HVAC motor and cover structure

Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C310S058000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06262504

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) motor for an automotive HVAC system and more particularly to an HVAC motor cover structure used to mount the motor to a housing and to cover an exposed portion of the motor to reduce motor noise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical HVAC motor assembly is supported in a scroll which has an air inlet and an air discharge such that a portion of air flow moved by a blower wheel driven by the motor is diverted to a tube or channel to cool the motor.
FIG. 1
shows, in an unassembled condition, a conventional HVAC motor assembly
10
for use in driving a blower wheel to force air to flow through an automotive HVAC system. The assembly
10
requires several parts to attach the motor
12
to a housing (not shown) and then cover the exposed portion of the motor
12
to help reduce motor noise. The motor
12
includes a steel flange
3
and a hush cover and motor cooling channel, indicated by numeral
2
, covers the exposed portion of the motor
12
. A clip
1
is provided to support a wiring harness of the motor
12
. An additional plastic part defining a flange airflow spacer
5
is attached on the drive side of the motor to optimize the shape of the flange
3
to improve airflow in the system. To reduce air leakage, noise and vibration, gasket material
6
is provided on the flange
3
and a gasket
4
is provided between the motor
12
and hush cover
2
.
Although the motor assembly
10
is effective in operation, the cost of the assembly can be reduced by reducing the number of components. Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved HVAC motor cover structure to cover an HVAC motor which has fewer components than the conventional cover assembly yet is effective in reducing vibration and thus the overall noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is obtained by providing an HVAC motor assembly for mounting to a housing. The motor assembly includes a motor having a generally cylindrical portion and a connector extending from the cylindrical portion. The motor also has an air flow passage therethrough. The assembly includes a one-piece cover structure including a generally cylindrical section having an opening at one end thereof and a closed end opposite the one end, and an interior between the ends. The motor is disposed in the interior so that one end of the motor is covered by the closed end. A flange structure extends from the cylindrical section. A first passage in the cover structure is in open communication with atmosphere and in communication with the interior. The first passage communicates with a connector opening in the cover structure. The first passage is sized to permit the connector of the motor to pass therethrough and the connector opening receives the connector. The connector opening is sized to fit tightly with the connector to substantially prevent air from passing between the connector and the cover structure. A second passage of the cover structure is in open communication with the interior and in communication with the air flow passage of the motor so that air may enter the second passage and exit through the air flow passages to cool the motor. A vibration damping member is provided between the cylindrical portion of the motor and the cylindrical section of the cover structure so as to contact the cylindrical portion and the cylindrical section to dampen vibration of the motor.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.


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