Fixed Structure Patents (Class 310/238)
  • Patent number: 6617744
    Abstract: A choke 10, for suppressing radio-frequency interference of a brush-type motor, includes a single wire having a portion 15 wound about a coil axis A to define a plurality of coils 14 including two outermost coils 16 and 18. An attaching structure 20 extends from each outermost coil and is disposed generally transverse with respect to the coil axis. Each attaching structure is constructed and arranged to be inserted through an associated opening in a supporting structure and to be bent so as secure the choke to the supporting structure. An elongated end portion 22 extends from each attaching structure so as to be spaced from and generally parallel to the coil axis. The elongated end portions extend in opposite directions. One of the elongated end portions is constructed and arranged to be directly electrically connected to an electrical connector of a motor and the other of the elongated end portions is constructed and arranged to be in electrical connection with a brush of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Kershaw, Andrew Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20030094879
    Abstract: A centralized power distribution unit for a vehicular thin brushless motor includes a plurality of bus bars, a resin insulation layer that covers the bus bars, and an insulating holder having a plurality of holding grooves that hold the bus bars. The bus bars are pre-bent in a thickness direction to be formed into a substantially annular shape. Each of the bus bars is provided correspondingly with a phase of the motor. The holding grooves are formed in parallel extending along a circumferential direction of the centralized power distribution unit. The bus bars are respectively inserted into the holding grooves, and are thus stacked in a radial direction of the centralized power distribution unit. The insulating holder and the bus bars are covered by the resin insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Izumi Suzuki, Tatsuro Horie, Kenji Fukuda, Kazuo Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6552464
    Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure 12. A housing 20 of a d.c. electric motor is formed integrally with the shroud structure 12. The housing has an open end 21. The motor has a drive shaft 26. A heat sink 22 is disposed opposite the open end and is insert molded with respect to the housing 20. The heat sink 22 defines a seat for a bearing 24 supporting the shaft 26. A flux ring assembly 48 is insert molded with respect to the housing. The flux ring assembly includes permanent magnets 33. An armature assembly 28 is disposed in the housing and fixed to the shaft for rotation in response to a magnetic field generated by the magnets 33. A commutator 32 is disposed in the housing and electrically connected with the armature assembly 28 and mounted for movement with the armature assembly. A brush card assembly 36 is coupled to the open end 21 of the housing to define an end cap covering the open end. The brush card assembly 36 has brushes 42 associated with the commutator 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: Mehran K. Rahbar, Marek Horski
  • Publication number: 20030048026
    Abstract: A choke 10, for suppressing radio-frequency interference of a brush-type motor, includes a single wire having a portion 15 wound about a coil axis A to define a plurality of coils 14including two outermost coils 16 and 18. An attaching structure 20 extends from each outermost coil and is disposed generally transverse with respect to the coil axis. Each attaching structure is constructed and arranged to be inserted through an associated opening in a supporting structure and to be bent so as secure the choke to the supporting structure. An elongated end portion 22 extends from each attaching structure so as to be spaced from and generally parallel to the coil axis. The elongated end portions extend in opposite directions. One of the elongated end portions is constructed and arranged to be directly electrically connected to an electrical connector of a motor and the other of the elongated end portions is constructed and arranged to be in electrical connection with a brush of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Kershaw, Andrew Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 6528921
    Abstract: A power tool has a motor housing that comprises housing halves arranged in the circumferential direction of a motor. A brush holder is disposed within the motor housing and serves to support brushes. The brush holder comprises holder halves that are arranged in the circumferential direction of the motor. In order to assemble the brush holder into the housing, one of the holder halves is set onto one of the housing halves. Thereafter, the rotor and the stator are set onto the one of the housing halves. Then, the other holder half is set onto the one of the holder halves and is joined thereto so as to form the brush holder. Finally, the other housing half is set onto the one of the housing halves and are joined thereto so as to form the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakane
  • Patent number: 6518686
    Abstract: A vehicle blower motor includes a housing having a first bushing mounted at a first end about a shaft extending through the housing. A one-piece brush card bushing holder is mounted in the second end of the housing and carries a plurality of brushes engagable with a commutator mounted on the shaft. A second bushing is mounted in the brush card holder and disposed in engagement with the shaft. A portion of the brush card holder is formed as an end plate covering the second end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Campbell, Steve C. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6515399
    Abstract: An electric motor-and-gear assembly for driving vehicle aggregates such as windshield and rear window wipers, power-window units and the like, having a transmission housing that can be closed by a housing cover. A motor housing that contains a commutator motor whose commutator protrudes into the transmission housing and cooperates with a brush holder fixed in the transmission housing. For the sake of a more reasonably priced manufacture and a time-saving, more rapid assembly of the brush holder, the commutator brushes are embodied as hammer brushes with spring leaf actuators prestressed toward the commutator. The spring leaf actuator are respectively fixed with their one actuator end in a U-shaped plastic carrying part of the brush holder, which is inserted into the transmission housing radial to the commutator, through the housing opening and is positioned in the transmission housing in a positively engaging manner by means of the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Lauf, Ernst Fischer, Hansjoerg Karcher, Juergen Herp, Erik Maurer, Andreas Wiegert, Christian Schneider, Bernd Bock, Richard Hurst
  • Patent number: 6472791
    Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises a rotatable shaft (28) having at least one and preferably plural electrically conductive slip rings (27) mounted thereon. For each phase, a slip ring is paired with a fixed conducting ring assembly (44). The fixed conducting ring assembly forms an envelope within which slip ring-contacting members are situated. The slip ring-contacting members can take many forms, including brushes (240) or rollers (404). The fixed conducting ring assembly comprises a first conducting plate (200T) and a second conducting plate (200B) positioned parallel to one another to form a conductive ring channel (220) therebetween. The slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) are mounted in the conductive ring channel. An at least partially transparent wall (200W) extends between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate of the fixed conducting ring assembly to further define the conductive ring channel and permit visual inspection of the slip ring-contacting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Copmay
    Inventors: Robert Henry Rehder, Richard Kenneth Barton, James Harold Ferguson, Melvin George Johnson
  • Patent number: 6452295
    Abstract: A starter comprises a thermostat for detecting increases in the temperature of brushes and interrupting the energizing of the starter, and a heat conducting member secured to the thermostat for conducting the heat of one of the brushes, the heat conducting member being attached to the brush. The heat conducting member may also be formed integrally with a brush holder. The heat conducting member may additionally be secured to a bracket so as to hold a base therebetween. The heat conducting member may also be composed of a metallic material having superior thermal conductivity, and may be copper or brass. An electrically insulating sheet may be held between the brush holders and the base as heat insulating material for preventing the transfer of heat from the brushes to the base. An electrically insulating tube may also be interposed between the thermostat and a first leg of the heat conducting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuya Iwamoto, Shigeru Shiroyama, Katsunori Yagi
  • Patent number: 6452297
    Abstract: A motor device comprises a motor unit and a reduction unit. The motor unit comprises a yoke which is formed in a generally bottomed cylindrical shape, and a rotor having an armature and a rotary shaft. The reduction unit comprises a gear housing accommodating a reduction gear device for producing an output after reducing rotational speed of the rotor and fixed to the opening of the yoke. A commutator and brushes for the motor unit are disposed in the gear housing which is provided outside the opening of the yoke in the axial direction of the rotary shaft. The gear housing has a flange formed in a square shape, and the brushes are arranged along the diagonal lines of the square shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamamoto, Yoshihiko Harada
  • Publication number: 20020117931
    Abstract: A vehicle blower motor includes a housing having a first bushing mounted at a first end about a shaft extending through the housing. A one-piece brush card bushing holder is mounted in the second end of the housing and carries a plurality of brushes engagable with a commutator mounted on the shaft. A second bushing is mounted in the brush card holder and disposed in engagement with the shaft. A portion of the brush card holder is formed as an end plate covering the second end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Campbell, Steve C. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20020047466
    Abstract: An electric motor comprising a coiled rotor whose windings are energized by way of a commutator, a stator comprising a cylindrical shell in which is disposed a brush-carrying ring and an end flange fixed to the said shell, the said ring supporting two electrical supply brushes each associated with an elastic pressure member, each of the brushes and the respective elastic member being displaceable between a standby position, prior to the complete assemblage of the motor, in which the brush is separated from the commutator, and a working position, in which the brush bears on the commutator and the elastic member exerts a radial force on the said brush directed towards the commutator. The flange comprises a projecting member corresponding to each brush, adapted so as to displace the brush and the respective elastic member from their standby position to their working position, when assembling the flange onto the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Thierry Mademba-Sy
  • Publication number: 20020047465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for preventing a flame of an alternator for a vehicle which is capable of preventing an explosion due to the spark and a flame from being transferred to the engine room by forming the flowing path and discharging a fine dust of the brush without changing the structure of the brush assembly formed of a holder cap and a brush holder. Which are detachable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Seung-Il Chang
  • Patent number: 6198192
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brush-holding device for electric motors comprising carbon brushes, a conductive stamped grid as a printed circuit board, a base to which the printed circuit board is attached and components for monitoring temperature or for radioshielding. The printed circuit board is a single part and has several levels, at least one of which is staggered axially and in alignment with the commutator. The brush-holding device has a small overall length and the electric bonding of the components can take place simply without any additional parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd Walther
  • Patent number: 6144134
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a brush on an electric motor, including a mounting bracket having an opening at one end for allowing the brush to slide out of the mounting bracket and abut a moving conductor, a slot formed in a side wall of the mounting bracket for passing a pigtail wire, a tab portion in the side wall extending across the slot near the opening of the mounting bracket, and wherein the tab portion forms a space between the side wall and the brush for accommodating the wire as the brush slides out of the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Shoei-Cherng Lin
  • Patent number: 6127752
    Abstract: The invention is based on an electrically operated motor, having a shaft with a magnet rotor body, the RPM of the shaft can be picked up by a Hall sensor disposed on a circuit board. The circuit board is embodied with soldered pins or contact shoes and is integrated into a component of the motor, and that contacts, supply and signal lines for the circuit board are injected and/or plugged into the component of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Wiesler
  • Patent number: 6100617
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes an electric barrier member positioned between the electric brushes and the bearing. The electric barrier member preferably is a generally annular disk made from a high-temperature dielectric material. The non-conductive barrier member ensures that no electrical communication occurs between the brushes and the bearing despite a close proximity between those components. A method of making a motor assembly to include a non-conductive barrier member designed according to this invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson Electric Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Eluid David Carter, Stephen A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6011342
    Abstract: A carbon brush for an electric machine, resiliently acting on a collector, is arranged within a guideway so as to be movable radially to the collector and is inflexibly connected with a bending leg. The carbon brush allows easy and cost-saving assembly in a motor and electric contacting. The bending leg serves the resilient advance of the carbon brush towards the collector, on the one hand, and the electric power supply, on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd Walther
  • Patent number: 5990594
    Abstract: A combined commutator brush retainer clip and electrical connector includes a main body portion and a terminal portion. The main body portion has a recessed portion with a plurality of dimples therein. A commutator brush is electrically connected to a brush holder sleeve, and the brush holder sleeve is, in turn, clampingly engaged to the commutator housing with the retainer. The brush holder sleeve is disposed within the recessed portion of the retaining clip and is frictionally engaged by the dimples. The terminal portion of the retainer engages a corresponding terminal member on the motor stator such that an electrical connection is established between said commutator brush and said stator by way of said retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hyatt, Jr., Robert A. Ciccarelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5977681
    Abstract: A collector ring for transferring electrical current between a non-rotatable member and a rotatable member. The collector ring comprises a first support which is fixed to the non-rotatable member and which has at least one conductive metal ring member mounted thereon which is electrically insulated from the non-rotatable member. An input terminal is electrically connected to each of the ring members for connection to a source of electrical energy. A second support is rotatably mounted on the first support with the second support being adapted to operatively mechanically connected to the rotatable member whereby rotation of the rotatable member with respect to the non-rotatable member will cause the second support to rotate with respect to the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Insul-8 Corp.
    Inventor: Scott G. Retzlaff
  • Patent number: 5977666
    Abstract: An ultra quiet electric motor includes a drive shaft, bearing structure rotatably supporting the drive shaft, and an armature assembly and commutator each fixed on the drive shaft. A motor housing is disposed around the armature assembly and has an open end portion. A permanent magnet structure is disposed between the motor housing and the armature. Brush structure is provided having a pair of brush support arms each guiding a generally crescent-shaped brush. Each of the brushes contacts the commutator. A noise absorbing housing is defined by a plurality of walls and is disposed generally around the brush structure. Noise absorption material covers at least a portion of at least one of the walls of the noise absorbing housing. An end cap is fixed to the motor housing to close the open end portion thereof. The structure of the motor is such that during operation, a decibel rating of approximately 32 dbA is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: Marek Horski, Haran K. Periyanthamby, Peter A. Kershaw
  • Patent number: 5952763
    Abstract: A brush holder plate includes plugs with a blade terminal and an extension connected thereto. The plugs with their extension are inserted from below into the brush holder plate which is provided with sleeves on its top surface. The extension is passed through the sleeve, and a strand is slipped from the other side into the sleeve. An electrical connection between the strand and the plug is produced by pinching the sleeve, on the one hand, and the plug is fixed mechanically on the brush holder plate, on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Bruhn
  • Patent number: 5949174
    Abstract: A commutator is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted on a rotor shaft of an electric motor for cooperation with electrical contacts of the motor, the commutator being capable of accommodating two speeds of the motor. The commutator includes a support member formed of electrically insulating material and having a central opening for receiving the rotor shaft, the support member having a surface portion for attachment of commutator segments. A first plurality of circumferentially spaced, electrically conductive commutator segments are attached to the surface portion of the support member and are arranged in a generally circular array and wired to the armature to accommodate at least a first speed of the motor. A second plurality of circumferentially spaced, electrically conductive commutator segments are attached to the surface portion of the support member and are positioned radially outward of the first plurality of spaced commutator segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: Graham D. Moss, Scott Campbell
  • Patent number: 5877575
    Abstract: In a starter for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a pinion; shift mechanism for moving the pinion into mesh with a ring gear of the engine; a housing for accommodating the pinion and the shift mechanism; an electric motor for rotating the pinion; a substantially cylindrical motor casing for accommodating the electric motor; a contact unit for selectively providing electric power to the electric motor; a brush holder stay disposed between the housing and the motor casing, the brush holder stay having a cavity opened toward the motor casing and the contact unit being mounted in the cavity; and a cover for covering the cavity of the brush holder stay, the cover is made of a flexible member so that the cover is naturally curved, and the cover is disposed between the brush holder stay and the motor casing with its concave surface facing the brush holder stay so that the cover is pushed toward the brush holder stay by an axial end of the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nara, Masaaki Ohya, Yoshikazu Sato, Michio Okada, Shinichi Nagashima
  • Patent number: 5864194
    Abstract: In a starter, an armature is covered with a cylindrical yoke. A rear end opening portion of the yoke is spread perpendicularly outward so as to form a flange. A disc portion having a larger outer circumferential portion than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the yoke is formed. A spigot portion provided in the outer circumference of the disc portion is fitted to a spigot portion provided in the frontmost of a cylindrical portion of a metal rear bracket so that the yoke and the rear bracket are fixedly connected to each other. Therefore, a brush device not limited by the outer diameter of the yoke can be provided. Accordingly, a long-life starter can be obtained by using sufficiently long brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoichi Okamoto, Yoshihiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5793141
    Abstract: The invention provides a brush cartridge for a commutator-type motor. The brush cartridge includes a housing that is made of an electrically conductive material and that has an integrally formed terminal so that the cartridge can be plugged into a circuit without the need for wiring. The brush cartridge also includes a brush supported in the housing for sliding movement relative thereto and a spring member for biasing the brush into engagement with a commutator on the motor when the cartridge is installed. The brush cartridge also includes a flexible shunt connected between the housing and the brush. The shunt limits the range of sliding movement of the brush to permanently retain the brush in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
    Inventors: Glenn H. Simonsen, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger
  • Patent number: 5753995
    Abstract: To inform a user of wear on a carbon brush for a motor earlier than when the carbon brush is actually required to be replaced with a new brush. In a motor brush wear indicating device, a metal terminal is attached to a brush holder, being opposed to the inside of a holder shank of the brush holder, and an indicator is operated when the metal terminal contacts a brush spring. The metal terminal has a contact in the middle of a length of the brush holder. The indicator can be operated while the carbon brush is continuously pressed against a commutator by the brush spring. The metal terminal serves as a leaf spring. When the carbon brush is worn and shortened, the indicator is operated. Even after the indicator operates, the carbon brush is still pressed against the commutator by the brush spring. Therefore, the user can operate a motor-driven tool for some time before the carbon brush must be replaced with a new one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Ogino
  • Patent number: 5753992
    Abstract: A substantially enclosed brush holder assembly includes a brush fixture of singular piece construction for use in a harsh operating environment, such as that in which a motor vehicle alternator operates. An exemplary brush holder assembly according to the present invention includes a brush fixture for use in connection with a dynamoelectric machine. The brush fixture has at least one brush compartment that is configured to receive a brush. The brush fixture also includes at least one set of spring coil compartments, each of which are designed to receive one of two spring coils of a constant force extension spring. These spring coil compartments are adjacent to and in open communication with the brush compartment, thereby allowing the constant force extension spring to be extended through the brush compartment and peripherally around the brush located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventors: Raymond C. Avitable, Robert Farra, Thomas P. Hosmer
  • Patent number: 5737964
    Abstract: Around the outer circumference of an armature core 520, there are arranged a stator core 558 and a stator coil 559 wound on the stator core 558, forming a fixed magnetic field device. The stator coil 559 has its one end portion arranged in the space at the outer circumference of a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 300, i.e., at the outer circumference of a center bracket 360. A motor partition 800 is formed with a stepped portion 810 so as to accommodate the aforementioned one end portion. On the other hand, the other end of the stator coil 559 is arranged in the space at the outer circumference of a brush 910. In short, the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 300 has its external diameter made smaller than the inner circumferential diameter of the stator coil 559.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shiga, Nobuyuki Hayashi, Masanori Ohmi, Sadayoshi Kajino
  • Patent number: 5736805
    Abstract: A combined commutator brush retainer clip and electrical connector includes a main body portion and a terminal portion. The main body portion has a recessed portion with a plurality of dimples therein. A commutator brush is electrically connected to a brush holder sleeve, and the brush holder sleeve is, in turn, clampingly engaged to the commutator housing with the retainer. The brush holder sleeve is disposed within the recessed portion of the retaining clip and is frictionally engaged by the dimples. The terminal portion of the retainer engages a corresponding terminal member on the motor stator such that an electrical connection is established between said commutator brush and said stator by way of said retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hyatt, Jr., Robert A. Ciccarelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5734219
    Abstract: A brush system for providing an electric connection to a rotating commutator wheel of an electric machine is disclosed. The brush system has a switched brush selectively switchable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and a switch connected to the switched brush and formed of a shape-memory-alloy. The switch attains an extended state at a first temperature and attaining a retracted state at a second temperature, for switching the switched brush alternately to the respective engaged position and the respective disengaged position. The switch includes a temperature conditioner for varying a temperature at the switch between the first temperature and the second temperature. The temperature condition may be an electric network wherein the internal resistance of the switch allows for heating of the switch to the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Electric Limited
    Inventors: Marek Horski, Andrew Lakerdas
  • Patent number: 5708317
    Abstract: An electric motor including a housing defining an aperture therethrough is disclosed. The motor also includes an armature mounted in the housing and a brush mounted in the housing and slidably connected to the armature. The housing substantially encloses the armature and the brush. The aperture is positioned with respect to the brush so that the brush may be visible through the aperture and so that the remaining usable life of the brush may be visually determined while the electric motor is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Siegel, Walter Bujalski
  • Patent number: 5686775
    Abstract: A brush holder for an electrical machine, and in particular a hammer brush holder, can include a carbon brush inserted with one of its ends provided with a brush shunt into a pot-shaped receptacle part of the brush holder. The carbon brush is retained in the receptacle part by means of clamping. A reliable clamping of the carbon brush is guaranteed by providing a scraper rib on at least one side wall of the receptacle part and designing it to ascend from the entry slot of the receptacle part toward its pot-like bottom with respect to its height and/or its width pointing into the receiving space of the receptacle part. The brush holder may be manufactured from plastic, and the carbon brush is inserted with a clamp locking force fit into a receiving opening of the brush holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Veil, Werner Goeb, Siegfried Heger, Burkard Roechner, Thomas Drexlmaier
  • Patent number: 5136425
    Abstract: An automotive mirror is provided with an actuator which provides vibrations to the mirror so as to remove foreign substances from the surface of the mirror. The actuator may be piezoelectric device which operates in a predetermined, control manner so as to remove foreign substances from the mirrored surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naofumi Fujie, Tomoaki Imaizumi, Koji Ito, Shoji Okada
  • Patent number: 5132580
    Abstract: A labyrinth ring having a section of L-shape is radially, inwardly and integrally projected from the inner periphery of a brush holder stay of a motor. This labyrinth ring provides a labyrinth construction in a space portion extending from brushes and a ball and roller bearing in cooperation with the brush holder stay, a commutator, a bearing holder and a distance ring. The thickness of this labyrinth ring is determined to be so thin as to increase the volume of a carbon accumulating space portion formed between the bearing holder and itself as large as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Aoki, Tsugio Onodera
  • Patent number: 5034640
    Abstract: An end frame of a small motor comprises an outer frame constructed of a yoke and the end frame which is fixed at an end of the yoke and has various directions and/or positions for extraction of terminals to be fixedly provided in the end frame, the end frame (1) of the small motor being characterized in that inserting holes (3.about.10) for forcedly fixing the terminals (2) serving as brush holders, (14a) are made previously in the end frame (20) in multiple positions and/or directions based on multiple usages of the small motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4983872
    Abstract: An electric motor has a casing having two opposed planar side walls and two opposed curved walls. A permanent magnet is located inside each curved wall and a wound armature is mounted in the casing. A commutator is connected to the winding and two brush arms are supported by a holder at one end of the casing. Each brush arm informed by two electrically conductive strips forming, respectively, a terminal part and a more resilient brush supporting part. The terminal parts extend out of one end of the casing in a plane of symmetry of the casing thereof and the brush supporting parts are secured to respective terminal parts at positions which are offset from the plane of symmetry, on opposite sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventor: Georg Strobl
  • Patent number: 4978877
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for mounting a pair of carbon brushes in an electric hand tool. To allow for the reversibility of the motor the device is mounted rotatably relative to the shaft of the motor. Further, the device is also used on the switch for reversing the polarity of the field windings by having a handgrip extending outside of the motor housing and having contacts for contacting relative fixed contacting strip members. By further using a bayonet-shaped structure, construction is simplified and the number of total parts is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: A. J. J. Quirijnen
  • Patent number: 4658321
    Abstract: A thermally released switching mechanism which in a simple fashion and at a precisely defined switching point clearly interrupts the current to the motor when a preset, highest admissible temperature is exceeded, at least until the actual temperature has once against fallen below the highest admissible temperature. The thermally released switching mechanism is comprised of a lever element made of a memory element which, upon exceeding the highest permissible temperature set value, lifts the brush from a commutator or a slipring. This mechanism preferrably employs a memory element with a two-way effect. This thermal switching mechanism is suitable both for commutator motors with hammer or tubular brush holder systems as well as for slipring motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Adolf Lindner
  • Patent number: 4420704
    Abstract: A small electric motor having an insulating cylinder fixedly fitted to a rotating shaft of a motor rotor, a plurality of commutator segments disposed at equal spacing in the angular positional direction of the insulating cylinder and brushes for making sliding contact with the cummutator segments. Each of the commutator segments has a commutator terminal formed by bending an end of the segment and led out for external connection. The insulating cylinder has an enlarged diameter portion, on which adhesive reservoirs are provided. An electrically conductive adhesive is injected into the reservoirs and deposited in such a manner as to bridge the adjoining commutator segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaichi Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 4296345
    Abstract: Flexible wire loop slip ring brushes for use in miniaturized gyroscopes. A lurality of flexible wire loop brushes hug or embrace opposite peripheral sides of respective slip rings in resilient sliding contact over a substantial arc for establishing a redundancy of "a" spots for assured paths through which electrical current may pass with minimal resistance. The rings and the brushes are gold alloy which in sliding contact provide good electrical conductivity and low noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John B. Haberl