Method and apparatus for mounting a plurality of magnet segments on a back ring

1. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring for incorporation in a permanent magnet electric motor, the magnet segments each having an arcuate outer surface substantially conforming to the curve of the interior ring surface and being arranged in circumaxially spaced relationship on the interior surface of the ring when assembly is complete; the method comprising the steps of releasably securing the magnet segments on the exterior surface of an expandable and contractible fixture in the desired circumaxially spaced arrangement, providing an adhesive tape and an application means and applying the adhesive from the tape sequentially to the magnet segments by rotating the fixture relative to the adhesive applying means effecting relative axial movement between the fixture and the segments thereon and an axially aligned back ring to enter the former to a desired position within the ring, expanding the fixture to press the magnet segments firmly into engagement with the interior ring surface and thereby bonding the magnets to the surface, and contracting the fixture and again effecting relative axial movement between the ring and the fixture and magnet segments to remove the latter from the interior of the ring.

2. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the magnet segments is provided with a flat interior surface and the fixture has corresponding flat exterior mounting surfaces for the segments thus insuring that the segments are properly positioned on the fixture.

3. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tape applying means takes the form of an application roller with the tape extending between the roller and the segments with its adhesive in engagement with the magnets.

4. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring as set forth in claim 3 wherein the adhesive tape takes the form of an adhesive transfer tape having a liner which is separated from the adhesive as it is applied to the segments.

5. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring as set forth in claim 4 wherein a take-up roller is provided with the liner extending to and about the same after separation from the adhesive, said roller being rotatably driven to pull the tape from the tape applying roller.

6. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring as set forth in claim 4 wherein a drive motor is provided for rotating the fixture, and wherein the tape application roller is resiliently urged against the tape and segments to apply the adhesive thereto.

7. A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring as set forth in claim 1 and including the added step of over molding the back ring and the magnet segments in an injection molding process.