Air guide assembly for an electric motor and methods of making

In an air guide and motor assembly comprising a motor having a motor housing, a fan rotatably driven by the motor, and a vaned air guide mounted interposed between the fan and the motor for directing the flow of air from the fan to the motor, the vaned air guide having a first surface disposed adjacent to the fan and a second surface disposed adjacent to the motor, the improvement comprising a plurality of radially outwardly curved vanes integrally formed with the vaned air guide, each one of said plurality of radially outwardly curved vanes forming a passage that communicates between the first and second surfaces, and a center detail integrally formed with the vaned air guide, the center detail comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tabs, the motor housing having a recess for accepting the plurality of arc-shaped tabs, the plurality of arc-shaped tabs frictionally engaging the vaned air guide to the motor housing to securely fasten the vaned air guide thereto, without screws or rivets.

In an air guide and motor assembly comprising a motor having a motor housing, a fan rotatably driven by the motor, a fan housing covering the fan, and a vaned air guide mounted interposed between the fan and the motor for directing the flow of air from the fan to the motor, the vaned air guide having a first surface disposed adjacent to the fan and a second surface disposed adjacent to the motor, the improvement comprising a plurality of radially outwardly curved vanes integrally formed with the vaned air guide, each one of said plurality of radially outwardly curved vanes forming a passage that communicates between the first and second surfaces, a center detail integrally formed with the vaned air guide, the center detail comprising at least one locating tab, and a rim having a step integrally formed with the vaned air guide, the motor housing having a recess for accepting the locating tab, the center detail cooperating with the motor housing to locate the vaned air guide in position on the motor housing, the step captured between the motor housing and the fan housing so that the vaned air guide is securely fastened therebetween.

In an air guide and motor assembly comprising a motor having an armature and a motor housing, a shaft extending from the armature, a fan mounted on the shaft, and a vaned air guide mounted interposed between the fan and the motor for directing the flow of air from the fan to the motor, the vaned air guide having a first surface disposed adjacent to the fan and a second surface disposed adjacent to the motor, the improvement comprising a plurality of radially outwardly curved vanes integrally formed with the vaned air guide, each one of said plurality of radially outwardly curved vanes forming a passage that communicates between the first and second surfaces, a center detail and a rim integrally formed with the vaned air guide, the center detail comprising at least one locating tab, the motor housing having a recess for accepting the locating tab, the center detail engaging the recess, so that the vaned air guide contacts the motor housing substantially only at the center detail and the rim, thereby reducing vibration of the vaned air guide against the motor housing.

A method of reducing noise in an appliance comprising a motor having a motor housing, a fan, and a vaned air guide interposed therebetween, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing the vaned air guide with a center detail comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tabs integrally formed with the vaned air guide;
• providing the motor housing with a recess that engages the plurality of arc-shaped tabs;
• frictionally engaging the vaned air guide on the motor housing so that the plurality of arc-shaped tabs are securely engaged in the recess of the motor housing.