Snap-on fan cover for an electric motor
First Claim
1. An electric motor, comprising:
- a frame;
a stator supported by said frame;
at least one end shield mounted to said frame;
a rotor rotatably supported by the end shield adjacent said stator;
a fan rotatably mounted adjacent the end shield;
a cover mounted adjacent the fan;
wherein said end shield has a front face and an annular face and receiving means formed in the annular face for receiving and engaging a portion of said cover, said receiving means including at least one slot in said annular face, and a bearing surface disposed substantially coplanar to said front face for engaging a portion of said cover;
wherein said cover has mounting means for cooperating with said receiving means, comprising at least one bracket extending from a peripheral surface of the cover, said bracket having a projection extending substantially orthogonally therefrom for engagement with said slot, and at least one back stop for engaging the bearing surface of the end shield; and
wherein said bracket comprises a surface, radially inwardly spaced from the peripheral surface of the cover and extending substantially concentrically therewith, and wherein said projection extends substantially orthogonally from said inwardly spaced surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor assembly has a stator and rotor housed within a frame. An end shield is attached to one end of the frame for rotatably supporting a shaft extending therethrough. A fan is mounted to the shaft adjacent the end shield. A fan cover is mounted to the end shield and about the fan in a snap-fit manner. The end shield includes a front face and an annular side face, and has a plurality of slots formed in the annular face. The end shield also includes a boss adjacent each slot, which is formed to include at least one bearing surface and a ramp thereon. The fan cover includes a plurality of mounting brackets spaced about its inner periphery and extending outwardly toward the end shield. Each mounting bracket has a projection thereon, which is receivable within the slot on the annular face of the end shield. Each bracket also includes a backstop with a crushable rib thereon. As the projection is received in the slot, the bearing surface of the boss contacts and deforms the crushable rib on the backstop, thus ensuring a tight, snap-fit between the fan cover and the end shield.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An electric motor, comprising:
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a frame; a stator supported by said frame; at least one end shield mounted to said frame; a rotor rotatably supported by the end shield adjacent said stator; a fan rotatably mounted adjacent the end shield; a cover mounted adjacent the fan; wherein said end shield has a front face and an annular face and receiving means formed in the annular face for receiving and engaging a portion of said cover, said receiving means including at least one slot in said annular face, and a bearing surface disposed substantially coplanar to said front face for engaging a portion of said cover; wherein said cover has mounting means for cooperating with said receiving means, comprising at least one bracket extending from a peripheral surface of the cover, said bracket having a projection extending substantially orthogonally therefrom for engagement with said slot, and at least one back stop for engaging the bearing surface of the end shield; and wherein said bracket comprises a surface, radially inwardly spaced from the peripheral surface of the cover and extending substantially concentrically therewith, and wherein said projection extends substantially orthogonally from said inwardly spaced surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electric motor, comprising
a frame; -
a stator supported by said frame; at least one end shield mounted to said frame for rotatably supporting a rotor adjacent said stator; a fan mounted adjacent the end shield; and a cover mounted adjacent the fan; said end shield having a front face and an annular face and receiving means formed in the annular face for engaging a portion of said cover, said receiving means including at least one slot in said annular face, said slot being spaced from said front face and defining a longitudinal distance therebetween; said cover including mounting means for cooperating with said receiving means, said mounting means including at least one mounting bracket extending from said cover, said bracket including a projection and at least one backstop thereon, said projection and backstop being spaced apart and defining a second longitudinal distance therebetween; and means located on said mounting bracket for substantially eliminating any difference between said first distance and said second distance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification