Electric Motor Brush Holder Segmentation for Automated Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motor brush arrangements in mass production face challenges with fixed mounting and concentricity deviations due to the need for riveting metal cylinders on printed circuit boards, which is not suitable for automated processes.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves separate parts for holding brushes and fixing brush-springs, using disk- or plate-shaped elements with protrusions and recesses for easy assembly and manufacturing, including chamfered fittings for ball bearings and lead-throughs to accommodate brush springs and electronic components, allowing for flexible material choices and easier production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal cylinders are riveted on a printed circuit board to hold brushes, then the brushes can be securely mounted, but the manufacturing process becomes unsuitable for automated mass production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush mounting securityVSAvoidautomated mass production suitability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the mounting structure into separate components: a printed circuit board for electronic connections and a separate brush holder component for mechanical brush support. This segmentation eliminates the need for riveting metal cylinders onto the PCB, as the brush holder is designed to be mounted using alternative methods suitable for automated production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical riveting process with a different mounting mechanism that is compatible with automated production. The brush holder uses a design that allows for automated insertion and fixation, substituting the manual or semi-automatic riveting process with a more automated approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If brushes are fixedly mounted on a substrate, then positioning is precise, but concentricity deviations occur due to abrasion and mounting errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush positioning accuracyVSAvoidconcentricity maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a spring-loaded mechanism that allows the brush mounting to be dynamic rather than fixed. The spring compensation system automatically adjusts the brush position to maintain concentricity with the rotor, compensating for abrasion and mounting deviations while preserving initial positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If spring-loaded brush mounting is used to compensate for concentricity deviations, then concentricity is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentricity maintenanceVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the spring compensation mechanism directly into the brush holder component, creating an integrated assembly rather than separate components. This integration reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining the concentricity compensation function, as the spring mechanism is built into the holder rather than being an add-on.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2031738B1Arrangement for an electric motor, and electric motor
Publication Date: 2010.10.13 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2031738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2031738B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2031738B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement with fittings for at least two brushes for an electric motor, where to each fitting is assigned a bearing for carrying a brush-spring, where the arrangement includes two predominantly disk- or plate-shaped elements, the first disk- or plate-shaped element (BP) carrying the fittings for the brushes and the second disk- or plate-shaped element (ES) carries the bearings for carrying a brush-spring, and that the first disk- or plate-shaped element (BP) shows openings through which the bearings pass, and to an electric motor with such an arrangement.