Magnetic geared rotary electrical machine

Abstract

A magnetic geared rotary electrical machine has a triple cylindrical structure in which a first rotor (10), a second rotor (20), and a stator (30) are concentrically disposed and incorporates a rotor support structure. The second rotor (20) comprises: a tubular part (23) in which magnetic pole pieces (22) and spacers (21) are alternately disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; and a support body (25) which supports the tubular part (23) in a manner of sandwiching the tubular part at end parts in the axial direction. The support body (25) has a combined structure composed of plate-like connection members (27) each connected to at least two of an annular outer ring (28) disposed in the outer circumferential portion of a cylindrical part of the second rotor (20), an annular inner ring (26) disposed in the inner circumferential portion of the cylindrical part via the first rotor (10) and a bearing (51), and an intermediate ring (29) provided between the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion of the tubular part (23).

Description

Magnetic-geared rotating electric motor

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine.

[0002] A rotating electric machine having a triple cylindrical structure in which an inner cylindrical portion, an intermediate cylindrical portion, and an outer cylindrical portion are concentrically arranged is known. In such a rotating electric machine, each of the three cylindrical portions functions as a stator or a rotor. A rotating electric machine in which the outer cylindrical portion functions as a stator and the inner cylindrical portion and the intermediate cylindrical portion function as rotors is called a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine.

[0003] In a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine, when an intermediate cylindrical portion provided with magnetic pole pieces is rotated by an external power source, an inner cylindrical portion provided with magnets rotates at a predetermined speed-up ratio. In this magnetic-geared rotating electric machine, a change in magnetic flux caused by the rotation of the inner cylindrical portion generates a current in a coil provided in the outer cylindrical portion. For this reason, magnetic-geared rotating electric machines are used in generators for wind power generation equipment, for example.

[0004] In a rotating electrical machine having a triple-cylinder structure, the radial width of the middle cylindrical section is narrowed to strengthen the magnetic coupling between the inner cylindrical section and the outer cylindrical section. The middle cylindrical section also has magnetic pole pieces arranged circumferentially. The magnetic pole pieces are made of magnetic materials such as electromagnetic steel sheets stacked in the axial direction.

[0005] In a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine in which the intermediate cylindrical portion serves as the rotor, end plates are used to support the pole pieces. The end plate on the power source side is connected to the power source via a rotating shaft. The pole pieces of the intermediate cylindrical portion are subjected to radial electromagnetic forces, gravity due to its own weight, and centrifugal forces due to rotation. Furthermore, the intermediate cylindrical portion receives torque from the power source during rotation or when not in operation. Therefore, the intermediate cylindrical portion must be rigid enough to resist deformation due to the electromagnetic forces, gravity due to its own weight, centrifugal forces due to rotation, and torque acting on the pole pieces.

[0006] Furthermore, when applied to a wind turbine generator, for example, it is necessary to reduce the volume and weight of components in the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine in order to reduce the material costs of the generator itself, the wind turbine tower that supports the generator, and the material costs of the foundation.

[0007] One conventional rotating electric machine that addresses this issue is one in which the end plate supporting the rotor is configured with a connecting member that connects the outer ring and inner ring, and the connecting member is inclined circumferentially relative to the radial direction of the rotor core. By arranging such a connecting member, both radial and circumferential loads can be converted into axial loads on the connecting member, resulting in an end plate with high rigidity in both the circumferential and radial directions with minimal component volume. As a result, the rigidity of the rotor can be increased (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0008] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-194419

[0009] However, in magnetic-geared rotating electric machines that use conventional rotor support structures, the distance between the connection position of the outer ring and the connecting member is large, so the radial load of the electromagnetic force and centrifugal force acting on the pole pieces of the intermediate cylindrical portion is transmitted to the outer ring, causing excessive radial bending deformation in the outer ring with the connection position between the outer ring and the connecting member as the support point, thereby weakening the rigidity of the intermediate cylindrical portion.

[0010] The present disclosure discloses a technology for solving the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine that improves the rigidity of the intermediate cylindrical section with a smaller component volume than conventional structures by equally spacing the connection positions between adjacent connection members and the outer ring, thereby narrowing the distance between support points of the outer ring and suppressing radial bending deformation of the outer ring due to radial electromagnetic forces acting on the pole pieces.

[0011] The magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of the present disclosure is a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine comprising: a stator having a coil; a first rotor arranged inside the stator and having a magnet; and a second rotor arranged between the stator and the first rotor and rotated by external power, wherein the stator, the first rotor, and the second rotor are magnetically coupled to each other, and the second rotor has a cylindrical portion in which pole pieces and spacers are arranged alternately and at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a support body that supports the cylindrical portion so as to sandwich the axial end portion, and the support body is a combined structure composed of a plate-shaped connecting member that is connected to at least two of: an annular outer ring arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion; an annular inner ring arranged on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion via the first rotor and a bearing; and an annular body arranged between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion.

[0012] According to the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of the present disclosure, by equally spacing the connection positions between adjacent connecting members and the outer ring, the distance between support points of the outer ring is narrowed, and radial bending deformation of the outer ring due to radial electromagnetic forces acting on the pole pieces can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine with improved rigidity of the intermediate cylindrical section using a smaller component volume than conventional structures.

[0013] 1 is a half sectional view for explaining a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view (partial sectional view of an end plate portion on the power source side) showing an example of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view (partial sectional view of an intermediate cylindrical portion when viewed from the side without the power source) showing an example of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view (partial sectional view of an end plate portion on the side without the power source) showing an example of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a view of a support for an intermediate cylindrical portion of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction; FIG. 7 is a view of a support for an intermediate cylindrical portion of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the second embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction; FIG. 8 is a view of a support for an intermediate cylindrical portion of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the third embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction; FIG. 9 is a view of a support for an intermediate cylindrical portion of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the fourth embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction; FIG. 10 is a view of a support for an intermediate cylindrical portion of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the fifth embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction; FIG. 13 is a view of a support body of an intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to a seventh embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction.

[0014] Hereinafter, features of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to an embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] First Embodiment A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . FIG. 1 is a half cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view showing only the upper half) illustrating an example of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine 1 according to the first embodiment, taken along a plane perpendicular to a rotating shaft 2 of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine 1. The magnetic-geared rotating electric machine 1 of the first embodiment includes an inner cylindrical portion 10, an intermediate cylindrical portion 20 disposed on the outer circumferential side of the inner cylindrical portion 10 across a gap, and an outer cylindrical portion 30 disposed on the outer circumferential side of the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 across a gap. The inner cylindrical portion 10, the intermediate cylindrical portion 20, and the outer cylindrical portion 30 are concentrically arranged around the rotating shaft 2. The rotating shaft 2 has a cylindrical shape. FIG. 2 is a view showing cross section BB of FIG. 1 .

[0016] Here, the direction of the rotation axis is referred to as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and radiating from the rotation axis is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and perpendicular to the radial direction (tangential direction of the diameter) is referred to as the circumferential direction. The inner diameter side is the side closer to the rotation axis in the radial direction, and the outer diameter side is the side farther from the rotation axis in the radial direction. Next, the inner cylindrical portion 10, the intermediate cylindrical portion 20, and the outer cylindrical portion 30 will be described in detail below.

[0017] The inner cylindrical portion 10 has an inner cylindrical core 11 and inner cylindrical magnets 12 arranged side by side in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical core. The inner cylindrical core 11 is fastened to a rotation shaft 40 of the inner cylindrical portion. The inner cylindrical magnets 12 are permanent magnets. The inner cylindrical magnets 12 have south and north poles arranged alternately in the circumferential direction and are also arranged separately in the axial direction. The inner cylindrical core 11 is made of a magnetic material such as electromagnetic steel plates stacked in the axial direction.

[0018] The intermediate cylindrical portion 20 includes a tubular portion 23 formed by alternating spacers 21 and pole pieces 22 in the circumferential direction, and a reinforcing ring (not shown) that supports the tubular portion 23 from the inside. The reinforcing ring is radially connected to the spacers 21 using, for example, bolts. This connection method is not limited to bolts, but may also be riveting, gluing, or fitting. The connection direction is not limited to the radial direction, but may also be axial. The intermediate cylindrical portion 20 also includes end plates 25 (hereinafter also referred to as supports 25) at both axial ends. The supports 25 are connected to the rotating shaft 40 of the inner cylindrical portion via bearings 51. The pole pieces 22 are made of a magnetic material, such as axially laminated electromagnetic steel plates. The spacers 21, reinforcing ring, and supports 25 are made of a non-magnetic material, such as austenitic stainless steel, aluminum, or resin.

[0019] The outer cylindrical portion 30 has a cylindrical outer cylindrical core 31 and outer cylindrical magnets 32 arranged side by side in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical core 31. The outer cylindrical magnets 32 are made of permanent magnets. The outer cylindrical magnets 32 have south and north poles arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The outer cylindrical core 31 is made of a magnetic material such as cylindrical electromagnetic steel plates laminated in the axial direction.

[0020] In the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine, the outer cylindrical portion 30 is a stator, the inner cylindrical portion 10 is a high-speed rotor (hereinafter also referred to as a first rotor), and the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 is a low-speed rotor (hereinafter also referred to as a second rotor). The inner cylindrical portion 10 rotates together with a rotating shaft 40 of the inner cylindrical portion, and the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 is rotatably supported on the rotating shaft 40 of the inner cylindrical portion via a bearing 51. The outer cylindrical portion 30 is fixed to a frame 50. For example, when the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 is rotated by external power, attractive forces and repulsive forces act between the inner cylindrical magnet 12 and the outer cylindrical magnet 32 ​​via the magnetic pole pieces 22 of the intermediate cylindrical portion 20. The attractive and repulsive forces acting between the inner cylindrical magnet 12 and the outer cylindrical magnet 32 ​​transmit the rotational torque of the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 to the rotational torque of the inner cylindrical portion 10.

[0021] In a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine, when the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 rotates, an electromagnetic force acts radially on the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 due to the magnetic forces of the inner cylindrical magnet 12 and the outer cylindrical magnet 32. Centrifugal force also acts on the intermediate cylindrical portion 20. Furthermore, if the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 is large, the effect of gravity due to its own weight cannot be ignored.

[0022] As a result, there is a possibility that the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 may be deformed by electromagnetic force, centrifugal force, and gravity. Furthermore, the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 receives torque from the power source 60 during rotation or when operation is stopped. Therefore, the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 is subjected to radial electromagnetic force, gravity due to its own weight, centrifugal force due to rotation, and torque.

[0023] 3A, 3B, and 3C are partial cross-sectional views showing an example of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to embodiment 1. From left to right, FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of an end plate portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion on the power source side (the side on which the power source is installed along the axial direction outside the frame) as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis, FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the intermediate cylindrical portion as viewed from the counter-axial direction (the direction along the axis from the side without the power source), and FIG. 3C is a partial cross-sectional view of the end plate portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion on the side without the power source (also referred to as the reaction power source side) as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0024] 3, the intermediate cylindrical portion includes a tubular portion 23 in which magnetic pole pieces 22 and non-magnetic spacers 21 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and end plates 25 that support the tubular portion 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the end plates 25 may support the tubular portion 23 so as to sandwich the tubular portion 23 from both axial sides, or may support the tubular portion 23 from only one axial side.

[0025] The end plate 25 supporting the cylindrical portion 23 is composed of an outer ring 28 connected to the cylindrical portion 23, a bearing 51, an inner ring 26 connected via a rotating shaft 41 of the intermediate cylindrical portion, and a connecting member 27 connecting the outer ring 28 and the inner ring 26. The connecting member 27 may be columnar. The columnar connecting member may have a cross-sectional shape, such as a quadrilateral, ellipse, or H-shape, along a straight or curved center line. The joint between the connecting member 27 and the outer ring 28 or the inner ring 26 may be larger than the other portions to ensure a smooth connection. The area between the inner and outer rings other than the connecting member is empty, allowing for weight reduction by eliminating components. The rotating shaft 41 of the intermediate cylindrical portion is located inside the inner ring and is connected to a frame 50 via a bearing 52 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0026] Next, the arrangement of the connecting member in the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of the first embodiment will be described below, particularly with regard to the characteristics of the arrangement of the connecting member with the inner and outer rings. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis (when viewed in the shape projected onto a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis), a line extending from the center line of the shape of the connecting member toward the outer ring forms a predetermined angle θ (also referred to as the angular position θ) with the perpendicular line to the tangent at the intersection IP with the outer diameter side outline of the pole piece or spacer (see the black circle in Figure 3B ), i.e., with the normal line NL (a line extending radially from the center of the rotation axis). In the figures, it is assumed that the radial size of the outer ring is larger than the radial size of the pole piece or spacer. Also, while Figures 3A and 3C show an example in which the thicknesses of the outer ring 28 and inner ring 26 (sizes in the direction of the rotation axis; the same applies below) are larger than the thickness of the connecting member 27, the thicknesses of the outer ring 28, inner ring 26, and connecting member 27 may be the same. Hereinafter, the center of the rotation axis will also be simply referred to as the axis center. Generally, the intermediate cylindrical portion is a thin-walled cylinder with a smaller thickness than the outer and inner cylindrical portions, resulting in low rigidity. Therefore, increasing the size of the outer ring toward the inner diameter can increase the rigidity without increasing the overall size of the generator. Here, we assume that the outer ring is larger toward the inner diameter than the cylindrical portion. Even if the outer ring has low rigidity, if the intermediate cylindrical portion has sufficient rigidity, the radial dimension of the outer ring can be the same as or smaller than the cylindrical portion. The radial dimension of the outer ring may also be the same as the size of the pole pieces or spacers. In this case, the tangent to the center line of the connecting member at the intersection of the connecting member and the inner surface of the outer ring forms an angle with the normal to the outer ring at the intersection.

[0027] In another variant, the end plate 25 supporting the tubular portion is the same as above in that it is composed of an outer ring 28 connected to the tubular portion 23, an inner ring 26 connected to the inner cylindrical portion 10 via a bearing 51, and a connecting member 27 connecting the outer ring 28 and the inner ring 26, but the center line CL of the shape of the connecting member may be configured to form an angle with the radial direction (radial direction).

[0028] Furthermore, the intermediate cylindrical portion 20 may include a plurality of fixing members 24 that fix the cylindrical portion 23 and the outer ring 28 from the outside of the cylindrical portion along the axial direction. In Fig. 3, the fixing members 24 may penetrate the pole pieces 22 or the spacers 21 in the axial direction and fasten the pole pieces 22 or the spacers 21 together with the outer ring 28 from both axial sides, or fasten both of them (see Figs. 3A and 3C).

[0029] In this case, if an extension line of the center line that forms an angle with the radial direction of at least one connecting member is configured to pass through the position where the fixing member of the outer ring is disposed, rigidity can be further increased.

[0030] The above describes the configuration of the end plate on the axial side of the frame where the power source is located (hereinafter simply referred to as the power source side), such as the wind turbine blade side in wind power generation or the turbine side in thermal and nuclear power generation. On the axial side opposite the side where the power source is located (hereinafter simply referred to as the reaction source side), i.e., the reaction source side, the components of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine only need to be able to withstand radial loads. Therefore, the center lines of the connecting members on the reaction source side end plate may be configured to be aligned radially (radially from the center of the rotation shaft) without forming an angle with the radial direction. Alternatively, the angle formed by the center line of the connecting member on the reaction source side end plate with the radial direction may be smaller than the angle formed by the center line of the connecting member on the power source side end plate with the radial direction. Here, the angle formed with the radial direction may be interpreted as the angle with respect to the normal at the intersection with the outer periphery of the inner diameter of the pole piece or spacer.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a view of the end plate 25 of the intermediate cylindrical portion of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to the first embodiment, viewed from the axial direction. The end plate is composed of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a connecting member connecting the outer ring and the inner ring. The geometric center line CL (dash-dotted line) of the first connecting member is tilted circumferentially with respect to the radial direction (dotted line). In this case, the predetermined angle (hereinafter also referred to as the tilt angle) is θ1. The center line of the second connecting member is tilted on the same side as the first connecting member is tilted with respect to the radial direction. In this case, the tilt angle is also θ1. However, in FIG. 4 , the first two first connecting members (at the top and 3 o'clock positions) and the next two first connecting members (at the bottom and 9 o'clock positions) are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the radial direction (line-symmetrical with respect to the lagging and leading sides in the clockwise direction) (indicated as "θ1" and "-θ1" in FIG. 4 ). In the above, the inclination angle θ1 is defined as the angle between a tangent drawn from the connection point of the outer ring to the inner ring and a normal to the connection point of the outer ring. The connection points of the first connecting member and the outer ring and the connection points of the second connecting member and the outer ring are equidistant. The central x indicates the center of rotation (same below).

[0032] As described above, by configuring the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of embodiment 1, both radial and circumferential loads can be converted into axial loads on the connecting members, making the end plates highly rigid. As a result, the entire intermediate cylindrical portion becomes highly rigid while keeping the material volume of the end plates small.

[0033] For example, in Figure 4, when a radial load and a counterclockwise circumferential load act on the outer ring, the radial load generates tensile stress in the connecting member, and the counterclockwise circumferential load generates compressive stress in the first connecting member. The tensile stress caused by the radial load and the compressive load caused by the circumferential load cancel each other out, suppressing deformation of the first connecting member. Therefore, by using the first connecting member and the second connecting member together, high rigidity can be achieved against both clockwise and radial circumferential loads.

[0034] In Embodiment 1, the connection positions between the outer ring and the connecting member are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. By making the support intervals for the outer ring uniform, the support intervals for the outer ring can be uniformly minimized, and radial bending deformation of the outer ring due to radial load can be suppressed.

[0035] The greater the inclination in the circumferential direction of the connecting member, the higher its rigidity against circumferential loads, and the smaller the inclination in the circumferential direction, the higher its rigidity against radial loads. Therefore, by setting the inclination of the connecting member in consideration of the ratio between the radial load and the circumferential load acting on the intermediate ring of the magnetic-geared generator, the effect of increasing rigidity can be maximized.

[0036] The outer ring, inner ring, and connecting member can be joined by, for example, welding, bolting, riveting, etc. Alternatively, the outer ring, inner ring, and connecting member may be an integral structure, in which case there is no need to join the outer ring, inner ring, and connecting member.

[0037] The arrangement structure of the end plate connecting members of the first embodiment can also be used to connect the inner cylindrical core and the inner cylindrical rotating shaft, and can also be used in the rotor of other rotating electrical machines, to obtain a high rigidity effect.

[0038] 5 is a view of end plate 25a of the intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to embodiment 2, viewed from the axial direction. In the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of embodiment 2, first connecting members 27a and second connecting members 27b are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The connection positions between first connecting members 27a and the outer ring and the connection positions between second connecting members 27b and the outer ring are equally spaced.

[0039] By arranging the first connecting members 27a and the second connecting members 27b alternately in the circumferential direction, the radial load or circumferential load acting on the outer ring can be uniformly distributed around the circumference, suppressing local deformation of the outer ring, inner ring, and connecting members. As a result, the low-speed rotor can be made highly rigid. The rest of the structure is the same as in embodiment 1.

[0040] 6 is a view of end plate 25b of the intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to embodiment 3, viewed from the axial direction. In embodiment 3, the connecting member is arranged so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle in the axial direction. That is, the connecting member is arranged so as to be inclined at angle α with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (see FIG. 6).

[0041] By arranging the connecting members of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of the third embodiment as shown in Figure 6, it is possible to convert the out-of-plane bending load generated on the end plates due to the radial load acting on the pole pieces into an axial compressive load on the connecting members. As a result, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the low-speed rotor. The arrangement of the connecting members is the same as that of the second embodiment, except for the arrangement in which the connecting members are tilted axially with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0042] Fourth Embodiment Figure 7 is a view of an end plate 25c of an intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to a fourth embodiment, viewed from the axial direction. In this fourth embodiment, an intermediate ring 29 is disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. A third connecting member 27c, which is smaller in longitudinal dimension than the connecting members described in the first to third embodiments, is disposed to connect the outer ring 28 to the intermediate ring 29 and the inner ring 26 to the intermediate ring 29. The dotted line in the figure represents a tangent line TL drawn from the connection position of the connecting member on the outer ring to the inner ring. In this case, the connecting member is installed at an angle toward the outer ring relative to this tangent line (note that the connecting member is installed similarly in the fifth and sixth embodiments described below).

[0043] The structure of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine of Embodiment 4 allows the circumferential inclination angle θ2 of the connecting member (specifically, the third connecting member 27c) to be set larger than in the magnetic-geared rotating electric machines of Embodiments 1 to 3. The reason for this is that when the connecting member between the inner and outer rings is positioned at the maximum inclination relative to the center line of the circle, the reference line along which the connecting member is positioned is the tangent to the inner ring. In this case, the smaller the diameter difference between the two rings connected by the connecting member, the larger the angle from the reference line the connecting member can be positioned. Considering how the angle from the reference line changes depending on whether or not an intermediate ring is present, since the "diameter difference between the outer and inner rings" is greater than the "diameter difference between the outer or inner ring and the intermediate ring," it can be seen that the connecting member can be positioned at a larger inclination when an intermediate ring is present than when an intermediate ring is not present. This enhances rigidity against circumferential loads. The other structures are the same as those of the magnetic-geared rotating electric machines of Embodiments 1, 2, and 3.

[0044] Fifth Embodiment FIG. 8 is a view of an end plate 25d of an intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to a fifth embodiment, viewed from the axial direction. In the fifth embodiment, the connecting members are configured in two different arrangements. That is, a third connecting member 27c connecting the outer ring 28 and the intermediate ring 29 and a fourth connecting member 27d connecting the inner ring 26 and the intermediate ring 29 are provided. In this case, the fourth connecting member 27d is inclined by the same angle in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the third connecting member 27c with respect to the normal to the radial direction (for example, in a counterclockwise direction, which is the opposite direction when the clockwise direction is taken as the reference direction for the inclination direction of the third connecting member with respect to the normal). Note that the fourth connecting member 27d may be inclined by a different angle in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the third connecting member 27c with respect to the normal direction.

[0045] As described above, in the magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to embodiment 5, by using the third connecting member and the fourth connecting member in combination, high rigidity can be achieved against circumferential loads in both the clockwise and radial directions. The other structures are the same as those of embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] Sixth Embodiment Figure 9 is a view of an end plate 25e of an intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to a sixth embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction. In the sixth embodiment, when connecting the outer ring 28 and the inner ring 26 to the intermediate ring 29, the third connecting members 27c and the fourth connecting members 27d are arranged alternately. That is, the fourth connecting members 27d are inclined by the same angle (the same value of inclination) as the inclination of the third connecting members 27c with respect to the normal direction, for example, in the opposite direction. Note that the fourth connecting members 27d may be inclined by a different angle in the opposite direction to the inclination of the third connecting members 27c with respect to the normal direction.

[0047] Compared to embodiment 5, the structure of embodiment 6 allows the radial or circumferential load acting on the outer ring 28 to be uniformly distributed across the entire end plate, thereby suppressing local deformation of the outer ring 28, intermediate ring 29, inner ring 26, and connecting members. As a result, the low-speed rotor can be made highly rigid. The other structures are the same as those of embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0048] 10 is a view of end plate 25f of the intermediate cylindrical portion of a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to embodiment 7, viewed from the axial direction. The connecting member of end plate 25f on the reaction force source side in embodiment 7 (hereinafter, this connecting member will be referred to as fifth connecting member 27e) is arranged in the normal direction to the outer ring and the inner ring. The other arrangement configurations related to fifth connecting member 27e, including the end plate on the power source side, are the same as those in embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0049] As explained above, in a magnetic-geared rotating electric machine, a circumferential load acts from the power source on the power source side of the intermediate cylindrical portion, but no circumferential load acts on the reaction source side. Therefore, the end plate on the reaction source side does not need rigidity against circumferential loads. Therefore, the connecting member is positioned so that the end plate of the reaction source has high rigidity only against radial loads. This maximizes the effect of high rigidity with a small component volume.

[0050] Although various exemplary embodiments and examples are described in this disclosure, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless variations not illustrated are contemplated within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification. For example, variations include modifying, adding, or omitting at least one component, or extracting at least one component and combining it with components of other embodiments. For example, in Figures 7 to 9, the connecting member is connected to any two of the outer ring, inner ring, or intermediate ring. However, this is not limited, and the connecting member may be connected to all three of these annular bodies.

[0051] 1 Magnetic geared rotating electric machine, 2 Rotating shaft, 10 Inner cylindrical portion (first rotor), 11 Inner cylindrical core, 12 Inner cylindrical magnet, 20 Intermediate cylindrical portion (second rotor), 21 Spacer, 22 Magnetic pole piece, 23 Cylindrical portion, 24 Fixing member, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f End plate (support), 26 Inner ring, 27 Connecting member, 27a First connecting member, 27b Second connecting member, 27c Third connecting member, 27d Fourth connecting member, 27e Fifth connecting member, 28 Outer ring, 29 Intermediate ring, 30 Outer cylindrical portion (stator), 31 Outer cylindrical core, 32 Outer cylindrical magnet, 40 Rotating shaft of inner cylindrical portion, 41 Rotating shaft of intermediate cylindrical portion, 50 Frame, 51, 52 Bearing, 60 Power source, CL Shape center line of connecting member, IP Intersection, NL normal, TL tangent

Claims

1. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine comprising: a stator having a coil; a first rotor disposed inside the stator and having magnets; and a second rotor disposed between the stator and the first rotor and rotated by external power, wherein the stator, the first rotor, and the second rotor are magnetically coupled to one another; and the second rotor has a cylindrical portion in which magnetic pole pieces and spacers are alternately arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a support body that supports the cylindrical portion by sandwiching its axial end portion, and the support body is a combined structure made up of plate-shaped connecting members that are connected to at least two of: an annular outer ring disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion; an annular inner ring disposed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion via the first rotor and a bearing; and an annular body disposed between the outer and inner periphery of the cylindrical portion.

2. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that the center line of the shape of the connecting member is set at a predetermined angle with the normal at the intersection with the outer line of the inner diameter side of the pole piece or spacer when viewed from the axial direction.

3. The magnetic-geared rotating electric machine described in claim 1, characterized in that the second rotor is provided with a plurality of fixing members that fix the cylindrical portion and the outer ring from the outside of the cylindrical portion along the axial direction, and the geometric center lines of the connecting members are set at a predetermined angle with respect to the radial direction from the axial center, and the extension line of at least one of the geometric center lines is configured to pass through the position where the fixing members are arranged.

4. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting members include a first connecting member that is arranged so that, when viewed from the axial direction, the geometric center line of the connecting member is set at a predetermined angle relative to the radial direction from the axial center, and a second connecting member that is arranged so that the first connecting member has a geometric center line that is set linearly symmetrically with respect to the predetermined angular position set relative to the radial direction from the axial center.

5. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the first connecting members and the second connecting members are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction.

6. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting members are arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

7. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the annular body arranged between the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion is an intermediate ring installed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and connecting members having shapes different from the first and second connecting members are arranged to connect the outer ring and the intermediate ring, and the inner ring and the intermediate ring.

8. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to claim 7, comprising: a third connecting member connecting the outer ring and the intermediate ring; and a fourth connecting member connecting the inner ring and the intermediate ring, wherein the inclination of the fourth connecting member with respect to the normal to the inner ring is the same as the inclination of the third connecting member with respect to the normal to the outer ring, and is set in the opposite direction with the clockwise direction as the reference direction.

9. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the angle between the center line of the connecting member of the support on the reaction force source side and the radial direction of the rotation axis is smaller than the angle between the center line of the connecting member of the support on the power source side and the radial direction of the rotation axis.

10. A magnetic-geared rotating electric machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting members of the support on the reaction force source side are arranged in the radial direction.

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