Stator, rotating electric machine, drive device, and method for manufacturing stator

Abstract

A stator that can be made smaller in size in the axial direction and a method for manufacturing the stator are provided. [Solution] The stator includes a stator core having first and second slots, and a first conductor (51) and a second conductor (52). The first conductor (51) has a first extending portion (51b) located outside the first slot. The second conductor (52) has a second extending portion (52b) located outside the second slot. The first extending portion (51b) has a first coupled portion (51k). The second extending portion (52b) has a second coupled portion (52k). The first coupled portion (51k) and the second coupled portion (52k) are arranged side by side in a first direction and coupled to each other. The conductor connector includes a first welded portion (61) joining the first coupled portion (51k) and the second coupled portion (52k), and a second welded portion (62) located axially to one side of the end of the first welded portion (61) on the other axial side and joining the first coupled portion (51k) and the second coupled portion (52k).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, a stator of a rotating electrical machine is known that includes a coil configured by connecting a plurality of conductors such as rectangular wires (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-41440 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the stator described above, when welding the conductors together, it is necessary to hold the conductors together with a jig. Therefore, if the portions of the conductors held by the jig and the portions of the conductors to be welded are close to each other, the welding heat may be applied to the jig, which may damage the jig. Therefore, it is necessary to make the portions of the conductors to be welded together longer in the axial direction, and to separate the portions of each conductor held by the jig from the portions to be welded in the axial direction. This requires increasing the axial dimension of the conductors, which can make it difficult to reduce the size of the stator in the axial direction.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a stator that can be made smaller in size in the axial direction. Also, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotating electric machine, a drive device, and a method for manufacturing a stator that can make the stator smaller in size in the axial direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of a stator of the present invention includes a stator core having an annular shape surrounding a central axis and first and second slots, and a conductor coupling body having first and second conductors. The first conductor has a first straight portion axially passed through the first slot and a first extending portion connected to one axial end of the first straight portion and positioned outside the first slot. The second conductor has a second straight portion axially passed through the second slot and a second extending portion connected to one axial end of the second straight portion and positioned outside the second slot. The first extending portion has a first coupled portion including one axial end of the first extending portion. The second extending portion has a second coupled portion including one axial end of the second extending portion. The first coupled portion and the second coupled portion are arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and are coupled to each other. The conductor connecting body has a first welded portion that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and a second welded portion that is located axially on one side of an end of the first welded portion that is on the other axial side and joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion. When a direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, the first welded portion 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.

[0007] One embodiment of the method for manufacturing a stator of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a stator including a stator core that is annular and surrounds a central axis, the stator core having first slots and second slots, and a conductor assembly having first conductors and second conductors. In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing a stator of the present invention, the first conductors are made of a first conductive material and the second conductors are made of a second conductive material, and the method includes the following steps: a deformation step of deforming the first conductive material and the second conductive material, a first welding step of joining the first conductive material and the second conductive material to each other by welding, a removal step of removing a portion of the first conductive material and a portion of the second conductive material to form the first conductors and the second conductors, and a second welding step of joining the first conductors and the second conductors to each other by welding. The deforming step includes: forming a first deformed portion by deforming at least a portion of the first conductor material axially inserted through the first slot, the portion being located on one axial side of the first slot; forming a second deformed portion by deforming at least a portion of the second conductor material axially inserted through the second slot, the portion being located on one axial side of the second slot; 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 side by side in the first direction by welding to form a first welded portion joining the portion of the first deformed portion and the portion of the second deformed portion side by side. The removing step includes forming the first conductor by removing a portion of the first deformed portion located on one axial side of a first position axially spaced apart from an end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion; and forming the second conductor by removing a portion of the second deformed portion located on one axial side of a second position axially spaced apart from an end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion. The first conductor has a first straight portion that is passed through the first slot in the axial direction and a first extending portion that is connected to one axial end of the first straight portion and is located outside the first slot, while the second conductor has a second straight portion that is passed through the second slot in the axial direction and a second extending portion that is connected to one axial end of the second straight portion and is located outside the second slot.The first extending portion has a first connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the first extending portion. The second extending portion has a second connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the second extending portion. The second welding step includes welding together a portion of the first connected portion that is located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion and a portion of the second connected portion that is located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion, to create a second welded portion that connects the first connected portion and the second connected portion to each other. When a direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, the first welding step includes joining together a portion of the first deforming portion that faces one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deforming portion that faces one side of the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

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

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a drive device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a stator in one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a stator in one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a stator in one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of a conductor connection body according to one embodiment, viewed from the radially inner side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view of a part of a first conductor and a part of a second conductor in one embodiment, viewed from the radially inner side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of a first conductor and a part of a second conductor in one embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a view of a part of a first conductor and a part of a second conductor in one embodiment, viewed from one axial side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing part of the procedure of a method for manufacturing a stator according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first conductive material and a second conductive material in one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a part of the procedure of the coating portion removing step in one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view showing part of the procedure of the deformation step in one embodiment as viewed from the inside in the radial direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view of a part of the first conductor and a part of the second conductor after the deformation step in one embodiment, viewed from the radially inner side. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view showing a part of the procedure of the first welding step in one embodiment, as viewed from the radially inner side. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a view showing part of the procedure of the first welding step in one embodiment as viewed from the other circumferential side. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a view showing part of the procedure of the removal step in one embodiment as viewed from one axial side. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a view showing part of the procedure of the second welding step in one embodiment as viewed from the other circumferential side. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a view of a part of a conductor connection body according to a modification of the embodiment, viewed from the radially inner side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The drive unit 100 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 on which the drive unit 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 equipped with the drive unit 100. The drive unit 100 of this embodiment is used as a power source for the vehicle 1000 on which it is mounted. The drive unit 100 rotates a drive shaft 73 of the vehicle 1000.

[0011] In the drawings, an XYZ coordinate system is appropriately shown as a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z axis direction is the up-down direction. The side toward which the Z axis arrow points (+Z side) is the upper side, and the opposite side to the side toward which the Z axis arrow points (-Z side) is the lower side. The X axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z axis direction and is the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 1000 on which the driving device 100 of this embodiment is mounted. In this embodiment, the side toward which the X axis arrow points (+X side) is the front side of the vehicle 1000, and the opposite side to the side toward which the X axis arrow points (-X side) is the rear side of the vehicle 1000. The Y axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X axis direction and the Z axis direction and is the left-to-right direction of the vehicle 1000, i.e., the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the side toward which the Y-axis arrow points (+Y side) is the left side of the vehicle 1000, and the opposite side toward which the Y-axis arrow points (-Y side) is the right side of the vehicle 1000.

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

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

[0014] The side (+R1 side) towards which the arrow R1, shown as appropriate in the figures, points indicates the radially inner side. The side (+R2 side) towards which the arrow R2, shown as appropriate in the figures, points indicates the radially outer side. The side (+θ1 side) towards which the arrow θ1, shown as appropriate in the figures, points indicates one circumferential side. The side (+θ2 side) towards which the arrow θ2, shown as appropriate in the figures, points indicates the other circumferential side. In this embodiment, the one circumferential side is the side in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from one axial side in the circumferential direction. The other circumferential side is the side in the clockwise direction as viewed from one axial side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the other circumferential side corresponds to "one side in the second direction." The one circumferential side corresponds to "the other side in the second direction."

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the drive device 100 includes a rotating electric machine 10, a power transmission unit 70, a housing 80, and a control device 90. The housing 80 accommodates the rotating electric machine 10 and the power transmission unit 70 therein. The housing 80 has a motor housing 81 that accommodates the rotating electric machine 10 therein, and a gear housing 82 that accommodates the power transmission unit 70 therein. In this embodiment, oil O is accommodated 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 therebetween. In this embodiment, the rotor 11 is located radially inside 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 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J. A portion of the shaft 12, including an end on one axial side (+Y side), protrudes into the gear housing 82. The rotor core 13 is fixed to the outer peripheral 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 a drive shaft 73 of the vehicle 1000. The power transmission unit 70 is a gear mechanism. The power transmission unit 70 has 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 a portion of the shaft 12 of the rotor 11 that is located inside the gear housing 82. The reduction gear 71 may be connected to the rotor 11 via a gear shaft that is coupled to an end of the shaft 12 on one axial side (+Y side). In this case, the end of the shaft 12 on one axial side does not need 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 is provided. A pair of tires 74A, 74B are connected to the 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 device 72 via the reduction gear 71, a pair of drive shafts 73 connected to the differential device 72 rotates. In this way, the driving device 100 rotates the drive shafts 73 to which tires 74A, 74B of the vehicle 1000 are connected. The rotation of the pair of drive shafts 73 rotates the pair of tires 74A, 74B, causing the vehicle 1000 to travel.

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

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , the stator core 30 is annular and surrounds a central axis J. In this embodiment, the stator core 30 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the central axis J. The stator core 30 has a plurality of plate members stacked in the axial direction. The plurality of plate members are, for example, electromagnetic steel plates. 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 and surrounds the central axis J. In this embodiment, the core back 31 is substantially cylindrical and centered on the central axis J. The teeth 32 extend radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the core back 31. The teeth 32 are arranged side by side at intervals in the circumferential direction. The teeth 32 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference. As shown in FIG. 4 , each of the teeth 32 has an umbrella portion 32a. Each umbrella portion 32a is a radially inner end of the tooth 32. Each umbrella portion 32a protrudes on both circumferential sides beyond the portion of each tooth 32 that connects to the radially outer side of the umbrella portion 32a. Note that the radially inner end of each tooth 32 does not have to have a shape that protrudes on both circumferential 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 opening 34e of each slot 34, which will be described later, may be closed by another member. The other member may be, for example, a wedge-shaped member.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple protrusions 33 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the core back 31. The multiple protrusions 33 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The multiple protrusions 33 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference. In the example of FIG. 3, the number of the multiple protrusions 33 is four. The multiple protrusions 33 are fixed to the housing 80 by, for example, screw members. Note that the stator core 30 does not necessarily have the 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 circumferentially adjacent teeth 32. The internal space of each slot 34 is the space between circumferentially adjacent teeth 32. Each slot 34 is open on both axial sides. As shown in FIG. 4, each slot 34 has an opening 34e that opens radially inward. The opening 34e is provided circumferentially between the umbrella portions 32a of circumferentially adjacent teeth 32.

[0024] A portion of the winding portion 40 is disposed in each slot 34. Insulating paper 42 is disposed in each slot 34. Within the slot 34, the insulating paper 42 surrounds the portion of the winding portion 40 disposed in the slot 34 when viewed in the axial direction. Each insulating paper 42 insulates the portion of the winding portion 40 disposed in the slot 34 from the stator core 30. Each insulating paper 42 protrudes beyond the corresponding slot 34 on both sides in the axial direction. The circumferential dimension of the portion of the winding portion 40 disposed in the slot 34 is larger than the circumferential dimension of the opening 34e. This prevents the portion of the winding portion 40 disposed in the slot 34 from slipping out radially inward from the slot 34. Note that, if the opening 34e is blocked by another member as described above, the other member prevents the portion of the winding portion 40 disposed in the slot 34 from slipping out radially inward from the slot 34.

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

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

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

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5 , each conductor connected body 41 includes multiple conductors 50. Each conductor connected body 41 is configured by connecting multiple conductors 50 in series. In this embodiment, each conductor 50 is configured by a rectangular wire. In this specification, "rectangular wire" refers to a wire having a rectangular or approximately rectangular cross-section. In this specification, "approximately rectangular shape" includes a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Each conductor 50 is configured by a conductive base material, part of whose surface is covered with a coating. The base material of the portion of each conductor 50 that is electrically connected to other conductors 50 is exposed by peeling off the coating. The base material is made of metal. The material that constitutes the base material is, for example, copper. The material that constitutes the base material may be any material that is conductive. The coating is an insulating coating. The coating is, for example, made of enamel. The material that constitutes the coating may be any material that is insulating.

[0029] The multiple conductors 50 in each conductor connection body 41 include multiple conductors 50a each having a portion located inside at least one slot 34. In this embodiment, the multiple conductors 50a each have 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. The multiple conductors 50 in each conductor connection body 41 may include conductors 50 that do not have a portion located inside a slot 34, or may include conductors 50 that have a portion located inside one slot 34 and no portion located inside another slot 34.

[0030] Two conductors 50a are connected to each other by welding together portions of each conductor 50a located on one axial side (+Y side) of the stator core 30. In the following description, one set of two conductors 50a connected to each other will be described as a representative of the multiple conductors 50a. One of the set of conductors 50a will be referred to as a first conductor 51, and the other of the set of conductors 50a will be referred to as a second conductor 52. In other words, the conductor connected body 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 having the same shape.

[0031] The first conductor 51 has a first straight portion 51a, a first extending portion 51b, a first connecting portion 51c, a third straight portion 51d, and a third extending portion 51e. The first straight portion 51a extends in the axial direction. The first straight portion 51a is passed through one slot 34 in the axial direction. The slot 34 through which the first straight portion 51a is passed is referred to as the first slot 34a. In other words, the stator core 30 has the first slot 34a.

[0032] The first extending portion 51b is connected to the end of the first straight portion 51a on one axial side (+Y side). The first extending portion 51b is located outside the first slot 34a. The first extending portion 51b is located on one axial side of the first slot 34a. The first extending portion 51b has a first inclined portion 51f. The first inclined portion 51f extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first inclined portion 51f is located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) as it approaches the one axial side. In this embodiment, the end of the first inclined portion 51f on the other axial side (-Y side) and the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) is connected to the end of the first straight portion 51a on one axial side. In this embodiment, the end of the first inclined portion 51f on one axial side and one circumferential side is the end of the first extending portion 51b on one axial side. In this embodiment, the first extending portion 51b is made of the first inclined portion 51f. The first extending portion 51b may have a portion that extends axially to one side from an end portion on one axial side and one circumferential side of the first inclined portion 51f.

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

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the third straight portion 51d extends in the axial direction. The third straight portion 51d is located on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the first straight portion 51a. The third straight portion 51d is passed through a slot 34 of the multiple slots 34 that is different from the first slot 34a in the axial direction. The slot 34 through which the third straight portion 51d is passed is referred to as the third slot 34c. In other words, the stator core 30 has the third slot 34c. The third slot 34c is located on the other circumferential side of the first slot 34a. One or more other slots 34 are arranged circumferentially between the first slot 34a and the third slot 34c.

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

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

[0037] The second conductor 52 has a second straight portion 52a, a second extending portion 52b, a second connecting portion 52c, a fourth straight portion 52d, and a fourth extending portion 52e. The second straight portion 52a extends in the axial direction. The second straight portion 52a is passed through one slot 34 in the axial direction. The slot 34 through which the second straight portion 52a is passed is referred to as the second slot 34b. In other words, the stator core 30 has the second slot 34b. The second slot 34b is located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) of the first slot 34a. One or more other slots 34 are arranged circumferentially between the first slot 34a and the second slot 34b. The first slot 34a is located circumferentially between the second slot 34b and the third slot 34c.

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

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

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5 , the fourth straight portion 52d extends in the axial direction. The fourth straight portion 52d is located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) of the second straight portion 52a. The fourth straight portion 52d is axially passed through one of the multiple slots 34 that is different from the second slot 34b. The slot 34 through which the fourth straight portion 52d is passed is referred to as the fourth slot 34d. In other words, the stator core 30 has the fourth slot 34d. The fourth slot 34d is located on one circumferential side of the second slot 34b. One or more other slots 34 are arranged circumferentially between the second slot 34b and the fourth slot 34d. The second slot 34b is located circumferentially between the first slot 34a and the fourth slot 34d.

[0041] The second connecting portion 52c connects the end of the second straight portion 52a on the other axial side (-Y side) and the end of the fourth straight portion 52d on the other axial side. The second connecting portion 52c is located outside the second slot 34b and the fourth slot 34d. The second connecting portion 52c is located on the other axial side of the second slot 34b and the fourth slot 34d. When viewed from the radially inner side, the second connecting portion 52c has a generally V-shape that convexly extends toward the other axial side. The shape of the second connecting portion 52c is the same as the shape of the first connecting portion 51c.

[0042] The fourth extending portion 52e is connected to the end of the fourth straight portion 52d on one axial side (+Y side). The fourth extending portion 52e is located outside the fourth slot 34d. The fourth extending portion 52e is located on one axial side of the fourth slot 34d. The fourth extending portion 52e has a fourth inclined portion 52j. The fourth inclined portion 52j extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the fourth inclined portion 52j is located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) as it approaches the one axial side. In the present embodiment, the end of the fourth inclined portion 52j on the other axial side (-Y side) and the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) is connected to the end of the fourth straight portion 52d on one axial side. In the present embodiment, the end of the fourth inclined portion 52j on one axial side and one circumferential side is the end of the fourth extending portion 52e on one axial side. In the present embodiment, the fourth extending portion 52e is made of the fourth inclined portion 52j. The fourth extending portion 52e may have a portion extending axially to one side from an end portion on one axial and circumferential side of the fourth inclined portion 52j. The shape of the fourth extending portion 52e is the same as the shape of the first extending portion 51b.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the first conductor 51 has a first base material portion 51m and a first covering 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 covering portion 51n covers a portion of the surface of the first base material portion 51m. The first covering portion 51n is an insulating coating. The first covering portion 51n is made of, for example, enamel. The material constituting the first covering 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 exposed from the first covered portion 51n. The first exposed portion 51p is a portion including the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the first extending portion 51b. The first exposed portion 51p includes a part of the first inclined portion 51f. The first exposed portion 51p is a portion including the end portion on one axial side 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 a portion of the first base material portion 51m including the end portion on one axial side of the third extending portion 51e is also a portion exposed from the first covered portion 51n. This exposed portion has the same shape as the second exposed portion 52p described below.

[0045] The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is larger than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the first covered portion 51n. In this embodiment, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is 4 μm or more. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is preferably 8 μm or more. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p is, for example, 30 μm or less.

[0046] The second conductor 52 has a second base material portion 52m and a second covering 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 covering portion 52n covers a portion of the surface of the second base material portion 52m. The second covering portion 52n is an insulating coating. The second covering portion 52n is made of, for example, enamel. The material constituting the second covering 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 exposed from the second covered portion 52n. The second exposed portion 52p is a portion that includes the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the second extending portion 52b. The second exposed portion 52p includes a part of the second inclined portion 52f. The second exposed portion 52p is a portion that includes the end portion on one axial side 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 a portion of the second base material portion 52m that includes the end portion on one axial side of the fourth extending portion 52e is also a portion that is exposed from the second covered portion 52n. This exposed portion has the same shape as the first exposed portion 51p.

[0048] The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is larger than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second covered portion 52n. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is 4 μm or more. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is preferably 8 μm or more. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p is, for example, 30 μm or less. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p may be the same as or different from the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of 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 at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction. Note that the entire portion of the first extending portion 51b that overlaps with the second extending portion 52b when viewed 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 extending portion 52b that overlaps with the first extending portion 51b when viewed in the radial direction may be the second exposed portion 52p where the second base material portion 52m is exposed.

[0050] The first extending portion 51b has a first connected portion 51k. The first connected portion 51k includes an end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the first extending portion 51b. The first connected portion 51k is at least a part of the first exposed portion 51p. In other words, the first exposed portion 51p includes the first connected portion 51k. In this embodiment, the first connected portion 51k is a portion of the first exposed portion 51p on one axial side. 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 extending portion 52b has a second connected portion 52k. The second connected portion 52k includes an end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the second extending portion 52b. The second connected portion 52k is at least a part of the second exposed portion 52p. In other words, the second exposed portion 52p includes the second connected portion 52k. In this embodiment, the second connected portion 52k is a portion of the second exposed portion 52p on one axial side. 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 (on the +R2 side) of the first connected portion 51k. At least a portion of the radially outer surface of the first connected portion 51k and at least a portion of the radially inner surface of the second connected portion 52k contact 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 in the radial direction. In this embodiment, almost the entire first connected portion 51k and almost the entire second connected portion 52k overlap in the radial direction.

[0053] The first connected portion 51k has a first end surface 51q. The first end surface 51q is an end surface on one axial side (+Y side) of the first connected portion 51k. The first end surface 51q is also an end surface on one axial side of the first extending portion 51b. The first end surface 51q faces one axial side. As shown in FIG. 8, the first end surface 51q has a cut surface 51s having a fracture mark 51r. The fracture mark 51r indicates that the cutting direction of the cut surface 51s is the radial direction. In FIG. 8, the fracture mark 51r is shown as, for example, a linear mark extending in the radial direction. The fracture mark 51r may be any mark that indicates that the cutting direction of the cut surface 51s is the radial direction. For example, if the cut surface 51s is formed by shearing, the fracture mark 51r may be a mark resulting from the shearing process, such as a sag, a sheared surface, a fractured surface, or a burr. Only a portion of the fracture mark 51r is shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the cut surface 51s having the fracture mark 51r is the entire portion of the first end surface 51q other than the portion where the second welded portion 62 (described later) is provided.

[0054] The second connected portion 52k has a second end surface 52q. The second end surface 52q is an end surface on one axial side (+Y side) of the second connected portion 52k. The second end surface 52q is also an end surface on one axial side of the second extending portion 52b. The second end surface 52q faces one axial side. The second end surface 52q has a cut surface 52s having a fracture mark 52r. The fracture mark 52r indicates that the cutting direction of the cut surface 52s is the radial direction. In FIG. 8, the fracture mark 52r is shown as, for example, a linear mark extending in the radial direction. The fracture mark 52r may be any mark indicating that the cutting direction of the cut surface 52s is the radial direction. For example, if the cut surface 52s is formed by shearing, the fracture mark 52r may be a mark resulting from the shearing process, such as a sag, a sheared surface, a fractured surface, or a burr. Only a portion of the fracture mark 52r is shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the cut surface 52s having the fracture mark 52r is the entire portion of the second end surface 52q other than the portion where the second welded portion 62, which will be 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 a first welded portion 61 and a second welded portion 62. In other words, the conductor connecting body 41 has the first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62. The first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62 join the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k, respectively.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first welded portion 61 joins a portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) to a portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side. The portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side includes a surface of the first connected portion 51k on the other circumferential side. The portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side includes a surface of the second connected portion 52k on the other circumferential side. The first connected portion 51k is, for example, a portion of the first exposed portion 51p extending from an end portion on the other axial side (−Y side) of the first welded portion 61 to one axial side (+Y side). The second connected portion 52k is, for example, a portion of the second exposed portion 52p extending from an end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion 61 to one axial side. In this embodiment, the first welded portion 61 is formed by laser welding.

[0057] For example, the surface on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the first welded portion 61 is recessed toward one circumferential side (+θ1 side) relative to portions of the other circumferential side surface of the first connected portion 51k and the other circumferential side surface of the second connected portion 52k where the first welded portion 61 is not provided. The surface on the other circumferential side of the first welded portion 61 may protrude toward the other circumferential side relative to portions of the other circumferential side surface of the first connected portion 51k and the other circumferential side surface of the second connected portion 52k where the first welded portion 61 is not provided. The surface on the other circumferential side of the first welded portion 61 may be located at the same circumferential position as portions of the other circumferential side surface of the first connected portion 51k and the other circumferential side surface of the second connected portion 52k where the first welded portion 61 is not provided.

[0058] In this embodiment, the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the first welded portion 61 is located farther toward the other axial side (-Y side) than the end portion on one axial side of the portion of the first connected portion 51k that faces the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) and the end portion on one axial side of the portion of the second connected portion 52k that faces the other circumferential side. The first welded portion 61 may be provided up to the end portion on one axial side of the portion of the first connected portion 51k that faces the other circumferential side and the end portion on one axial side of the portion of the second connected portion 52k that faces the other circumferential side.

[0059] The second welded portion 62 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the end portion on the other axial side (-Y side) of the first welded portion 61. In the present embodiment, the second welded portion 62 is located on one axial side of the end portion on one axial side of the first welded portion 61. The second welded portion 62 is provided across the first end face 51q and the second end face 52q. In the present embodiment, the second welded portion 62 is formed by laser welding. For example, the surface on one axial side of the second welded portion 62 is recessed toward the other axial side relative to a portion of the first end face 51q or the second end face 52q where the second welded portion 62 is not provided. The surface on one axial side of the second welded portion 62 may protrude toward the one axial side relative to a portion of the first end face 51q or the second end face 52q where the second welded portion 62 is not provided. The surface on one axial side of the second welded portion 62 may be located at the same position in the axial direction as the portion of the first end face 51q and the second end face 52q where the second welded portion 62 is not provided.

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

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the winding portion 40 of the stator 20 has a resin coating 43 made of resin. In FIG. 2, the area where the resin coating 43 is provided is schematically indicated by a two-dot chain line. The resin coating 43 covers the surface of a portion of the coil end 40a on one axial side (+Y side). The surface of the portion 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 formed by portions that respectively cover the surfaces of some of the multiple conductors 50. The resin coating 43 is formed, for example, by powder coating, by adhering a resin material to the surface of the coil end 40a. The resin coating 43 is made of a material such as epoxy resin. The resin coating 43 may be made of any resin material. As shown in FIG. 6, the resin coating 43 covers the surfaces of the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k. That is, 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 becoming detached from each other. Furthermore, 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 FIG. 6, a portion of the resin coating 43 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0062] The manufacturing method of the stator 20 described above includes, for example, the steps of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 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 coating removal step S10 to the powder coating step S70 are steps for producing the winding portion 40 attached to the stator core 30. Before the coating removal step S10 to the powder coating step S70 are performed, the stator core 30 has already been manufactured. In the following description of the manufacturing method, the positional relationship of each component will be described using the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the stator 20. In the following description, the term "worker, etc." includes the worker and the device performing each task. Each task may be performed by the worker alone, by the device alone, or by both the worker and the device.

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

[0064] Before the coating removal step S10 is performed, the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 are flat wires bent into a substantially U-shape as shown in FIG. 10 . The first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152 have similar shapes. Before the coating removal step S10 is performed, the first conductor material 151 has a pair of straight portions 150s and a first connecting portion 51c. The portion of one straight portion 150s of the first conductor material 151 excluding the portion removed in the removal step S50 becomes the first straight portion 51a and the first extending portion 51b. The portion of the other straight portion 150s of the first conductor material 151 excluding the portion removed in the removal step S50 becomes the third straight portion 51d and the third extending portion 51e. Before the coating removal step S10 is performed, the second conductor 152 has a pair of straight line portions 150s and a second connecting portion 52c. The portion of one straight line portion 150s of the second conductor 152 excluding the portion removed in the removal step S50 becomes the second straight line portion 52a and the second extending portion 52b. The portion of the other straight line portion 150s of the second conductor 152 excluding the portion removed in the removal step S50 becomes the fourth straight line portion 52d and the fourth extending portion 52e.

[0065] The first conductor 151 and the second conductor 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 coats the surface of the base material portion 150m. The coating portion 150n is an insulating coating. The coating portion 150n is made of, for example, 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 of each base material portion 150m.

[0066] In the coating removal process S10, an operator or the like removes the coating 150n from a portion of each straight portion 150s of each conductor 150, the portion including the end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of each straight portion 150s. In FIG. 10 , the portion of each straight portion 150s from which the coating 150n is removed in the coating removal process S10 is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line. The portion of the first conductor 151 from which the coating 150n is removed is a part of the portion that will become the first inclined portion 51f and includes a part that will become the first coupled portion 51k. In other words, the coating removal process S10 includes removing the coating 150n from the portion of the first conductor 151 that will become the first coupled portion 51k and a part of the portion of the first conductor 151 that will become the first inclined portion 51f. The portion of the second conductor 152 from which the coating 150n is removed is a part of the portion that will become the second inclined portion 52f and includes a part that will become the second coupled portion 52k. That is, the coating removal step S10 includes removing coating 150n from a portion of second conductive material 152 that will become second connected portion 52k and a part of a portion of second conductive material 152 that will become second inclined portion 52f.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11 , in the coating removal step S10, an operator or the like removes the coating 150n by irradiating the laser beam La onto the portion of each conductor material 150 where the coating 150n is to be removed. That is, 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 the laser beam La. Removing the coating 150n with the laser beam La exposes the base material 150m at that portion. When removing the coating 150n with the laser beam La, not only is the coating 150n removed by the laser beam La, but the surface of the base material 150m at the portion where the coating 150n was removed is also roughened by the laser beam La. Therefore, removing the coating 150n with the laser beam La results in a greater surface roughness of the exposed base material 150m than when, for example, the coating 150n is removed using a mold. This makes it difficult for the laser beam Lb irradiated onto the base material portion 150m in the first welding step S40, which will be described later, to be reflected by the surface of the base material portion 150m. Therefore, damage to the coated portion 150n of the conductor material 150 caused by the reflected laser beam Lb can be prevented. In this embodiment, the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p, from which the coated 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 prevents the laser beam Lb from being reflected by 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. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p, from which the coated portion 150n has been removed by the laser beam La, is 4 μm or greater. By setting the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion 51p to such a value, reflection of the laser light Lb on the surface of the first exposed portion 51p can be more effectively suppressed. The same applies to the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the second exposed portion 52p. The type of laser light La in the coating removal step S10 is preferably a hybrid laser that combines a red laser and a blue laser. However, any type of laser may be used as the laser light La.

[0068] The insertion process S20 is a process of inserting each straight portion 150s of each conductor 150 into each slot 34 of the stator core 30. An operator inserts each straight portion 150s of each conductor 150 into each slot 34 from the other axial side (-Y side). As shown in FIG. 12 , in the insertion process S20, each straight portion 150s of each conductor 150 is passed axially through each slot 34. In the insertion process S20, one straight portion 150s of the first conductor 151 is passed axially through the first slot 34a. In the insertion process S20, the other straight portion 150s of the first conductor 151 is passed axially through the third slot 34c. In the insertion process S20, one straight portion 150s of the second conductor 152 is passed axially through the second slot 34b. In the insertion step S20, the other straight portion 150s of the second conductor material 152 is passed through the fourth slot 34d in the axial direction. A portion including an end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of each straight portion 150s protrudes beyond the corresponding slot 34 in the axial direction.

[0069] The deformation step S30 is a step of deforming each of the conductor materials 150, including the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152. In the deformation step S30, a worker or the like holds, for example, a portion of each straight portion 150s including a tip end of the portion located on one axial side of each slot 34, and bends that portion in the circumferential direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 12 . As a result, a deformed portion 150t is formed in each of the conductor materials 150, as shown in FIG. 13 . In this embodiment, each of the conductor materials 150 is formed with a deformed portion 150t including one end of the conductor material 150 and a deformed portion 150t including the other end of the conductor material 150. The deformed portion 150t on one side of the first conductor material 151 is a first deformed portion 151t. That is, the deformation step S30 includes forming a first deformed portion 151t by deforming at least a portion of the first conductive material 151, which is inserted axially through the first slot 34a, and which is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first slot 34a. One of the deformed portions 150t of the second conductive material 152 is the second deformed portion 152t. That is, the deformation step S30 includes forming a second deformed portion 152t by deforming at least a portion of the second conductive material 152, which is inserted axially through the second slot 34b, and which is located on one axial side of the second slot 34b.

[0070] The first deformation portion 151t has a first extending portion 51b including a first inclined portion 51f. That is, the deformation step S30 includes deforming a portion of the first conductive material 151 located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first slot 34a to form the first inclined portion 51f. The second deformation portion 152t has a second extending portion 52b including a second inclined portion 52f. That is, the deformation step S30 includes deforming a portion of the second conductive material 152 located on one axial side of the second slot 34b to form the second inclined portion 52f.

[0071] The first deformation portion 151t has an extending portion 151u extending from an end portion on one axial side (+Y side) of the first extending portion 51b to one axial side. The extending portion 151u is a portion of the first deformation portion 151t located on one axial side of the cut line CL shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13. The second deformation portion 152t has an extending portion 152u extending from an end portion on one axial side of the second extending portion 52b to one axial side. The extending portion 152u is a portion of the second deformation portion 152t located on one axial side of the cut line CL shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13. The extending portions 151u, 152u are portions that are removed in the removal step S50.

[0072] A portion of the first deformation portion 151t and a portion of the second deformation portion 152t are arranged side by side in the radial direction. A portion of the second deformation portion 152t is located radially outward (on the +R2 side) of the first deformation portion 151t. That is, the deformation step S30 includes arranging a portion of the first deformation portion 151t and a portion of the second deformation portion 152t side by side in the radial direction, with a portion of the second deformation portion 152t located radially outward of a portion of the first deformation portion 151t. The extension portion 151u of the first deformation portion 151t and the extension portion 152u of the second deformation portion 152t overlap in the radial direction. At least a portion of a portion of the first inclined portion 51f of the first deformation portion 151t where the base material portion 150m is exposed and at least a portion of a portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second deformation portion 152t where the base material portion 150m is exposed overlap in the radial direction. In this embodiment, a portion of the first inclined portion 51f of the first deforming portion 151t where the base material portion 150m is exposed overlaps a portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second deforming portion 152t where the base material portion 150m is exposed, as viewed in the radial direction. The portion of the first inclined portion 51f of the first deforming portion 151t where the base material portion 150m is exposed has a portion that does not overlap with the second deforming portion 152t, as viewed in the radial direction. The portion of the second inclined portion 52f of the second deforming portion 152t where the base material portion 150m is exposed has a portion that does not overlap with the first deforming portion 151t, as viewed in the radial direction. The entire portion of the first deforming portion 151t that overlaps with the second deforming portion 152t, as viewed in the radial direction, may be the portion where the base material portion 150m is exposed. In this case, the entire portion of the second deforming portion 152t that overlaps with the first deforming portion 151t, as viewed in the radial direction, may be the portion where the base material portion 150m is exposed.

[0073] The first welding step S40 is a step of joining the first conductive material 151 and the second conductive material 152 to each other by welding. The first welding step S40 is a step of temporarily fixing the first conductive material 151 and the second conductive material 152 to each other. In the first welding step S40 of this embodiment, a worker or the like joins the first conductive material 151 and the second conductive material 152 to each other by laser welding. FIG. 14 is a view of some of the multiple first conductive materials 151 and some of the multiple second conductive materials 152 in the first welding step S40 as viewed from the radially inner side (+R1 side). As shown in FIG. 14, in the first welding step S40, a worker or the like uses a jig T to hold the first deformed portion 151t of the first conductive material 151 and the second deformed portion 152t of the second conductive material 152.

[0074] The jig T has a first disk T1 and a second disk T2. The first disk T1 and the second disk T2 are arranged overlapping in the axial direction. The second disk T2 is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first disk T1. The plate surfaces of the first disk T1 and the second disk T2 face the axial direction. The first disk T1 has a plurality of first through holes H1 penetrating the first disk T1 in the axial direction. The plurality of first through holes H1 are arranged side by side at intervals in the circumferential direction. The inner surfaces of the plurality of first through holes H1 on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) are first support surfaces H1a. The first support surface H1a is, for example, a surface perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The second disk T2 has a plurality of second through holes H2 penetrating the second disk T2 in the axial direction. The plurality of second through holes H2 are arranged side by side at intervals in the circumferential direction. The surface of the second through hole H2 on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) is a second support surface H2a. The second support surface H2a is, for example, a surface that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The surface of the inner surface of each of the multiple second through holes H2 on one circumferential side is an inclined surface H2b. The inclined surface H2b is positioned closer to one circumferential side as it approaches the other axial side (-Y side).

[0075] Each first through hole H1 and each second through hole H2 presses each first conductive material 151 and each second conductive material 152 with portions overlapping each other when viewed in the axial direction. The first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation 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 contacts one circumferential side (+θ1 side) surface of the extension portion 151u and one circumferential side surface of the extension portion 152u. The second support surface H2a of the second through hole H2 contacts the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) surface of the extension portion 151u and the other circumferential side surface of the extension portion 152u. The first support surface H1a and the second support surface H2a press the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t from both sides in the circumferential direction. This prevents the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t from shifting relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Although not shown, the extending portion 151u of the first deformation portion 151t and the extending portion 152u of the second deformation portion 152t are supported from the radially inner side by at least one of the radially inner surfaces of the first through hole H1 and the radially inner surfaces of the second through hole H2. The extending portion 151u of the first deformation portion 151t and the extending portion 152u of the second deformation portion 152t are supported from the radially outer side by at least one of the radially outer surfaces of the first through hole H1 and the radially outer surfaces of the second through hole H2. This prevents the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t from shifting relative to each other in the radial direction.

[0076] In the first welding step S40, an operator or the like welds the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t to each other using laser light Lb while the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t are held down by a jig T. In the first welding step S40, a portion of the first coupled portion 51k of the first deforming portion 151t and a portion of the second coupled portion 52k of the second deforming portion 152t are welded to each other. As described above, the portion of the first deforming portion 151t and the portion of the second deforming portion 152t overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction. In the first welding step S40 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the portion of the first inclined portion 51f from which the covering portion 150n has been removed and the portion of the second inclined portion 52f from which the covering portion 150n has been removed overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction. As a result, in the manufactured stator 20, 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 at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the radial direction. If, in the first welding step S40, a covering portion 150n is provided on the portion of the first inclined portion 51f and the portion of the second inclined portion 52f that are overlapped in the radial direction, a gap may be generated in the radial direction between the welded portions of the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t due to the thickness of the covering portion 150n. In contrast, by removing the covering portion 150n from at least a portion of the first inclined portion 51f and the second inclined portion 52f that are overlapped in the radial direction in the first welding step S40, the generation of a gap in the radial direction between the welded portions of the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t is suppressed. This prevents the laser light Lb from passing through the radial boundary between the welded portions of the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t, thereby preventing the covering portion 150n that covers the base material portion 150m from being damaged by part of the laser light Lb that has passed through the radial boundary between the welded portions of the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t.

[0077] In the first welding step S40 of this embodiment, an operator or the like applies laser light Lb from one axial side of the jig T to weld the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t. The laser light Lb is applied to a portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other circumferential side through the second through hole H2 and the first through hole H1. This causes the portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other circumferential side and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other circumferential side to be 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 other circumferential side, and the portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing one side in the second direction, i.e., the other circumferential side, to each other. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the second through hole H2 on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) is an inclined surface H2b, which prevents the laser light Lb from hitting the second circular plate T2.

[0078] The laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction tilted circumferentially with respect to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction toward one circumferential side (+θ1 side) as it moves toward the other axial side (-Y side). The laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction tilted 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, for example, preferably 20° or more and 45° or less. The angle φ1 is, for example, more preferably 30° or more and 45° or less. In this embodiment, the angle φ1 is 30° or more. That is, the first welding step S40 includes performing laser welding by irradiating the laser beam Lb toward a portion of the first deforming portion 151t facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second deforming portion 152t facing the other circumferential side with the laser beam Lb in a direction tilted by 30° or more with respect to the axial direction. By setting the angle φ1 to 30° or more, the inclination of the direction of irradiation of the laser beam Lb with respect to the direction perpendicular to the surface on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the first deforming portion 151t and the direction perpendicular to the surface on the other circumferential side of the second deforming portion 152t can be reduced compared to when the angle φ1 is less than 30°. Therefore, in the first welding step S40, it is easy to reduce the spot diameter of the laser beam Lb irradiated onto the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t, and it is easy to increase the amount of heat per unit area of ​​the portion irradiated with the laser beam Lb. This makes it easy to weld the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t together while reducing the output of the laser beam Lb. Therefore, even if a portion of the laser light Lb is reflected on at least one of the surfaces of the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t and is 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 light Lb can be prevented.

[0079] FIG. 15 is a view of a portion of the first conductor material 151 and a portion of the second conductor material 152 viewed from the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) in the first welding step S40. As shown in FIG. 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 radially inward (+R1 side) as it moves toward the other axial side (-Y side). Note that the laser beam Lb may also be irradiated in a direction that is radially outward (+R2 side) as it moves toward the other axial side. The laser beam Lb is irradiated in a direction that is radially inclined at an angle φ2 with respect to the axial direction. In other words, the first welding step S40 includes performing laser welding by irradiating the laser beam Lb toward a portion of the first deforming portion 151t facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second deforming portion 152t facing the other circumferential side with the laser beam Lb in a direction that is radially inclined with respect to the axial direction. This prevents a portion of the laser beam Lb from passing through a gap in the radial direction at the boundary between the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t. Therefore, the laser beam Lb passing through the boundary in the radial direction between the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t can be prevented from being irradiated onto portions other than the welding target. This further prevents the covering portion 150n covering the base material portion 150m from being damaged by the laser beam Lb. The angle φ2 is, for example, 5° or more and 45° or less. The angle φ2 is preferably, for example, 20° or more and 45° or less.

[0080] A first welded portion 61 joining the first deforming portion 151t and the second deforming portion 152t to each other is created by irradiating a portion of the first deforming portion 151t facing the other circumferential side of the first deforming portion 151t and a portion of the second deforming portion 152t to each other with laser light Lb. That is, the first welding step S40 includes welding together a portion of the first deforming portion 151t and a portion of the second deforming portion 152t that are arranged side by side in the radial direction, to create the first welded portion 61 joining together a portion of the first deforming portion 151t and a portion of the second deforming portion 152t. The portion of the first deforming portion 151t welded in the first welding step S40 is a portion of the first coupled portion 51k. The portion of the second deforming portion 152t welded in the first welding step S40 is a portion of the second coupled 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 performing keyhole welding by irradiating the boundary between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k with laser light Lb. 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 on the welding location is smaller than that of the laser light in heat conduction welding. By using keyhole welding in the first welding step S40, the laser light Lb can be easily absorbed by the first conductor material 151 and the second conductor material 152, thereby further reducing reflection of the laser light Lb. This further reduces damage to the coating portion 150n covering the base material portion 150m due to reflected light of the laser light Lb. The type of laser light Lb in the first welding step S40 is preferably a hybrid laser that combines a red laser and a blue laser. Note that any type of laser may be used as the laser light Lb.

[0082] The removal step S50 is a step of removing a portion of the first conductive material 151 and a portion of the second conductive material 152 to form the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52. In the removal step S50, an extended portion 151u is removed from the first conductive material 151. As shown in FIG. 14 , the extended portion 151u is a portion of the first deforming portion 151t located on one axial side of a first position P1, which is spaced from an end of the first welded portion 61 on the other axial side (-Y side) of the first deforming portion 151t to one axial side (+Y side). The first position P1 is the axial position of the cut line CL described above. In the removal step S50, an extended portion 152u is removed from the second conductive material 152t. The extended portion 152u is a portion of the second deforming portion 152t located on one axial side of a second position P2, which is spaced from an end of the second deforming portion 152t on the other axial side of the first welded portion 61 to one axial side. 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 axial positions different from each other.

[0083] In the removal step S50 of this embodiment, the worker cuts the first deforming portion 151t at a first position P1, thereby removing a portion of the first deforming portion 151t that is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first position P1. In the removal step S50 of this embodiment, the worker cuts the second deforming portion 152t at a second position P2, thereby removing a portion of the second deforming portion 152t that is located on one axial side of the second position P2. FIG. 16 is a view of a portion of the first conductive material 151 and a portion of the second conductive material 152 in the removal step S50, as viewed from one axial side. As shown in FIG. 16, in the removal step S50, the worker slides the cutting blade CB from the radially outer side to the radially inner side to cut off a portion of the first deforming portion 151t and a portion of the second deforming portion 152t. That is, the removal step S50 includes cutting the first deformed portion 151t in the radial direction at the first position P1 and cutting the second deformed portion 152t in the radial direction at the second position P2. As described above, in the first welding step S40, a portion of the first deformed portion 151t facing the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t facing the other circumferential side are joined to each other. Therefore, if a portion of the first deformed portion 151t and a portion of the second deformed portion 152t are cut in the circumferential direction in the removal step S50, a force that moves the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t away from each other is likely to be applied to the first welded portion 61 during cutting, which may damage the first welded portion 61. In this case, it may be difficult to cut the first deformed portion 151t and the second deformed portion 152t at the desired location. In contrast, by cutting a part of the first deformation portion 151t and a part of the second deformation portion 152t in the radial direction, it is possible to prevent a force from being applied to the first welded portion 61 in a direction that moves the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t away from each other, thereby preventing damage to the first welded portion 61. Therefore, it is possible to easily and stably cut the first deformation portion 151t and the second deformation portion 152t at desired locations.

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

[0085] Although not shown in the drawings, the first deformed portions 151t of the first conductor material 151 and the second deformed portions 152t of the second conductor material 152, which are welded to each other in the first welding step S40, are arranged side by side at intervals in the radial direction. In the removal step S50, a worker or the like cuts off some of the first deformed portions 151t and some of the second deformed portions 152t by sliding the cutting blade CB from the radially outer side to the radially inner side in a single movement. In the removal step S50, the worker or the like repeatedly slides the cutting blade CB from the radially outer side to the radially inner side while changing the circumferential position at which the cutting blade CB cuts, thereby cutting off some of all of the first deformed portions 151t and some of all of the second deformed portions 152t. Note that in the removal step S50, the worker or the like may cut off some of all of the first deformed portions 151t and some of all of the second deformed portions 152t by using other cutting methods. In the removal step S50, the worker or the like may, for example, repeatedly slide the cutting blade CB from the radially inner side to the radially outer side while changing the circumferential position at which the cutting is performed by the cutting blade CB, thereby cutting off portions of all of the first deformed portions 151t and portions of all of the second deformed portions 152t. In the removal step S50, the worker or the like may, for example, slide a plurality of cutting blades CB arranged side by side in the circumferential direction from one radially inner side to the other radially outer side once, thereby cutting off portions of all of the first deformed portions 151t and portions of all of the second deformed portions 152t. By removing portions of the first conductive material 151 and portions of the second conductive material 152 in the removal step S50, the first conductive material 151 becomes the first conductors 51, and the second conductive material 152 becomes the second conductors 52. In other words, the removal process S50 includes removing a portion of the first deformation portion 151t that is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the first position P1 to create the first conductor 51, and removing a portion of the second deformation portion 152t that is located on one axial side of the second position P2 to create the second conductor 52.

[0086] The second welding step S60 is a step of joining the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 to each other by welding. The second welding step S60 is a step of permanently fixing the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52. FIG. 17 is a view of a portion of the first conductor 51 and a portion of the second conductor 52 in the second welding step S60 as viewed from the other circumferential side (+θ2 side). As shown in FIG. 17, in the second welding step S60, an operator or the like welds the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 by irradiating the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 with laser light Lc. In the second welding step S60, the worker or the like irradiates a portion of the first connected portion 51k that is located on one axial side (+Y side) of the end portion on the other axial side (-Y side) of the first welded portion 61 and a portion of the second connected portion 52k that is located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion 61 with laser light Lc to join these portions together. In the second welding step S60 of this embodiment, the worker or the like irradiates a first end face 51q on one axial side of the first connected portion 51k and a second end face 52q on one axial side of the second connected portion 52k with laser light Lc. The irradiation of the laser light Lc forms a second welded portion 62 that joins the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k to each other. In other words, the second welding step S60 includes joining together by welding a portion of the first connected portion 51k that is located on one axial side of the end on the other axial side of the first welded portion 61 and a portion of the second connected portion 52k that is located on one axial side of the end on the other axial side of the first welded portion 61, to create a second welded portion 62 that joins the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k to each other.

[0087] The laser beam Lc is irradiated in a direction inclined radially relative to the axial direction toward the surface of the first connectable portion 51k facing one axial side (+Y side), i.e., the first end face 51q, and the surface of the second connectable portion 52k facing one axial side, i.e., the second end face 52q. That is, the second welding step S60 includes performing laser welding by irradiating the surface of the first connectable portion 51k facing one axial side and the surface of the second connectable portion 52k facing one axial side with the laser beam Lc in a direction inclined radially relative to the axial direction. Therefore, even if there is a radial gap between the first connectable portion 51k and the second connectable portion 52k, the laser beam Lc can be prevented from passing through the gap in the axial direction. This prevents a portion of the laser beam Lc from being irradiated to portions of the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 located closer to the other axial side (-Y side) than the first connectable portion 51k and the second connectable portion 52k. Therefore, irradiation of the laser beam Lc onto portions other than the welding target can be prevented, and damage to the covering portion 150n that covers the base material portion 150m by the laser beam Lc can be prevented.

[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). Note that the laser beam Lc may also 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, not less than 5° and not more than 45°. It is preferable that the angle φ3 is, for example, not less than 20° and not more than 45°.

[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 performing keyhole welding by irradiating the boundary between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k with laser light Lc. 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 reflection of the laser light Lc can be suppressed. This further suppresses damage to the coating portion 150n covering the base material portion 150m due to reflected light of the laser light Lc. The type of laser light Lc in the second welding step S60 is preferably a hybrid laser that combines a red laser and a blue laser. Note that any type of laser may be used as the laser light Lc.

[0090] As described above, the first welding step S40 includes joining together a portion of the first deformation portion 151t facing one side in the second direction, i.e., the other circumferential side (+θ2 side), and a portion of the second deformation portion 152t facing the other circumferential side. The first welded portion 61 created in the first welding step S40 joins together a portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side. Therefore, in the second welding step S60, the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k are temporarily fixed together by the first welded portion 61. As a result, even without holding the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k with a jig in the second welding step S60, the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k can be firmly fixed by welding while preventing the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k from separating from each other. Therefore, the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 can be suitably joined by welding without extending the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k in the axial direction to provide a portion to be held with a jig. This allows the axial dimensions of the first conductor 51 and the second conductor 52 to be reduced. This allows the stator 20 to be downsized in the axial direction. Therefore, the rotating electric machine 10 including the stator 20 can be downsized in the axial direction. Furthermore, the driving device 100 including the rotating electric machine 10 can be downsized in the axial direction.

[0091] In this embodiment, the deformation step S30 includes arranging a portion of the first deformation portion 151t and a portion of the second deformation portion 152t side by side in the radial direction, with a portion of the second deformation portion 152t located radially outward of a portion of the first deformation portion 151t. The first welding step S40 includes joining a portion of the first deformation portion 151t facing the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) and a portion 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 welding portion 61 joins the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side and the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side. When a portion of the first conductive material 151 and a portion of the second conductive material 152 are deformed in the deformation step S30 to form the first extending portion 51b and the second extending portion 52b, respectively, the deformed first extending portion 51b and the deformed second extending portion 52b are likely to be subjected to a force acting radially outward due to a restoring force generated in each conductive material. As a result, a gap is likely to form radially between the first extending portion 51b and the tip on the other circumferential side of the second extending portion 52b, which is located radially outward of the first extending portion 51b. In contrast, by joining the portion of the first connected portion 51k facing the other circumferential side and the portion of the second connected portion 52k facing the other circumferential side in the first welding step S40, it is possible to prevent gaps from occurring in the portion 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 welding portion 61. This allows stable welding in the second welding step S60. Furthermore, because it is possible to prevent gaps from occurring between the first connected portion 51k and the second connected portion 52k in the radial direction, it is possible to prevent a portion of the laser light Lc from passing 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 prevented.

[0092] In the second welding step S60, a plurality of conductors 50 are connected to one another, thereby forming a plurality of conductor connected bodies 41 attached to the stator core 30.

[0093] The powder coating process S70 is a process of covering the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k with resin by powder coating. In the powder coating process S70, a worker or the like applies resin to one axial side portion of the coil end 40a by powder coating, thereby covering the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k together with the first welded portion 61 and the second welded portion 62 with resin. The powder coating process S70 forms the resin coating 43. This completes the winding portion 40 and the stator 20.

[0094] The stator 20 may have a configuration similar to that of the stator 220 shown in FIG. 18. In the following description of the stator 220, the same components as those of the stator 20 described above may be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate and the description thereof may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 18, the conductor connecting body 241 in the stator 220 has a first conductor 251 and a second conductor 252. The shape of the first conductor 251 and the shape of the second conductor 252 are different from each other. In the conductor connecting body 241 of the stator 220, a plurality of the first conductors 251 and the second conductors 252 are connected together and arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0095] The first conductor 251 has a first straight portion 51a, a first extending portion 51b, and a third extending portion 251e. The third extending portion 251e is connected to the end of the first straight portion 51a on the other axial side (-Y side). The third extending portion 251e is located outside the first slot 34a. The third extending portion 251e is located on the other axial side of the first slot 34a. The shape of the third extending portion 251e is similar to the shape of the first extending portion 51b except that it is inverted in the axial and circumferential directions. The third extending portion 251e has a third inclined portion 251j. The third inclined portion 251j is located toward the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) as it approaches the other axial side. The third extending portion 251e has a third coupled portion 251k that includes the end of the third extending portion 251e on the other axial side.

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

[0097] Similar to the stator 20 described above, the first coupled portion 51k of the first conductor 251 is coupled by welding to the second coupled portion 52k of the second conductor 252 located on one circumferential side (+θ1 side) of the first conductor 251. The third coupled portion 251k of the first conductor 251 is coupled by welding to the fourth coupled portion 252k of the second conductor 252 located on the other circumferential side (+θ2 side) of the first conductor 251. The third coupled portion 251k and the fourth coupled portion 252k are coupled to each other in the same manner as the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k that are coupled to each other, except that they are inverted in the circumferential and axial directions. Therefore, similar to the first coupled portion 51k and the second coupled portion 52k that are coupled to each other, the third coupled portion 251k and the fourth coupled portion 252k can be coupled to each other without being elongated in the axial direction. This makes it possible to prevent conductor connecting body 241 from becoming larger on the other axial side (-Y side), and to reduce the size of stator 220 in the axial direction.

[0098] Unlike the first conductor 51 of the stator 20, the first conductor 251 does not have a first connecting portion 51c. Unlike the second conductor 52 of the stator 20, the second conductor 252 does not have a second connecting portion 52c. In the stator 220, the portion corresponding to the first connecting portion 51c and the portion corresponding to the second connecting portion 52c of the stator 20 are each formed by a third extending portion 251e and a fourth extending portion 252e that are coupled to each other. The other configurations of the stator 220 are the same as those of the stator 20.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other configurations and methods may be adopted within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The first direction may be any direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. The second direction may be any direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction. For example, the first direction may be a circumferential direction with respect to the central axis J. In this case, the second direction may be a radial direction with respect to the central axis J. The second welded portion may be disposed in any position as long as it is located on one axial side of the end of the first welded portion on the other axial side. The second welded portion may have a portion disposed at the same axial position as the first welded portion. The second welded portion may be connected to the first welded portion. A plurality of first welded portions may be provided. A plurality of second welded portions may be provided. The conductor connecting body may have a third welded portion joining the first connected portion and the second connected portion. The third welded portion may join a portion of the first connected portion facing the other side in the second direction to a portion of the second connected portion facing the other side in the second direction. The third welded portion may be formed, for example, in the first welding step in which the first welded portion is formed. The third welded portion may be disposed between the first welded portion and the second welded portion in the second direction, sandwiching the first connected portion and the second connected portion. A plurality of third welded portions may be provided.

[0100] The coating removal step may be a step of removing the coating by a method other than irradiating laser light. The coating removal step may be a step of scraping off the coating using a mold, for example. One of the first welding step and the second welding step may not include keyhole welding, and neither the first welding step nor the second welding step may include keyhole welding. A welding step that does not include keyhole welding may weld the first connected portion and the second connected portion by, for example, heat conduction welding. At least one of the first welding step and the second welding step may be a step of welding other than laser welding. That is, the first welded portion and the second welded portion may be formed by welding other than laser welding. The third welded portion may be formed 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 portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion by a method other than cutting, as long as the portion can be removed. The removing step may be, for example, a step of removing a part of the first deformation portion and a part of the second deformation portion by grinding.

[0101] The rotating electric machine may be mounted on a vehicle for an application other than rotating an axle, or may be mounted on equipment other than a vehicle. The rotating electric machine may also be a generator. The rotating electric machine may also have the functions of both a motor and a generator.

[0102] The present technology can be configured as follows. (1) A stator core is provided with an annular stator core surrounding a central axis and having first and second slots, and a conductor coupling body having first conductors and second conductors, wherein the first conductor has a first linear portion that is passed through the first slot in the axial direction and a first extending portion that is connected to one axial end of the first linear portion and located outside the first slot, the second conductor has a second linear portion that is passed through the second slot in the axial direction and a second extending portion that is connected to one axial end of the second linear portion and located outside the second slot, the first extending portion has a first coupled portion that includes one axial end of the first extending portion, and the second extending portion has a first coupled portion that is connected to one axial end of the second extending portion in the axial direction. a second connected portion including an end portion on one side in the second direction, the first connected portion and the second connected portion being arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and connected to each other, the conductor connecting body having a first welded portion joining the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and a second welded portion located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion and joining the first connected portion and the second connected portion, when a direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, the first welded portion joining a portion of the first connected portion facing one side in the second direction and a portion of the second connected portion facing one side in the second direction. (2) The stator described in (1), wherein the first direction is a radial direction relative to the central axis, the second direction is a circumferential direction relative to the central axis, the first extension portion has a first inclined portion located on one circumferential side as it approaches one axial side, the second extension portion has a second inclined portion located on the other circumferential side as it approaches one axial side, the second connectable portion is located radially outward of the first connectable portion, and the first welded portion joins a portion of the first connectable portion facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second connectable portion facing the other circumferential side. (3) The stator described in (1) or (2), wherein the first conductor has a first base material portion having conductivity and a first covering portion covering a portion of the surface of the first base material portion, the second conductor has a second base material portion having conductivity and a second covering portion covering a portion of the surface of the second base material portion, the first base material portion has a first exposed portion exposed from the first covering portion, the second base material portion has a second exposed portion exposed from the second covering portion, the first extension portion has a first inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, the second extension portion has a second inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, the first exposed portion includes the first connected portion and a portion of the first inclined portion, the second exposed portion includes the second connected portion and a portion of the second inclined portion, and 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. (4) A stator described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first conductor has a first base material portion having electrical conductivity and a first coating portion covering a portion of the surface of the first base material portion, the first base material portion has a first exposed portion exposed from the first coating portion, the first exposed portion includes the first connected portion, and the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first exposed portion is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first coating portion. (5) A stator according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein a cut surface having a fracture mark indicating that the cutting direction is the first direction is provided on an end face on one axial side of the first connected portion. (6) The stator according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the first connected portion and the second connected portion are covered with a resin. (7) A rotating electric machine comprising: the stator according to any one of (1) to (6); and a rotor facing the stator with a gap therebetween. (8) A drive device comprising the rotating electric machine according to (7) and a power transmission unit connected to the rotor. (9) A method for manufacturing a stator including a stator core having an annular shape surrounding a central axis and having first and second slots, and a conductor assembly having first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a first conductive material and the second conductor is made of a second conductive material, the method comprising the steps of: a deformation step of deforming the first conductive material and the second conductive material; a first welding step of joining the first conductive material and the second conductive material to each other by welding; a removal step of removing a part of the first conductive material and a part of the second conductive material to form the first conductor and the second conductor; and a second welding process of joining the first conductor and the second conductor to each other by welding, wherein the deformation process includes: deforming at least a part of a portion of the first conductor material that is passed through the first slot in the axial direction, the portion being located on one axial side of the first slot; deforming at least a part of a portion of the second conductor material that is passed through the second slot in the axial direction, the portion being located on one axial side of the second slot; and arranging a part of the first deformed portion and a part of the second deformed portion side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, wherein the first welding process includes joining a part of the first deformed portion and a part of the second deformed portion that are arranged side by side in the first direction to each other by welding, to form a first welded portion that joins a part of the first deformed portion and a part of the second deformed portion to each other, and the removal process includes removing a part of the first deformed portion that is located on one axial side of a first position that is spaced apart in the axial direction from an end of the first welded portion on the other axial side to form the first conductor; and removing a portion located on one axial side of the first conductor to form the second conductor, wherein the first conductor has a first straight portion that is passed through the first slot in the axial direction and a first extending portion that is connected to an end of the first straight portion on one axial side and is located outside the first slot, and the second conductor has a second straight portion that is passed through the second slot in the axial direction and a second extending portion that is connected to an end of the second straight portion on one axial side and is located outside the second slot, and the first extending portion has a first connected portion that includes an end of the first extending portion on one axial side, and the second extending portion hasa second connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the second extension portion, the second welding step including welding together a portion of the first connected portion located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion and a portion of the second connected portion located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion to create a second welded portion that connects the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and when a direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as a second 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 a radial direction with respect to the central axis, and the second direction is a circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, 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 located on one circumferential side as it approaches the one axial side; deforming a portion of the second conductor material located on one axial side of the second slot to create a second inclined portion located on the other circumferential side as it approaches the one axial side; and arranging a portion of the first deformed portion and a portion of the second deformed portion side by side in the radial direction with a portion of the second deformed portion located radially outside a portion of the first deformed portion; and the first welding step includes joining a portion of the first deformed portion facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second deformed portion facing the other circumferential side to each other. (11) The method includes a coating removal step performed before the first welding step, wherein the first conductive material and the second conductive material each have a base material portion having conductivity and a coating portion covering a surface of the base material portion, and the deformation step includes deforming a portion of the first conductive material located on one axial side of the first slot to form a first inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, and deforming a portion of the second conductive material located on one axial side of the second slot to form a second inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the coating removal step includes deforming the first conductive material located on one axial side of the second slot to form a second inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. The method for manufacturing a stator described in (9) or (10) includes removing the coating from a portion of the conductor material that will become the first connected portion and a portion of the first conductor material that will become the first inclined portion, and removing the coating from 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 inclined portion, wherein in the first welding process, the portion of the first inclined portion from which the coating has been removed and the portion of the second inclined portion from which the coating has been removed at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. (12) A method for manufacturing a stator described in any one of (9) to (11), including a coating removal step performed before the first welding step, wherein the first conductor material and the second conductor material each have a base material portion having electrical conductivity and a coating portion covering the surface of the base material portion, and the coating removal step includes removing a portion of the coating portion of the first conductor material and a portion of the coating portion of the second conductor material by irradiating them with laser light. (13) A method for manufacturing a stator described in any one of (9) to (12), wherein the first welding process includes performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined by 30° or more with respect to the axial direction toward a portion of the first deformation portion facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deformation portion facing one side of the second direction. (14) A method for manufacturing a stator described in any one of (9) to (13), wherein the first welding process includes performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction toward a portion of the first deformation portion facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deformation portion facing one side of the second direction. (15) A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of (9) to (14), wherein the removing step includes cutting the first deformation portion in the first direction at the first position and cutting the second deformation portion in the first direction at the second position. (16) A method for manufacturing a stator described in any one of (9) to (15), wherein the second welding process includes performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam toward a surface facing one axial side of the first connected portion and a surface facing one axial side of the second connected portion in a direction inclined toward the first direction with respect to the axial direction. (17) A method for manufacturing a stator described in any one of (9) to (16), wherein at least one of the first welding process and the second welding process includes performing keyhole welding by irradiating a laser beam to the boundary between the first connected portion and the second connected portion.

[0103] The configurations and methods described in this specification can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not being mutually contradictory. [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 connecting body, 50, 50a... conductor, 51... first conductor, 51a... first straight portion, 51b... first extending portion, 51f... first inclined portion, 51k... first connected portion, 51m... first base material portion, 51n... first coated portion, 51p... first exposed portion, 51r, 52r... fracture mark, 51s, 52s... cut surface, 52... second conductor, 52a... second straight portion, 52b... second extending portion, 52f... second inclined portion, 52k... second 2 connected portion, 52m...second base material portion, 52n...second coated portion, 52p...second exposed portion, 61...first welded portion, 62...second welded portion, 70...power transmission portion, 100...driving device, 150...conductor material, 150m...base material portion, 150n...coated portion, 151...first conductive material, 151t...first deforming portion, 152...second conductive material, 152t...second deforming portion, J...central axis, La, Lb, Lc...laser light, P1...first position, P2...second position, S10...coating portion removal step, S30...deforming step, S40...first welding step, S50...removing step, S60...second welding step

Claims

1. a stator core having an annular shape surrounding a central axis and having first and second slots; a conductor coupling body having a first conductor and a second conductor; Equipped with The first conductor is a first linear portion that is passed through the first slot in the axial direction; a first extending portion connected to one end of the first linear portion in the axial direction and positioned outside the first slot; and The second conductor is a second linear portion that is passed through the second slot in the axial direction; a second extending portion connected to one end of the second linear portion in the axial direction and positioned outside the second slot; and the first extending portion has a first connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the first extending portion, the second extending portion has a second connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the second extending portion, 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 is a first welding 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 weld portion located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first weld portion, joining the first connected portion and the second connected portion, and finally fixing the first connected portion and the second connected portion; and A stator in which, when a direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, the first welded portion joins a portion of the first connected portion facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second connected portion facing one side of the second direction.

2. the first direction is a radial direction relative to the central axis, the second direction is a circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, the first extending portion has a first inclined portion that is positioned on one circumferential side as it extends toward one axial side, the second extending portion has a second inclined portion that is positioned toward the other circumferential side as it approaches the one axial side, the second connected portion is located radially outward of the first connected portion, The stator according to claim 1 , wherein the first welded portion joins a portion of the first connected portion facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second connected portion facing the other circumferential side.

3. The first conductor is a first base material portion having electrical conductivity; a first covering portion that covers a part of a surface of the first base material portion; and The second conductor is a second base material portion having electrical conductivity; a second covering portion that covers a part of a surface of the second base material portion; and the first base material portion has a first exposed portion exposed from the first covering portion, the second base material portion has a second exposed portion exposed from the second covering portion, the first extending portion has a first inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, the second extending portion has a second inclined portion extending 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, The stator according to claim 1 , wherein 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 at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.

4. The first conductor is a first base material portion having electrical conductivity; a first covering portion that covers a part of a surface of the first base material portion; and the first base material portion has a first exposed portion 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 of the surface of the first exposed portion is greater than the arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the first covered portion.

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

7. A stator according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a rotor facing the stator with a gap therebetween; A rotating electric machine comprising:

8. a rotating electric machine according to claim 7; a power transmission unit connected to the rotor; A drive device comprising:

9. A method for manufacturing a stator including: an annular stator core surrounding a central axis and having first slots and second slots; and a conductor coupling body having first conductors and second conductors, the first conductor is made from a first conductive material; the second conductor is made from a second conductive material; a deformation step of deforming the first conductive material and the second conductive material; a first welding step of joining the first conductive material and the second conductive material to each other by welding; a removing step of removing a portion of the first conductive material and a portion of the second conductive material to create the first conductor and the second conductor; a second welding step of joining the first conductor and the second conductor to each other by welding; Including, The deformation step includes: forming a first deformed portion by deforming at least a part of a portion of the first conductor material that is axially passed through the first slot and that is located on one axial side of the first slot; forming a second deformed portion by deforming at least a part of a portion of the second conductor material that is axially passed through the second slot and that is located on one axial side of the second slot; a portion of the first deformation portion and a portion of the second deformation portion are arranged side by side in a first direction inclined with respect to an axial direction; Including, the first welding step includes joining a portion of the first deforming portion and a portion of the second deforming portion, which are arranged side by side in the first direction, to each other by welding, to create a first welded portion that joins a portion of the first deforming portion and a portion of the second deforming portion to each other, The removing step includes: forming the first conductor by removing a portion of the first deformation portion that is located on one axial side of a first position that is spaced apart from an end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion on one axial side; forming the second conductor by removing a portion of the second deformation portion that is located on one axial side of a second position that is spaced apart from an end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion on one axial side; Including, The first conductor is a first linear portion that is passed through the first slot in the axial direction; a first extending portion connected to one end of the first linear portion in the axial direction and positioned outside the first slot; and The second conductor is a second linear portion that is passed through the second slot in the axial direction; a second extending portion connected to one end of the second linear portion in the axial direction and positioned outside the second slot; and the first extending portion has a first connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the first extending portion, the second extending portion has a second connected portion including an end portion on one axial side of the second extending portion, the second welding step includes joining together by welding a portion of the first connected portion that is located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion and a portion of the second connected portion that is located on one axial side of the end portion on the other axial side of the first welded portion, thereby creating a second welded portion that joins the first connected portion and the second connected portion to each other, A method for manufacturing a stator, wherein when a direction inclined with respect to both the axial direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, the first welding process includes joining a portion of the first deformation portion facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deformation portion facing one side of the second direction to each other.

10. the first direction is a radial direction relative to the central axis, the second direction is a circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, The deformation step includes: a portion of the first conductor material located on one axial side of the first slot is deformed to form a first inclined portion located on one circumferential side as it extends toward the one axial side; a second inclined portion that is positioned on one axial side of the second slot and that extends toward the one axial side of the second conductor material; Arranging a portion of the first deformation portion and a portion of the second deformation portion side by side in a radial direction with a portion of the second deformation portion positioned radially outside a portion of the first deformation portion; Including, 10. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 9, wherein the first welding step includes joining a portion of the first deformation portion facing the other circumferential side and a portion of the second deformation portion facing the other circumferential side to each other.

11. a coating removal step performed before the first welding step, The first conductive material and the second conductive material are a base material portion having electrical conductivity; a coating portion that coats the surface of the base material portion; and The deformation step includes: deforming a portion of the first conductive material located on one axial side of the first slot to form a first inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction; a second inclined portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction by deforming a portion of the second conductive material located on one axial side of the second slot; Including, The coating portion removing step includes: removing the coating from a portion of the first conductive material that will become the first connected portion and a part of a portion of the first conductive material that will become the first inclined portion; removing the coating from a portion of the second conductive material that will become the second connected portion and a part of a portion of the second conductive material that will become the second inclined portion; Including, 10. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 9, wherein, in the first welding step, 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 at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.

12. a coating removal step performed before the first welding step, The first conductive material and the second conductive material are a base material portion having electrical conductivity; a coating portion that coats the surface of the base material portion; and 10. The method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 9, wherein the coating removal step includes removing a portion of the coating of the first conductive material and a portion of the coating of the second conductive material by irradiating them with laser light.

13. 13. A method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 9, wherein the first welding process includes performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined by 30° or more with respect to the axial direction toward a portion of the first deformation portion facing one side in the second direction and a portion of the second deformation portion facing one side in the second direction.

14. 13. A method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 9, wherein the first welding process includes performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction toward a portion of the first deformation portion facing one side of the second direction and a portion of the second deformation portion facing one side of the second direction.

15. The removing step includes: cutting the first deformation portion in the first direction at the first position; cutting the second deformation portion in the first direction at the second position; A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising:

16. 13. A method for manufacturing a stator according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second welding process includes performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam in a direction inclined in the first direction with respect to the axial direction toward a surface facing one axial side of the first connected portion and a surface facing one axial side of the second connected portion.

17. 13. A method for manufacturing a stator according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first welding process and the second welding process includes performing keyhole welding by irradiating a laser beam to a boundary between the first connected portion and the second connected portion.

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