CN1606213A - Rotary motor and method for making same - Google Patents
Rotary motor and method for making same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN1606213A CN1606213A CN 200410056755 CN200410056755A CN1606213A CN 1606213 A CN1606213 A CN 1606213A CN 200410056755 CN200410056755 CN 200410056755 CN 200410056755 A CN200410056755 A CN 200410056755A CN 1606213 A CN1606213 A CN 1606213A
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- pressed
- coupling member
- electric rotating
- rotating machine
- output shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Landscapes
- Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Motors, Generators (AREA)
- Iron Core Of Rotating Electric Machines (AREA)
Abstract
The rotating electric machine comprises a yoke, an output shaft 5 rotatably arranged on the central axial line in the yoke, an armature fixed to the output shaft 5, and the connecting member connected to the output shaft 5 and also connected to an input shaft to which the rotational torque of the output shaft 5 is transmitted. The connecting member has a press-insertion hole to which the tip of the output shaft 5 is press-inserted at its one end, and has an engagement part engaged with the input shaft at the other end. The tip of the output shaft 5 is composed of a guide 22 having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the press-insertion hole; a press-insertion part 23 having an outside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the guide 22 and larger than the inside diameter of the press-insertion hole; and a tapered part 24 that is arranged between the press-insertion part 23 and the guide part 22, gradually becomes larger in its outside diameter dimension toward the press-insertion part 23 from the guide part 22, and becomes equal to the outside diameter dimension of the press-insertion part 23 at an ending point.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to for example to promote the employed electric rotating machine of electrically powered steering apparatus using same and the manufacture method thereof of the steering force of bogie of car.
Background technology
In the past, the motor that the known transfer that following structure arranged is used comprised: the yoke of tubular; Rotation is arranged at the output shaft on the interior central axis of this yoke freely; Be fixed on the armature on this output shaft; And the coupling member that is connected and is connected with the power shaft of the rotation torque that transmits output shaft with output shaft, an end of coupling member has the hole that is pressed into that can be pressed into the output shaft leading section, and has the holding section that engages with power shaft in the other end.The leading section of this output shaft have external diameter less than the guide portion that is pressed into the hole internal diameter and external diameter greater than this guide portion external diameter be pressed into the portion that is pressed into of hole internal diameter, the portion of being pressed into coupling member is pressed into guide portion earlier, until being pressed onto the portion of being pressed into, coupling member is fixed on (for example with reference to patent documentation 1, promptly the Japan Patent spy opens the 2001-8402 communique) on the output shaft.
In traditional motor, guide portion on the leading section of output shaft and be pressed into that to exist ladder between the portion poor, coupling member exists the problem that axiality worsens, the coupling member runout is big, noise big, durability descends of coupling member and output shaft towards the axle center that is pressed into output shaft with being tilted.
Summary of the invention
The present invention to be addressing the above problem as problem, and its purpose is, thereby provides the coaxial accuracy that can improve coupling member and the 1st, the runout that improves coupling member can reduce noise and improve the electric rotating machine of durability.
Another purpose is, provides and can make guide portion simply, is pressed into the manufacture method of the electric rotating machine that each axle center in portion and tapering is consistent.
Electric rotating machine of the present invention comprises: the yoke of tubular; Rotation is arranged at the 1st on the interior central axis of this yoke freely; Be fixed on the armature on the 1st; And be connected with described the 1st and with the 2nd coupling member that is connected that transmits the 1st rotation torque, an end of described coupling member has the hole that is pressed into that can be pressed into described the 1st leading section, and has and described the 2nd holding section that engages in the other end.This described the 1st leading section has: external diameter is less than the described guide portion that is pressed into the hole internal diameter; External diameter is greater than this guide portion external diameter and the described portion that is pressed into that is pressed into the hole internal diameter; And be arranged at that this is pressed between portion and the described guide portion, outside dimension increases gradually and forms identical tapering at destination county and the outside dimension that is pressed into portion from the guide portion side direction portion of being pressed into.
In addition, the manufacture method of electric rotating machine of the present invention, can be simultaneously to guide portion, be pressed into portion and fine finishining is carried out in the tapering.
Adopt electric rotating machine of the present invention, then can improve the precision of coupling member and the 1st axiality, improve the runout of coupling member, reduce noise and can improve durability.
In addition, adopt the manufacture method of electric rotating machine of the present invention, each axle center that can make guide portion simply, is pressed into portion and tapering is consistent.
The simple declaration of accompanying drawing
The sectional view of the motor that Fig. 1 uses for the electrically powered steering apparatus using same of embodiments of the invention 1.
Fig. 2 is the sectional view of the coupling member of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is the right view of the coupling member of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is the enlarged drawing of the output shaft leading section of Fig. 1.
The coupling member of the motor that Fig. 5 uses for the electrically powered steering apparatus using same of embodiments of the invention 2 want portion's sectional view.
Fig. 6 is the enlarged drawing of the motor output shaft leading section of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is the sectional view of the electrically powered steering apparatus using same of embodiments of the invention 3 with the coupling member of motor.
Fig. 8 is the right view of the coupling member of Fig. 7.
Embodiment
Various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Among each figure, the mark prosign describes on identical or suitable member and position.
Embodiment 1
The sectional view of the motor that Fig. 1 uses for the electrically powered steering apparatus using same of embodiments of the invention 1.
This electric rotating machine is that motor comprises: the yoke 1 that the round-ended cylinder shape is arranged; The magnetic field permanent magnet 2 of 4 utmost points of fixing at interval at the circumferential five equilibrium in the internal face upper edge of this yoke 1; One end utilize the 1st bearing 4 in the bearing incorporating section 3 that the bottom side is arranged be accommodated in yoke 1 and be supported to freely the 1st of rotation, be output shaft 5; Be fixed in the armature 6 of output shaft 5 pars intermedias that constitute by carbon steel; Be fixed in the commutator 7 of the other end of output shaft 5; Utilize spring 8 elastic force and with the brush 9 of the surperficial butt of this commutator 7; The brush carrier 10 that keeps this brush 9; By screw 11 with yoke 1 incorporate housing 12; Be fixed in the central part of housing 12, the 2nd bearing 13 that rotation is supported the other end of output shaft 5 freely; Be pressed into, be fixed in the coupling member 14 of leading section, leading section and the 2nd bearing 13 butts of output shaft 5; And the liner 16 that is through with lead 15.
Armature 6 comprises: axis direction extends, have along circumferentially spaced at interval formed a plurality of groovings iron core 17 and in grooving eclipsed form coiling lead and the winding 18 that constitutes.
Fig. 2 is the sectional view of the coupling member 14 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is the right view of the coupling member 14 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is the enlarged drawing of output shaft 5 leading sections of Fig. 1.
The sintered metal materials that contains molybdenum, nickel in the Ferrious material of coupling member 14 by principal component constitutes, its leading section with output shaft 5 is pressed into, is crimped on and is pressed into hole 19 on the end, is the holding section 20 of power shaft (not shown) and spline engaging and have internal diameter in the other end greater than the 2nd that is pressed into hole 19.Be pressed into the jog 21 that forms section shape concave-convex surface radially on the interior week in hole 19.This jog 21 has formed the shape of extending along the axis direction that is pressed into hole 19.
Leading section at output shaft 5 is formed with: guide portion 22; Diameter is greater than the portion that is pressed into 23 of this guide portion 22; And this is pressed between portion 23 and the guide portion 22 be connected, outside dimension is contracted to guide portion 22 outside dimensions gradually from the outside dimension that is pressed into portion 23 tapering 24.The grinding tool of abrasive machine and guide portion 22, the fine finishining shape that is pressed into portion 23 and the tapering 24 ground one that matches constitutes, by drive abrasive machine simultaneously to guide portion 22, be pressed into portion 23 and fine finishining is carried out in tapering 24.
The internal diameter size that is pressed into hole 19 greater than the outside dimension of guide portion 22 less than the outside dimension that is pressed into portion 23.For example, be pressed into the outside dimension big 0.02mm of the internal diameter size in hole 19 than guide portion 22, but than the little 0.2mm of the outside dimension that is pressed into portion 23.The inclination angle beta 1 in tapering 24 is 4 degree.
In addition, coupling member 14 is pressed to the inner peripheral surface of holding section 20 by the chuck with abrasive machine, and with this holding section 20 as machining benchmark, the outer peripheral face of coupling member 14 is implemented attrition process.
In addition, coupling member 14 is pressed to the inner peripheral surface of holding section 20 by the chuck with abrasive machine, and with this holding section 20 as machining benchmark, the end face A1 of anti-holding section 20 sides is implemented attrition process.
In addition, coupling member 14 is pressed to the inner peripheral surface of holding section 20 by the chuck with abrasive machine, and heat as machining benchmark, is implemented attrition process to the end face B1 of holding section 20 sides with this holding section 20.
In the motor of said structure, by supplying with to winding 18 with the brush 9 of commutator 7 butts, armature 6 relies on electromagnetic action with output shaft 5 rotations to electric current from lead 15.The leading section of this output shaft 5 is pressed into being pressed in the hole 19 of coupling member 14, in addition, power shaft combines with holding section 20 splines of coupling member 14, thus, the rotation torque of output shaft 5 is passed to power shaft reliably, to strengthen the steering force of steering gear (not shown).
Adopt the motor of said structure and since the internal diameter size that is pressed into hole 19 greater than the outside dimension of guide portion 22 less than the outside dimension that is pressed into portion 23.Again in guide portion 22 and be pressed into and be provided with tapering 24 between the portion 23, therefore, coupling member 14 be pressed into hole 19 be imported into guide portion 22 after along the tapering 24, be pressed in the portion of being pressed into 23 while carry out aligning.Like this, coupling member 14 is pressed into with being not easy, can improve the coaxial accuracy of coupling member 14 and output shaft 5, improves the runout of coupling member 14, and the result can reduce noise and improve durability.
In addition, grinding fine finishining has been passed through in tapering 24, so the surface accuracy in tapering 24 is good, coupling member 14 can be along the tapering 24 and successfully be pressed into.
In addition, the ground one formation because grinding tool and the guide portion 22 of abrasive machine, the fine finishining shape that is pressed into portion 23 and tapering 24 match, make guide portion 22 by driving abrasive machine, be pressed into portion 23 and tapering 24 forms simultaneously, therefore each axle center that can make guide portion 22 simply, is pressed into portion 23 and tapering 24 is consistent, improve the runout of coupling member 14, and can improve durability.
In addition, owing to being pressed on whole of week of coupling member 14, formed the jog 21 of section shape concave-convex surface radially, therefore, the portion that is pressed into 23 of output shaft 5 nips, and this is pressed into hole 19, can be with coupling member 14 and output shaft 5 strong bonded in the hole 19 in.Like this, though be pressed into hole 19 internal diameter size, be pressed into each tolerance of outside dimension of portion 23 when big, also can be with coupling member 14 and output shaft 5 strong bonded.
In addition,, therefore can improve holding section 20 and the axiality that is pressed into hole 19, improve the runout of coupling member 14 because coupling member 14 is that holding section 20 is implemented processing as machining benchmark to the inner face that is pressed into hole 19.
In addition, because coupling member 14 is that holding section 20 is implemented processing as machining benchmark to the outer peripheral face of coupling member 14, so coupling member 14 can be pressed into its external diameter in the output shaft 5 as benchmark, improves the runout of coupling member 14.
In addition, because coupling member 14 is that holding section 20 is implemented to process as the end face A1 of machining benchmark to holding section 20 sides, therefore can improve the squareness of end face A1 and output shaft 5, after coupling member 14 is pressed into output shaft 5, can make whole and the 2nd bearing 13 butts of end face A1, improve the runout of coupling member 14.
In addition, because coupling member 14 is that holding section 20 is implemented to process as the end face B1 of machining benchmark to holding section 20 sides, therefore can improve the squareness of end face B1 and output shaft 5, when being pressed into output shaft 5, can successfully be pressed at pushing end face B1 and with coupling member 14.
Embodiment 2
Fig. 5 be embodiments of the invention 2 coupling member 35 want portion's sectional view, Fig. 6 is the enlarged drawing of the leading section of output shaft 30.
One end of this coupling member 35, be formed with can be pressed into output shaft 30 leading sections be pressed into hole 36.Be formed with chamfered section 38 at this opening circumference that is pressed into the 2nd bearing 13 sides in hole 36.Be pressed on whole of the interior week in hole 36, formed the jog 37 of section shape concave-convex surface radially.The chamfered section 38 that is pressed into hole 36 adopts abrasive machine to form by attrition process.
Leading section at output shaft 30 is formed with: guide portion 31; Diameter is greater than the portion that is pressed into 32 of this guide portion 31; Be located at that this is pressed between portion 32 and the guide portion 31, outside dimension is pressed into that portion 32 increases gradually and forms and the identical tapering 33 of outside dimension that is pressed into portion 30 at destination county from guide portion 31 side direction; And the play portion 34 that tapering 33 is connected with guide portion 31.The inclination angle beta 2 in this tapering 33 is greater than the tilt angle alpha of chamfered section 38.For example, the inclination angle beta 2 in tapering 33 is 20 degree, and the tilt angle alpha of chamfered section 38 is 15 degree.Play portion 34 is owing to be the inclination angle beta 1 of the inclination angle beta 2 in tapering 33 greater than the tapering 24 of embodiment 1, thus the size of the axis direction of the output shaft 30 on the tapering 33 less than the size of embodiment 1, but play portion 34 has replenished this size of dwindling.
Other structure is identical with embodiment 1.
Adopt the motor of present embodiment, because the inclination angle beta 2 in this tapering 33 is greater than the tilt angle alpha of chamfered section 38, so coupling member 14 be pressed into hole 36 be imported into guide portion 31 after along tapering 33 while carry out aligning, when being pressed in the portion of being pressed into 32, because of the outermost perimembranous C in tapering 33 contacts with the inner peripheral surface of chamfered section 38 reliably, so can improve the aligning precision, improve the coaxial accuracy of coupling member 35 and output shaft 30, further improve the runout of coupling member 35, further reduce noise, and can further improve durability.
Embodiment 3
Fig. 7 is the sectional view of the coupling member 40 of embodiments of the invention 3, and Fig. 8 is the right side view of coupling member 40.
Motor according to present embodiment, coupling member 14, the chuck of abrasive machine is pressed to the inner peripheral surface of holding section 20, and this holding section 20 is implemented attrition process as machining benchmark to the inner face that is pressed into hole 41 of internal diameter dimension D 2, also the outer peripheral face of external diameter dimension D 3 is implemented attrition process simultaneously.
In addition, coupling member 14 is pressed to the inner peripheral surface of holding section 20 with the chuck of abrasive machine, and this holding section 20 is implemented attrition process as machining benchmark to the end face A2 of anti-holding section 20 sides, also the end face B2 of holding section 20 sides is implemented attrition process simultaneously.
Adopt the motor of present embodiment,,, further improve the runout of output shaft 5 so can improve the machining accuracy of coupling member 40 because holding section 20 has been implemented attrition process as machining benchmark to the inner face that is pressed into hole 41.
Owing to the outer peripheral face of coupling member 14, the end face A2 of holding section 20 opposition sides and the end face B2 of holding section 20 sides have been implemented attrition process, so can further improve the runout of output shaft 5.
In the various embodiments described above, the motor as the transfer of electric rotating machine is described, certainly also other motor.In addition, the present invention is also applicable to the generator as electric rotating machine.In addition, though coupling member has all been implemented fine finishining as machining benchmark to all sites of the end face of the end face of the outer peripheral face of the inner face that is pressed into the hole, coupling member, holding section opposition side and holding section side with the holding section, also can only implement wherein 1 position.
Claims (7)
1. an electric rotating machine is characterized in that, comprising: the yoke of tubular; Rotation is arranged at the 1st on the interior central axis of this yoke freely; Be fixed on the armature on the 1st; Be connected with described the 1st and with the 2nd coupling member that is connected that transmits the 1st rotation torque,
One end of described coupling member has the hole that is pressed into that can be pressed into described the 1st leading section, and has and described the 2nd holding section that engages in the other end,
This described the 1st leading section has: external diameter is less than the described guide portion that is pressed into the hole internal diameter; External diameter is greater than this guide portion external diameter and the described portion that is pressed into that is pressed into the hole internal diameter; And be arranged at that this is pressed between portion and the described guide portion, outside dimension increases gradually and forms identical tapering at destination county and the outside dimension that is pressed into portion from the guide portion side direction portion of being pressed into.
2. electric rotating machine as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described tapering is by attrition process.
3. electric rotating machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that, described coupling member forms chamfered section at the described opening circumference that is pressed into the hole, and the angle of inclination of this chamfered section is less than the angle of inclination in described tapering.
4. electric rotating machine as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, on the described internal perisporium face that is pressed into the hole, is formed with the jog of section shape concave-convex surface radially.
5. electric rotating machine as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described coupling member is implemented processing as machining benchmark at least 1 position of the end face of described end face that is pressed into the outer peripheral face of the inner face in hole, described coupling member, described holding section opposition side and described holding section side with described holding section.
6. electric rotating machine as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described electric rotating machine is the motor of using to the transfer of steering gear transmission revolving force.
7. the manufacture method of an electric rotating machine is the manufacture method of each described electric rotating machine in the described claim 1 to 6, it is characterized in that, simultaneously fine finishining is implemented in described guide portion, described portion and the described tapering of being pressed into.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003350616A JP3958732B2 (en) | 2003-10-09 | 2003-10-09 | Rotating electric machine and manufacturing method thereof |
| JP2003350616 | 2003-10-09 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1606213A true CN1606213A (en) | 2005-04-13 |
| CN1309150C CN1309150C (en) | 2007-04-04 |
Family
ID=34542114
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB200410056755XA Active CN1309150C (en) | 2003-10-09 | 2004-08-13 | Rotary motor and method for making same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3958732B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1309150C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104379954A (en) * | 2012-06-19 | 2015-02-25 | 新田株式会社 | Structural body for shaft, male member, and female member |
| CN111628603A (en) * | 2019-02-27 | 2020-09-04 | 信浓绢糸株式会社 | Motor shaft and motor |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP5349756B2 (en) * | 2007-01-17 | 2013-11-20 | Ｎｔｎ株式会社 | Constant velocity universal joint |
| KR101510797B1 (en) | 2007-01-17 | 2015-04-10 | 엔티엔 가부시키가이샤 | constant velocity universal joint |
| JP2008190678A (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2008-08-21 | Sumitomo Denko Shoketsu Gokin Kk | Sintered part with press-fit pin |
| JP5067416B2 (en) * | 2009-12-03 | 2012-11-07 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Rotating electric machine |
| JP5649341B2 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2015-01-07 | 株式会社ミツバ | Motor and joint member for motor |
| JP2012040979A (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2012-03-01 | Nsk Ltd | Electric power steering device |
| JP2013025856A (en) * | 2011-07-18 | 2013-02-04 | Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd | Spindle motor |
| JP6196813B2 (en) * | 2012-06-19 | 2017-09-13 | ニッタ株式会社 | Shaft structure, male member, and female member |
| JP5859406B2 (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2016-02-10 | 株式会社クボタ | How to replace the engine oil pump and its spline sleeve |
| JP6056555B2 (en) * | 2013-03-05 | 2017-01-11 | 株式会社デンソー | AC generator rectifier for vehicle |
| CN108204400B (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2020-04-10 | 德昌电机(深圳)有限公司 | Motor and motor shaft thereof |
| JP6888489B2 (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2021-06-16 | 株式会社デンソー | Joint device and motor |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3569463B2 (en) * | 1999-06-16 | 2004-09-22 | 三菱電機株式会社 | motor |
| DE10045222A1 (en) * | 2000-09-13 | 2002-04-04 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Anchor for an electrical machine |
-
2003
- 2003-10-09 JP JP2003350616A patent/JP3958732B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-08-13 CN CNB200410056755XA patent/CN1309150C/en active Active
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104379954A (en) * | 2012-06-19 | 2015-02-25 | 新田株式会社 | Structural body for shaft, male member, and female member |
| TWI577900B (en) * | 2012-06-19 | 2017-04-11 | 新田股份有限公司 | Shaft structure, positive member and negative member |
| CN104379954B (en) * | 2012-06-19 | 2018-01-02 | 新田株式会社 | Axle tectosome, male member and concave components |
| US10344795B2 (en) | 2012-06-19 | 2019-07-09 | Nitta Corporation | Structural body for shaft, male member, and female member |
| CN111628603A (en) * | 2019-02-27 | 2020-09-04 | 信浓绢糸株式会社 | Motor shaft and motor |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1309150C (en) | 2007-04-04 |
| JP3958732B2 (en) | 2007-08-15 |
| JP2005117816A (en) | 2005-04-28 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN1309150C (en) | Rotary motor and method for making same | |
| CN1110636C (en) | Electric actuating cylinder | |
| CN1296635C (en) | Series of shafts and method for manufacturing the same | |
| CN1765591A (en) | Power tool | |
| CN1883104A (en) | Brushless permanent magnet wheel motor with variable axial rotor/stator alignment | |
| CN1820898A (en) | Impact tool | |
| CN101051766A (en) | Small-sized motor having polygonal outer shape | |
| CN1960133A (en) | Brushless motor | |
| CN1309148C (en) | Method of manufacturing armature of rotary electric machine and armature manufactured by the method | |
| CN1489258A (en) | Permanent magnetic rotating motor | |
| CN107225538A (en) | Electric tool spindle locking device | |
| CN1185362A (en) | Keyless driller clamp | |
| CN100367633C (en) | electric driver mechanism, especially for motor vehicles | |
| CN1960142A (en) | Motor | |
| CN1778030A (en) | Stepping motor being conveniently assembled and fabrication method of the same | |
| CN1543045A (en) | Step motor and production method thereof | |
| CN1468681A (en) | Inner spline parts and producing method thereof | |
| CN1088163C (en) | Bearing structural body | |
| CN1992471A (en) | Motor | |
| CN101066564A (en) | No-key drilling clamp head with impact-proof loosing machine | |
| EP1626481B1 (en) | Armature shaft producing method, armature shaft, and rotating electric machine | |
| CN1878937A (en) | Throttle device and motor used for the throttle device | |
| CN1943970A (en) | Coupling and method for manufacturing the same | |
| CN1770291A (en) | Chucking apparatus and recording disk drive motor having chucking apparatus | |
| CN101064465A (en) | Motor and manufacturing method thereof |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| C06 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| C10 | Entry into substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| C14 | Grant of patent or utility model | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant |