US20060292015A1 - Bearing unit and motor and electric apparatus having bearing unit - Google Patents
Bearing unit and motor and electric apparatus having bearing unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060292015A1 US20060292015A1 US11/450,340 US45034006A US2006292015A1 US 20060292015 A1 US20060292015 A1 US 20060292015A1 US 45034006 A US45034006 A US 45034006A US 2006292015 A1 US2006292015 A1 US 2006292015A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- bearing
- housing
- bearing unit
- rotary shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D25/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
- F04D25/0606—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven the electric motor being specially adapted for integration in the pump
- F04D25/0613—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven the electric motor being specially adapted for integration in the pump the electric motor being of the inside-out type, i.e. the rotor is arranged radially outside a central stator
- F04D25/062—Details of the bearings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D25/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
- F04D25/0606—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven the electric motor being specially adapted for integration in the pump
- F04D25/0613—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven the electric motor being specially adapted for integration in the pump the electric motor being of the inside-out type, i.e. the rotor is arranged radially outside a central stator
- F04D25/0626—Details of the lubrication
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/05—Shafts or bearings, or assemblies thereof, specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
- F04D29/051—Axial thrust balancing
- F04D29/0513—Axial thrust balancing hydrostatic; hydrodynamic thrust bearings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/05—Shafts or bearings, or assemblies thereof, specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
- F04D29/056—Bearings
- F04D29/057—Bearings hydrostatic; hydrodynamic
Definitions
- the present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2005-185601 with the Japanese Patent Office on Jun. 24, 2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates to a bearing unit for supporting a rotary shaft for rotation or for supporting a rotatable member for rotation on a shaft, and a motor and an electronic apparatus which have a bearing unit.
- Such a bearing unit for supporting a rotary shaft for rotation as shown in FIG. 15 is known in the past.
- the bearing unit 100 shown is used to support a rotary shaft 101 for rotation thereon.
- the bearing unit 100 includes a radial bearing 104 for supporting the rotary shaft 101 in a circumferential direction, a thrust bearing 110 for supporting one end of the rotary shaft 101 in a thrust direction, and a housing 105 in which the radial bearing 104 and the thrust bearing 110 are accommodated.
- the radial bearing 104 cooperates with lubricating oil as viscous fluid filled in the housing 105 to form a dynamic pressure fluid bearing.
- a dynamic pressure generating groove 111 for generating dynamic pressure is formed on an inner circumferential face of the radial bearing 104 in which the rotary shaft 101 is fitted.
- the housing 105 in which the radial bearing 104 and the thrust bearing 110 are accommodated includes a tubular housing body 106 , a bottom closing portion 107 and an upper closing member 108 .
- the bottom closing portion 107 is formed integrally with the housing body 106 so as to close up one end side of the housing body 106 , and forms one end side portion.
- the upper closing member 108 is provided on the other end side of the housing body 106 on which the housing body 106 is open.
- a shaft fitting hole 109 is provided at a central portion of the upper closing member 108 , and the rotary shaft 101 supported for rotation on the radial bearing 104 accommodated in the housing 105 is fitted in the shaft fitting hole 109 .
- the thrust bearing 110 is provided on the inner face side of the bottom closing portion 107 of the housing body 106 .
- a bearing supporting portion 102 provided at the one end portion in the thrust direction of the rotary shaft 101 supported on the radial bearing 104 is supported for rotation on the thrust bearing 110 .
- the thrust bearing 110 is formed as a pivot bearing which supports the bearing supporting portion 102 of the rotary shaft 101 , which has an end formed in an arcuate or tapering shape, at a point.
- the housing 105 having the configuration described above is formed by attaching the radial bearing 104 , thrust bearing 110 and rotary shaft 101 to the housing body 106 and then bonding the upper closing member 108 to the housing body 106 by a sealing portion 121 .
- the rotary shaft 101 is supported at the bearing supporting portion 102 on one end side thereof by the thrust bearing 110 and at an outer circumferential face of a shaft portion body 103 thereof by the radial bearing 104 . Further, the rotary shaft 101 is supported on the attaching portion 120 side provided on the other side thereof by the housing 105 such that the attaching portion 120 side thereof projects from the shaft fitting hole 109 provided in the upper closing member 108 of the housing 105 .
- a groove 116 is provided on the rotary shaft 101 between the bearing supporting portion 102 and the shaft portion body 103 .
- An annular washer 115 serving as a coming off preventing member is provided in an opposing relationship to the groove 116 on the bottom closing portion 107 .
- the washer 115 prevents the rotary shaft 101 from coming off from the housing 105 .
- the shaft fitting hole 109 is formed with an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of the shaft portion body 103 so that the rotary shaft 101 fitted in the shaft fitting hole 109 may rotate without slidably contacting with the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 109 .
- the shaft fitting hole 109 is formed such that a gap 112 of a distance x sufficient to prevent lubricating oil 113 filled in the housing 105 from leaking from within the housing 105 is formed between the circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 109 and the outer circumferential face of the shaft portion body 103 .
- a tapering portion 114 is provided on the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 101 in an opposing relationship to the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 109 .
- the tapering portion 114 is inclined so that the gap 112 formed between the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 101 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 109 increases toward the outer side of the housing 105 .
- the tapering portion 114 forms a pressure gradient in the gap 112 formed between the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 101 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 109 to generate force which acts to draw the lubricating oil 113 filled in the housing 105 into the inside of the housing 105 .
- the lubricating oil 113 Since, upon rotation of the rotary shaft 101 , the lubricating oil 113 is biased so as to be drawn into the inside of the housing 105 , the lubricating oil 113 enters the dynamic pressure generating groove 111 of the radial bearing 104 formed from a dynamic pressure fluid bearing with certainty to generate a dynamic pressure. Consequently, stabilized support of the rotary shaft 101 is implemented and besides leakage of the lubricating oil 113 filled in the housing 105 can be prevented.
- the rotary shaft 101 is exposed at just one end thereof on the shaft fitting hole 109 side but is covered with the housing member except a small gap of the shaft fitting hole 109 . Therefore, the bearing unit 100 can prevent leakage of the lubricating oil 113 to the outside of the housing 105 . Further, since just the gap of the shaft fitting hole 109 forms a communicating portion to the outside, scattering of the lubricating oil which may be caused by an impact can be prevented thereby to retain the lubricating oil with certainty. Further, in the bearing unit 100 , the rotary shaft 101 can be prevented from coming off from the housing 105 by the washer 115 .
- the bearing unit 100 can retain the lubricating oil 113 with certainty and prevent coming off of the rotary shaft 101 , it can maintain the lubricating performance and the rotational performance to support the rotary shaft for rotation or support a rotary member for rotation on a shaft.
- the radial bearing which forms the bearing unit 100 is formed from a sintered member or the like, and there is a limitation to casting of the bearing unit 100 from a relationship between the diameter and the length in the axial direction. In this manner, the bearing unit has a limitation to increase of the rigidity and it is difficult to reduce deflection and so forth of a rotary member exceeding a predetermined condition.
- a bearing unit similar to the bearing unit 100 described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 15 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-130043
- a bearing unit including a shaft, a first radial bearing configured to support the shaft in a circumferential direction, a second radial bearing disposed in a spaced relationship from the first radial bearing in an axial direction of the shaft configured to support the shaft in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a thrust bearing configured to support one end of the shaft in a thrust direction, a spacer disposed between the first and second radial bearings, a housing in which the first and second radial bearings and the thrust bearing are disposed and which has an enclosed structure except a shaft insertion hole in which the shaft is fitted, and viscous fluid filled in the housing.
- a motor including a stator, a rotor, and a bearing unit configured to support the rotor for rotation with respect to the stator, and for the bearing unit, the bearing unit of the first embodiment described above is used.
- an electronic apparatus including a motor which includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing unit configured to support the rotor for rotation with respect to the stator, and for the bearing unit, the bearing unit of the first embodiment described above is used.
- the rigidity of the shaft can be raised to reduce the deflection of the shaft, and the lubricating oil can be retained with certainty. Consequently, a good lubricating performance and a good rotational performance can be achieved.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a heat radiation apparatus which uses a motor to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the motor shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a bearing unit to which the present invention is applied.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a dynamic pressure generating groove formed on an inner circumferential face of a radial bearing shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing a spacer which is a component of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing another spacer which is a component of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view showing a further spacer which is a component of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an oil seal portion of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a bearing unit of a comparative example for comparison with the bearing unit of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating different variations of the volume variation amount and the liquid level of lubricating oil when the temperature of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 rises;
- FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating different variations of the volume variation amount and the liquid level of lubricating oil when the temperature of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 drops;
- FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a maximum space volume of the oil seal portion of the bearing unit of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a bearing unit in the related art.
- the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is a personal computer of the notebook type.
- the computer 1 includes a display section 2 for displaying a result of an information process and so forth, and a computer body 3 including a built-in information processing section which performs an arithmetic operation process of various kinds of information.
- a keyboard 5 is provided on the upper face side of the computer body 3 for inputting an operation instruction of the computer 1 or inputting various kinds of information therefrom.
- the computer body 3 has a heat radiation apparatus 4 provided in the inside thereof.
- the heat radiation apparatus 4 has a cooling apparatus for radiating heat generated from an information processing circuit such as a CPU, a disk apparatus and so forth disposed in the computer body 3 to cool the inside of the computer body 3 .
- the heat radiation apparatus 4 built in the computer body 3 is accommodated in a housing 6 which forms the computer body 3 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the heat radiation apparatus 4 includes a base 7 made of a metal material, a motor 10 attached to the base 7 , a fan 8 for being driven to rotate by the motor 10 , a fan case 9 accommodated in the fan 8 , and a heat sink 11 .
- the base 7 is formed in a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. 3 .
- a heat generating element 12 is attached to a face 7 a on one end side of the base 7 formed in a substantially L shape.
- the heat generating element 12 generates heat when it is energized like a central processing unit (CPU).
- CPU central processing unit
- the heat generating element 12 is attached to the face 7 a of the base 7 through a heat transmitting seal 12 a.
- the motor 10 and the fan case 9 in which the fan 8 for being driven to rotate by the motor 10 is accommodated are attached to a substantially central portion of the face 7 a of the base 7 .
- a circular intake port 13 is formed in the fan case 9 such that it opens the position corresponding to a central portion of the fan 8 which is driven to rotate by the motor 10 .
- An opening 14 is provided at a position of the bottom face side of the housing 6 opposing to the intake port 13 provided in the fan case 9 such that it is communicated with the intake port 13 .
- an exhaust port 15 for exhausting air taken in through the intake port 13 to the outside is provided in the fan case 9 .
- the heat sink 11 is secured to the face 7 a of the base 7 on the other end side.
- the heat sink 11 is a corrugate-shaped or fin-shaped heat sink and is made of a metal material which is superior in heat radiating property such as, for example, aluminum.
- the base 7 and the fan case 9 are preferably made of aluminum or iron which is a metal which is superior in heat radiating property.
- a plurality of mounting holes 7 b into which screws which are used to attach the base 7 in the housing 6 are to be inserted are provided.
- the base 7 is attached in the housing 6 by securing screws for fixation, which are inserted in the mounting holes 7 b, to bosses 16 provided in the inside of the housing 6 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the heat sink 11 is disposed at a position at which it is opposed to a through-hole 17 formed in a side wall of the housing 6 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 when the base 7 is attached in the housing 6 .
- the heat radiation apparatus 4 configured in such a manner as described hereinabove takes in, when the motor 10 is driven to rotate the fan 8 in the direction indicated by an arrow mark R 1 in FIG. 3 , the air outside the apparatus through the opening 14 formed in the housing 6 and further takes the air into the fan case 9 through the intake port 13 .
- the air taken in the fan case 9 by rotation of the fan 8 flows in the direction indicated by an arrow mark D 2 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and further flows in the direction indicated by another arrow mark D 3 in FIG. 3 so as to flow through the heat sink 11 .
- the air is exhausted to the outside of the housing 6 through the through-hole 17 .
- the heat generated when the heat generating element 12 attached to the base 7 is driven is transmitted to the heat sink 11 attached to the base 7 through the base 7 formed from a metal material having a superior heat radiating property.
- air taken in from the outside of the housing 6 by the fan 8 of the heat radiation apparatus 4 rotated by the motor 10 flows along and between the fins of the heat sink 11 and radiates the heat transmitted to the heat sink 11 to the outside of the housing 6 through the through-hole 17 .
- the motor 10 which is used in the heat radiating apparatus and to which the present invention is applied includes a rotor 18 and a stator 19 .
- the stator 19 is provided integrally on the top plate 9 a side of the fan case 9 in which the fan 8 rotated by the motor 10 is accommodated together with the motor 10 .
- the stator 19 includes a stator yoke 20 , a bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied, a coil 21 , and a core 22 on which the coil 21 is wound.
- the stator yoke 20 may be of the type which is formed integrally with the top plate 9 a of the fan case 9 , that is, may be formed from part of the fan case 9 , or may alternatively be formed as a separate member from the fan case 9 .
- the stator yoke 20 is formed, for example, from iron.
- the bearing unit 30 is secured by force fitting or adhesion or by force fitting and adhesion in a holder 23 formed in a cylindrical shape at a central portion of the stator yoke 20 .
- the holder 23 in which the bearing unit 30 is force fitted is formed in a cylindrical shape integrally with the stator yoke 20 .
- the core 22 on which the coil 21 to which driving current is supplied is wound is attached to an outer peripheral portion of the holder 23 formed integrally on the stator yoke 20 as seen in FIG. 4 .
- the rotor 18 which cooperates with the stator 19 to form the motor 10 is attached to a rotary shaft 31 supported for rotation on the bearing unit 30 such that it rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 31 .
- the rotor 18 includes a rotor yoke 24 , and the fan 8 which rotates integrally with the rotor yoke 24 and has a plurality of blades 25 .
- the blades 25 of the fan 8 are formed integrally with the rotor yoke 24 by outsert molding on an outer peripheral face of the rotor yoke 24 .
- a ring-shaped rotor magnet 26 is provided on an inner circumferential face of a cylindrical portion 24 a of the rotor yoke 24 in an opposing relationship to the coil 21 of the stator 19 .
- the rotor magnet 26 is a plastic material having the S poles and the N poles magnetized alternately in a circumferential direction, and is secured to the inner peripheral face of the rotor yoke 24 by a bonding agent.
- the rotor yoke 24 has a boss portion 27 provided at a central portion of a flat plate portion 24 b thereof and having a through-hole 27 a provided at a central portion thereof.
- the boss portion 27 is force fitted in a mounting portion 31 c provided on the free end side of the rotary shaft 31 supported on the bearing unit 30 to attach the rotor yoke 24 for integral rotation to the rotary shaft 31 .
- driving current is supplied to the coil 21 on the stator 19 side in a predetermined energization pattern from a driving circuit section provided on the outside of the motor 10 .
- the driving current is supplied in this manner, the rotor 18 rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 31 by an action between a magnetic field generated by the coil 21 and a magnetic field from the rotor magnet 26 of the rotor 18 side.
- the fan 8 attached to the rotor 18 and having the blades 25 rotates integrally with the rotor 18 .
- air outside the apparatus is taken in the direction indicated by the arrow mark D 1 in FIGS.
- the air flows in the heat sink 11 and is exhausted to the outside of the housing 6 through the through-hole 17 , whereupon the air radiates heat generated by the heat generating element 12 to the outside of the computer body 3 thereby to cool the inside of the computer body 3 .
- the bearing unit 30 on which the rotary shaft 31 of the motor 10 described above supported for rotation includes a rotary shaft 31 is disposed a first radial bearing 32 for supporting the rotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction, and a second radial bearing 33 disposed in a spaced relationship from the first radial bearing 32 in an axial direction for supporting the rotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction.
- the bearing unit 30 further includes a thrust bearing 34 for supporting one end of the rotary shaft 31 in a thrust direction, a spacer 35 disposed between the first radial bearing 32 and the second radial bearing 33 , a housing 37 , and lubricating oil 38 as viscous fluid fitted in the housing 37 .
- the housing 37 accommodates the first radial bearing 32 , spacer 35 , second radial bearing 33 and thrust bearing 34 in the inside thereof and has a closed structure except a shaft fitting hole 45 in which the rotary shaft 31 is fitted.
- the spacer 35 is formed so that the variation of the liquid level of the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 when the volume lubricating oil 38 is expanded or contracted by a temperature variation remains within a range within which the shaft fitting hole 45 of the housing 37 is formed.
- the rotary shaft 31 includes a shaft portion body 31 a supported at an outer circumferential face thereof by the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 and a bearing supported portion 31 b formed in an arcuate or tapering shape on one end side of the shaft portion body 31 a and supported by the thrust bearing 34 .
- the rotary shaft 31 further includes a mounting portion 31 c provided on the other end side of the shaft portion body 31 a and having a rotary member such as, for example, the rotor 18 of the motor 10 , attached thereto.
- the rotary shaft 31 further includes a groove 31 d provided between the bearing supported portion 31 b and the shaft portion body 31 a for preventing coming off of the rotary shaft 31 .
- the rotary shaft 31 is supported at the bearing supported portion 31 b thereof by the thrust bearing 34 , at an outer circumferential face of the shaft portion body 31 a thereof by the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 , and at the mounting portion 31 c thereof, which projects from the shaft fitting hole 45 , by the housing 37 . Further, a washer 51 serving as a shaft coming off preventing member is provided at a position of the rotary shaft 31 corresponding to the groove 31 d.
- the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 are each formed in a cylindrical shape from a sintered metal material and disposed in a spaced relationship from each other in the axial direction.
- the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 cooperate with the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 to form a dynamic pressure fluid bearing, and first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 are formed on inner circumferential faces of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 through which the rotary shaft 31 is fitted, respectively.
- each of the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 is formed such that a pair of V-shaped grooves 39 a or 40 a successively appear in a circumferential direction on the inner face of the first radial bearing 32 or 33 .
- Each of the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 is formed such that one end side of the pair of V-shaped grooves 39 a or 40 a is directed in a direction R 2 of rotation of the rotary shaft 31 .
- the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 are formed in pair in parallel to each other at upper and lower portions in the axial direction of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 which form a cylindrical shape.
- first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 are provided on the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 , respectively, such that they make a pair in parallel to each other
- the manner of provision of dynamic pressure generating grooves is not limited to this.
- a pair of dynamic pressure generating grooves may be provided in parallel to each other at upper and lower locations in the axial direction on each of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 such that totaling two pairs of dynamic pressure generating grooves are provided.
- the number and the size of the dynamic pressure generating grooves to be provided on the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 are suitably selected depending upon the size, length and so forth of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 .
- the firsthand second radial bearings 32 and 33 may otherwise be formed from brass, stainless steel or a high molecular material.
- the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 flows in the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 .
- the lubricating oil 38 generates a dynamic pressure between the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 and supports the rotating rotary shaft 31 .
- the dynamic pressure generated in this instance decreases the coefficient of friction between the rotary shaft 31 and the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 to a very low level thereby to achieve smooth rotation of the rotary shaft 31 .
- first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 are disposed in a spaced relationship from each other in the axial direction, if the distance between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 is increased, then the rigidity of the rotary shaft 31 can be raised. As a result, deflection of the rotary shaft 31 can be suppressed and the rotational performance can be enhanced.
- the thrust bearing 34 is formed as a pivot bearing which supports the bearing supported portion 31 b of the rotary shaft 31 , which is formed in an arcuate or tapering shape, at a point.
- the spacer 35 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 .
- the spacer 35 is formed with an outer diameter with which it can be accommodated in the housing 37 with an outer periphery thereof contacting with the housing 37 .
- the spacer 35 is formed with an inner diameter which is a little greater than the outer diameter of the rotary shaft 31 and with which it does not contact with the rotary shaft 31 , that is, with which a predetermined gap is left between the spacer 35 and the rotary shaft 31 .
- the predetermined gap between the inner circumferential face of the spacer 35 and the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 functions as a communicating path for establishing communication between a region in which the first radial bearing 32 is provided and another region in which the second radial bearing 33 is provided as hereinafter described. Further, a plurality of flow paths 49 for the lubricating oil 38 are formed on a portion of the spacer 35 on the housing 37 side, that is, on the outer circumferential face of the spacer 35 as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the flow paths 49 are formed along the axial direction of the rotary shaft 31 on the outer circumferential face of the spacer 35 and have a shape which is cut in a substantially semicircular shape, that is, in a D-cut shape, along a cross section perpendicular to the rotary shaft 31 .
- the flow paths 49 serve as communicating paths for establishing communication between the region in which the first radial bearing 32 is provided and the region in which the second radial bearing 33 is provided.
- the flow paths 49 are provided at six locations spaced equally from each other on the outer circumferential face of the spacer 35 on the cross section perpendicular to the rotary shaft 31 .
- the flow paths 49 cooperate with the predetermined gap between the inner circumferential face of the spacer 35 and the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 to allow the lubricating oil 38 to flow well into the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 .
- the flow paths 49 and the gap described hereinabove can suppress floating of the rotary shaft 31 by allowing flows of the lubricating oil 38 in an appropriate direction to be produced between the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 and the rotary shaft 31 .
- the spacer 35 is formed with such a size that, when the volume of the lubricating oil 38 enclosed in the bearing unit 30 which has the dynamic pressure fluid bearing increases or decreases as a result of a temperature variation, the variation of the volume remains within a space defined by the oil seal section formed at an upper portion of the bearing unit 30 and the rotary shaft 31 , that is, within the shaft fitting hole 45 . Then, the spacer 35 formed in a dimension adaptable to the expansion and contraction of the lubricating oil 38 by a temperature variation can prevent air from entering the lubricating oil 38 and prevent the lubricating oil 38 from leaking out to the outside of the housing.
- the spacer 35 can reduce the volume of the lubricating oil 38 to be filled in the bearing unit 30 as hereinafter described, and the lubricating oil 38 can be retained with certainty by reducing the variation amount of the volume of the lubricating oil 38 with respect to the temperature variation.
- the spacer which forms the bearing unit 30 is not limited to the spacer 35 formed in such a manner as described above.
- any element may be used as the spacer if it is disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 and decreases the volume of the lubricating oil 38 filled in the bearing unit 30 .
- the spacer which forms the bearing unit 30 may be a spacer 35 a formed in a cylindrical shape and having a substantially hexagonal cross section as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the spacer 35 a having a substantially hexagonal cross section is disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 similarly to the spacer 35 .
- the spacer 35 a has an outer peripheral face formed with a size with which it can be accommodated in the housing 37 and has an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of the rotary shaft 31 while it does not contact with the rotary shaft 31 .
- the spacer 35 a is formed with a predetermined gap left from the rotary shaft 31 .
- the spacer 35 a cooperates with the inner circumferential face of the housing 37 to form a plurality of flow paths 49 a for the lubricating oil 38 .
- the flow paths 49 a serve as communicating paths for establishing communication between the region in which the first radial bearing 32 is provided and the region in which the second radial bearing 33 is provided.
- the spacer which forms the bearing unit 30 may be a spacer 35 b which has such a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 9 and has a plurality of through-holes formed in the axial direction.
- the spacer 35 b having the through-holes formed therein is disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 similarly to the spacer 35 .
- the spacer 35 b has an outer diameter having a size with which it can be accommodated in and contact with the housing 37 and has an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of the rotary shaft 31 while it does not contact with the rotary shaft 31 .
- the spacer 35 b is formed with a predetermined gap left from the rotary shaft 31 .
- the through-holes formed in the spacer 35 b serves as communicating paths 49 b in which the lubricating oil 38 flows.
- the flow paths 49 b are formed as through-holes which extend in the axial direction and are formed substantially on a circle in an equally spaced relationship from each other at a predetermined position in the thicknesswise direction of the spacer 35 b on a cross section perpendicular to the rotary shaft 31 .
- the flow paths 49 b serve as communicating paths for establishing communication between the region in which the first radial bearing 32 is provided and the region in which the second radial bearing 33 is provided.
- the flow paths 49 a and 49 b and the gap described hereinabove can suppress floating of the rotary shaft 31 by allowing flows of the lubricating oil 38 in an appropriate direction to be produced between the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 and the rotary shaft 31 .
- the housing 37 includes a housing body 42 , a bottom closing portion 43 , and an upper closing portion 44 .
- the housing 37 has such a shape that it accommodates and surrounds the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 each formed in a cylindrical shape and disposed in a spaced relationship from each other in the axial direction.
- the housing body 42 is disposed on the outer side of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 .
- the bottom closing portion 43 closes up a lower opening on one side of the housing body 42 .
- the upper closing portion 44 closes up an upper opening formed on the opposite side to the lower opening of the housing body 42 .
- the housing body 42 has a tubular shape and is formed from a metal material. Further, the upper closing portion 44 and the bottom closing portion 43 are formed from a metal material similarly to the housing body 42 .
- the shaft fitting hole 45 is provided at a central portion of the upper closing portion 44 .
- the rotary shaft 31 supported for rotation by the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 accommodated in the housing 37 is fitted in the shaft fitting hole 45 .
- the thrust bearing 34 is disposed at a central portion on the inner face side of the bottom closing portion 43 .
- the bearing supported portion 31 b is provided at one end portion in a thrust direction of the rotary shaft 31 supported on the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 and is supported for rotation by the thrust bearing 34 .
- the housing 37 having the configuration described hereinabove is formed from the housing body 42 in which the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 and the spacer 35 are accommodated, and the upper closing portion 44 and a bottom closing portion 43 .
- the housing body 42 , upper closing portion 44 and bottom closing portion 43 are integrated with each other by sealing portions 46 formed by laser welding to join the upper closing portion 44 and the bottom closing portion 43 together.
- the housing 37 has an enclosed structure except the shaft fitting hole 45 by sealing the joined portions from the outside with the sealing portions 46 .
- housing body 42 , upper closing portion 44 and bottom closing portion 43 are formed from a metal material, they may otherwise be formed from a synthetic resin material and integrated with each other by welding. Where, for example, a synthetic resin material having a superior lubricating property is used as the material for the housing 37 , a comparatively great contact angle can be achieved. As a result, since leakage of the lubricating oil 38 under centrifugal force is suppressed, the heightwise dimension of the shaft fitting hole 45 can be reduced.
- the shaft fitting hole 45 of the housing 37 is formed with an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of a fitted portion 31 e of the rotary shaft 31 , which is a portion fitted in the shaft fitting hole 45 , so that the fitted portion 31 e may rotate without slidably contacting with the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 .
- the shaft fitting hole 45 is formed such that a gap 47 of a distance c sufficient for the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 to be prevented from leaking from the inside of the housing 37 is provided between the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 and the outer circumferential face of the fitted portion 31 e of the rotary shaft 31 .
- the upper closing portion 44 in which the shaft fitting hole 45 is formed so that the gap 47 which prevents leakage of the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 is formed between the shaft fitting hole 45 and the rotary shaft 31 in this manner forms an oil seal section.
- a tapering portion 48 is provided on the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 which opposes to the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 .
- the tapering portion 48 is inclined such that the gap 47 formed between the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 increases toward the outside of the housing 37 .
- the tapering portion 48 forms a pressure gradient in the gap 47 formed by the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 so that force to draw the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 into the insider of the housing 37 is generated.
- the lubricating oil 38 tends to be drawn into the inside of the housing 37 upon rotation of the housing 37 , the lubricating oil 38 enters with certainty into the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 formed as a dynamic pressure fluid bearing and generates a dynamic pressure. Consequently, stabilized support of the rotary shaft 31 is implemented, and besides, leakage of the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 can be prevented.
- the lubricating oil 38 is filled such that it is opposed from the inside of the housing 37 to the gap 47 which is formed by the tapering portion 48 formed on the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 .
- the lubricating oil 38 is filled into the gap in the housing 37 and further impregnated into the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 made of a sintered metal.
- the lubricating oil 38 enters the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 provided on the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 which form a dynamic pressure fluid bearing to generate a dynamic pressure.
- the first radial bearing 32 is attached to the housing body 42 first, and then the spacer 35 is attached, whereafter the second radial bearing 33 is attached. Then, the washer 51 and the thrust bearing 34 are attached to the bottom closing portion 43 , and then the housing body 42 described above is attached to the bottom closing portion 43 , whereafter the upper closing portion 44 is attached. Then, at a location between the housing body 42 and the upper closing portion 44 and another location between the housing body 42 and the bottom closing portion 43 , sealing portions 46 are formed by laser welding to integrate the housing 37 . Then, the rotary shaft 31 is inserted into the housing 37 integrated in this manner.
- the tapering portion 48 is provided which is inclined such that the distance c of the gap 47 formed between the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 increases toward the outside of the housing 37 . Therefore, a pressure gradient is formed in the distance c of the gap 47 formed by the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 , and force which tends to draw the lubricating oil 38 filled in the housing 37 into the inside of the housing 37 is generated. In other words, in the bearing unit 30 , the gap 47 formed between the outer circumferential face of the rotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 prevents the lubricating oil 38 from being scattered by the surface tension seal.
- the bearing unit 30 since it has the configuration that the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 are disposed in a spaced relationship from each other in the axial direction, the rigidity of the rotary shaft 31 can be raised thereby to reduce the deflection of the rotary shaft 31 by assuring a great distance between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 .
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied can raise the rigidity higher than a rigidity which has been a limit from a relationship of formation of a radial bearing, and implements enhancement of the rotational performance in the past.
- the spacer 35 is disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 . Therefore, the overall volume of the lubricating oil 38 increases by an amount of the space between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 which has a bad influence when the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 are disposed in a spaced relationship from each other in the axial direction. Consequently, a problem of variation of the liquid level by a temperature variation and like problems can be prevented.
- the bearing unit 60 includes a rotary shaft 31 , a first radial bearing 32 for supporting the rotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction, and a second radial bearing 33 disposed in a spaced relationship from the first radial bearing 32 in an axial direction for supporting the rotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction.
- the bearing unit 60 further includes a thrust bearing 34 for supporting one end of the rotary shaft 31 in a thrust direction, a housing 37 which accommodates the first radial bearing 32 , second radial bearing 33 and thrust bearing 34 therein, and lubricating oil 68 as viscous fluid filled in the housing 37 .
- the lubricating oil 68 is filled in the gap in the housing 37 such that it is opposed to the gap 47 formed by the tapering portion 48 and the inner circumferential face of the shaft fitting hole 45 similarly to the lubricating oil 38 described hereinabove.
- V the volume of the lubricating oil 38 or 68 of the oil seal section
- Vb the volume of the lubricating oil 38 or 68 filled in the housing 37 other than the oil seal section
- Va seal lower portion volume Va
- V the overall volume of the lubricating oil 38 or lubricating oil 68 filled in the bearing unit 30 or 60 at a room temperature
- FIG. 12 illustrates a relationship between the volume variation amount ⁇ V and the liquid level of the lubricating oil 38 or 68 .
- reference character SN denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil at a room temperature
- SH denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil when the temperature rises by ⁇ T° C
- FIG. 13 illustrates a relationship between the volume variation amount ⁇ V and the liquid level of the lubricating oil 38 or 68 when the temperature drops by ⁇ T° C.
- reference character SN denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil at a room temperature
- SL denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil when the temperature droops by ⁇ T° C.
- the overall volume V of the lubricating oil at a room temperature is smaller by an amount equal to the volume of the spacer 35 than that of the bearing unit 60 of the comparative example described hereinabove. Therefore, the volume variation amount ⁇ V can be reduced, and such problems as described above can be eliminated.
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied includes the spacer 35 formed with a size which can absorb expansion and contraction of the lubricating oil 38 caused by a temperature variation. Therefore, when the temperature of the lubricating oil 38 varies, the variation of the liquid level of the lubricating oil 38 can be restricted within the range within which the shaft fitting hole 45 is formed. Consequently, mixture of air into the lubricating oil 38 and leakage of the lubricating oil 38 to the outside of the housing can be prevented.
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied includes the spacer 35 disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 , the volume variation amount ⁇ V of the lubricating oil 38 by temperature variation can be reduced. Therefore, leakage of the lubricating oil 38 to the outside of the bearing unit 30 when the temperature rises can be prevented, and mixture of air into the lubricating oil 38 by a drop of the liquid level of the lubricating oil 38 from the oil seal section when the temperature drops can be prevented. Consequently, such problems of deterioration of the rotational performance, lubricating performance and so forth by leakage of the lubricating oil and mixture of air into the lubricating oil can be prevented. In other words, the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied makes it possible for the lubricating oil 38 to be retained with certainty in the unit.
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied since the volume variation amount ⁇ V of the lubricating oil 38 by a temperature variation can be reduced, the dimension of the oil seal section in the axial direction, that is, the height t of the shaft fitting hole 45 , can be suppressed to its minimum value. Consequently, the dimension of the bearing unit in the axial direction can be suppressed to a small dimension, and miniaturization of the apparatus can be achieved.
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied since the flow paths 49 for the lubricating oil 38 are formed in the spacer 35 disposed between the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 , the oil is circulated readily in the inside of the dynamic pressure fluid bearing. Therefore, a flow of the lubricating oil 38 in an appropriate direction is produced between the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves 39 and 40 of the first and second radial bearings 32 and 33 and the rotary shaft 31 , and consequently, floating of the rotary shaft 31 can be suppressed.
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied can prevent such a situation that, as a result of floating of the rotary shaft 31 , the liquid level of the lubricating oil 38 drops and the air is mixed into the lubricating oil 38 .
- the bearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied can achieve a good lubricating performance and a good rotational performance, which enhance the universal use and the selectivity of the bearing unit and raise the degree of freedom in design of products which use the bearing unit.
- the motor and the electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied include the bearing unit 30 described above, they can achieve a good rotational performance with the reduced deflection and so forth of the rotary shaft 31 and with a good lubricating performance for a long period of time.
- the bearing unit to which the present invention is applied can be applied not limited as a bearing for a motor of a heat radiating apparatus or a spindle motor of a disk drive, and also as a bearing for various motors.
- bearing unit to which the present invention is applied can be used widely not limited for motors, and also for various mechanisms which include a rotary shaft and other mechanisms which support a part which rotates with respect to a shaft.
Abstract
A bearing unit, including: a shaft; a first radial bearing configured to support the shaft in a circumferential direction; a second radial bearing disposed in a spaced relationship from the first radial bearing in an axial direction of the shaft configured to support the shaft in the circumferential direction; a thrust bearing configured to support one end of the shaft in a thrust direction; a spacer disposed between the first and second radial bearings; a housing in which the first and second radial bearings and the thrust bearing are disposed and which has an enclosed structure except a shaft insertion hole in which the shaft is fitted; and viscous fluid filled in the housing.
Description
- The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2005-185601 with the Japanese Patent Office on Jun. 24, 2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a bearing unit for supporting a rotary shaft for rotation or for supporting a rotatable member for rotation on a shaft, and a motor and an electronic apparatus which have a bearing unit.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Such a bearing unit for supporting a rotary shaft for rotation as shown in
FIG. 15 is known in the past. - Referring to
FIG. 15 , thebearing unit 100 shown is used to support arotary shaft 101 for rotation thereon. Thebearing unit 100 includes a radial bearing 104 for supporting therotary shaft 101 in a circumferential direction, a thrust bearing 110 for supporting one end of therotary shaft 101 in a thrust direction, and ahousing 105 in which the radial bearing 104 and the thrust bearing 110 are accommodated. - In the
bearing unit 100, the radial bearing 104 cooperates with lubricating oil as viscous fluid filled in thehousing 105 to form a dynamic pressure fluid bearing. A dynamicpressure generating groove 111 for generating dynamic pressure is formed on an inner circumferential face of the radial bearing 104 in which therotary shaft 101 is fitted. - The
housing 105 in which the radial bearing 104 and the thrust bearing 110 are accommodated includes atubular housing body 106, abottom closing portion 107 and anupper closing member 108. Thebottom closing portion 107 is formed integrally with thehousing body 106 so as to close up one end side of thehousing body 106, and forms one end side portion. Theupper closing member 108 is provided on the other end side of thehousing body 106 on which thehousing body 106 is open. - A
shaft fitting hole 109 is provided at a central portion of theupper closing member 108, and therotary shaft 101 supported for rotation on the radial bearing 104 accommodated in thehousing 105 is fitted in theshaft fitting hole 109. The thrust bearing 110 is provided on the inner face side of thebottom closing portion 107 of thehousing body 106. Abearing supporting portion 102 provided at the one end portion in the thrust direction of therotary shaft 101 supported on theradial bearing 104 is supported for rotation on the thrust bearing 110. - The thrust bearing 110 is formed as a pivot bearing which supports the bearing supporting
portion 102 of therotary shaft 101, which has an end formed in an arcuate or tapering shape, at a point. - The
housing 105 having the configuration described above is formed by attaching the radial bearing 104, thrust bearing 110 androtary shaft 101 to thehousing body 106 and then bonding theupper closing member 108 to thehousing body 106 by a sealingportion 121. - The
rotary shaft 101 is supported at the bearing supportingportion 102 on one end side thereof by the thrust bearing 110 and at an outer circumferential face of ashaft portion body 103 thereof by theradial bearing 104. Further, therotary shaft 101 is supported on the attachingportion 120 side provided on the other side thereof by thehousing 105 such that the attachingportion 120 side thereof projects from theshaft fitting hole 109 provided in theupper closing member 108 of thehousing 105. - Further, a
groove 116 is provided on therotary shaft 101 between thebearing supporting portion 102 and theshaft portion body 103. Anannular washer 115 serving as a coming off preventing member is provided in an opposing relationship to thegroove 116 on thebottom closing portion 107. Thewasher 115 prevents therotary shaft 101 from coming off from thehousing 105. When thewasher 115 is pushed by thebearing supporting portion 102 of therotary shaft 101, it is deformed in a thrust direction to allow thebearing supporting portion 102 to be inserted into and thus attached to thegroove 116. - Incidentally, the
shaft fitting hole 109 is formed with an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of theshaft portion body 103 so that therotary shaft 101 fitted in theshaft fitting hole 109 may rotate without slidably contacting with the inner circumferential face of theshaft fitting hole 109. At this time, theshaft fitting hole 109 is formed such that agap 112 of a distance x sufficient to prevent lubricatingoil 113 filled in thehousing 105 from leaking from within thehousing 105 is formed between the circumferential face of theshaft fitting hole 109 and the outer circumferential face of theshaft portion body 103. - A tapering
portion 114 is provided on the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 101 in an opposing relationship to the inner circumferential face of theshaft fitting hole 109. The taperingportion 114 is inclined so that thegap 112 formed between the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 101 and the inner circumferential face of theshaft fitting hole 109 increases toward the outer side of thehousing 105. The taperingportion 114 forms a pressure gradient in thegap 112 formed between the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 101 and the inner circumferential face of theshaft fitting hole 109 to generate force which acts to draw the lubricatingoil 113 filled in thehousing 105 into the inside of thehousing 105. Since, upon rotation of therotary shaft 101, the lubricatingoil 113 is biased so as to be drawn into the inside of thehousing 105, the lubricatingoil 113 enters the dynamicpressure generating groove 111 of theradial bearing 104 formed from a dynamic pressure fluid bearing with certainty to generate a dynamic pressure. Consequently, stabilized support of therotary shaft 101 is implemented and besides leakage of the lubricatingoil 113 filled in thehousing 105 can be prevented. - In the
bearing unit 100 having the configuration described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 15 , therotary shaft 101 is exposed at just one end thereof on theshaft fitting hole 109 side but is covered with the housing member except a small gap of theshaft fitting hole 109. Therefore, thebearing unit 100 can prevent leakage of the lubricatingoil 113 to the outside of thehousing 105. Further, since just the gap of theshaft fitting hole 109 forms a communicating portion to the outside, scattering of the lubricating oil which may be caused by an impact can be prevented thereby to retain the lubricating oil with certainty. Further, in thebearing unit 100, therotary shaft 101 can be prevented from coming off from thehousing 105 by thewasher 115. - In short, since the
bearing unit 100 can retain the lubricatingoil 113 with certainty and prevent coming off of therotary shaft 101, it can maintain the lubricating performance and the rotational performance to support the rotary shaft for rotation or support a rotary member for rotation on a shaft. - For such a bearing unit as described above, it is demanded to further reduce deflection and so forth of a rotary shaft to enhance the rotational performance. In order to reduce deflection and so forth of a rotary shaft to enhance the rotational performance, it is necessary to raise the rigidity. To raise the rigidity of a bearing unit can be implemented, for example, by increasing the length in an axial direction of a radial bearing which forms the bearing unit.
- However, in the
bearing unit 100 described above, the radial bearing which forms thebearing unit 100 is formed from a sintered member or the like, and there is a limitation to casting of thebearing unit 100 from a relationship between the diameter and the length in the axial direction. In this manner, the bearing unit has a limitation to increase of the rigidity and it is difficult to reduce deflection and so forth of a rotary member exceeding a predetermined condition. - A bearing unit similar to the
bearing unit 100 described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 15 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-130043 - There is a need for the present invention to provide a bearing unit and a motor and an electronic apparatus including a bearing unit by which the rigidity of a shaft can be raised to suppress deflection of the shaft and lubricating oil can be retained with certainty.
- In order to attain the need described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bearing unit including a shaft, a first radial bearing configured to support the shaft in a circumferential direction, a second radial bearing disposed in a spaced relationship from the first radial bearing in an axial direction of the shaft configured to support the shaft in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a thrust bearing configured to support one end of the shaft in a thrust direction, a spacer disposed between the first and second radial bearings, a housing in which the first and second radial bearings and the thrust bearing are disposed and which has an enclosed structure except a shaft insertion hole in which the shaft is fitted, and viscous fluid filled in the housing.
- According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a motor including a stator, a rotor, and a bearing unit configured to support the rotor for rotation with respect to the stator, and for the bearing unit, the bearing unit of the first embodiment described above is used.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including a motor which includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing unit configured to support the rotor for rotation with respect to the stator, and for the bearing unit, the bearing unit of the first embodiment described above is used.
- With the bearing unit, motor and electronic apparatus, the rigidity of the shaft can be raised to reduce the deflection of the shaft, and the lubricating oil can be retained with certainty. Consequently, a good lubricating performance and a good rotational performance can be achieved.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a heat radiation apparatus which uses a motor to which the present invention is applied; -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the motor shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a bearing unit to which the present invention is applied; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a dynamic pressure generating groove formed on an inner circumferential face of a radial bearing shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing a spacer which is a component of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing another spacer which is a component of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view showing a further spacer which is a component of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an oil seal portion of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a bearing unit of a comparative example for comparison with the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating different variations of the volume variation amount and the liquid level of lubricating oil when the temperature of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 rises; -
FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating different variations of the volume variation amount and the liquid level of lubricating oil when the temperature of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 drops; -
FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a maximum space volume of the oil seal portion of the bearing unit ofFIG. 5 ; and -
FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a bearing unit in the related art. - In the following, an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is described.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is a personal computer of the notebook type. The computer 1 includes adisplay section 2 for displaying a result of an information process and so forth, and a computer body 3 including a built-in information processing section which performs an arithmetic operation process of various kinds of information. Akeyboard 5 is provided on the upper face side of the computer body 3 for inputting an operation instruction of the computer 1 or inputting various kinds of information therefrom. The computer body 3 has aheat radiation apparatus 4 provided in the inside thereof. Theheat radiation apparatus 4 has a cooling apparatus for radiating heat generated from an information processing circuit such as a CPU, a disk apparatus and so forth disposed in the computer body 3 to cool the inside of the computer body 3. - The
heat radiation apparatus 4 built in the computer body 3 is accommodated in ahousing 6 which forms the computer body 3 as shown inFIG. 2 . Referring toFIG. 3 , theheat radiation apparatus 4 includes abase 7 made of a metal material, amotor 10 attached to thebase 7, afan 8 for being driven to rotate by themotor 10, afan case 9 accommodated in thefan 8, and aheat sink 11. - The
base 7 is formed in a substantially L shape as shown inFIG. 3 . Aheat generating element 12 is attached to aface 7 a on one end side of thebase 7 formed in a substantially L shape. Theheat generating element 12 generates heat when it is energized like a central processing unit (CPU). Theheat generating element 12 is attached to theface 7 a of thebase 7 through aheat transmitting seal 12 a. - The
motor 10 and thefan case 9 in which thefan 8 for being driven to rotate by themotor 10 is accommodated are attached to a substantially central portion of theface 7 a of thebase 7. Acircular intake port 13 is formed in thefan case 9 such that it opens the position corresponding to a central portion of thefan 8 which is driven to rotate by themotor 10. Anopening 14 is provided at a position of the bottom face side of thehousing 6 opposing to theintake port 13 provided in thefan case 9 such that it is communicated with theintake port 13. Further, anexhaust port 15 for exhausting air taken in through theintake port 13 to the outside is provided in thefan case 9. - The
heat sink 11 is secured to theface 7 a of thebase 7 on the other end side. Theheat sink 11 is a corrugate-shaped or fin-shaped heat sink and is made of a metal material which is superior in heat radiating property such as, for example, aluminum. Also thebase 7 and thefan case 9 are preferably made of aluminum or iron which is a metal which is superior in heat radiating property. - On the
base 7 to which theheat generating element 12 is attached and also theheat radiation apparatus 4 and theheat sink 11 which radiate heat generated from theheat generating element 12 are attached, a plurality of mountingholes 7 b into which screws which are used to attach thebase 7 in thehousing 6 are to be inserted are provided. Thebase 7 is attached in thehousing 6 by securing screws for fixation, which are inserted in the mountingholes 7 b, tobosses 16 provided in the inside of thehousing 6 as shown inFIG. 2 . - The
heat sink 11 is disposed at a position at which it is opposed to a through-hole 17 formed in a side wall of thehousing 6 as seen inFIGS. 2 and 3 when thebase 7 is attached in thehousing 6. - The
heat radiation apparatus 4 configured in such a manner as described hereinabove takes in, when themotor 10 is driven to rotate thefan 8 in the direction indicated by an arrow mark R1 inFIG. 3 , the air outside the apparatus through theopening 14 formed in thehousing 6 and further takes the air into thefan case 9 through theintake port 13. The air taken in thefan case 9 by rotation of thefan 8 flows in the direction indicated by an arrow mark D2 inFIGS. 2 and 3 and further flows in the direction indicated by another arrow mark D3 inFIG. 3 so as to flow through theheat sink 11. Then, the air is exhausted to the outside of thehousing 6 through the through-hole 17. - Incidentally, the heat generated when the
heat generating element 12 attached to thebase 7 is driven is transmitted to theheat sink 11 attached to thebase 7 through thebase 7 formed from a metal material having a superior heat radiating property. At this time, air taken in from the outside of thehousing 6 by thefan 8 of theheat radiation apparatus 4 rotated by themotor 10 flows along and between the fins of theheat sink 11 and radiates the heat transmitted to theheat sink 11 to the outside of thehousing 6 through the through-hole 17. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , themotor 10 which is used in the heat radiating apparatus and to which the present invention is applied includes arotor 18 and astator 19. - The
stator 19 is provided integrally on thetop plate 9 a side of thefan case 9 in which thefan 8 rotated by themotor 10 is accommodated together with themotor 10. Thestator 19 includes astator yoke 20, a bearingunit 30 to which the present invention is applied, acoil 21, and a core 22 on which thecoil 21 is wound. Thestator yoke 20 may be of the type which is formed integrally with thetop plate 9 a of thefan case 9, that is, may be formed from part of thefan case 9, or may alternatively be formed as a separate member from thefan case 9. Thestator yoke 20 is formed, for example, from iron. The bearingunit 30 is secured by force fitting or adhesion or by force fitting and adhesion in aholder 23 formed in a cylindrical shape at a central portion of thestator yoke 20. - It is to be noted that the
holder 23 in which thebearing unit 30 is force fitted is formed in a cylindrical shape integrally with thestator yoke 20. - The core 22 on which the
coil 21 to which driving current is supplied is wound is attached to an outer peripheral portion of theholder 23 formed integrally on thestator yoke 20 as seen inFIG. 4 . - The
rotor 18 which cooperates with thestator 19 to form themotor 10 is attached to arotary shaft 31 supported for rotation on the bearingunit 30 such that it rotates integrally with therotary shaft 31. Therotor 18 includes arotor yoke 24, and thefan 8 which rotates integrally with therotor yoke 24 and has a plurality ofblades 25. Theblades 25 of thefan 8 are formed integrally with therotor yoke 24 by outsert molding on an outer peripheral face of therotor yoke 24. - A ring-shaped
rotor magnet 26 is provided on an inner circumferential face of acylindrical portion 24 a of therotor yoke 24 in an opposing relationship to thecoil 21 of thestator 19. Therotor magnet 26 is a plastic material having the S poles and the N poles magnetized alternately in a circumferential direction, and is secured to the inner peripheral face of therotor yoke 24 by a bonding agent. - The
rotor yoke 24 has aboss portion 27 provided at a central portion of aflat plate portion 24 b thereof and having a through-hole 27 a provided at a central portion thereof. Theboss portion 27 is force fitted in a mountingportion 31 c provided on the free end side of therotary shaft 31 supported on the bearingunit 30 to attach therotor yoke 24 for integral rotation to therotary shaft 31. - In the
motor 10 having such a configuration as described above, driving current is supplied to thecoil 21 on thestator 19 side in a predetermined energization pattern from a driving circuit section provided on the outside of themotor 10. When the driving current is supplied in this manner, therotor 18 rotates integrally with therotary shaft 31 by an action between a magnetic field generated by thecoil 21 and a magnetic field from therotor magnet 26 of therotor 18 side. As therotor 18 rotates, also thefan 8 attached to therotor 18 and having theblades 25 rotates integrally with therotor 18. As thefan 8 rotates, air outside the apparatus is taken in the direction indicated by the arrow mark D1 inFIGS. 2 and 3 through theopening 14 formed in thehousing 6 and flows in the direction indicated by the arrow mark D2. Then, the air flows in theheat sink 11 and is exhausted to the outside of thehousing 6 through the through-hole 17, whereupon the air radiates heat generated by theheat generating element 12 to the outside of the computer body 3 thereby to cool the inside of the computer body 3. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , the bearingunit 30 on which therotary shaft 31 of themotor 10 described above supported for rotation includes arotary shaft 31 is disposed a firstradial bearing 32 for supporting therotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction, and a secondradial bearing 33 disposed in a spaced relationship from the firstradial bearing 32 in an axial direction for supporting therotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction. The bearingunit 30 further includes athrust bearing 34 for supporting one end of therotary shaft 31 in a thrust direction, aspacer 35 disposed between the firstradial bearing 32 and the secondradial bearing 33, ahousing 37, and lubricatingoil 38 as viscous fluid fitted in thehousing 37. Thehousing 37 accommodates the firstradial bearing 32,spacer 35, secondradial bearing 33 and thrust bearing 34 in the inside thereof and has a closed structure except a shaftfitting hole 45 in which therotary shaft 31 is fitted. - The
spacer 35 is formed so that the variation of the liquid level of the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 when thevolume lubricating oil 38 is expanded or contracted by a temperature variation remains within a range within which the shaftfitting hole 45 of thehousing 37 is formed. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , therotary shaft 31 includes ashaft portion body 31 a supported at an outer circumferential face thereof by the first and secondradial bearings portion 31 b formed in an arcuate or tapering shape on one end side of theshaft portion body 31 a and supported by thethrust bearing 34. Therotary shaft 31 further includes a mountingportion 31 c provided on the other end side of theshaft portion body 31 a and having a rotary member such as, for example, therotor 18 of themotor 10, attached thereto. Therotary shaft 31 further includes agroove 31 d provided between the bearing supportedportion 31 b and theshaft portion body 31 a for preventing coming off of therotary shaft 31. Therotary shaft 31 is supported at the bearing supportedportion 31 b thereof by thethrust bearing 34, at an outer circumferential face of theshaft portion body 31 a thereof by the first and secondradial bearings portion 31 c thereof, which projects from the shaftfitting hole 45, by thehousing 37. Further, awasher 51 serving as a shaft coming off preventing member is provided at a position of therotary shaft 31 corresponding to thegroove 31 d. - The first and second
radial bearings radial bearings oil 38 filled in thehousing 37 to form a dynamic pressure fluid bearing, and first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearings rotary shaft 31 is fitted, respectively. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , each of the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves grooves radial bearing pressure generating grooves grooves rotary shaft 31. Further, the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearings pressure generating grooves radial bearings radial bearings radial bearings radial bearings radial bearings - In the first and second
radial bearings rotary shaft 31 fitted in the first and secondradial bearings FIG. 6 around the center axis CL, the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 flows in the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves oil 38 generates a dynamic pressure between the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the first and secondradial bearings rotary shaft 31. The dynamic pressure generated in this instance decreases the coefficient of friction between therotary shaft 31 and the first and secondradial bearings rotary shaft 31. - Since the first and second
radial bearings radial bearings rotary shaft 31 can be raised. As a result, deflection of therotary shaft 31 can be suppressed and the rotational performance can be enhanced. - The
thrust bearing 34 is formed as a pivot bearing which supports the bearing supportedportion 31 b of therotary shaft 31, which is formed in an arcuate or tapering shape, at a point. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 7 , thespacer 35 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed between the first and secondradial bearings spacer 35 is formed with an outer diameter with which it can be accommodated in thehousing 37 with an outer periphery thereof contacting with thehousing 37. Further, thespacer 35 is formed with an inner diameter which is a little greater than the outer diameter of therotary shaft 31 and with which it does not contact with therotary shaft 31, that is, with which a predetermined gap is left between thespacer 35 and therotary shaft 31. The predetermined gap between the inner circumferential face of thespacer 35 and the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 functions as a communicating path for establishing communication between a region in which the firstradial bearing 32 is provided and another region in which the secondradial bearing 33 is provided as hereinafter described. Further, a plurality offlow paths 49 for the lubricatingoil 38 are formed on a portion of thespacer 35 on thehousing 37 side, that is, on the outer circumferential face of thespacer 35 as shown inFIG. 7 . Theflow paths 49 are formed along the axial direction of therotary shaft 31 on the outer circumferential face of thespacer 35 and have a shape which is cut in a substantially semicircular shape, that is, in a D-cut shape, along a cross section perpendicular to therotary shaft 31. Thus, theflow paths 49 serve as communicating paths for establishing communication between the region in which the firstradial bearing 32 is provided and the region in which the secondradial bearing 33 is provided. Theflow paths 49 are provided at six locations spaced equally from each other on the outer circumferential face of thespacer 35 on the cross section perpendicular to therotary shaft 31. - The
flow paths 49 cooperate with the predetermined gap between the inner circumferential face of thespacer 35 and the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 to allow the lubricatingoil 38 to flow well into the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearings flow paths 49 and the gap described hereinabove can suppress floating of therotary shaft 31 by allowing flows of the lubricatingoil 38 in an appropriate direction to be produced between the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves rotary shaft 31. - The
spacer 35 is formed with such a size that, when the volume of the lubricatingoil 38 enclosed in the bearingunit 30 which has the dynamic pressure fluid bearing increases or decreases as a result of a temperature variation, the variation of the volume remains within a space defined by the oil seal section formed at an upper portion of the bearingunit 30 and therotary shaft 31, that is, within the shaftfitting hole 45. Then, thespacer 35 formed in a dimension adaptable to the expansion and contraction of the lubricatingoil 38 by a temperature variation can prevent air from entering the lubricatingoil 38 and prevent the lubricatingoil 38 from leaking out to the outside of the housing. - In particular, the
spacer 35 can reduce the volume of the lubricatingoil 38 to be filled in the bearingunit 30 as hereinafter described, and the lubricatingoil 38 can be retained with certainty by reducing the variation amount of the volume of the lubricatingoil 38 with respect to the temperature variation. - It is to be noted that the spacer which forms the bearing
unit 30 is not limited to thespacer 35 formed in such a manner as described above. In particular, any element may be used as the spacer if it is disposed between the first and secondradial bearings oil 38 filled in the bearingunit 30. - For example, the spacer which forms the bearing
unit 30 may be a spacer 35 a formed in a cylindrical shape and having a substantially hexagonal cross section as shown inFIG. 8 . Thespacer 35 a having a substantially hexagonal cross section is disposed between the first and secondradial bearings spacer 35. Thespacer 35 a has an outer peripheral face formed with a size with which it can be accommodated in thehousing 37 and has an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of therotary shaft 31 while it does not contact with therotary shaft 31. In other words, thespacer 35 a is formed with a predetermined gap left from therotary shaft 31. Thespacer 35 a cooperates with the inner circumferential face of thehousing 37 to form a plurality offlow paths 49 a for the lubricatingoil 38. Theflow paths 49 a serve as communicating paths for establishing communication between the region in which the firstradial bearing 32 is provided and the region in which the secondradial bearing 33 is provided. - Further, the spacer which forms the bearing
unit 30 may be aspacer 35 b which has such a substantially cylindrical shape as shown inFIG. 9 and has a plurality of through-holes formed in the axial direction. Thespacer 35 b having the through-holes formed therein is disposed between the first and secondradial bearings spacer 35. Thespacer 35 b has an outer diameter having a size with which it can be accommodated in and contact with thehousing 37 and has an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of therotary shaft 31 while it does not contact with therotary shaft 31. In other words, thespacer 35 b is formed with a predetermined gap left from therotary shaft 31. The through-holes formed in thespacer 35 b serves as communicatingpaths 49 b in which the lubricatingoil 38 flows. Theflow paths 49 b are formed as through-holes which extend in the axial direction and are formed substantially on a circle in an equally spaced relationship from each other at a predetermined position in the thicknesswise direction of thespacer 35 b on a cross section perpendicular to therotary shaft 31. Theflow paths 49 b serve as communicating paths for establishing communication between the region in which the firstradial bearing 32 is provided and the region in which the secondradial bearing 33 is provided. - Each of the
flow paths spacers spacer rotary shaft 31 to allow the lubricatingoil 38 to circulate well into the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearing 32 or secondradial bearing 33. In other words, theflow paths rotary shaft 31 by allowing flows of the lubricatingoil 38 in an appropriate direction to be produced between the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves rotary shaft 31. - Referring back to
FIG. 5 , thehousing 37 includes ahousing body 42, abottom closing portion 43, and anupper closing portion 44. Thehousing 37 has such a shape that it accommodates and surrounds the first and secondradial bearings housing body 42 is disposed on the outer side of the first and secondradial bearings bottom closing portion 43 closes up a lower opening on one side of thehousing body 42. Theupper closing portion 44 closes up an upper opening formed on the opposite side to the lower opening of thehousing body 42. Thehousing body 42 has a tubular shape and is formed from a metal material. Further, theupper closing portion 44 and thebottom closing portion 43 are formed from a metal material similarly to thehousing body 42. - The shaft
fitting hole 45 is provided at a central portion of theupper closing portion 44. Therotary shaft 31 supported for rotation by the first and secondradial bearings housing 37 is fitted in the shaftfitting hole 45. - The
thrust bearing 34 is disposed at a central portion on the inner face side of thebottom closing portion 43. The bearing supportedportion 31 b is provided at one end portion in a thrust direction of therotary shaft 31 supported on the first and secondradial bearings thrust bearing 34. - The
housing 37 having the configuration described hereinabove is formed from thehousing body 42 in which the first and secondradial bearings spacer 35 are accommodated, and theupper closing portion 44 and abottom closing portion 43. Thehousing body 42,upper closing portion 44 andbottom closing portion 43 are integrated with each other by sealingportions 46 formed by laser welding to join theupper closing portion 44 and thebottom closing portion 43 together. Thehousing 37 has an enclosed structure except the shaftfitting hole 45 by sealing the joined portions from the outside with the sealingportions 46. - It is to be noted that, while the
housing body 42,upper closing portion 44 andbottom closing portion 43 are formed from a metal material, they may otherwise be formed from a synthetic resin material and integrated with each other by welding. Where, for example, a synthetic resin material having a superior lubricating property is used as the material for thehousing 37, a comparatively great contact angle can be achieved. As a result, since leakage of the lubricatingoil 38 under centrifugal force is suppressed, the heightwise dimension of the shaftfitting hole 45 can be reduced. - Incidentally, the shaft
fitting hole 45 of thehousing 37 is formed with an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of a fittedportion 31 e of therotary shaft 31, which is a portion fitted in the shaftfitting hole 45, so that the fittedportion 31 e may rotate without slidably contacting with the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45. At this time, the shaftfitting hole 45 is formed such that agap 47 of a distance c sufficient for the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 to be prevented from leaking from the inside of thehousing 37 is provided between the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45 and the outer circumferential face of the fittedportion 31 e of therotary shaft 31. Theupper closing portion 44 in which the shaftfitting hole 45 is formed so that thegap 47 which prevents leakage of the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 is formed between the shaftfitting hole 45 and therotary shaft 31 in this manner forms an oil seal section. - Further, a tapering
portion 48 is provided on the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 which opposes to the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45. The taperingportion 48 is inclined such that thegap 47 formed between the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45 increases toward the outside of thehousing 37. The taperingportion 48 forms a pressure gradient in thegap 47 formed by the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45 so that force to draw the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 into the insider of thehousing 37 is generated. Since the lubricatingoil 38 tends to be drawn into the inside of thehousing 37 upon rotation of thehousing 37, the lubricatingoil 38 enters with certainty into the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearings rotary shaft 31 is implemented, and besides, leakage of the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 can be prevented. - The lubricating
oil 38 is filled such that it is opposed from the inside of thehousing 37 to thegap 47 which is formed by the taperingportion 48 formed on therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45. In particular, the lubricatingoil 38 is filled into the gap in thehousing 37 and further impregnated into the first and secondradial bearings oil 38 enters the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearings - In order to fabricate the bearing
unit 30 configured in such a manner as described above, the firstradial bearing 32 is attached to thehousing body 42 first, and then thespacer 35 is attached, whereafter the secondradial bearing 33 is attached. Then, thewasher 51 and thethrust bearing 34 are attached to thebottom closing portion 43, and then thehousing body 42 described above is attached to thebottom closing portion 43, whereafter theupper closing portion 44 is attached. Then, at a location between thehousing body 42 and theupper closing portion 44 and another location between thehousing body 42 and thebottom closing portion 43, sealingportions 46 are formed by laser welding to integrate thehousing 37. Then, therotary shaft 31 is inserted into thehousing 37 integrated in this manner. - In the bearing
unit 30, the taperingportion 48 is provided which is inclined such that the distance c of thegap 47 formed between the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45 increases toward the outside of thehousing 37. Therefore, a pressure gradient is formed in the distance c of thegap 47 formed by the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45, and force which tends to draw the lubricatingoil 38 filled in thehousing 37 into the inside of thehousing 37 is generated. In other words, in the bearingunit 30, thegap 47 formed between the outer circumferential face of therotary shaft 31 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45 prevents the lubricatingoil 38 from being scattered by the surface tension seal. - In the bearing
unit 30 having the configuration described above, since it has the configuration that the first and secondradial bearings rotary shaft 31 can be raised thereby to reduce the deflection of therotary shaft 31 by assuring a great distance between the first and secondradial bearings unit 30 to which the present invention is applied can raise the rigidity higher than a rigidity which has been a limit from a relationship of formation of a radial bearing, and implements enhancement of the rotational performance in the past. - Further, in the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied, thespacer 35 is disposed between the first and secondradial bearings oil 38 increases by an amount of the space between the first and secondradial bearings radial bearings - Here, it is described in detail that the problem of a temperature variation can be prevented by the provision of the
spacer 35. In order to make a comparison with the above-describedbearing unit 30 to which the present invention is applied, description is given of a bearingunit 60 of a comparative example which does not include a spacer. It is to be noted that, in the description of the bearingunit 60 of the comparative example, like elements to those of the bearingunit 30 described hereinabove are denoted by like reference characters, and overlapping description of them is omitted herein to avoid redundancy. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , the bearingunit 60 includes arotary shaft 31, a firstradial bearing 32 for supporting therotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction, and a secondradial bearing 33 disposed in a spaced relationship from the firstradial bearing 32 in an axial direction for supporting therotary shaft 31 in a circumferential direction. The bearingunit 60 further includes athrust bearing 34 for supporting one end of therotary shaft 31 in a thrust direction, ahousing 37 which accommodates the firstradial bearing 32, secondradial bearing 33 and thrust bearing 34 therein, and lubricatingoil 68 as viscous fluid filled in thehousing 37. - The lubricating
oil 68 is filled in the gap in thehousing 37 such that it is opposed to thegap 47 formed by the taperingportion 48 and the inner circumferential face of the shaftfitting hole 45 similarly to the lubricatingoil 38 described hereinabove. - Then, where the volume of the lubricating
oil oil housing 37 other than the oil seal section is represented as seal lower portion volume Va, the overall volume of the lubricatingoil 38 or lubricatingoil 68 filled in the bearingunit
V=Va+Vb (1) - Here, when the temperature varies by ΔT° C., the volume of the lubricating
oil
where α is the volume expansion coefficient of the lubricating oil. It is to be noted thatFIG. 12 illustrates a relationship between the volume variation amount ΔV and the liquid level of the lubricatingoil FIG. 12 , reference character SN denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil at a room temperature, and SH denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil when the temperature rises by ΔT° C. Meanwhile,FIG. 13 illustrates a relationship between the volume variation amount ΔV and the liquid level of the lubricatingoil FIG. 13 , reference character SN denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil at a room temperature, and SL denotes the liquid level of the lubricating oil when the temperature droops by ΔT° C. - Then, where the maximum space volume of the oil seal section is represented by Vc, it is necessary to set the maximum space volume Vc so as to satisfy the following expression (3):
Vc−Vb>ΔV (3)
The reason is that, if the expression (3) is not satisfied, then when the temperature is high, that is, when the temperature rises by ΔT° C., the lubricatingoil unit - On the other hand, it is necessary to set the oil seal section volume Vb so as to satisfy the following expression (4):
Vb>ΔV (4)
The reason is that, if the expression (4) is not satisfied, then when the temperature is low, that is, when the temperature drops by ΔT° C., the lubricatingoil oil - In order for the expressions (3) and (4) given above to be satisfied to obtain an appropriate liquid level of the lubricating
oil - In order to make the maximum space volume Vc great, it is necessary to expand the shaft
fitting hole 45 and the distance c of therotary shaft 31 and/or to make the height t of the shaftfitting hole 45 high. However, if the distance c is expanded, then when an impact applies, a problem that the lubricating oil is likely to be scattered occurs, and if the height t of the shaftfitting hole 45 is made high, then another problem that the heightwise dimension of the entire bearing unit becomes great occurs. - With the bearing
unit 30 to which the present; invention is applied, the overall volume V of the lubricating oil at a room temperature is smaller by an amount equal to the volume of thespacer 35 than that of the bearingunit 60 of the comparative example described hereinabove. Therefore, the volume variation amount ΔV can be reduced, and such problems as described above can be eliminated. - In particular, the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied includes thespacer 35 formed with a size which can absorb expansion and contraction of the lubricatingoil 38 caused by a temperature variation. Therefore, when the temperature of the lubricatingoil 38 varies, the variation of the liquid level of the lubricatingoil 38 can be restricted within the range within which the shaftfitting hole 45 is formed. Consequently, mixture of air into the lubricatingoil 38 and leakage of the lubricatingoil 38 to the outside of the housing can be prevented. - In other words, since the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied includes thespacer 35 disposed between the first and secondradial bearings oil 38 by temperature variation can be reduced. Therefore, leakage of the lubricatingoil 38 to the outside of the bearingunit 30 when the temperature rises can be prevented, and mixture of air into the lubricatingoil 38 by a drop of the liquid level of the lubricatingoil 38 from the oil seal section when the temperature drops can be prevented. Consequently, such problems of deterioration of the rotational performance, lubricating performance and so forth by leakage of the lubricating oil and mixture of air into the lubricating oil can be prevented. In other words, the bearingunit 30 to which the present invention is applied makes it possible for the lubricatingoil 38 to be retained with certainty in the unit. - Further, with the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied, since the volume variation amount ΔV of the lubricatingoil 38 by a temperature variation can be reduced, the dimension of the oil seal section in the axial direction, that is, the height t of the shaftfitting hole 45, can be suppressed to its minimum value. Consequently, the dimension of the bearing unit in the axial direction can be suppressed to a small dimension, and miniaturization of the apparatus can be achieved. - Consequently, with the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied, since therotary shaft 31 is formed with enhanced rigidity, it is possible to reduce the deflection of therotary shaft 31 and retain the lubricatingoil 38 with certainty thereby to obtain a good lubricating performance and a good rotational performance. - Further, with the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied, since theflow paths 49 for the lubricatingoil 38 are formed in thespacer 35 disposed between the first and secondradial bearings oil 38 in an appropriate direction is produced between the first and second dynamicpressure generating grooves radial bearings rotary shaft 31, and consequently, floating of therotary shaft 31 can be suppressed. As a result, the bearingunit 30 to which the present invention is applied can prevent such a situation that, as a result of floating of therotary shaft 31, the liquid level of the lubricatingoil 38 drops and the air is mixed into the lubricatingoil 38. - In this manner, the bearing
unit 30 to which the present invention is applied can achieve a good lubricating performance and a good rotational performance, which enhance the universal use and the selectivity of the bearing unit and raise the degree of freedom in design of products which use the bearing unit. - Further, since the motor and the electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied include the bearing
unit 30 described above, they can achieve a good rotational performance with the reduced deflection and so forth of therotary shaft 31 and with a good lubricating performance for a long period of time. - The bearing unit to which the present invention is applied can be applied not limited as a bearing for a motor of a heat radiating apparatus or a spindle motor of a disk drive, and also as a bearing for various motors.
- Further, the bearing unit to which the present invention is applied can be used widely not limited for motors, and also for various mechanisms which include a rotary shaft and other mechanisms which support a part which rotates with respect to a shaft.
- It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims (5)
1. A bearing unit, comprising:
a shaft;
a first radial bearing configured to support said shaft in a circumferential direction;
a second radial bearing disposed in a spaced relationship from said first radial bearing in an axial direction of said shaft configured to support said shaft in the circumferential direction;
a thrust bearing configured to support one end of said shaft in a thrust direction;
a spacer disposed between said first and second radial bearings;
a housing in which said first and second radial bearings and said thrust bearing are disposed and which has an enclosed structure except a shaft insertion hole in which said shaft is fitted; and
viscous fluid filled in said housing.
2. The bearing unit according to claim 1 , wherein:
said spacer is formed such that, when the volume of said viscous fluid filled in said housing is expanded or contracted by a temperature variation, the variation of the liquid level of said viscous fluid remains within a range within which said shaft insertion hole of said housing is formed.
3. The bearing unit according to claim 1 , wherein:
said spacer has a flow path for said viscous fluid formed therein.
4. A motor, comprising:
a stator;
a rotor; and
a bearing unit configured to support
said rotator for rotation with respect to said stator;
said bearing unit including:
a shaft;
a first radial bearing configured to support said shaft in a circumferential direction;
a second radial bearing disposed in a spaced relationship from said first radial bearing in an axial direction of said shaft configured to support said shaft in the circumferential direction;
a thrust bearing configured to support one end of said shaft in a thrust direction;
a spacer disposed between said first and second radial bearings;
a housing in which said first and second radial bearings and said thrust bearing are disposed and which has an enclosed structure except a shaft insertion hole in which said shaft is fitted; and
viscous fluid filled in said housing.
5. An electronic apparatus, comprising:
a motor including a stator;
a rotor; and
a bearing unit configured to support said rotator for rotation with respect to said stator;
said bearing unit including:
a shaft;
a first radial bearing configured to support said shaft in a circumferential direction;
a second radial bearing disposed in a spaced relationship from said first radial bearing in an axial direction of said shaft configured to support said shaft in the circumferential direction;
a thrust bearing configured to support one end of said shaft in a thrust direction;
a spacer disposed between said first and second radial bearings;
a housing in which said first and second radial bearings and said thrust bearing are disposed and which has an enclosed structure except a shaft insertion hole in which said shaft is fitted; and
viscous fluid filled in said housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JPP2005-185601 | 2005-06-24 | ||
JP2005185601A JP2007002949A (en) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-06-24 | Bearing unit, motor with bearing unit, and electronic device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060292015A1 true US20060292015A1 (en) | 2006-12-28 |
Family
ID=37567603
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/450,340 Abandoned US20060292015A1 (en) | 2005-06-24 | 2006-06-12 | Bearing unit and motor and electric apparatus having bearing unit |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060292015A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007002949A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100434737C (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090226334A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-09-10 | Yue-Fei Li | Fan, motor and oil sealing structure thereof |
US20190017500A1 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2019-01-17 | Welco Co., Ltd. | Tube pump |
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US5541462A (en) * | 1993-04-27 | 1996-07-30 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Rotary body bearing apparatus, motor and polygon mirror motor |
US5754374A (en) * | 1995-10-28 | 1998-05-19 | Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd. | Dynamic pressure bearing apparatus and head drum assembly of a video cassette recorder utilizing the same |
US5821655A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1998-10-13 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Magnetic fluid bearing unit structure and motor having the same |
US6023114A (en) * | 1997-09-08 | 2000-02-08 | Ntn Corporation | Spindle motor and rotating shaft supporting device for spindle motor |
US6172847B1 (en) * | 1997-03-27 | 2001-01-09 | Nsk Ltd. | Rotational assembly for disc drive device having small runout and reduced axial displacement |
US7025505B2 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2006-04-11 | Ntn Corporation | Fluid bearing device |
US7465097B2 (en) * | 2005-01-07 | 2008-12-16 | Minebea Co., Ltd. | Fluid dynamic bearing system |
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WO2000004298A1 (en) * | 1998-07-17 | 2000-01-27 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Dynamic groove bearing comprising a porous lubricant reservoir |
US6361214B1 (en) * | 1999-08-02 | 2002-03-26 | Nidec Corporation | Hydrodynamic-pressure bearing device and motor provided with the hydrodynamic-pressure bearing device |
JP3925155B2 (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2007-06-06 | ソニー株式会社 | Bearing unit and motor having bearing unit |
JP3988714B2 (en) * | 2003-11-14 | 2007-10-10 | ソニー株式会社 | Bearing unit, motor having bearing unit, and electronic device |
-
2005
- 2005-06-24 JP JP2005185601A patent/JP2007002949A/en not_active Abandoned
-
2006
- 2006-06-12 US US11/450,340 patent/US20060292015A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-06-26 CN CNB2006100908197A patent/CN100434737C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US5541462A (en) * | 1993-04-27 | 1996-07-30 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Rotary body bearing apparatus, motor and polygon mirror motor |
US5754374A (en) * | 1995-10-28 | 1998-05-19 | Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd. | Dynamic pressure bearing apparatus and head drum assembly of a video cassette recorder utilizing the same |
US5821655A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1998-10-13 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Magnetic fluid bearing unit structure and motor having the same |
US6172847B1 (en) * | 1997-03-27 | 2001-01-09 | Nsk Ltd. | Rotational assembly for disc drive device having small runout and reduced axial displacement |
US6023114A (en) * | 1997-09-08 | 2000-02-08 | Ntn Corporation | Spindle motor and rotating shaft supporting device for spindle motor |
US7025505B2 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2006-04-11 | Ntn Corporation | Fluid bearing device |
US7465097B2 (en) * | 2005-01-07 | 2008-12-16 | Minebea Co., Ltd. | Fluid dynamic bearing system |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090226334A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-09-10 | Yue-Fei Li | Fan, motor and oil sealing structure thereof |
US8297946B2 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2012-10-30 | Delta Electronics, Inc. | Fan, motor and oil sealing structure thereof |
US20190017500A1 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2019-01-17 | Welco Co., Ltd. | Tube pump |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2007002949A (en) | 2007-01-11 |
CN100434737C (en) | 2008-11-19 |
CN1884863A (en) | 2006-12-27 |
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Owner name: SONY CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:YAZAWA, KENICHIRO;KANEKO, TAKESHI;SATO, HIROSHI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018250/0854;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060810 TO 20060817 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |