MODULAR MOTOR AND GEARHEAD MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: A motor and gearhead mounting arrangement which provides separate stocking or inventory of motors (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 52) and flanges (40, 42, 44, 46) thereby significantly reducing inventory problems. This is accomplished by providing a threaded section (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 70) on the end of the motor (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 52) and providing complementary or mating threads on the inner diameter of the apertured mounting flange (40, 42, 44, 46). Accordingly, when an order is received, the manufacturer simply retrieves the required type of flange (40, 42, 44, 46) from inventory and threads it onto the selected motor (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 52). The flange (40, 42, 44, 46) can be fixed or secured in place by suitable means including Loctite or similar bonding materials.

Description: MODULAR MOTOR AND GEARHEAD MOUNTING /ARRANGEMENT Cross Reference To A Related Application Applicants hereby claim priority based on Provisional Application No. 60/035,402 filed January 16, 1997 and entitled "Modular Motor And Gearhead Mounting Arrangement" which is incorporated herein by reference. Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to mounting arrangements for small motors and the like, and more particularly to a new and improved modular mounting arrangement for small electric motors and associated gearheads wherein mounting flanges are included in the arrangement . The present invention is directed toward a mounting system or arrangement for small size electric motors having diameters up to about two inches, although the principles of the present invention can be variously applied. Because there are various motor diameters, each diameter motor in turn having a number of different lengths and a number of different types of mounting flanges, a manufacturer typically has to maintain a large inventory of completed motor assemblies including mounts to accommodate these variations. In other words, typically the mounting flange is secured to the motor during manufacture and then the motor- flange assemblies are inventoried. The need to maintain a large inventory of completed motor- flange assemblies is undesirable. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides separate stocking or inventory of motors and flanges thereby significantly reducing the above problem. This is accomplished by providing a threaded section on the end of the motor and providing complementary or mating threads on the inner- diameter of the apertured mounting flange. Accordingly, when an order is received, the manufacturer simply retrieves the required type of flange from inventory and threads it onto the selected motor. The flange can be fixed or secured in place by suitable means including Loctite or similar bonding materials. The present invention also includes a gearhead being connected to the motor and the gearhead, in turn, being threaded on its end to receive various types of mounting flanges. The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading of the ensuing detailed description together with the included drawing wherein: Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Fig. 1 is a developed diagrammatic view illustrating the modular motor and gearhead mounting arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view further illustrating the threaded motor housing according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a gearhead provided with a threaded housing according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Referring to the example illustrated at Fig. 1, there are four motors 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd in the left-hand column each having corresponding housings 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, input electrical leads 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d and output shafts 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d. Motors 10a - lOd are representative of a set or group of motors, the number of- which can be quite large, and having different diameters, lengths and other characteristics. Four different types of mounting flanges 20, 22, 24 and 26 are associated with the motors 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd, respectively, in the present illustration. Mounting flanges 20, 22, 24 and 26 are representative of a set or group of mounting flanges, the number of which is variable, and having different shapes, sizes, thicknesses and other characteristics. In accordance with the present invention, each motor 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd is provided with a threaded section 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d on an end of the housing 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, respectively, in the present illustration on the end adjacent the output shaft 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d, respectively. Each threaded section 30 is in the shape of a cylindrical hub-like extension provided with threads on the outer surface thereof. All of the extensions 30 on the motors of the group or set have the same outer diameter and number and size of threads so that they all can be threaded into a common threaded aperture. Each flange 20, 22, 24, and 26 is provided with a threaded central aperture or opening 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d therethrough of a diameter such that it can threadably receive or be threaded onto any one of the threaded sections 30a, 30b, 30c or 3Od of the motors 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd, respectively. The motors 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd and the mounting flanges 20, 22, 24 and 26 are kept separate in inventory by the manufacturer. When an order is received for a specific motor and mounting flange combination, for example motor 10a and mounting flange 20, they are each obtained from their separate locations in the manufacturer's inventory. Flange 20 then simply is threaded onto housing section 30a of motor 10a and fixed thereto by suitably means, such as Loctite or similar bonding material. The completed motor- flange combination 40 is shown in the end elevational view in the right-hand column of Fig. 1. It illustrates a servo mount groove. Similar combinations 42, 44 and 46 of motor 10b and flange 22, motor 10c and flange 24, and motor lOd and flange 26 are shown in Fig. 1. Combination 42 is a two screw mounting, combination 44 is a three screw mounting and combination 46 is a four screw square mount. Motors 10a-lOd are illustrative of a wide variety of small electric motors of various lengths and outer diameters to which the present invention is applicable. In addition, while the present invention is particularly advantageous for use with small electric motors, the principles thereof can be applied to other motors of different types and sizes. Similarly, flanges 20, 22, 24 and 26 are representative of a variety of flanges of various shapes and sizes with central openings of different diameters to accommodate the different diameters of the motor housings. The present invention is employed also in mounting of motor-gearhead combinations. As shown in Fig. 1, motor 50 is similar to motors 10a- lOd and has a housing 52 and input electrical leads 54. The rotational output of motor 50 is provided by a pinion 56. A gearhead or gearbox 60 containing an arrangement of gears in a known manner has a housing 62, an output shaft 64 at one end and an opening (not shown) in the other end 66 to receive pinion 56 of motor 50. In accordance with the present invention, gearhead 60 is provided with a threaded section 68 on the end of housing 62 adjacent output shaft 64. Thus, motor 50 and gearhead 60 are connected together, and then any one of the mounting flanges 20, 22, 24 and 26 can be threaded onto housing section 68 of gearhead 60 and secured thereto by Loctite or similar bonding material. Accordingly, in this illustrative arrangement, threaded section 68 on gearhead would be identical to the threaded sections 30 on motors 12. Motor 50 and gearhead 60 are illustrative of a wide variety of small electric motors and a wide variety of gearheads of various lengths and outer diameters to which the present invention is applicable. If desired, motor 50 also can be provided with a threaded section 70 like motors 10a- lOd to provide the added capability of connection to mounting flanges such as flanges 20, 22, 24 or 26. While threaded structures in the form of threaded extensions 30 on motors 12, threaded extension 68 on gearhead 60 and threaded apertures 32 in the mounting flanges are preferred for reasons of simplicity and economy in manufacture and use, other structures may be employed. For example, the mounting flanges could be provided with an annular, externally threaded body on a surface thereof which threadably connects into an annular, internally threaded recess provided on an end face of each motor. In addition there may be other mating, connecting structures or formation which can be employed as an alternative to the threaded structures described herein. Fig. 2 shows in further detail five motors 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88 of different lengths and outer diameters and having output shafts 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98, respectively. The motors are provided with threaded sections 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 on the ends of the motor housings in accordance with the present invention. The threaded sections, in turn, are received in threaded central openings in selected mounting flanges (not shown) in a manner like that illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a gearhead 60' like gearhead 60 in Fig. 1 and showing in further detail the threaded section 68' on the end of the housing 62' . It is therefore apparent that the present invention accomplishes its intended objections. While an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, that is for purposes of illustration, not limitation.

Claims: What is claimed is: - The Claims 1. A motor mounting arrangement comprising: a) a plurality of motors each having a threaded structure provided thereon; b) a plurality of mounting flanges each having a threaded structure provided thereon; c) the threaded structures on said motors and said mounting flanges having predetermined sizes and shapes so that each threaded structure on each of said motors is threadably connectable to each threaded structure on each of said mounting flanges; d) so that a particular selected motor and mounting flange combination is provided by threadably connecting a selected motor and a selected mounting flange together. 2. The motor mounting arrangement according to claim 1, further including means associated with said threaded structures for securing a connected motor and mounting flange. 3. The motor mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said threaded structure on each said motor comprises a threaded hub- like extension on an end of the motor and wherein said threaded structure on each said mounting flange comprises a threaded aperture in the flange. 4. A gearhead mounting arrangement comprising: a) a plurality of gearheads each having a threaded structure provided thereon; b) a plurality of mounting flanges each having a threaded structure provided thereon; c) the threaded structures on said gearheads and said mounting flanges having predetermined sizes and shapes so that each threaded structure on each of said gearheads is threadably connectable to each threaded structure on each of said mounting flanges; d) so that a particular selected gearhead and mounting flange combination is provided by threadably connecting a selected gearhead and a selected mounting flange together. 5. The gearhead mounting arrangement according to claim 4, further including means associated with said threaded structure for securing a connected gearhead and mounting flange. 6. The gearhead mounting arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said threaded structure on each said gearhead comprises a threaded hub-like extension on an end of the gearhead and wherein said threaded structure on each said mounting flange comprises a threaded aperture in the flange. 7. The gearhead mounting arrangement according to claim 4, further including a motor operatively connected to each said gearhead. 8. The gearhead mounting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein each motor is provided with a threaded structure for threaded connection to a selected mounting flange. 9. A motor mounting method comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of motors; b) providing a plurality of mounting flanges; c) providing threaded structures on said motors and threaded structures on said mounting flanges of predetermined sizes and shapes so that each threaded structure on each of said motors is threadably connectable to each threaded structure on each of said mounting flanges; and d) selecting particular ones of said motors and mounting flanges; and e) threadably connecting a selected motor and a selected mounting flange together. 10. The method according to claim 9 , further including securing the connected motor and mounting flange together. 11. A gearhead mounting method comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of gearheads; b) providing a plurality of mounting flanges; c) providing threaded structures on said gearheads and threaded structures on said mounting flanges of predetermined sizes and shapes so that each threaded structure on each of said gearheads is threadably connectable to each threaded structure on each of said mounting flanges; and d) selecting particular ones of said gearheads and mounting flanges; and e) threadably connecting a selected gearhead and a selected mounting flange together. 12. The method according to claim 11, further including securing the connected gearhead and mounting flange together. 13. The method according to claim 11 further comprising operatively connecting a motor to each said gearhead. 14. The method according to claim 13 , further including providing each motor with a threaded structure for threaded connection to a selected mounting flange.

Inventors: HAWES DAVID E, SICKLER JAMES L, HAWES, DAVID, E., SICKLER, JAMES, L.
Applicants: AMERICAN PRECISION IND, AMERICAN PRECISION INDUSTRIES INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F16M13
IPC codes: F16M7, H02K5, H02K7