Assembly including an electric motor and a load
First Claim
1. An assembly comprising:
- an electric motor comprising a first housing, a stator fixed relative to the first housing, a shaft supported by the first housing for rotation about a shaft axis, the shaft extending from the first housing, a portion of the shaft defining a first cross-section, the first cross-section being non-circular and substantially normal to the shaft axis, and a rotor connected to the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator;
a load comprising a second housing, a rotating member configured to be driven by the electric motor for rotation relative to the second housing, the rotating member defining a bore and first and second apertures in communication with the bore, the bore being configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft, an opening of the bore being fully enclosed by a continuous portion of the rotating member, a portion of the bore defining a second cross-section, the second cross-section being non-circular and corresponding to at least a portion of the first cross-section; and
a retainer extending through the first and second apertures and engaging the shaft, the retainer substantially preventing axial movement of the shaft relative to the rotating member during normal operation of the electric motor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly including an electric motor, a load, and a retainer. The electric motor can include a shaft that defines a first cross-section that is non-circular and substantially normal to the shaft axis. The load can include a rotating member that defines a bore and first and second apertures in communication with the bore. The bore can be configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft. An opening of the bore can be fully enclosed by a continuous portion of the rotating member. A portion of the bore can define a second cross-section that is non-circular and that corresponds to at least a portion of the first cross-section. The retainer can extend through the first and second apertures and engage the shaft and thereby substantially prevent axial movement of the shaft relative to the rotating member during normal operation of the electric motor.
24 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An assembly comprising:
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an electric motor comprising a first housing, a stator fixed relative to the first housing, a shaft supported by the first housing for rotation about a shaft axis, the shaft extending from the first housing, a portion of the shaft defining a first cross-section, the first cross-section being non-circular and substantially normal to the shaft axis, and a rotor connected to the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator;
a load comprising a second housing, a rotating member configured to be driven by the electric motor for rotation relative to the second housing, the rotating member defining a bore and first and second apertures in communication with the bore, the bore being configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft, an opening of the bore being fully enclosed by a continuous portion of the rotating member, a portion of the bore defining a second cross-section, the second cross-section being non-circular and corresponding to at least a portion of the first cross-section; and
a retainer extending through the first and second apertures and engaging the shaft, the retainer substantially preventing axial movement of the shaft relative to the rotating member during normal operation of the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of drivingly connecting an electric motor to a rotating member, the method comprising:
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providing an electric motor comprising a stator, a shaft supported for rotation about a shaft axis, a portion of the shaft defining a first cross-section, the first cross-section being non-circular and substantially normal to the shaft axis, the shaft defining a groove, and a rotor connected to the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator;
providing a rotating member configured to be driven by the electric motor, the rotating member defining a bore and first and second apertures in communication with the bore, the bore being configured to receive at least a portion of the shaft, an opening of the bore being fully enclosed by a continuous portion of the rotating member, a portion of the bore defining a second cross-section, the second cross-section being non-circular and configured to engage at least a portion of the shaft that defines the first cross-section;
inserting the shaft into the bore so the groove is at least partially axially aligned with the first and second apertures;
providing a resilient lock member; and
deflecting the resilient lock member relative to the rotating member so the resilient lock member engages the groove through the first and second apertures. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. An assembly comprising:
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an electric motor comprising a first housing, a stator fixed relative to the first housing, a motor shaft supported by the first housing for rotation about a shaft axis, the motor shaft extending from the first housing, a portion of the motor shaft defining a first cross-section, the first cross-section being non-circular and substantially normal to the shaft axis, the motor shaft defining a groove; and
a rotor connected to the motor shaft for rotation with the motor shaft relative to the stator;
a fluid pump comprising a second housing, a molded plastic impeller configured to be driven by the electric motor for rotation relative to the second housing, the impeller comprising a hollow shaft, the hollow shaft defining a bore and first and second apertures in communication with the bore, the bore being configured to receive at least a portion of the motor shaft, an opening of the bore being fully enclosed by a continuous portion of the hollow shaft, a portion of the bore defining a second cross-section, the second cross-section being non-circular, the portion of the bore defining the second cross-section configured to engage at least a portion of the motor shaft that defines the first cross-section; and
a retaining member extending through the first and second apertures and engaging the groove, the retaining member substantially preventing axial movement of the motor shaft relative to the hollow shaft during normal operation of the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification