Spindle Motor Base Plate Protrusion for Foreign Object Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spindle motors have a gap between the stator and the base plate that allows foreign objects to enter, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to unnecessary extension of the circuit substrate to reduce object inflow.
Innovation Solution
A spindle motor design with a base plate featuring a protruding portion and an exposure unit on the PCB, combined with a foreign object inflow prevention fence, reduces the manufacturing cost by minimizing substrate extension while preventing foreign object entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the circuit substrate is extended to between the stator and the base plate to reduce the gap, then foreign object inflow is reduced to a certain degree, but the area of the high-priced circuit substrate increases to increase manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing function into two separate components: the circuit substrate and the protruding portion. The circuit substrate is extended partially to cover part of the gap, while the protruding portion extends further to provide additional sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its sealing function efficiently without requiring the circuit substrate to be unnecessarily large, thus reducing manufacturing cost while still preventing foreign object inflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion acts as an intermediary element between the circuit substrate and the base plate. It provides an additional layer of protection against foreign object inflow without requiring the expensive circuit substrate to be extended completely. The protruding portion mediates the sealing function, allowing the circuit substrate to maintain a reasonable size while still achieving effective foreign object prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the circuit substrate is extended to between the stator and the base plate to reduce the gap, then foreign object inflow is reduced to a certain degree, but the circuit substrate area unnecessarily increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between the circuit substrate and the protruding portion. The circuit substrate extends partially to cover the inner portion of the gap, while the protruding portion extends further to cover the outer portion. This segmentation allows the circuit substrate to maintain a smaller, more cost-effective area while still contributing to foreign object prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the sealing structure by introducing the protruding portion that extends upward from the base plate. This dimensional change allows the sealing function to be distributed across multiple levels (circuit substrate at one level, protruding portion at another), reducing the horizontal area requirement of the circuit substrate while maintaining effective foreign object blocking.
3Ease of manufacture
If a gap is formed between the stator and the base plate, then assembly is easier, but foreign objects can enter the stator and base plate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a protruding portion at the specific location where foreign object entry is most problematic (the gap between stator and base plate). This localized structural modification provides sealing exactly where needed without affecting the overall gap design that enables easy assembly. The protruding portion is strategically positioned to block foreign objects while maintaining the assembly-friendly gap structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A spindle motor is provided, the motor comprising: a base plate, a PCB on the base plate, a bearing assembly arranged on the base plate, a stator coupled to a periphery of the bearing assembly, a rotor rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly, the rotor including a yoke and a magnet, and a rotation shaft rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly. The base plate includes a planar portion and a protruding portion arranged along with a periphery of the yoke, the protruding portion being apart from the yoke. The base plate is partially covered with the PCB in a region where the stator is arranged. And, a height from the planar portion to an upper surface of the protruding portion is smaller than a height from the planar portion to a lower surface of the periphery of the yoke.