A fluid-dynamic bearing system comprising a stationary bearing component (12, 16, 18) and a bearing component (14, 14a) rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein, during operation of the bearing, the stationary and rotary components are separated from each other by a bearing gap (20) filled with a bearing fluid, wherein at least one fluid-dynamic radial bearing (22, 24) and at least one fluid-dynamic thrust bearing (28) or, alternatively, at least one conical fluid-dynamic bearing are arranged along the bearing gap (20), and wherein the bearing gap (20) comprises first and second open ends sealed by a first sealing gap (34) and a second sealing gap (36). The second sealing gap (36) exclusively extends normal to the rotation axis (40).

A conical bearing member includes a communication hole communicating an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the conical bearing member, and the inner peripheral surface includes a press-fit region in contact with a shaft and an enlarged diameter region having a diameter greater than a diameter of the press-fit region and including an inner opening part of the communication hole. A tapered part having a diameter increasing toward the enlarged diameter region is provided at an end part of the press-fit region on the enlarged diameter region side.

A dynamic pressure bearing apparatus includes a bearing portion, a shaft, a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion, and a seal gap. An annular member arranged in an annular shape, fixed to the shaft axially between the seal portion and the attachment surface, and arranged to extend radially outward beyond an opening of the seal gap. A minute horizontal gap extending radially is defined between an upper surface of the bearing portion and a lower surface of the annular member. The seal gap is arranged to be in communication with an exterior space through the horizontal gap.

A bearing mechanism includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft portion and a plate portion. The rotating portion includes a sleeve including an annular portion, a cylindrical portion, an annular bottom surface, and a first communication hole. The rotating portion includes a ring member arranged to cover at least a portion of an opening of the first communication hole, and faces the plate portion via a first gap. A pumping groove array is disposed in the plate portion or the ring member. A second communication hole is disposed between the ring member and the annular bottom surface, and connected to the first communication hole. At least a portion of the opening of the second communication hole is positioned on a farther radial direction inner side than the pumping groove array.

A sealing structure includes: a first member having a first surface extending along a gravity direction in which gravity acts; a second member having a second surface facing the first surface and extending along the gravity direction; a hydrostatic bearing that is arranged on the first surface of the first member and is configured to supply a compressed liquid between the first surface and the second surface; and a seal portion having a clearance that is formed between the first surface and the second surface and is provided below the hydrostatic bearing in the gravity direction. A liquid is retained in the clearance by surface tension.

A fluid dynamic bearing device prevents an oleophobic agent from wetting and spreading to a tapered seal portion, including lubricating oil C filled in a condition in which the oil is separated sandwiching a separator portion 240 holding a gas layer arranged between two conical bearing members 201, and two primary tapered seal portions 230 each connecting to one of both ends along an axial direction of the separator portion 240, wherein width in a radial direction of the two primary tapered seal portion 230 decreases as each approaches toward the two conical bearing members 201, a gas-liquid interface of the lubricating oil C is located each of the two primary tapered seal portions 230, an oleophobic agent blocking portion 250 is arranged at each of both ends in an axial direction of the separator portion 240, a separator central portion 244 is arranged between the oleophobic agent blocking portions 250 of the separator portions 240, and an oleophobic coating is formed at least at the separator central portion 244 of the separator portion 240.

A fluid dynamic bearing device prevents an oleophobic agent from wetting and spreading to a tapered seal portion, including lubricating oil C filled in a condition in which the oil is separated sandwiching a separator portion 240 holding a gas layer arranged between two conical bearing members 201, and two primary tapered seal portions 230 each connecting to one of both ends along an axial direction of the separator portion 240, wherein width in a radial direction of the two primary tapered seal portion 230 decreases as each approaches toward the two conical bearing members 201, a gas-liquid interface of the lubricating oil C is located each of the two primary tapered seal portions 230, an oleophobic agent blocking portion 250 is arranged at each of both ends in an axial direction of the separator portion 240, a separator central portion 244 is arranged between the oleophobic agent blocking portions 250 of the separator portions 240, and an oleophobic coating is formed at least at the separator central portion 244 of the separator portion 240.

A charging amount of lubricating oil (11) into an internal space of a housing (7) is adjusted so that, within a range of a use temperature, an oil level of the lubricating oil (11) is positioned on a lower side with respect to an upper end portion of a chamfered portion (8f) formed in an upper-end inner peripheral edge portion of a bearing member (8). The bearing member (8) integrally includes: a small-diameter cylindrical portion (81); and a large-diameter cylindrical portion (82). Under a state in which an upper end surface (8c) of the small-diameter cylindrical portion (81) is exposed to an atmosphere, the large-diameter cylindrical portion (82) is sandwiched from both sides in the axial direction with an annular member (9) and a bottom portion (7b) of the housing (7) so that the bearing member (8) is fixed along an inner periphery of the housing (7).

A curtain airbag device mounting structure includes: a first pillar forming a part of a front pillar and extends substantially along a vehicle height direction; a second pillar forming another part of the front pillar, the second pillar being disposed on a rear side of a vehicle relative to the first pillar at a predetermined distance from the first pillar and extending substantially along the vehicle height direction; a transparent member bridged between the first pillar and the second pillar; and a curtain airbag device including a curtain airbag stored along a roof side rail and the second pillar, the curtain airbag being configured to inflate and deploy in a curtain-like fashion over a side portion of a cabin of the vehicle in case of a collision of the vehicle.

A sealing structure includes: a first member having a first surface extending along a gravity direction in which gravity acts; a second member having a second surface facing the first surface and extending along the gravity direction; a hydrostatic bearing that is arranged on the first surface of the first member and is configured to supply a compressed liquid between the first surface and the second surface; and a seal portion having a clearance that is formed between the first surface and the second surface and is provided below the hydrostatic bearing in the gravity direction. A liquid is retained in the clearance by surface tension.