| US 7,610,671 B2 | ||
| Method for assembling an electric motor using a slip fit tolerance ring | ||
| William J. Watkins, Tipp City, Ohio (US); and Chih M. Lin, Tipp City, Ohio (US) | ||
| Assigned to A.O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. (US) | ||
| Filed on Oct. 31, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/262,635. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0096572 A1, May 03, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. F16C 35/077 (2006.01); F16D 1/08 (2006.01); H02K 5/16 (2006.01); H02K 15/00 (2006.01); H02K 15/14 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 29—596 [29/598; 29/898.07; 29/525.01; 403/203; 403/223; 403/282; 403/366; 403/369] | 15 Claims |
| 1. A method for assembling an electric motor having a housing supporting a stator, and a bearing supporting a shaft, the method
comprising:
providing the housing with a bearing seat having an inner end;
providing a tolerance ring including an interior surface and a plurality of elastic corrugations projecting from the interior
surface;
fitting the tolerance ring into the bearing seat;
pressing the bearing into the tolerance ring; and
deforming each corrugation with the bearing, as the bearing is being pressed into the tolerance ring, to form a shoulder,
wherein each shoulder remains after the bearing is fully seated in the bearing seat so that each shoulder generates a spring
force against the bearing to axially and radially support the bearing and to axially preload the bearing.
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