Experimental Verification of the Optimal FDBs in a HDD Spindle Motor to Minimize Power Loss

Abstract

This research experimentally verified the optimal design of the fluid dynamic bearings (FDBs) in a hard disk drive (HDD) spindle motor to minimize power consumption while maintaining the level of dynamic performance. HDD spindle motors with optimal FDBs were prototyped, and their power consumption and dynamic characteristics were measured and compared with those of conventional and simulated motors at various operating speeds. HDD spindle motors with optimal FDBs consume less power than conventional motors, as predicted in the proposed optimal design methodology.