Direct drive rotor with metal coupler
AssigneeNidec Motor Corporation
InventorsDaniel E. Bailey, Daniel E. Hilton, Philip S. Johnson, Gregory M. Levine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotor for an outer rotor-type motor is provided. The rotor includes a metallic coupler and a polymeric frame molded over at least part of the metallic coupler.
Claims20
A rotor for an outer rotor-type electric motor, said rotor being rotatable about an axis, the rotor comprising:
- a metallic coupler including—
- an inner axial surface configured to interface with a shaft to be driven by the rotor when the motor is energized,
- an outer axial surface that corresponds to a multiplicity of outer teeth, and
- a first generally radial surface;
- and
- a polymeric frame including a hub,
- said hub engaging the first generally radial surface,
- said outer teeth engaging the hub such that torque is transmitted from the coupler to the frame,
- each of said outer teeth having a generally arcuate tooth width, Wtooth, and a generally radial tooth depth, Dtooth,
- each tooth width Wtooth being about 62% of the corresponding tooth depth Dtooth.
A rotor for an outer rotor-type electric motor, said rotor being rotatable about an axis, the rotor comprising:
- a metallic coupler including—
- an inner axial surface configured to interface with a shaft to be driven by the rotor when the motor is energized,
- an outer axial surface that corresponds to a multiplicity of outer teeth, and
- a first generally radial surface;
- and
- a polymeric frame including a hub,
- said hub engaging the first generally radial surface,
- said outer teeth engaging the hub such that torque is transmitted from the coupler to the frame,
- said coupler having a nominal outer diameter, ODcoupler,
- each of said outer teeth having a radial tooth depth, Dtooth, that is about 5% of ODcoupler.
A rotor for an outer rotor-type electric motor, said rotor being rotatable about an axis, the rotor comprising:
- a metallic coupler including—
- an inner axial surface configured to interface with a shaft to be driven by the rotor when the motor is energized,
- an outer axial surface that corresponds to a multiplicity of outer teeth, and
- a first generally radial surface;
- and
- a polymeric frame including a hub,
- said hub engaging the first generally radial surface,
- said outer teeth engaging the hub such that torque is transmitted from the coupler to the frame,
- said coupler having a height, Hcoupler,
- each of said outer teeth having a generally radial tooth depth, Dtooth, that is from about 5% to about 10% of Hcoupler.
The rotor of claim 19, wherein the rotor has a height, Hrotor, wherein Hcoupler is no more than about 45% of Hrotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.