REDUCED COST BEARING RETAINER

摘要

A bearing retainer (10) that holds a bearing in a bearing seat of an electromagnetic device has a unique construction that reduces its cost of manufacture. The bearing retainer (10) has a peripheral edge with a plurality of radially extending tabs (42) centered in gaps in the peripheral edge. The tabs (42) connect with tabs of adjacent bearing retainers, allowing a plurality of interconnected bearing retainers (10) to be nested on a steel sheet from which the retainers (10) are stamped, thereby optimizing material use and reducing costs. The bearing retainers (10) are composed of martensite which eliminates a heat tempering process required of prior art retainers (10) and further reduces costs.