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US 7,116,025 B2Granted
Endplay adjustment system and method
AssigneeValeo Electric Systems, Inc.
InventorsRobert Scott Myerly, Clark F Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An endplay adjustment system and method is shown having a slider body that has a thrust surface that lies in a plane that is generally perpendicular to an axis of an armature and that can be driven toward the armature by a plunger body. After the plunger body is driven into a plunger-receiving area of the housing, an angled surface of the plunger engages a mating surface of a slider body which forces the thrust surface into an end of an armature of an electric motor. The plunger body may then be secured, adhered to or welded to the housing and/or the slider body to lock the slider body and plunger into place, thereby reducing or eliminating endplay associated with the armature shaft.
Claims47
An end play adjustment system for reducing axial end play in an electric motor having a housing having at least one projection or channel, said end play adjustment system comprising:
- a slider body comprising a thrust wall for driving into an end of an armature of said electric motor;
- and
- a plunger having a first angled surface for engaging said slider body in order to drive said slider body until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature, said plunger comprising at least one plunger channel or projection for cooperating with said at least one projection or channel, respectfully, to facilitate preventing the plunger from moving in a direction coaxial with an axis of said armature;
- said thrust wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said armature.
1 more element
An end play adjustment system for reducing axial end play in an electric motor having a housing, said end play adjustment system comprising:
- a slider body comprising a thrust wall for driving into an end of an armature of said electric motor;
- and
- plunger having a first angled surface for engaging said slider body in order to drive said slider body until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature;
- said thrust wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of said armature;
- wherein said housing comprises a plunger-receiving area defined by a plurality of housing walls, said slider body comprising a second angled surface situated on a side opposite said thrust wall, said first angled surface of said plunger engaging said second angled surface of said slider body when said plunger is received in said plunger-receiving area;
- when said first angled surface is situated between a first plunger wall and a second plunger wall, said plurality of housing walls defining at least a first housing wall and a second housing wall, said first and second housing walls being situated in opposed relation to said first plunger wall and said second plunger wall when said plunger is situated therebetween;
- and
- wherein each of said first plunger wall and said second plunger comprising an alignment channel, said first housing wall and said second housing wall each comprising a projection received in said alignment channels to facilitate preventing said plunger from moving in a direction coaxial with said axis of said armature.
5 more elements
An end play adjustment system for reducing axial end play in an electric motor having a housing, said end play adjustment system comprising:
- a slider body comprising a thrust wall for driving into an end of an armature of said electric motor;
- a plunger having a first angled surface for engaging said slider body in order to drive said slider body until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature;
- said thrust wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of said armature;
- wherein said housing comprising a plunger-receiving area defined by a plurality of housing walls, said slider body comprising a second angled surface situated on a side opposite said thrust wall, said first angled surface of said plunger engaging said second angled surface of said slider body when said plunger is received in said plunger-receiving area;
- wherein said slider body is generally U-shaped and comprises a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a thrust wall for joining said first and second leg portions, said housing defining a first channel and a second channel for receiving said first and second leg portions, respectively, in order to permit said U-shaped member to move towards said armature when said plunger is situated in said plunger-receiving area;
- and
- wherein each of said first plunger wall and said second plunger wall comprise an alignment channel, said first housing wall and said second housing wall each comprising a projection for receipt in said alignment channels, respectively, for aligning said plunger in said plunger-receiving area.
4 more elements
An electric motor assembly comprising:
- a housing for receiving an electric motor having an armature, said housing having at least one projection or channel;
- a gear driven by said armature and rotatably driving a drive shaft;
- an endplay adjustment system for reducing axial end play in the electric motor assembly, said end play adjustment system comprising:
- a slider body comprising a thrust wall for driving into an end of an armature of said electric motor;
- and
- a plunger having a first angled surface for engaging said slider body in order to drive said slider body until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature, said plunger comprising at least one plunger channel or projection for cooperating with said at least one projection or channel, respectively, to facilitate preventing the plunger from moving in a direction coaxial with said axis and said armature;
- said thrust wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of said armature.
4 more elements
An electric motor assembly comprising:
- a housing for receiving an electric motor having an armature;
- a gear driven by said armature and rotatably driving a drive shaft;
- an endplay adjustment system for reducing axial end play in the electric motor assembly, said end play adjustment system comprising:
- a slider body comprising a thrust wall for driving into an end of an armature of said electric motor;
- and
- a plunger having a first angled surface for engaging said slider body in order to drive said slider body until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature;
- said thrust wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of said armature;
- wherein said housing comprising a plunger-receiving area defined by a plurality of housing walls, said slider body comprising a second angled surface situated on a side opposite said thrust wall, said first angled surface of said plunger engaging said second angled surface of said slider body when said plunger is received in said plunger-receiving area;
- wherein said first angled surface is situated between a first plunger wall and a second plunger wall, said plurality of housing walls defining at least a first housing wall and a second housing wall, said first and second housing walls being situated in opposed relation to said first plunger wall and said second plunger wall when said plunger is situated therebetween;
- and
- wherein each of said first plunger wall and said second plunger wall comprising an alignment channel, said first housing wall and said second housing wall each comprising a projection received in said alignment channels to facilitate preventing said plunger from moving in a direction coaxial with said axis of said armature.
8 more elements
An electric motor assembly comprising:
- a housing for receiving an electric motor having an armature;
- a gear driven by said armature and rotatably driving a drive shaft;
- an endplay adjustment system for reducing axial end play in the electric motor assembly, said end play adjustment system comprising:
- a slider body comprising a thrust wall for driving into an end of an armature of said electric motor;
- and
- a plunger having a first angled surface for engaging said slider body in order to drive said slider body until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature;
- said thrust wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of said armature;
- wherein said housing comprises a plunger-receiving area defined by a plurality of housing walls, said slider body comprising a second angled surface situated on a side opposite said thrust wall, said first angled surface of said plunger engaging said second angled surface of said slider body when said plunger is received in said plunger-receiving area;
- wherein said slider body is generally U-shaped and comprises a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a thrust wall for joining said first and second leg portions, said housing defining a first channel and a second channel for receiving said first and second leg portions, respectively, in order to permit said U-shaped member to move towards said armature when said plunger is situated in said plunger-receiving area;
- and
- wherein each of said first plunger wall and said second plunger wall comprise an alignment channel, said first housing wall and said second housing wall each comprising a projection for receipt in said alignment channels, respectively, for aligning said plunger in said plunger-receiving area.
8 more elements
A method for reducing endplay in an electric motor assembly comprising a housing, having at least one projection or channel, said method comprising the steps of:
- situating a slider in operative relationship with an armature, said slider comprising a thrust wall for engaging an end of the armature;
- situating a plunger in operative relationship to said slider, said plunger comprising at least one plunger channel or projection for cooperating with said at least one projection or channel, respectively, to facilitate preventing the plunger from moving in a direction coaxial with said axis and said armature;
- and
- driving said plunger into engagement with said slider until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature.
1 more element
A method for reducing endplay in an electric motor assembly comprising a housing, said method comprising the steps of:
- situating a slider in operative relationship with an armature, said slider comprising a thrust wall for engaging an end of the armature;
- situating a plunger in operative relationship to said slider;
- and
- driving said plunger into engagement with said slider until said thrust wall engages said end of said armature;
- wherein said housing comprises a plurality of wails defining a first channel situated and a second plurality of walls defining a second channel, said method further comprising the step of:
- providing a U-shaped slider comprising a first leg portion and a second leg portion joined by said thrust wall;
- situating said first leg portion in said first channel and said second leg portion in said second channel;
- providing a plunger comprising alignment channels that cooperate with projections on said housing to facilitate preventing said plunger from moving in a direction coaxial with an axis of said armature.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.