Abstract: A kitchen appliance 12, especially a blender, has a base unit 12 having an electric motor 20 for driving the appliance. The motor 20 has a high suction/high volume fan 50 attached to a lower end of the motor shaft 36 and a wind guide 52 disposed between the fan 50 and the stator core 46 so that the fan 50 draws air predominantly through the stator to cool the motor to avoid thermal overload.

Abstract: A moulded plastics material end bracket for a universal motor comprises a U-shaped frame having a base extending between two legs. Brush cages are formed integrally with the two legs and a dust shield in the form of an annular ring formed integrally with the two legs extends axially from the stator core between the stator windings and the commutator and defining a space in which the commutator is located thereby shielding the stator windings from carbon dust generated by the wearing of the brushes on the commutator.

Abstract: An armature end protector for protecting rotor windings from the end of a rotor stack, includes a hub and a body portion. The body portion has a plurality of radially extending spokes which cover arms of laminated members of the rotor, at least in the region of the rotor windings. The body portion is fitted to and supported by the hub. A circumferentially extending ridge is formed on the hub to provide a stop against which the body portion abuts to correctly locate the body portion on the hub. The ridge also increases the electrical separation distance between the rotor windings and the rotor stack.

Abstract: An armature for a fractional horsepower motor is provided with spiders 10A having spokes 20 and arms 24. The spiders 10A fit at at least an end of laminated armature stacks around which the armature windings are wrapped. The spokes 20 are profiled to provide upstanding rounded surfaces 23 for the windings and to reduce drag. Reduction in drag and the profiled shape of the spokes 20 improves air flow through the motor and reduces the tendency of build up of carbon dust in the region of the extremities A of arm of the laminated stack as well as reduce motor noise in use.