Stator, rotating electric machine, drive unit, method for manufacturing a stator, and apparatus for manufacturing a stator

Abstract

To provide a stator that can be miniaturized in the axial direction. [Solution] One embodiment of a stator comprises a stator core surrounding a central axis, and a conductor connector 41 having a first conductor 51 and a second conductor 52, which is attached to the stator core. The first conductor has a first connected portion 51k located on one axial side of the stator core. The second conductor has a second connected portion 52k located on one axial side of the stator core. The conductor connector has a first welded portion 61 that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion and temporarily fixes the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and a second welded portion 62 that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion and permanently fixes the first connected portion and the second connected portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stator, a rotating electrical machine, a drive device, a method for manufacturing a stator, and a manufacturing apparatus for a stator.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a stator of a rotating electrical machine including a coil formed by connecting a plurality of conductors such as straight conductors is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a stator, when welding conductors together, it is necessary to hold the conductors with a jig. Therefore, if the portion of the conductor held by the jig and the portion of the conductor to be welded are close to each other, the heat of welding is applied to the jig, and there is a risk that the jig will be damaged. Therefore, it was necessary to make the portions of the conductors to be welded to each other longer in the axial direction and separate the portion of each conductor held by the jig and the portion to be welded in the axial direction. Therefore, it was necessary to increase the axial dimension of the conductor, and there were cases where it was difficult to miniaturize the stator in the axial direction.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present invention is to provide a stator that can be miniaturized in the axial direction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotating electrical machine, a drive device, a method for manufacturing a stator, and a manufacturing apparatus for a stator that can be miniaturized in the axial direction in view of the above circumstances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the stator of the present invention comprises a stator core that is annular and surrounds a central axis and has a first slot and a second slot, and a conductor connector having a first conductor and a second conductor. The first conductor has a first straight portion that passes through the first slot in the axial direction, and a first extension that is connected to one axial end of the first straight portion and is located outside the first slot. The second conductor has a second straight portion that passes through the second slot in the axial direction, and a second extension that is connected to one axial end of the second straight portion and is located outside the second slot. The first extension has a first connected portion that includes one axial end of the first extension. The second extension has a second connected portion that includes one axial end of the second extension. The first connected portion and the second connected portion are arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and are connected to each other. The conductor connector has a first weld that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and a second weld that is located axially to one side of the other axial end of the first weld and joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion. When the second direction is defined as the direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction, the first weld joins the portion of the first connected portion that faces one side in the second direction with the portion of the second connected portion that faces one side in the second direction.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stator, comprising a stator core that is annular in shape surrounding a central axis and having a first slot and a second slot, and a conductor connector having a first conductor and a second conductor. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stator, wherein the first conductor is made from a first conductor material and the second conductor is made from a second conductor material, and includes a deformation step of deforming the first conductor material and the second conductor material, a first welding step of joining the first conductor material and the second conductor material to each other by welding, a removal step of removing a part of the first conductor material and a part of the second conductor material to create the first conductor and the second conductor, and a second welding step of joining the first conductor and the second conductor to each other by welding. The deformation step includes: creating a first deformed portion by deforming at least a portion of the first conductor material that is located to one side in the axial direction from the first slot while it is passed through the first slot in the axial direction; creating a second deformed portion by deforming at least a portion of the second conductor material that is located to one side in the axial direction from the second slot while it is passed through the second slot in the axial direction; and arranging a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. The first welding step includes joining a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion that are arranged side by side in the first direction by welding them together to create a first weld that joins a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion together. The removal step includes creating a first conductor by removing a portion of the first deformed portion that is located to one side in the axial direction from a first position that is located to one side in the axial direction from the other end of the first weld; and creating a second conductor by removing a portion of the second deformed portion that is located to one side in the axial direction from a second position that is located to one side in the axial direction from the other end of the first weld. The first conductor has a first straight portion that passes through the first slot in the axial direction, and a first extension that is connected to one axial end of the first straight portion and is located outside the first slot. The second conductor has a second straight portion that passes through the second slot in the axial direction, and a second extension that is connected to one axial end of the second straight portion and is located outside the second slot.The first extension has a first connected portion which includes the axial end of the first extension. The second extension has a second connected portion which includes the axial end of the second extension. The second welding step includes welding together a portion of the first connected portion located axially to one side of the other axial end of the first weld and a portion of the second connected portion located axially to one side of the other axial end of the first weld to create a second weld that connects the first connected portion and the second connected portion. When the second direction is defined as the direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction, the first welding step includes joining together a portion of the first deformed portion which faces one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deformed portion which faces one side of the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the stator in a rotating electric machine and drive device can be miniaturized in the axial direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a drive device in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a stator in one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a stator in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the stator in one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a view of a part of a conductor connector in one embodiment, seen from the radially inner side. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a view of a portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor in one embodiment, seen from the radially inward direction. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor in one embodiment. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a view of a portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor in one embodiment, as seen from one side in the axial direction. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing part of the procedure for manufacturing a stator in one embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a first conductor material and a second conductor material in one embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing part of the procedure for removing the coating in one embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows a part of the deformation process in one embodiment, viewed from the radially inward direction. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a view of a portion of the first conductor material and a portion of the second conductor material after the deformation process in one embodiment, as seen from the radially inner side. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a view from the radially inner side of a part of the procedure of the first welding process in one embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a view of a part of the procedure of the first welding process in one embodiment, seen from the other side in the circumferential direction. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a view of a part of the removal process in one embodiment, seen from one side in the axial direction. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows a part of the procedure of the second welding process in one embodiment, viewed from the other side in the circumferential direction. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows a part of a conductor connector in a modified example of one embodiment, viewed from the radially inner side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The drive device 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 on which the drive device 100 is mounted is a vehicle that uses a motor as a power source, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or an electric vehicle (EV). The vehicle 1000 is a moving body including the drive device 100. The drive device 100 of the present embodiment is used as a power source for the vehicle 1000 on which it is mounted. The drive device 100 rotates the drive shaft 73 of the vehicle 1000.

[0011] In the drawings, the XYZ coordinate system is shown as a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system as appropriate. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. The side to which the arrow of the Z-axis points (+Z side) is the upper side, and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Z-axis points (-Z side) is the lower side. The X-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1000 on which the drive device 100 of the present embodiment is mounted. In the present embodiment, the side to which the arrow of the X-axis points (+X side) is the front side of the vehicle 1000, and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the X-axis points (-X side) is the rear side of the vehicle 1000. The Y-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction and is the left-right direction of the vehicle 1000, that is, the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points (+Y side) is the left side of the vehicle 1000, and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points (-Y side) is the right side of the vehicle 1000.

[0012] Note that the positional relationship in the front-rear direction is not limited to the positional relationship of the present embodiment, and the +X side may be the rear side of the vehicle 1000 and the -X side may be the front side of the vehicle 1000. In this case, the +Y side is the right side of the vehicle 1000, and the -Y side is the left side of the vehicle 1000. Also, in this specification, the "parallel direction" includes a substantially parallel direction, and the "orthogonal direction" includes a substantially orthogonal direction.

[0013] The central axis J shown in FIG. 1 is a virtual axis extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. More specifically, the central axis J extends in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, that is, in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1000. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction parallel to the central axis J is simply referred to as the "axial direction", the radial direction centered on the central axis J is simply referred to as the "radial direction", and the circumferential direction centered on the central axis J is simply referred to as the "circumferential direction". In the following description, the left side (+Y side) in the axial direction is referred to as the "one side in the axial direction", and the right side (-Y side) in the axial direction is referred to as the "other side in the axial direction". The vertical direction is, for example, the vertical direction, and the front-back direction and the left-right direction (axial direction) are, for example, the horizontal directions orthogonal to the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the radial direction corresponds to the "first direction" inclined with respect to the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the circumferential direction corresponds to the "second direction" inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction (radial direction). That is, in the present embodiment, the first direction is the radial direction with respect to the central axis J, and the second direction is the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis.

[0014] The side (+R1 side) toward which the arrow of arrow R1 shown appropriately in the figure points indicates the inner side in the radial direction. The side (+R2 side) toward which the arrow of arrow R2 shown appropriately in the figure points indicates the outer side in the radial direction. The side (+θ1 side) toward which the arrow of arrow θ1 shown appropriately in the figure points indicates one side in the circumferential direction. The side (+θ2 side) toward which the arrow of arrow θ2 shown appropriately in the figure points indicates the other side in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, one side in the circumferential direction is the side that advances counterclockwise when viewed from one side in the axial direction in the circumferential direction. The other side in the circumferential direction is the side that advances clockwise when viewed from one side in the axial direction in the circumferential direction. Note that, in the present embodiment, the other side in the circumferential direction corresponds to the "one side in the second direction". One side in the circumferential direction corresponds to the "other side in the second direction".

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the drive unit 100 comprises a rotating electric machine 10, a power transmission unit 70, a housing 80, and a control device 90. The housing 80 houses the rotating electric machine 10 and the power transmission unit 70. The housing 80 has a motor housing 81 that houses the rotating electric machine 10 and a gear housing 82 that houses the power transmission unit 70. In this embodiment, oil O is contained inside the motor housing 81 and the gear housing 82. The control device 90 controls the rotating electric machine 10. The control device 90 is located, for example, on the upper side of the housing 80.

[0016] In this embodiment, the rotating electric machine 10 is a motor. The rotating electric machine 10 has a rotor 11 and a stator 20. The rotor 11 is rotatable about a central axis J. The rotor 11 faces the stator 20 with a gap between them. In this embodiment, the rotor 11 is located radially inward of the stator 20. The rotor 11 has a shaft 12, a rotor core 13, and a magnet 14. The shaft 12 extends in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the shaft 12 is substantially cylindrical with a central axis J. The portion of the shaft 12 including the end on one axial side (+Y side) protrudes into the gear housing 82. The rotor core 13 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 12. The magnet 14 is fixed to the rotor core 13.

[0017] A power transmission unit 70 is connected to the rotor 11. The power transmission unit 70 transmits the rotation of the rotor 11 to the drive shaft 73 of the vehicle 1000. The power transmission unit 70 is a gear mechanism. The power transmission unit 70 includes a reduction gear 71 and a differential gear 72. The reduction gear 71 is connected to the rotor 11. More specifically, the reduction gear 71 is connected to the portion of the shaft 12 of the rotor 11 that is located inside the gear housing 82. The reduction gear 71 may also be connected to the rotor 11 via a gear shaft connected to one axial end (+Y side) of the shaft 12. In this case, the one axial end of the shaft 12 does not have to be located inside the gear housing 82. The differential gear 72 is connected to the reduction gear 71. A drive shaft 73 extending in the axial direction (Y-axis direction) is connected to the differential gear 72. A pair of drive shafts 73 are provided. A pair of tires 74A and 74B are connected to a pair of drive shafts 73, respectively.

[0018] When the rotation of the rotor 11 in the rotating electric machine 10 is transmitted to the differential 72 via the reduction gear 71, a pair of drive shafts 73 connected to the differential 72 rotate. In this way, the drive unit 100 rotates the drive shafts 73 to which the tires 74A and 74B of the vehicle 1000 are connected. The rotation of the pair of drive shafts 73 causes the pair of tires 74A and 74B to rotate, and the vehicle 1000 moves.

[0019] The stator 20 faces the rotor 11 with a gap between them. In this embodiment, the stator 20 is located radially outward from the rotor 11. As shown in Figure 2, the stator 20 has a stator core 30, a winding section 40, and a plurality of insulating papers 42.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the stator core 30 is annular in shape surrounding the central axis J. In this embodiment, the stator core 30 is substantially cylindrical with respect to the central axis J. The stator core 30 has a plurality of plate members stacked in the axial direction. These plate members are, for example, electrical steel sheets. The stator core 30 has a core back 31, a plurality of teeth 32, and a plurality of protrusions 33.

[0021] The core back 31 is annular in shape surrounding the central axis J. In this embodiment, the core back 31 is substantially cylindrical with respect to the central axis J. The multiple teeth 32 extend radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the core back 31. The multiple teeth 32 are arranged in a line with spacing between them in the circumferential direction. The multiple teeth 32 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference. As shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple teeth 32 has an umbrella portion 32a. Each umbrella portion 32a is the radially inward end of each tooth 32. Each umbrella portion 32a protrudes circumferentially on both sides of the portion of each tooth 32 that connects to the radially outward side of the umbrella portion 32a. Note that the radially inward end of each tooth 32 does not have to be shaped to protrude circumferentially on both sides like the umbrella portion 32a. In other words, each tooth 32 does not have to have an umbrella portion 32a. In this case, for example, the openings 34e of each slot 34, as described later, may be blocked by other members. These other members may be, for example, wedge-shaped members.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the multiple protrusions 33 project radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the core back 31. The multiple protrusions 33 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The multiple protrusions 33 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference. In the example in Figure 3, there are four multiple protrusions 33. The multiple protrusions 33 are fixed to the housing 80 by means of, for example, a screw member. Note that the stator core 30 does not have to have multiple protrusions 33. In this case, the stator core 30 may be fixed to the housing 80 by, for example, shrink fitting.

[0023] The stator core 30 has a plurality of slots 34. Each slot 34 is provided between adjacent teeth 32 in the circumferential direction. The internal space of each slot 34 is the space between adjacent teeth 32 in the circumferential direction. Each slot 34 opens on both sides in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 4, each slot 34 has an opening 34e that opens radially inward. The openings 34e are provided between the umbrella portions 32a of adjacent teeth 32 in the circumferential direction.

[0024] A portion of the winding section 40 is placed within each slot 34. An insulating paper 42 is placed within each slot 34. Within the slot 34, the insulating paper 42 surrounds the portion of the winding section 40 that is placed within the slot 34 when viewed in the axial direction. Each insulating paper 42 insulates the portion of the winding section 40 placed within each slot 34 from the stator core 30. Each insulating paper 42 protrudes axially from each slot 34 on both sides. The circumferential dimension of the portion of the winding section 40 placed within each slot 34 is larger than the circumferential dimension of the opening 34e. This prevents the portion of the winding section 40 placed within each slot 34 from coming out radially inward from within each slot 34. Furthermore, as described above, if the opening 34e is blocked by another member, the portion of the winding section 40 placed within each slot 34 will not come out radially inward from within each slot 34, as this other member prevents it.

[0025] Each slot 34 is provided with multiple virtual layers arranged in the radial direction. In this embodiment, each slot 34 is provided with six virtual layers arranged in the radial direction. Note that the number of virtual layers provided in each slot 34 is not limited to six layers, but may be one to five layers or seven or more layers. Within each slot 34, a portion of one conductor 50, which will be described later, is placed in each layer. Within the slot 34, six portions of conductors 50 are arranged in the radial direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the winding section 40 is attached to the stator core 30. The winding section 40 has a portion located within each slot 34 and a portion that protrudes axially from the stator core 30 on both sides. The portion of the winding section 40 located on one axial side (+Y side) from the stator core 30 is the coil end 40a. The portion of the winding section 40 located on the other axial side (-Y side) from the stator core 30 is the coil end 40b.

[0027] The winding section 40 has a plurality of conductor assemblies 41. That is, the stator 20 has a plurality of conductor assemblies 41. Each conductor assembly 41 is a coil. More specifically, each conductor assembly 41 is a segment coil. Each conductor assembly 41 is a coil wound in a wave winding around the stator core 30. The plurality of conductor assemblies 41 include, for example, two sets of three conductor assemblies 41 connected by a star connection. The three conductor assemblies 41 connected by a star connection include a U-phase conductor assembly 41, a V-phase conductor assembly 41, and a W-phase conductor assembly 41.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, each conductor connector 41 has a plurality of conductors 50. Each conductor connector 41 is constructed by connecting a plurality of conductors 50 in series. In this embodiment, each conductor 50 is made of a flat rectangular wire. In this specification, "flat rectangular wire" refers to a wire with a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. In this specification, "substantially rectangular" includes a rounded rectangular shape where the corners of the rectangular shape are rounded. Each conductor 50 is constructed by covering a portion of the surface of a conductive base material with a covering portion. The base material of the portion of each conductor 50 that is electrically connected to other conductors 50 is exposed by removing the covering portion. The base material is made of metal. The material constituting the base material is, for example, copper. The material constituting the base material may be any material as long as it is conductive. The covering portion is an insulating coating. The covering portion is, for example, made of enamel. The material constituting the covering portion may be any material as long as it is insulating.

[0029] Each conductor connector 41 comprises a plurality of conductors 50a, each having a portion located inside at least one slot 34. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of conductors 50a has a portion located inside two different slots 34. One or more other slots 34 are arranged circumferentially between the two slots 34 in which a portion of each conductor 50a is located. Each conductor connector 41 may include conductors 50 that do not have a portion located inside a slot 34, or it may include conductors 50 that have a portion located inside one slot 34 and not a portion located inside another slot 34.

[0030] Two conductors 50a that are connected to each other are connected by welding the portions of each conductor 50a that are located on one axial side (+Y side) from the stator core 30 to each other. In the following description, one pair of two connected conductors 50a will be described as representative of multiple conductors 50a. One of the pair of conductors 50a will be called the first conductor 51, and the other of the pair of conductors 50a will be called the second conductor 52. In other words, the conductor connector 41 has a first conductor 51 and a second conductor 52. In this embodiment, the second conductor 52 is located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) of the first conductor 51. In this embodiment, the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 are members that have the same shape.

[0031] The first conductor 51 has a first straight section 51a, a first extension section 51b, a first connecting section 51c, a third straight section 51d, and a third extension section 51e. The first straight section 51a extends in the axial direction. The first straight section 51a is passed through a slot 34 in the axial direction. The slot 34 through which the first straight section 51a passes is called the first slot 34a. In other words, the stator core 30 has the first slot 34a.

[0032] The first extension 51b connects to the axial end (+Y side) of the first straight section 51a. The first extension 51b is located outside the first slot 34a. The first extension 51b is located axially to one side of the first slot 34a. The first extension 51b has a first inclined section 51f. The first inclined section 51f extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first inclined section 51f is located circumferentially to one side (+θ1 side) as it moves toward one side in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the other axial end (-Y side) and other circumferential end (+θ2 side) of the first inclined section 51f connects to the axial end of the first straight section 51a. In this embodiment, the axial end and circumferential end of the first inclined section 51f are the axial end of the first extension 51b. In this embodiment, the first extension 51b consists of the first inclined section 51f. The first extension portion 51b may have a portion that extends axially from one end of the first inclined portion 51f on both the axial and circumferential sides.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, the first inclined section 51f has a first curved section 51g, an inclined main body section 51h, and a second curved section 51i. The first curved section 51g is connected to the axial end (+Y side) of the first straight section 51a. The first curved section 51g is located on the circumferential side (+θ1 side) as it moves toward the axial side. The first curved section 51g has a curved shape in which the inclination with respect to the axial direction increases as it moves toward the axial side. The inclined main body section 51h is connected to the axial end of the first curved section 51g. The inclined main body section 51h is located on the circumferential side as it moves toward the axial side. The inclination of the inclined main body section 51h with respect to the axial direction is approximately constant. The inclination of the inclined main body section 51h with respect to the axial direction is, for example, 45° or more. The second curved section 51i is connected to the axial end of the inclined main body section 51h. The second curved portion 51i is located on one side in the circumferential direction as it moves toward one side in the axial direction. The second curved portion 51i has a curved shape in which the inclination with respect to the axial direction decreases as it moves toward one side in the axial direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the third linear section 51d extends in the axial direction. The third linear section 51d is located on the other side (+θ2 side) in the circumferential direction compared to the first linear section 51a. The third linear section 51d passes through a slot 34 different from the first slot 34a among the multiple slots 34 in the axial direction. The slot 34 through which the third linear section 51d passes is called the third slot 34c. In other words, the stator core 30 has a third slot 34c. The third slot 34c is located on the other side in the circumferential direction compared to the first slot 34a. One or more other slots 34 are arranged between the first slot 34a and the third slot 34c in the circumferential direction.

[0035] The first connecting portion 51c connects the axial end (-Y side) of the first straight portion 51a to the axial end (-Y side) of the third straight portion 51d. The first connecting portion 51c is located outside the first slot 34a and the third slot 34c. The first connecting portion 51c is located axially to the other side of the first slot 34a and the third slot 34c. When viewed from the radially inward side, the first connecting portion 51c has a roughly V-shape that is convex axially to the other side.

[0036] The third extension 51e connects to the axial end (+Y side) of the third straight section 51d. The third extension 51e is located outside the third slot 34c. The third extension 51e is located axially to one side of the third slot 34c. The third extension 51e has a third inclined section 51j. The third inclined section 51j extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the third inclined section 51j is located circumferentially to the other side (+θ2 side) as it moves toward the axial side. In this embodiment, the axial end (-Y side) and circumferential end (+θ1 side) of the third inclined section 51j connects to the axial end of the third straight section 51d. In this embodiment, the axial end (-Y side) and circumferential end of the third inclined section 51j is the axial end of the third extension 51e. In this embodiment, the third extension 51e consists of the third inclined section 51j. The third extension 51e may have a portion extending axially from one end of the third inclined portion 51j on the axial side and the other end on the circumferential side. The shape of the third extension 51e is the same as that of the second extension 52b, which will be described later.

[0037] The second conductor 52 has a second straight section 52a, a second extension section 52b, a second connecting section 52c, a fourth straight section 52d, and a fourth extension section 52e. The second straight section 52a extends in the axial direction. The second straight section 52a passes through one slot 34 in the axial direction. The slot 34 through which the second straight section 52a passes is called the second slot 34b. In other words, the stator core 30 has the second slot 34b. The second slot 34b is located one side (+θ1 side) in the circumferential direction compared to the first slot 34a. One or more other slots 34 are located between the first slot 34a and the second slot 34b in the circumferential direction. The first slot 34a is located between the second slot 34b and the third slot 34c in the circumferential direction.

[0038] The second extension 52b connects to the axial end (+Y side) of the second straight section 52a. The second extension 52b is located outside the second slot 34b. The second extension 52b is located axially to one side of the second slot 34b. The second extension 52b has a second inclined section 52f. The second inclined section 52f extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the second inclined section 52f is located on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) as it moves toward the axial side. In this embodiment, the axial end (-Y side) and circumferential end (+θ1 side) of the second inclined section 52f connects to the axial end of the second straight section 52a. In this embodiment, the axial end (-Y side) and circumferential end of the second inclined section 52f is the axial end of the second extension 52b. In this embodiment, the second extension 52b consists of the second inclined section 52f. The second extension 52b may have a portion extending axially from one end of the second inclined portion 52f on the axial side and the other end on the circumferential side.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the second inclined section 52f has a first curved section 52g, an inclined main body section 52h, and a second curved section 52i. The first curved section 52g is connected to the axial end (+Y side) of the second straight section 52a. The first curved section 52g is located on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) as it moves toward the axial side. The first curved section 52g has a curved shape in which the inclination with respect to the axial direction increases as it moves toward the axial side. The inclined main body section 52h is connected to the axial end of the first curved section 52g. The inclined main body section 52h is located on the other circumferential side as it moves toward the axial side. The inclination of the inclined main body section 52h with respect to the axial direction is approximately constant. The inclination of the inclined main body section 52h with respect to the axial direction is, for example, 45° or more. The absolute value of the inclination of the inclined main body section 52h with respect to the axial direction is, for example, the same as the absolute value of the inclination of the inclined main body section 51h with respect to the axial direction. The second curved portion 52i connects to one end of the inclined main body portion 52h on the axial side. The second curved portion 52i is located on the other side in the circumferential direction as it moves toward the one side in the axial direction. The second curved portion 52i has a curved shape in which the inclination with respect to the axial direction decreases as it moves toward the one side in the axial direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, the fourth linear section 52d extends in the axial direction. The fourth linear section 52d is located on one side (+θ1 side) in the circumferential direction compared to the second linear section 52a. The fourth linear section 52d passes through a slot 34 different from the second slot 34b among the multiple slots 34. The slot 34 through which the fourth linear section 52d passes is called the fourth slot 34d. In other words, the stator core 30 has the fourth slot 34d. The fourth slot 34d is located on one side in the circumferential direction compared to the second slot 34b. One or more other slots 34 are arranged between the second slot 34b and the fourth slot 34d in the circumferential direction. The second slot 34b is located between the first slot 34a and the fourth slot 34d in the circumferential direction.

[0041] The second connecting portion 52c connects the axial end (-Y side) of the second linear portion 52a to the axial end (-Y side) of the fourth linear portion 52d. The second connecting portion 52c is located outside the second slot 34b and the fourth slot 34d. The second connecting portion 52c is located axially to the other side of the second slot 34b and the fourth slot 34d. When viewed from the radially inward side, the second connecting portion 52c has a roughly V-shape that is convex axially to the other side. The shape of the second connecting portion 52c is the same as the shape of the first connecting portion 51c.

[0042] The fourth extension 52e connects to the axial end (+Y side) of the fourth straight section 52d. The fourth extension 52e is located outside the fourth slot 34d. The fourth extension 52e is located axially to one side of the fourth slot 34d. The fourth extension 52e has a fourth inclined section 52j. The fourth inclined section 52j extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the fourth inclined section 52j is located circumferentially to one side (+θ1 side) as it moves toward one side in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the axial end (-Y side) and circumferential end (+θ2 side) of the fourth inclined section 52j connects to the axial end of the fourth straight section 52d. In this embodiment, the axial end (-Y side) and circumferential end of the fourth inclined section 52j is the axial end of the fourth extension 52e. In this embodiment, the fourth extension 52e consists of the fourth inclined section 52j. The fourth extension 52e may have a portion extending axially from one end of the fourth inclined portion 52j on both the axial and circumferential sides. The shape of the fourth extension 52e is the same as that of the first extension 51b.

[0043] As shown in Figure 7, the first conductor 51 has a first base material portion 51m and a first coating portion 51n. The first base material portion 51m is conductive. The first base material portion 51m is made of metal. The material constituting the first base material portion 51m is, for example, copper. The material constituting the first base material portion 51m may be any material as long as it is conductive. The first coating portion 51n covers a part of the surface of the first base material portion 51m. The first coating portion 51n is an insulating coating. The first coating portion 51n is, for example, made of enamel. The material constituting the first coating portion 51n may be any material as long as it is insulating.

[0044] The first base material portion 51m has a first exposed portion 51p that is exposed from the first covering portion 51n. The first exposed portion 51p is the portion that includes the axial end (+Y side) of the first extension portion 51b. The first exposed portion 51p includes a part of the first inclined portion 51f. The first exposed portion 51p is the portion that includes the axial end of the first inclined portion 51f. In this embodiment, the first exposed portion 51p is a part of the second curved portion 51i. Note that the portion of the first base material portion 51m that includes the axial end of the third extension portion 51e is also the portion that is exposed from the first covering portion 51n. This exposed portion has the same shape as the second exposed portion 52p described later.

[0045] The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first coated portion 51n. In this embodiment, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is 4 μm or more. Preferably, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is 8 μm or more. For example, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is 30 μm or less.

[0046] The second conductor 52 has a second base material portion 52m and a second coating portion 52n. The second base material portion 52m is conductive. The second base material portion 52m is made of metal. The material constituting the second base material portion 52m is, for example, copper. The material constituting the second base material portion 52m may be any material as long as it is conductive. The second coating portion 52n covers a part of the surface of the second base material portion 52m. The second coating portion 52n is an insulating coating. The second coating portion 52n is, for example, made of enamel. The material constituting the second coating portion 52n may be any material as long as it is insulating.

[0047] The second base material portion 52m has a second exposed portion 52p that is exposed from the second covering portion 52n. The second exposed portion 52p is the portion that includes the axial end (+Y side) of the second extension portion 52b. The second exposed portion 52p includes a part of the second inclined portion 52f. The second exposed portion 52p is the portion that includes the axial end of the second inclined portion 52f. In this embodiment, the second exposed portion 52p is a part of the second curved portion 52i. Note that the portion of the second base material portion 52m that includes the axial end of the fourth extension portion 52e is also the portion that is exposed from the second covering portion 52n. This exposed portion has the same shape as the first exposed portion 51p.

[0048] The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the second coated portion 52n. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is 4 μm or more. Preferably, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is 8 μm or more. For example, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is 30 μm or less. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the second exposed portion 52p may be the same as the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p, or it may be different from the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p.

[0049] A portion of the first inclined portion 51f included in the first exposed portion 51p and a portion of the second inclined portion 52f included in the second exposed portion 52p overlap each other in the radial direction, at least in part. Alternatively, the entire portion of the first extension 51b that overlaps with the second extension 52b in the radial direction may be the first exposed portion 51p where the first base material portion 51m is exposed. In this case, the entire portion of the second extension 52b that overlaps with the first extension 51b in the radial direction may be the second exposed portion 52p where the second base material portion 52m is exposed.

[0050] The first extension 51b has a first connected portion 51k. The first connected portion 51k includes the axial end (+Y side) of the first extension 51b. The first connected portion 51k is at least a part of the first exposed portion 51p. That is, the first exposed portion 51p includes the first connected portion 51k. In this embodiment, the first connected portion 51k is the axial portion of the first exposed portion 51p. In this embodiment, the first connected portion 51k is a part of the first inclined portion 51f. More specifically, the first connected portion 51k is a part of the second curved portion 51i.

[0051] The second extension 52b has a second connected portion 52k. The second connected portion 52k includes the axial end (+Y side) of the second extension 52b. The second connected portion 52k is at least a part of the second exposed portion 52p. That is, the second exposed portion 52p includes the second connected portion 52k. In this embodiment, the second connected portion 52k is the axial portion of the second exposed portion 52p. In this embodiment, the second connected portion 52k is a part of the second inclined portion 52f. More specifically, the second connected portion 52k is a part of the second curved portion 52i.

[0052] The first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are arranged side by side in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the second connected portion 52k is located radially outward (+R2 side) of the first connected portion 51k. At least a portion of the radially outward surface of the first connected portion 51k and at least a portion of the radially inward surface of the second connected portion 52k are in contact with each other. The first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are connected to each other. At least a portion of the first connected portion 51k and at least a portion of the second connected portion 52k overlap radially. In this embodiment, substantially the entire first connected portion 51k and substantially the entire second connected portion 52k overlap radially.

[0053] The first connected portion 51k has a first end face 51q. The first end face 51q is the end face on one axial side (+Y side) of the first connected portion 51k. The first end face 51q is also the end face on one axial side of the first extension portion 51b. The first end face 51q faces one axial side. As shown in Figure 8, the first end face 51q is provided with a cut surface 51s having a fracture mark 51r. The fracture mark 51r is a mark indicating that the cutting direction of the cut surface 51s is radial. In Figure 8, the fracture mark 51r is shown, for example, as a linear mark extending radially. The fracture mark 51r can be any mark as long as it indicates that the cutting direction of the cut surface 51s is radial. For example, if the cut surface 51s is made by shearing, the fracture mark 51r may be a mark produced by shearing, such as a burr, shear surface, fracture surface, or burr. In Figure 8, only a portion of the fracture mark 51r is shown. In this embodiment, the cut surface 51s having the fracture mark 51r is the entire portion of the first end face 51q excluding the portion where the second weld 62, described later, is provided.

[0054] The second connected portion 52k has a second end face 52q. The second end face 52q is the axial end face (+Y side) of the second connected portion 52k. The second end face 52q is also the axial end face of the second extension portion 52b. The second end face 52q faces axially in one direction. The second end face 52q is provided with a cut surface 52s having a fracture mark 52r. The fracture mark 52r is a mark indicating that the cutting direction of the cut surface 52s is radial. In Figure 8, the fracture mark 52r is shown, for example, as a linear mark extending radially. The fracture mark 52r can be any mark that indicates that the cutting direction of the cut surface 52s is radial. For example, if the cut surface 52s is made by shearing, the fracture mark 52r can be a burr, shear surface, fracture surface, or other mark produced by shearing. In Figure 8, only a portion of the fracture mark 52r is shown. In this embodiment, the cut surface 52s having the fracture mark 52r is the entire portion of the second end face 52q excluding the portion where the second weld 62, described later, is provided.

[0055] The first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are connected to each other by welding. The first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are connected to each other by the first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62. In other words, the conductor connector 41 has the first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62. The first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62 each join the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, the first weld 61 joins the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other side in the circumferential direction (+θ2 side) and the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other side in the circumferential direction. The portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other side in the circumferential direction includes the surface of the first connected portion 51k facing the other side in the circumferential direction. The portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other side in the circumferential direction includes the surface of the second connected portion 52k facing the other side in the circumferential direction. The first connected portion 51k is, for example, the portion of the first exposed portion 51p from the end of the first weld 61 on the other side in the axial direction (-Y side) to the one side in the axial direction (+Y side). The second connected portion 52k is, for example, the portion of the second exposed portion 52p from the end of the first weld 61 on the other side in the axial direction to the one side in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first weld 61 is made by laser welding.

[0057] The other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the first weld 61 is recessed in one circumferential direction (+θ1 side) than the portion of the other circumferential side of the surface of the first connected portion 51k and the other circumferential side of the surface of the second connected portion 52k where the first weld 61 is not provided. The other circumferential side of the first weld 61 may protrude in the other circumferential direction beyond the portion of the other circumferential side of the surface of the first connected portion 51k and the other circumferential side of the surface of the second connected portion 52k where the first weld 61 is not provided. The other circumferential side of the first weld 61 may be located at the same circumferential position as the portion of the other circumferential side of the surface of the first connected portion 51k and the other circumferential side of the surface of the second connected portion 52k where the first weld 61 is not provided.

[0058] In this embodiment, the axial end (+Y side) of the first weld 61 is located further to the other axial side (-Y side) than the axial end of the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) and the axial end of the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side. The first weld 61 may extend to the axial end of the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side and the axial end of the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side.

[0059] The second weld 62 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first weld 61 than the other axial side (-Y side) end. In this embodiment, the second weld 62 is located on one axial side of the first weld 61 than the other axial side end. The second weld 62 spans the first end face 51q and the second end face 52q. In this embodiment, the second weld 62 is made by laser welding. The axial side surface of the second weld 62 is recessed on the other axial side of the portion of the first end face 51q and the second end face 52q where the second weld 62 is not provided. The axial side surface of the second weld 62 may protrude on one axial side of the portion of the first end face 51q and the second end face 52q where the second weld 62 is not provided. The axial side of the second weld 62 may be located at the same axial position as the portion of the first end face 51q and the second end face 52q where the second weld 62 is not provided.

[0060] The shape of the first weld 61 is, for example, an elliptical or substantially elliptical shape that is elongated in the axial direction when viewed from the other side in the circumferential direction (+θ2 side). The shape of the first weld 61 when viewed from the other side in the circumferential direction may be any shape. The shape of the first weld 61 when viewed from the other side in the circumferential direction may be, for example, an elliptical or substantially elliptical shape that is elongated in the radial direction, a circular or substantially circular shape, a polygonal shape such as a triangle or quadrilateral or substantially polygonal shape. The shape of the first weld 61 when viewed from the other side in the circumferential direction may be, for example, a linear or substantially linear shape that extends in the radial direction, a linear or substantially linear shape that extends in the axial direction, or an irregular shape. The shape of the second weld 62 is, for example, a circular or substantially circular shape when viewed from one side in the axial direction (+Y side). The shape of the second weld 62 when viewed from one side in the axial direction may be any shape. The shape of the second weld 62 as viewed from one side in the axial direction may be, for example, an elliptical or substantially elliptical shape elongated in the radial direction, an elliptical or substantially elliptical shape elongated in the circumferential direction, or a polygonal or substantially polygonal shape such as a triangle or quadrilateral. The shape of the second weld 62 as viewed from one side in the axial direction may be, for example, a linear or substantially linear shape extending in the radial direction, a linear or substantially linear shape extending in the circumferential direction, or an irregular shape. The shape of the first weld 61 as viewed from the other side in the circumferential direction and the shape of the second weld 62 as viewed from one side in the axial direction may be the same as or different from each other.

[0061] As shown in Figure 2, the winding portion 40 of the stator 20 has a resin coating 43 made of resin. In Figure 2, the area where the resin coating 43 is provided is schematically shown by a dashed line. The resin coating 43 covers the surface of the coil end 40a on one axial side (+Y side). The surface of the coil end 40a on one axial side includes the surfaces of some of the multiple conductors 50 that make up the coil end 40a. The resin coating 43 is made of portions that cover each of the surfaces of the multiple conductors 50. The resin coating 43 is made, for example, by powder coating, which adheres a resin material to the surface of the coil end 40a. The material that makes up the resin coating 43 is, for example, epoxy resin. Any material that is a resin can be used to make up the resin coating 43. As shown in Figure 6, the resin coating 43 covers the surface of the first connected portion 51k and the surface of the second connected portion 52k. In other words, the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are covered with resin. Therefore, the first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62 that join the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k can be covered and protected by the resin coating 43. This prevents the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 from coming apart from each other. In addition, the resin coating 43 ensures insulation between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k and the inner surface of the housing 80. Note that in Figure 6, a portion of the resin coating 43 is shown by a dashed line.

[0062] The manufacturing method of the stator 20 described above includes, for example, the steps in the flowchart shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the manufacturing method of the stator 20 includes a coating removal step S10, an insertion step S20, a deformation step S30, a first welding step S40, a removal step S50, a second welding step S60, and a powder coating step S70. The steps from the coating removal step S10 to the powder coating step S70 are steps for creating the winding section 40 that is mounted on the stator core 30. The stator core 30 has already been manufactured before the steps from the coating removal step S10 to the powder coating step S70 are performed. In the following description of the manufacturing method, the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the stator 20 described above will be used to explain the positional relationships of each component. In the following description, "workers, etc." includes workers and equipment that perform each task. Each task may be performed by workers alone, by equipment alone, or by both workers and equipment.

[0063] The coating removal step S10 is performed before the first welding step S40. In this embodiment, the coating removal step S10 is performed before the insertion step S20. The coating removal step S10 may be performed at any timing as long as it is before the first welding step S40. The coating removal step S10 is a step of removing a portion of the coating of a plurality of conductor materials 150. The plurality of conductor materials 150 are the members that become the plurality of conductors 50 described above. In other words, each of the plurality of conductors 50 is made from the plurality of conductor materials 150. In the coating removal step S10, the plurality of conductor materials 150 are not connected to each other and are separated from one another. The plurality of conductor materials 150 include a first conductor material 151 and a second conductor material 152. The first conductor material 151 is the member that becomes the first conductor 51. In other words, the first conductor 51 is made from the first conductor material 151. The second conductor material 152 is the component that becomes the second conductor 52. In other words, the second conductor 52 is made from the second conductor material 152.

[0064] Before the coating removal process S10 is performed, the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 are flat rectangular wires bent into a roughly U-shape, as shown in Figure 10. The first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 have similar shapes to each other. Before the coating removal process S10 is performed, the first conductor material 151 has a pair of straight sections 150s and a first connecting section 51c. Of one of the straight sections 150s of the first conductor material 151, the portion excluding the part removed in the removal process S50 becomes the first straight section 51a and the first extension 51b. Of the other straight section 150s of the first conductor material 151, the portion excluding the part removed in the removal process S50 becomes the third straight section 51d and the third extension 51e. Before the coating removal process S10 is performed, the second conductor material 152 has a pair of straight sections 150s and a second connecting section 52c. Of one of the straight sections 150s of the second conductor material 152, the portion excluding the part removed in the removal process S50 becomes the second straight section 52a and the second extension section 52b. Of the other straight section 150s of the second conductor material 152, the portion excluding the part removed in the removal process S50 becomes the fourth straight section 52d and the fourth extension section 52e.

[0065] The first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 each have a base material portion 150m and a coating portion 150n. The base material portion 150m is conductive. The base material portion 150m is made of metal. The material constituting the base material portion 150m is, for example, copper. The material constituting the base material portion 150m may be any material as long as it is conductive. The coating portion 150n covers the surface of the base material portion 150m. The coating portion 150n is an insulating coating. The coating portion 150n is, for example, made of enamel. The material constituting the coating portion 150n may be any material as long as it is insulating. Before the coating portion removal step S10 is performed, each coating portion 150n covers the entire surface of each base material portion 150m, except for the end face on one axial side (+Y side) of the straight portion 150s in each base material portion 150m.

[0066] In the coating removal process S10, the worker removes the coating 150n from the portion of each straight section 150s of each conductor material 150 that includes the axial end on one side (+Y side). In Figure 10, the portion of each straight section 150s from which the coating 150n is removed in the coating removal process S10 is enclosed by a dashed line. The portion of the first conductor material 151 from which the coating 150n is removed is part of the portion that becomes the first inclined section 51f and includes the portion that becomes the first connected section 51k. In other words, the coating removal process S10 includes removing the coating 150n from the portion of the first conductor material 151 that becomes the first connected section 51k and part of the portion that becomes the first inclined section 51f. The portion of the second conductor material 152 from which the coating 150n is removed is part of the portion that becomes the second inclined section 52f and includes the portion that becomes the second connected section 52k. In other words, the coating removal step S10 includes removing the coating portion 150n from the portion of the second conductor material 152 that will become the second connected portion 52k and a portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second conductor material 152.

[0067] As shown in Figure 11, in the coating removal step S10, the worker removes the coating 150n by irradiating the area of ​​each conductor material 150 where the coating 150n is to be removed with laser light La. In other words, the coating removal step S10 includes removing a portion of the coating 150n of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the coating 150n of the second conductor material 152 by irradiating them with laser light La. When the coating 150n is removed by the laser light La, the base material 150m in that area is exposed. When the coating 150n is removed with laser light La, not only is the coating 150n removed by the laser light La, but the surface of the base material 150m in the area where the coating 150n was removed is also roughened by the laser light La. Therefore, when the coating 150n is removed with laser light La, the surface roughness of the exposed base material 150m is greater compared to, for example, when the coating 150n is scraped off using a mold. As a result, the laser beam Lb irradiated onto the base material portion 150m in the first welding process S40, described later, is less likely to be reflected by the surface of the base material portion 150m. Therefore, damage to the coating portion 150n of the conductor material 150 by reflected laser beam Lb can be suppressed. In this embodiment, the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p, from which the coating portion 150n has been removed by the laser beam La, is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first coated portion 51n. This makes it easier to suitably increase the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p, and more suitably suppresses the reflection of laser beam Lb from the surface of the first exposed portion 51p. The same applies to the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p. In addition, in this embodiment, the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p, from which the coating portion 150n has been removed by the laser beam La, is 4 μm or more. Having such a value for the arithmetic mean roughness on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p allows for more favorable suppression of the reflection of laser light Lb from the surface of the first exposed portion 51p. The same applies to the arithmetic mean roughness on the surface of the second exposed portion 52p. In the coating removal step S10, a hybrid laser combining a red laser and a blue laser is preferred as the type of laser light La. However, any type of laser may be used as the laser light La.

[0068] Insertion step S20 is the process of inserting each straight section 150s of each conductor material 150 into each slot 34 of the stator core 30. The worker inserts each straight section 150s of each conductor material 150 into each slot 34 from the other axial side (-Y side). As shown in Figure 12, insertion step S20 causes each straight section 150s of each conductor material 150 to pass through each slot 34 in the axial direction. Insertion step S20 causes one straight section 150s of the first conductor material 151 to pass through the first slot 34a in the axial direction. Insertion step S20 causes the other straight section 150s of the first conductor material 151 to pass through the third slot 34c in the axial direction. Insertion step S20 causes one straight section 150s of the second conductor material 152 to pass through the second slot 34b in the axial direction. During insertion step S20, the other straight section 150s of the second conductor material 152 is passed axially through the fourth slot 34d. The portion of each straight section 150s including the axial end on one side (+Y side) protrudes axially from each slot 34.

[0069] The deformation process S30 is a process of deforming each conductor material 150, including the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152. In the deformation process S30, the worker, for example, holds a portion of each straight section 150s that includes the tip of the part located on one axial side of each slot 34, and bends that portion in the circumferential direction as shown by the arrow in Figure 12. As a result, a deformed portion 150t is created in each conductor material 150, as shown in Figure 13. In this embodiment, each conductor material 150 has a deformed portion 150t that includes one end of the conductor material 150 and a deformed portion 150t that includes the other end of the conductor material 150. One of the deformed portions 150t of the first conductor material 151 is the first deformed portion 151t. In other words, deformation step S30 includes creating a first deformed portion 151t by deforming at least a portion of the first conductor material 151, which is passed through the first slot 34a in the axial direction, that is located on one side (+Y side) of the first slot 34a. One deformed portion 150t of the second conductor material 152 is the second deformed portion 152t. In other words, deformation step S30 includes creating a second deformed portion 152t by deforming at least a portion of the second conductor material 152, which is passed through the second slot 34b in the axial direction, that is located on one side of the second slot 34b.

[0070] The first deformed portion 151t has a first extension portion 51b that includes a first inclined portion 51f. In other words, the deformation process S30 includes deforming the portion of the first conductor material 151 that is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first slot 34a to create the first inclined portion 51f. The second deformed portion 152t has a second extension portion 52b that includes a second inclined portion 52f. In other words, the deformation process S30 includes deforming the portion of the second conductor material 152 that is located on one axial side of the second slot 34b to create the second inclined portion 52f.

[0071] The first deformed portion 151t has an extended portion 151u that extends in one axial direction from the axial end (+Y side) of the first extended portion 51b. The extended portion 151u is the part of the first deformed portion 151t that is located in one axial direction from the cut line CL shown by the dashed line in Figure 13. The second deformed portion 152t has an extended portion 152u that extends in one axial direction from the axial end of the second extended portion 52b. The extended portion 152u is the part of the second deformed portion 152t that is located in one axial direction from the cut line CL shown by the dashed line in Figure 13. The extended portions 151u and 152u are the parts that are removed in the removal process S50.

[0072] A portion of the first deformation section 151t and a portion of the second deformation section 152t are arranged side by side in the radial direction. A portion of the second deformation section 152t is located radially outward (+R2 side) of the first deformation section 151t. In other words, deformation process S30 includes arranging a portion of the first deformation section 151t and a portion of the second deformation section 152t side by side in the radial direction, such that a portion of the second deformation section 152t is located radially outward of a portion of the first deformation section 151t. The extended portion 151u of the first deformation section 151t and the extended portion 152u of the second deformation section 152t overlap radially. At least a portion of the first inclined portion 51f of the first deformation section 151t in which the base material portion 150m is exposed and at least a portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second deformation section 152t in which the base material portion 150m is exposed overlap radially. In this embodiment, a portion of the first inclined portion 51f of the first deformed portion 151t in which the base material portion 150m is exposed and a portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second deformed portion 152t in which the base material portion 150m is exposed overlap in the radial direction. The portion of the first inclined portion 51f of the first deformed portion 151t in which the base material portion 150m is exposed has a portion that does not overlap with the second deformed portion 152t in the radial direction. The portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second deformed portion 152t in which the base material portion 150m is exposed has a portion that does not overlap with the first deformed portion 151t in the radial direction. The entire portion of the first deformed portion 151t that overlaps with the second deformed portion 152t in the radial direction may be the portion in which the base material portion 150m is exposed. In this case, the entire portion of the second deformed portion 152t that overlaps with the first deformed portion 151t in the radial direction may be the portion in which the base material portion 150m is exposed.

[0073] The first welding process S40 is a process of joining the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 to each other by welding. The first welding process S40 is a process of temporarily fixing the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152. In the first welding process S40 of this embodiment, the worker joins the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 to each other by laser welding. Figure 14 is a view of a portion of the multiple first conductor material 151 and a portion of the multiple second conductor material 152 in the first welding process S40, viewed from the radially inward side (+R1 side). As shown in Figure 14, in the first welding process S40, the worker uses a jig T to hold down the first deformed portion 151t of the first conductor material 151 and the second deformed portion 152t of the second conductor material 152.

[0074] The jig T comprises a first disc T1 and a second disc T2. The first disc T1 and the second disc T2 are arranged overlapping in the axial direction. The second disc T2 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first disc T1. The surfaces of the first disc T1 and the second disc T2 face axially. The first disc T1 has a plurality of first through holes H1 that penetrate the first disc T1 in the axial direction. The plurality of first through holes H1 are arranged side by side with spacing in the circumferential direction. The inner surface of the plurality of first through holes H1 on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) is the first support surface H1a. The first support surface H1a is, for example, a surface perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The second disc T2 has a plurality of second through holes H2 that penetrate the second disc T2 in the axial direction. The plurality of second through holes H2 are arranged side by side with spacing in the circumferential direction. The other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the second through hole H2 is the second support surface H2a. The second support surface H2a is, for example, a surface perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the circumferential direction. Of the inner surfaces of the multiple second through holes H2, the one circumferential side is the inclined surface H2b. The inclined surface H2b is located on one side of the circumferential direction as it moves toward the other axial side (-Y side).

[0075] Each first through-hole H1 and each second through-hole H2 presses down on each first conductor material 151 and each second conductor material 152, with parts of them overlapping when viewed in the axial direction. The first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t, which are joined to each other, are passed through the first through-hole H1 and the second through-hole H2 in the axial direction. The first support surface H1a of the first through-hole H1 is in contact with the surface on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) of the extended portion 151u and the surface on one circumferential side of the extended portion 152u. The second support surface H2a of the second through-hole H2 is in contact with the surface on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the extended portion 151u and the surface on the other circumferential side of the extended portion 152u. The first support surface H1a and the second support surface H2a press down on the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t from both sides in the circumferential direction. This prevents the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t from shifting relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Although not shown in the figures, the extended portion 151u of the first deformed portion 151t and the extended portion 152u of the second deformed portion 152t are supported from the radially inward by at least one of the radially inward surfaces of the inner surface of the first through hole H1 and the radially inward surface of the inner surface of the second through hole H2. The extended portion 151u of the first deformed portion 151t and the extended portion 152u of the second deformed portion 152t are supported from the radially outward by at least one of the radially outward surfaces of the inner surface of the first through hole H1 and the radially outward surface of the inner surface of the second through hole H2. This prevents the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t from shifting relative to each other in the radial direction.

[0076] In the first welding process S40, the worker welds the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t to each other with a laser beam Lb while the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t are held down by a jig T. In the first welding process S40, a part of the first connected portion 51k of the first deformed portion 151t and a part of the second connected portion 52k of the second deformed portion 152t are welded to each other. As described above, the part of the first deformed portion 151t and the part of the second deformed portion 152t overlap each other in the radial direction. In the first welding process S40 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the part of the first inclined portion 51f from which the covering portion 150n has been removed and the part of the second inclined portion 52f from which the covering portion 150n has been removed overlap each other in the radial direction. As a result, in the manufactured stator 20, at least a portion of the first inclined portion 51f included in the first exposed portion 51p and a portion of the second inclined portion 52f included in the second exposed portion 52p overlap each other radially. If a covering portion 150n is provided on the radially overlapping portion of the first inclined portion 51f and the second inclined portion 52f in the first welding process S40, a gap may occur between the radially welded portions of the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t due to the thickness of the covering portion 150n. In contrast, in the first welding process S40, by removing the covering portion 150n from at least a portion of the radially overlapping first inclined portion 51f and the second inclined portion 52f, the occurrence of a gap between the radially welded portions of the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t is suppressed. This prevents the laser beam Lb from passing through the radial boundary between the welded portions of the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the covering portion 150n that covers the base material portion 150m by a portion of the laser beam Lb that passes through the radial boundary between the welded portions of the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t.

[0077] In the first welding step S40 of this embodiment, the worker irradiates the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t with laser light Lb from one axial side of the jig T. The laser light Lb is irradiated through the second through hole H2 and the first through hole H1 to the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other side in the circumferential direction (+θ2 side) and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other side in the circumferential direction. As a result, the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other side in the circumferential direction and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other side in the circumferential direction are joined together. In other words, the first welding step S40 includes joining the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing one side in the second direction, i.e., the portion facing the other side in the circumferential direction, and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing one side in the second direction, i.e., the portion facing the other side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, since the inner surface of the second through-hole H2 on one side in the circumferential direction (+θ1 side) is an inclined surface H2b, the laser beam Lb is suppressed from striking the second disc T2.

[0078] The laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction inclined circumferentially with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction that is located on one side of the circumferential direction (+θ1 side) as it moves toward the other side of the axial direction (-Y side). The laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction inclined circumferentially at an angle φ1 with respect to the axial direction. The angle φ1 is, for example, 5° or more and 45° or less. The angle φ1 is preferably, for example, 20° or more and 45° or less. The angle φ1 is more preferably, for example, 30° or more and 45° or less. In this embodiment, the angle φ1 is 30° or more. In other words, the first welding step S40 includes performing laser welding by irradiating the portion of the first deformed part 151t facing the other side of the circumferential direction and the portion of the second deformed part 152t facing the other side of the circumferential direction with the laser beam Lb in a direction inclined 30° or more with respect to the axial direction. By setting the angle φ1 to 30° or more, the inclination of the direction in which the laser beam Lb is irradiated with respect to the direction perpendicular to the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the first deformation portion 151t and the direction perpendicular to the other circumferential side of the second deformation portion 152t can be reduced compared to the case where the angle φ1 is less than 30°. Therefore, in the first welding process S40, it is easier to reduce the spot diameter of the laser beam Lb irradiated onto the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t, and it is easier to increase the amount of heat per unit area of ​​the part irradiated by the laser beam Lb. As a result, it is easier to weld the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t to each other while keeping the output of the laser beam Lb low. Therefore, even if a portion of the laser beam Lb is reflected from at least one of the surfaces of the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t and irradiated onto the portion of the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 where the base material portion 150m is covered by the coating portion 150n, damage to the coating portion 150n by the laser beam Lb can be suppressed.

[0079] Figure 15 is a view of a portion of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the second conductor material 152 in the first welding process S40, as seen from the other circumferential side (+θ2 side). As shown in Figure 15, the laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction inclined radially with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction that is located radially inward (+R1 side) as it moves toward the other axial side (-Y side). Alternatively, the laser beam Lb may be irradiated in a direction that is located radially outward (+R2 side) as it moves toward the other axial side. The laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction inclined radially at an angle φ2 with respect to the axial direction. In other words, the first welding process S40 includes performing laser welding by irradiating the portion of the first deformed part 151t facing the other circumferential side and the portion of the second deformed part 152t facing the other circumferential side with respect to the axial direction with respect to the laser beam Lb. This prevents a portion of the laser beam Lb from passing through a gap at the radial boundary between the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laser beam Lb that has passed through the radial boundary between the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t from irradiating parts other than the welding target. As a result, damage to the covering portion 150n that covers the base material portion 150m by the laser beam Lb can be further suppressed. The angle φ2 is, for example, 5° or more and 45° or less. Preferably, the angle φ2 is, for example, 20° or more and 45° or less.

[0080] By irradiating the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other side in the circumferential direction and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other side in the circumferential direction with laser light Lb, a first welded joint 61 is created that joins the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t to each other. In other words, the first welding step S40 includes joining a portion of the first deformed portion 151t and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t, which are arranged side by side in the radial direction, by welding to each other, thereby creating a first welded joint 61 that joins a portion of the first deformed portion 151t and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t to each other. The portion of the first deformed portion 151t that is welded in the first welding step S40 is a portion of the first connected portion 51k. The portion of the second deformed portion 152t that is welded in the first welding step S40 is a portion of the second connected portion 52k.

[0081] In this embodiment, the laser welding performed in the first welding step S40 is keyhole welding. That is, the first welding step S40 includes irradiating the boundary between the first connected part 51k and the second connected part 52k with laser light Lb to perform keyhole welding. Keyhole welding is a welding method in which the power density of the laser light is higher than that of heat conduction welding. Keyhole welding is a welding method in which the spot diameter of the laser light irradiated to the welding area is smaller than that of the laser light spot diameter in heat conduction welding. By using keyhole welding in the first welding step S40, the laser light Lb can be more easily absorbed by the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152, and the reflection of the laser light Lb can be further suppressed. As a result, damage to the coating part 150n covering the base material part 150m by reflected light of the laser light Lb can be further suppressed. The type of laser light Lb in the first welding step S40 is preferably a hybrid laser combining a red laser and a blue laser. Any type of laser may be used as the laser light Lb.

[0082] The removal step S50 is a step in which a portion of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the second conductor material 152 are removed to create the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52. In the removal step S50, the extended portion 151u of the first conductor material 151 is removed. As shown in Figure 14, the extended portion 151u is the portion of the first deformed portion 151t that is located to one axial side (+Y side) from the other axial side (-Y side) end of the first welded portion 61. The first position P1 is the axial position of the cut line CL described above. In the removal step S50, the extended portion 152u of the second conductor material 152 is removed. The extended portion 152u is the portion of the second deformed portion 152t that is located to one axial side (+Y side) from the second position P2 that is located to one axial side (+Y side) from the other axial side end of the first welded portion 61. In this embodiment, the second position P2 is the same axial position as the first position P1. The second position P2 is the axial position of the cut line CL. Note that the first position P1 and the second position P2 may be in different axial positions.

[0083] In the removal process S50 of this embodiment, the worker removes the portion of the first deformed portion 151t located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first position P1 by cutting the first deformed portion 151t at the first position P1. In the removal process S50 of this embodiment, the worker removes the portion of the second deformed portion 152t located on one axial side of the second position P2 by cutting the second deformed portion 152t at the second position P2. Figure 16 is a view of a portion of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the second conductor material 152 in the removal process S50, as seen from one axial side. As shown in Figure 16, in the removal process S50, the worker slides the cutting blade CB from the radially outside to the radially inside to cut a portion of the first deformed portion 151t and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t. In other words, the removal process S50 includes cutting the first deformed portion 151t radially at the first position P1 and cutting the second deformed portion 152t radially at the second position P2. As described above, in the first welding process S40, the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other side in the circumferential direction (+θ2 side) and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other side in the circumferential direction are joined to each other. Therefore, if a part of the first deformed portion 151t and a part of the second deformed portion 152t are cut circumferentially in the removal process S50, a force is likely to be applied to the first welded portion 61 in a direction that separates the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t, which may damage the first welded portion 61. In this case, it may become difficult to cut the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t at the desired location. In contrast, by cutting a portion of the first deformed portion 151t and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t radially, it is possible to suppress the force acting on the first welded portion 61 that would cause the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t to separate, thereby suppressing damage to the first welded portion 61. Therefore, it becomes possible to stably cut the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t at the desired location.

[0084] The fact that a portion of the first deformed portion 151t was cut radially in the removal process S50 can be confirmed by looking at the first end face 51q of the first connected portion 51k of the stator 20. By cutting a portion of the first deformed portion 151t radially in the removal process S50, the first end face 51q of the first connected portion 51k is provided with a cut surface 51s having a fracture mark 51r indicating that the cutting direction was radial. An investigator examining the direction in which the first deformed portion 151t was cut in the manufacturing process of the stator 20 can confirm that a portion of the first deformed portion 151t was cut radially in the removal process S50 by checking the fracture mark 51r on the cut surface 51s of the manufactured stator 20. The same applies to the second connected portion 52k.

[0085] Although not shown in the diagram, the first deformed portion 151t of the first conductor material 151 and the second deformed portion 152t of the second conductor material 152, which are welded to each other in the first welding process S40, are arranged in a row with a gap in the radial direction. In the removal process S50, the worker cuts off parts of the multiple first deformed portions 151t and parts of the multiple second deformed portions 152t with a single sliding movement of the cutting blade CB from the radial outside to the radial inside. In the removal process S50, the worker cuts off parts of all the first deformed portions 151t and parts of all the second deformed portions 152t by repeatedly sliding the cutting blade CB from the radial outside to the radial inside, for example, while changing the circumferential position of the cutting blade CB. In addition, in the removal process S50, the worker may cut off parts of all the first deformed portions 151t and parts of all the second deformed portions 152t by other cutting methods. In removal step S50, the worker may, for example, repeatedly slide the cutting blade CB from the radially inside to the radially outside while changing the circumferential position of the cutting blade CB, thereby cutting a portion of all first deformed parts 151t and a portion of all second deformed parts 152t. In removal step S50, the worker may, for example, slide a plurality of cutting blades CB arranged in a circumferential direction from one radially inside to the radially outside to the other, thereby cutting a portion of all first deformed parts 151t and a portion of all second deformed parts 152t. By removing a portion of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the second conductor material 152 in removal step S50, the first conductor material 151 becomes the first conductor 51 and the second conductor material 152 becomes the second conductor 52. In other words, the removal process S50 includes removing the portion of the first deformed portion 151t located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first position P1 to create the first conductor 51, and removing the portion of the second deformed portion 152t located on one axial side of the second position P2 to create the second conductor 52.

[0086] The second welding process S60 is a process of joining the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 to each other by welding. The second welding process S60 is a process of permanently fixing the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 together. Figure 17 is a view of a part of the first conductor 51 and a part of the second conductor 52 in the second welding process S60, as seen from the other side in the circumferential direction (+θ2 side). As shown in Figure 17, in the second welding process S60, the worker or the like irradiates the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 with laser light Lc to weld them together. In the second welding process S60, the worker irradiates the first connected portion 51k with laser light Lc onto the portion of the first connected portion 51k located on one axial side (+Y side) than the other axial side (-Y side) end of the first weld portion 61, and onto the portion of the second connected portion 52k located on one axial side than the other axial side end of the first weld portion 61, thereby joining these portions together. In the second welding process S60 of this embodiment, the worker irradiates the first end face 51q on one axial side of the first connected portion 51k with laser light Lc onto the second end face 52q on one axial side of the second connected portion 52k. By irradiating with laser light Lc, a second weld portion 62 is created that joins the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k together. In other words, the second welding step S60 includes welding together a portion of the first connected portion 51k located on one axial side of the other axial end of the first welded portion 61 and a portion of the second connected portion 52k located on one axial side of the other axial end of the first welded portion 61, thereby creating a second welded portion 62 that joins the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k together.

[0087] The laser beam Lc is irradiated in a direction inclined radially with respect to the axial direction toward the surface of the first connected portion 51k facing one axial side (+Y side), i.e., the first end face 51q, and the surface of the second connected portion 52k facing one axial side, i.e., the second end face 52q. In other words, the second welding step S60 includes performing laser welding by irradiating the laser beam Lc in a direction inclined radially with respect to the axial direction toward the surface of the first connected portion 51k facing one axial side and the surface of the second connected portion 52k facing one axial side. Therefore, even if there is a gap in the radial direction between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k, the laser beam Lc can be prevented from passing through the gap in the axial direction. As a result, a portion of the laser beam Lc is prevented from being irradiated to the portion of the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 that is located on the other axial side (-Y side) than the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the irradiation of laser light Lc to parts other than the welding target, and to suppress damage to the covering portion 150n that covers the base material portion 150m by the laser light Lc.

[0088] In this embodiment, the laser beam Lc is irradiated in a direction that is radially inward (+R1 side) as it moves toward the other axial side (-Y side). Alternatively, the laser beam Lc may be irradiated in a direction that is radially outward (+R2 side) as it moves toward the other axial side. The laser beam Lc is irradiated in a direction that is radially inclined at an angle φ3 with respect to the axial direction. The angle φ3 is, for example, 5° or more and 45° or less. Preferably, the angle φ3 is, for example, 20° or more and 45° or less.

[0089] In this embodiment, the laser welding performed in the second welding step S60 is keyhole welding. That is, the second welding step S60 includes irradiating the boundary between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k with laser light Lc and performing keyhole welding. By using keyhole welding in the second welding step S60, the laser light Lc can be easily absorbed by the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52, and the reflection of the laser light Lc can be suppressed. This further suppresses damage to the coating portion 150n covering the base material portion 150m by reflected light of the laser light Lc. The type of laser light Lc in the second welding step S60 is preferably a hybrid laser combining a red laser and a blue laser. Any type of laser may be used as the laser light Lc.

[0090] As described above, the first welding step S40 includes joining the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing one side in the second direction, i.e., the other side in the circumferential direction (+θ2 side), to the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other side in the circumferential direction. The first welded portion 61 created by the first welding step S40 joins the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other side in the circumferential direction to the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other side in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the second welding step S60, the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are temporarily fixed by the first welded portion 61. As a result, in the second welding process S60, the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k can be permanently fixed by welding while preventing them from separating from each other, even without holding them with a jig. Therefore, the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 can be suitably joined by welding without extending the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k axially and providing a point for gripping with a jig. As a result, the axial dimensions of the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 can be reduced. This allows the stator 20 to be miniaturized in the axial direction. Therefore, the rotating electric machine 10 equipped with the stator 20 can be miniaturized in the axial direction. In addition, the drive device 100 equipped with the rotating electric machine 10 can be miniaturized in the axial direction.

[0091] In this embodiment, deformation step S30 includes arranging a part of the first deformation portion 151t and a part of the second deformation portion 152t radially side by side such that the part of the second deformation portion 152t is located radially outward of the part of the first deformation portion 151t. The first welding step S40 includes joining the part of the first deformation portion 151t facing the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) and the part of the second deformation portion 152t facing the other circumferential side to each other. As a result, the second connected portion 52k is located radially outward of the first connected portion 51k. The first welded portion 61 joins the part of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side and the part of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side. In the deformation process S30, when a portion of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the second conductor material 152 are deformed to create the first extension portion 51b and the second extension portion 52b, the deformed first extension portion 51b and the deformed second extension portion 52b are susceptible to a force acting radially outward due to the restoring force generated in each conductor material. As a result, a gap is likely to occur radially between the tip of the second extension portion 52b on the other circumferential side, which is located radially outside the first extension portion 51b, and the first extension portion 51b. In contrast, in the first welding step S40, by joining the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other side in the circumferential direction with the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other side in the circumferential direction, it is possible to suppress the formation of gaps in the part between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k where gaps are likely to occur, and the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k can be stably joined by the first welded portion 61. As a result, welding in the second welding step S60 can be performed stably. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress the formation of gaps in the radial direction between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k, it is possible to suppress the passage of a portion of the laser beam Lc through the gap between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k in the second welding step S60. Therefore, damage to the covering portion 150n covering the base material portion 150m can be further suppressed.

[0092] In the second welding process S60, multiple conductors 50 are connected to each other. This creates multiple conductor connectors 41 that are attached to the stator core 30.

[0093] The powder coating process S70 is a process of covering the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k with resin by powder coating. In the powder coating process S70, the worker applies resin by powder coating to one axial side of the coil end 40a, covering the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k, along with the first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62, with resin. The powder coating process S70 creates a resin film 43. This creates the winding portion 40 and manufactures the stator 20.

[0094] Note that the stator 20 may have a configuration similar to the stator 220 shown in Figure 18. In the following description of the stator 220, the same configuration as the stator 20 described above may be omitted from the description by appropriately assigning the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 18, in the stator 220, the conductor connector 241 has a first conductor 251 and a second conductor 252. The shapes of the first conductor 251 and the second conductor 252 are different from each other. In the conductor connector 241 of the stator 220, multiple first conductors 251 and second conductors 252, which are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, are connected.

[0095] The first conductor 251 has a first straight section 51a, a first extension 51b, and a third extension 251e. The third extension 251e is connected to the axial end (-Y side) of the first straight section 51a. The third extension 251e is located outside the first slot 34a. The third extension 251e is located axially to the other side of the first slot 34a. The shape of the third extension 251e is the same as that of the first extension 51b, except that it is inverted in the axial and circumferential directions. The third extension 251e has a third inclined section 251j. The third inclined section 251j is located circumferentially to the other side (+θ2 side) as it moves toward the axial end. The third extension 251e has a third connected section 251k, which includes the axial end of the third extension 251e.

[0096] The second conductor 252 has a second straight section 52a, a second extension 52b, and a fourth extension 252e. The fourth extension 252e connects to the other axial end (-Y side) of the second straight section 52a. The fourth extension 252e is located outside the second slot 34b. The fourth extension 252e is located on the other axial side of the second slot 34b. The shape of the fourth extension 252e is similar to that of the second extension 52b, except that it is inverted in the axial and circumferential directions. The fourth extension 252e has a fourth inclined section 252j. The fourth inclined section 252j is located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) as it moves toward the other axial side. The fourth extension 252e has a fourth connected section 252k, which includes the other axial end of the fourth extension 252e.

[0097] The first connected portion 51k of the first conductor 251 is connected by welding to the second connected portion 52k of the second conductor 252, which is located on one side (+θ1 side) of the first conductor 251 in the circumferential direction, in the same manner as the stator 20 described above. The third connected portion 251k of the first conductor 251 is connected by welding to the fourth connected portion 252k of the second conductor 252, which is located on the other side (+θ2 side) of the first conductor 251 in the circumferential direction. The third connected portion 251k and the fourth connected portion 252k are connected to each other in the same manner as the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k, except that they are reversed in the circumferential and axial directions. Therefore, the third connected portion 251k and the fourth connected portion 252k can be connected without extending them in the axial direction, in the same manner as the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k, which are connected to each other. This prevents the conductor connector 241 from becoming larger on the other axial side (-Y side), and allows the stator 220 to be made smaller in the axial direction.

[0098] Unlike the first conductor 51 of the stator 20, the first conductor 251 does not have a first connection portion 51c. Unlike the second conductor 52 of the stator 20, the second conductor 252 does not have a second connection portion 52c. In the stator 220, the portion corresponding to the first connection portion 51c and the portion corresponding to the second connection portion 52c of the stator 20 are each composed of a third extension portion 251e and a fourth extension portion 252e that are connected to each other. The other configurations of the stator 220 are the same as the other configurations of the stator 20.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and other configurations and methods may be adopted within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. The first direction may be any direction as long as it is inclined with respect to the axial direction. The second direction may be any direction as long as it is inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction. For example, the first direction may be the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis J. In this case, the second direction may be the radial direction with respect to the central axis J. The second weld may be positioned in any position as long as it is located on one side of the axial direction of the other end of the first weld. The second weld may have a portion that is positioned in the same axial direction as the first weld. The second weld may be connected to the first weld. Multiple first welds may be provided. Multiple second welds may be provided. The conductor connector may have a third weld that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion. The third weld may join the portion of the first connected portion that faces the other side of the second direction with the portion of the second connected portion that faces the other side of the second direction. The third weld may be formed, for example, in the first welding process in which the first weld is formed. The third weld may be positioned between the first and second connected parts in a second direction relative to the first weld. Multiple third welds may be provided.

[0100] The coating removal step may be a step of removing the coating by a method other than irradiating it with laser light. The coating removal step may be a step of scraping off the coating using a mold, for example. Neither the first welding step nor the second welding step may include keyhole welding, or neither the first welding step nor the second welding step may include keyhole welding. A welding step that does not include keyhole welding may, for example, weld the first connected part and the second connected part by heat conduction welding. At least one of the first welding step and the second welding step may include welding other than laser welding. In other words, the first welded part and the second welded part may be made by welding other than laser welding. The third welded part described above may be made by laser welding or by welding other than laser welding. Examples of welding other than laser welding include arc welding. The removal step may be a step of removing a part of the first deformed part and a part of the second deformed part by a method other than cutting, as long as a part of the first deformed part and a part of the second deformed part can be removed. The removal process may, for example, involve removing a portion of the first deformed area and a portion of the second deformed area by grinding.

[0101] A rotating electric machine may be mounted on a vehicle for purposes other than rotating an axle, for example, or on equipment other than vehicles. A rotating electric machine may also be a generator. A rotating electric machine may combine the functions of both a motor and a generator.

[0102] Furthermore, this technology can be configured as follows: (1) A stator core that is annular in shape surrounding a central axis and has a first slot and a second slot, and a conductor connector having a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor has a first straight portion that passes through the first slot in the axial direction and a first extension portion that is connected to one axial end of the first straight portion and is located outside the first slot, and the second conductor has a second straight portion that passes through the second slot in the axial direction and a second extension portion that is connected to one axial end of the second straight portion and is located outside the second slot, wherein the first extension portion has a first connected portion that includes one axial end of the first extension portion, and the second extension portion is axial to the second extension portion A stator having a second connected portion including one end on the opposite side, wherein the first connected portion and the second connected portion are arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and are connected to each other, and the conductor connector has a first weld that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and a second weld that is located on one side in the axial direction than the other end of the first weld that is inclined with respect to the axial direction, and when the direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as the second direction, the first weld joins a portion of the first connected portion that faces one side in the second direction and a portion of the second connected portion that faces one side in the second direction. (2) The stator according to (1), wherein the first direction is radial with respect to the central axis, the second direction is circumferential with respect to the central axis, the first extension has a first inclined portion located on one side in the circumferential direction as it moves toward one side in the axial direction, the second extension has a second inclined portion located on the other side in the circumferential direction as it moves toward one side in the axial direction, the second connected portion is located radially outward of the first connected portion, and the first welded portion joins the portion of the first connected portion that faces the other side in the circumferential direction to the portion of the second connected portion that faces the other side in the circumferential direction. (3) The stator according to (1) or (2), wherein the first conductor has a conductive first base material portion and a first covering portion that covers a part of the surface of the first base material portion, the second conductor has a conductive second base material portion and a second covering portion that covers a part of the surface of the second base material portion, the first base material portion has a first exposed portion that is exposed from the first covering portion, the second base material portion has a second exposed portion that is exposed from the second covering portion, the first extension portion has a first inclined portion that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, the second extension portion has a second inclined portion that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, the first exposed portion includes the first connected portion and a part of the first inclined portion, the second exposed portion includes the second connected portion and a part of the second inclined portion, and at least a portion of the first inclined portion included in the first exposed portion and the portion of the second inclined portion included in the second exposed portion overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. (4) The stator according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first conductor comprises a first conductive base material portion and a first covering portion that covers a part of the surface of the first base material portion, the first base material portion has a first exposed portion that is exposed from the first covering portion, the first exposed portion includes the first connected portion, and the arithmetic mean roughness on the surface of the first exposed portion is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness on the surface of the first covering portion. (5) The stator according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the end face on one axial side of the first connected portion is provided with a cut surface having a fracture mark indicating that the cutting direction is the first direction. (6) The stator according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the first connected portion and the second connected portion are covered with resin. (7) A rotating electric machine comprising a stator as described in any one of (1) to (6), and a rotor facing the stator with a gap between them. (8) A drive device comprising the rotating electric machine described in (7) and a power transmission unit connected to the rotor. (9) A method for manufacturing a stator comprising a stator core which is annular and surrounds a central axis and has a first slot and a second slot, and a conductor connector which has a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor is made from a first conductor material, and the second conductor is made from a second conductor material, a deformation step of deforming the first conductor material and the second conductor material, a first welding step of joining the first conductor material and the second conductor material to each other by welding, a removal step of removing a part of the first conductor material and a part of the second conductor material to make the first conductor and the second conductor, and the first conductor and the The deformation step includes a second welding step of joining the first conductor and the second conductor together by welding, wherein the deformation step includes creating a first deformed portion by deforming at least a portion of the first conductor material that is located on one side in the axial direction from the first slot while it is passed through the first slot in the axial direction, creating a second deformed portion by deforming at least a portion of the second conductor material that is located on one side in the axial direction from the second slot while it is passed through the second slot in the axial direction, and arranging a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, wherein the first welding step includes joining a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion that are arranged side by side in the first direction by welding, thereby creating a first welded portion that joins a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion together, wherein the removal step includes creating the first conductor by removing a portion of the first deformed portion that is located on one side in the axial direction from a first position that is located on one side in the axial direction from the other end of the first weld, and removing a portion of the second deformed portion that is located on one side in the axial direction from a second position that is located on one side in the axial direction from the other end of the first weld The method also includes removing a portion located on one side in the axial direction to create the second conductor, wherein the first conductor has a first straight portion that passes through the first slot in the axial direction, and a first extension portion that is connected to the axial end of the first straight portion and is located outside the first slot, and the second conductor has a second straight portion that passes through the second slot in the axial direction, and a second extension portion that is connected to the axial end of the second straight portion and is located outside the second slot, the first extension portion has a first connected portion that includes the axial end of the first extension portion, and the second extension portion isA method for manufacturing a stator, comprising: a second connected portion including the axial end of the second extension; the second welding step includes welding together a portion of the first connected portion located axially to one side of the axial end of the first welded portion and a portion of the second connected portion located axially to one side of the axial end of the first welded portion to create a second weld that connects the first connected portion and the second connected portion; and, when the second direction is defined as the direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction, the first welding step includes joining together a portion of the first deformed portion facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deformed portion facing one side of the second direction. (10) The method for manufacturing a stator according to (9), wherein the first direction is radial with respect to the central axis, the second direction is circumferential with respect to the central axis, the deformation step includes: deforming a portion of the first conductor material located axially to one side of the first slot to create a first inclined portion located circumferentially to one side as it moves toward the axial side; deforming a portion of the second conductor material located axially to one side of the second slot to create a second inclined portion located circumferentially to the other side as it moves toward the axial side; and arranging a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion side by side radially such that the portion of the second deformed portion is located radially outward of the portion of the first deformed portion, and the first welding step includes joining a portion of the first deformed portion facing the other side in the circumferential direction and a portion of the second deformed portion facing the other side in the circumferential direction to each other. (11) The process includes a coating removal step performed before the first welding step, wherein the first conductor material and the second conductor material each have a conductive base material portion and a coating portion that covers the surface of the base material portion, and the deformation step includes deforming a portion of the first conductor material located on one axial side of the first slot to create a first inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, and deforming a portion of the second conductor material located on one axial side of the second slot to create a second inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the coating removal step is the first A method for manufacturing a stator according to (9) or (10), comprising: removing the covering portion from the portion of the conductor material that will become the first connected portion and a portion of the first inclined portion of the first conductor material; and removing the covering portion from the portion of the second conductor material that will become the second connected portion and a portion of the second inclined portion of the second conductor material, wherein in the first welding step, at least a portion of the portion of the first inclined portion from which the covering portion has been removed and the portion of the second inclined portion from which the covering portion has been removed overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. (12) A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (11), comprising a coating removal step performed prior to the first welding step, wherein the first conductor material and the second conductor material each have a conductive base material portion and a coating portion that covers the surface of the base material portion, and the coating removal step includes removing a part of the coating portion of the first conductor material and a part of the coating portion of the second conductor material by irradiating them with laser light. (13) A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (12), wherein the first welding step includes irradiating a portion of the first deformed portion that faces one side in the second direction and a portion of the second deformed portion that faces one side in the second direction with laser light in a direction inclined at 30° or more with respect to the axial direction to perform laser welding. (14) A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (13), wherein the first welding step includes irradiating a portion of the first deformed portion that faces one side in the second direction and a portion of the second deformed portion that faces one side in the second direction with laser light in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction to perform laser welding. (15) The method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (14), wherein the removal step includes cutting the first deformed portion in the first direction at the first position and cutting the second deformed portion in the first direction at the second position. (16) The method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (15), wherein the second welding step includes irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction toward the surface of the first connected portion facing one side in the axial direction and the surface of the second connected portion facing one side in the axial direction, and performing laser welding. (17) A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (16), wherein at least one of the first welding step and the second welding step includes irradiating the boundary between the first connected portion and the second connected portion with laser light to perform keyhole welding.

[0103] The configurations and methods described herein can be combined as appropriate, within the bounds of non-inconsistency. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 10...Rotating electric machine, 11...Rotor, 20...Stator, 30...Stator core, 34...Slot, 34a...First slot, 34b...Second slot, 41...Conductor connector, 50, 50a...Conductor, 51...First conductor, 51a...First straight section, 51b...First extension section, 51f...First inclined section, 51k...First connected section, 51m...First base material section, 51n...First covering section, 51p...First exposed section, 51r, 52r...Break marks, 51s, 52s...Cut surface, 52...Second conductor, 52a...Second straight section, 52b...Second extension section, 52f...Second inclined section, 52k...Second 2 connected parts, 52m... second base material part, 52n... second covering part, 52p... second exposed part, 61... first welded part, 62... second welded part, 70... power transmission part, 100... drive device, 150... conductor material, 150m... base material part, 150n... covering part, 151... first conductor material, 151t... first deformed part, 152... second conductor material, 152t... second deformed part, J... central axis, La, Lb, Lc... laser light, P1... first position, P2... second position, S10... covering part removal process, S30... deformation process, S40... first welding process, S50... removal process, S60... second welding process

Claims

1. The stator core surrounds the central axis, A conductor connector having a first conductor and a second conductor, which is attached to the stator core, Equipped with, The first conductor has a first connected portion located on one axial side of the stator core, The second conductor has a second connected portion located on one axial side of the stator core, The aforementioned conductor connector is A first welded portion that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion and temporarily fixes the first connected portion and the second connected portion, A second welded portion joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and permanently fixes the first connected portion and the second connected portion together. A statist having the following characteristics.

2. The stator according to claim 1, wherein the second weld is located axially to one side of the other axial end of the first weld.

3. The first connected portion and the second connected portion are arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, The stator according to claim 1, wherein, when the second direction is defined as the direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction, the first welded portion joins the portion of the first connected portion that faces one side in the second direction with respect to the portion of the second connected portion that faces one side in the second direction.

4. The first direction is the radial direction with respect to the central axis, The second direction is the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, The first conductor has a first inclined portion that is located on one side in the axial direction from the stator core and is located on one side in the circumferential direction as it moves toward the one side in the axial direction, The second conductor has a second inclined portion that is located on one axial side of the stator core and is located on the other circumferential side as it moves toward the axial side, The second connected portion is located radially outward from the first connected portion, The stator according to claim 3, wherein the first welded portion joins the portion of the first connected portion that faces the other side in the circumferential direction and the portion of the second connected portion that faces the other side in the circumferential direction.

5. The first conductor is A first base material having conductivity, A first covering portion that covers a part of the surface of the first base material portion, A first inclined portion is located on one axial side of the stator core and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, It has, The aforementioned second conductor is A second base material having conductivity, A second covering portion that covers a part of the surface of the second base material portion, A second inclined portion is located on one axial side of the stator core and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, It has, The first base material portion has a first exposed portion that is exposed from the first covering portion, The second base material portion has a second exposed portion that is exposed from the second covering portion, The first exposed portion includes the first connected portion and a part of the first inclined portion, The second exposed portion includes the second connected portion and a part of the second inclined portion, The stator according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the first inclined portion included in the first exposed portion and a portion of the second inclined portion included in the second exposed portion overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.

6. The first conductor is A first base material having conductivity, A first covering portion that covers a part of the surface of the first base material portion, It has, The first base material portion has a first exposed portion that is exposed from the first covering portion, The first exposed portion includes the first connected portion, The stator according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic mean roughness on the surface of the first exposed portion is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness on the surface of the first covered portion.

7. The stator according to claim 3, wherein the end face on one axial side of the first connected portion is provided with a cut surface having a fracture mark indicating that the cutting direction is the first direction.

8. The stator according to claim 1, wherein the first connected portion and the second connected portion are covered with resin.

9. A stator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A rotor facing the stator with a gap in between, A rotating electric machine equipped with the following features.

10. The rotating electric machine according to claim 9, A power transmission unit connected to the rotor, A drive device equipped with the following features.

11. A method for manufacturing a stator comprising a stator core surrounding a central axis, and a conductor connector having a first conductor and a second conductor and attached to the stator core, The first conductor is made from the first conductor material, The aforementioned second conductor is made from the second conductor material. A first welding step in which the first conductor material and the second conductor material are joined to each other by welding, A removal step of removing a portion of the first conductor material and a portion of the second conductor material to create the first conductor and the second conductor, A second welding step in which the first conductor and the second conductor are joined to each other by welding, Includes, The first conductor has a first connected portion located on one axial side of the stator core, The second conductor has a second connected portion located on one axial side of the stator core, The aforementioned conductor connector is A first welded portion that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion, A second welded portion that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion, It has, The first welded portion is made in the first welding process. The second welded portion is formed in the second welding process, and is a method for manufacturing a stator.

12. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 11, wherein the second welding step includes forming the second weld by welding together a portion of the first connected portion located axially to one side of the other axial end of the first weld portion and a portion of the second connected portion located axially to one side of the other axial end of the first weld portion.

13. The first connected portion and the second connected portion are arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 11, wherein the second direction is defined as the direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction, and the first welding step includes forming the first welded portion by welding together a portion of the first conductor material facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second conductor material facing one side of the second direction.

14. The process includes a deformation step in which the first conductor material and the second conductor material are deformed prior to the first welding step, The first direction is the radial direction with respect to the central axis, The second direction is the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, The aforementioned deformation step is, A part of the first conductor material is deformed to create a first inclined portion which is located on one side in the axial direction relative to the stator core and is located on one side in the circumferential direction as it moves toward the one side in the axial direction, A portion of the second conductor material is deformed to create a second inclined portion which is located on one axial side of the stator core and moves toward the other circumferential side as it moves toward the axial side, Includes, The second connected portion is located radially outward from the first connected portion, The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 13, wherein the first welding step includes joining together a portion of the first conductor material that will become the first connected portion and a portion of the second conductor material that will become the second connected portion and a portion of the second conductor material that will become the second connected portion.

15. A deformation step in which the first conductor material and the second conductor material are deformed prior to the first welding step, A coating removal step performed prior to the first welding step, Includes, The first conductor material and the second conductor material are, A conductive base material portion, A covering portion that covers the surface of the base material portion, Each has, The aforementioned deformation step is, A part of the first conductor material is deformed to create a first inclined portion that is located on one axial side of the stator core and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, A part of the second conductor material is deformed to create a second inclined portion that is located on one axial side of the stator core and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, Includes, The aforementioned coating removal step is: Removing the covering portion from the portion of the first conductor material that will become the first connected portion and a portion of the first slanted portion of the first conductor material, Removing the covering portion from the portion of the second conductor material that becomes the second connected portion and a portion of the second inclined portion of the second conductor material, Includes, The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 13, wherein in the first welding step, at least a portion of the first inclined portion from which the covering portion has been removed and the portion of the second inclined portion from which the covering portion has been removed overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.

16. This includes a coating removal step performed prior to the first welding step, The first conductor material and the second conductor material are, A conductive base material portion, A covering portion that covers the surface of the base material portion, Each has, The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 11, wherein the coating removal step includes removing a portion of the coating of the first conductor material and a portion of the coating of the second conductor material by irradiating them with laser light.

17. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 13, wherein the first welding step includes irradiating a portion of the first conductor material facing one side in the second direction and a portion of the second conductor material facing one side in the second direction with laser light in a direction inclined at 30° or more with respect to the axial direction to perform laser welding.

18. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 13, wherein the first welding step includes irradiating a portion of the first conductor material facing one side in the second direction and a portion of the second conductor material facing one side in the second direction with laser light in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction to perform laser welding.

19. The removal process described above is: Cutting the first conductor material in the first direction, Cutting the second conductor material in the first direction, A method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 13, including the method described in claim 13.

20. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 13, wherein the second welding step includes irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction toward the surface of the first connected portion facing one side in the axial direction and the surface of the second connected portion facing one side in the axial direction, thereby performing laser welding.

21. A method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first welding step and the second welding step includes irradiating the boundary between the first connected portion and the second connected portion with laser light to perform keyhole welding.

22. A stator manufacturing apparatus capable of carrying out the stator manufacturing method described in any one of claims 11 to 21.

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