Patent ID: 6259182
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: F02N,F16J,H02K

Abstract:
A vehicle AC generator comprising:a cylindrical slip ring support unit fixed to a generator shaft, the slip ring support unit having an outer peripheral surface extending around the generator shaft;a cylindrical slinger unit fixed to an outer shell of the generator, the slinger unit having an inner peripheral surface extending around the slip ring support unit and defining an opening that faces in an axial direction of the generator shaft; anda labyrinth formed by (1) an annular slinger-side stepped portion projecting toward the generator shaft from the inner peripheral surface of the slinger unit, (2) an annular slip ring-side stepped portion projecting toward the slinger unit from the outer peripheral surface of the slip ring support unit, and (3) an annular groove provided in the outer peripheral surface of the slip ring support unit,wherein the labyrinth prevents a fluid in the generator from entering into a chamber in which a slip ring provided on the slip ring support unit makes electrical contact with a brush provided on the slinger unit, andwherein the slip ring support unit does not completely cover the opening in the slinger unit from the axial direction.