Abstract:
A d.c. electric motor has an oil collector located fast on a motor shaft, between a lubricated bearing and a commutator. Collector is of rubber and forms an oil tight seal with the motor shaft so that oil will migrate into a ring portion where the centrifugal force of the rotating motor will retain the oil in the ring. Preferably the collector has an oleophobic coating thereon.

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The present invention relates to an electric motor, and in particular to an electric motor incorporating a commutator and means for preventing bearing lubricant from contaminating the commutator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In small, fractional horsepower, permanent magnet direct current motors a commutator typically comprises a number of copper segments laid on a cylindrical support. The segments are spaced apart by a small amount, so that there is a gap between adjacent segments. As a brush in contact with the commutator segment wears down, particles of carbon become embedded in the gaps. As the motor rotates these may be thrown off centrifugally. However it has been found that when using a low viscosity oil for lubricating bearings in such motors, the oil migrates from the bearing on to the commutator segments. This oil then mixes with the carbon particles to hold them in the gaps between the segments, which eventually produces an electrical short between the segments causing a breakdown or loss in efficiency of the motor. This may happen in particular when using low viscosity oils suitable for low temperature applications, for example automobiles. 
     It has been known to provide washers on the motor shaft between the bearing and commutator to throw the oil radially away from the shaft but these are not entirely satisfactory. GB777490 shows a system in which oil is thrown radially outwards by a cup-shaped collar into a circumferential collector mounted fast on the motor housing, the oil draining back to the bearing, but this requires the addition of several parts where space is at a premium in small motors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an electric motor comprising a shaft carrying a commutator having electrically conducting segments, the shaft being rotatably mounted in a lubricated bearing, and means mounted on the shaft for collecting lubricant which migrates from the bearing towards the commutator, to prevent the lubricant migrating on to the commutator segments. 
     Preferably the collecting means comprises a ring which is mounted about the shaft, the ring being concave towards the shaft and being mounted between the segments and the bearing. 
     Preferably the ring is formed on a disc which is mounted on the shaft and forms a lubricant tight seal with the shaft, the ring and disc having a generally C-shaped cross-section which is concave towards the bearing. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through a permanent magnet d.c. motor embodying the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part of the motor of FIG. 1 enclosed by circle A. 
    
    
     FIG. 1 illustrates a permanent magnet d.c. motor of the type made and sold by the applicants under catalogue number HC355 but embodying the improvement of the present invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a small, fractional horsepower permanent magnet direct current motor 1 is illustrated. The motor comprises a motor shaft 2 which carries a wound armature 3 and commutator 4. The commutator 4 and armature 3 are mounted fast on the shaft and the armature is wound and connected to the commutator in the manner generally known in the art. Tangs 23 on the commutator are forged to wires 26 which form the coil windings of the armature. 
     The shaft 2 is mounted in a cylindrical metal casing 5. 
     Casing 5 is closed at one end by an integrally formed end plate 6. End plate 6 carries a bearing 7 in a housing 8, the shaft 2 being journalled in the bearing 7. A brass collar 24 is a force fit on the shaft 2 to limit the axial movement of the shaft through bearing 7. A washer 25 is mounted on the shaft between the brass collar 24 and bearing 7. 
     End plate 6 has a plurality, typically 4, of circumferentially extending slots 9 for ventilation of the inside of the motor. 
     A plastics end cap 10, typically of nylon, houses a self aligning sintered bearing 11 which is held in place by axially extending tabs 12 of a washer 13 which is pressed into the end cap. The end cap supports brush gear comprising a pair of carbon brushes 14 (one is seen in FIG. 1) which are urged against the commutator 4 by brush leaves (not seen in FIG. 1) which are connected to power supply tags 15. 
     The brush leaf/tag assemblies are held on the end cap 10 by rivets 16, 17. 
     In the example shown the casing 5 carries two permanent magnets 18, which each bear at one axial edge 20 against a respective tang 19 and are urged apart at their other axial edges by a U&#39; shape spring 21. 
     Circumferentially extending slots 22 are provided in the casing 5 in the region between the brushes 14 and armature 3 for ventilation. 
     The improvement provided by the present invention resides in the provision of collector in the form of a rubber collar 29 on the shaft 2, between the bearing 11 and commutator 4. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the commutator 4 comprises a plurality of copper segments 27 which are laid on a support 28 which is fast with the shaft 2. It will be appreciated that other types of commutator construction are known in the art and the present invention is not limited to use with any particular type. A gap 28 is formed between the segments 27, to isolate electrically the adjacent segments. 
     As the segments 27 rotate past brush 14, carbon particles from the brush become embedded in the gaps 28. 
     In prior art designs it has been found that oil from bearing 7 will seep or migrate along the shaft 2 onto the segments 27. This oil mixes with the carbon particles to cause them to stick in the gaps 28, eventually shorting adjacent segments 27. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a rubber collar 29 is mounted on the shaft 2. Collar 29 is of rubber, or other elastic material, so that it may be stretched to fit on the shaft 2, forming an oil tight joint 30 with the shaft 2. A disc portion 31 extends radially away from the shaft and supports a ring 32 which is concave to the shaft, the overall appearance of the collar 29 being C-shape in cross-section as seen in FIG. 2. 
     The collar 29 is axially symmetric about the shaft 2. 
     Oil which migrates along shaft 2 from the bearing 11, will migrate across the facing surface 33, into the concavity of ring portion 32. Under rotation of the shaft 2, the oil will be trapped in the outer ring portion 32, as indicated by reference numeral 34. 
     It will be appreciated by those in the art that the quantity of oil 34 is very small, being a fraction of the oil impregnated in bearing 11 on assembly of the motor. 
     The invention is not limited to use with sintered bearings, such as bearing 11, and is equally applicable to other types such as ball or roller bearings. 
     The rubber collar 29 will form a high friction surface if it bears against the bearing 11. It is therefore preferable to incorporate a degree of end loading in the motor, in the direction of bearing 7. This can be achieved by the positioning of the magnets 18, as is known in the art. 
     In a particularly preferred modification the collar 29 has an oleophobic surface which inhibits the migration of oil across the surfaces of the collector 29. Such a surface may be formed by coating with an oleophobic substance such as that marketed by the Japanese company Sumitomo under the trade name &#34;Sumiflunon&#34;. 
     An oil collector may also be provided between bearing 7 and commutator 4 if desired. 
     Various modifications will be apparent to those in the art and it is desirable to include all such modifications as fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.