Low-abrasion and low-heating armature connection structure, engine and vehicle

By installing spherical connecting balls between the armature shaft and the planetary carrier, the problems of gasket wear and overheating in natural gas engines are solved, and the reliability of the starter is improved.

CN121643341APending Publication Date: 2026-03-10DONGFENG AUTOMOBILE ELECTRONICS
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-11-27
Publication Date
2026-03-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In a natural gas engine, the planetary carrier and the armature assembly abut against each other via the end face of a gasket. Axial movement can easily cause wear on the gasket, which in turn causes wear and heat generation in the rotor and reducer, affecting the reliability of the starter.

Method used

Connecting balls are installed between the armature shaft and the planetary carrier, and point contact is achieved through the spherical structure, reducing wear and heat generation.

Benefits of technology

By using point contact connecting the balls, wear and heat generation between the armature shaft and the planetary carrier are reduced, thus improving the reliability of the starter motor.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a low-abrasion low-heating armature connecting structure, an engine and a vehicle, and the low-abrasion low-heating armature connecting structure comprises a first clamping station which is used for being arranged at the end, facing an armature shaft, of a planet carrier and is coaxially arranged with the planet carrier, and a second clamping station which is used for being arranged at the end, facing the armature shaft, of the planet carrier; the second clamping station is used for being arranged at the end, facing the planet carrier, of the armature shaft, the second clamping station and the armature shaft are coaxially arranged, and the second clamping station and the first clamping station are axially communicated to form a containing space; and the connecting ball is arranged in the accommodating space and at least abuts against one end of the first clamping station and one end of the second clamping station. The technical problems that in the prior art, a planet carrier abuts against an armature assembly through the end face of a gasket, the gasket is prone to being abraded in the axial movement process, a rotor and a speed reducer are abraded and heated, and the reliability of a starter is seriously affected can be solved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle starters, and in particular to a low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure, an engine, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The starter motor, a key component of the engine, is responsible for converting electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy. It mainly consists of a DC motor, a transmission mechanism, and a control unit. When the driver turns the key to start the vehicle, the control unit connects the circuit between the battery and the starter motor. A strong current flows into the DC motor, and the motor's rotor rotates at high speed under the action of electromagnetic force. Through the transmission mechanism, the rotor's rotational force is transmitted to the engine's flywheel, driving the crankshaft to rotate and putting the engine into starting mode.

[0003] With increasing demands for energy conservation and environmental protection, natural gas engines are gradually becoming an ideal choice for commercial vehicles. Natural gas engines use compression ignition for starting, resulting in a 0.5 to 1 second dead-end time during startup, with a starting time of approximately 2 seconds, longer than diesel engines. Furthermore, the planetary carrier of the reducer assembly in a natural gas starter has shims designed under the bearings to ensure a certain axial clearance after the bearings are press-fitted. After assembly, the shims on the planetary carrier and the armature assembly have end-face contact. As the armature assembly rotates, it experiences axial movement due to the magnetic field. Friction between the shims and the armature assembly generates heat, leading to wear and deformation. Worn shims result in significant axial movement, causing wear and heat in the rotor and reducer, severely impacting the starter's reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure, engine, and vehicle to solve the technical problem in the related art where the planetary carrier and armature assembly abut against each other through the end face of the gasket. When axial movement occurs, the gasket is easily worn, causing wear and heat generation in the rotor and reducer, which seriously affects the reliability of the starter.

[0005] In a first aspect, a low-wear, low-heat-generating armature connection structure is provided, comprising: The first snap-fit ​​station is set at the end of the planet carrier facing the armature shaft and is coaxially set with the planet carrier. The second snap-fit ​​station is set at the end of the armature shaft facing the planetary carrier and is coaxially arranged with the armature shaft. The second snap-fit ​​station and the first snap-fit ​​station are axially connected to form a receiving space. In addition, a connecting ball is disposed within the receiving space and abuts against at least one end of the first snap-fit ​​station and the second snap-fit ​​station.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​station includes a first groove formed on one end of the planetary carrier facing the armature shaft, and the first groove is arranged in an arc shape.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the second snap-fit ​​station includes a second groove formed on the end of the armature shaft facing the planetary carrier, and the second groove is arranged in an arc shape.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the surface of the connecting ball is smooth.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the coefficient of friction of the connecting ball surface is less than 0.1.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the connecting ball is made of a rigid material.

[0011] Secondly, an engine is provided, characterized in that it comprises: The armature connection structure with low wear and low heat generation described in any of the above.

[0012] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one embodiment, an armature assembly includes an armature shaft, wherein the first snap-fit ​​station is disposed on its end face along the axial direction of the armature shaft; The reducer assembly includes a planetary carrier connected to the armature shaft and rotating synchronously with the armature shaft. A second snap-fit ​​station is provided on one end of the planetary carrier facing the armature shaft. The second snap-fit ​​station and the first snap-fit ​​station are axially connected to form a receiving space. The connecting ball is provided in the receiving space.

[0013] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one embodiment, the armature shaft and the planetary carrier are connected by a spline.

[0014] Thirdly, a vehicle is provided, characterized in that it comprises: An engine as described in any of the above.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include: by connecting the ball bearing between the armature shaft and the planetary carrier, the connection between the electric drive shaft and the planetary carrier is changed from end face contact to point contact with the ball bearing. When the engine undergoes axial movement, the ball bearing has a spherical structure, which reduces the wear during the contact process. Under the premise of keeping the axial clearance of the motor unchanged, the heat generated by wear during axial movement is reduced.

[0016] This application provides a low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure, engine, and vehicle. By achieving point contact between the connecting balls and the electric drive shaft and planetary carrier, wear during axial movement is reduced. Therefore, it solves the technical problem in related technologies where the planetary carrier and armature assembly abut against each other through the end face of the gasket, which easily leads to gasket wear during axial movement, causing wear and heat generation in the rotor and reducer, seriously affecting the reliability of the starter. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of an engine equipped with a low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure. In the diagram: 1. Planetary carrier; 2. Armature shaft; 3. Connecting ball bearings; 4. Armature assembly; 5. Reducer assembly; 6. Commutator. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] This application provides a low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure, engine, and vehicle, which can solve the technical problem in the related art where the planetary carrier and the armature assembly abut against each other through the end face of the gasket. When axial movement occurs, the gasket is easily worn, causing wear and heat generation in the rotor and reducer, which seriously affects the reliability of the starter.

[0021] For ease of understanding, this application embodiment is described with an armature connection structure of low wear and low heat generation already installed on an engine. An engine includes an armature assembly 4 and a reduction gear assembly 5. The armature assembly 4 includes an armature shaft 2, and the reduction gear assembly 5 includes a planet carrier 1. The planet carrier 1 is connected to the armature shaft 2 to rotate synchronously with the armature shaft 2. There is an axial gap between the planet carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2, and the armature assembly 4 is subjected to magnetic force when rotating. Therefore, during vehicle operation, there will be relative axial movement between the planet carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2.

[0022] A low-wear, low-heat-generating armature connection structure is located between the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1. It includes a first engagement station, a second engagement station, and a connecting ball 3. The first engagement station is located on the end face of the planetary carrier 1 facing the armature shaft 2 and is coaxially arranged with the planetary carrier 1. The second engagement station is located at the end of the armature shaft 2 facing the planetary carrier 1 and is coaxially arranged with the armature shaft 2. The first and second engagement stations are axially connected to form a receiving space. The connecting ball 3 is disposed within the receiving space and abuts against at least one end of the first and second engagement stations. When axial movement occurs between the planetary carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2, the planetary carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2 will move in opposite directions. Due to the presence of the connecting ball 3, when the end faces of the planetary carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2 abut, the connecting ball 3 will abut against both the first and second engagement stations simultaneously, thereby preventing relative axial movement between the planetary carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2. Furthermore, since the connecting ball 3 is a sphere, it makes point contact when it abuts against the first or second snap-fit ​​station, thereby reducing the wear and heat generated during friction. Therefore, it solves the technical problem in the related technology where the planetary carrier 1 abuts against the armature assembly 4 through the end face of the gasket, which easily leads to gasket wear when axial movement occurs, causing wear and heat generation in the rotor and reducer, seriously affecting the reliability of the starter.

[0023] More specifically, in one embodiment of this application, the first engagement station includes a first groove on the end of the planetary carrier 1 facing the armature shaft 2, and the first groove is arc-shaped. Due to the arc shape, the connecting ball 3 can slide along the arc-shaped wall when it abuts against the groove wall of the first groove. This provides the connecting ball 3 with an engagement station while also providing more movement space for the connecting ball 3. When the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1 move axially relative to each other at their end faces, the connecting ball 3 can rigidly abut against the movement, thereby reducing the possibility of collision between the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1. Conversely, the second engagement station can be a regular groove for the connecting ball 3 to be inserted, or it can be an arc groove adapted to the curvature of the connecting ball 3 surface to fit the connecting ball 3.

[0024] In one embodiment of this application, the second engagement station includes a second groove on the end of the armature shaft 2 facing the planetary carrier 1. The second groove is also arc-shaped, and its opening faces the opening of the first groove, allowing them to communicate and form a receiving space. This allows the connecting ball 3 to engage within the receiving space. The connecting ball 3 simultaneously abuts against the walls of both the first and second grooves. Due to the arc-shaped design of the first and second grooves, it can slide vertically within the receiving space. Furthermore, the arc-shaped design allows the connecting ball 3 to slide along the arc-shaped walls when abutting against the walls of the first and second grooves. This provides both an engagement station and more movement space for the connecting ball 3, ensuring that when the armature shaft 2 and planetary carrier 1 experience relative axial movement at their end faces, the connecting ball 3 can continuously and rigidly abut against this movement, thereby reducing the likelihood of collision between the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1. In other embodiments, the second snap-fit ​​station can be set as an arc-shaped groove, while the first snap-fit ​​station can be set as a regular groove. The specific shape settings can be flexibly changed according to the actual working conditions and processing conditions.

[0025] Furthermore, to further reduce the frictional force generated when the connecting ball 3 slides relative to the first and second engagement stations, the surface of the connecting ball 3 is smooth to reduce the frictional force generated on the surface of the connecting ball 3. Specifically, in one embodiment of this application, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the connecting ball 3 is less than 0.1. More specifically, the surface treatment process used on the surface of the connecting ball 3, through nano-level polishing and low-friction coating technology, achieves surface smoothness of the connecting ball 3 under the microstructure, thereby significantly weakening the intermolecular forces and micro-protrusion interference between the contact surfaces. Therefore, it not only effectively suppresses the energy loss and heat accumulation generated when the ball abuts against the first and second engagement stations, but also optimizes the transient response characteristics of power transmission. At the same time, the smooth surface of the connecting ball 3 also avoids the local stress concentration and early wear problems that are easily caused by traditional rough surfaces, greatly improving the long-term reliability and service life of the connecting ball 3, and ensuring the efficient, low-noise and high-precision operation of the overall mechanical system.

[0026] Furthermore, during axial movement, the connecting ball 3 is continuously subjected to impact forces. Therefore, to enhance the structural strength of the connecting ball 3 and slow down its wear rate after being subjected to impact forces, the connecting ball 3 is specifically made of a rigid material, thereby improving its own strength. In practical applications, common material choices include high-carbon chromium bearing steel, silicon nitride ceramics, and quenched alloy steel. High-carbon chromium bearing steel, with its excellent microstructure uniformity and fatigue resistance, can effectively disperse impact stress and resist surface spalling, significantly improving the stability of the connecting ball 3 under dynamic loads. Silicon nitride ceramics, through the synergistic effect of high hardness and low density, significantly reduce inertial impact and frictional losses during operation, while avoiding performance degradation of metal materials in high-temperature or corrosive environments. Quenched alloy steel, through excellent heat treatment processes, achieves a perfect balance between surface hardness and core toughness, ensuring the structural integrity of the connecting ball 3 under heavy loads and high-frequency vibration conditions, thereby effectively inhibiting wear propagation and extending the service life of the connecting ball 3, ultimately achieving the overall goal of efficient, reliable, and low-maintenance operation of the armature connection structure.

[0027] Furthermore, to facilitate the synchronous rotation of the planetary carrier 1 and the armature shaft 2, the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1 are connected by a spline. During the initial machining process, intermeshing splines are machined on the mating holes of the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1, and torque is transmitted through the sides of the spline teeth. This spline connection allows for a small amount of axial movement between the armature shaft 2 and the planetary carrier 1 while transmitting a large torque, resulting in high load-bearing capacity, high alignment accuracy, reliable connection, and good resistance to impact and vibration.

[0028] Based on the low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure and engine provided in this application, this application also provides a vehicle equipped with the aforementioned low-wear, low-heat armature connection structure and engine.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0031] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A low-wear, low-heat-generating armature connection structure, characterized in that, It comprises: The first clamping station is arranged at one end of the planet carrier (1) towards the armature shaft (2) and coaxially arranged with the planet carrier (1); The second clamping station is arranged at one end of the armature shaft (2) towards the planet carrier (1) and coaxially arranged with the armature shaft (2), and the second clamping station is in axial communication with the first clamping station to form a containing space; And the connecting ball (3) is arranged in the containing space and abuts against at least one end of the first clamping station and the second clamping station.

2. The low-wear and low-heat armature connecting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first clamping station comprises a first groove arranged on one end of the planet carrier (1) towards the armature shaft (2), and the first groove is arranged in a circular arc shape.

3. The low-wear and low-heat armature connecting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second clamping station comprises a second groove arranged on one end of the armature shaft (2) towards the planet carrier (1), and the second groove is arranged in a circular arc shape.

4. The low-wear and low-heat armature connecting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the connecting ball (3) is arranged in a smooth manner.

5. The low-wear and low-heat armature connecting structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The friction coefficient of the surface of the connecting ball (3) is less than 0.

1.

6. The low-wear and low-heat armature connecting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting ball (3) is made of a rigid material.

7. An engine characterized by, It comprises: The low-wear and low-heat armature connecting structure according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. An engine as claimed in claim 7, wherein It comprises: The armature assembly (4) comprises an armature shaft (2), and the first clamping station is arranged on the end face of the armature shaft (2) in an axial direction; The reducer assembly (5) comprises a planet carrier (1) connected with the armature shaft (2) and rotating synchronously with the armature shaft (2), one end of the planet carrier (1) towards the armature shaft (2) is provided with a second clamping station, the second clamping station is in axial communication with the first clamping station to form a containing space, and the containing space is provided with the connecting ball (3).

9. The engine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The armature shaft (2) and the planet carrier (1) are connected through spline connection.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: It comprises: The engine according to any one of claims 7-9.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Axial rotor limit structure of reduction starter

    CN201750279U

  • Coaxial type starter device

    US4923229A