Device for manufacturing a slotted tube for an electric machine

Abstract

Device (1) for manufacturing a canned tube (2) for an electric machine, in particular an electric machine of a motor vehicle, comprising a stator base body and a canned tube (2) arranged in an assembled state in a base body opening of the stator base body, the canned tube separating a rotor space from a stator space, wherein the device (1) has at least one receiving core (3) which is configured to receive at least one structural layer (4) of the canned tube (2) on a receiving surface of the receiving core (3), wherein a demolding device (14) is configured to exert a demolding force, in particular directed against an inner side of the structural layer (4), on the at least one structural layer (4) hardened on the receiving core (3) in order to demold the at least one hardened structural layer (4) from the receiving core (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a can for an electrical machine, in particular an electrical machine of a motor vehicle, comprising a stator base body and a can arranged in a base body opening of the stator base body in an assembled state and delimiting a rotor space from a stator space, wherein the device has at least one receiving core which is designed to receive at least one structural layer of the can on a receiving surface of the receiving core.

[0002] Cans for electrical machines, particularly for motor vehicles, and devices for producing such cans are generally known from the prior art. Typically, such a can is manufactured using a so-called RTM process ("resin transfer molding"), in which a structural layer comprising a fiber material, for example, glass fibers, textile fibers, or the like, is wound onto a receiving core, for example, a metal cylinder. In the wound state, the structural layer is impregnated with a matrix material, for example, a resin, and then cured.

[0003] Following the described process, the manufactured can must be demolded from the receiving core. Demolding problems can arise during this process because, due to the geometry of the can, the receiving core typically cannot provide any structures to support demolding. In particular, draft angles and the like cannot be provided, as these would impair the geometry of the can and thus the air gap realized within the electrical machine in the assembled state. Demolding the can from the receiving core is therefore complex, as damage to the can, for example, due to breakage or fiber displacement, must be prevented.If a structural layer designed as a preform or a structural layer having a preform is used to produce the can, a demoulding process is also necessary to produce the preform, which is also subject to demoulding problems.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved device for producing a can for an electrical machine, in which in particular the demoulding of the produced can is improved.

[0005] The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0006] As described, the invention relates to a device for producing a can for an electrical machine, in particular an electrical machine of a motor vehicle, comprising a stator base body and a can which, in an assembled state, is arranged in a base body opening of the stator base body and delimits a rotor chamber from a stator chamber. The device has at least one receiving core which is designed to receive at least one structural layer of the can on a receiving surface of the receiving core. The device described herein comprises, for example, devices which are required to apply the structural layer to the receiving core, for example to place it on, wind it up or roll it up, for example to subsequently feed the structural layer provided on the receiving core to a further process step.In the at least one further process step, the structural layer can be impregnated with the matrix material and subsequently cured. The device can also comprise the corresponding devices for such process steps, for example, a tempering device, an injection device, and the like.

[0007] The invention is based on the finding that the device has a demolding device designed to exert a demolding force, directed in particular against an inner side of the structural layer, on the at least one structural layer cured on the receiving core in order to demold the at least one cured structural layer from the receiving core. The described demolding device is thus used to exert a demolding force against the inner side of the structural layer after the structural layer has cured. The demolding force allows the structural layer to be lifted from the outer surface or the receiving surface of the receiving core and thus to be demolded from the receiving core more easily. This makes it possible to avoid or completely prevent damage to the structural layer or the produced can during demolding.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the device, it can be provided that the demolding device has at least one demolding element which is movable in at least two positions in the radial direction relative to the receiving core, wherein the at least one demolding element is arranged in at least one position at least partially, in particular flush, in a demolding opening in the receiving surface. For example, the receiving core can be hollow, specifically as a hollow cylinder. The receiving surface of the receiving core can be the lateral surface of the cylinder, i.e. the outer surface of the receiving core. The structural layer is arranged on the receiving surface, for example in order to subsequently be impregnated with a matrix material and cured. The wall of the receiving core has at least one demolding opening, for example a hole or bore, through which the at least one demolding element can extend in the radial direction.can be moved into the demolding opening. The demolding element can be designed, for example, as a stamp or pin, i.e. generally as a rod-like element, and can be arranged, for example, with spring support at the demolding opening.

[0009] The demoulding element can be arranged in a position in the demoulding opening such that the demoulding opening is closed by the demoulding element and a free end of the demoulding element is flush with the edge of the demoulding opening, i.e. the receiving surface is closed off by the demoulding element such that the structural layer can be placed homogeneously on the receiving core. This also ensures that when the structural layer is impregnated with the matrix material, no matrix material can penetrate into the interior of the receiving core. For example, the demoulding element can be dimensioned such that when a stop of the demoulding element rests on the inner surface of the receiving core, the free end of the demoulding element is received in the demoulding opening such that it is flush with the receiving surface.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the device, it can be provided that the demolding device has a central unit which can be selectively connected to the receiving core and which can be introduced into the hollow receiving core, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the receiving core, wherein the central unit has at least one actuating section designed to actuate the at least one demolding element. In other words, the device can be designed in at least two parts, wherein the receiving core can be selectively connected to or separated from the central unit. The receiving core can, as described, be hollow, so that the central unit can be introduced into the receiving core, for example along the longitudinal axis of the receiving core. The central unit has, for example, a shaft on which the actuating section is arranged, which actuating section can thus engage or detach from the demolding element.can be brought into contact so that the actuating section can move the demolding element. If the actuating section is fully engaged or in contact with the demolding element, the demolding element can be moved into the demolding opening to close the demolding opening, in particular flush.

[0011] The device can be further developed such that the at least one actuating section of the demolding device has a second actuating surface corresponding to a first actuating surface of the at least one demolding element, wherein the actuating section is movable between an unactuated position of the at least one demolding element and an actuated position of the at least one demolding element. In principle, any actuating sections with any actuating surfaces can be provided on the central unit. The terms "first" and "second" are freely changeable and interchangeable.

[0012] The central unit of the demolding device can therefore be inserted into the hollow receiving core, wherein the central unit and the receiving core can be moved relative to one another such that the actuating section is moved from the unactuated position to the actuated position. Upon transition to the actuated position, the at least one demolding element is moved (further) into the demolding opening so that it can be closed, in particular flush. In addition, the demolding element can protrude into the demolding opening as far as desired, for example, even in the unactuated state or the unactuated position, it can be at least partially accommodated in the demolding opening or, alternatively, it can be completely removed from the demolding opening.

[0013] Furthermore, in addition to the actuated position of the demolding element, in which it preferably completely closes the demolding opening, a further position can also be provided in which the demolding element projects radially beyond the demolding opening and beyond the receiving surface. This allows the cured structural layer to be mechanically detached from the receiving surface "from the inside," thus assisting demolding. In other words, the previously described demolding force can be applied directly via the at least one demolding element.

[0014] The actuating section, in particular the actuating surface of the actuating section, can be designed as a slope or as a conical geometry. When the central unit is inserted into the hollow receiving core, a coupling is thus established between the actuating surfaces, whereby the actuating surfaces can slide along one another as the central unit is further inserted into the receiving core, and the demolding element can thus be moved radially outward. The demolding device can have at least two demolding elements in different circumferential positions and / or axial positions. As described, the demolding elements are arranged on the receiving core in such a way that, when moved into the actuated position, they can be moved into the associated demolding openings in order to close them.

[0015] By providing multiple demolding elements in multiple demolding openings, demolding of the cured structural layer can be further improved, since the structural layer can be detached from the receiving core or from the receiving surface at multiple locations. For example, multiple demolding elements can be arranged in an axial position relative to the longitudinal axis of the receiving core or the central unit, in particular evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. It is also possible to provide at least two demolding elements at different axial positions, i.e., distributed over the length of the structural layer.

[0016] The different demolding elements arranged in different axial positions can, for example, be arranged in different radial directions in the unactuated state or in the unactuated position. It is also possible to insert the central unit with the actuating section into the receiving core at an angle offset from the actuating surfaces of the demolding elements in the circumferential direction, and to establish the coupling between the actuating surfaces of the demolding elements and the actuating section(s) by rotating the central unit.

[0017] The described device can further be developed such that the at least one demolding element is mechanically or pneumatically movable. In principle, the position of the demolding element can be actively controlled, for example via an actuator. Likewise, as already described, the demolding element can be moved by mechanically coupling the actuating section to the demolding element. In this case, an "over-pressed" position can be set via the previously described actuated position, in which the demolding element is arranged in the demolding opening or is flush with it, in which the demolding element protrudes beyond the outer surface in the radial direction and thus allows the structural layer to be released. It is also possible for the demolding element to be actuated pneumatically.

[0018] The device can further be designed so that the demolding device is configured to apply the demolding force pneumatically or mechanically. As described, by pressing the at least one demolding element, the demolding element projects beyond the receiving surface and thus transfers the demolding force to the cured structural layer. It can also be provided that the at least one demolding element opens the demolding opening so that the demolding force can be applied pneumatically to the cured structural layer via a compressed air system. For this purpose, compressed air can be introduced through the demolding opening between the cured structural layer and the receiving surface in such a way that detachment of the cured structural layer can be assisted.

[0019] The demolding device can be integrated into the receiving core, or it can be provided that the demolding device is designed as a separate assembly. For example, the receiving core can be connected to the demolding device in such a way that the latter is integrated into the receiving core, for example, is firmly connected to it. It can also be provided that the receiving core essentially represents a shell on which different structural layers can be arranged. For example, it is therefore also possible to use only a single receiving core for forming a preform and for carrying out an RTM process. The central unit can be used to carry out the RTM process or for demolding, or different central units can be provided for carrying out the RTM process and for demolding.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention can provide for the demolding device to have two central units, in particular arranged in opposite directions, which are designed for coupling with different receiving cores. In other words, the central units can be arranged "back to back," so that receiving cores can be arranged on them from different directions. This allows two receiving cores to be arranged simultaneously on the duplicate central unit in order to form two cans, in particular simultaneously.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the device, it can be provided that at least one sealing element, in particular a flat seal and / or an O-ring, is formed between a first sealing surface of the central unit and a second sealing surface of the receiving core. The space between the central unit and the receiving core, in particular the gap formed therefrom, is sealed in this embodiment by the sealing element, so that the matrix material can be reliably prevented from penetrating the hollow receiving core. It can further be provided that when the central unit is coupled to the receiving core, an axial force is applied which prestresses the at least one sealing element in the axial direction, for example by closing a locking mechanism.

[0022] In addition to the device, the invention relates to a method for producing a can for an electrical machine, in particular an electrical machine of a motor vehicle, comprising a stator base body and a can which, in an assembled state, is arranged in a base body opening of the stator base body and delimits a rotor space from a stator space, wherein at least one structural layer of the can is received on a receiving surface of a receiving core, wherein a demolding force, directed in particular against an inner side of the structural layer, is exerted on the at least one structural layer cured on the receiving core by means of a demolding device in order to demold the at least one cured structural layer from the receiving core.

[0023] All advantages, details and features described with regard to the device are fully transferable to the process.

[0024] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. The figures are schematic representations and show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic section of a device for producing a can for an electrical machine according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic section of the device of Fig. 1 in a coupled state; Fig. 3 shows a schematic section of a device for producing a can for an electrical machine according to a second embodiment; Fig. 4 a detail of the device of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a schematic section of a device for producing a can for an electrical machine according to a third embodiment; Fig. 6 a detail of the device of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 shows a schematic section of a device for producing a can for an electrical machine according to a fourth embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for producing a can 2 for an electrical machine (not shown in detail), in particular an electrical machine of a motor vehicle. The electrical machine has a stator base body in which, in an assembled state, the can is formed in a base body opening of the stator base body in order to delimit a rotor space from a stator space of the electrical machine. The device 1 has a receiving core 3, onto which a structural layer 4 for forming the can 2 is applied, for example, laid on, rolled up, or wound. The structural layer 4 is formed, for example, from a fiber material, for example glass fibers, natural fibers, textile fibers, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, or the like. For example, the structural layer 4 can be in the Fig. 2, in which a central unit 5 is introduced into the hollow receiving core 3, which can be understood as a cylinder, for example, is impregnated with a matrix material, for example a resin, and then cured.

[0026] The central unit 5 provides an actuating section 6, which can be brought into engagement or interact with demolding elements 7 of a demolding device 14 on the receiving core 3. Purely by way of example, two demolding elements 7 are arranged on the receiving core 3, opposite one another in the radial direction, wherein any number of demolding elements 7 positioned differently in the circumferential and axial directions can be provided. Fig. 1 shows an unactuated state of the demolding elements 7, whereby they do not engage in demolding openings 8. The demolding openings 8 are formed in a wall of the receiving core 3, for example as holes or bores.

[0027] When the central unit 5 is inserted into the receiving core 3, the contact of the actuating section 6 with the demoulding elements 7, in particular a first actuating surface 9 of the actuating section 6 with second actuating surfaces 10 of the demoulding elements 7, generates a movement of the demoulding elements 7 in the radial direction, so that the demoulding elements 7 are moved into the demoulding openings 8. In the Fig. In the actuated state shown in Figure 2, the demoulding elements 7 close the demoulding openings 8 and in particular are flush with a receiving surface 11 of the receiving core 3, in particular its outer surface.

[0028] This ensures that resin material impregnated into the structural layer 4 cannot penetrate into the interior of the receiving core 3, but is prevented from penetrating through the demolding openings 8 by the demolding elements 7. Furthermore, a sealing element 11 is provided, which seals the sealing surfaces or end faces of the receiving core 3 and the central unit 5 against one another. In particular, a locking mechanism 12 can be provided, which, on the one hand, positions and secures the central unit 5 within the receiving core 3 and, furthermore, can exert an axial preload on the sealing element 11. The locking mechanism 12 can, for example, be designed as a screw thread or a bayonet lock.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows a device 1 in a further embodiment. For example, a further central unit 5 is provided, during the insertion of which the demolding elements 7 are moved out of the demolding openings 8. The central unit 5 of Fig. 3 has a compressed air system 13 through which compressed air can be introduced into the interior of the receiving core 3. Alternatively to compressed air, any other pressurized gas can be introduced into the interior of the receiving core 3. Alternatively, it is also possible to use the central unit 5, which is located in Fig. 2, with a compressed air system 13 and, by appropriate movement of the central unit 5, to move the demolding elements 7 out of the demolding openings 8 in order to open the demolding openings 8. As further shown, the demolding openings 8 are open because the demolding elements 7 are not actuated by the actuating section 6. The introduced compressed air can thus flow through the demolding openings 8 between the receiving surface of the receiving core 3 and the inner surface of the structural layer 4 and thus facilitate detachment of the structural layer 4 from the receiving core 3.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic detail of the device 1, as described, in the region of a demolding opening 8. The structural layer 4 is clearly lifted by the compressed air introduced into the space between the structural layer 4 and the receiving core 3, thus facilitating demolding of the can 2 from the receiving core 3 and preventing damage during demolding. In other words, the introduced compressed air exerts the demolding force on the structural layer 4, allowing the structural layer 4 to be demolded more effectively.

[0031] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the device 1, wherein a central unit 5, for example analogous to the central unit 5 of Fig. 2, is introduced into the receiving core 3. For example, the actuating section 6 of the central unit 5 of Fig. 2 also with an actuating section 6 according to Fig. 5, whereby upon further insertion of the central unit 5 into the receiving core 3, the positioning, which is shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6. Alternatively, a separate central unit 5, which is shown for example in Fig. 5, in order to move the demolding elements 7 beyond the previously described actuated position. In other words, the demolding elements 7 can be "overpressed" so that the demolding elements 7 protrude radially beyond the outer surface or the receiving surface of the receiving core 3. As a result, the demolding force is applied to the structural layer 4 from the radially inside against the inner surface of the structural layer 4.

[0032] In the detail in Fig. 6 shows that the demolding element 7 applies the demolding force to the structural layer 4 from the radial inside, so that the structural layer 4 detaches from the receiving surface of the receiving core 3. In principle, it is possible to provide any number of demolding elements 7 along the axial direction, i.e., along the longitudinal direction of the receiving core 3 or the structural layer 4, and / or in the circumferential direction, so that detachment of the structural layer 4 can be further improved.

[0033] Fig. Figure 7 shows a device 1 according to a fourth embodiment, wherein two central units 5 are provided or a double-sided central unit 5 is provided. At the central unit 5, which is shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, two receiving cores 3 can be arranged simultaneously, so that a simultaneous production of two split tubes 2 is possible. The operation of the device 1 from Fig. 7 is completely separated from the devices 1 Fig. 1-6, which were previously described, are transferable.

[0034] All advantages, details, and features shown in the individual exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another as desired, are interchangeable, and are transferable to one another. The can 2 can be used for an electric machine of a motor vehicle. The can 2 can thus be a component of an electric machine or a component of a motor vehicle having such an electric machine. The description is fully transferable to the electric machine and the motor vehicle. The method described herein can be carried out using the device 1 according to Fig. 1-7 are carried out in full detail. Reference symbol 1 device 2 split tube 3 Recording core 4 structural layer 5 Central unit 6 Operating section 7 Demoulding element 8 demoulding opening 9, 10 Actuating surface 11 Sealing element 12 locking mechanism 13 Compressed air system 14 Demoulding device

Claims

[1] Device (1) for producing a can (2) for an electrical machine, in particular an electrical machine of a motor vehicle, comprising a stator base body and a can (2) arranged in a base body opening of the stator base body in an assembled state and delimiting a rotor space from a stator space, wherein the device (1) has at least one receiving core (3) which is designed to receive at least one structural layer (4) of the can (2) on a receiving surface of the receiving core (3), characterized by a demoulding device (14) which is designed to exert a demoulding force, in particular directed against an inner side of the structural layer (4), on the at least one structural layer (4) cured on the receiving core (3) in order to demould the at least one cured structural layer (4) from the receiving core (3). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the demoulding device (14) has at least one demoulding element (7) which is movable in at least two positions in the radial direction relative to the receiving core (3), wherein the at least one demoulding element (7) is arranged in at least one position at least partially, in particular flush, in a demoulding opening (8) in the receiving surface. [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by in that the demoulding device (14) has a central unit (5) which can be selectively connected to the receiving core (3) and which can be introduced into the hollow receiving core (3), in particular along the longitudinal axis of the receiving core (3), wherein the central unit (5) has at least one actuating section (6) designed to actuate the at least one demoulding element (7). [4] Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized byin that the at least one actuating section (6) of the demoulding device (14) has a second actuating surface (9) corresponding to a first actuating surface (10) of the at least one demoulding element (7), wherein the actuating section (6) is movable between an unactuated position of the at least one demoulding element (7) and an actuated position of the at least one demoulding element (7). [5] Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the demoulding device (14) has at least two demoulding elements (7) in different circumferential positions and / or axial positions. [6] Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the demoulding device (14) is designed to apply the demoulding force pneumatically or mechanically. [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the demoulding device (14) is integrated into the receiving core (3) or that the demoulding device (14) is designed as a separate assembly. [8] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the demoulding device (14) has two central units (5), in particular arranged in opposite directions, which are designed to be coupled to different receiving cores (3). [9] Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized by that at least one sealing element (11), in particular a flat seal and / or an O-ring, is formed between a first sealing surface of the central unit (5) and a second sealing surface of the receiving core (3). [10] Method for producing a can (2) for an electrical machine, in particular an electrical machine of a motor vehicle, comprising a stator base body and a can (2) arranged in a base body opening of the stator base body in an assembled state and delimiting a rotor space from a stator space, wherein at least one structural layer (4) of the can (2) is received on a receiving surface of a receiving core (3), characterized by that by means of a demoulding device (14) a demoulding force, directed in particular against an inner side of the structural layer (4), is exerted on the at least one structural layer (4) cured on the receiving core (3) in order to demould the at least one cured structural layer (4) from the receiving core (3).

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