Rotor manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a rotor manufacturing apparatus. A guide device (10) as the rotor manufacturing apparatus is provided with sheet material guides (40A, 40B) and a holder (20). The pair of sheet material guides (40A, 40B) are disposed opposite each other. The pair of sheet material guides (40A, 40B) are disposed above respective ones of a pair of inner wall surfaces (112A, 112B) of a slot (112) to feed sheet members (80A, 80B) into the slot (112). The holder (20) is disposed between the pair of sheet material guides (40A, 40B) and is provided with a magnet feed outlet (35) that feeds a permanent magnet (85) from above the slot (112) into the slot. The pair of sheet material guides (40A, 40B) are linearly symmetrical in a front view with the side surfaces of the sheet material guides (40A, 40B) as the main surfaces. Furthermore, the axis of symmetry of the pair of sheet material guides (40A, 40B) coincides with the central axis (C2) of the magnet feed outlet (35) in the front view.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-087548, filed on May 25, 2021, the entire contents of which, including the description, claims, drawings and abstract, are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This specification discloses an apparatus for manufacturing a rotor for a rotating electric motor. Background Technology

[0003] In a rotating electric machine with permanent magnet excitation, a permanent magnet is provided in the rotor core. For example, in a rotating electric machine with an interior permanent magnet (IPM), there is a through hole called a slot in the axial perforation of the rotor core, and a permanent magnet is inserted into the slot.

[0004] For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-38459 and Japanese Patent No. 5983869, a guiding device with a guide hole is used as a device (jig) for inserting a permanent magnet into a slot. When inserting the permanent magnet, the guide hole and the slot are aligned. The inlet opening of the guide hole is enlarged to a tapered cross-section. The permanent magnet is aligned with the guide hole while abutting against the enlarged tapered surface. The aligned permanent magnet is then inserted into the guide hole and pushed into the slot deep within the guide hole.

[0005] The permanent magnet inserted into the slot is fixed to the rotor core. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-31805, resin as an adhesive is filled between the inner wall of the slot and the permanent magnet, thereby fixing the permanent magnet to the rotor core.

[0006] Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-163649, instead of resin filling, sheet members impregnated with adhesive are inserted between a permanent magnet and the inner wall of a groove. For example, the groove is formed into an elongated hole shape with a pair of opposing inner wall surfaces, and a pair of sheet members are arranged along these inner wall surfaces. The permanent magnet is sandwiched between the pair of sheet members. In this state, the sheet members are heated and cured, thereby fixing the permanent magnet to the rotor core via the sheet members.

[0007] Furthermore, when inserting the sheet component and the permanent magnet into the slot, if the permanent magnet is inserted into the slot first, followed by the sheet component, the flexible sheet component needs to be inserted into the tiny gap between the already inserted permanent magnet and the inner wall of the slot, making the operation difficult. Therefore, a process of inserting the sheet component into the slot first and then inserting the permanent magnet is considered. If a guiding device is to be used for this process, the permanent magnet needs to be inserted into the guide hole and slot of the rotor core after the sheet component has been inserted into the guide hole and slot of the guide device.

[0008] Here, as described above, when the permanent magnet is inserted into the guide hole, the lower end of the permanent magnet abuts against the conical surface of the entrance opening of the guide hole, and at the same time, the permanent magnet is aligned with the central axis of the guide hole. During this process, the sheet member pre-positioned on the conical surface may be scratched and damaged by the lower end of the permanent magnet. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, this specification discloses a rotor manufacturing apparatus that can avoid damage to sheet components and properly insert adhesive sheets and permanent magnets into slots in the rotor core.

[0010] The rotor manufacturing apparatus disclosed in this specification inserts a sheet member and a permanent magnet into an axially perforated slot in a rotor core. It should be noted that the slot is an elongated hole shape with a pair of opposing inner wall surfaces. During this insertion process, the sheet member and permanent magnet are inserted with the rotor core positioned so that its axis is oriented vertically. The rotor manufacturing apparatus includes sheet guides and a retainer. The sheet guides are a pair and are arranged opposite each other. These sheet guides are positioned above each of the pair of inner wall surfaces of the slot, feeding the sheet member into the slot. The retainer is located between the pair of sheet guides and has a magnet outlet for feeding the permanent magnet from the top of the slot into the slot. The pair of sheet guides are linearly symmetrical when viewed from the front view with the side surface of the sheet guide as the main plane. Furthermore, the axis of symmetry of the pair of sheet guides coincides with the central axis of the magnet outlet when viewed from the front view.

[0011] Based on the above configuration, the rotor manufacturing apparatus is equipped with separate sheet member insertion units (sheet guides) and magnet insertion units (retainers), thus preventing damage to the sheet members when guiding the permanent magnets. Furthermore, by employing a configuration where the axes of symmetry of the pair of sheet guides coincide with the central axis of the magnet outlet under main view, the sheet members and permanent magnets can be properly inserted into the slot simply by aligning, for example, the central axis of the magnet outlet with the central axis of the slot.

[0012] Alternatively, in the above configuration, a pair of retaining plates may be provided at the magnet outlet to hold the permanent magnet against its weight. In this case, the pair of retaining plates flex away from the axis of symmetry when the permanent magnet is inserted into the slot. Here, the spring constants of the pair of retaining plates are specified to be equal.

[0013] When the permanent magnet is pressed down against the clamping force of the retaining plates, the retaining plates flex outward as the magnet is ejected, that is, flex away from the axis of symmetry, generating an elastic force (restoring force) that resists this flex. Here, the spring constants of the pair of retaining plates are equal, so the permanent magnet can be inserted into the slot while being aligned (centered) with the axis of symmetry through the pair of retaining plates.

[0014] Alternatively, in the above configuration, the retainer may be equipped with a force applicator. This force applicator applies a downward force to the permanent magnet against the clamping force of a pair of retaining plates after the sheet member is inserted into the slot.

[0015] Based on the above configuration, the permanent magnet can be inserted into the groove only after the sheet component has been inserted into the groove.

[0016] The rotor manufacturing apparatus disclosed in this specification can avoid damage to the sheet components and can properly insert the bonded sheet and permanent magnet into the slots of the rotor core. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating, for example, the insertion process of a sheet component and a permanent magnet into a rotor core by a guide device, which is a rotor manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view used to illustrate the central axes C2 and C3 of the magnet guide hole and slot.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an example of a three-dimensional view of a single guiding device.

[0020] Figure 4 This is an example of a front view of a guide device.

[0021] Figure 5 This is an example. Figure 3 A three-dimensional sectional view of the guide device with section AA.

[0022] Figure 6 This is an example. Figure 3 The front sectional view of the guide device with section AA.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a front sectional view (1 / 2) illustrating the insertion process of a sheet component with a guide device and a permanent magnet into the rotor core.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a front sectional view (2 / 2) illustrating the process of inserting a sheet component with a guide device and a permanent magnet into the rotor core. Detailed Implementation

[0025] exist Figure 1 The illustration shows a rotor 100 of a rotary electric motor and a guide device 10, which serves as a rotor manufacturing apparatus in this embodiment, used during the assembly of the rotor 100. The rotary electric motor is used, for example, as a drive source for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

[0026] <Rotor Structure>

[0027] The rotor 100 is configured to include a rotor core 110, a permanent magnet 85, and sheet components 80A and 80B. The rotor core 110 is a cylindrical component with a rotating shaft (not shown) inserted into its hollow portion. The rotor core 110 is, for example, constructed from a laminate of electromagnetic steel sheets.

[0028] The rotary motor is, for example, an embedded magnet type (IPM) rotary motor in which a permanent magnet 85 is embedded in the rotor core 110. A plurality of slots 112 are formed in the rotor core 110 along the circumference, and the slots 112 are magnet insertion holes that are perforated along the central axis C1.

[0029] The slot 112 is, for example, formed as an elongated hole shape with the radial direction of the rotor core 110 as the minor dimension and the circumferential direction of the rotor core 110 as the major dimension. More specifically, see reference... Figure 2 The groove 112 is configured to include: a rectangular portion 114, which is an opening in a rectangle with a circumferential length; and protruding recessed portions 116A and 116B, which protrude from the circumferential sides of the rectangular portion 114.

[0030] As described later, during the alignment of the guide device 10 and the slot 112, the central axis C3 of the slot 112 is aligned with the central axis C2 of the guide device 10. The central axis C3 of the slot 112 refers to the line extending along the axial direction of the rotor core 110 from the point where the diagonals of the rectangular portion 114 intersect. Furthermore, as described later, the central axis C2 of the guide device 10 refers to the line extending along the extending direction of the magnet guide hole 33 from the point where the diagonals of the magnet guide hole 33, which is an opening with a rectangular cross-section, intersect.

[0031] A pair of inner wall surfaces 112A and 112B, extending in the longitudinal direction and facing each other, are formed in the slot 112 of the elongated hole shape. A pair of sheet members 80A and 80B are inserted into the slot 112 along the inner wall surfaces 112A and 112B.

[0032] Sheet components 80A and 80B are made of insulating material. Sheet components 80A and 80B are wound into a roll shape, for example, and output to sheet guides 40A and 40B via a feed motor (not shown).

[0033] Sheet components 80A and 80B have the same width as the inner wall surfaces 112A and 112B, and are sandwiched between the permanent magnet 85 and the rotor core 110, thereby suppressing contact and electrical conduction between the two. The permanent magnet 85 and the rotor core 110 become non-contact, thereby suppressing the backflow of eddy currents generated from the permanent magnet 85 to the rotor core 110.

[0034] In addition, the sheet components 80A and 80B not only have the function of insulating the permanent magnet 85 from the rotor core 110, but also have the function of serving as an adhesive for fixing the permanent magnet 85 to the rotor core 110 and further cooling the permanent magnet 85.

[0035] For example, sheet components 80A and 80B are made of foamed material. For example, the rotor core 110, with the permanent magnet 85 and sheet components 80A and 80B inserted into the groove 112, is subjected to heat treatment. For example, the rotor core 110 is placed in a heating furnace for heating. Through this heat treatment, the sheet components 80A and 80B foam and expand. Due to the expansion of the sheet components 80A and 80B, the permanent magnet 85 is fixed to the rotor core 110.

[0036] Furthermore, during the foaming of sheet components 80A and 80B, the individual bubbles connect to form a continuous bubble, thereby creating flow paths in sheet components 80A and 80B. Air and coolant flow through these flow paths, thereby cooling the permanent magnet 85.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 The permanent magnet 85 is made of rare earth magnets such as neodymium. The permanent magnet 85 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate, and is formed to be one size smaller than the slot 112. By doing so, a gap is formed between the permanent magnet 85 and the slot 112, allowing the sheet members 80A and 80B to be inserted.

[0038] <Composition of the Guiding Device>

[0039] The guiding device 10 (rotor manufacturing device) is a jig (auxiliary tool) for inserting a pair of sheet components 80A, 80B and a permanent magnet 85 into the slot 112. Figure 3 The diagram shows a single perspective view of the guide device 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 The example shown is a front view (Y-axis view) of the guide device 10. Furthermore, in... Figure 5 Examples are shown in the text. Figure 3 A three-dimensional sectional view of section AA, in Figure 6 The example shown is an AA sectional view (front view sectional view).

[0040] It should be noted that, in Figure 3 - Figure 6 The diagram shows the mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The Z-axis is the longitudinal axis of the guide device 10, and is parallel to the central axis C2 of the guide device 10. The positive direction of the Z-axis is called the upper side, and the negative direction is called the lower side.

[0041] The Y-axis is the main viewing axis with the side surfaces of the sheet guides 40A and 40B as the primary surfaces, and is, for example, parallel to the width direction of the retainer plates 22A and 22B. The X-axis is an axis that intersects the Y-axis and Z-axis perpendicularly, and is, for example, parallel to the thickness direction of the retainer plates 22A and 22B.

[0042] The guiding device 10 includes a pair of sheet guides 40A and 40B for feeding sheet components 80A and 80B into the groove 112. Furthermore, the guiding device 10 includes a retainer 20 for feeding a permanent magnet 85 into the groove 112. That is, the guiding device 10 separately includes feeding units for sheet components 80A and 80B and a feeding unit for the permanent magnet 85.

[0043] Furthermore, the guiding device 10 includes an arm 12 that supports the sheet guides 40A and 40B and the retainer 20 (see reference). Figure 3 Arm 12 is connected to a three-axis stage (not shown), actuators, and other drive mechanisms. Thus, the guide device 10 can move three-dimensionally relative to the rotor core 110.

[0044] The sheet guides 40A and 40B have a linearly symmetrical structure when viewed from the main view (Y-axis view). The axis of symmetry of the sheet guides 40A and 40B is the same as that of the magnet guide hole 33 and the magnet outlet 35 (see reference). Figure 6 The central axis C2 of the axis of symmetry is consistent at least under the main view (Y-axis view). It should be noted that even if there is a slight positional deviation between the axis of symmetry and the central axis C2, it is considered to be substantially consistent as long as the deviation is within the specified tolerance.

[0045] Furthermore, the construction of the sheet guide 40A will be described below, but due to the symmetry of the construction, by changing the suffix "A" at the end of the reference numerals to "B", the following description will become the construction description of the sheet guide 40B.

[0046] Reference Figure 3 The sheet guide 40A includes a guide arm 42A, a guide plate 52A, and a sheet protection plate 50A. The guide arm 42A is a roughly L-shaped component when viewed from the main view (Y-axis view), and a flange 43A is provided at the upper end of the guide arm 42A. The flange 43A is fixed to the retainer plate 22A by bolts / nuts, welding, or other means.

[0047] An upper arm portion 44A extends from the lower end of the flange 43A at an angle relative to the flange 43A. The upper arm portion 44A extends obliquely outward from its upper end toward its lower end, away from the central axis C2. Furthermore, a lower arm portion 45A extends from the lower end of the upper arm portion 44A. The lower arm portion 45A extends obliquely inward from its upper end toward its lower end, toward the central axis C2.

[0048] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 5 A sheet inlet / outlet 46A with a perforation in the thickness direction is formed on the lower side of the upper arm 44A and in the central portion of the width direction. (As described later) Figure 7 In this way, the sheet component 80A is fed into the sheet inlet / outlet 46A.

[0049] Guide plates 52A are provided near the folded-back portions of the upper arm 44A and the lower arm 45A. If the sheet member 80A is fed in the direction of feed, the downstream end of the guide plate 52A is fixed to the guide arm 42A by bolts / nuts, welding, or the like.

[0050] Furthermore, a sheet protection plate 50A is mounted on the lower end of the lower arm portion 45A. For example, the sheet protection plate 50A is fixed to the upper surface of the lower arm portion 45A. For example, the two ends of the sheet protection plate 50A in the width direction (Y-axis direction) are fixed to the lower arm portion 45A by bolts / nuts, welding, etc.

[0051] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As illustrated in the example, the central portion of the sheet protective plate 50A in the width direction is thinner than the two end portions of the sheet protective plate 50A. This construction creates a gap between the lower arm portion 45A and the lower surface of the sheet protective plate 50A. This gap becomes the sheet guide hole 54A.

[0052] That is to say, such as Figure 7 As illustrated in the example, the sheet member 80A is fed from the guide plate 52A to the lower arm 45A, and then passes through the sheet guide hole 54A and is fed into the slot 112 of the rotor core 110.

[0053] A sheet guide hole 54A is provided at the downstream end of the sheet guide 40A, and the top of the sheet guide hole 54A is covered by a sheet protection plate 50A, thereby inhibiting contact between the retaining plate 30A, which is positioned directly above the sheet protection plate 50A, and the sheet member 80A. As will be described later, when the permanent magnet 85 is inserted into the slot 112, the retaining plate 30A flexes outward away from the central axis C2. At this time, even if the amount of flexing is large, the contact between the retaining plate 30A and the sheet member 80A is inhibited because the sheet protection plate 50A blocks the retaining plate 30A.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 The retainer 20 temporarily holds the permanent magnet 85 and delivers it from the upper groove 112. The retainer 20 is located between a pair of sheet guides 40A and 40B. (Refer to...) Figure 2 , Figure 3 The retainer 20 includes retainer plates 22A and 22B, and spacers 24A and 24B (see reference). Figure 2 ), retaining plates 30A, 30B and pusher 60 as force applicator (see reference) Figure 1 ).

[0055] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 4 The retainer plates 22A and 22B are flat plate components and are separated from each other in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) by spacers 24A and 24B. The spacers 24A and 24B are located at both ends of the retainer plates 22A and 22B in the width direction.

[0056] Retainer plates 22A, 22B and spacers 24A, 24B form an opening with a rectangular cross-section. This opening becomes a magnet guide hole 33. The magnet guide hole 33 is, for example, the same shape as the rectangular portion 114 of the slot 112, or is specified to be a smaller size. For example, the magnet guide hole 33 is formed with a cross-sectional shape that is offset from the center side by about 0.5 mm compared to the rectangular portion 114.

[0057] The central axis C2 of the magnet guide hole 33 is an axis extending along the extension direction of the magnet guide hole 33 from the point where the diagonals of the cross-sectional rectangular magnet guide hole 33 intersect. This central axis C2 coincides with the axis of symmetry of the pair of sheet guides 40A and 40B under the main view (Y-axis view).

[0058] In addition, refer to Figure 6 Conical surfaces 23A and 23B are formed on the upper inner surfaces of the retainer plates 22A and 22B. Conical surfaces 23A and 23B are enlarged portions located at the entrance end of the magnet guide hole 33, and are formed such that the cross-sectional opening of the magnet guide hole 33 widens from bottom to top. When the permanent magnet 85 is inserted into the magnet guide hole 33, the permanent magnet 85 is guided and aligned simultaneously by the conical surfaces 23A and 23B.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 After the sheet members 80A and 80B are inserted into the slot 112, the pusher 60 (force applicator) applies a downward force to the permanent magnet 85 against the clamping force of the retaining plates 30A and 30B. The pusher 60 (force applicator) includes a push plate 62 and an actuator 64. The cross-sectional shape of the push plate 62 is approximately the same as that of the permanent magnet 85, and the push plate 62 can be inserted into the magnet guide hole 33.

[0060] Actuator 64 is located at magnet guide hole 33 (see reference) Figure 2 Above the magnet guide hole 33, the push plate 62 moves forward and backward (up and down) along the central axis C2.

[0061] In addition, for example, the pusher 60 may be provided with a moving mechanism that moves the pusher 60 from the central axis C2 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, so that when the permanent magnet 85 is loaded into the magnet guide hole 33, the pusher 60 will not block the movement path during the loading.

[0062] A pair of retaining plates 30A and 30B are provided at the lower end of retaining plates 22A and 22B. The retaining plates 30A and 30B extend further downward than the lower end of retaining plates 22A and 22B. More specifically, the retaining plates 30A and 30B are inclined inward from the lower end of retaining plates 22A and 22B toward the central axis C2.

[0063] In addition, such as Figure 7 As illustrated in the example, the gap between the lower ends of the pair of retaining plates 30A and 30B forms a magnet outlet 35 for the permanent magnet 85 to be delivered. (See reference...) Figure 4 , Figure 7 The tilt angle and length of the retaining plates 30A and 30B are specified such that the separation distance W2 of the magnet outlet 35 in the unloaded state when no load is applied to the retaining plates 30A and 30B is less than the thickness W1 of the permanent magnet 85. In this way, the separation distance of the magnet outlet 35 is smaller than the thickness of the permanent magnet 85, thereby enabling the permanent magnet 85 to be retained by the retaining plates 30A and 30B.

[0064] The retaining plates 30A and 30B are thin plates made of metal materials such as aluminum and function as spring plates. As described later, the pair of retaining plates 30A and 30B catch the permanent magnet 85 when it is inserted into the magnet guide hole 33 and descends. That is, the retaining plates 30A and 30B have an elastic force that can resist the weight of the permanent magnet 85 and hold (retain) it.

[0065] Moreover, such as Figure 8 As illustrated in the example, when the push plate 62 applies a downward force to the permanent magnet 85 against the clamping force of the retaining plates 30A and 30B, the retaining plates 30A and 30B flex away from the central axis C2. As a result, the permanent magnet 85 exits from the magnet outlet 35 (see reference 30A). Figure 7 It descends and is inserted into the slot 112 of the rotor core 110.

[0066] It should be noted that the spring constants of retaining plates 30A and 30B are configured to be equal, so that when the permanent magnet 85 is inserted into the slot 112, centering can be achieved to align the permanent magnet 85 with the central axis C2. For example, the width and thickness of retaining plates 30A and 30B are set to be the same. Furthermore, refer to... Figure 4The extension lengths L1 and L2 of retainer plates 30A and 30B from retainer plates 22A and 22B are configured to be the same length. It should be noted that, with regard to these dimensions, differences that fall within the specified tolerances are considered to be included in the same range.

[0067] <Installation process of sheet components and permanent magnets>

[0068] exist Figure 7 , Figure 8 The example illustrates the insertion process of sheet members 80A and 80B and permanent magnet 85 of the guide device 10 of this embodiment into the slot 112 of the rotor core 110.

[0069] During the insertion process, with the central axis C1 of the rotor core 110 (refer to...) Figure 1 With the rotor core 110 positioned vertically, sheet members 80A and 80B and a permanent magnet 85 are inserted into the slot 112. Furthermore, the rotor core 110 is secured by a fixing plate (not shown).

[0070] The guide device 10 inserts the sheet components 80A, 80B and the permanent magnet 85 into the slot 112 from above the rotor core 110. Here, the position of the guide device 10 is controlled by a camera and sensor mechanism (not shown), so that the central axis C2 of the magnet guide hole 33 (see reference) Figure 2 It is aligned with the central axis C3 of groove 112.

[0071] As described above, since the axis of symmetry of the sheet guides 40A and 40B coincides with the central axis C2 of the magnet guide hole 33, the sheet guides 40A and 40B are also aligned with the groove 112 by aligning the magnet guide hole 33 with the groove 112. That is, when the central axis C2 of the magnet guide hole 33 coincides with the central axis C3 of the groove 112, the sheet guides 40A and 40B are disposed above the inner wall surfaces 112A and 112B of the groove 112.

[0072] After the aforementioned positioning, sheet components 80A and 80B are fed to sheet guides 40A and 40B via a motor mechanism (not shown) or a reel (not shown). Furthermore, a permanent magnet 85 is inserted into the magnet guide hole 33 via manual operation, a robot, or the like. The permanent magnet 85 inserted into the magnet guide hole 33 is held by holding plates 30A and 30B, and descent into the slot 112 is stopped.

[0073] Sheet components 80A and 80B are further fed into groove 112 via a motor mechanism (not shown). When a sensor such as a camera detects that the lower ends of sheet components 80A and 80B have reached the lower end of groove 112, the pusher 60 (see reference)... Figure 1The actuator 64 drives the push plate 62 downward.

[0074] When the downward-extended push plate 62 comes into contact with the upper end of the permanent magnet 85, as Figure 8 In that case, push plate 62 applies force directly downwards to permanent magnet 85. The result is that... Figure 8 In this way, the retaining plates 30A and 30B flex (expand) in a direction away from the central axis C2. Here, the retaining plates 30A and 30B press the permanent magnet 85 from the side by their restoring force. By pressing (clamping) from the side in this way, the descent speed of the permanent magnet 85 is suppressed, so that the permanent magnet 85 can descend together with the descent speed of the push plate 62.

[0075] Furthermore, the permanent magnet 85 is aligned (centered) by retaining plates 30A and 30B. As described above, the spring constants of retaining plates 30A and 30B are configured to be equal, thus the central axis of the permanent magnet 85 is maintained at the magnet guide hole 33 and the magnet outlet 35 (see reference). Figure 6 The central axis C2 of the permanent magnet 85 is centered in this way, and the displacement of the permanent magnet 85 relative to the slot 112 is suppressed.

[0076] Furthermore, when the permanent magnet 85 is fully contained within the slot 112, the portions of the sheet members 80A and 80B extending from the slot are cut off by a cutter (not shown). Afterward, the guide device 10 is moved to the empty slot 112 where the sheet members 80A and 80B and the permanent magnet 85 are not inserted.

[0077] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all variations and modifications without departing from the technical scope or essence of this disclosure as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A rotor manufacturing apparatus that inserts a sheet member and a permanent magnet into a slot of a rotor core that is a long hole shape with a pair of opposing inner wall surfaces and that is axially perforated, wherein the sheet member and the permanent magnet are inserted in a state in which the rotor core is disposed with an axis of the rotor core oriented in a vertical direction, the rotor manufacturing apparatus includes: a pair of sheet guides disposed in opposition above each of the pair of inner wall surfaces of the slot to feed the sheet member into the slot; and a holder provided between the pair of sheet guides and having a magnet feedout that feeds the permanent magnet out of the slot in an upward direction of the slot, the pair of sheet guides are linearly symmetrical in a front view in which a side surface of the sheet guide is a main surface, an axis of symmetry of the pair of sheet guides coincides with a central axis of the magnet feedout in the front view, a pair of holding plates that hold the permanent magnet against a weight of the permanent magnet are provided at the magnet feedout, the pair of holding plates are deflected away from the axis of symmetry when the permanent magnet is inserted into the slot, each of the sheet guides includes an arm and a protection plate, the arm is disposed extending toward a lower oblique direction of the axis of symmetry, an upper surface of the arm is a guide surface through which the sheet member passes, and the protection plate is disposed in a gap with respect to the upper surface of the arm.

2. The rotor manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein spring constants of the pair of holding plates are equal.

3. The rotor manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holder is provided with an applicator that applies a force to the permanent magnet in a downward direction against a holding force of the pair of holding plates after the sheet member is inserted into the slot. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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