Motor-stator configuration with laminate foot key

A motor-stator mechanism, comprising:

• a stator structure comprising:
• a laminate back that extends circumferentially around a perimeter of the stator structure;
• and
• a plurality of laminate teeth that extend radially inward from an inner surface of the laminate back, wherein a distal end of each of the laminate teeth includes a respective key structure;
• a plurality of stator windings that respectively surround each of the laminate teeth;
• a plurality of laminate feet each having a respective key groove that is engaged with the respective key structure of each of the laminate teeth, such that the stator structure has a tooth/foot key interface arrangement, wherein the stator windings are respectively secured between the laminate back and the laminate feet;
• and
• a plurality of insert structures respectively positioned between the laminate feet and adjacent to the stator windings;
• wherein the respective key structure of each of the laminate teeth are configured to prevent movement of the respective laminate feet relative to the laminate teeth in a circumferential direction and in a radial direction;
• wherein the tooth/foot key interface arrangement is configured to increase a thermal resistance in a first heat path toward the laminate feet, and decrease a thermal resistance in a second heat path toward the laminate back.

A method for assembling a motor-stator mechanism, the method comprising:

• constructing a stator that includes a laminate back having a radially inward side, and plurality of laminate teeth integrally formed on the radially inward side;
• forming a respective key structure at a distal end of each of the laminate teeth;
• providing a plurality of stator windings that are formed and sized to respectively surround the laminate teeth;
• inserting the stator windings respectively onto the laminate teeth;
• providing a plurality of elongated laminate feet formed with a respective key groove along a length thereof;
• and
• sliding the laminate feet respectively onto the laminate teeth, such that the respective key groove is coupled with the respective key structure, to produce a tooth/foot key interface arrangement, and to secure the stator windings in place around the laminate teeth.