JP2007192325A - Bearing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bearing device which is unaffected by a temperature change and which executes stable bearing performance. <P>SOLUTION: The bearing device 1 is equipped with a bearing member 7, and a shaft member 2 inserted in the inner periphery of the bearing member 7 as main constituting members. The bearing member 7 comprises an electrocast part 8 facing a radial bearing clearance, and a resin part 9 injection molded by inserting the electrocast part 8. The upper end of the electrocast part 8 contacts a holding member 6 for holding the bearing member 7 to form a contact part 10. Heat generated inside the bearing device 1, especially that generated in the radial bearing clearance, is transmitted from the electrocast part 8 to the holding member 6, and is efficiently radiated to the outside of the bearing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bearing device including a bearing member and a shaft member inserted on the inner periphery of the bearing member.

  A hydrodynamic bearing device, which is a kind of a sliding bearing device, is a bearing device that rotatably supports a shaft member with a lubricating film of fluid generated in a bearing gap between the bearing member and the shaft member. This hydrodynamic bearing device has features such as high-speed rotation, high rotation accuracy, and low noise. Information equipment such as magnetic disk devices such as HDD and FDD, CD-ROM, CD-R / RW, DVD-ROM / Spindle motor for disk drive in optical disk devices such as RAM, magneto-optical disk devices such as MD, MO, etc., fan motor of personal computer (PC), polygon scanner motor of laser beam printer (LBP), projector color wheel, Or it is suitable for small motors, such as an axial fan, and the use is expanded in recent years.

  This type of fluid dynamic bearing is a so-called dynamic pressure bearing provided with dynamic pressure generating means for generating dynamic pressure in a fluid (for example, lubricating oil) in the bearing gap, and a so-called perfect circle without dynamic pressure generating means. It is roughly classified into bearings (bearings having a bearing surface having a perfect circle shape).

In the hydrodynamic bearing device, a radial bearing portion that rotatably supports the shaft member in the radial direction and a thrust bearing portion that rotatably supports the thrust direction are provided. For example, in a hydrodynamic bearing device incorporated in a spindle motor for a fan motor or a magnetic disk, a dynamic pressure bearing that supports a shaft member in a radial non-contact manner as a radial bearing portion, and one end of the shaft member as a thrust bearing portion is contact-supported. A configuration using a pivot bearing is known. In the hydrodynamic bearing device having such a bearing structure, one in which a bearing member is replaced with resin from a metal has been proposed in order to cope with a reduction in the price of various motors (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2000-46057 A JP-A-10-306822

  During the bearing operation, the internal temperature of the bearing device rises due to frictional heat generated between the shaft member and the fluid. However, since the resin material generally has a low thermal conductivity, it is difficult to smoothly dissipate heat to the outside of the bearing when the bearing member is formed of resin as in the bearing devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above. In particular, heat is likely to accumulate near the radial bearing gap. In this case, since the resin material generally has a large linear expansion coefficient and is easily affected by a temperature change, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing member changes as the temperature rises, which may adversely affect the bearing performance.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the bearing apparatus which can exhibit the stable bearing performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, a bearing device according to the present invention includes a bearing member and a shaft member inserted on the inner periphery of the bearing member, wherein the bearing member inserts the electroformed part and the electroformed part. And a bearing surface for supporting the shaft member is formed in the electroformed part, and other members other than the resin part and the shaft member are brought into contact with the electroformed part. Is.

  The “bearing surface” mentioned above includes a radial bearing surface supported in the radial direction and a thrust bearing surface supported in the thrust direction, and at least one of them may be formed in the electroformed part. In addition, examples of the “other member” include a holding member that is an essential component of the motor and holds the outer periphery of the bearing member.

  Since the electroformed part is a metal layer formed by depositing a large number of metals such as Cu and Ni on the surface of the master member by electroforming, it is more excellent in thermal conductivity than the resin (resin part). Therefore, if this is brought into contact with other members other than the shaft member (particularly, other members that come into contact with the outside air), the heat generated inside the bearing accompanying the operation of the bearing device is transferred to the outside air through the electroformed part → the other member. The heat can be dissipated and the temperature rise inside the bearing can be suppressed. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the bearing clearance accompanying a temperature rise can be suppressed and the bearing performance can be stabilized.

  At this time, if the other member has a higher thermal conductivity than the resin portion of the bearing member, the heat generated inside the bearing can be radiated to the outside air more efficiently through the other member. Therefore, the bearing performance can be further stabilized.

  By the way, when a conventional bearing device in which a bearing member is formed of resin is used for a spindle motor for a magnetic disk device, for example, static electricity generated due to friction between a rotating body such as a magnetic disk and air cannot be released, The rotating body is easily charged. If this charging is left unattended, there is a risk of causing a potential difference between the magnetic disk and the magnetic head, or damage to peripheral equipment due to electrostatic discharge.

  In this case, if the other member has higher conductivity than the resin portion, electrostatic charging can be prevented. That is, with the above configuration, static electricity accumulated in a disk or the like can be discharged through the path of the shaft member → the electroformed portion of the bearing member → the other member. It is possible to reliably prevent damage to peripheral devices.

  The electroformed part can be provided with a dynamic pressure generating part for generating fluid dynamic pressure in either one or both of the radial bearing gap and the thrust bearing gap. Can be configured. Due to the characteristics of electroforming, the surface shape of the master member is accurately transferred to the electroformed part. Therefore, if the surface accuracy of the master member (particularly the molded part of the dynamic pressure generating part) is increased in advance, The pressure generating part can be formed with high accuracy.

  The bearing device having the above configuration is preferably used for a motor including a stator coil and a rotor magnet, for example, a spindle motor mounted on a disk drive device such as a fan motor or a magnetic disk mounted on a personal computer. it can.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to provide a bearing device that can exhibit stable bearing performance without being affected by temperature changes. Thereby, the operational stability of the motor equipped with this bearing device can be enhanced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 conceptually shows a fan motor incorporating a bearing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fan motor includes a bearing device 1 that rotatably supports a shaft member 2, a blade that rotates together with the shaft member 2, a rotor 3 that is fixed to the shaft member 2, and a gap in a radial direction (radial direction), for example. The stator coil 4 and the rotor magnet 5 that are opposed to each other are generally referred to as a radial gap type fan motor. The stator coil 4 is attached to the outer periphery of a bracket (holding member) 6, and the rotor magnet 5 is attached to the rotor 3. A bearing member 7 of the bearing device 1 is fixed to the inner periphery of the holding member 6. When the stator coil 4 is energized, the blades (rotor 3) rotate integrally with the shaft member 2 by electromagnetic force between the stator coil 4 and the rotor magnet 5. Although not shown, the fan motor may be a so-called axial gap type fan motor in which the stator coil 4 and the rotor magnet 5 are opposed to each other via a gap in the axial direction (axial direction).

  During the rotation of the blade, a thrust in the direction opposite to the arrow Y in the figure acts on the shaft member 2 as a reaction force of the air blowing action. A magnetic force (repulsive force) is applied between the stator coil 4 and the rotor magnet 5 in the direction to cancel the thrust (arrow Y direction), and a thrust load generated by the difference between the thrust and the magnitude of the magnetic force is applied to the bearing. The thrust bearing portion T of the device 1 is supported. The radial load acting on the shaft member 2 is supported by the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 of the bearing device 1.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bearing device 1 shown in FIG. The bearing device 1 includes a shaft member 2 and a bearing member 7 in which the shaft member 2 is inserted on the inner periphery as main components. For convenience of explanation, the following explanation will be made with the side where the bearing member 7 is opened as the upper side and the opposite side in the axial direction as the lower side.

  The shaft member 2 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, for example, in a solid shaft shape with one end having a convex spherical shape, and in the present embodiment, the lower end surface 2b is formed in a convex spherical shape. The outer peripheral surface 2a of the shaft member 2 is formed in a perfect circle shape with no irregularities.

  For example, a rotor 3 having blades on the outer peripheral surface is fixed to the outer periphery of the upper end of the shaft member 2. The rotor 3 includes a disk-shaped disk portion 3a and a cylindrical cylindrical portion 3b extending downward from the outer diameter side of the disk portion 3a. The rotor magnet 5 shown in FIG. Is installed. The rotor 3 can be formed integrally with the shaft member 2 by, for example, inserting the shaft member 2 and performing injection molding with resin. As long as the rotor 3 can rotate integrally with the shaft member 2, the shape and attachment method of the rotor 3 are arbitrary. For example, the separately manufactured rotor 3 can be fixed to the shaft member 2 by bonding or press-fitting. The rotor 3 is not limited to a resin material, and can be formed of a metal material or ceramic.

  The bearing member 7 is a resin injection-molded product formed by inserting the electroformed part 8, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an electroformed part 8 formed by electroforming and a resin part 9 made of a resin material. It is formed.

  On the inner peripheral surface 7a of the bearing member 7 (inner peripheral surface of the electroformed portion 8), two upper and lower regions serving as the radial bearing surfaces of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are provided apart in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 3, in the region, a plurality of dynamic pressure grooves 7a1 and 7a2 arranged in a herringbone shape, for example, are formed as dynamic pressure generating portions. The upper dynamic pressure groove 7a1 is formed axially asymmetric with respect to the axial center (the axial center of the upper and lower inclined groove regions) m, and the axial dimension X1 of the upper region from the axial center m is the lower region. It is larger than the axial dimension X2. On the other hand, the lower dynamic pressure grooves 7a2 are formed symmetrically in the axial direction, and the axial dimensions of the upper and lower regions thereof are respectively equal to the axial dimension X2. In this case, when the shaft member 2 rotates, the pulling force (pumping force) of the lubricating oil by the dynamic pressure groove is relatively larger in the upper dynamic pressure groove 7a1 than in the lower symmetrical dynamic pressure groove 7a2.

  Further, the inner bottom surface 7b of the bearing member 7 (the inner bottom surface of the electroformed portion 8) is a thrust bearing surface of the thrust bearing portion T, and is formed in a smooth plane in this embodiment.

  The bearing device 1 includes the above-described constituent members, and the internal space including the radial bearing gap of the bearing member 7 is filled with, for example, lubricating oil as a fluid (lubricating fluid).

  After the bearing device 1 is formed as described above, it is incorporated into a motor. The bearing device 1 is incorporated into the motor by, for example, bonding, press-fitting, or press-fitting the bearing member 7 of the bearing device 1 to the inner periphery of the holding member 6 formed of a metal material such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel. Done.

  The holding member 6 in the illustrated example includes a substantially cylindrical side portion 6a, a disk-shaped disc portion 6b extending from the upper end of the side portion 6a to the inner diameter side, and a base portion 6c extending from the lower end of the side portion 6a to the outer diameter side. The cylindrical portion 6d extends upward from the outer diameter end of the base portion 6c. Each part 6a-6d is formed as an integrated product without an interface. The holding member 6 also functions as a casing that accommodates each component of the fan motor. The base portion 6c constitutes the bottom of the fan motor, and the cylindrical portion 6d constitutes the side portion of the fan motor.

  The bearing member 7 is inserted into the inner periphery of the side portion 6a of the holding member 6 from the lower side of the holding member 6 configured as described above, and the upper end surface 7c of the bearing member 7 is brought into contact with the lower end surface 6b1 of the disk portion 6b. In the state, it is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 6a1 of the side portion 6a by adhesion or press fitting. While being fixed to the holding member 6, the upper end portion of the electroformed portion 8 is in contact with the lower end surface 6 b 1 of the disk portion 6 b, thereby forming a contact portion 10 between the electroformed portion 6 and the holding member 6. Is done. In addition, the electroformed part 8 can be made into arbitrary shapes by changing the master member and injection mold which are mentioned later. Therefore, it is possible to configure an arbitrary contact portion 10 other than the illustrated form. For example, the electroformed portion 8 is formed so as to protrude from the upper end of the resin portion 9, and the contact portion with the holding member 6 is formed at the protruded portion. 10 may be configured.

In the bearing device 1 having the above-described configuration, when the shaft member 2 rotates, the regions serving as radial bearing surfaces that are spaced apart at two locations on the inner peripheral surface of the electroformed portion 8 constituting the bearing member 7 are respectively the shaft member 2. The outer peripheral surface 2a is opposed to the radial bearing gap. As the shaft member 2 rotates, the dynamic pressure of the lubricating oil is generated in the radial bearing gap, and the oil film rigidity of the lubricating film generated in the radial bearing gap is increased by the pressure, and the shaft member 2 is non-contacting freely in the radial direction. Supported. Thereby, the first radial bearing portion R1 and the second radial bearing portion R2 that support the shaft member 2 in a non-contact manner so as to be rotatable in the radial direction are formed.
At the same time, a thrust bearing portion T that supports the shaft member 2 rotatably in the thrust direction is formed between the lower end surface 2b of the shaft member 2 and the inner bottom surface 7b of the bearing member 7.

  Next, the manufacturing process of the bearing device 1 will be described based on the drawings with a focus on the manufacturing process of the bearing member 7.

  4A to 4C show a part of the manufacturing process of the bearing member 7 in the bearing device 1. More specifically, FIG. 4A shows a process of manufacturing the master member 11 (master member manufacturing process), FIG. 4B shows a process of masking a required portion of the master member 11 (masking process), and FIG. Indicates a process of forming the electroformed member 13 by electroforming (electroforming process). After passing through these steps, the bearing member 7 is manufactured through a step of molding the electroformed portion 8 of the electroformed member 13 with a resin material and a step of separating the electroformed portion 8 and the master member 11.

  In the master member manufacturing process shown in FIG. 4 (a), a solid shaft master made of a conductive material, for example, stainless steel, nickel chrome steel, other nickel alloy, chromium alloy or the like subjected to quenching treatment. Member 11 is formed. In addition to these metal materials, the master member 11 can also be formed of a non-metallic material such as a ceramic subjected to a conductive treatment (for example, forming a conductive film on the surface).

  Formed on the master member 11 is a molding portion N for molding the electroformed portion 8 of the bearing member 7. In this embodiment, the molded part N is formed in a partial region of the outer peripheral surface 11a of the master member 11 and the lower end surface 11b, and the outer peripheral surface 11a has a shape in which the uneven pattern on the inner peripheral surface of the electroformed part is reversed, Two rows of concave portions 11a1 and 11a2 having a herringbone shape for forming a hill portion between the dynamic pressure grooves 7a1 and 7a2 are formed in two circumferential directions in the circumferential direction. Of course, the shape of the recesses 11a1 and 11a2 may correspond to the shape of the dynamic pressure groove, and may be formed in a spiral shape or the like.

  In the masking step shown in FIG. 4B, masking 12 (shown as a dotted pattern in the figure) is applied to the outer surface of the master member 11 except for the molding portion N. As the covering material for the masking 12, an existing product having non-conductivity and corrosion resistance against the electrolyte solution is selectively used.

  In electroforming, after the master member 11 is immersed in an electrolyte solution containing metal ions such as Ni and Cu, the master member 11 is energized, and the masking 12 is applied to the outer surface of the master member 11. This is performed by electrodeposition (electrolytic deposition) of the target metal in a non-existing region (molded portion N). If necessary, the electrolyte solution may contain a sliding material such as carbon or a stress relaxation material such as saccharin. The type of electrodeposited metal is appropriately selected according to physical properties such as hardness and fatigue strength required for the bearing surface of the bearing device, and chemical properties.

  The electroformed part 8 can be formed by a method according to electroless plating as well as a method according to the electrolytic plating described above. In that case, the conductivity of the master member 11 and the insulation of the masking 12 are not necessary.

  By passing through the above process, as shown in FIG.4 (c), the electroformed member 13 which adhered the electroformed part 8 to the shaping | molding part N of the master member 11 is formed. At this time, the shape of the concave portions 11a1 and 11a2 formed in the molding portion N is transferred to the inner peripheral surface of the electroformed portion 8, and the plurality of dynamic pressure grooves 7a1 and 7a2 shown in FIG. It is formed. If the thickness of the electroformed part 8 is too thick, the peelability from the master member 11 is reduced. Conversely, if the thickness is too thin, the durability of the electroformed part 8 is reduced. Furthermore, the optimum thickness (about 10 μm to 200 μm) is set according to the application.

  Next, the electroformed member 13 formed through the above steps is transferred to a molding step. Although illustration is omitted, in the molding process, after setting the electroformed member 13 as an insert part to a predetermined mold (injection mold), the resin portion 9 constituting the bearing member 7 is injection molded. After injection of the resin material, when the mold was opened by solidifying the resin material, the electroformed member 13 including the master member 11 and the electroformed portion 8 and the resin portion 9 were integrated as shown in FIG. A molded product is obtained.

  The resin material used in the molding step and forming the resin part 9 is not particularly limited as long as it can be injection-molded. For example, polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylsulfur Crystallinity of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), etc. in addition to amorphous resins such as phon (PPSU) and polyetherimide (PEI) Resin can be used. These are merely examples of resin materials that can be used. Of course, other resin materials can also be used. If necessary, the resin material may contain one or more reinforcing materials (regardless of fiber, powder, etc.), conductive materials, and various fillers such as lubricants.

  This molded product is then transferred to a separation step, where it is separated into one in which the electroformed part 8 and the resin part 9 are integrated (bearing member 7) and the master member 11. In this separation step, for example, an impact is applied to the master member 11 or the bearing member 7, and the inner surface of the electroformed part 8 is enlarged in the radial direction and the axial direction so that a small gap (1 μm to several μm) is formed between the outer surface of the master member 11. The master member 11 is pulled out from the inner surface of the electroformed part 8. In addition, the master member 11 can also be separated using the difference in thermal expansion between the electroformed part 8 and the master member 11.

  The shaft member 2 manufactured separately from the master member 11 is inserted into the bearing member 7 separated from the master member 11 as described above, and the internal space of the bearing member 7 is filled with lubricating oil, so that FIG. The bearing device 1 shown in FIG. On the other hand, since the separated master member 11 can be repeatedly used for electroforming, the highly accurate bearing member 7 can be mass-produced stably and at low cost. Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, one end of the master member 11 is formed in a convex spherical shape and the other end side is formed on a flat smooth surface, and the above process is performed by performing electroforming on the other end side. After passing, one end formed in a convex spherical shape can be inserted into the inner periphery of the bearing member 7 and used as the shaft member 2.

  As described above, in the present invention, the electroformed portion 8 of the bearing member 7 is brought into contact with other members other than the shaft member 2, and in this embodiment, the holding member 6 that holds the outer periphery of the bearing member 7 is formed to form the contact portion 10. did. The electroformed part 8 is a metal layer formed by electroforming, and is more excellent in thermal conductivity than resin. Therefore, compared with the conventional configuration in which the bearing member 7 is formed only from resin, the heat generated in the internal space of the bearing device during the bearing operation is referred to as the electroformed portion 8 → the contact portion 10 with the holding member 6 → the holding member 6. It propagates along the path to the holding member 6 and is radiated to the outside of the bearing. In particular, the holding member 6 in the present embodiment is made of a material (metal material) having a higher thermal conductivity than the resin portion 9 of the bearing member 7 and has a large area that comes into contact with the atmosphere. It can dissipate heat. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the bearing clearance width accompanying a temperature rise can be suppressed, and the bearing performance can be stabilized.

  In the present invention, the inner peripheral surface of the bearing member 7 (facing the radial bearing gap) is constituted by the electroformed portion 8. Since the surface accuracy of the electroformed part follows the surface accuracy of the master member due to the characteristics of electroforming, the electroformed part 8 can be obtained by forming the molded part N of the outer surface of the master member 11 with high precision. In particular, the dynamic pressure grooves 7a1 and 7a2 on the radial bearing surface can be formed with high accuracy. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to maintain and manage the rotational accuracy of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 with high accuracy.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the inner bottom surface 7b of the bearing member 7 is formed by the electroformed portion 8, the wear resistance in the thrust bearing portion is improved compared to the case where the inner bottom surface of the bearing member is formed of resin, The bearing device 1 that can withstand long-term use can be provided.

  The example of the bearing device 1 having the configuration of the present invention has been described above. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the bearing device 1 of the above form, and can be preferably used for bearing apparatuses of other forms. An example of the configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. For simplification of description, the same reference numerals are assigned to members and parts having the same configuration and operation as those described above, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the bearing device 1 having the configuration of the present invention. The bearing device 1 shown in the figure is used by being incorporated in a fan motor in the same manner as the bearing device shown in FIG. 2. The thrust bearing portion T is mainly composed of a dynamic pressure bearing instead of a pivot bearing. And the point which comprised the upper side end surface 7c of the bearing member 7 with the electroformed part 8 differs in embodiment from the embodiment shown in FIG.

The electroformed part 8 shown in the figure is formed integrally with a radial electroformed part 81 facing the radial bearing gap and the radial electroformed part 81, and is thrust electroformed extending from the upper end of the radial electroformed part 81 to the outer diameter side. Part 82. A part or all of the annular region of the upper end surface 7c of the bearing member 7 (upper end surface of the thrust electroformed portion 82) becomes a thrust bearing surface of the thrust bearing portion T, and the lower end surface 3a1 of the rotor 3 is provided on the thrust bearing surface. A plurality of dynamic pressure grooves arranged in a spiral shape, for example, are formed as a dynamic pressure generating portion that generates fluid dynamic pressure in a thrust bearing gap formed between them (not shown).
In this embodiment, a contact portion 10 between the electroformed portion 8 and another member is formed by contacting the metal holding member 6 at the outer diameter side end face of the thrust electroformed portion 82. With this configuration, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, heat generated inside the bearing, particularly in the radial bearing gap, can be efficiently released to the outside of the bearing.

  In the above description, the case where the bearing device 1 having the configuration of the present invention is incorporated in a fan motor has been described. However, the bearing device 1 having the configuration of the present invention is not limited to a fan motor, and for example, a magnetic disk or the like. It can also be used by being incorporated in a spindle motor.

  FIG. 7 conceptually shows an example of a spindle motor for a magnetic disk device such as an HDD incorporating the bearing device 31 having the configuration of the present invention. In this spindle motor, unlike the fan motor shown in FIG. 1, a disk hub 23 on which one or a plurality of disks D are placed is fixed to the upper end of the shaft member 2.

In this type of bearing device incorporated in a spindle motor for a magnetic disk, in addition to a decrease in bearing performance due to a temperature change which has become a problem in the bearing device incorporated in the fan motor, a rotating body such as a magnetic disk and air The static electricity generated by the friction may cause a potential difference between the disk and the magnetic head, or the peripheral device may be damaged by the electrostatic discharge.
Even in this case, if the holding member 6 (the base portion 6c) is grounded as in the illustrated example, the static electricity accumulated in the disk D due to the rotation of the shaft member 2 is the electric current from the shaft member 2 to the bearing member 7. Since it discharges to the holding member 6 through the casting part 8, generation | occurrence | production of the electric potential difference by electrostatic charging and damage to a peripheral device can be prevented reliably. Of course, even if the holding member 6 is not directly grounded, the same effect can be obtained if a conductive path is secured between the holding member 6 and the member to be grounded.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment in which a bearing device 31 having the configuration of the present invention is incorporated in a spindle motor for a magnetic disk device such as an HDD. In this bearing device 31, the shaft member 2 mainly includes a shaft portion 21 and a flange portion 22 projecting from the lower end of the shaft portion 21 to the outer diameter side, and the thrust bearing portion T is connected to both end surfaces of the flange portion 22. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in that it is constituted by a hydrodynamic bearing between the member and the member facing the shaft, and the lower end opening of the bearing member 7 is sealed by a lid member 24 separate from the bearing member 7. And the configuration is different. The lid member 24 is formed of a metal material having excellent conductivity such as aluminum, and the lower end surface thereof is grounded.
In the present embodiment, the contact portion 10 between the electroformed portion 8 and another member is provided in the contact portion with the lid member 24. In this case, the heat generated in the internal space, particularly in the radial bearing gap, is radiated from the lid member 24 through the electroformed portion 8 → the contact portion 10, and the static electricity accumulated in the disk D is changed to the shaft member 2 → electricity. It is discharged from the lid member 24 to the ground side through a route of the cast part 8 → the contact part 10.

  In the embodiment described above, the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are exemplified by a configuration in which fluid dynamic pressure is generated by a dynamic pressure groove having a herringbone shape or a spiral shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as the radial bearing portions R1 and R2, so-called multi-arc bearings, step bearings, or non-circular bearings may be employed. In each of these bearings, a plurality of circular arc surfaces, axial grooves, and harmonic waveform surfaces serve as dynamic pressure generating portions. These dynamic pressure generating portions are formed in the electroformed portion 8 of the bearing member 7 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a case where one or both of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are constituted by multi-arc bearings. In this example, a region serving as a radial bearing surface on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing member 7 (electroformed portion 8) is configured by three arc surfaces 33 (so-called three arc bearings). The centers of curvature of the three arcuate surfaces 33 are offset by the same distance from the shaft center O of the bearing member 7 (shaft member 2). In each region defined by the three arcuate surfaces 33, the radial bearing gap is a wedge-shaped gap 35 that is gradually reduced in a wedge shape in both circumferential directions. Therefore, when the bearing member 7 and the shaft member 2 rotate relative to each other, the lubricating oil in the radial bearing gap is pushed into the minimum gap side of the wedge-shaped gap 35 according to the direction of the relative rotation, and the pressure increases. . The bearing member 7 and the shaft member 2 are supported in a non-contact manner by the dynamic pressure action of the lubricating oil. Note that a deeper axial groove called a separation groove may be formed at the boundary between the three arcuate surfaces 33.

  FIG. 10 shows another example in the case where one or both of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are configured by multi-arc bearings. Also in this example, although the area | region used as the radial bearing surface of the internal peripheral surface of the bearing member 7 is comprised by the three circular arc surfaces 33 (what is called a three circular arc bearing), each area | region divided by the three circular arc surfaces 33 The radial bearing gap is a wedge-shaped gap 35 that gradually decreases in a wedge shape with respect to one direction in the circumferential direction. The multi-arc bearing having such a configuration may be referred to as a taper bearing. Further, a deeper axial groove called a separation groove 34 is formed at the boundary between the three arcuate surfaces 33. Therefore, when the bearing member 7 and the shaft member 2 are relatively rotated in a predetermined direction, the lubricating oil in the radial bearing gap is pushed into the minimum gap side of the wedge-shaped gap 35 and the pressure rises. The bearing member 7 and the shaft member 2 are supported in a non-contact manner by the dynamic pressure action of the lubricating oil.

  FIG. 11 shows another example in the case where one or both of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are configured by multi-arc bearings. In this example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the predetermined regions θ on the minimum gap side of the three arc surfaces 33 are concentric arc surfaces each having the center of curvature as the center O of the shaft of the bearing member 7 (the shaft member 2). It is configured. Therefore, in each predetermined area θ, the radial bearing gap (minimum gap) is constant. The multi-arc bearing having such a configuration may be referred to as a tapered flat bearing.

  FIG. 12 shows an example in which one or both of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are configured by step bearings. In this example, a plurality of axial groove-shaped dynamic pressure grooves 36 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction in a region that becomes a radial bearing surface of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing member 7 (electroformed portion 8).

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a case where one or both of the radial bearing portions R1 and R2 are configured by non-round bearings. In this example, a region serving as a radial bearing surface of the bearing member 7 (electroformed portion 8) is configured by three harmonic wave surfaces 37. In each region defined by the three harmonic wave surfaces 37, the radial bearing gap becomes a wedge-shaped gap 38 that gradually decreases in a wedge shape in both circumferential directions. Therefore, when the shaft member 2 and the bearing member 7 are relatively rotated, the lubricating oil in the radial bearing gap is pushed into the minimum gap side of the wedge-shaped gap 38 in accordance with the direction of the relative rotation, and the pressure increases. . The shaft member 2 and the bearing member 7 are supported in a non-contact manner by the dynamic pressure action of the lubricating oil. Note that the minimum width h of the wedge-shaped gap 38 is approximately expressed by the following equation when there is no eccentricity (axial center O).

h = c + aw · cos (Nw · θ)
In the above equation, c, aw, and Nw are constants, c is an average bearing radius gap, aw is the amplitude of the wave, θ is the phase in the circumferential direction, and Nw is the wave number (where Nw ≧ 2). In this embodiment, Nw = 3). In the illustrated example, the shaft center O of the shaft member 2 and the bearing member 7 is concentric. However, the shaft member 2 can be used by being eccentric to the shaft center O ′.

  In the above description, the radial bearing portions are separated from each other in the axial direction by two locations like the radial bearing portions R1 and R2, but one location is provided over the upper and lower regions of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing member 7. Or it is good also as a structure which provided the radial bearing part of three or more places. Further, the multi-arc bearings shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 are so-called three-arc bearings, but are not limited to this, and are composed of so-called four-arc bearings, five-arc bearings, and more than six arc surfaces. A multi-arc bearing may be employed. Further, the non-circular bearing shown in FIG. 13 is composed of three harmonic wave surfaces, but even if a non-circular bearing composed of four or more harmonic wave surfaces is adopted as in the multi-arc bearing. Good.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the case where the dynamic pressure generating portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface 7a of the bearing member 7 is exemplified, but the dynamic pressure is generated on the outer peripheral surface 2a of the shaft member 2 opposed through the radial bearing gap. A part may be provided. In this case, the inner peripheral surface 7a of the bearing member 7 (electroformed portion 8) may be selected and combined in any of the shapes shown in the above description, or may be formed in a cylindrical surface shape without irregularities. good.

  Further, in the above, the dynamic pressure generating portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface 7a of the bearing member 7 or the outer peripheral surface 2a of the shaft member 2, and the dynamic pressure generating portion generates fluid dynamic pressure in the radial bearing gap, thereby causing the radial bearing portion R1. The case where R2 is constituted by a hydrodynamic bearing has been described, but the inner peripheral surface 7a of the bearing member 7 (the inner peripheral surface of the electroformed portion 8) is formed into a cylindrical surface without irregularities and the outer periphery of the shaft member 2 The radial bearing portions R1 and R2 can also be configured by a perfect circle bearing by forming the surface 2a into a perfect circle shape with no irregularities (not shown).

  Furthermore, as the thrust bearing portion T configured by the hydrodynamic bearing, the configuration in which the dynamic pressure action of the lubricating oil is generated by the spiral hydrodynamic groove is illustrated, but a plurality of radial grooves are formed in the region that becomes the thrust bearing surface. A so-called step bearing, so-called corrugated bearing (in which a step mold is a corrugated shape), etc. (not shown) can be configured (not shown).

  In the above embodiment, the lubricating oil is exemplified as the lubricating fluid that fills the bearing devices 1 and 31, but other fluids that can generate dynamic pressure in the bearing gaps, for example, magnetic fluid Etc. can also be used.

  Moreover, although the above embodiment demonstrated the form which inject | pours lubricating fluids, such as lubricating oil, into the internal space of the bearing apparatuses 1 and 31, and used the bearing apparatuses 1 and 31 as a fluid bearing, it is used without lubrication. You can also

  Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which both the radial bearing surface and the thrust bearing surface are provided in the electroformed portion 8 has been described. However, only one of the radial bearing surface or the thrust bearing surface is electroformed. It can also be set as the structure provided in the part 8.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the fan motor incorporating the bearing apparatus which has a structure of this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the bearing apparatus concerning FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bearing member. (A) is a perspective view of a master member, (b) is a perspective view showing a state where masking is applied to the master member, and (c) is a perspective view of an electroformed member. It is sectional drawing of the bearing member immediately after insert molding. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of a bearing apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the spindle motor incorporating the hydrodynamic bearing apparatus which has a structure of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other structural example of a spindle motor. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of a radial bearing part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of a radial bearing part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of a radial bearing part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of a radial bearing part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of a radial bearing part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 31 Bearing apparatus 2 Shaft member 3 Rotor 4 Stator coil 5 Rotor magnet 6 Holding member 7 Bearing member 8 Electroformed part 9 Resin part 10 Contact part 11 Master member 13 Electroformed member N Molding part R1, R2 Radial bearing part T Thrust Bearing part

Claims (5)

In a bearing device comprising a bearing member and a shaft member inserted in the inner periphery of the bearing member,
The bearing member includes an electroformed part and a resin part that is injection-molded by inserting the electroformed part, a bearing surface that supports the shaft member is formed on the electroformed part, and the resin part and the shaft member are formed on the electroformed part. A bearing device characterized by contacting other members than the above.   The bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the other member has a higher thermal conductivity than the resin portion.   The bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the other member has higher conductivity than the resin portion.   The bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the electroformed part has a dynamic pressure generating part that generates fluid dynamic pressure.   A motor comprising the bearing device according to claim 1, a stator coil, and a rotor magnet.