End cap assembly and electrical motor utilizing same

• US 6,078,117 A
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: Perrin, Randall L., Washeleski, John M., Strom, Peter H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Nestor
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tran N
• Application Number:
  US09/235,683
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 310/68 R, 310/51, 310/220, 310/221, 310/239, 333/181, 333/182
• US Class Current: 310/68.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/026 Suppressors associated with brushes, brush holders or their supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/1672 radially supporting the rotary shaft at both ends of the rotor H02K5/1677 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 1/0007 of radio frequency interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/427 Common-mode filters H02J3/01 and H02M1/126 takes precedence

Abstract

An end cap assembly is configured as an electronic conducted noise filter and/or radiated field shield for incorporation as the end cap of a motor housing case as original equipment. The assembly includes a conductive panel having conductive members which interconnect discrete electrical components of a filter network array. Alternatively, various types of printed circuit boards, wireframe assemblies, wirewrap assemblies, and lead frame assemblies may be used. These assemblies include the conductive members which are held in position within an electrically insulative component member or housing of the end cap assembly by such means as insertion of tabs into captivating slots, insert overmolding, encapsulation, heat staking, mechanical., fasteners, and/or adhesives.

Claims

1. An end cap assembly for attenuating electrical noise of an electrical motor having a shaft and a housing case, the assembly comprising:

a conductive panel having inner and outer surfaces and including interconnecting and/or non-interconnecting conductive members;

an attenuating circuit including a number of discrete electrical components supported at the inner surface of the conductive panel and electrically connected by the conductive members;

terminals connected to and extending away from the outer surface of the conductive panel to facilitate connection of the end cap assembly in an electrical system;

an electrically insulating end cap housing for housing the conductive panel and the plurality of discrete electrical components, wherein the conductive panel and the plurality of discrete electrical components attenuate conductive electrical noise and wherein the conductive panel functions as a radiated field transmission shield; and

a bearing assembly supported by the conductive panel for, in turn, rotatably supporting the shaft of the motor within the assembly.

2. An end cap assembly for attenuating electrical noise of an electrical motor having a shaft and a housing case, the assembly comprising:

a conductive panel having inner and outer surfaces and including interconnecting and/or non-interconnecting conductive members;

an attenuating circuit including a number of discrete, reactive electrical components supported at the inner surface of the conductive panel and electrically connected by the conductive members;

terminals connected to and extending away from the outer surface of the conductive panel to facilitate connection of the end cap assembly in an electrical system;

an electrically insulating end cap housing for housing the conductive panel and the plurality of discrete electrical components, wherein the conductive panel and the plurality of discrete electrical components attenuate conductive electrical noise and wherein the conductive panel functions as a radiated field transmission shield.

3. An electrical motor having attenuated conducted electrical noise and radiated field transmissions, the electrical motor comprising:

a housing case;

a device including a shaft disposed within the housing case for converting electrical energy into rotary motion of the shaft;

an end cap assembly attached on or in the housing case as original equipment of the motor, the end cap assembly including a conductive panel having interconnecting conductive members and an attenuating circuit having a number of discrete electrical components supported at an inner surface of the conductive panel and electrically interconnected by the conductive members, wherein the conductive panel and the attenuating circuit attenuate the conducted electrical noise and wherein the conductive panel functions as a radiated field transmission shield; and

a retainer connected to and extending from the lower surface of the conductive panel for connecting the assembly to the housing case both mechanically and electrically wherein the retainer is an electrical node of the attenuating circuit.

4. An electrical motor having attenuated conducted electrical noise and radiated field transmissions, the electrical motor comprising:

a housing case;

a device including a shaft disposed within the housing case for converting electrical energy into rotary motion of the shaft;

an end cap assembly attached on or in the housing case as original equipment of the motor, the end cap assembly including a conductive panel having interconnecting conductive members and an attenuating circuit having a number of discrete reactive electrical components supported at an inner surface of the conductive panel and electrically interconnected by the conductive members, wherein the conductive panel and the attenuating circuit attenuate the conducted electrical noise and wherein the conductive panel functions as a radiated field transmission shield.

5. An electrical motor having attenuated conducted electrical noise and radiated field transmissions, the electrical motor comprising:

a housing case;

a device including a shaft disposed within the housing case for converting electrical energy into rotary motion of the shaft; and

an end cap assembly attached on or in the housing case as original equipment of the motor, the end cap assembly including a conductive panel having interconnecting conductive members and an attenuating circuit having a number of discrete electrical components supported at an inner surface of the conductive panel and electrically interconnected by the conductive members, wherein the conductive panel and the attenuating circuit attenuate the conducted electrical noise and wherein the conductive panel functions as a radiated field transmission shield, wherein the end cap assembly includes a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the shaft.

6. An end cap assembly for attenuating electrical noise of an electrical motor having a shaft and a housing case, the assembly comprising:

a conductive panel having inner and outer surfaces and including interconnecting and/or non-interconnecting conductive members;

an attenuating circuit including a number of discrete electrical components supported at the inner surface of the conductive panel and electrically connected by the conductive members;

terminals connected to and extending away from the outer surface of the conductive panel to facilitate connection of the end cap assembly in an electrical system;

an electrically insulating end cap housing for housing the conductive panel and the plurality of discrete electrical components, wherein the conductive panel and the plurality of discrete electrical components attenuate conductive electrical noise and wherein the conductive panel functions as a radiated field transmission shield; and

a retainer connected to and extending from the lower surface of the conductive panel for connecting the assembly to the housing case both mechanically and electrically wherein the retainer is an electrical node of the attenuating circuit.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the retainer includes a plurality of attachment members for gripping the housing case at a number of attachment locations.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the retainer secures the assembly at an inner surface of the housing case.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the retainer secures the assembly at an outer surface of the housing case.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the retainer secures the assembly at inner and outer surfaces of the housing case.