Electric motor apparatus

• US 4,209,723 A
• Filed: 09/26/1977
• Issued: 06/24/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Stamping Company
• Original Assignee: Eaton Stamping Company
• Inventors: Hamman, Lyle J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duggan, Donovan F.
• Application Number:
  US05/836,354
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 310/112, 310/114, 310/126, 310/125, 310/89, 310/90, 310/239, 310/245, 310/246, 310/90, 310/242, 310/42, 310/43
• US Class Current: 310/112
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 16/00 Machines with more than one rotor or stator machines for transmitting mechanical power from a driving shaft to a driven shaft and comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; permanent magnet machines with multiple rotors or stators relatively rotated for vectorially combining the excitation fields or the armature voltages H02K21/029
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/04 Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/148 Slidably supported brushes

Abstract

The invention pertains to electric motor apparatus, including a method for forming an annular motor casing and the assembly of a plurality of electric motors with common casing end caps to produce a concise power unit capable of multiple functions, such as used with vehicle electric adjustable seats. The motor casing is mechanically assembled from formed flat sheet stock by defining interlocking projections and recesses in opposed stock blank ends wherein reception of the projections in the recesses deforms the projections and the recesses are obliquely related in pairs such that a mechanical interconnection results free of "spring back". Three identical motor casing and armature assemblies are maintained in side-by-side relationship by integral end caps, one of the caps including an armature brush card, and a feature of the invention is directed to a brush guide and spring assembly which permits spring biased brushes to be retained in a retracted position for assembly purposes and readily released to an operative condition.

Claims

1. A multiple electric motor assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of separate, metallic, annular motor casings in parallel, side-by-side relationship each having an axis, a first end and a second end, a single piece first synthetic plastic cap mounted upon said casings'"'"' first ends, a plurality of first armature bearings mounted in said cap whereby a bearing is located coaxial with each casing axis, a second single piece synthetic plastic cap mounted upon said casings'"'"' second ends, a plurality of second armature bearings mounted in said second cap whereby a second bearing is located coaxial with each casing axis, an armature rotatably mounted within each casing upon said first and second bearings, said casings being of sufficient length to substantially enclose the associated armature, tie rods interposed between said end caps maintaining assembly thereof upon said casings, a brush card mounted upon said second end cap having a plurality of openings therein each receiving an armature, a plurality of electric brushes mounted upon said card adjacent each opening engaging the adjacent armature, and a plurality of interengaging lugs and recesses defined on said second end cap and said brush card to assure predetermined alignment of said brush card on said second end cap during assembly.

2. A brush holder for electric motors comprising, in combination, a support, an elongated guide mounted on said support having open inner and outer ends and side walls, a brush slidably received within said guide having an outer end and a side wall and movable between an operative position and a retracted position, a torsion spring mounted upon said support adjacent one of said guide side walls intermediate said inner and outer ends, a slot defined in said one guide side wall, said spring having a free end extension receivable within said slot directly terminating in an arcuate convex brush-engaging portion selectively engaging said brush outer end when said brush is in said operative position biasing said brush toward said guide inner end and engaging said brush side wall when said brush is in said retracted position biasing said brush against said guide side walls to retain said brush in said retracted position.

3. A multiple electric motor assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of separate, metallic, annular motor casings in parallel, side-by-side relationship each having an axis, a first end and a second end, a single piece first synthetic plastic cap mounted upon said casings'"'"' first ends, a plurality of first armature bearings mounted in said cap whereby a bearing is located coaxial with each casing axis, a second single piece synthetic plastic cap mounted upon said casings'"'"' second ends, a plurality of second armature bearings mounted in said second cap whereby a second bearing is located coaxial with each casing axis, an armature rotatably mounted within each casing upon said first and second bearings, said casings being of sufficient length to substantially enclose the associated armature, tie rods interposed between said end caps maintaining assembly thereof upon said casings, a brush card mounted upon said second end cap having a plurality of openings therein each receiving an armature, a plurality of electric brushes mounted upon said card adjacent each opening engaging the adjacent armature, a plurality of electric conductors connected to said brush card and brushes, and intermeshing conductor holding fingers defined on said second end cap and brush card engaging and holding said conductors upon assembly of said second end cap upon said casings.