Patent ID: 8344568

Claim:
A rotor for an outer rotor-type electric motor, the rotor comprising: a metallic coupler that comprises: an inner axial surface configured to interface with a shaft to be driven by the rotor when the motor is energized; and an outer axial surface that corresponds to a multiplicity of outer teeth; a polymeric frame that comprises: a hub molded over at least the outer axial surface of the metal coupler; a base that is integrally formed with the hub and extending radially outward therefrom; a side wall that is integrally formed with the base; and a multiplicity of magnet spacers each of which is integrally formed with the side wall; a backing ring of a magnetic material molded over by the polymeric frame and having an outer axial surface in contact with the sidewall of the polymeric frame; and a multiplicity of permanent magnets in contact with an inner axial surface of the backing ring and molded over by the polymeric frame and spaced apart by the magnet spacers of the polymeric frame.