Motor frame closing system and method

Abstract

A closure system for a motor base for housing a rotor of an electric motor, said closure system providing a perfect and corrosion-resistant seal to the base without the need to apply resin near the cover. When the cover is at least partially inserted into the base of the rotor, an annular seal is arranged between the cover and the base, a retaining element is sleeved on the central part of the cover, and the radial tabs of the retaining element are elastically pressed against the base to prevent the cover from falling off the base.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of electric motor closure systems and closure methods. In particular, the present invention relates to a closure system for a motor base for accommodating an electric motor rotor, and a corresponding closure method. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, an electric motor comprises a cylindrical base for housing components such as a stator and a rotor, the base having an open end and a closed end. In known closed systems, it is necessary to seal the base of the electric motor adapted to house the rotor to prevent dirt or water from entering the base. Any presence of dirt or water inside the base can impair the rotation of the rotor in said base, in some cases until the rotor is completely blocked.

[0003] To achieve a seal, a cover is usually placed in the opening of the rotor seat. This cover is stably held in place in the base by injecting resin, which, once solidified, avoids removing the cover from the base and guarantees the required seal. Disadvantageously, after laying the resin, the motor is subjected to a thermal curing cycle, which causes a significant decrease in the viscosity of the resin itself. As a result, the resin may slip into the base and impair the rotor rotation. For example, inside the base, at least one bearing may be arranged, which may no longer function properly if it is invaded by the resin. In addition, due to leaks, the level of resin may be low and the sealing of the base may no longer be guaranteed. [Summary of the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a closure system for an electric motor base, adapted to a base for housing the rotor of an electric motor, and a corresponding closure method, which provides a perfect and durable seal without the need to apply resin around the cover on the base.

[0005] To achieve the above effects, a closure system for a motor base is provided.

[0006] The closure system comprises a cover arranged to be at least partially inserted into a base of the electric machine which can accommodate a rotor, the cover comprising a central portion.

[0007] The closure system further comprises an annular gasket and a retaining element, the annular gasket being arranged between the lid and the base.

[0008] The retaining element includes a main body portion and a plurality of tabs radially projecting from the main body portion, the main body portion including an opening that at least partially receives a central portion of the cover.

[0009] When the cover is at least partially inserted into the base, the annular gasket is arranged to contact each other between the cover and the base, and the end of the tab of the retaining element is elastically pressed against the base to prevent the cover from falling off the base. The present invention has a simple and reliable structure and can provide a perfect and durable sealing effect without the need to apply resin around the cover on the base to achieve the sealing effect.

[0010] The above effects and advantages are achieved according to the invention by a closing system for a motor base suitable for accommodating a motor rotor and a corresponding closing method having the features defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims, the content of which is to be understood as an integral part of the present description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The technical solution of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are only intended to clearly illustrate the features of the embodiments.

[0012] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the motor with a closed system of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the closed system shown in;

[0014] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the closed system shown in;

[0015] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the closed system shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the closed system installed on the base of the motor. [Specific implementation method]

[0017] Before explaining in detail a number of embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to its application in the structural details and the structure of the components presented in the following description or shown in the drawings. The present invention can adopt other embodiments and be implemented or actually performed in different ways. It is understood that the wording and terminology are for descriptive purposes and should not be interpreted as limiting. The use of the terms "include" and "comprising" and their variations should be understood to include the elements disclosed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as other components and their equivalents.

[0018] See also Figures 1 to 5, is an exemplary embodiment of a closed system 10 of a base 13 for accommodating a rotor 12 of an electric motor M of the present invention. The rotor 12 includes a rotating shaft supported by two bearings 15, and the bearings 15 are installed in a through hole in the central portion of the base 13. The closed system 10 is installed at the through hole of the base 13 to protect the rotating shaft of the rotor 12.

[0019] The closure system 10 comprises a lid 14 which is arranged to be at least partially inserted into the base 13 .

[0020] The cover 14 includes a central portion 17 and a plurality of fins 18 radially protruding from the central portion 17 and spaced apart from each other.

[0021] The fin 18 of the cover 14 includes an abutment surface 18A, and the abutment surface 18A can abut against the end surface of the base to limit the insertion of the cover 14 into the base 13. Each fin 18 includes a wing arm 181 extending outward from the outer surface of the central part 17 and extending toward the bottom surface of the central part 17, and a bent end 182 extending from the wing arm 181, and the bent end 182 can be arranged to extend perpendicularly to the wing arm 181, and the bent end 182 can be hung on the end surface of the base 13. A limiting space 140 is formed between the central part 17 of the cover and the outer wing arm 181.

[0022] Furthermore, a free area 23 is formed between the adjacent fins 18. In other words, each free area 23 is formed by the gap between two adjacent fins 18. In this embodiment, the free area 23 is arranged between two adjacent wing arms 181 and communicates with the limiting space 140.

[0023] The closure system also includes an annular gasket 22, which is mounted on a housing 21 of the lid 14 to seal the base 13. Figure 3 As shown, the housing 21 may be formed along the periphery of the cover 14. Specifically, the housing 21 extends from the central portion 17 of the cover 14 and protrudes toward the bottom surface away from the central portion 17 to form an annular shell, which is disposed in the base 13 adjacent to the bearing. Since the fins 18 extend outwardly from the outer surface of the central portion 17 and the housing 21 protrudes from the central portion 17 of the cover 14, the housing 21 and the fins 18 cooperate to form a step gap 210, which is formed on the outer side of the housing 21 and adjacent to the fins 18 to accommodate the annular gasket 22.

[0024] The closure system 10 further includes a retaining element 24 mounted on the lid 14 .

[0025] The retaining element 24 includes a main body 25 with an opening 26, and a plurality of tabs 28 radially extending from the main body 25. The opening 26 of the main body 25 can be sleeved on the central portion 17 of the cover 14.

[0026] When the cover 14 is at least partially inserted into the base 13, the annular gasket 22 is arranged to contact each other between the cover 14 and the base 13, one end 30 of the main body 25 of the retaining element 24 having the opening 26 is elastically pressed against the central part 17 of the cover 14, and the end 32 of the radially protruding end on the tab 28 of the retaining element 24 is elastically pressed against the inner wall of the base 13 to prevent the cover 14 from falling off from the base 13. In this embodiment, the main body 25 is in the shape of an annular plate, which is inclined against the central part 17 of the cover 14, and a plurality of tabs 28 extend radially and obliquely from the annular plate to improve its own elasticity. The extension direction of the end 32 of the radially protruding end on the tab 28 is inclined relative to the annular plate, and it abuts against the inner surface of the through hole of the base 13 to prevent the cover 14 from shifting in the radial or axial direction. The fin 18 is partially located in the through hole of the base 13, and the bent end 182 is attached to the edge of the through hole of the base 13. The abutment surface 18A abuts against the end surface of the base 13. When the cover 14 is subjected to external force, the tab 28 located in the free area 23 of the cover 14 restricts the cover 14 from moving. Since the tab 28 and the main body 25 are in a V shape, the retaining element 24 can elastically hold the cover 14.

[0027] Furthermore, when the cover 14 is at least partially inserted into the base 13 , the annular gasket 22 is arranged in contact between the cover 14 and the base 13 .

[0028] As shown in the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the radial inner surface 22A of the annular gasket 22 contacts the side wall 21A of the shell 21, and the radial outer surface 22B of the annular gasket 22 contacts the inner surface of the base 13. The annular gasket 22 is accommodated in the step gap 210 and clamped by the base 13 and the cover 14 to achieve a sealing effect.

[0029] In this embodiment, the annular gasket 22 can eventually be slightly compressed between the base 13 and the housing 21. Therefore, the annular gasket 22 can be retained on the housing 21 and ensure that water or other materials will not penetrate the base 13 and the cover to make the base 13 interior sealed.

[0030] In addition, the outer diameter of the retaining element 24 is slightly wider than the inner diameter of the through hole of the base 13. In the present embodiment, the elastic force generated by the tab 28 of the retaining element 24 is applied to the base 13 to ensure that the cover 14 and the retaining element 24 are better fitted in the base 13. In order to achieve this effect, the end 32 of the radial protruding end of the tab 28 protrudes slightly from the free area 23 in the radial direction and abuts against the inner surface of the through hole of the base 13.

[0031] The tabs 28 of the retaining element 24 have elasticity in order to avoid their breakage when inserted into the base 13 .

[0032] In the present invention, the central portion 17 of the cover 14 may be a protrusion 34 that protrudes from the central portion 17 in a direction d1 opposite to the insertion direction d2 of the cover 14. The protrusion 34 is adapted to be used as a gripping point when the cover 14 is assembled in the base 13.

[0033] The cover 14 may be made of a molded plastic material, and the electrical resistance of the cover 14 is high.

[0034] The central portion 17 of the cover 14 may also be configured to be hollow so as to form an inner cavity 40 inside the cover 14, and the rotating shaft of the rotor is at least partially accommodated in the inner cavity 40. In this embodiment, the central portion 17 may be bowl-shaped, and includes a bottom 171 and a side wall 172 extending vertically from the bottom 171. The wing arms 181 of the fins 18 extend outward from the side wall 172 of the central portion 17 and toward the bottom 171, and the housing 21 extends and protrudes from the side wall 172 of the central portion 17 and is adjacent to the bearing 15.

[0035] The retaining element 24 may alternatively be made of a metallic material.

[0036] As shown, the annular gasket 22 may be an O-ring seal.

[0037] The plurality of fins 18 of the cover 14 may be integrally formed with the central portion 17 of the cover 14 .

[0038] The invention also comprises a method of closing a base 13 suitable for housing a rotor 12 of an electric motor M.

[0039] The closing method comprises the following steps: housing an annular gasket 22 on a housing 21 defined in a cover 14, the cover 14 comprising a central portion 17 and a plurality of fins 18 radially projecting from the central portion 17, with a free area 23 formed between adjacent fins;

[0040] Inserting the central portion 17 of the cover 14 into an opening 26 in a body 25 of a retaining element 24, the retaining element 24 comprising a plurality of tabs 28 projecting radially from the body 25 of the retainer;

[0041] Inserting the cover 14 into the retaining element 24 so that the tabs 28 of the retaining element 24 are seated in the free areas 23 of the cover 14;

[0042] The cover 14 is inserted into a base 13, which at least partially accommodates the inserted retaining element 24 and the annular gasket 22; the annular gasket 22 is installed between the cover 14 and the base 13, and one end 30 of the main body 25 of the fixing element 24 is elastically pressed on the central part 17 of the cover 14, and the end 32 of the radially protruding tab 28 located in the free area 23 is elastically pressed against the base 13 to prevent the cover 14 from falling off the base 13.

[0043] The advantage obtained thereby is that a closing system suitable for housing the motor rotor is provided for the base of the electric motor, as well as a corresponding closing method which allows to ensure the perfect sealing and corrosion resistance of the base without having to apply resin near the cover.

[0044] Furthermore, the present invention can increase the speed of production of such motors because it saves the step of applying resin near the cover on the base of the rotor.

[0045] For those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A closure system for a base for housing a shaft of a rotor of an electric motor, comprising a cover at least partially inserted into the base, a gasket arranged between the cover and the base, and a retaining element, characterized in that: The cover includes a central part, the retaining element includes a main body with an opening and a plurality of protrusions extending from the main body, the central part of the cover is inserted into the opening of the main body, the plurality of protrusions elastically abut against the base to prevent the cover from falling off the base, the central part of the cover includes a bottom and a side wall, the side wall extends from the bottom to a side close to the rotating shaft, and then extends toward the inner surface of the base, the main body of the retaining element is in the shape of an annular plate, the annular plate is inclined relative to the axial direction of the motor, the radial inner end of the annular plate is axially closer to the bottom of the central part than the radial outer end of the annular plate, and the plurality of protrusions extend from the radial outer end of the annular plate to the inner surface of the base, and a V-shaped groove is formed between each of the protrusions and the annular plate.

2. The closed system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central portion of the cover has a raised portion protruding from a central position of the cover in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the cover, the raised portion being adapted to serve as a gripping point when the cover is assembled in the base.

3. The closed system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A bearing is located in the base for supporting the rotating shaft of the motor, the cover is located at one axial end of the bearing, and a part of the cover is axially arranged between the retaining element and the bearing.

4. The closed system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover is made of a plastic material and the retaining element is made of a metal material.

5. The closed system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central portion of the cover is configured to be hollow so as to form an inner cavity inside the cover, and the rotating shaft of the rotor is at least partially accommodated in the inner cavity.

6. The closed system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central portion of the cover extends beyond the main body in the axial direction, and the side wall of the central portion vertically extends from the bottom.

7. The closed system of claim 1, wherein: The cover also includes a plurality of fins radially protruding from the central portion to limit the insertion of the cover into the base, each fin of the cover includes a wing arm extending toward the bottom direction of the central portion and a bent end extending from the wing arm, a free area is formed between every two adjacent wing arms, and the protrusion is located in the free area.

8. The closed system of claim 1, wherein: A step gap is provided on the outer periphery of the cover, and the gasket is arranged in the step gap.

9. The closed system of claim 1, wherein: An end portion of the tab of the retaining element protrudes beyond the outer circumference of the cover in a radial direction to abut against an inner surface of the base.

10. A method for closing a base for accommodating a rotating shaft of an electric motor rotor, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: receiving an annular gasket on a cover, the cover including a central portion; inserting a central portion of the cover into an opening in a main body portion of a retaining element, the retaining element comprising a plurality of tabs projecting radially from the main body portion of the retaining element; Inserting the cover into a base, the annular gasket is installed between the cover and the base, and the ends of the plurality of tabs of the retaining element are elastically pressed against the base to prevent the cover from falling off the base; Wherein, the central part of the cover includes a bottom and a side wall, the side wall extends from the bottom to the side close to the rotating shaft, and then extends toward the inner surface of the base, the main body of the retaining element is in the shape of an annular plate, the annular plate is inclined relative to the axial direction of the motor, the radial inner end of the annular plate is axially closer to the bottom of the central part than the radial outer end of the annular plate, and the multiple protrusions extend from the radial outer end of the annular plate to the inner surface of the base, and a V-shaped groove is formed between each of the protrusions and the annular plate.

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