(12) United States Patent
`Neal
`
`US006362554B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,362,554 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`(54) STATOR ASSEMBLY
`
`(75) Inventor: Griffith D. Neal, Alameda, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Encap Motor Corporation, Alameda,
`CA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/470,429
`-
`(22) Filed:
`Dec. 22, 1999
`- -
`-
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) rºom application No. 60/146,446, filed on Jul. 29,
`-
`(51) Int. Cl." .................................................. H02K 1/12
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 310/254; 310/43; 29/596;
`e
`264/272.2
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 310/43, 51, 89,
`310/254; 29/596, 606; 264/272.13, 272.2
`
`(56)
`
`BE
`
`References Cited
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`-
`-
`(List continued on next page.)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. application No. 09/470,428, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`of claims enclosed.
`U.S. application No. 09/470,432, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`of claims enclosed.
`U.S. application No. 09/470,430, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`of claims enclosed.
`U.S. application No. 09/470,434, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`of claims enclosed.
`U.S. application No. 09/470,427, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`of claims enclosed.
`-
`-
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner—Joseph Waks
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Steven P. Shurtz, Brinks
`Hofer Gilson & Lione
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A high speed spindle motor is constructed from a stator
`assembly that includes a stator having multiple conductors
`that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical
`current is conducted by the conductors and a body of a phase
`change material, such as a thermoplastic, substantially
`encapsulating the stator. A rotatable hub having a magnet
`connected thereto is in operable proximity to the stator. The
`high speed motor also includes a shaft, a bearing surround
`ing the shaft and one of the bearing or shaft being fixed to
`the stator assembly and the other of the bearing or shaft
`being fixed to the rotatable hub. Hard disc drives using the
`motor, and methods of developing and constructing the
`motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.
`
`12 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 1
`
`

`

`US 6,362,554 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`
`6,002,185 A * 12/1999 Nakao et al. ................. 310/43
`6,019,516 A 2/2000 Leuthold et al. ...
`... 384/107
`6,020,661 A 2/2000 Trago et al. .................. 310/43
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`6,071,014 A 6/2000 Lee et al. ................... 384/110
`
`4,679,313 A * 7/1987 Schultz et al. ................ 29/596
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`... 310/239
`4,858,073. A 8/1989 Gregory .......
`... 361/708
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`... 29/596
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`.... 310/156
`FR
`5,008,572 A * 4/1991 Marshall et al. .............. 31045
`12/1990
`2 647 958
`JP
`5,036,580 A
`8/1991 Fox et al. ..................... 29/605
`12/1993
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`JP
`5,073,735 A 12/1991 Takagi ......................... 310/71
`3/1998
`10070870
`JP
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`... 310/89
`10/1998
`410271719
`JP
`5,121,021 A 6/1992 Ward ............
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`3/1999
`11082508
`SU
`5,134,327 A 7/1992 Sumi et al. .
`... 310/43.
`8/1987
`1334.297
`SU
`5,142,103 A 8/1992 Stine ......
`... 174/52.2
`7/1989
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`WO
`5,147,982 A 9/1992 Steffen ...
`... 174/52,2
`4/1992
`WO 92/06532
`5,206,554. A
`4/1993 Perrot .................. 310/40 MM WO
`7/1996
`WO 96/20501
`5,268,607 A 12/1993 McManus .................... 310/89
`WO
`10/1996
`WO 96/33533
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`... 310/89
`WO
`10/1997
`WO 97/39870
`5,345,129 A 9/1994 Molnar ....................... 310/156
`5,382,852 A
`1/1995 Yuhi et al. ............ 310/40 MM
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`5,396,210 A 3/1995 Purohit et al. ................ 336/60
`U.S. application No. 09/470,431, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`5,400,218 A 3/1995 Val ...........
`… 301/70°
`of claims enclosed.
`sº. A ?º º *... Us, application No. 09470433, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`
`; , ;... ." "... ... is application No. 09470.425, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`5,541,787 A
`7/1996 Jabbari et al. ........... 360/97.01
`of claims enclosed.
`5,548,458 A 8/1996 Pelstring et al. ......... 360/99.08
`U.S. application No. 09/470,426, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`5,558,445 A 9/1996 Chen et al. ................. 389/132
`of claims enclosed.
`5,579,188 A 11/1996 Dunfield et al. ......... 360/99.08
`U.S. application No. 09/470,424, filed Dec. 22, 1999, copy
`5,587,617 A 12/1996 Dunfield et al.
`310/90.5
`of claims enclosed.
`sº º !: º: et !
`-- sº U.S. application No. 09/738,268, filed Dec. 15, 2000, copy
`soijoss A ; B. : . º: of application as originally filed enclosed.
`soiosso A 4/1997 Dunfield et al. ......... 360/98.07
`Product Information from Dupont Engineering Polymers
`5621372 A 4/1997 Purohit ........................ 336/60
`entitled “Electrical/Electronic Thermoplastic Encapsula
`5633,545 A
`5/1997 Albrecht et al. ............ 310,670
`tion,” (no date), Publ. Reorder No.: H-58633 (R, 96.7), 20
`5,666,242 A 9/1997 Edwards et al. ............ 360/265
`pages.
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`.... 310/216
`The Epoxylite Corporation, article from the Internet entitled
`5,672,927 A 9/1997 Viskochil .................... 310/194
`“Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI) Systems”, Nov. 19,
`5,675,196 A 10/1997 Huang et al. ............. 310/67 R
`1999,
`<http://www.epoxylite.com/EpoxyliteBquipmen
`5,694,268 A 12/1997 Dunfield et al.
`... 31997...
`t.htm>, 3 pages.
`§. A º, ºyº Buchanan Motor Works, Inc., article from the Internet
`sºo. A
`3/1998 Dumfield et al... 360900s
`entitled “Epoxy Seal–Prevents Down Time and Keeps
`5,742,450 A 4/1998 Moser ..........
`360,99.08
`Equipment Running Longer,” Jul 14, 1999, «http://www.b
`5,751,085 A * 5/1998 Hayashi ....................... 310/90
`mwworks.com/VIP.htm>, 1 page.
`5,751,514 A 5/1998 Hyde et al. .............. 360/97.01
`Neeltran Inc., article from the Internet entitled “Vacuum
`5,766,535 A 6/1998 Ong ..........
`... 264/272.15
`Pressure Impregnation (VPI)”, Nov. 19, 1999, http://ww
`5,783,888 A 7/1998 Yamano ...................... 310/91
`w.neeltran.thomasregister.com/olc/neeltran/neel9.htm>
`2
`5,806,169 A 9/1998 Trago et al. .................. 29/596
`pages.
`*:::::: A º º º LNP Engineering Plastics, Press Release entitled “LNP
`s'sso.179 A - 31999 to et al. ... sºsºs
`Introduces First-Ever Line of Thermally Conductive Com
`5,881,447 A 3/1999 Molnar ........................ 29,598
`pounds,” Jan. 28, 1999 (2 pages).
`5,942,824. A * 8/1999 Shioya et al.
`... 310/90.5
`LNP Engineering Plastics, Advertisement entitled “Kon
`5,958,466 A 9/1999 Ong ........................... 425/127
`duit" Thermally Conductive Composites,” undated (2
`5,973,424 A 10/1999 Engelberber et al. .... 360/97.01
`pages).
`5,982,247 A 11/1999 Imada et al. .................. 310/43
`5.990,583 A 11/1999 Terada et al. ................. 310/43
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2 * ~ * > *
`
`* ~ * *
`
`* *-*t ? ~ * ~ * *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
`
`of claims enclosed.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`hdar.26,2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`Sheet1,0f13
`
`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`
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`
`
`PeflflonaB'Exmbfl1014,pg.3
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`hdar.26,2002
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`Sheet 2 of 13
`SheetZ 0f13
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`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`
`
`PeflflonaB'Exmbfl1014,pg.4
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`Sheet 3 0f 13
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`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 5
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`hdar.26,2002
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`Sheet 4 of 13
`Sheet4 0f13
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`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`
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`
`
`Peflflonery
`
`Exhibit 1014, pg. 6
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`Mar. 26, 2002
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`Sheet 5 of 13
`Sheet 5 0f 13
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`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 7
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`Sheet 6 0f 13
`
`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`
`
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`
`14, pg.8
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`
`
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`Mar. 26, 2002
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`Sheet 9 0f 13
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`US 6,362,554 B1
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`
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`Petitioners‘ Exhibit 1014, pg. 11
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
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`Mar. 26, 2002
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`Mar. 26, 2002
`hdar.26,2002
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`Sheet 13 of 13
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`
`US 6,362,554 B1
`US 6,362,554 B1
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`PeflflonaB'ExmbH1014,pg.15
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 15
`
`

`

`US 6,362.554 B1
`
`1
`STATOR ASSEMBLY
`
`2
`the parts, as well as the overall tolerance that relates to the
`alignment of the parts relative to one another.
`In an effort to enable increased motor speed, some hard
`disc manufacturers have turned to the use of hydrodynamic
`bearings. These hydrodynamic bearings, however, have dif
`ferent aspect ratios from conventional bearings. An example
`of a different aspect ratio may be found in a cylindrical
`hydrodynamic bearing in which the length of the bearing is
`greater than it’s diameter. This results in more susceptibility
`to problems induced by differing coefficients of thermal
`expansion than other metals used in existing spindle motors,
`making it difficult to maintain dimensional consistency over
`the operating temperature that the drive sees between the
`hydrodynamic bearings and other metal parts of the motor.
`Hydrodynamic bearings have less stiffness than conven
`tional ball bearings so they are more susceptible to imprecise
`rotation when exposed to vibrations or shock.
`An important characteristic of a hard drive is the amount
`of information that can be stored on a disc. One method to
`store more information on a disc is to place data tracks more
`closely together. Presently this spacing between portions of
`information is limited due to vibrations occurring during the
`operation of the motor. These vibrations can be caused when
`the stator windings are energized, which results in vibrations
`of a particular frequency. These vibrations also occur from
`harmonic oscillations in the hub and discs during rotation,
`caused primarily by non-uniform size media discs.
`An important factor in motor design is the lowering of the
`operating temperature of the motor. Increased motor tem
`perature affects the electrical efficiency of the motor and
`bearing life. As temperature increases, resistive loses in wire
`increase, thereby reducing total motor power. Furthermore,
`the Arhennius equation predicts that the failure rate of an
`electrical device is exponentially related to its operating
`temperature. The frictional heat generated by bearings
`increases with speed. Also, as bearings get hot they expand,
`and the bearing cages get stressed and may deflect, causing
`non-uniform rotation and the resultant further heat increase,
`non-uniform rotation requiring greater spacing in data
`tracks, and reduced bearing life. One drawback with existing
`motor designs is their limited effective dissipation of the
`heat, and difficulty in incorporating heat sinks to aid in heat
`dissipation. In addition, in current motors the operating
`temperatures generally increase as the size of the motor is
`decreased.
`Manufacturers have established strict requirements on the
`outgassing of materials that are used inside a hard disc drive.
`These requirements are intended to reduce the emission of
`materials onto the magnetic media or heads during the
`operation of the drive. Of primary concern are glues used to
`attach components together, varnish used to insulate wire,
`and epoxy used to protect steel laminations from oxidation.
`In addition to such outgassed materials, airborne particu
`late in a drive may lead to head damage. Also, airborne
`particulates in the disc drive could interfere with signal
`transfer between the read/write head and the media. To
`reduce the effects of potential airborne particulate, hard
`drives are manufactured to exacting clean room standards
`and air filters are installed inside of the drive to reduce the
`contamination levels during operation.
`Heads used in disc drives are susceptible to damage from
`electrical shorts passing through a small air gap between the
`media and the head surface. In order to prevent such shorts,
`some hard drives use a plastic or rubber ring to isolate the
`spindle motor from the hard drive case. A drawback to this
`design is the requirement of an extra component.
`
`REFERENCE TO EARLIER FILED
`APPLICATION
`The present application claims the benefit of the filing
`date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 60/146,446, filed Jul. 29, 1999, which
`is hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to a high speed
`motor. It relates particularly to a spindle motor such as used
`in a hard disc drive, and to the construction and arrangement
`of the body of the spindle motor to align and retain the
`respective component parts of the motor, as well as stator
`assemblies used in the motors and hard disc drives using the
`motors, and methods of developing and manufacturing high
`speed motors.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Computers commonly use disc drives for memory storage
`purposes. Disc drives include a stack of one or more
`magnetic discs that rotate and are accessed using a head or
`read-write transducer. Typically, a high speed motor such as
`a spindle motor is used to rotate the discs.
`An example of a conventional spindle motor 1 is shown
`in FIG. 1. The motor 1 includes a base 2 which is usually
`made from die cast aluminum, a stator 4, a shaft 6, bearings
`30
`7 and a disc support member 8, also referred to as a hub. A
`magnet 3 and flux return ring 5 are attached to the disc
`support member 8. The stator 4 is separated from the base 2
`using an insulator (not shown) and attached to the base 2
`using a glue. Distinct structures are formed in the base 2 and
`the disc support member 8 to accommodate the bearings 7.
`One end of the shaft 6 is inserted into the bearing 7
`positioned in the base 2 and the other end of the shaft 6 is
`placed in the bearing 7 located in the hub 8. A separate
`electrical connector 9 may also be inserted into the base 2.
`Each of these parts must be fixed at predefined tolerances
`with respect to one another. Accuracy in these tolerances can
`significantly enhance motor performance.
`In operation, the disc stack is placed upon the hub. The
`stator windings are selectively energized and interact with
`the permanent magnet to cause a defined rotation of the hub.
`As hub 8 rotates, the head engages in reading or writing
`activities based upon instructions from the CPU in the
`computer.
`Manufacturers of disc drives are constantly seeking to
`improve the speed with which data can be accessed. To an
`extent, this speed depends upon the speed of the spindle
`motor, as existing magneto-resistive head technology is
`capable of accessing data at a rate greater than the speed
`offered by the highest speed spindle motor currently in
`production. The speed of the spindle motor is dependent
`upon the dimensional consistency or tolerances between the
`various components of the motor. Greater dimensional con
`sistency between components leads to a smaller gap between
`the stator 4 and the magnet 3, producing more force, which
`provides more torque and enables faster acceleration and
`higher rotational speeds. One drawback of conventional
`spindle motors is that a number of separate parts are required
`to fix motor components to one another. This can lead to
`stack up tolerances which reduce the overall dimensional
`consistency between the components. Stack up tolerances
`refers to the sum of the variation of all the tolerances of all
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 16
`
`

`

`3
`Another example of a spindle motor is shown in U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,694,268 (Dunfield et al.) (incorporated herein by
`reference). Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 of this patent, a stator
`200 of the spindle motor is encapsulated with an overmold
`209. The overmolded stator contains openings through
`which mounting pins 242 may be inserted for attaching the
`stator 200 to a base. U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,972 (Viskochil)
`(incorporated herein by reference) also discloses a spindle
`motor having an overmolded stator. One drawback with the
`overmold used in these patents is that it has a different
`coefficient of linear thermal expansion (“CLTE”) than the
`corresponding metal parts to which it is attached. Another
`drawback with the overmold is that it is not very effective at
`dissipating heat. Further, the overmolds shown in these
`patents are not effective in dampening some vibrations
`generated by energizing the stator windings.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,169 (Trago) (incorporated herein by
`reference) discloses a method of fabricating an injection
`molded motor assembly. However, the motor disclosed in
`Trago is a step motor, not a high speed spindle motor, and
`would not be used in applications such as hard disc drives.
`Thus, a need exists for an improved high speed spindle
`motor, having properties that will be especially useful in a
`hard disc drive, overcoming the aforementioned problems.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A high speed motor has been invented which overcomes
`many of the foregoing problems. In addition, unique stator
`assemblies and other components of a high speed motor
`have been invented, as well as methods of manufacturing
`and developing motors and hard disc drives. In one aspect,
`the invention is a high speed spindle motor comprising: a
`stator assembly, including a stator having multiple conduc
`tors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical
`current is conducted by the conductors; and a body of a
`phase change material substantially encapsulating the stator;
`a rotatable hub having a magnet connected thereto in oper
`able proximity to the stator; a shaft; a bearing around the
`shaft; and one of the shaft or bearing being fixed to the stator
`assembly and the other of the shaft or bearing being fixed to
`the rotatable hub.
`In another aspect the invention is a stator assembly
`comprising a) a magnetically inducible core; b) a plurality of
`conductors in proximity to the core such that magnetic fields
`are induced in the core when electrical current is conducted
`through the conductors; and c) a body of a phase change
`material substantially encapsulating the core and
`conductors, the phase change material having a coefficient of
`linear thermal expansion approximately the same as the
`coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the core.
`In another aspect the invention is a stator assembly
`comprising: a) a stator having multiple conductors that
`create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current
`is conducted through the conductors; and b) a body of phase
`change material substantially encapsulating the conductors,
`the phase change material having a thermal conductivity of
`at least 0.7 watts/meter” K. and a dielectric strength of at
`least 250 volts/mil.
`The invention provides the foregoing and other features,
`and the advantages of the invention will become further
`apparent from the following detailed description of the
`presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with
`the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and
`drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and do not
`limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the
`appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF
`THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional and perspec
`tive view of a prior art high speed motor.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stator used in a first
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional and perspec
`tive view of a high speed motor in accordance with the first
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the high speed motor
`of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional and perspec
`tive view of a high speed motor in accordance with a second
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the high speed motor
`shown in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional and perspec
`tive view of a high speed motor in accordance with a third
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional and perspec
`tive view of a high speed motor in accordance with a fourth
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a high speed motor in
`accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a high speed motor in
`accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a high speed motor in
`accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inserts used in the
`high speed motor of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a high speed motor in
`accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 14 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional and per
`spective view of a high speed motor in accordance with the
`ninth embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 15 is a drawing of a mold used to make the
`encapsulated stator of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 16 is a drawing of the mold of FIG. 15 in a closed
`position.
`FIG. 17 is an exploded and partial cross sectional view of
`components used in a pancake motor, a tenth embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a high speed motor in
`accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a stator and shaft used in
`a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 20 is an exploded and partial cross sectional view of
`a hard disc drive of the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`First Embodiment
`A first embodiment of a high speed motor of the present
`invention is shown in FIGS. 2–4. By “high speed” it is meant
`that the motor can operate at over 5,000 rpm. The spindle
`motor 10 is designed for rotating a disc or stack of discs in
`a computer hard disc drive. Motor 10 is formed using an
`encapsulation method which reduces the number of parts
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 17
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`needed to manufacture the motor as compared with conven
`tional motors used for disc drives, thereby reducing stack up
`tolerances and manufacturing costs and producing other
`advantages discussed below.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a stator 20 is first constructed, using
`conventional steel laminations 11 forming a magnetically
`inducible core 17 having a plurality of salient poles 21
`thereon, and wire windings 15 which serve as conductors.
`The conductors induce or otherwise create a plurality of
`magnetic fields in the core when electrical current is con
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`ducted through the conductors. In this embodiment, a mag
`netic field is induced in each of the poles 21.
`The stator 20 is then used to construct the rest of the
`spindle motor 10 (FIG. 3). The spindle motor 10 includes a
`hub 12, which serves as a disc support member, the stator 20
`and a body 14. Together the stator 20 and body 14 make up
`a stator assembly 13. The body 14 is preferably a monolithic
`body 14. Monolithic is defined as being formed as a single
`piece. The body 14 substantially encapsulates the stator 20.
`Substantial encapsulation means that the body 14 either
`entirely surrounds the stator 20, or surrounds almost all of it
`except for minor areas of the stator that may be exposed.
`However, substantial encapsulation means that the body 14
`and stator 20 are rigidly fixed together, and behave as a
`single component with respect to harmonic oscillation vibra
`tion.
`The body 14 is preferably formed of a phase change
`material, meaning a material that can be used in a liquid
`phase to envelope the stator, but which later changes to a
`solid phase. There are two types of phase change materials
`that will be most useful in practicing the invention: tem
`perature activated and chemically activated. A temperature
`activated phase change material will become molten at a
`higher temperature, and then solidify at a lower temperature.
`However, in order to be practical, the phase change material
`must be molten at a temperature that is low enough that it
`can be used to encapsulate a stator. Preferred temperature
`activated phase change materials will be changed from a
`liquid to a solid at a temperature in the range of about 200
`to 700°F. The most preferred temperature activated phase
`change materials are thermoplastics. The preferred thermo
`plastic will become molten at a temperature at which it is
`injection-moldable, and then will be solid at normal oper
`ating temperatures for the motor. An example of a phase
`change material that changes phases due to a chemical
`reaction, and which could be used to form the body 14, is an
`epoxy. Other suitable phase change materials may be clas
`sified as thermosetting materials.
`As shown in FIG. 4, a shaft 16 is connected to the hub or
`disc support member 12 and is surrounded by bearings 18,
`which are adjacent against the body 14. A rotor or magnet 28
`is fixed to the inside of the hub 12 on a flange so as to be in
`operable proximity to the stator. The magnet 28 is preferably
`a permanent magnet, as described below. The body 14
`includes a base 22. In addition, mounting features, such as
`apertures 25, and terminals comprising a connector 26 for
`connecting the conductors to an external power source are
`formed as a part of the stator assembly. The terminals 26 are
`partially encapsulated in the body 14.
`Referring to FIGS. 3–4, the base 22 of the body 14 is
`generally connected to the hard drive case (not shown).
`Connecting members (not shown), such as screws, may be
`used to fix the base 22 to the hard drive case, using holes 25
`as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, other types of mounting
`features such as connecting pins or legs may be formed as
`part of the base 22. The connector 26 is preferably a
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`through-hole pin type of connector 26 and is coupled
`through the hard drive case to the control circuit board
`residing on the outer surface of the base (not shown).
`Alternatively the connector may be a flexible circuit with
`copper pads allowing spring contact interconnection.
`The stator 20 is positioned in the body 14 generally in a
`direction perpendicular to an interior portion 30. Referring
`to FIG. 2, the stator 20 is preferably annular in shape and
`contains an open central portion 32. The poles 21 extend
`radially outward from this central portion 32. Faces of the
`poles 21 are positioned outward relative to the central
`portion 32 of the stator 20. The body 14 is molded around
`the stator 20 in a manner such that the faces of the poles are
`exposed and are surrounded by and aligned concentrically
`with respect to the disc support member 12. Alternatively,
`the poles may be totally encapsulated in body 14 and not be
`exposed.
`Referring to FIG. 4, the body 14 has an upper portion 40
`that extends upwardly from the stator 20. The upper portion
`40 is also preferably annular shaped. The body 14 includes
`the interior portion 30. The interior portion 30 is generally
`sized and shaped to accommodate the bearings 18. The
`interior portion 30 includes an upper support portion 42 and
`a lower support portion 44. In the embodiment illustrated in
`FIG. 4 the interior portion 30 is preferably cylindrically
`shaped.
`The phase change material used to make the body 14 is
`preferably a thermally conductive but non-electrically con
`ductive plastic. In addition, the plastic preferably includes
`ceramic filler particles that enhance the thermal conductivity
`of the plastic. A preferred form of plastic is polyphenyl
`sulfide (PPS) sold under the tradename “Konduit” by LNP.
`Grade OTF-212 PPS is particularly preferred. Examples of
`other suitable thermoplastic resins include, but are not
`limited to, thermoplastic resins such as 6,6-polyamide,
`6-polyamide, 4,6-polyamide, 12,12-polyamide, 6,12
`polyamide, and polyamides containing aromatic monomers,
`polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate,
`polyethylene napththalate, polybutylene napththalate, aro
`matic polyesters, liquid crystal polymers, polycyclohexane
`dimethylol terephthalate, copolyetheresters, polyphenylene
`sulfide, polyacylics, polypropylene, polyethylene,
`polyacetals, polymethylpentene, polyetherimides,
`polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphe
`nylene oxide, polystyrene, styrene copolymer, mixtures and
`graft copolymers of styrene and rubber, and glass reinforced
`or impact modified versions of such resins. Blends of these
`resins such as polyphenylene oxide and polyamide blends,
`and polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, may also
`be used in this invention.
`Referring to FIG. 4, the bearings 18 include an upper
`bearing 46 and a lower bearing 48. Also, each bearing 18 has
`an outer surface 50 and an inner surface 52. The outer
`surface 50 of the upper bearing contacts the upper support
`portion 42 and the outer surface 50 of the lower bearing 48
`contacts the lower support portion 44. The inner surfaces 52
`of the bearings 18 contact the shaft 16. The bearings are
`preferably annular shaped. The inner surfaces 52 of the
`bearings 18 may be press fit onto the shaft 16. A glue may
`also be used. The outer surface 50 of the bearings 18 may be
`press fit into the interior portion 30 of the body 14. A glue
`may also be used. The bearings in the embodiment shown in
`FIGS. 3–4 are ball bearings. Alternatively other types of
`bearings, such as hydrodynamic or combinations of hydro
`dynamic and magnetic bearings, may be used. The bearings
`are typically made of stainless steel.
`The shaft 16 is concentrically disposed within the interior
`portion 30 of the body 14. The bearings 18 surround portions
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1014, pg. 18
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`7
`of the shaft 16. As described above, the inner surfaces 52 of
`the bearings are in contact with the shaft 16. The shaft 16
`includes a top portion 54 and a bottom portion 56. The top
`portion 54 of the shaft 16 is fixed to the hub 12. The bottom
`portion 54 of the shaft 16 is free to rotate inside the lower
`bearing. Thus, in this em