MECHANICAL PIN RETENTION CONFIGURATION AND RELATED METHOD FOR RETAINING MAGNETS IN ELECTRIC MACHINES

An electric motor for powering an electric vehicle includes a rotor including a plurality of first rotor laminations and a second rotor lamination. The rotor has a slot edge that defines a rotor slot configured to receive a first magnet therein. The plurality of first rotor laminations are stacked upon each other, each having a first pattern. The second rotor lamination is located between adjacent first rotor laminations of the plurality of first rotor laminations, the second rotor lamination having a second pattern distinct from the first pattern, the second pattern including a first pin shaped retention mechanism defined thereon. The first pin shaped retention mechanism is configured to deflect as a result of engagement with the magnet during insertion of the magnet into the rotor slot creating a first retention load in a first direction onto the magnet retaining the magnet within the rotor slot.