Patent ID: 6232687
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: F04D,H02K

Abstract:
An electric motor comprising:a stator including a stator core, a winding on the stator core, and a first snap connector element;a rotor including a shaft received in the stator core for rotation of the rotor relative to the stator about the longitudinal axis of the shaft; anda housing adapted to support the stator and rotor, the housing having a second snap connector element formed therein, the first snap connector element being engaged with the second snap connector element for connecting the stator and rotor to the housing;the first snap connector element comprising at least three legs projecting from the stator, each leg being capable of resilient deflection and having a catch formed at the end thereof,the second snap connector element comprising plural shoulders in the housing, each shoulder engaging the catch of a respective one of the legs with the leg in a resiliently deformed position for snap latching engagement of the legs with the housing,the housing comprising a cup receiving a portion of the stator including the snap first connector element therein, the cup including the shoulders engaging the catches of the legs, and openings in the cup disposed for providing limited access into the housing to the free ends of the legs in the housing for non-destructively releasing the catches from the shoulders in the cup for disassembly of the motor, the shoulders being disposed inwardly from the opening within the housing to inhibit entry of water into the housing through the opening.