Overmolded motor bearing and method of making same
US6517251B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02K5/173
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An overmolded motor bearing is provided for use with an electric motor. A conventional ball-bearing has a rubberized sleeve molded directly onto the bearing so that the bearing and insulating rubber sleeve form a unitary subassembly. The bearing sub-assembly is formed by inserting the conventional ball-bearing directly into the mold of an injection molding machine. Importantly, the rubberized material encapsulating the bearing extends around the outer bearing race and along the side faces of the bearing. In a preferred embodiment, separate nylon washers are installed on either side of the bearing when the bearing is inserted into the mold. The rubberized material is then injection molded around the outer bearing race to capture the nylon washers. The preferred embodiment thus prevents the bearing shields on the side faces of the bearing from being subjected to the injection molding pressures within the mold which can deform and thus damage the bearing shields.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.