Electro-dynamic machine with an integral electrical service circuit

• US 5,319,277 A
• Filed: 12/04/1992
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Systemes D.Essuyage
• Inventors: Materne, Xavier, Dazat, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US07/986,860
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 310/239, 310/242, 310/249, 310/71, 310/89, 310/90, 310/254, 310/261
• US Class Current: 310/239
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 23/66 Structural association with auxiliary electric devices influencing the characteristic of, or controlling, the machine, e.g. with impedances or switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/148 Slidably supported brushes

Abstract

An electro-dynamic machine in the form of a d.c. motor having a commutator, has an electrical service circuit carried by a printed circuit on which are mounted brush carriers for the carbon brushes engaged with the commutator. The machine has a casing which is closed by an intermediate member, and the electrical service circuit is mounted within a cavity of the intermediate member defined by a peripheral flange of the latter, this flange being directed towards the interior of the machine when the intermediate member is mounted on the motor casing.

Claims

1. An electro-dynamic machine comprising a casing, windings on the casings, a printed circuit defining conductive zones of the printed circuit, means securing the printed circuit to the casing of the machine, an electrical service circuit carried by the printed circuit, and an electrical connection cable connected on said conductive zones, said service circuit being connected to the windings whereby the latter are connectable to a source of electrical energy or a load via the cable, wherein the machine further includes an intermediate member closing the casing and having a peripheral flange defining a cavity within it, the electrical service circuit being mounted within said cavity, the intermediate member being mounted on the casing with said flange directed towards the exterior of the machine, the machine being associated with drive means such as a reduction gearbox, the drive means having an end plate secured to the casing of the machine with the intermediate member between them, the machine having a rotor with a rotor shaft and a commutator carried by the rotor shaft, the printed circuit including a circular insulating substrate defining a central hole with the rotor shaft and commutator passing through said central hole, the machine further including a brush carrier unit carried by the intermediate member, and the substrate defining on its outer periphery a plurality of locating notches for locating the brush carrier unit, the notches being arranged asymmetrically on the periphery of the substrate whereby the brush carrier unit can only be fitted in one orientation during the fitting of the printed circuit in the motor.

2. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate member has fastening lugs, the printed circuit being fastened to the said lugs and the electrical service circuit being formed on the printed circuit.

3. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 1, further having a commutator, a plurality of fastening elements formed on the printed circuit, brush carriers fastened to the latter by said fastening elements, and carbon brushes each carried by a respective one of the brush carriers and engaging the commutator.

4. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 1, wherein the substrate defines mounting zones having fastening holes therein, the brush carrier unit having projections inserted into the said holes.

5. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 1, wherein the casing of the motor has fastening ears, the intermediate member having corresponding ears defining holes, the casing of the motor being secured to the end plate of the drive means by fastening means through the said holes and through the ears of the casing.

6. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit comprises a circular insulating substrate defining on its outer periphery a plurality of locating notches, the intermediate member including centering pins each of which has a first end and a second end, with the latter facing away from the substrate, the first end having an end surface and a respective one of two first locating pegs projecting from said end surface for engaging in said locating notches in the substrate, whereby the substrate can be fitted in a predetermined angular position in abutting engagement on said end surfaces of the centering pins.

7. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate member has a central bore, said centering pins being disposed within said central bore, each centering pin defining an axial recess in its said second end, the intermediate member further including a plurality of locating pins each defining an end portion carrying a respective second locating peg, with each said second peg engaged in a respective one of the axial recesses in the centering pins so as to orientate said end plate with respect to the intermediate member.

8. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 1 and further comprising a reading device carried by the printed circuit for reading an indication of the angular position of the rotor, the machine further including a wheel defining said indication, the machine further having a connecting cable fitted to the printed circuit, and means connecting the reading device electrically to an element comprising at least one of the electrical service circuit and the connecting cable.

9. An electro-dynamic machine according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate member defines at least one recess for affording access to at least one said brush carrier, whereby the respective brush carried by the brush carrier can be replaced without modification to the relative positions of the brushes and the commutator.