Lubricant supported electric motor with electricalconductors functioning as an outer raceway

An electric motor comprising:

• an annular stator extending about an axis and presenting a first stator radial surface and a second stator radial surface disposed opposite the first stator radial surface;
• a rotor extending about the axis and rotatable relative to the stator and presenting a rotor radial surface defining a rotor raceway disposed in spaced relationship with the first stator radial surface to define a gap therebetween for containing a lubricant;
• the rotor coupled with a drive assembly for coupling the electric motor to a wheel of a vehicle;
• the first stator radial surface defining a plurality of slots in spaced relationship with one another and each being tapered from adjacent the second stator radial surface to the first stator radial surface to define a plurality of spaced teeth each disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of slots and collectively presenting the first stator radial surface;
• at least one axially extending conductor disposed in each of the plurality of slots and configured to selectively create a moving magnetic field for acting upon the rotor for providing rotational movement of the rotor in response to a current being applied to the at least one axially extending conductor in each of the plurality of slots;
• and
• a portion of the at least one axially extending conductor in each of the plurality of slots extending substantially into radial alignment with the first stator radial surface of the stator and lacking a polymer coating or bearing sleeve disposed in overlaying relationship with the portion of the at least one axially extending conductor and the radially aligned first stator radial surface_to define a stator raceway of the stator by circumferentially alternating segments of the at least one axially extending conductive bar disposed in each of the plurality of slots and the first stator radial surface presented by the plurality of spaced teeth.