US20170155300A1 - Electric motor brush apparatus and method - Google Patents
Electric motor brush apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170155300A1 US20170155300A1 US15/432,200 US201715432200A US2017155300A1 US 20170155300 A1 US20170155300 A1 US 20170155300A1 US 201715432200 A US201715432200 A US 201715432200A US 2017155300 A1 US2017155300 A1 US 2017155300A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- brush
- brush holder
- housing
- receptacle
- longitudinal axis
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K5/00—Casings; Enclosures; Supports
- H02K5/04—Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
- H02K5/14—Means for supporting or protecting brushes or brush holders
- H02K5/143—Means for supporting or protecting brushes or brush holders for cooperation with commutators
- H02K5/145—Fixedly supported brushes or brush holders, e.g. leaf or leaf-mounted brushes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R39/00—Rotary current collectors, distributors or interrupters
- H01R39/02—Details for dynamo electric machines
- H01R39/04—Commutators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R39/00—Rotary current collectors, distributors or interrupters
- H01R39/02—Details for dynamo electric machines
- H01R39/38—Brush holders
- H01R39/381—Brush holders characterised by the application of pressure to brush
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R39/00—Rotary current collectors, distributors or interrupters
- H01R39/02—Details for dynamo electric machines
- H01R39/38—Brush holders
- H01R39/40—Brush holders enabling brush movement within holder during current collection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K13/00—Structural associations of current collectors with motors or generators, e.g. brush mounting plates or connections to windings; Disposition of current collectors in motors or generators; Arrangements for improving commutation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K13/00—Structural associations of current collectors with motors or generators, e.g. brush mounting plates or connections to windings; Disposition of current collectors in motors or generators; Arrangements for improving commutation
- H02K13/006—Structural associations of commutators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K13/00—Structural associations of current collectors with motors or generators, e.g. brush mounting plates or connections to windings; Disposition of current collectors in motors or generators; Arrangements for improving commutation
- H02K13/10—Arrangements of brushes or commutators specially adapted for improving commutation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K5/00—Casings; Enclosures; Supports
- H02K5/04—Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
- H02K5/14—Means for supporting or protecting brushes or brush holders
- H02K5/143—Means for supporting or protecting brushes or brush holders for cooperation with commutators
- H02K5/148—Slidably supported brushes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K5/00—Casings; Enclosures; Supports
- H02K5/04—Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
- H02K5/22—Auxiliary parts of casings not covered by groups H02K5/06-H02K5/20, e.g. shaped to form connection boxes or terminal boxes
- H02K5/225—Terminal boxes or connection arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K23/00—DC commutator motors or generators having mechanical commutator; Universal AC/DC commutator motors
- H02K23/02—DC commutator motors or generators having mechanical commutator; Universal AC/DC commutator motors characterised by arrangement for exciting
- H02K23/08—DC commutator motors or generators having mechanical commutator; Universal AC/DC commutator motors characterised by arrangement for exciting having series connection of excitation windings
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/49009—Dynamoelectric machine
- Y10T29/49011—Commutator or slip ring assembly
Definitions
- This invention pertains to the art of installing motor brush holders inside a motor. It is known in the art to secure a brush housing apparatus to an electric motor housing by using an interference fit between the outside surface of the brush housing and a receiving surface on the motor housing. The brush housing may be further secured by applying adhesive to the assembled parts. This method of attachment may be expensive as the interference fit requires exacting tolerances to both mating parts. These tolerances can add cost to the assembly. Also the choice of adhesive may be difficult as the brush operates in a high temperature and high vibration environment.
- One known method to electrically connect the brush apparatus to the motor field is to extend a conductive wire from the brush and electrically connect the wire to a wire extending from the motor field. This method adds additional assemble steps and time to the electric motor assembly.
- a motor assembly includes: a motor housing including: at least one brush receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle and having a top end and a bottom end that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end of each brush receptacle; and a cantilevered housing spring member having a distal end extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and extending from the bottom end toward the top end of each brush receptacle; at least one brush holder apparatus including: a brush holder housing sized to be received within the at least one brush receptacle, including: an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel; a first receiving aperture in the upper surface configured to receive the locking element when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; and an open end that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and a brush located
- a motor assembly includes: a field including: a laminated stator; at least one terminal block secured to the laminated stator and including a connector receptacle; field windings; and at least one wire electrically connected to the field windings and positioned partly in the connector receptacle; at least one conductive connector including: two substantially flat and parallel displacement members, each including: a top portion; and a distal portion including a cutting portion extending from the distal portion toward the top portion and configured to receive the wire; and two connector spring members, each including: a substantially flat lower portion adjacent to, connected to, and substantially perpendicular to at least one displacement member; and an upper portion extending above the top portions of the displacement members and cantilevered along substantially a connector axis of the connector; wherein the cutting portions of the displacement members align along the connector axis, and wherein the displacement members are substantially perpendicular to the connector axis; wherein the top portions of the displacement members define a brush receiving plane; where
- a method includes the steps of: a) providing: a motor housing including: at least one brush receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle and having a top end and a bottom end that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end of each brush receptacle; and a cantilevered housing spring member having a distal end extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and extending from the bottom end toward the top end of each brush receptacle; at least one brush holder apparatus including: a brush holder housing sized to be received within the at least one brush receptacle, including: an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel; a first receiving aperture in the upper surface configured to receive the locking element when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; and an open end that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; a brush spring enclosed by the brush
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled motor.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembled motor.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a brush holder apparatus installed in a motor housing.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement connector.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement connector installed in a terminal board.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement connector contacting a brush holder apparatus.
- FIG. 7 is a view of a flat sheet cut out in the shape of an insulation displacement connector.
- FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an insulation displacement connector.
- FIG. 9 is an end view of a motor.
- FIG. 1 shows an assembled electric motor 2 .
- the motor 2 may have a motor housing 20 that receives and secures at least one brush holder apparatus 10 .
- the motor housing 20 may be made from electrically insulating materials; a non-limiting example of such a material would be plastic or polymer.
- the housing 20 may be made from a conductive material.
- Motors 2 may include any DC, AC, or universal motors that use brushes. Such motors may be used in applications that include, but are not limited to, blenders, vacuum cleaners, air compressors, and other devices.
- FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a disassembled motor 2 .
- the motor may further include an armature 3 , which has a commutator 4 , and a field 5 .
- the armature 3 may be inserted along a motor axis 26 (aligned with the motor shaft) inside the field 5 and both 3 , 5 placed inside the motor housing 20 such that at least a portion of the field 5 is housed inside the housing 20 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the motor housing 20 is made from a conductive material, insulation may isolate the housing 20 from the armature 3 , the field 5 , and the brush holder apparatus 10 .
- one embodiment of the motor 2 may include two brush holder apparatuses 10 .
- the two brush holder apparatuses 10 may be positioned within the motor housing 20 opposite each other, aligned along a common axis 7 .
- the two brush holder apparatuses 10 may be offset from a common axis 7 within the motor housing 20 ; FIG. 9 shows such an example.
- the offset brush holder apparatuses 10 may be parallel to each other.
- as many brush holder apparatuses 10 as needed may be used.
- the brush holder apparatuses 10 may be positioned at corners of a substantially rectangular housing 20 .
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may include a brush holder housing 9 and a brush 8 .
- the brush 8 may be made from carbon.
- the brush holder housing 9 may be made from a conductive material, including, but not limited to, brass, copper, silver, gold, and aluminum.
- the brush holder housing 9 may be made from a nonconductive material, including, but not limited to, polymer and rubber.
- the motor housing 20 may include at least one brush receptacle 24 sized to receive the at least one brush holder apparatus 10 .
- the housing 20 may include as many brush receptacles 24 as there are brush holder apparatuses 10 .
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted into the brush receptacle 24 from outside the housing 20 inwards along the apparatus's (or the brush receptacle's 24 ) longitudinal axis 7 and perpendicular to the motor axis 26 .
- the armature 3 and field 5 may be secured inside the housing 20 such that the field 5 encircles and matches the armature 3 and the brush holder apparatus 10 , when installed inside the brush receptacle 24 , is aligned such that the brush 8 contacts the commutator 4 .
- FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a brush holder apparatus 10 installed in a brush receptacle 24 of the motor housing 20 . While it is known in the art to secure a brush holder to a motor housing, what is not known is how to achieve a secure attachment by integrating the securing features into the housing 20 and the brush holder apparatus 10 , thus eliminating fasteners, adhesives, and additional assembly steps.
- a brush holder apparatus 10 may take the form of a substantially four-sided brush holder housing 9 extended along a longitudinal axis 7 of the brush holder apparatus 10 . In alternative embodiments, the brush holder housing 9 may be a rectangular prism, or may have some rounded sides, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- a brush spring 6 may be secured inside the brush holder housing 9 to urge the brush 8 out of an open end of the brush holder housing 9 such that the brush 8 may contact the commutator 4 when the motor 2 is assembled.
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may have receiving apertures 11 formed on its upper and lower surfaces. These receiving apertures 11 may have locating elements 12 substantially adjacent to the location of the apertures 11 . The locating elements 12 may extend above the upper and lower surfaces of the brush holder apparatus 10 away from the lower and upper surfaces, respectively. In another embodiment, the brush holder apparatus 10 may have only one receiving aperture 11 and locating element 12 .
- a locking element 21 extending down from the top interior surface or end of the brush receptacle 24 toward its bottom end may be a locking element 21 .
- the description of a top or bottom end or surface is an arbitrary reference point, and such surfaces or ends may be oriented in any other direction or angle.
- the position, size, and shape of the locking element 21 may be such that when the brush holder apparatus 10 is put into the brush receptacle 24 , the locking element 21 is received inside the receiving aperture 11 .
- Formed into the brush receptacle 24 and located adjacent to the locking element 21 may be a recessed pocket 22 .
- the recessed pocket 22 provides clearance for the locating element 12 so that the brush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted into the brush receptacle 24 without interference.
- a surface 25 common to the recessed pocket 22 and the locking element 21 may cooperate with the locating element 12 to locate the brush holder apparatus 10 along the longitudinal axis 7 .
- the housing spring member 23 may be located on an opposing surface or end of the brush receptacle 24 from the locking element 21 .
- the housing spring member 23 may be a substantially cantilevered element.
- the housing spring member 23 may have its distal end angled upwards so that when the bush holder apparatus 10 is inserted into the brush receptacle 24 , the brush holder apparatus 10 forces the housing spring member 23 downwards. In this manner, the housing spring member 23 may apply an upward force to the brush holder apparatus 10 and assist in retaining the locking element 21 in the receiving aperture 11 .
- the housing spring member 23 may also be made from electrically insulating materials; a non-limiting example of such a material would be plastic.
- FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of an insulation displacement connector (IDC) 30 .
- FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the same IDC 30 .
- the IDC 30 may be made from electrically conductive material; non-limiting examples of such a material are brass, copper, silver, gold, and aluminum.
- an IDC 30 may be made from one, integral flat sheet or pattern using a metal forming process, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the IDC 30 may contain a plurality of displacement members 31 or plates.
- Each displacement member 31 may have a cutting portion 33 at its distal end.
- the cutting portion 33 may be shaped and sized to receive insulation coated electrical wire 50 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the cutting portion 33 may be shaped and sized such that when force is applied to the displacement member 31 with wire 50 in place, the cutting portion 3 displaces the insulation from the wire 50 and an electrical connection is made between the wire 50 and the displacement member 31 .
- the cutting portion 33 may also be shaped and sized such that the insulation may be displaced from the wire 50 without inducing significant damage to the wire 50 .
- One non-limiting example of the shape of a cutting portion 33 is a V shape where the wire 50 would lie in the V.
- the cutting portion 33 may be smaller than the diameter of the insulation on the wire 50 and thus cut the insulation when forced against the wire 50 .
- displacement members 31 may be located along and perpendicular to the longitudinal or connector axis 37 of the IDC 30 . When arranged in this manner, the top surfaces of displacement members 31 form a brush receiving plane 35 . Also, the displacement members 31 may lie substantially parallel to each other with their respective cutting portions 33 aligned on a common center line.
- a plurality of connector spring members 32 may be located to form opposing sides to the displacement members 31 .
- the top portion of the spring members 32 may extend above the brush receiving plane 35 .
- the cutting portion 33 of the displacement members 31 may extend below the bottom portion of the spring members 32 .
- the top portion of the spring members 32 and the brush receiving plane 35 may form a brush receiving channel 34 .
- the brush receiving channel 34 may be sized to grip the brush holder apparatus 10 . In this manner, the brush receiving channel 34 may be wider at its receiving end and narrower at its distal end.
- This difference in channel width may allow the brush holder apparatus 10 to be inserted easily into the receiving end of the channel 34 , but the spring members 32 may grip and apply contact pressure to the brush holder apparatus 10 at the distal end. This contact pressure may make an electrical connection between the brush holder apparatus 10 and the IDC 30 and secure the brush holder apparatus 10 in the receiving channel 34 .
- the brush receiving channel 34 may run parallel to the IDC longitudinal axis 37 .
- the connector spring members 32 may have a cantilever-shaped portion 36 at their distal ends to grip the brush holder apparatus 10 and provide an electrical connection.
- FIG. 5 shows a partial view of a field 5 , which may include a laminated stator 51 and field windings 52 (which may be made up of a plurality of turns of magnet wire, but which are represented as object 52 in FIG. 5 ).
- the field 5 may have a terminal board 40 secured to the field 5 .
- the terminal board 40 may be made from electrically insulating materials; a non-limiting example of such a material would be plastic.
- the terminal board 40 may contain a plurality of terminal blocks 41 . In one embodiment, the terminal blocks 41 are molded into the terminal board 40 .
- a terminal block 41 may contain a connector receptacle 42 . In one embodiment, the receptacle 42 is molded into the terminal block 41 .
- the connector receptacle 42 may be sized to receive and fixedly retain an IDC 30 .
- the connector receptacle 42 may have a wire receptacle 43 sized to receive and securely retain an electrical wire 50 , which may be connected to the field windings 52 .
- the wire 50 may be insulated in one embodiment.
- the wire receptacle 43 may be molded into the connector receptacle 42 .
- the connector receptacle 42 and the wire receptacle 43 may be located within the terminal block 41 such that they cooperate to align the cutting portions 33 of the IDC 30 with the electrical wire 50 .
- one embodiment may include two IDCs 30 .
- the two IDCs 30 may be positioned on the field 5 opposite each other.
- as many IDCs 30 as needed may be used.
- the IDCs 30 may be positioned at corners of a substantially rectangular field 5 .
- as many IDCs 30 may be used as there are brush holder apparatuses 10 .
- the IDCs 30 may be positioned on the field 5 to be aligned with and correspond to the brush receptacles 24 when the field 5 is installed inside the motor housing 20 .
- a brush holder apparatus 10 may be fixedly mated with the electric motor housing 20 and obtain electrical connection with the IDC 30 according to the following method.
- the user may align insulated electrical wire 50 connected to the field windings 52 with the wire receptacle 43 on the terminal block 41 and insert the wire 50 into the receptacle 43 .
- the user may align the IDC 30 with the connector receptacle 42 such that the cutting portion 33 engages the electrical wire 50 .
- the user may forcibly insert the IDC 30 into the connector receptacle 42 , thus fixedly attaching the two elements 30 , 42 .
- Forcibly inserting the IDC 30 in the receptacle 42 may result in the insulation on the outside of the electrical wire 50 to be removed or pierced by the cutting portion 33 , and thus an electrical connection may be made between the wire 50 and the IDC 30 .
- the insertion may also result in the IDC 30 being fixedly mated with the terminal board 40 .
- the user may repeat this procedure for every IDC 30 .
- the armature 3 With the IDCs 30 secured to the field 5 , the armature 3 may be inserted inside the field 5 , and both 3 , 5 may be placed inside the motor housing 20 , as previously described, such that the brush receiving channels 34 of the IDCs 30 align with the brush receptacles 24 of the housing 20 .
- the brush holder apparatuses 10 may be installed. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 , the user may next align the longitudinal axis 7 of the brush holder apparatus 10 with longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle 24 (and also with the connector axis 37 and channel 34 of the IDC 30 ). The user may forcibly insert the brush holder apparatus 10 into the brush receptacle 24 with the open end of the brush holder housing going in first. As the brush holder apparatus 10 moves into the brush receptacle 24 , the brush holder apparatus 10 may displace the housing spring member 23 downward or away from the brush holder apparatus 10 .
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted in the brush receptacle 24 until the locking element 21 aligns with the receiving aperture 11 .
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted in the brush receptacle 24 until the locating element 12 rests against the surface 25 of the locking element 21 .
- the user may align one receiving aperture 11 with one locking element 21 located inside the brush receptacle 24 .
- the user may release the brush holder apparatus 10 , which will allow the spring force of the spring member 23 to move the brush holder apparatus 10 in an upward direction, thus seating the locking element 21 into the receiving aperture 11 .
- the locating element 12 and the locking element 21 may cooperate to prevent the brush holder housing 9 from being inserted too far and jamming the commutator 4 .
- the receiving aperture 11 and the locking element 21 may cooperate to prevent the brush holder housing 9 from being pushed back out of the motor housing 20 by the spring force of the brush 8 against the commutator 4 .
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may have receiving apertures 11 and locking elements 12 on both its upper and lower sides, which may be mirror images, thus allowing two possible insertion orientations one hundred and eighty degrees apart. By having two possible insertion orientations, it may become easier for the user to align the brush holder apparatus 10 with the locking element 21 during assembly; the user does not have to pay attention as to the specific orientation of the brush holder apparatus 10 during its insertion into the brush receptacle 24 because either of the two insertions will work.
- the brush holder apparatuses 10 may be installed in the motor housing 20 offset from a common axis 7 , as explained previously and shown in FIG. 9 . Such offset may allow more surface-area contact between the brush 8 and the commutator 4 for the same size brush 8 , which may increase the life of the brush 8 .
- each brush holder apparatus 10 may have only one receiving aperture 11 and locking element 12 , which may allow only one insertion orientation and prevent improper assembly.
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may move into the brush receiving channel 34 of the IDC 30 .
- the connector spring members 32 may apply contact pressure to the sides of the brush holder apparatus 10 , as shown in FIG. 6 . This contact pressure may aid in retaining the brush holder apparatus 10 in the motor housing 20 and may also provide an electrical connection between the brush holder apparatus 10 and the IDC 30 .
- FIG. 6 does not show the motor housing 20 that would enclose the IDC 30 and into which the brush holder apparatus 10 would be inserted.
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may be retained by the connector spring members 32 at the side that is urged by the housing spring member 23 and opposite from the side that receives the locking element 21 in the receiving aperture 11 .
- the brush spring 6 urges the brush 8 to contact the commutator 4 that is located inside the housing 20 and is aligned with the brush holder apparatus 10 .
- Electricity may now be conducted from the field windings 52 through the wire 50 inside the wire receptacle 43 , through the IDC 30 that pierces the insulation of and makes electrical contact with the wire 50 , through the brush holder housing 9 that is secured inside the IDC channel 34 , through the brush 8 that is housed inside the brush holder housing 9 , and to the commutator 4 that is contacted by the brush 8 .
- the brush holder apparatus 10 may be secured inside a motor 2 and may make electrical connection with the field windings 52 .
- a motor 2 may include the means disclosed here to physically secure the brush holder apparatus 10 inside the motor 2 (by virtue of the design of the brush holder apparatus 10 and the motor housing 20 ) but use a different means for electrical connection to the brush holder apparatus 10 (and not have the disclosed IDC 30 ).
- a motor 2 may include the means disclosed here for electrical connection to the brush holder apparatus 10 (by the IDC 30 ) but use a different means to physically secure the brush holder apparatus 10 inside the motor 2 (and not use the disclosed design of the brush holder apparatus 10 and the motor housing 20 ).
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Motor Or Generator Current Collectors (AREA)
- Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)
Abstract
A motor assembly includes: a motor housing including: at least one brush receptacle having top and bottom ends; a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end; and a housing spring member; at least one brush holder apparatus including: a brush holder housing sized to be received within the brush receptacle, including: an upper surface and a lower surface; a receiving aperture; and an open end; a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and a brush located inside the brush holder housing; wherein the brush holder apparatus is inserted inside the brush receptacle; and wherein the housing spring member urges the brush holder apparatus toward the top end such that the locking element is received inside the receiving aperture.
Description
- This invention pertains to the art of installing motor brush holders inside a motor. It is known in the art to secure a brush housing apparatus to an electric motor housing by using an interference fit between the outside surface of the brush housing and a receiving surface on the motor housing. The brush housing may be further secured by applying adhesive to the assembled parts. This method of attachment may be expensive as the interference fit requires exacting tolerances to both mating parts. These tolerances can add cost to the assembly. Also the choice of adhesive may be difficult as the brush operates in a high temperature and high vibration environment.
- It is also known in the art to use straps and fasteners to secure the brush to the motor housing. This method adds additional parts and additional assembly time to the motor. Another known securing method is to add tabs to the outside of the brush apparatus and locate the brush in a receptacle formed in the motor housing. The brush is then secured in the housing by bending the tabs over the receptacle. Bending the tabs according to this method adds assembly time and thus cost.
- One known method to electrically connect the brush apparatus to the motor field is to extend a conductive wire from the brush and electrically connect the wire to a wire extending from the motor field. This method adds additional assemble steps and time to the electric motor assembly.
- What is needed is a durable, efficient, simplified, and cost-effective method and apparatus to electrically connect and secure brush apparatuses and field windings of electric motors without using adhesives, fasteners, or wire splices.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a motor assembly includes: a motor housing including: at least one brush receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle and having a top end and a bottom end that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end of each brush receptacle; and a cantilevered housing spring member having a distal end extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and extending from the bottom end toward the top end of each brush receptacle; at least one brush holder apparatus including: a brush holder housing sized to be received within the at least one brush receptacle, including: an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel; a first receiving aperture in the upper surface configured to receive the locking element when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; and an open end that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and a brush located inside the brush holder housing but urged out of the open end of the brush holder housing by the brush spring along the longitudinal axis when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; wherein the at least one brush holder apparatus is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle along the longitudinal axis; and wherein the housing spring member urges the at least one brush holder apparatus toward the top end of the at least one brush receptacle such that the locking element is received inside the first receiving aperture.
- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a motor assembly includes: a field including: a laminated stator; at least one terminal block secured to the laminated stator and including a connector receptacle; field windings; and at least one wire electrically connected to the field windings and positioned partly in the connector receptacle; at least one conductive connector including: two substantially flat and parallel displacement members, each including: a top portion; and a distal portion including a cutting portion extending from the distal portion toward the top portion and configured to receive the wire; and two connector spring members, each including: a substantially flat lower portion adjacent to, connected to, and substantially perpendicular to at least one displacement member; and an upper portion extending above the top portions of the displacement members and cantilevered along substantially a connector axis of the connector; wherein the cutting portions of the displacement members align along the connector axis, and wherein the displacement members are substantially perpendicular to the connector axis; wherein the top portions of the displacement members define a brush receiving plane; wherein the distal portions of the displacement members extend below the lower portions of the connector spring members; and wherein the upper portions of the connector spring members are angled toward each other at cantilevered ends, defining with the brush receiving plane a brush receiving channel along the connector axis, wherein the brush receiving channel narrows in the direction of the connector axis toward the cantilevered ends; and at least one brush holder apparatus including: a brush holder housing sized to be received within the brush receiving channel, comprising an open end; a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and a brush located inside the brush holder housing but urged out of the open end of the brush holder housing by the brush spring along the connector axis when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the brush receiving channel; wherein the at least one connector is inserted into the connector receptacle such that the cutting portions of the displacement members receive and make electrical connection with the at least one wire; and wherein the at least one brush holder apparatus is inserted inside the brush receiving channel of the at least one connector along the connector axis in the direction of narrowing of the brush receiving channel until the at least one brush holder apparatus is held securely by the at least one connector.
- In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method includes the steps of: a) providing: a motor housing including: at least one brush receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle and having a top end and a bottom end that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end of each brush receptacle; and a cantilevered housing spring member having a distal end extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and extending from the bottom end toward the top end of each brush receptacle; at least one brush holder apparatus including: a brush holder housing sized to be received within the at least one brush receptacle, including: an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel; a first receiving aperture in the upper surface configured to receive the locking element when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; and an open end that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and a brush located inside the brush holder housing but urged out of the open end of the brush holder housing by the brush spring along the longitudinal axis when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; b) inserting the at least one brush holder apparatus, the open end first, into the at least one brush receptacle along the longitudinal axis, causing the housing spring member to move away from the top end of the brush receptacle; c) aligning the locking element with the first receiving aperture; and d) allowing the housing spring member to urge the brush holder apparatus toward the top end of the brush receptacle and causing the first receiving apparatus to receive the locking element.
- Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
- The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled motor. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembled motor. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a brush holder apparatus installed in a motor housing. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement connector. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement connector installed in a terminal board. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement connector contacting a brush holder apparatus. -
FIG. 7 is a view of a flat sheet cut out in the shape of an insulation displacement connector. -
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an insulation displacement connector. -
FIG. 9 is an end view of a motor. - Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,
FIG. 1 shows an assembledelectric motor 2. Themotor 2 may have amotor housing 20 that receives and secures at least onebrush holder apparatus 10. In one embodiment, themotor housing 20 may be made from electrically insulating materials; a non-limiting example of such a material would be plastic or polymer. In another embodiment, thehousing 20 may be made from a conductive material. Motors 2 may include any DC, AC, or universal motors that use brushes. Such motors may be used in applications that include, but are not limited to, blenders, vacuum cleaners, air compressors, and other devices. -
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a disassembledmotor 2. The motor may further include anarmature 3, which has acommutator 4, and afield 5. Thearmature 3 may be inserted along a motor axis 26 (aligned with the motor shaft) inside thefield 5 and both 3, 5 placed inside themotor housing 20 such that at least a portion of thefield 5 is housed inside thehousing 20, as shown inFIG. 1 . If themotor housing 20 is made from a conductive material, insulation may isolate thehousing 20 from thearmature 3, thefield 5, and thebrush holder apparatus 10. - With continued reference to
FIG. 2 , one embodiment of themotor 2 may include twobrush holder apparatuses 10. In another embodiment, the twobrush holder apparatuses 10 may be positioned within themotor housing 20 opposite each other, aligned along acommon axis 7. In another embodiment, the twobrush holder apparatuses 10 may be offset from acommon axis 7 within themotor housing 20;FIG. 9 shows such an example. In another embodiment, the offsetbrush holder apparatuses 10 may be parallel to each other. In alternative embodiments, as manybrush holder apparatuses 10 as needed may be used. In another embodiment, thebrush holder apparatuses 10 may be positioned at corners of a substantiallyrectangular housing 20. Thebrush holder apparatus 10 may include abrush holder housing 9 and abrush 8. In one embodiment, thebrush 8 may be made from carbon. In one embodiment, thebrush holder housing 9 may be made from a conductive material, including, but not limited to, brass, copper, silver, gold, and aluminum. In alternative embodiments, thebrush holder housing 9 may be made from a nonconductive material, including, but not limited to, polymer and rubber. - With continued reference to
FIG. 2 , themotor housing 20 may include at least onebrush receptacle 24 sized to receive the at least onebrush holder apparatus 10. In alternative embodiments, thehousing 20 may include asmany brush receptacles 24 as there arebrush holder apparatuses 10. Thebrush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted into thebrush receptacle 24 from outside thehousing 20 inwards along the apparatus's (or the brush receptacle's 24)longitudinal axis 7 and perpendicular to themotor axis 26. Thearmature 3 andfield 5 may be secured inside thehousing 20 such that thefield 5 encircles and matches thearmature 3 and thebrush holder apparatus 10, when installed inside thebrush receptacle 24, is aligned such that thebrush 8 contacts thecommutator 4. -
FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of abrush holder apparatus 10 installed in abrush receptacle 24 of themotor housing 20. While it is known in the art to secure a brush holder to a motor housing, what is not known is how to achieve a secure attachment by integrating the securing features into thehousing 20 and thebrush holder apparatus 10, thus eliminating fasteners, adhesives, and additional assembly steps. Abrush holder apparatus 10 may take the form of a substantially four-sidedbrush holder housing 9 extended along alongitudinal axis 7 of thebrush holder apparatus 10. In alternative embodiments, thebrush holder housing 9 may be a rectangular prism, or may have some rounded sides, as shown inFIG. 6 . Abrush spring 6 may be secured inside thebrush holder housing 9 to urge thebrush 8 out of an open end of thebrush holder housing 9 such that thebrush 8 may contact thecommutator 4 when themotor 2 is assembled. Thebrush holder apparatus 10 may have receivingapertures 11 formed on its upper and lower surfaces. These receivingapertures 11 may have locatingelements 12 substantially adjacent to the location of theapertures 11. The locatingelements 12 may extend above the upper and lower surfaces of thebrush holder apparatus 10 away from the lower and upper surfaces, respectively. In another embodiment, thebrush holder apparatus 10 may have only one receivingaperture 11 and locatingelement 12. - With continued reference to
FIG. 3 , extending down from the top interior surface or end of thebrush receptacle 24 toward its bottom end may be a lockingelement 21. The description of a top or bottom end or surface is an arbitrary reference point, and such surfaces or ends may be oriented in any other direction or angle. The position, size, and shape of the lockingelement 21 may be such that when thebrush holder apparatus 10 is put into thebrush receptacle 24, the lockingelement 21 is received inside the receivingaperture 11. Formed into thebrush receptacle 24 and located adjacent to the lockingelement 21 may be a recessedpocket 22. The recessedpocket 22 provides clearance for the locatingelement 12 so that thebrush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted into thebrush receptacle 24 without interference. A surface 25 common to the recessedpocket 22 and the lockingelement 21 may cooperate with the locatingelement 12 to locate thebrush holder apparatus 10 along thelongitudinal axis 7. - With continued reference to
FIG. 3 , also contained within thebrush receptacle 24 may be ahousing spring member 23 or spring. Thehousing spring member 23 may be located on an opposing surface or end of thebrush receptacle 24 from the lockingelement 21. Thehousing spring member 23 may be a substantially cantilevered element. Also, thehousing spring member 23 may have its distal end angled upwards so that when thebush holder apparatus 10 is inserted into thebrush receptacle 24, thebrush holder apparatus 10 forces thehousing spring member 23 downwards. In this manner, thehousing spring member 23 may apply an upward force to thebrush holder apparatus 10 and assist in retaining the lockingelement 21 in the receivingaperture 11. In one embodiment, thehousing spring member 23 may also be made from electrically insulating materials; a non-limiting example of such a material would be plastic. -
FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of an insulation displacement connector (IDC) 30.FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of thesame IDC 30. While it is known in the art to electrically connect a brush holder to an electric motor field, what is not known is how to achieve this connection by integrating the securing features and connection features into the electrical connection member and providing a robust electrical connection, reduced components, and reduced assembly time. TheIDC 30 may be made from electrically conductive material; non-limiting examples of such a material are brass, copper, silver, gold, and aluminum. In one embodiment, anIDC 30 may be made from one, integral flat sheet or pattern using a metal forming process, as shown inFIG. 7 . - With continued reference to
FIG. 4 , theIDC 30 may contain a plurality ofdisplacement members 31 or plates. Eachdisplacement member 31 may have a cuttingportion 33 at its distal end. The cuttingportion 33 may be shaped and sized to receive insulation coatedelectrical wire 50, as shown inFIG. 5 . Also, the cuttingportion 33 may be shaped and sized such that when force is applied to thedisplacement member 31 withwire 50 in place, the cuttingportion 3 displaces the insulation from thewire 50 and an electrical connection is made between thewire 50 and thedisplacement member 31. The cuttingportion 33 may also be shaped and sized such that the insulation may be displaced from thewire 50 without inducing significant damage to thewire 50. One non-limiting example of the shape of a cuttingportion 33 is a V shape where thewire 50 would lie in the V. The cuttingportion 33 may be smaller than the diameter of the insulation on thewire 50 and thus cut the insulation when forced against thewire 50. - With continued reference to
FIG. 4 ,displacement members 31 may be located along and perpendicular to the longitudinal orconnector axis 37 of theIDC 30. When arranged in this manner, the top surfaces ofdisplacement members 31 form abrush receiving plane 35. Also, thedisplacement members 31 may lie substantially parallel to each other with theirrespective cutting portions 33 aligned on a common center line. - With continued reference to
FIG. 4 , a plurality ofconnector spring members 32 may be located to form opposing sides to thedisplacement members 31. The top portion of thespring members 32 may extend above thebrush receiving plane 35. The cuttingportion 33 of thedisplacement members 31 may extend below the bottom portion of thespring members 32. The top portion of thespring members 32 and thebrush receiving plane 35 may form abrush receiving channel 34. Thebrush receiving channel 34 may be sized to grip thebrush holder apparatus 10. In this manner, thebrush receiving channel 34 may be wider at its receiving end and narrower at its distal end. This difference in channel width may allow thebrush holder apparatus 10 to be inserted easily into the receiving end of thechannel 34, but thespring members 32 may grip and apply contact pressure to thebrush holder apparatus 10 at the distal end. This contact pressure may make an electrical connection between thebrush holder apparatus 10 and theIDC 30 and secure thebrush holder apparatus 10 in the receivingchannel 34. Thebrush receiving channel 34 may run parallel to the IDClongitudinal axis 37. In one embodiment, theconnector spring members 32 may have a cantilever-shapedportion 36 at their distal ends to grip thebrush holder apparatus 10 and provide an electrical connection. -
FIG. 5 shows a partial view of afield 5, which may include alaminated stator 51 and field windings 52 (which may be made up of a plurality of turns of magnet wire, but which are represented asobject 52 inFIG. 5 ). Thefield 5 may have aterminal board 40 secured to thefield 5. Theterminal board 40 may be made from electrically insulating materials; a non-limiting example of such a material would be plastic. Theterminal board 40 may contain a plurality of terminal blocks 41. In one embodiment, the terminal blocks 41 are molded into theterminal board 40. Aterminal block 41 may contain aconnector receptacle 42. In one embodiment, thereceptacle 42 is molded into theterminal block 41. Theconnector receptacle 42 may be sized to receive and fixedly retain anIDC 30. Theconnector receptacle 42 may have awire receptacle 43 sized to receive and securely retain anelectrical wire 50, which may be connected to thefield windings 52. Thewire 50 may be insulated in one embodiment. Thewire receptacle 43 may be molded into theconnector receptacle 42. Theconnector receptacle 42 and thewire receptacle 43 may be located within theterminal block 41 such that they cooperate to align the cuttingportions 33 of theIDC 30 with theelectrical wire 50. - With reference to
FIGS. 2 and 5 , one embodiment may include twoIDCs 30. In another embodiment, the twoIDCs 30 may be positioned on thefield 5 opposite each other. In alternative embodiments, asmany IDCs 30 as needed may be used. In another embodiment, theIDCs 30 may be positioned at corners of a substantiallyrectangular field 5. In another embodiment, asmany IDCs 30 may be used as there arebrush holder apparatuses 10. In another embodiment, theIDCs 30 may be positioned on thefield 5 to be aligned with and correspond to thebrush receptacles 24 when thefield 5 is installed inside themotor housing 20. - In one embodiment, a
brush holder apparatus 10 may be fixedly mated with theelectric motor housing 20 and obtain electrical connection with theIDC 30 according to the following method. With reference toFIGS. 2 and 5-6 , the user may align insulatedelectrical wire 50 connected to thefield windings 52 with thewire receptacle 43 on theterminal block 41 and insert thewire 50 into thereceptacle 43. The user may align theIDC 30 with theconnector receptacle 42 such that the cuttingportion 33 engages theelectrical wire 50. The user may forcibly insert theIDC 30 into theconnector receptacle 42, thus fixedly attaching the twoelements IDC 30 in thereceptacle 42 may result in the insulation on the outside of theelectrical wire 50 to be removed or pierced by the cuttingportion 33, and thus an electrical connection may be made between thewire 50 and theIDC 30. The insertion may also result in theIDC 30 being fixedly mated with theterminal board 40. The user may repeat this procedure for everyIDC 30. With theIDCs 30 secured to thefield 5, thearmature 3 may be inserted inside thefield 5, and both 3, 5 may be placed inside themotor housing 20, as previously described, such that thebrush receiving channels 34 of theIDCs 30 align with thebrush receptacles 24 of thehousing 20. - Having assembled the
field 5, thearmature 3, and thehousing 20, thebrush holder apparatuses 10 may be installed. As shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 6 , the user may next align thelongitudinal axis 7 of thebrush holder apparatus 10 with longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle 24 (and also with theconnector axis 37 andchannel 34 of the IDC 30). The user may forcibly insert thebrush holder apparatus 10 into thebrush receptacle 24 with the open end of the brush holder housing going in first. As thebrush holder apparatus 10 moves into thebrush receptacle 24, thebrush holder apparatus 10 may displace thehousing spring member 23 downward or away from thebrush holder apparatus 10. In one embodiment, thebrush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted in thebrush receptacle 24 until the lockingelement 21 aligns with the receivingaperture 11. In another embodiment, thebrush holder apparatus 10 may be inserted in thebrush receptacle 24 until the locatingelement 12 rests against the surface 25 of the lockingelement 21. The user may align one receivingaperture 11 with one lockingelement 21 located inside thebrush receptacle 24. At this point, the user may release thebrush holder apparatus 10, which will allow the spring force of thespring member 23 to move thebrush holder apparatus 10 in an upward direction, thus seating the lockingelement 21 into the receivingaperture 11. The locatingelement 12 and the lockingelement 21 may cooperate to prevent thebrush holder housing 9 from being inserted too far and jamming thecommutator 4. The receivingaperture 11 and the lockingelement 21 may cooperate to prevent thebrush holder housing 9 from being pushed back out of themotor housing 20 by the spring force of thebrush 8 against thecommutator 4. - In one embodiment, the
brush holder apparatus 10 may have receivingapertures 11 and lockingelements 12 on both its upper and lower sides, which may be mirror images, thus allowing two possible insertion orientations one hundred and eighty degrees apart. By having two possible insertion orientations, it may become easier for the user to align thebrush holder apparatus 10 with the lockingelement 21 during assembly; the user does not have to pay attention as to the specific orientation of thebrush holder apparatus 10 during its insertion into thebrush receptacle 24 because either of the two insertions will work. - In another embodiment, the
brush holder apparatuses 10 may be installed in themotor housing 20 offset from acommon axis 7, as explained previously and shown inFIG. 9 . Such offset may allow more surface-area contact between thebrush 8 and thecommutator 4 for thesame size brush 8, which may increase the life of thebrush 8. In one embodiment of offsetbrush holder apparatuses 10, eachbrush holder apparatus 10 may have only one receivingaperture 11 and lockingelement 12, which may allow only one insertion orientation and prevent improper assembly. - With reference to
FIGS. 3 and 6 , as thebrush holder apparatus 10 is being inserted into thebrush receptacle 24, it 10 may move into thebrush receiving channel 34 of theIDC 30. Theconnector spring members 32 may apply contact pressure to the sides of thebrush holder apparatus 10, as shown inFIG. 6 . This contact pressure may aid in retaining thebrush holder apparatus 10 in themotor housing 20 and may also provide an electrical connection between thebrush holder apparatus 10 and theIDC 30.FIG. 6 does not show themotor housing 20 that would enclose theIDC 30 and into which thebrush holder apparatus 10 would be inserted. As shown partly inFIG. 3 , thebrush holder apparatus 10 may be retained by theconnector spring members 32 at the side that is urged by thehousing spring member 23 and opposite from the side that receives the lockingelement 21 in the receivingaperture 11. - At this point, all of the components of the
motor 2 may be secured such that thebrush spring 6 urges thebrush 8 to contact thecommutator 4 that is located inside thehousing 20 and is aligned with thebrush holder apparatus 10. Electricity may now be conducted from thefield windings 52 through thewire 50 inside thewire receptacle 43, through theIDC 30 that pierces the insulation of and makes electrical contact with thewire 50, through thebrush holder housing 9 that is secured inside theIDC channel 34, through thebrush 8 that is housed inside thebrush holder housing 9, and to thecommutator 4 that is contacted by thebrush 8. By this method, thebrush holder apparatus 10 may be secured inside amotor 2 and may make electrical connection with thefield windings 52. In other embodiments, amotor 2 may include the means disclosed here to physically secure thebrush holder apparatus 10 inside the motor 2 (by virtue of the design of thebrush holder apparatus 10 and the motor housing 20) but use a different means for electrical connection to the brush holder apparatus 10 (and not have the disclosed IDC 30). In other embodiments, amotor 2 may include the means disclosed here for electrical connection to the brush holder apparatus 10 (by the IDC 30) but use a different means to physically secure thebrush holder apparatus 10 inside the motor 2 (and not use the disclosed design of thebrush holder apparatus 10 and the motor housing 20). - Numerous embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof
- Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
Claims (2)
1. A motor assembly comprising:
a motor housing comprising:
at least one brush receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle and having a top end and a bottom end that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end of each brush receptacle; and
a cantilevered housing spring member having a distal end extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and extending from the bottom end toward the top end of each brush receptacle; and
at least one brush holder apparatus comprising:
a brush holder housing sized to be received within the at least one brush receptacle, comprising:
an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel;
a first receiving aperture in the upper surface configured to receive the locking element when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; and
an open end that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface;
a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and
a brush located inside the brush holder housing but urged out of the open end of the brush holder housing by the brush spring along the longitudinal axis when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle;
wherein the at least one brush holder apparatus is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle along the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the housing spring member urges the at least one brush holder apparatus toward the top end of the at least one brush receptacle such that the locking element is received inside the first receiving aperture.
2. A method comprising the steps of:
a) providing:
a motor housing comprising:
at least one brush receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis of the brush receptacle and having a top end and a bottom end that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
a locking element extending from the top end toward the bottom end of each brush receptacle; and
a cantilevered housing spring member having a distal end extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and extending from the bottom end toward the top end of each brush receptacle; and
at least one brush holder apparatus comprising:
a brush holder housing sized to be received within the at least one brush receptacle, comprising:
an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel;
a first receiving aperture in the upper surface configured to receive the locking element when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle; and
an open end that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface;
a brush spring enclosed by the brush holder housing; and
a brush located inside the brush holder housing but urged out of the open end of the brush holder housing by the brush spring along the longitudinal axis when the brush holder housing is inserted inside the at least one brush receptacle;
b) inserting the at least one brush holder apparatus, the open end first, into the at least one brush receptacle along the longitudinal axis, causing the housing spring member to move away from the top end of the brush receptacle;
c) aligning the locking element with the first receiving aperture; and
d) allowing the housing spring member to urge the brush holder apparatus toward the top end of the brush receptacle and causing the first receiving apparatus to receive the locking element.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/432,200 US20170155300A1 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2017-02-14 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201461987831P | 2014-05-02 | 2014-05-02 | |
US14/325,602 US9601967B2 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2014-07-08 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
US15/432,200 US20170155300A1 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2017-02-14 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/325,602 Continuation US9601967B2 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2014-07-08 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
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US20170155300A1 true US20170155300A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 |
Family
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/325,602 Expired - Fee Related US9601967B2 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2014-07-08 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
US15/432,200 Abandoned US20170155300A1 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2017-02-14 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
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US14/325,602 Expired - Fee Related US9601967B2 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2014-07-08 | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
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US (2) | US9601967B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD857627S1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2019-08-27 | Polini Motori S.P.A. | Housing for an electric motor |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9601967B2 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2017-03-21 | The Scott Fetzer Company | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
CN205583897U (en) * | 2016-03-07 | 2016-09-14 | 德昌电机(深圳)有限公司 | Brush device , motor and liquid pump |
Citations (1)
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US9601967B2 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2017-03-21 | The Scott Fetzer Company | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
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US3177388A (en) | 1960-03-18 | 1965-04-06 | Singer Co | Brush holder assembly for electric motor |
US4059776A (en) | 1976-04-19 | 1977-11-22 | Stackpole Carbon Company | Electric motor brush mounting |
US4163167A (en) | 1977-12-02 | 1979-07-31 | Stackpole Carbon Company | Electric motor brush holder |
US4250613A (en) * | 1979-08-27 | 1981-02-17 | Black & Decker Inc. | Method of assembling a commutator brush system |
US4329612A (en) * | 1980-05-23 | 1982-05-11 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Brushholder |
GB2189943A (en) | 1986-05-02 | 1987-11-04 | Johnson Electric Ind Mfg | Assembling brush gear in an electric motor |
US4746828A (en) | 1987-02-09 | 1988-05-24 | Electrolux Corporation | Molded electric motor housing and brush holder unit |
US4963779A (en) | 1989-05-15 | 1990-10-16 | Black & Decker, Inc. | Brush holder for an electric motor |
US5159222A (en) | 1990-12-07 | 1992-10-27 | Carbone-Lorraine Of North America | Brush holder assembly having snap-in replaceable commutator brush holder cartridges for electric machines |
US5465016A (en) | 1993-09-08 | 1995-11-07 | Electrolux Corporation | Electric motor and brush/shunt assembly therefor |
US5471107A (en) | 1993-12-30 | 1995-11-28 | Rawls; Earl W. | End cap and brush holder assembly for dynamoelectric machine |
JPH11252870A (en) | 1998-03-03 | 1999-09-17 | Mitsuba Corp | Housing structure of motor |
DE10118275A1 (en) | 2001-04-12 | 2002-10-31 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Housing with at least one functional element of an electrical machine |
JP2004289934A (en) | 2003-03-20 | 2004-10-14 | Asmo Co Ltd | Brush supporting member and its manufacturing method, and electric motor |
JP4785852B2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2011-10-05 | 株式会社ミツバ | Electric motor |
US7518274B1 (en) | 2006-06-12 | 2009-04-14 | Mancl Dennis J | Motor bracket with integral terminals |
DE102006035062A1 (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2008-01-31 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Integrated drive element |
DE102006053791B4 (en) | 2006-11-15 | 2012-05-10 | Küster Automotive Door Systems GmbH | Relay housing with integrated electrical contact element |
DE102007047648A1 (en) * | 2007-10-05 | 2009-04-09 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Brush assembly and electric machine, in particular electrical domestic appliance |
-
2014
- 2014-07-08 US US14/325,602 patent/US9601967B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2017
- 2017-02-14 US US15/432,200 patent/US20170155300A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US9601967B2 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2017-03-21 | The Scott Fetzer Company | Electric motor brush apparatus and method |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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USD857627S1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2019-08-27 | Polini Motori S.P.A. | Housing for an electric motor |
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US20150318652A1 (en) | 2015-11-05 |
US9601967B2 (en) | 2017-03-21 |
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Owner name: SCOTT FETZER COMPANY, THE, OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMONETT, DANIEL K.;REEL/FRAME:041252/0271 Effective date: 20140702 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |