Patent ID: 7394179
Filing Date: 2008-07-01
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
1. An automotive alternator comprising: slip-rings connected to a rotor shaft of the alternator; a brush holder for supporting brushes slidably contacting the slip-rings; a slip-ring cover for covering the slip-rings, the slip-ring cover being connected to the brush holder; and an opening for supplying air to the slip-rings, wherein: the slip-ring cover is positioned upward of the slip-rings while the brush holder is positioned downward of the slip-rings; the opening is open toward a downward direction of the slip-rings so that an inside of the slip-ring cover is directly exposed outside through the opening; the brush holder and the slip-ring cover form a unitary brush device; the slip-ring cover includes a curved wall surrounding an outer circumference of the slip-rings; the opening is formed between the curved wall and the brush holder facing the curved wall; the slip-ring cover includes a pair of flat walls connected to the curved wall, the flat walls being perpendicular to the rotor shaft; each flat wall contacts the brush holder and is extended from a position where the flat wall contacts the brush holder, forming an extended portion; and a gap is formed between the extended portion and the brush holder.