Manufacturing line for manufacturing a stator
The manufacturing line and method employ temporary aids like guiding blades and conductor retainers to address inefficiencies in stator core insulation and conductor placement, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and quality by ensuring precise insertion and protection during the process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ATOP SPA
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing manufacturing processes for stators face challenges in efficiently inserting insulators into stator cores with curved or asymmetrical slots, particularly those with thin teeth and non-symmetrical side walls, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in maintaining insulation and conductor placement.
A manufacturing line and method utilizing temporary manufacturing aids, including insertion guiding devices with axially extending guiding blades and conductor retainers, to support the assembly and removal of insulating liners and conductors within stator cores, ensuring precise placement and protection during the manufacturing process.
Enhances the efficiency of stator manufacturing by facilitating reliable insulation and conductor placement, even in complex slot geometries, thereby improving the overall manufacturing process and product quality.
Smart Images

Figure EP2025080331_30042026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Manufacturing Line for Manufacturing a Stator
[0002] The invention concerns a manufacturing line and a method for manufacturing a stator of a dynamoelectric machine .
[0003] The invention is related to stators for electric machines . Known electric machines include a fixed part, the stator, and a moving part, the rotor, arranged coaxially one inside the other . Typically, the rotor comprises a pack of laminations fixed on a rotation shaft, and is inserted inside the stator, which includes an electric winding capable of generating a magnetic field that causes the rotor to rotate .
[0004] The stator core is generally annular in shape and includes a plurality of radial slots, inside which the electric winding is obtained. For making the electric windings of the stators, it is known to use electric conductors made using strips or continuous wires, or copper strips that are bent in the central part to form hairpin-shaped strips or wave-shaped conductors, to be inserted in the stator slots .
[0005] Wave-shaped conductors comprise a plurality of straight portions, at least three, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, preferably in axial direction. Each of such straight portions are connected to an adj acent straight portion thereof by means of a crown portion by the same side of such straight portions . Crown portions are alternating arranged on the top and bottom side of such straight portions, thus defining a shape resembling a waveform. Typically, a crown portion of the wave-shaped conductor comprises a first crown portion and a second crown portion which are connected by an apical fold thereof . The wave-shaped conductor may comprise three to five crown portions on each axial side . The wave-shaped conductors may be arranged in four to eight layers on a stator core .
[0006] For insulation between a stator core with radially open slots and the winding to be inserted into the slots to form end connections, it is known to provide slot insulating sleeves with insulating contact on the inner surfaces of the stator core slots . As shown for example in EP1073180A1 the sleeves may be inserted from the radially outer side and pressed into the slot .
[0007] The known procedure may be difficult to apply for specific stator core designs, for example in cases when the stator core has thin teeth and / or asymmetrical side walls, in particular slots with curved or concave side walls, as for example shown in EP4272298A1.
[0008] US 9590479 B2 discloses a method for manufacturing a stator, wherein a cylindrical auxiliary j ig is used. The auxiliary j ig includes a basal portion and plate-shaped blades axially distending thereof . A slit-shaped gap is formed between adj acent blades . The auxiliary j ig is arranged so that the ends of the blades contact the upper end surface of a holding j ig. In this state, first sides a of coils held by the holding j ig are inserted into the corresponding gaps of the blades and held in a state corresponding to predetermined slots of the stator core .
[0009] US2021 / 111612 A discloses a method for twisting a winding head of a stator using a split tool . The split tool comprises a hollow cylindrical structure with a tooth shaped end in longitudinal direction of the split tool, wherein the tooth shaped end comprises at least one receiving slot for receiving the distal end of the end section of a first or second conductor and a protrusion next to the receiving slot in peripheral direction of the split tool .
[0010] US 4186478 A shows a method of manufacturing stators for electrical machines which includes the steps of transporting a plurality of coil inserting j igs by a transporting arrangement for circulating through a transporting path, with the coil inserting j igs receiving coils prepared by winding, and inserting the coils into a stator core, conducting a winding process, an insulating material inserting step for the coil inserting j igs, a coil inserting step for the stator core and an insulating material inserting step for the stator core along the transporting path, and branching and collecting the coil inserting j igs by the transporting arrangement for simultaneously carrying out the coil winding at a plurality of places .
[0011] US 5363546 A shows an automated system for making armatures for electrodynamic machines . The operator continues to insert components of armatures into the system and removes completed armatures made up by assembling the components so inserted.
[0012] There is a need to optimize functionally of insulation and efficiency for placing insulators into stator cores, for example for radially open stator cores with curved walls .
[0013] It is an obj ect of the present invention to avoid or reduce the disadvantages of the known and in particular to provide a manufacturing line and a method for manufacturing, which allow improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process of a stator . The problem is solved by a manuf cturing line according to claim 1 .
[0014] The manufacturing line is a manufacturing line for manufacturing a stator having a stator core . Said stator core is substantially symmetrical with respect to its central axis and comprises a plurality of longitudinal teeth proj ecting radially. Sach adj acent pair of teeth defines a radially open slot .
[0015] Within this application the terms "axial", "circumferential" and "radial" refer to the symmetry of the stator core .
[0016] The stator core preferably is substantially hollow, presenting an inner diameter . Said inner diameter defines a hollow cylindrical surface therein.
[0017] Said teeth are distributed along the circumference of the stator core .
[0018] The teeth may be distributed around a radially outer or inner side of a cylindrical support . The cylindrical support may coincide with the hollow cylindrical surface .
[0019] Each tooth has a circumferential surface . These surface extends in the radial and the axial direction.
[0020] Each pair of consecutive teeth defines an open slot, which may be radially closed towards the cylindrical support .
[0021] The slot is radially open towards the outer or inner side opposing the cylindrical support . Each slot is bounded in the circumferential direction by surfaces of adj acent teeth which form the walls of the slot .
[0022] Preferably, the teeth proj ect radially outwards preferably from the cylindrical support with respect to central axis .
[0023] Preferably, the teeth and hence the walls of the slots are parallel to the central axis .
[0024] The slots may be curved. Opposing walls of the slots, which are substantially parallel, may have a curvature in a direction perpendicular to the central axis with a finite radius .
[0025] The stator core is typically ferromagnetic .
[0026] The manufacturing line comprises a temporary manufacturing aid .
[0027] The manufacturing line comprises at least one workstation wherein the at least one workstation is configured for
[0028] - storing the temporary manufacturing aid for supporting the manufacture of a stator,
[0029] - assembling the temporary manufacturing aid with a semifinished stator thereby creating an assembly,
[0030] and for
[0031] - removing the temporary manufacturing aid from an assembly after the assembly has been processed.
[0032] A semi-finished stator at least comprises a stator core . The semi-finished stator is an intermediate product and is used as input in the production of a finished stator . The temporary manuf cturing aid typically is mounted to semifinished stator, but does not belong to the finished stator . Preferably the temporary manufacturing aid is removed from the assembly in the same workstation, where it has been mounted. The temporary manufacturing aid may be stored in the workstation until it will be mounted to a nest semi-finished stator .
[0033] Thus, the temporary manufacturing aid does not have to be provided from a specific storing space . After removal of the temporary manufacturing aid from an assembly the temporary manufacturing aid remains in the workstation until it is needed for assembling with a new semi-finished stator .
[0034] Before the temporary manufacturing aid is removed from the assembly, the assembly has been processed, preferably in another workstation.
[0035] One or more workstations may be arranged in the same manufacturing unit, having a common frame or housing.
[0036] The temporary manufacturing aid comprises at least one of a first temporary manufacturing aid and a second temporary manufacturing aid.
[0037] The first temporary manufacturing aid may be an insertion guiding device, which comprises at least one axially extending guiding blade with a connecting interface, configured for attachment and / or connection at a respective tooth. The guiding blade may be fixed at a position where the guiding blade is in contact with the tooth. Preferably axially extending edges of the tooth and the guiding blade are in contact .
[0038] The guiding blade comprises at least one axially extending notch, which is a longitudinal notch, which is open radially, preferably radially inwards, and towards the slot when mounted on the tooth of the stator core, such that when the guiding blade is attached to the respective tooth of the stator core, the longitudinal notch is configured to allow an end flap of a radially extending lateral wall of an insulating liner to pass through the longitudinal notch.
[0039] The notch is adapted for accommodating the end flap of the radially extending lateral wall of a protecting insulating liner inserted in the slot .
[0040] Preferably, each guiding blade comprises two notches, which are open radially inwards such that the notches face towards neighbouring slots when mounted on the tooth of the stator core .
[0041] Each notch may have an opening width of double the thickness of the insulating liner and a radial depth of about ten times the thickness of the insulating liner .
[0042] The guiding blade may be made of steel .
[0043] The protecting insulating liner may be folded in V, U or Inform, with at least one end flap, preferably both end flaps, typically reaching beyond the radial opening of the slot when inserted . The protecting insulating liner may be made of a highly thermally resistant material, such as Nomex ®, Kapton ®, or technical polymers, such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone) or the like, presenting a high-temperature melting point of at least 300°C .
[0044] The notch may be open at least at one axial end, to allow the protective insulating liner to be inserted axially into the slot and the notch, wherein the notch receives the end flap which radially extends from the slot .
[0045] When inserted in the notch, the end flaps of the protecting insulating liner are protected against bending, folding and translation, in particular during insertion of the wave-shaped conductors and especially when the conductors are radially inserted. As the end flaps of the protecting insulating liner remain unaffected during insertion of the conductors, the end flaps may subsequently be folded and may provide for a reliable insulation of the inserted conductors in radial direction .
[0046] The first temporary manufacturing aid may further comprise an upper and / or lower cap for fixing the guiding blades .
[0047] The second temporary manufacturing aid may be a conductor retaining device, which comprises at least one conductor retainer configured to be positioned around upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions of applied wave-shaped conductors inserted into the semi-finished stator, wherein both upper crown portions and lower crown portions of the wave-shaped conductors protrude axially from the stator core . The at least one conductor retainer typically is mounted to the semi-finished stator, after the wave-shaped conductors have been inserted into the slots of the stator core . The at least one conductor retainer provides for keeping conductors in place during further manufacturing steps and before the slots are finally closed with circumferential closing elements .
[0048] A plurality of conductor retainers may be configured and dimensioned to engage with adj acent conductor retainers to form a stable upper or lower conductor retainer ring.
[0049] The at least one workstation may comprise a first workstation configured to assemble the insertion guiding device as described above with a stator core to form an assembly, and to remove the insertion guiding device from the assembly comprising a stator core and the first temporary manufacturing aid .
[0050] The first workstation may further comprise a guiding blade applicator configured to assemble the at least one axially extending guiding blade with the stator core and to remove the at least one axially extending guiding blade from the assembly .
[0051] The guiding blade applicator may be adapted for moving a guiding blade from an initial position, where said guiding blade is external to said stator core to a final position, where said guiding blade engages the tooth all along a longitudinal free end thereof and for moving said guiding blade from the final position to the initial position.
[0052] The guiding blade applicator in particular may be a pusher . Preferably, the first workstation comprises a plurality of guiding blade applicators, in particular one applicator for each tooth of the stator core, such that a respective guiding blade can be placed to each tooth.
[0053] Each guiding blade may comprise at least one radially extending fastener, arranged at one axial end thereof, preferably two fasteners arranged at both axial ends .
[0054] Radially extending means that the extension has at least a radial component, preferably the fastener extends more in radial than in axial or circumferential direction.
[0055] The fastener may be configured to be arranged radially superimposed with respect to a respective tooth of the stator core and axially immediately above or below said respective tooth. Particularly in case of curved slots, the fastener may be curved, too .
[0056] As the faster may be axially in line with the protrusion, the fastener does not form an obstacle when the protecting insulating liner is axially inserted.
[0057] The fastener may extend radially inward with respect to an axially extending body of the guiding blade .
[0058] The first workstation may comprise an applicator for assembling the upper and / or lower cap and the stator core and for removing the upper and / or lower cap from the assembly.
[0059] The upper and / or lower cap may provide for fixing the fastener to the inner containment . The at least one workstation may comprise a second workstation for assembling the at least one conductor retainer as described above and a semi-finished stator comprising a stator core and applied conductors as well as for removing a second temporary manufacturing aid from an assembly comprising a semi-finished stator and a second temporary manufacturing aid. In particular, the second workstation is configured to assemble the at least one conductor retainer with a semifinished stator comprising a stator core and inserted conductors to form an assembly, and to remove the at least one conductor retainer from the assembly.
[0060] The conductor retaining device may comprising at least one conductor retainer .
[0061] In particular, the conductor retainer is configured to be positioned around upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions of wave-shaped conductors inserted into the semifinished stator, wherein both the upper crown portions and lower crown portions of wave-shaped conductors protrude axially from the stator core .
[0062] The second workstation may comprise at least one conductor retainer applicator for placing at least one conductor retainer around upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions of applied wave-shaped conductors in a semi-finished stator and for removing at least one conductor retainer from upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions of applied wave-shaped conductors . In particular, the second workstation further comprises at least one conductor retainer applicator configured to place the at least one conductor retainer around the upper and / or lower crown portions of the wave-shaped conductors, and to remove the at least one conductor retainer (51 ) therefrom. The second workstation may comprise a plurality of pushers for radially pushing conductors, in particular for pushing straight portions of wave-shaped conductors or hairpin conductors into the slots and for compacting the applied conductors . The second workstation may comprise one pusher for each slot of the stator core .
[0063] The manufacturing line may comprise more workstations .
[0064] The manufacturing line may for example comprise a third workstation for assembling an additional temporary manufacturing aid and a stator core and for removing a additional temporary manufacturing aid from a finished stator . In particular, the third workstation is configured to assemble an additional temporary manufacturing aid with a stator core, and to remove the additional temporary manufacturing aid from the stator core ( 10) when a finished stator is obtained.
[0065] The additional temporary manufacturing aid may comprise an inner containment configured to be inserted into for the stator core . The third workstation may comprise an inserter for holding the inner containment and / or the stator core and for relative movement of a stator core and the inner containment, in particular for axially inserting the inner containment into the stator core . "Axially moving" means moving in a direction parallel to or on the central axis of the stator core . In particular, the inserter is configured to provide relative movement between the stator core and the inner containment .
[0066] The inner containment may comprise an inserter interface, for example an opening, in particular a central opening. The inner containment may further comprise openings for receiving fasteners of the guiding blades .
[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the inserter may be adapted to hold the stator core and / or to move the stator core from an initial position, where said stator core is distanced for said inner containment to a final position, where said inner containment is placed within the stator core, and for moving said stator core from the final position to the initial position .
[0068] The inserter may comprise an insertion interface for engaging the inner containment and / or the stator core .
[0069] The inserter interface may be arranged on a robot arm.
[0070] The same robot arm may comprise a grab element for holding and / or moving an assembly comprising a stator core and mounted conductors, in particular for removing this assembly from the inner containment at the end of the manufacturing process .
[0071] Typically, a stator core is provided at the third workstation to be prepared for further manufacturing. In a first step the stator core may be mounted to the inner containment, which provides for stabilizing the stator core during further manufacturing and / or for fixing the guiding blades . When the stator is finished, it may be removed from the inner containment, or the inner containment may be removed from the finished stator at the third workstation.
[0072] Thus, the third workstation may form the first and the last station of the manufacturing line .
[0073] The manufacturing line may comprise a transportation device configured to move a pallet having an inner container support for supporting and moving the inner containment between the workstations and / or between the manufacturing units .
[0074] The transportation device may comprise transport chains, push bars and / or conveyors .
[0075] The manufacturing line may further comprise at least one additional workstation for example a fourth workstation for providing and placing pre-folded protecting insulating liners, configured to provide and insert an insulating liner into the open slots of the stator core, and in particular configured to axially insert protecting insulating liners into the open slots of the stator core .
[0076] The manufacturing line may further comprise a fifth workstation for providing and placing conductors, preferably for providing wave-shaped conductors and for inserting the straight portions of the wave-shaped conductors into the open slots of the stator core . The fifth workstation may be configured to provide conductors, preferably wave-shaped conductors, and to insert straight portions of the conductors into the open slots of the stator core . The workstation for providing and placing conductors may be configured to provide and to place wave-shaped conductors and / or hairpin conductors .
[0077] The manufacturing line may further comprise a sixth workstation for providing and placing circumferential closing elements . The sixth workstation may be configured to provide and place circumferential closing elements around upper and lower protruding portions of the conductors . Circumferential closing elements may be applied after protecting insulating liners of each slot have been closed. The circumferential closing element may be arranged around the stator core, when the slots of the stator core are radially open towards the outside .
[0078] A conductor retainer may hold the conductors in places until the circumferential closing elements have been mounted.
[0079] The manufacturing line may further comprise a seventh workstation for mutually welding ends of conductors to form a stator winding. The seventh workstation may be configured to weld protruding free ends of the conductors together .
[0080] The manufacturing line may further comprise an eighth workstation for providing at least one busbar and connecting the busbar to ends of conductors . The eighth workstation may be configured to provide at least one busbar and to connect the busbar to the welded ends of the conductors .
[0081] The problem is also solved by a method for manufacturing a stator of dynamoelectric machine . Said method comprise the following steps A temporary manufacturing aid is provided, in particular the temporary manufacturing aid is stored for supporting the manufacture of a stator .
[0082] A semi-finished stator comprising a stator core is provided. In particular, a semi-finished stator as described above, which comprises at least a stator core as described above, is arranged .
[0083] The temporary manufacturing aid may be properly arranged. The temporary manufacturing aid and the semi-finished stator are assembled, thereby an assembly is created.
[0084] The temporary manufacturing aid selected from a first temporary manufacturing aid, preferably as described above, and a second temporary manufacturing aid, preferably as described above .
[0085] The first temporary manuf cturing aid comprises at least one axially extending guiding blade having a connecting interface, for connection at the tooth of the stator core .
[0086] The guiding blade comprises at least one axially extending notch, being open radially and towards the slot, when mounted on the tooth of the stator core, for accommodating an end flap of a radially extending lateral wall of a protecting insulating liner inserted in the slot .
[0087] The second temporary manufacturing aid comprises at least one conductor retainer to be placed around upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions of applied wave-shaped conductors in a semi-finished stator, which upper crown portions and lower crown portions of inserted wave-shaped conductors protrude axially from the stator core .
[0088] In a further step the selected manufacturing aid is assembled with the semi-finished stator to form an assembly.
[0089] The method may comprise a further step of performing at least one additional processing step on the assembly to form a modified assembly and subsequently removing the first temporary manufacturing aid and / or the second temporary manufacturing aid from the modified assembly. Thus, after said at least one further processing step, said method provides the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid and / or the second temporary manufacturing aid from the modified assembly .
[0090] The first temporary manufacturing aid and / or the second temporary manufacturing aid may be removed from the modified assembly at the same workstation, where they have been mounted before .
[0091] The method may further provide the further processing step of providing and / or placing pre-folded protecting insulating liners in slots of the stator core, in particular inserting insulating liners into the slots ( 11 ) of the stator core .
[0092] The pre-folded protecting insulating liners may be pre-folded in W, C, U or V form and may be inserted axially in the slots, such that they are open towards the radial opening of the slot .
[0093] Preferably the pre-folded protecting insulating liners are inserted in the slots after the step of assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid. Hence the radially extending end flaps of the pre-folded protecting insulating liners may be received by the notches of the guiding blades of the first temporary manufacturing aid and are protected during further manufacturing steps .
[0094] The method may further provide the further processing step of providing and / or placing, conductors in slots of the stator core, in particular inserting conductors into the slots, preferably after the step of inserting the protecting insulating liners .
[0095] The conductors maybe radially guided into the slots of the stator core, while being guided by the guiding blades of the first temporary manufacturing aid.
[0096] After the conductors have been introduced the straight portions may be radially pressed inwards and conductor retainers may be applied to hold the conductors in place .
[0097] The method may further provide the further processing step of folding the end flaps of the protecting insulating liners . The step is performed after the step of inserting pre-folded protecting insulating liners and after the step of inserting conductors and preferably after the step of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid.
[0098] The step is preferably provided after the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid, preferably at the same workstation, where it has been mounted.
[0099] After the end flaps of the protecting insulating liners have been folded, the second temporary manufacturing aid may be removed, preferably in the same workstation, where it has been mounted .
[0100] The method may further provide the further processing step of providing and / or placing, in particular inserting, circumferential closing elements, preferably after the step of folding the end flaps of the protecting insulating liners . The circumferential closing elements may be provided and / or placed after the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid, but preferably before the step of removing the second temporary manufacturing aid.
[0101] After the circumferential closing elements have been mounted to the semi-finished stator the second temporary manufacturing aid may be removed, as the conductors are held in place by the circumferential closing elements . The circumferential closing elements also may provide for keeping the folded protecting insulating liners in a closed an insulating position.
[0102] The method may further provide the further processing step of mutually welding ends of the conductors, preferably after the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid and / or the second temporary manufacturing aid, thus obtaining a finished stator or a semi-finished stator . Hence the method results in a finished stator or a semi-finished stator .
[0103] By welding of the ends of the conductors a continues stator winding may be achieved.
[0104] The method may comprise the step of providing an inner containment and the step of assembling the inner containment with the stator core before assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid. Said step of assembling provides that the stator core is concentrically arranged with respect to said inner containment . Said inner containment is positioned within the stator core .
[0105] Preferably, the step of providing the inner containment and the step of assembling is performed within a single manufacturing unit, that is in the same manufacturing unit, preferably in the same workstation, without transferring and / or handling the stator core and / or without further handling the assembly between these steps .
[0106] Preferably, the steps of assembling the inner containment with the stator core and the steps of arranging and assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid are performed within the same manufacturing unit, without transferring and / or handling the stator core and / or without handling the assembly between the steps .
[0107] Preferably, after the first temporary aid has been assembled with the stator core, the semi-finished stator is transferred, in particular transported, to a different workstation, where at least one further processing step may be carried out .
[0108] The step of assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid may comprise the following sub steps .
[0109] The first temporary manufacturing aid may be arranged external to the stator core . The first temporary manufacturing aid may comprise at least one axially extending guiding blade, wherein said at least one guiding blade comprises at least one radially extending fastener, arranged at least one axial end thereof . Each guiding blade may be arranged radially external to a respective tooth of the stator core .
[0110] The at least one guiding blade may be moved radially from an initial position, wherein said at least one guiding blade is external to said stator core, to a final position, wherein said first temporary manufacturing aid engages the tooth of the stator core all along a longitudinal free end thereof .
[0111] The fasteners of the guiding blade may be received in openings of the inner container .
[0112] An upper and / or lower cap may be arranged for fixing the fastener to the inner containment . The upper and / or lower cap may be arranged to secure the fastener to the inner containment . The upper and / or lower cap may prevent the fasteners from leaving the openings in the inner containment . The upper and / or lower cap may be axially moved with respect to the stator core and may be placed on axial ends of the inner containment .
[0113] Before the guiding blades are removed from the assembly, the upper and / or lower cap may have to be removed to release the fixation .
[0114] The first temporary manufacturing aid and / or said inner containment may be fastened to the stator core and preferably are released actively in a respective first or second workstation .
[0115] An accidental removal of the first and / or second temporary manufacturing air is thereby prevented. The step of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid preferably comprises providing a semi-finished stator .
[0116] The step of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid preferably consists of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid to a semi-finished stator and / or to an assembly comprising the semi-finished stator and a first temporary manufacturing aid.
[0117] Within this step, said semi-finished stator preferably comprises at least said stator core and at least one conductor . Preferably, the conductor is a wave-shaped conductor, which comprises a plurality of straight portions arranged in parallel between each other, which are joined together by upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions thereof . Each straight portion of the plurality of straight portions of said conductor is inserted in a respective open slot . An upper or lower crown portion of the conductor axially typically extends over the stator core .
[0118] Thus, an upper or lower part of the conductor typically axially extends beyond the stator core .
[0119] Said step of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid preferably comprises the sub step of arranging the second temporary manufacturing aid external to the semi-finished stator or to an assembly comprising the semi-finished stator and the first temporary manufacturing aid.
[0120] Said second temporary manufacturing aid comprises at least one conductor retainer, preferably upper and lower conductor retainers, which are placed around the upper crown portions and / or lower crown portions and hence the upper protruding ends and / or lower protruding ends of applied conductors in said semi-finished stator .
[0121] Conductor retainers may be moved from an initial position, wherein they are distanced from the semi-finished stator to a final position, wherein they are close to the crown portions of the conductors .
[0122] Conductor retainer applicator may provide for placing conductor retainers and for mutually connecting conductor retainers for forming a crown retaining ring.
[0123] The conductor retainer applicators may also provide for releasing and removing the conductor retainers .
[0124] The method may further comprise the step of disassembling the finished stator from the second temporary manufacturing aid, in particular from the inner containment, preferably after a step of mutually welding contiguous ends of the conductors, which are adj acent protruding free ends of the conductors . In particular, after mutually welding the ends and forming stator winding and before removing the inner containment, at least one busbar may be mounted to conductors .
[0125] Preferably, the step of disassembling the finished stator from the inner containment is carried out in the same workstation where the inner containment was initially arranged, hence, where the step of arranging the inner containment took place in advance, so that the manufacturing method can restart again with the step of assembling another stator core within the inner containment . Sequential manufacturing of additional stator cores using the same inner containment is enabled. Further advantageous aspects of the invention are explained in the following by means of exemplary embodiments and the figures . Functionally equal elements are provided with the same reference signs . In the drawings, in a schematic manner :
[0126] Figure 1 shows an example of a stator core;
[0127] Figure 2 shows a detail of a stator core in perspective view;
[0128] Figure 3 shows an example of a wave-shaped conductor;
[0129] Figure 4 schematically shows an example of a manufacturing line;
[0130] Figure 5 schematically shows a first example of an assembly comprising an insertion guiding device and a stator core in an exploded-view;
[0131] Figure 6a, 6b show a second example of an assembly in a perspective view;
[0132] Figure 7 shows a first workstation in a perspective view;
[0133] Figure 8 schematically shows an example of a first manufacturing unit;
[0134] Figure 9 schematically shows an example of an insertion interface ;
[0135] Figure 10 shows an example for a second workstation for assembling a conductor retainer;
[0136] Figure 11 shows an example for an eighth workstation for folding protecting insulating liner;
[0137] Figure 12 shows an example for a sixth workstation for closing the slots . Figure 1 shows an example of a stator core 10.
[0138] The stator core 10 is symmetrical with respect to its central axis 17 and comprises a plurality of longitudinal teeth 13 proj ecting radially. The teeth 13, in this example curved, are distributed around an outer side of a cylindrical support 14, which forms a hollow cylindrical surface 16. The curved teeth 13 form radially open, curved slots 11, with radially and axially extending walls 12.
[0139] Figure 2 shows a detail of a stator core 10 with a protecting insulating liner 20 inserted in the slot 11 in a perspective view .
[0140] The stator core 10 comprises teeth 13 being distributed around an outer side of a cylindrical support 14 and forming radially open slots 11.
[0141] The protecting insulating liner 20 is folded in U-form and comprises two circumferentially opposing and radially extending lateral walls 22, with each lateral wall having an end flap 21 extending substantially radially from the slot 11. Between the lateral walls 22 there is a bridge portion 201 connecting the lateral walls 22.
[0142] The end flaps 21 have to be protected during insertion of the conductors . For this reason, the end flaps 21 are accommodated in the notches 3 of the guiding blades 2 (see figures 6a, 6b) .
[0143] Figure 3 shows an example of a wave-shaped conductor 25.
[0144] The wave-shaped conductor 25 comprises a plurality of straight portions 26, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, preferably in axial direction when mounted at the stator core .
[0145] Each of such straight portions 26 is connected to an adj acent straight portion 26 by means of an upper crown portion 27 and a lower crown portion 28. Crown portions 27, 28 are hence alternating arranged on the top and bottom side of such straight portions 26, thus defining a shape resembling a waveform.
[0146] Figure 4 shows an example of a manufacturing line ML .
[0147] The manufacturing line ML comprises three workstations WS1, WS2, WS3 for storing a temporary manufacturing aid 1, 50, 60 for assembling a respective temporary manufacturing aid 1, 50, 60 and a semi-finished stator, thereby creating an assembly 101, 102, 105 and for removing the respective temporary manufacturing aid 1, 50, 60 from an assembly 101, 102, 105 after the assembly has been processed.
[0148] A first workstation WS1 is for storing, assembling and removing an insertion guiding device 1 as a first temporary manufacturing aid 1 .
[0149] A second workstation WS2 is for storing, assembling and removing a conductor retaining device 50 as a second temporary manufacturing aid 50.
[0150] A third workstation WS3 is for storing, assembling and removing an inner containment 61 as a additional temporary manufacturing aid 60.
[0151] The first workstation WS1 and the third workstation WS3 are arranged in same first manufacturing unit MUI . As shown in figure 8, the first manufacturing unit MUI presents a common frame, wherein the first workstation WS1 and the third workstation WS3 are contained.
[0152] As a first step of a method of manufacturing a stator 200 a stator core 10 is provided in a third workstation WS3, wherein an inner containment 61 is stored. The inner containment 61 is assembled with the stator core 10 forming a first assembly 101 .
[0153] Subsequently, in a first workstation WS1, wherein an insertion guiding device 1 is stored, the insertion guiding device 1 is assembled with the first assembly 101, forming a second ass e mb 1 y 102.
[0154] The inner containment 61 provides for fixing guiding blades 2 (see figures 6a, 6b) of the insertion guiding device 1 and stabilizes the stator core 10 during the further processing steps .
[0155] The new assembly 102 is transferred into a fourth workstation WS4 for providing pre-folded protecting insulating liners 20 and placing the protecting insulating liners 20 into the slots 11 of the stator core 10 (see figure 2 ) thereby forming an ass e mb 1 y 103.
[0156] The end flaps 21 of the pre-folded protecting insulating liners 20 (see figure 2 ) are introduced in notches 3 of the guiding blades 2 (see figures 6a, 6b) of the insertion guiding device 1 .
[0157] Subsequently, the assembly 103 is transferred to a fifth workstation WS5 for providing wave-shaped conductors 25 (see figure 3) and for placing the wave-shaped conductors 25, such that the straight portions 26 are inserted into the slots 11 of the stator core (see figure 1 ) and the upper and lower crown portions 27, 28 (see figure 3) axially extend over the stator core 10. An assembly 104 is formed.
[0158] The insertion guiding device 1 ( figures 6a, 6b) prevents a damage of the protecting insulating liners 20 (see figure 2 ) during insertion and provides for properly guiding the conductors 25 into the slots 11 of the stator core 10 (see figure 1 ) . Subsequently the assembly 104 is transferred to a second workstation WS2, where a conductor retaining device 50 comprising conductor retainer 51 (see figure 10) is stored. The conductor retainers 51 are placed around the upper 27 and lower 28 crown portions of the applied conductors 25 (see figure 3) thereby forming an assembly 105.
[0159] Additionally, the applied conductors 25 are compacted in the second workstation WS2 (see also figure 10) .
[0160] The assembly 105 is then transferred to the first workstation WS1, where the insertion guiding device 1 is removed and an assembly 106 is formed.
[0161] Subsequently, the assembly 106, still comprising the conductor retaining device 50, is transferred to an eighth workstation WS8, where the open end flaps 21 of the pre-folded protecting insulating liners 20 (see figure 2 ) are folded inwardly.
[0162] Subsequently, the assembly 106 is transferred to a sixth workstation WS6, for providing and placing circumferential closing elements 24 forming an assembly 107. The closing elements 24 are placed around the stator core 10 to close the open slots 11 and to keep the applied conductors 25 in place .
[0163] Subsequently, the assembly 107 again is transferred to the second workstation WS2, where the conductor retaining device 50 is removed and an assembly 108 is formed.
[0164] Subsequently, the assembly 108, still comprising the inner containment 61, is transferred to a seventh workstation WS7 for mutually welding upper crown portions 27 and lower crown portions 28 of the applied conductors 25.
[0165] In an additional workstation WS7_bis upper and lower busbars 23 are provided and the busbars 23 are connected to the upper crown portions 27 and lower crown portions 28 of the applied conductors 25.
[0166] The seventh workstation WS7 and the additional workstation WS7_bis may be arranged in the same second manufacturing unit MU2 .
[0167] Subsequently, the assembly 108 comprising the finished stator 200 and the inner containment 61, is transferred to the first manufacturing unit MUI . There the finished stator 200 is removed from the inner containment 61, which then is ready for receiving a new stator core 10.
[0168] Figure 5 schematically shows a first example of an assembly 102 comprising a insertion guiding device 1 for supporting the manufacture of a stator and a stator core 10 in an exploded view .
[0169] The stator core 10 is symmetrical with respect to its central axis 17 and comprises a plurality of longitudinal teeth 13 proj ecting radially. The teeth 13 are distributed around an outer side of a cylindrical support 14 and form open slots 11.
[0170] The insertion guiding device 1 for supporting the manufacture of a stator comprises a plurality of axially extending guiding blades 2 with a connecting interface, for connecting each guiding blade 2 at a respective tooth 13.
[0171] Each guiding blade 2 comprises two radially extending fasteners 4 arranged at the axial ends of the guiding blade 2 body .
[0172] The fasteners 4 are configured to be arranged radially superimposed with respect to a respective tooth 13 of the stator core 10 and axially directly above or below a respective tooth 13. In this example, the insertion guiding device 1 for supporting the manufacture of a stator comprises an inner containment 61 to be positioned within the stator core 10, having recesses 62 for accommodating the fasteners 4 .
[0173] The insertion guiding device 1 for supporting the manufacture of a stator further comprises an upper and a lower cap 6 for fixing the fasteners 4 to the inner containment 61.
[0174] Figures 6a shows a second example of an assembly 102 in a perspective view and figure 6b shows a detail view of figure 6a .
[0175] Each guiding blade 2 comprising two axially extending notches 3, open radially inwards and towards the slot 11 when mounted on the tooth 13 of the stator core 10 (see figure 1 ) for accommodating end flaps 21 (see figure 3) of a radially extending lateral walls 22 of a protecting insulating liner 20 .
[0176] In this example, the upper cap 6 is fixed to the inner containment 61 (see figure 1 ) with screws 15.
[0177] The guiding blades 2 comprise an axially extending groove 7 open towards a circumferential direction C, for radially guiding a straight portion 26 of a wave-shaped conductor 25 (see figure 3) into the respective slot 11.
[0178] Figure 7 shows a first workstation WS1 in a perspective view.
[0179] For each guiding blade 2, the first workstation WS1 comprises a respective guiding blade applicator 41 for pushing the guiding blade 2 towards the tooth 13 of the stator core 10 (see figure 1 ) .
[0180] The applicators 41 are mounted in guiding openings 42 of a moveable applicator plate 43 to be positioned at an axial end of the stator core 10. The applicators 41 and the respective guiding openings 42 are configured as a cam and a cam follower so that the guiding blades 2 follow a predetermined path compatible with the tooth 13 (see figures 1, 2 and 3) , from an initial position to a final position.
[0181] The first workstation WS1 further comprises a holder 45 for applying and turning the cap 6.
[0182] The applicator plate 43 as well as the holder 45 are part of or connectable to an aligner 46, which provides for moving these parts 43, 45 as well as the insertion guiding device 1 with respect to the assembly 101 comprising the stator core 10, which is mounted on an inner containment support 32.
[0183] Alternatively, the assembly 101 may be moved by a robot arm 66 (see figure 8 ) .
[0184] Figure 8 shows an example for a first manufacturing unit MUI .
[0185] The first manufacturing unit MUI comprises a first workstation WS1 for storing, assembling and removing an insertion guiding device 1 (see also figure 7 ) .
[0186] The manufacturing unit MUI further comprises a third workstation WS3 for storing, assembling and removing an inner containment 61.
[0187] The inner containment 61 is provided on an inner containment support 32 which is placed on a pallet 31.
[0188] The inner containment support 32 of the pallet 31 may engage the inner containment 61 of the assemblies 101-108 (see figure 4 ) .
[0189] A robot arm 66 of a robot 67 comprises an inserter 64.
[0190] The inserter 64 picks a stator core 10 from a reservoir 33 of stator cores 10 and places it on the inner containment 61, such that the stator core 10 is concentrically arranged with respect to said inner containment 61 and said inner containment 61 is positioned within the stator core 10, thereby forming an assembly 101.
[0191] Subsequently, the insertion guiding device 1 is assembled with the stator core 10, forming an assembly 102.
[0192] The assembly 102 placed on the pallet 31 is transported with transport device 30, for example a conveyor band, to the next workstations (see figure 4 ) .
[0193] The inner containment 61 is engaged and / or engageable with the pallet 31 via the inner containment support 32 during the whole process of manufacturing. Hence, the assemblies 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108, 108 (see figure 4 ) containing the inner containment 61 each are arranged on the pallet 31.
[0194] By use of a holder 45 (see figure 7 ) the assemblies 101-108 (see figure 4 ) may be lifted from the pallet 31 if needed for reaching the lower protruding end.
[0195] After the last processing step the assembly 101 returns to the third workstation WS3.
[0196] The robot arm 66 removes the finished stator 200 from the inner containment 61 and stores it in a reservoir 34 of finished stators 200.
[0197] Figure 9 schematically shows an example of an insertion interface 65.
[0198] The inserter 64 (see figure 8 ) comprises an insertion interface 65 having four rotatable gripping elements 68. The inserter 64 may be moved within the hollow cylindrical surface 16 of the stator core 10 (see figure 1 ) , when the gripping elements 68 are in a first position as shown in the left-hand side of figure 9. When the gripping elements 68 are rotated, they contact the hollow cylindrical surface 16 of the stator core 10, as shown in the right-hand side of figure 9. The stator core 10 is thereby fixed to the inserter 64.
[0199] Figure 10 shows an example for a second workstation WS2 for assembling a conductor retaining device 50 and a semi-finished stator .
[0200] The conductor retaining device 50 comprises a plurality of conductor retainers 51 to be placed around upper 27 and lower 28 crown portions (not shown in this figure) of applied conductors 25 in a semi-finished stator .
[0201] The conductor retainers 51 may be configured and dimensioned to engage with adj acent conductor retainers to form a stable upper or lower conductor retainer ring.
[0202] The second workstation WS2 comprises upper conductor retainer applicators 52 for placing respective conductor retainers 51 around upper crown portions 27 and for removing the conductor retainers 51 from the upper crown portions 27.
[0203] The second workstation WS2 further comprises comparable lower conductor retainer applicators (not shown in the figures) for placing respective conductor retainers 51 around lower crown portions 28 (not shown in the figure) and for removing the lower conductor retainers from the lower crown portions 28.
[0204] The second workstation WS2 further comprises a plurality of pushers 54 for radially pushing conductors 25, in particular for pushing straight portions 26 (see figure 3) of wave-shaped conductors 25 into the slots 11 and for compacting the applied conductors 25. The second workstation WS2 comprises one pusher 54 for each slot 11 of the stator core 10 (see figure 1 ) . Figure 11 shows an example for an eighth workstation WS8 comprising a device 80 for folding end flaps 21 of protecting insulating liners 20 (see figure 2 ) being introduced in a radially open slots 11 of stator core 10.
[0205] The device 80 has a receptacle 85 for receiving an assembly 106 comprising the stator core 10, wherein protecting insulating liners 20 and conductors 25 are inserted in the slots 11.
[0206] The circumferentially opposing end flaps 21 of each protecting insulating liners 20 radially extend from the stator core 10.
[0207] The device 80 comprises first folding elements 81 and second folding elements 82 for subsequently folding the respective end flaps 21 of each protecting insulating liner 20 (see figure 2 ) radially inwards .
[0208] A central pressing element 84 afterwards applies heat to the folded end flaps 21 to increase the durability of the folded configuration and / or the stiffness of the pleats .
[0209] Folding units 83 of a first folding element 81, a second folding element 82 and a central pressing element 84 are arranged to be revolved around the assembly 106 comprising the stator core 10 and conductor retainers 51 to subsequently fold protecting insulating liners 20.
[0210] The assembly 106 mounted on the inner containment support 32 still comprises the conductor retainers 51 which are applied to the stator core 10 for holding the conductors 25 in place during folding of the protecting insulating liners 20.
[0211] Figure 12 shows an example for a sixth workstation WS6 comprising a closing device 70 for closing the slots 11 of the stator core 10. The closing device 70 comprises transport elements 71 for bringing a circumferential closing element 24 from an initial storing position to a final position, wherein the circumferential closing elements 24 close the slots 11 of the stator core 10.
[0212] Each circumferential closing elements 24 may be adapted to close a plurality of adj acent slots 11. The closing elements 24 are configured and dimensioned to engage with adj acent closing elements 24 to form a stable outer cylindrical body of the stator 200.
[0213] During closing of the slots 11 the conductor retainers 51 are still applied to the stator core 10. After the slots 11 have been closed, the conductor retainers 51 may be removed in a second workstation WS2 (see figure 10 or figure 4 ) .
Claims
Claims1 . Manufacturing line (ML ) for manufacturing a stator having a stator core ( 10 ) , wherein said stator core ( 10 ) is substantially symmetrical about a central axis ( 17 ) and comprises a plurality of radially proj ecting longitudinal teeth ( 13 ) circumferentially spaced around the stator core ( 10 ) , each adj acent pair of teeth ( 13 ) defining a radially open slot ( 11 ) ,the manufacturing line (ML ) comprising a temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) and at least one workstation (WS 1 , WS2 ) , wherein the at least one workstation (WS 1 , WS2 ) is configured for :- storing the temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) for the manufacture of a stator,- assembling the temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) with a semi- finished stator thereby creating an assembly ( 102 , 105 ) , and- removing the temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) from the assembly ( 100 , 106 , 108 ) after processing of the ass emb ly ( 102 , 105 ) ,wherein the temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) comprises :- an insertion guiding device ( 1 ) comprisingat least one axially extending guiding blade ( 2 ) having a connecting interface configured for attachment to a respective tooth ( 13 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) , the guiding blade ( 2 ) comprising at least one longitudinal notch ( 3 ) open radially towards the slot ( 11 ) , wherein, when the guiding blade ( 2 ) is attached to the respective tooth ( 13 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) , the longitudinal notch ( 3 ) is configured to allow an end flap ( 21 ) of a radially extending lateral wall ( 22 )of an insulating liner ( 20 ) to pass through the longitudinal notch ( 3 ) ,and / or- a conductor retaining device ( 50 ) comprisingat least one conductor retainer ( 51 ) configured to be positioned around upper crown portions ( 27 ) and / or lower crown portions ( 28 ) of wave-shaped conductors ( 25 ) inserted into the semi- finished stator, wherein both the upper crown portions ( 27 ) and lower crown portions ( 28 ) of the wave-shaped conductors ( 25 ) protrude axially from the stator core ( 2 ) .2 . Manufacturing line according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one workstation (WS 1 ) comprises a first workstation (WS 1 ) configured to assemble the insertion guiding device ( I ) with a stator core ( 10 ) to form an assembly ( 105 ) , and to remove the insertion guiding device ( 1 ) from the ass e mb 1 y ( 105 ) ,the insertion guiding device ( 1 ) comprisingat least one axially extending guiding blade ( 2 ) having a connecting interface configured for attachment to a respective tooth ( 13 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) ,the guiding blade ( 2 ) comprising at least one longitudinal notch ( 3 ) open radially towards the slot ( I I ) when the guiding blade ( 2 ) is attached to the respective tooth ( 13 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) ,wherein the first workstation (WS 1 ) further comprises a guiding blade applicator ( 41 ) configured to assemble the at least one axially extending guiding blade ( 2 ) with the stator core ( 10 ) to form the assembly ( 105 ) , and to remove the at least one axially extending guiding blade ( 2 ) from the assembly ( 105 ) .3 . Manufacturing line according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one workstation comprises a second workstation (WS2 ) configured to assemble the at least one conductor retainer (50) with a semi-finished stator comprising a stator core ( 10) and inserted conductors (25) to form an assembly ( 107 ) , and to remove the at least one conductor retainer (50) from the assembly ( 107 ) ,the conductor retaining device (50) comprisingat least one conductor retainer (51 ) configured to be positioned around upper crown portions (27 ) and / or lower crown portions (28 ) of wave-shaped conductors (25) inserted into the semi-finished stator, wherein both the upper crown portions (27 ) and lower crown portions (28 ) of wave-shaped conductors (25) protrude axially from the stator core ( 2 ) ,wherein the second workstation (WS2 ) further comprises at least one conductor retainer applicator (52, 53) configured to place the at least one conductor retainer (51 ) around the upper (27 ) and / or lower (28 ) crown portions (27 ) of the wave-shaped conductors (25) , and to remove the at least one conductor retainer (51 ) therefrom.4 . Manufacturing line according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:- a third workstation (WS3) configured to assemble an additional temporary manufacturing aid ( 60) with a stator core ( 10) , and to remove the additional temporary manufacturing aid ( 60) from the stator core ( 10) when a finished stator (200) is obtained, the additional temporary manufacturing aid ( 60) comprising an inner containment ( 61 ) configured to be inserted into the stator core ( 10) ,the third workstation (WS3) comprising an inserter ( 64 ) configured to provide relative movement between the stator core ( 10) and the inner containment ( 61 ) .5 . Manufacturing line according to claim 4, further comprising a transportation device (30) configured to move a pallet (31 ) having an inner container support (32 ) for supporting and moving the inner containment ( 61 ) between the workstations (WS1, WS2, WS3) .6 . Manufacturing line according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one additional workstation selected from the group consisting of :- a fourth workstation (WS4 ) configured to provide and insert an insulating liner (20) into the open slots ( 11 ) of the stator core ( 10) ;- a fifth workstation (WS5) configured to provide conductors (25) , preferably wave-shaped conductors, and to insert straight portions (26) of the conductors (25) into the open slots ( 11 ) of the stator core ( 10) ;- a sixth workstation (WS6) configured to provide and place circumferential closing elements (24 ) around upper (27 ) and lower (28 ) protruding portions of the conductors (25) ;- a seventh workstation (WS7 ) configured to weld protruding free ends of the conductors (25) together; and- an eighth workstation (WS7_bis) configured to provide at least one busbar (23) and to connect the busbar (23) to the welded ends of the conductors (25) .7 . Method for manufacturing a stator of dynamoelectric machine , said method comprising the steps of- providing a temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) , - providing a semi- finished stator comprising a stator core ( 10 )that is substantially symmetrical about a central axis ( 17 ) and comprises a plurality of radially proj ecting longitudinal teeth ( 13 ) circumferentially spaced around the stator core ( 10 ) , each adj acent pair of said teeth ( 13 ) defining a radially open slot ( 11 ) ,selecting the temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) from :o a first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) comprising at least one axially extending guiding blade ( 2 ) having a connecting interface for attachment to the tooth ( 13 ) ,the guiding blade ( 2 ) comprising at least one axially extending notch ( 3 ) open radially towards the slot ( 11 ) when mounted on the tooth ( 13 ) of the stator core ,for accommodating an end flap ( 21 ) of a radially extending lateral wall ( 22 ) of an insulating liner ( 20 ) inserted in the slot ( 11 ) , oro a second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) comprisingat least one conductor retainer ( 51 ) to be placed around upper crown portions ( 27 ) and / or lower crown portions ( 28 ) of inserted wave-shaped conductors ( 25 ) in a semi- finished stator, which upper crown portions ( 27 ) and lower crown portions ( 28 ) of inserted wave-shaped conductors ( 25 ) protrude axially from the stator core ( 2 ) .- assembling the selected temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 , 50 ) with the semi- finished stator to form an ass emb ly ( 102 , 105 ) .8 . Method according to claim 7 , performing at least one additional processing step on the assembly ( 102 , 105 ) to form a modi fied assembly ( 102 , 105 ) , and subsequently removing the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) and / or the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) from the modi fied assembly ( 105 , 107 ) .9 . Method according to claim 7 and 8 , further comprising at least one of the following processing steps :- inserting insulating liners ( 20 ) into the slots ( 11 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) , preferably after the step of assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) ;- inserting conductors into the slots ( 11 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) ; preferably after the step of inserting the insulating liners ( 20 ) ;folding the end flaps ( 21 ) of the insulating liners ( 20 ) , after the steps of inserting the insulating liners ( 20 ) and conductors ( 25 ) , and preferably after the step of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) , and preferably after the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) and before the step of removing the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) ;- inserting circumferential closing elements ( 24 ) , preferably after the step of folding the end flaps ( 21 ) of the insulating liners ( 20 ) , preferably after the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) , but preferably before thestep of removing the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) ;- mutually welding ends of the conductors ( 25 ) , preferably after the step of removing the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) and / or the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) ;wherein the method results in a finished stator ( 200 ) or a semi- finished stator .10 . Method according to any one of the previous claims 7- 9 , wherein before assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) , the method comprises the step of providing an inner containment ( 61 ) and the step of assembling the inner containment ( 61 ) with the stator core ( 10 ) such that the stator core ( 10 ) is concentrically arranged with respect to said inner containment ( 61 ) ,and the inner containment ( 61 ) is positioned within the stator core ( 10 ) , wherein- preferably, the steps of providing and assembling the inner containment ( 61 ) are performed within a single manufacturing unit without trans ferring and / or handling the stator core ( 10 ) between those steps , and- preferably, the steps of assembling the inner containment ( 61 ) with the stator core ( 10 ) and assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) , are also performed within the same manufacturing unit , without trans ferring and / or handling the stator core ( 10 ) between those steps , - preferably, after assembling the first temporary aid ( 1 ) , the semi- finished stator is trans ferred to adi f ferent workstation for at least one further processing step .11 . Method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of assembling the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) comprises the sub steps of :- positioning the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) external to the stator core ( 10 ) , said first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) comprising at least one axially extending guiding blade ( 2 ) , wherein said at least one guiding blade ( 2 ) comprises at least one radially extending fastener ( 4 ) , arranged at at least one axial end thereof ;- moving said at least one guiding blade ( 2 ) radially from an initial position external to said stator core ( 10 ) to a final position, wherein said first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) engages a tooth ( 13 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) along a longitudinal free end of the tooth ( 13 ) ;- arranging an upper cap and / or lower cap ( 6 ) to secure the fastener ( 4 ) to the inner containment ( 61 ) ;- preferably fastening said first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) and / or said inner containment ( 61 ) to the stator core .12 . Method according to any one of the previous claims 7- 11 , wherein the step of assembling the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) comprises :- providing a semi- finished stator including a stator core ( 10 ) and at least one conductor ( 25 ) , the at least one conductor ( 25 ) preferably being a wave-shaped conductor comprising a plurality of straight portions ( 26 ) arranged in parallel and connected by upper crownportions ( 27 ) and / or lower crown portions ( 28 ) , each straight portion ( 25 ) being inserted into a respective open slot ( 11 ) of the stator core ( 10 ) , andan upper or lower part of the conductor ( 25 ) axially extending beyond the stator core ( 10 ) ,- arranging the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) external to the semi- finished stator or to an assembly ( 105 ) comprising the semi- finished stator and the first temporary manufacturing aid ( 1 ) ;- - placing at least one conductor retainer ( 51 ) of the second temporary manufacturing aid ( 50 ) around the upper crown portions ( 27 ) and / or lower crown portions ( 28 ) of the conductors ( 25 ) .13 . Method according to claim 12 , further comprising the step of disassembling the finished stator ( 200 ) from the inner containment ( 61 ) , preferably after a step of mutually welding adj acent protruding free ends of the conductors ( 25 ) .14 . Method according to claim 13 , wherein the step of disassembling the finished stator ( 200 ) from the inner containment ( 61 ) is carried out in the same workstation (WS 1 ) where the inner containment ( 61 ) was initially arranged, thereby enabling sequential manufacturing of additional stator cores ( 10 ) using the same inner containment ( 61 ) .
Citation Information
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