Snap ring for electric motor

Abstract

A snap ring is provided for receipt within a circumferential groove of a bore to maintain a motor shaft and bearing assembly within a housing. The ring has an open sector to allow for flexibility. In one embodiment, a number of lobes, defined by tapered inwardly declining surfaces extend from the ring and protrude from the groove into the bore. As a bearing is urged past the groove, the lobes are urged into the groove to allow the bearing to pass. Once the bearing has cleared the groove, the spring-like nature of the ring causes the lobes to again extend into the bore such that bottom surfaces of the lobes engage a top surface of the bearing, retaining the bearing and shaft assembly within the bore. In another embodiment, the ring has a number of lobes defined by tapered outwardly declining surfaces, while a third embodiment includes lobes defined by alternating inwardly and outwardly tapered declining surfaces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.