Disc drive with self-pressurizing fluid bearing and shaft-supporting-ball retaining element

Abstract

The present invention replaces the current spindle motor ball bearing system of a hard disc drive by a system comprising three separate elements, including a self-pressurizing journal bearing for establishing radial stiffness which comprises a rotating shaft and sleeve with air or other fluid therebetween. A chevron or herringbone pattern is established on the sleeve or shaft to establish a self-pressurizing hydrodynamic bearing which maintains the stability of the system while providing for very simple manufacturing of the system. Additionally, a thrust bearing is defined based on the air pressure build-up between the housing for the disc stack and the disc stack itself. The term "integrated air-bearing" is used to name this thrust bearing because it is built up with components such as discs and housing which exist in any typical hard disc assembly. The integrated air-bearing may be sufficiently established by building up the bottom surface of the housing or the base of the housing to within a very close distance of the lower surface of the disc; preferably, both the top surface of the top disc and bottom surface of the bottom disc are located close to pads, or other configurations are built up to define a narrow gap between the top and bottom surfaces of the disc stack and the housing. Third, an axial elastic thrust bearing defines the axial position of the disc stack at rests and avoiding contact between the surfaces forming the integrated air-bearing (in other terms, disc and housing). This elastic thrust bearing comprises a ball fixed to the shaft that rest against an elastic shield fixed to the end sleeve of the journal bearing or the base of the disc drive. This bearing defines the axial position of the disc stack.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.