DC Motor Spring Retention for Vibration-Stable Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC motors experience premature wear due to vibrations, which affect their operation and reduce their service life, especially in applications like transmission controllers where alignment and stability are critical.
Innovation Solution
A spring retention system with a mechanical design featuring spring leg retention, captive, and formed opening features that securely attach the motor to a module housing, reducing displacement and vibration by engaging with motor bearings and bushings, and accommodating different sizes through adjustable openings and deflecting structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid retention system is used to secure the motor, then alignment precision is improved, but vibration transmission and premature wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the retention system from rigid to elastic by using a spring-based mechanism. The spring retention system maintains constant contact force while accommodating vibrations, preventing premature wear of the motor shaft and housing. This elastic retention approach keeps the motor aligned without transmitting harmful vibration forces, thereby extending service life while maintaining alignment precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-size retention system is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different motor sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring-based retention system where the spring legs can deflect and adjust to accommodate motors of different sizes. The spring mechanism provides adaptive contact force that maintains reliable retention across various motor dimensions without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, thus preserving manufacturing simplicity while achieving versatility.
3Reliability
If the motor is loosely retained to reduce vibration, then premature wear is reduced, but alignment precision and operational stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention system maintains optimal contact force parameters that balance vibration isolation with alignment stability. The elastic spring legs provide sufficient retention force to prevent motor displacement and maintain alignment, while the compliant nature of the spring reduces peak vibration forces transmitted to the motor, preventing premature wear without sacrificing operational stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces motor displacement and vibration, improves alignment, and extends the service life of DC motors by providing a secure and adaptable retention mechanism that limits movement during vibrations, thus preventing premature wear.
Implementation Method 1
The spring retention system includes a spring leg retention feature, a captive feature, and a formed opening feature. The spring leg retention feature includes a plurality of retention legs that deflect outward when the spring retention system is installed between the housing of the DC motor and a module housing.
Implementation Method 2
The spring retention system reduces displacement of the DC motor when vibrations occur, and improves alignment of the DC motor.
Data Source
AI summary
A spring retention system for securing a motor in a desired position. The spring retention system includes a captive feature, which includes a plurality of recesses formed as a motor support spring having a circular opening, which are engaged with a motor bearing housing. The spring retention system reduces motor displacement in multiple directions when the motor is exposed to vibrations, which reduces the cantilever bending on the motor shaft and the motor housing, also improving motor pinion run out. The spring retention system also includes a formed opening feature, which allows for the spring retention system to fit with motor bearings having different sizes. The spring retention system also includes a plurality of spring leg retention features formed as part of the motor support spring, which support the motor bearing housing on an axis, and the module housing supports the motor support spring.