Patent ID: 6842966

Claim:
A method for retaining a plurality of brushes in an electric motor in an open position and for controlling an end play distance in an electrical motor, said electric motor comprising a motor housing for receiving a stator operatively associated with a rotor mounted on an armature when the armature is received in the motor housing, said motor comprising a lamina stack and an end-lamina tube, said lamina stack being operatively related to said stator when said rotor is situated in said housing, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bearing retainer for holding a bearing dimensioned to be received on the armature shaft; providing an end cap having an aperture, a hub on a first side and a plurality of brush retainers on a second side, said hub defining a hub aperture in communication with said aperture and said plurality of brush retainers being located on said second side and receiving a plurality of brushes, respectively, said brushes being normally biased towards said aperture; positioning said bearing retainer onto said armature such that an outer surface of a wall of said bearing retainer engages and retains said plurality of brushes in a brush open position; causing said bearing retainer to release said plurality of brushes and move into said hub aperture when the commutator is positioned in operative relationship with said plurality of brushes and said bearing is situated on said armature; and securing said bearing retainer to said hub.