a lubricating oil defined therein is defined between a sleeve portion and a bearing housing. A side communicating channel arranged to bring a first seal gap and a thrust gap into communication with each other is defined either between a sleeve portion and a bearing housing or in an outer circumferential portion of a sleeve portion. A second seal portion having another surface of a lubricating oil defined therein is defined in a gap constituted by a side minute gap between a thrust plate and a bearing housing and a lower minute gap between a thrust plate and a cap member. | 04-25-2013 |
20130094342 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a magnet arranged around a central axis extending in a vertical direction. The stationary portion includes a base member and a magnetic member arranged below the magnet and fixed to the base member. The base member includes an upper surface extending out perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis, and a wall surface extending in an axial direction. The magnetic member includes an annular plate portion arranged on the base member and a projecting portion arranged to extend downward from the plate portion. At least a portion of the projecting portion is arranged to be in contact with the wall surface. An adhesive is arranged between the plate portion and the upper surface of the base member and between the projecting portion and the wall surface. | 04-18-2013 |
20130083427 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor includes a shaft component, an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion, and a sleeve portion. The shaft component includes an inner shaft portion and an outer shaft portion. The upper plate portion defines a single monolithic member with one of the inner shaft portion and the outer shaft portion. The lower plate portion defines a single monolithic member with the other of the inner shaft portion and the outer shaft portion. The sleeve portion is disposed between the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion. A radial gap is defined between the sleeve portion and the outer shaft portion. A fixing range in which the outer shaft portion and the inner shaft portion radially overlap is arranged. At least a portion in an axial direction of the fixing range radially overlaps with an existing range in the axial direction of the radial gap. | 04-04-2013 |
20130083426 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor includes a shaft portion, an upper plate cylindrical portion, a lower plate cylindrical portion, and a sleeve portion disposed between an upper plate portion and a lower plate portion. The sleeve portion includes an inner sleeve cylindrical portion and an outer sleeve cylindrical portion. An upper seal portion is arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the upper plate cylindrical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve cylindrical portion. A lower seal portion is arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the outer sleeve cylindrical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the lower plate cylindrical portion. At least a portion of the upper seal portion and at least a portion of the lower seal portion radially overlap with a radial gap between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and the inner circumferential surface of the inner sleeve cylindrical portion. | 04-04-2013 |
20130077190 | BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing apparatus includes stationary and rotating portions. The stationary portion includes a stationary shaft and a first cup portion. The rotating portion includes an annular recessed portion and first and second inner circumferential surfaces. Lubricating oil is arranged in a gap between the stationary and rotating portions. An upper surface of the lubricating oil is located between the second inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of the first cup portion. A lower surface of the lubricating oil is located between the rotating and stationary portions. The rotating portion further includes a through hole filled with the lubricating oil. One of the first cup portion and the rotating portion includes a pumping groove array arranged thereon to cause the lubricating oil to flow toward one end of the through hole during rotation of the rotating portion. | 03-28-2013 |
20130050872 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor includes a stationary unit and a rotary unit. The stationary unit includes a stator, a base portion having at least one hole extending in the up-down direction, and a flexible wiring substrate. The flexible wiring substrate reaches a position higher than a lower surface of the base portion through at least one hole and is arranged to supply electric power to the stator. The flexible wiring substrate includes a connection portion arranged higher than the lower surface of the base portion and connected to the stator. The connection portion includes a solder portion arranged on a lower surface thereof to cover a portion of a lead wire extending from a coil of the stator. At least a portion of the solder portion is positioned within the hole. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050871 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion, and a rotating portion supported rotatably with respect to the stationary portion. The stationary portion includes a base portion, a ring-shaped core back, a plurality of teeth, and a coil. The rotating portion includes a magnet radially opposite to a radially inner end surface of the teeth and a hub arranged to hold the magnet. The teeth include an outer core portion arranged radially outward from an outer circumference of the hub, and an inner core portion arranged radially inward from the outer core portion. The inner core portion includes a positioning portion which is positioned radially outward from the outer circumference of the hub, and arranged radially inward from the coil, and the width of the positioning portion in a circumferential direction is larger than the width of the outer core portion in the circumferential direction. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050870 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion defined by a base portion, a stator core arranged on the side of an upper surface of the base portion, and a coil attached to the stator core. A rotating portion includes a magnet arranged on a radially inner side of the stator core, a first supporting surface which is in contact with a lower surface of a disk, and a disk supporting portion arranged on a radially outer side than the magnet. The stator core includes a ring-shaped core back, and a plurality of teeth. The disk supporting portion is positioned radially outward from a radially inner end portion of the teeth and radially inward from the coil. The radially inner end portion of the teeth, the disk supporting portion, and the coil overlap in the radial direction. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049551 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A rotary unit of a motor includes a tubular hub portion. A bearing mechanism of the motor includes a bearing portion positioned radially inward of the hub portion. A stationary unit of the motor includes a stator fixing portion positioned inward of the hub portion and higher than a lower end of the hub portion. A cylinder gap is defined between the hub portion and an upper section of the bearing portion. A first communication gap is defined between a lower section of the hub portion and an upper section of the stator fixing portion. A second communication gap is defined between the lower end of the hub portion and a radial inner section of the stator core. | 02-28-2013 |
20130045092 | AXIAL FLOW FAN - A fan includes an impeller having a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades has a trailing edge portion positioned rearmost in a rotation direction and a leading edge portion positioned foremost in the rotation direction. A curved line interconnects the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion at the shortest distance on an imaginary cylindrical surface. Each of the blades includes a lower surface facing downward in the direction of the center axis and an upper surface facing upward in the direction of the center axis. In the fan, L | 02-21-2013 |
20130043758 | STATOR - A stator includes a core-back portion, teeth portions, insulators, and coils. The teeth portions extend radially from a circumferential surface of the core-back portion. The insulators are respectively mounted to the teeth portions. The coils are respectively mounted to the insulators. A tip end of the tooth portion has a circumferential width equal to or smaller than that of a base end of the tooth portion. The tip end has an axial width equal to or smaller than that of the base end. The insulator includes a tube portion accommodating the tooth portion. The tube portion includes a first opening existing at the tip end and a second opening existing at the base end. The first opening has an axial width smaller than an axial width of the second opening in a state that each of the insulators is removed from each of the teeth portions. | 02-21-2013 |
20130038153 | MOTOR - An electric motor includes a rotating portion that rotates around a rotational axis and a stationary portion. The rotating portion includes a shaft and a rotor. The stationary portion includes a cover portion, a stator, and a connector including a connection terminal. The connection terminal includes a base portion that extends along a first direction, and a pressing portion that is bent to overlap with the base portion in an axial direction. A conductive line which is drawn from a coil is disposed between the base portion and the pressing portion, and the connection terminal and the conductive line contact each other and are welded in a state of overlapping with each other in an axial direction. | 02-14-2013 |
20130033254 | ROTOR PHASE/SPEED ESTIMATING DEVICE FOR AN AC MOTOR - A rotor phase/speed estimating device includes a high-frequency voltage injection unit, a high-frequency current amplitude detection unit of a fundamental wave component, a correlation signal generation unit, and a rotor phase generation unit. The high-frequency voltage injection unit applies a high-frequency voltage to an AC motor. The high-frequency current amplitude detection unit of a fundamental wave component detects a primary Fourier coefficient equivalent value. The correlation signal generation unit is arranged to generate a correlation signal using the Fourier coefficient equivalent value. The rotor phase generation unit is arranged to generate an estimated value of the rotor phase and an estimated value of a rotor speed using the correlation signal. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031773 | SPINDLE MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPINDLE MOTOR - In a method of manufacturing a spindle motor, a sheet preferably made of a thermoplastic resin is closely adhered to an upper surface of a base portion of a spindle motor such that the sheet covers a base hole of the base portion. Next, heat is applied to a region of the sheet which coincides with the base hole to define a sheet hole continuous with the base hole. Thereafter, a coil is arranged over the base portion, and a conducting wire defining the coil is extended through the sheet hole and the base hole to be drawn downwardly out of the base portion. The sheet hole is thus defined after the sheet is closely adhered to the base portion. In addition, the sheet hole is defined by melting the resin through application of the heat. It is therefore easy to arrange the sheet and define the sheet hole. | 02-07-2013 |
20130026888 | MOTOR - In a motor, a magnetic sensor is provided on the lower surface of a substrate disposed above a magnetic sensor. On an upper surface of the substrate, a plate-shaped magnetic member is disposed at a position axially overlapping the magnetic sensor. The substrate and the magnetic member are fixed to each other at a plurality of fixing positions by axial tightening. On the upper surface of the magnetic member, a rib extending to connect the vicinity of one fixing position and the vicinity of another fixing position is provided. Flexure of the magnetic member is significantly reduced and prevented by this rib. For this reason, the direction of the magnetic flux of a magnet is concentrated on the magnetic sensor side. As a result, detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor is significantly improved. | 01-31-2013 |
20130009494 | MOTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MOTOR - A rotating portion of a motor includes a rotor holder including a cylindrical portion arranged to be coaxial or substantially coaxial with a central axis, a plurality of magnets arranged in a circumferential direction on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and a resin portion arranged on a surface of the rotor holder. The resin portion includes a plurality of ribs arranged at regular or substantially regular intervals in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and an outer tubular portion arranged to cover an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. Each rib and the outer tubular portion are arranged to be defined by a single monolithic member such that each rib and the outer tubular portion are continuous with each other. Each magnet is preferably arranged between a separate pair of adjacent ones of the ribs. | 01-10-2013 |
20130004351 | FAN - A fan includes a motor and an impeller. The motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion rotatably supported by the stationary portion. The stationary portion includes a stator and a bearing portion arranged inside of the stator. The rotating portion includes a rotor magnet arranged radially outside the stator; a shaft inserted in the bearing portion, and having an upper portion fixed to the impeller directly or through one or more members; and a thrust portion arranged axially opposite the bearing portion, and including an annular surface arranged around the shaft. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004350 | FAN - A fan includes a motor and an impeller. The motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion rotatably supported by the stationary portion. The stationary portion includes a stator and a bearing portion arranged inside of the stator. The rotating portion includes a rotor magnet arranged radially outside the stator; a shaft inserted in the bearing portion, and having an upper portion fixed to the impeller directly or through one or more members; and a thrust portion arranged axially opposite the bearing portion, and including an annular surface arranged around the shaft. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004348 | DYNAMIC PRESSURE BEARING APPARATUS AND FAN - A dynamic pressure bearing apparatus includes a bearing portion; a shaft; a substantially annular bushing; a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion; and a seal gap. A minute horizontal gap extending radially is defined between an upper surface of the bearing portion and a lower surface of the bushing. The seal gap is arranged to be in communication with an exterior space through the horizontal gap. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004347 | FAN - A fan includes a motor and an impeller. The motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a stator and a bearing portion. The bearing portion includes a sleeve and a bearing housing. The rotating portion includes a rotor magnet, a shaft, and a thrust plate. A radial gap includes a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion arranged to generate a fluid dynamic pressure acting axially downward on a lubricating oil, while a thrust gap includes a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion arranged to generate a fluid dynamic pressure acting radially inward on the lubricating oil. A circulation hole extending in an axial direction is defined between the bearing housing and the sleeve. The radial gap is arranged to have a radial width in a range of about 5 μm to about 20 μm. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004304 | FAN - A fan includes a motor including a rotating portion and a stationary portion; an impeller including a plurality of blades and a blade support portion to which the blades are fixed, and arranged to cover the motor; and a housing including a lower plate portion arranged on a lower side of the blades, a side wall portion arranged to cover sides of the blades, and an upper plate portion arranged on an upper side of the blades and including an air inlet arranged to extend through the upper plate portion in an axial direction. A lower surface of the blade support portion includes a balance correction portion arranged to extend in a circumferential direction. The lower plate portion includes a through hole arranged to overlap with the balance correction portion in the axial direction to make a portion of the balance correction portion viewable from below the lower plate portion. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004114 | BEARING APPARATUS AND BLOWER FAN - A seal cover includes an axially opposing portion arranged to extend radially outward from a outer circumferential surface of a bearing portion, and arranged axially opposite a lower end portion of a rotor cylindrical portion; and a radially opposing portion arranged to extend upward continuously from a axially opposing portion, and arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of a rotor cylindrical portion to define a vertical gap together with a rotor cylindrical portion. | 01-03-2013 |
20130003223 | BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - In a bearing apparatus, a first cup portion defining a portion of a stationary portion of a bearing apparatus includes a circular plate portion and a cylindrical portion projecting downward from an outer edge portion of the circular plate portion. A rotating portion of the bearing apparatus includes an annular recessed portion arranged to accommodate at least a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the axial dimension of the bearing apparatus while also enabling a radial dynamic pressure groove array. Additionally, one end of a through hole defined in the rotating portion is arranged to open into the annular recessed portion. | 01-03-2013 |
20120327534 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING MECHANISM, MOTOR, AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A method of manufacturing a bearing mechanism of a motor includes steps a)-e). In step a), a bearing assembly is assembled. In step b), an upper seal gap between an upper thrust portion and an upper hub annular portion is arranged to face downward to increase the width of a gap between an outer tubular portion and a flange portion, or a lower seal gap between the outer tubular portion and a lower hub annular portion is arranged to face downward to increase the width of a gap between the upper thrust portion and the flange portion. In step c), pressure in all gaps is reduced. In step d), lubricating oil is injected into the upper or lower seal gap which faces upward, and a predetermined time or longer is allowed to pass. In step e), pressure is returned to atmospheric pressure. | 12-27-2012 |
20120326543 | BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A bearing apparatus includes a stationary shaft, a first annular member, and a rotating member. The rotating member includes a first inner circumferential surface arranged opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the stationary shaft, and a second inner circumferential surface arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the first annular member. A lubricating oil is arranged in a gap between a surface of a stationary member and the rotating member. On an upper side of an upper surface of the lubricating oil, the first annular member and the rotating member are arranged radially opposite to each other with a slight gap defined therebetween, so that a labyrinth seal is defined. The labyrinth seal and a fixing range over which the stationary shaft and the first annular member are fixed to each other are arranged to overlap with each other in a radial direction. | 12-27-2012 |
20120319543 | MOTOR - A motor includes a cover made of a resin material. The cover includes a first annular portion arranged to extend in an annular shape above coils, a side wall portion arranged to extend downward from an outer circumferential portion of the first annular portion, and a second annular portion arranged to extend radially outward or radially inward from a lower end portion of the side wall portion along an upper surface of a circuit board. The side wall portion is arranged to extend in an axial direction while filling in gaps between teeth on a radially inner side of radially outer end surfaces of the teeth. The coils are covered by the cover to be protected from dust, water droplets, etc. The radially outer end surfaces of the teeth are exposed from the cover, and are thus arranged to be in radial proximity to a rotor magnet. | 12-20-2012 |
20120319512 | BUSBAR UNIT AND MOTOR - A busbar unit is arranged on an axial end portion of a stator and electrically connected with a plurality of coil wire terminals arranged to project in an axial direction above the axial end portion of the stator. The busbar unit includes a plurality of busbars each including a body portion defined by an electrically conductive wire having an annular or “C” shape, the body portion being arranged around an axis of the stator; a holder member arranged on the axial end portion of the stator to hold the busbars; and a plurality of terminal members each including a busbar connection portion connected with the body portion of one of the busbars, and a coil connection portion connected with one of the coil wire terminals. | 12-20-2012 |
20120313477 | STATOR UNIT AND MOTOR - A stator unit including a coil in which a distance between an m−1-th turn and an m-th turn is wider than each distance in a first turn to the m−1-th turn. The m+1-th turn is disposed between the m−1-th turn and the m-th turn. Further, in a cross-section perpendicular to a central axis and passing a tooth, an angle between a line segment connecting respective centers of the m+1-th turn and the m−1-th turn and a line segment connecting respective centers of the m+1-th turn and the m-th turn is about 120° or more. With this structure, bulging in a circumferential direction of the coil adjacent to an inner peripheral portion of the tooth can be suppressed and a clearance can be secured between adjacent coils such that the number of turns of the coil can be increased. | 12-13-2012 |
20120293024 | STATOR SEGMENT AND MOTOR - A stator segment arranged to define a portion of an annular stator includes a core segment including a core back portion arranged to extend in a circumferential direction of the stator, and a tooth portion arranged to extend from the core back portion in a radial direction of the stator; a coil wound around the tooth portion and including a pair of coil wire terminals; an insulating layer arranged between the coil and the tooth portion; and a resin layer arranged to seal the entire coil except for the pair of coil wire terminals. Circumferential end walls of the resin layer are arranged circumferentially inward of circumferential end walls of the core back portion. | 11-22-2012 |
20120286593 | STATOR AND MOTOR - A stator is compatible with a variety of wiring configurations and possesses excellent versatility, while also preventing an increase in the size of a busbar unit. The stator includes a plurality of stator segments joined together to assume a cylindrical shape. Each stator segment includes a core segment including a core back portion and a tooth portion; a coil including a pair of coil wire terminals; an insulating layer arranged between the coil and the tooth portion; and a resin layer arranged to have the entire coil except for the coil wire terminals embedded therein. The resin layers of the stator segments include a supporting structure defined therein to allow a wiring member to be connected with any of the coil wire terminals to be attached to and removed from the stator. | 11-15-2012 |
20120275915 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN - A centrifugal fan includes an upstream side impeller, a downstream side impeller, a motor, and a housing arranged to accommodate the upstream side impeller, the downstream side impeller, and the motor. The housing includes a first intake port through which a gas is drawn from an outside, an exhaust port through which the gas is discharged to the outside, and a flow path defined within the housing to bring the first intake port and the exhaust port into communication with each other. The flow path includes a first wind tunnel portion positioned below the upstream side impeller to extend in a circumferential direction and arranged to receive a gas stream from the upstream side impeller and a second wind tunnel portion positioned above the downstream side impeller to extend in the circumferential direction and arranged to receive a gas stream from the downstream side impeller. | 11-01-2012 |
20120269665 | BLOWER FAN - A motor arranged to rotate an impeller includes a rotor magnet fixed to a shaft, and a stator arranged opposite to the rotor magnet. The motor is arranged on an axially lower side of an impeller cup. The stator is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of a stator support portion. An opening-side end portion of the impeller cup is arranged opposite to an upper surface of the stator support portion. The upper surface of the stator support portion includes an expanded portion defined in a portion thereof which is opposed to the opening-side end portion of the impeller cup. The expanded portion is preferably located a greater distance from the opening-side end portion of the impeller cup than a distance between the opening-side end portion and a remaining portion of the upper surface of the stator support portion. | 10-25-2012 |
20120254905 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a shaft, a cone, a turntable provide with a disk support portion, a cylindrical closed-top rotor holder, a rotor magnet, a stator, and a bearing mechanism. The cone includes a disk holding surface inclined radially outward and downward. The turntable further includes a resin-made table body having a disk support portion and an annular groove portion depressed upward at a lower side of the disk support portion, a plurality of balls rotatably arranged within the annular groove portion, an annular closure portion arranged between the table body and the rotor holder to close a lower opening of the annular groove portion, and a disc-shaped portion arranged radially inward of the annular groove portion of the table body, the disc-shaped portion having an upper surface bonded to the table body by an adhesive agent and a lower surface bonded to the rotor holder by the adhesive agent. | 10-04-2012 |
20120250488 | ROTOR HUB, MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVING DEVICE - A rotor hub includes a shaft connecting portion arranged to be connected to a shaft serving as a central axis, a disk loading portion centered about the central axis and arranged to support a disk shaped storage medium mounted thereon, a yoke arranged below the disk loading portion and supporting a field magnet at one of an inner side surface thereof and an outer side surface thereof, and a flexible portion connecting the disk loading portion to the yoke and being flexible with respect to a force applied thereto from the yoke. | 10-04-2012 |
20120250184 | HOUSING MEMBER FOR USE IN DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, MOTOR UNIT, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HOUSING MEMBER - A housing member for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a rectangular bottom portion and a side wall portion arranged to extend upward from an outer circumferential portion of the bottom portion. The side wall portion includes four outside surfaces including a first outside surface and a second outside surface perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first outside surface. The first outside surface includes a first cutting base region. The second outside surface includes a second cutting base region. The bottom portion includes a bearing fixing portion arranged to fix a bearing mechanism of a motor arranged to rotate a disk. | 10-04-2012 |
20120250183 | MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion including one communicating hole arranged to extend completely there through from an upper surface to a lower surface thereof, and a cover portion including a hole portion. The axial extension range of the hole portion is arranged to overlap with the axial extension range of the communicating hole in a radial direction. A center of the hole portion is arranged on a plane including a central axis and a center of the communicating hole. The communicating hole and the hole portion are arranged on opposite sides of the central axis. The following inequality is satisfied: V | 10-04-2012 |
20120243397 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion including a seal defining portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft portion, an annular member fixed to an upper portion of the shaft portion in, for example, a tight-fitting condition, and a cap member. A radially inner end portion of the cap member is fixed to each of the shaft portion and the annular member preferably through, for example, an adhesive. An upper seal portion, in which a surface of a lubricating oil is arranged, is defined in an upper seal gap defined between an outer circumferential surface of the annular member and an inner circumferential surface of the seal defining portion. The cap member is arranged to cover an upper side of the upper seal portion. | 09-27-2012 |
20120230815 | VENTILATION FAN - A ventilation fan arranged to reduce vibrations includes an impeller rotating around a center axis, a motor portion arranged to rotate the impeller, a motor supporting portion arranged to support the motor portion, and a housing arranged to accommodate the impeller and the motor portion. The motor supporting portion includes a substantially disk-shaped base portion, and a substantially cylindrical bearing holding portion axially extending with the center axis as the center. At least the base portion is made from resin. On the surface of the base portion, a plurality of recessed portions which are axially recessed are arranged in the form of a net, a staggered pitch, a grid, or a honeycomb. A flat portion of the base portion excluding the recessed portions does not have a continuous region extending in a straight line radially from the center of the base portion. | 09-13-2012 |
20120201670 | BLOWER FAN - A blower fan includes a motor unit including a rotary unit; a plurality of blades fixed to an outer surface of the rotary unit and arranged to be rotated about a center axis by the motor unit; and a lower plate portion defined by a magnetic body and positioned below the motor unit and the blades. The lower plate portion includes a motor fixing portion, a curved portion, a peripheral portion, and a plurality of ribs arranged to interconnect the motor fixing portion and the peripheral portion either directly or through the curved portion, the curved portion including a standing portion extending upward from the outer edge portion of the motor fixing portion and an upper surface portion extending radially outward from an upper end of the standing portion, a plurality of openings positioned below the blades being defined by the curved portion, the peripheral portion, and the ribs. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200957 | SPINDLE MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPINDLE MOTOR - In a spindle motor, a lead wire extending from a coil includes a first solder portion coated with a first solder. The lead wire is arranged to extend downward through a base hole portion and a board hole portion. The first solder portion is soldered to a circuit board through a second solder portion. An upper end portion of the first solder portion is arranged above an upper surface of the circuit board such that d | 08-09-2012 |
20120162818 | SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SPINDLE MOTOR - A spindle motor includes a shaft arranged to extend in an axial direction, and a base portion arranged to define a portion of a housing, and including a through hole in which the shaft is inserted. A fixing region is defined between an inner circumferential portion of the base portion and a lower portion of the shaft. The fixing region includes a press-fitting region and an adhesion region defined on a lower side of the press-fitting region and in which a seal gap is defined between the inner circumferential portion of the base portion and the lower portion of the shaft. The seal gap is arranged to gradually decrease in radial width with increasing height. The seal gap is arranged to include an adhesive arranged therein over an entire circumference thereof. | 06-28-2012 |
20120156022 | CENTRIFUGAL FAN AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A blower fan includes an impeller centered on a central axis, a motor portion arranged to rotate the impeller about the central axis, and a housing arranged to accommodate the impeller. The housing includes a lower plate portion arranged to cover a lower side of the impeller and a side wall portion arranged to cover a side of the impeller. The lower plate portion is preferably made of, for example, a steel sheet. The side wall portion is preferably made of, for example, a resin. A lower end portion of the side wall portion and an edge portion of the lower plate portion are preferably joined to each other through insert molding. An outer circumferential cut surface of the lower plate portion is arranged in contact with the side wall portion at a joint between the lower end portion of the side wall portion and the edge portion of the lower plate portion. | 06-21-2012 |
20120133225 | ROTATING ELECTRICAL MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE ROTATING ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A method of manufacturing a rotating electrical machine includes: fixing a rotor core to a shaft; assembling a stationary assembly in which a first bearing is fixed to a housing bottom portion of a substantially cylindrical housing member having a closed bottom and in which an annular stator is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder portion of the housing member; inserting the rotor core into the stator; fitting an upper portion of the shaft into a second bearing supported by a bearing support member. The method further includes fixing the bearing support member to an upper portion of the housing member; and axially inserting a plurality of rotor magnets into a plurality of axially-extending hole-shaped or groove-shaped magnet holding portions formed in the rotor core, through a magnet insertion hole defined in one of the bearing support member and the housing bottom portion. | 05-31-2012 |
20120126646 | INTERMEDIATE CONNECTION MEMBER, STATOR AND MOTOR - An intermediate connection member which electrically connects an output terminal of a bus bar installed inside a motor case with an external connection terminal located in a distance from the output terminal. The intermediate connection member preferably includes both of a terminal member which is connected to the output terminal and a connecting line which is connected to the external connection terminal. The connecting line is defined by binding a plurality of wire rods together. | 05-24-2012 |
20120121426 | VENTILATION FAN - In a ventilation fan of inner rotor type in which a shaft is fixed to a motor supporting portion, the shaft is held by a shaft holding portion preferably provided by, for example, a metal member. The shaft holding portion includes a cylindrical portion which is fixed to a resin of the motor supporting portion preferably by being embedded through insert molding and into which the shaft is inserted, and a shaft holding flange portion extending outwards in the radial direction from either one of an upper end or a lower end of the cylindrical portion. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121407 | BLOWER FAN - A blower fan includes a housing arranged to accommodate an impeller, wherein an upper surface portion of the housing includes a motor fixing portion, a peripheral portion, and a plurality of ribs interconnecting the motor fixing portion and the peripheral portion, the upper surface portion including a plurality of air intake ports defined between the motor fixing portion, the peripheral portion and the plurality of ribs being arranged to oppose the impeller; and the peripheral portion includes a peripheral low portion arranged to surround or substantially surround outer peripheries of the air intake ports and positioned lower than upper surfaces of the plurality of ribs and a peripheral high portion provided with rib extension portions continuously extending from the plurality of ribs and positioned higher than an upper surface of the peripheral low portion. | 05-17-2012 |
20120113792 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stator unit and a rotor unit. The stator unit includes a stator, a base portion, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a connection portion and an extending portion extending from the connection portion. The base portion is provided on its lower surface with a recess portion arranged to accommodate the connection portion of the printed circuit board and a groove portion in which the extending portion is arranged, the groove portion communicating with the recess portion. The groove portion has a bottom surface on which the extending portion is arranged and a slant surface gradually sloping downwards as it extends away from the bottom surface in a circumferential direction. The region in the recess portion extending from the connection portion to a boundary between the recess portion and the groove portion is covered with a cured flowable resin material. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113791 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor includes a stator unit and a rotor unit. The stator unit includes a stator, a base portion, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a connection portion and an extending portion extending from the connection portion. The base portion is provided on its lower surface with a recess portion arranged to accommodate the connection portion of the printed circuit board and a groove portion in which the extending portion is arranged, the groove portion communicating with the recess portion. The groove portion has a bottom surface on which the extending portion is arranged and a slant surface gradually sloping downwards as it extends away from the bottom surface in a circumferential direction. The region in the recess portion extending from the connection portion to a boundary between the recess portion and the groove portion is covered with a cured flowable resin material. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113546 | MOTOR UNIT AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A motor unit for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a motor portion, a housing member including a through hole defined therein, and a circuit board. The motor portion includes a rotating portion, a base portion, and a stator fixed to the base portion. The circuit board is arranged to extend from an outside of the motor portion to an inside of the stator through a gap defined between the stator and the base portion. The circuit board includes a connection portion arranged radially inward of the stator. A plurality of lead wires of the stator is connected to the connection portion. | 05-10-2012 |
20120107156 | BLOWER FAN - A blower fan includes a shaft including an outer circumferential surface, a rotor magnet arranged to rotate about a rotation axis together with the shaft, a stator arranged radially outwards of the rotor magnet in an opposing relationship with the rotor magnet, a substantially cylindrical holder unit arranged to rotatably support the shaft through a bearing, and an impeller arranged to rotate together with the shaft. The bearing includes a pair of axially spaced-apart bearing units. The rotor magnet and the stator are arranged between the bearing units. The bearing units and the stator are held on an inner circumferential surface of the holder unit. | 05-03-2012 |
20120093635 | AXIAL FLOW FAN - An axial flow fan includes an impeller rotatable about a central axis with a plurality of rotor vanes, a motor that drives the impeller, a base portion that supports the motor, a housing that includes an intake vent, an exhaust vent, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding the impeller and the motor, and a plurality of stator vanes that respectively connects the base portion and the housing, wherein the inner peripheral surface includes a first inner peripheral surface arranged to increase a distance from the central axis toward the intake vent or the exhaust vent in an axial direction, and a recess provided between the first inner peripheral surface and a stator vane included in the plurality of stator vanes and facing the first inner peripheral surface. Thus, airflow is allowed to smoothly pass through the housing, resulting in a decrease in noise generated in the fan. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092792 | SPINDLE MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPINDLE MOTOR - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion, a bearing mechanism, and a rotating portion. The bearing mechanism is attached to the stationary portion. The stationary portion includes a base portion, a stator, and a wiring. The base portion is arranged to define a portion of a housing of the disk drive apparatus, the housing defining an airtight interior space. The base portion includes a recessed portion defined on a side thereof where the interior space is defined. The recessed portion includes an inner side surface including an adhesion region and a press-fit region. A lower portion of the bearing mechanism is fixed to the adhesion region through an adhesive, and press fitted to the press-fit region. An axial dimension of the adhesion region is arranged to be greater than that of the press-fit region. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092788 | FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING MECHANISM INCLUDING COMMUNICATING CHANNEL, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A fluid dynamic bearing mechanism includes a stationary bearing portion including a sleeve portion, and a rotating bearing portion including an outer rotating portion. A lubricating oil is arranged between the stationary and rotating bearing portions. A first dynamic pressure groove array is arranged in an upper surface of the sleeve portion or a lower surface of the outer rotating portion. A second dynamic pressure groove array is arranged in a surface of the outer rotating portion or a surface of the stationary bearing portion in a region between the first array and a liquid surface. An end of the second array closer to the liquid surface is arranged radially inward of an opposite end of the second array. An upper end opening of a communicating channel defined in the sleeve portion is arranged radially outward of a radially inner end of the first array. | 04-19-2012 |
20120086297 | MOTOR - A multipolar motor is simply wire-wound and an output thereof is capable of being switched. The motor includes at least 8 magnetic poles, an armature including at least 10 tooth sections; a commutator including at least 20 commutator segments, and brush-sets including 2 positive electrode brushes and 2 negative electrode brushes. A hook-holding section arranged to hook-hold conductor wires is installed on each of the commutator segments. Further, a group of coils is defined by using a single conductor wire that is wound onto each of the plurality of tooth sections and hooked onto the plurality of hook holding sections. This motor can switch the state in which the brush-set is energized. | 04-12-2012 |
20120075746 | BASE UNIT FOR USE IN STORAGE DISK DRIVE APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR INCLUDING THE BASE UNIT, AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SPINDLE MOTOR - A base unit for use in a storage disk drive apparatus includes a base portion; a stator core including a plurality of teeth; U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils; U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase common wires; and a circuit board. The U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils are wound on the teeth and arranged to define a U phase, a V phase, and a W phase, respectively. The U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase common wires are arranged to define the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase, respectively. Each of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase common wires is arranged to pass through a separate one of through holes to be drawn out beyond a lower surface of the base portion and electrically connected to the circuit board. Each of the through holes is sealed with a sealant such that the base unit is airtight. | 03-29-2012 |
20120063030 | FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING APPARATUS, SPINDLE MOTOR, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - In a fluid dynamic bearing apparatus, an oil buffer is defined between a thrust gap and a pumping gap. The oil buffer has an axial dimension greater than that of the thrust gap, and/or has a radial dimension greater than that of the pumping gap. An air bubble generated in the thrust gap due to cavitation, for example, when a fluid dynamic bearing apparatus experiences a vibration can be dissolved in lubricating oil provided within the oil buffer. This prevents leakage of the lubricating oil due to the air bubble residing in the fluid dynamic bearing apparatus. | 03-15-2012 |
20120063029 | MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - Inner circumferential surfaces of a rotor holder and a turntable are in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a shaft. This stabilizes coaxiality of both the rotor holder and the turntable with respect to the shaft. An upper cover portion of the rotor holder includes fixing holes. The turntable includes fixing projections arranged to extend through the fixing holes to be in contact with a lower surface of the upper cover portion. A base end portion of each fixing projection is arranged at a level higher than that of an upper end portion of a corresponding one of the fixing holes. Therefore, even if dimensional errors of the rotor holder and the turntable cause a radial displacement between any fixing projection and a corresponding one of the fixing holes, the rotor holder and the turntable can be fixed to each other while maintaining coaxiality therebetween. | 03-15-2012 |
20120044644 | FAN SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A fan system includes a pulse signal generation portion and a plurality of fans. Each of the plurality of fans preferably includes a motor portion; an impeller arranged to be rotated by the motor portion; a drive circuit arranged to drive the motor portion; a rotation detection portion arranged to detect rotation of the motor portion; and a rotation rate control circuit arranged to, based on a reference pulse signal supplied from the pulse signal generation portion and an actual rotation pulse signal supplied from the rotation detection portion, exercise feedback control on a rotation rate of the motor portion in accordance with a period of the reference pulse signal. | 02-23-2012 |
20120043862 | MOTOR - A motor includes a shaft, a bearing arranged to support the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about a central axis, a rotating body fixed to the shaft and including a rotor magnet arranged in an outer circumference thereof, a stator arranged radially outward of the rotor magnet, a circuit board arranged to be perpendicular to the central axis on one axial side of the rotating body, and an encoder arranged to detect rotation of the rotating body. The encoder includes a reflection pattern arranged on a surface of the rotating body which is opposed to the circuit board, and a reflective rotation detection sensor arranged on the circuit board to detect the rotation of the rotating body by irradiating the reflection pattern with light. | 02-23-2012 |
20120033330 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - In a motor, a stationary portion includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion arranged to define a single continuous monolithic member together with the shaft portion, and arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a female screw portion recessed axially downward from an upper end thereof. An upper end of the single continuous monolithic member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion includes an upper end annular surface arranged to extend radially outward from the female screw portion perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis. An outside diameter of the upper end annular surface is greater than a diameter of an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033329 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - In a motor, an annular radially extending gap is defined between an outer annular surface and a lower surface of an annular cover portion. The radially extending gap has an axial width smaller than a maximum width of an upper seal portion defined between an outer circumferential surface of an upper thrust portion and an inner circumferential surface of a tubular portion. An annular axially extending gap is defined between an inner cylindrical surface and a radially inner edge of the annular cover portion. The axially extending gap has a radial width smaller than the maximum width of the upper seal portion. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033328 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion preferably includes a shaft portion, an upper thrust portion, and an outer tubular portion. The rotating portion preferably includes an inner tubular portion, a flange portion, an upper hub annular portion, and a lower hub annular portion. The flange portion includes a communicating hole. An upper surface of a lubricating oil is located in a fifth gap defined between an upper thrust portion and an upper hub annular portion, while a lower surface of the lubricating oil is located in a sixth gap defined between an outer tubular portion and a lower hub annular portion. The communicating hole and a space extending from the fifth gap to the sixth gap through a fourth gap, a first gap, a second gap, and a third gap are continuously filled with the lubricating oil. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033327 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion. The sleeve portion includes a communicating hole. A dynamic pressure bearing is defined in a first gap between a shaft portion and the sleeve portion. An upper seal portion and a lower seal portion are arranged radially outward of the dynamic pressure bearing. The upper seal portion and the lower seal portion are arranged in communication with each other through the communicating hole. The communicating hole and a space extending from the upper seal portion to the lower seal portion through the first gap are filled with a lubricating oil. A fixing region where an outer tubular portion and a base portion are fixed to each other is arranged to overlap with the dynamic pressure bearing in a radial direction in plan view. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033326 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion preferably includes a shaft portion, a lower plate portion, and an outer tubular portion. The rotating portion preferably includes an inner tubular portion and a flange portion including a communicating hole. An upper seal portion is arranged radially outward of a first gap, and a lower seal portion is arranged radially outward of a second gap. The upper and lower seal portions are arranged in communication with each other through the communicating hole. The communicating hole and a space extending from the upper seal portion to the lower seal portion through the first gap, the second gap, and a third gap are filled with a lubricating oil. The third gap includes a dynamic pressure generation portion arranged to produce a radially inward pressure acting on the lubricating oil. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033325 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE - A dynamic pressure bearing is defined in a first gap between a shaft portion and a sleeve portion. An upper seal portion extending upward and a lower seal portion extending downward are arranged radially outward of the dynamic pressure bearing. Each of the upper seal portion and the lower seal portion includes a surface including a lubricating oil located therein. The upper seal portion and the lower seal portion are arranged in communication with each other through a communicating hole defined in the sleeve portion. The communicating hole and a space ranging from the upper seal portion to the lower seal portion through the first gap are filled with the lubricating oil. The axial distance between the surfaces of the lubricating oil in the upper seal portion and the lower seal portion is arranged to be shorter than the axial distance between an upper end and a lower end of the dynamic pressure bearing. | 02-09-2012 |
20120027577 | AXIAL FAN AND SLIDE MOLD - An axial fan includes an impeller and a housing including a side wall surrounding an outer circumference of the impeller. The side wall preferably includes at least one flat surface portion defined in an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a slit group including slits arranged to be spaced apart in a circumferential direction of an inner circumferential surface and extending in the same direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the flat surface portion from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface thereof. Within the slit group, a total number of slits positioned forward, with respect to a rotation direction of the impeller, of a point of contact of the inner circumferential surface with a tangent to the inner circumferential surface which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a through direction of each slit is greater than a total number of slits positioned rearward of the contact point. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026688 | AXIAL FAN AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - In an axial fan, a housing includes a side wall arranged to surround an outer circumference of an impeller, and a substantially square or substantially rectangular flange arranged to project radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the side wall. The side wall preferably includes three slit groups each including a plurality of slits arranged in a circumferential direction and arranged to extend through the side wall from an inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface thereof. Two of the slit groups are defined in portions of the side wall which correspond to two adjacent corner portions in an upper half portion of the flange, while the remaining slit group is defined in a portion of the side wall which corresponds to a lower half portion of the flange. The upper and lower half portions are divided at a line parallel or substantially parallel to two opposing sides of the flange and passing through a central axis. | 02-02-2012 |
20120017229 | CHUCKING DEVICE AND BRUSHLESS MOTOR AND DISC DRIVING DEVICE IN WHICH THE CHUCKING DEVICE IS INSTALLED - A cone part in a chucking device capable of freely attaching and detaching a disc having a disc shape includes an abutting portion for abutting an inner peripheral surface of a central through hole of the disc with substantially equal forces along an entire circumference thereof and aligning the disc. The cone part is made of a resin material having a high slidability than that of a material used for the disc. | 01-19-2012 |
20120003109 | BLOWER FAN - A blower fan includes an impeller cup; a shaft including an end arranged to project axially upward from the impeller cup; a rotor magnet fixed to the shaft; a first bearing and a second bearing arranged axially above and below, respectively, the impeller cup; a first bearing support portion and a second bearing support portion arranged to support the first and second bearings, respectively; and a first housing and a second housing arranged on axially upper and lower sides, respectively. The first and second housings are joined to each other at an axial level higher than an axial position of a joint between the second housing and a second joining portion arranged to join the second housing and the second bearing support portion to each other. | 01-05-2012 |
20110318200 | BLOWER FAN AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A blower fan includes a rotor arranged to rotate about a rotation axis together with a shaft, a stator arranged radially outward of the rotor and opposite the rotor, a motor support portion arranged to support the shaft through a bearing such that the shaft is rotatable, and an impeller arranged to rotate together with the shaft. The motor support portion includes a base portion, a bearing support portion arranged to support the bearing, and a stator support portion arranged to support the stator. Each of at least a portion of the bearing support portion which is in contact with the bearing and at least a portion of the stator support portion which is in contact with the stator is defined by a metallic member coupled to the base portion, which is made of a resin, preferably through, for example, insert molding. | 12-29-2011 |
20110307911 | CIRCUIT BOARD, MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND CIRCUIT BOARD MANUFACTURING METHOD - A circuit board for supplying therethrough an electric current to a stator including windings arranged to generate magnetic fields includes a body portion having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view and mounted with electronic parts, and an extension portion protruding from the body portion substantially along a circumferential direction around a rotation axis of the motor when seen in a plan view. The extension portion includes a distal end extension opposed to the body portion through a gap when seen in a plan view. The transverse width of the extension portion is smaller than the gap. The body portion includes an outward connector portion connected to an external power source or an external circuit board. The extension portion includes a winding connection portion connected to the outward connector portion through a wiring portion. The windings are soldered to the winding connection portion. | 12-15-2011 |
20110299193 | FLUID DYNAMIC PRESSURE BEARING DEVICE, SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A fluid dynamic bearing mechanism includes a stationary shaft, a sleeve portion arranged to rotate with respect to the shaft, and a thrust portion including an upper end surface arranged oppose to a lower end surface of the sleeve portion. An inside surface of the thrust portion includes an inside surface contact portion arranged in contact with an outside surface of the shaft, and an inside surface lower non-contact portion spaced away from the outside surface of the shaft, and arranged to extend downward from a lower end of the inside surface contact portion. An outside surface of the thrust portion includes an outside surface inclined portion arranged in contact with an interface of a lubricating oil. The lower end of the inside surface contact portion is arranged at a level axially higher than that of a lower end of the outside surface inclined portion. | 12-08-2011 |
20110297474 | STATOR, BUS BAR UNIT, MOTOR, AND POWER STEERING DEVICE - A stator includes a core and a coil group. The core includes a ring portion, and a teeth portion preferably including twelve teeth portions projecting from an inside of the ring portion toward a center thereof. The coil group preferably includes twelve coils arranged in each of the teeth portions. The core is defined by coupling twelve cores which respectively include a teeth portion. The coil group preferably includes six coil pairs each including two coils joined to each other by a single conductive line. When the core is divided into a phase region and a neutral region equally along the axial direction, a first group of coils in each of the six coil pairs are arranged in the phase region, and the other coils are arranged in the neutral region. | 12-08-2011 |
20110271292 | CHUCKING DEVICE, MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND CHUCKING DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a chucking device, a rolling guide portion is arranged below an upper cover portion of a rotor holder and radially inwards of a cylinder portion of the rotor holder. This helps restrain the noises generated by the rolling movement of balls from propagating to the outside. Moreover, the turntable and the rolling guide portion are formed of a single resin member extending continuously through a through-hole defined in the rotor holder. | 11-03-2011 |
20110249362 | SPINDLE MOTOR HAVING CONNECTING MECHANISM CONNECTING LEAD WIRE AND CIRCUIT BOARD, AND STORAGE DISK DRIVE HAVING THE SAME - A spindle motor includes a base portion, a rotor hub, a stator, and a circuit board. The base portion preferably includes a through hole and is arranged to spread out radially around a central axis. The rotor hub is arranged above the base portion to rotate about the central axis. The stator is arranged above the base portion, and includes coils each including at least one lead wire. The circuit board is arranged radially outward of the through hole, and arranged on a lower surface of the base portion. The base portion includes a communicating groove arranged to join the through hole and the circuit board to each other. The at least one lead wire of the coils is arranged to pass inside the through hole and the communicating groove to be electrically connected to the circuit board. The through hole is sealed with a sealant. | 10-13-2011 |
20110241474 | ARMATURE AND MOTOR - An armature includes a core-back, insulator members, coils and insulating sheets. The insulating sheets are arranged between the coils adjacent to one another. Each of the insulator members includes a flange-shaped inner wall portion positioned radially inwards of each of the insulating sheets. The inner wall portions of the insulator members adjacent to each other include opposing portions opposed to each other in a radially spaced-apart contactless relationship. | 10-06-2011 |
20110235210 | SPINDLE MOTOR INCLUDING COMMUNICATING CHANNEL, AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A spindle motor for use in a disk drive apparatus includes stationary and rotating portions. The stationary portion includes a shaft including a thrust plate. A sleeve portion includes an axial end surface arranged opposite the thrust plate. A first seal member is arranged opposite the thrust plate on an opposite side with respect to the sleeve portion. The thrust plate preferably includes a plate communicating hole arranged to connect first and second thrust gaps defined, respectively, between the thrust plate and the sleeve portion and between the thrust plate and the first seal member. The sleeve portion preferably includes a sleeve communicating hole arranged to connect the first thrust gap with an opposite axial side thereof. A lubricant is arranged to fill a communicating channel extending from a first to a second capillary seal portion through the plate communicating hole and the sleeve communicating hole. | 09-29-2011 |
20110231866 | MOTOR - There is provided a motor for a disk drive apparatus. The motor includes a cone member, a substantially annular back yoke, a substantially annular clamp magnet, an adhesive agent, and a motor unit. A storage portion includes a clamper insertion portion formed in a position axially overlapping with the clamp magnet to accommodate the clamper when the clamper comes closer to the cone member. The back yoke includes a first surface opposed to the clamp magnet in a contact or adjoining relationship therewith and a second surface positioned near the clamper insertion portion and kept spaced apart from the clamp magnet. The cone member includes an adhesive agent staying portion arranged to accommodate a part of the adhesive agent. The adhesive agent stays portion being defined between the imaginary surface extending axially downwards from the circumferential surface of the clamp magnet facing the clamper insertion portion. | 09-22-2011 |
20110216442 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SPINDLE MOTOR - A spindle motor includes a rotary unit, a bearing mechanism, a stator, a base member, and a connector connected to a leader line extending from the stator through a communication hole of the base member. The connector includes a pedestal and a metal pin. The leader line is connected to a first pin terminal of the metal pin on a hole-positioning lower surface of a hole-defining portion of the pedestal. An upper surface of the metal pin is separated from the pedestal at a specified separation position between the first pin terminal and a second pin terminal. A connection position of the first pin terminal and the leader line on the hole-positioning lower surface is covered with an adhesive agent. The periphery of a gap between the metal pin and the pedestal over an extent from the first pin terminal to the separation position is sealed by the adhesive agent. | 09-08-2011 |
20110202940 | MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND MOTOR MANUFACTURING METHOD - A motor includes a turntable and a rotor holder unified with each other by insert-molding. The turntable includes a protrusion portion protruding radially outward beyond a cylinder portion and a substantially cylindrical covering portion extending downward from an radial inner end of the protrusion portion to cover an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder portion. The rotor holder has a radial outer end portion arranged in the same radial position as an outer circumferential surface of the covering portion or arranged radially inward of the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion. For this reason, a sliding contact area between a mold and the rotor holder is reduced. This helps suppress sliding contact between the mold and the rotor holder during a mold releasing process, consequently suppressing degradation of the mold. | 08-18-2011 |
20110181221 | MOTOR - A motor includes a sensor magnet having a non-circular contour and a magnet cover fixed to an end portion of a shaft to cover the end portion of the shaft. The magnet cover includes a support portion positioned outside the end surface of the end portion of the shaft. In the support portion, a magnet hole having a non-circular cross section as the sensor magnet and extending in the direction of the rotation axis is provided. The sensor magnet is inserted into the magnet hole and fixed to the magnet hole. | 07-28-2011 |
20110169358 | MOTOR AND MOTOR MANUFACTURING METHOD - A motor includes a stator, a bearing, a cover, a shaft, a rotor holder and a rotor magnet. The cover member includes an outer cylinder portion arranged to support the stator on the inner surface thereof, an inner cylinder portion arranged to support the bearing on the inner surface thereof and a bottom portion arranged to interconnect the lower end of the outer cylinder portion and the lower end of the inner cylinder portion. The stator includes a stator core, an insulator arranged to cover the stator core and coils. The cover member is preferably formed by press-forming a single metal plate member. The insulator includes a protrusion portion positioned radially outwards of the coils to protrude upwards higher than the upper end of the outer cylinder portion. The upper ends of the coils are positioned higher than the upper end of the outer cylinder portion. | 07-14-2011 |
20110167436 | CHUCKING DEVICE, MOTOR, DISK DRIVE APPARATUS AND CHUCKING DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A chucking device includes a disk support unit on which a disk is placed, a resin-made turntable arranged to directly or indirectly support the disk support unit from below, a metal member including a circular plate portion closely secured to a lower surface of the turntable, and a plurality of balls rollably arranged below the disk support unit and above the circular plate portion about a center axis in a circumferential direction. The turntable includes an antiskid member, a bottom rolling surface arranged to support the balls from below through the antiskid member and a cylindrical side rolling surface positioned radially outwards of the balls. | 07-07-2011 |
20110150677 | MOTOR - In a motor, a bearing housing is made of a thermoplastic resin material. A bottom portion of the bearing housing includes a first large diameter portion, a small diameter portion, and a second large diameter portion. The first large diameter portion of the bearing housing is arranged on an upper surface of the base. An outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion of the bearing housing is arranged radially opposite a side peripheral surface of a base hole. The second large diameter portion is arranged to be in direct contact with a lower surface of the base through caulking. | 06-23-2011 |
20110134566 | SPINDLE MOTOR AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS - A stationary portion of a spindle motor includes a base member and a magnetic member. The magnetic member is arranged below a magnet and fixed to the base member. The magnetic member includes an annular plate portion arranged on an upper surface of the base member, and a projecting portion arranged to extend from the plate portion in an axial direction. At least a portion of the projecting portion is press fitted to a wall surface of the base member. | 06-09-2011 |
20110132536 | MOTOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME - A motor is provided with a chucking device enabling attachment and detachment of a disk-shaped storage medium. In the motor, a turntable forming a portion of the chucking device is disposed axially above a rotor holder. The turntable has a placement portion on which the storage medium is placed. An inner recess is formed on an outer surface of a shaft between a position at which the rotor holder is fitted and another position at which the turntable is fitted. An outer recess is formed to radially face the inner recess and is concave away from a center axis. Adhesive is placed in the inner recess and the outer recess. | 06-09-2011 |
20110123139 | DYNAMIC PRESSURE BEARING AND SPINDLE MOTOR USING THE SAME - A dynamic pressure bearing has a reduced axial dimension and is constructed to ensure smooth feeding of a lubricating oil. The dynamic pressure bearing includes a communicating hole and at least one tapered seal, and is constructed such that an opening angle of one of the at least one tapered seal through which oil feeding is possible is in a range of about 30 degrees inclusive to about 180 degrees exclusive, a tapered seal wall surface depth W | 05-26-2011 |