Patent ID: 7679243

Claim:
A motor assembly comprising: a spindle having a diameter and including a first end region, a second end region, and at least one journal bearing pattern formed on a circumferential surface thereof, and including a coupling structure having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the spindle depending coaxially from the second end region; a base; a generally cup shaped structure including an open first end portion, a sealed second end portion, and an inner surface that tapers outwardly from at least about the first end portion to at least about the second end portion; a hub including a recessed region configured to fit rotatably between the spindle and the cup shaped structure, having an outer circumferential surface opposing at least a portion of the tapering inner surface of the cup shaped structure, and defining a central opening through which the coupling structure of the spindle is fixedly secured to the second end portion of the cup, and about which the hub rotates, and including a thrust bearing pattern adjacent the second end region of the spindle; a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in alternating polarity on an inside rim of the hub; and a stator coupled to the base proximate to the plurality of permanent magnets, comprising a plurality of teeth arranged in a circle, wherein each of the teeth supports coils or windings that are provisioned to be energized to polarize the stator to cause the hub to rotate.