Spring Plate Ball Bearing for Low-Temperature Grease and Vibration Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic disk drives (HDDs) face issues with increased grease viscosity at low temperatures, leading to rotational resistance and potential magnetic head misalignment, as well as fretting wear due to vibration during transportation, which can cause operational failures and data loss.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mechanism within the ball bearing that makes the balls harder to rotate in a specific direction using a spring plate or bush with multiple spring plates, which applies pressurization to the balls, ensuring consistent rotation and reducing contact-related wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grease is used in the ball bearing for smooth rotation, then rotation smoothness is improved, but at low temperatures the grease viscosity increases causing rotational resistance and operational failure
Solution Approach 1:
A spring plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the ball and the bearing raceway. The spring plate applies controlled pressurization to the ball, preventing it from penetrating into the grease and causing grease starvation. This intermediary mechanism allows the grease to remain in place while still providing lubrication, resolving the contradiction between rotation smoothness and low-temperature operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter applied to the ball by introducing a spring plate that provides elastic pressurization. This dynamic pressure adjustment prevents the ball from displacing grease during operation, especially at low temperatures when grease viscosity is high. The spring plate's elastic properties allow it to maintain consistent contact pressure, ensuring reliable operation across varying temperature conditions.
2Reliability
If the carriage operates within a limited rocking range, then grease starvation is avoided, but the magnetic head cannot reach positions beyond the allowable rocking range causing time-out errors
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate acts as an intermediary that decouples the ball's motion from direct grease displacement. By applying elastic pressurization, the spring plate prevents the ball from penetrating into the grease reservoir during large-angle carriage movements. This allows the carriage to operate through the full allowable rocking range while maintaining stable grease distribution and preventing grease starvation.
3Ease of manufacture
If vibration is applied during transportation, then fretting wear occurs between the ball and raceway, but using conventional bearings provides no protection against this wear
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate provides beforehand cushioning by applying pre-compression to the ball, creating a buffer against vibrational forces during transportation. This pre-applied elastic pressure prevents the ball from making direct contact with the raceway under vibration, thereby preventing fretting wear before it can occur. The spring plate's elastic properties allow it to absorb and dissipate vibrational energy, protecting the bearing components during shipping and handling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution prevents rotational resistance issues at low temperatures and reduces fretting wear by ensuring consistent ball movement, maintaining HDD operation and data integrity even under varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism for making balls hard to rotate in a specific direction, which comprises a spring plate to come into contact with the ball
Implementation Method 2
a mechanism for making balls hard to rotate in a specific direction, which comprises a spring plate to come into contact with the ball
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention prevent trouble caused by an increase in viscosity of grease generated when a ball bearing operates at a low temperature, and fretting that an inner ring and/or an outer ring comes in contact with balls to produce wear when vibration is applied thereto. In one embodiment, a ball bearing is configured such that a plurality of balls are arranged between an outer ring and an inner ring. Grease is filled between the balls, the inner ring and the outer ring. A holder is provided with a spring plate, and an extreme end thereof is always in contact with the balls. The spring plate is formed of a sufficiently softer material than the balls so as not to damage the balls. The mounted direction is one along the direction in which the balls are desired to be rotated. Appropriate spring pressurization can be applied to the balls at an angle defined by the holder and the spring plate in the root at which the holder is attached to the spring plate.