Bearing system with flexible bearing bracket

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a bearing system comprising a bearing supported in a flexible bearing bracket, for example for use in fractional horsepower shaded pole type electric motors.
In the preferred embodiment the bearing is insert molded into the bracket to produce a hybrid bracket/bearing assembly, which facilitates both the manufacture of the bearing system and assembly of the bearings to the motor.
In the preferred embodiment the bearing bracket is insert molded around a bearing, which ensures that the bearing is properly supported and will not misalign during assembly to the motor.
The bearing system of the invention is self aligning due to the flexibility of the bearing bracket, which thus compensates for deviations in the radial alignment of the rotor shaft to maintain the optimum efficiency of the motor and reduce wear on the bearing, extending the life of the bearing system.
In addition, the preferred embodiment employs a resilient elastomeric bearing bracket while efficiently damping vibrations which may be induced in the system.
In the preferred embodiment both the bracket and bearing are composed of a non-metallic material.
The bearing may be composed of a high performance plastic which does not require lubrication, to prolong the life of the motor.
Other aspects of the invention may be implemented in a bearing system that utilizes metal bearings.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention a flanged or bushing type bearing is provided with an opening having a bearing surface complimentary to the rotor shaft.
A bearing bracket is molded around most of the flange and the hub of the bearing, creating a bearing receptacle that holds the bearing securely, with extremely close tolerances between the receptacle and the bearing.
Preferably a rotation lock, for example flats distributed about the hub of the bearing, restrains the bearing against rotation within the bracket.
Because the elastomeric bracket is flexible, the bearing settles into the proper alignment with the rotor shaft by deflection of the bracket itself