Stator and rotating electrical machine

Abstract

A stator (10) comprises: a stator core (24) having a plurality of teeth parts (20) extending radially; a plurality of insulators (16) mounted on the plurality of teeth parts; a plurality of coil winding parts (18) wound around the plurality of teeth parts with the insulators respectively interposed therebetween; and a plurality of insulating sheets (30) disposed between the plurality of coil winding parts to insulate adjacent coil winding parts from one another. The insulating sheets have raised parts (36) protruding toward the adjacent coil winding parts.

Description

Stator and Rotating Electric Machine Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024 - 195490 filed on November 07, 2024, claims the benefit of its priority, and all the contents of the patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a stator and a rotating electric machine.

[0003] Conventionally, there is a stator including a stator core having a plurality of radially extending teeth, a plurality of insulators attached to the plurality of teeth, a plurality of winding turns wound around the plurality of teeth via each insulator, and a plurality of insulating sheets disposed between the plurality of winding turns to insulate adjacent winding turns. Also, among this type of stator, there is one in which the insulating sheet is bent in a V - shape and fixed in a state of contacting adjacent winding turns (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2012 - 55098).

[0004] As a result of the inventors' detailed examination, the following problems have been found. That is, in the stator having the above configuration, the refrigerant can flow between adjacent winding turns to cool the winding turns. However, if the insulating sheet is bent in a V - shape and fixed in a state of contacting adjacent winding turns (that is, in an open V - shape state), the flow path between the outer surface of the winding turn and the insulating sheet becomes narrow, and the flow rate of the refrigerant directly contacting the outer surface of the winding turn decreases, so there is a risk that the cooling efficiency of the winding turn will decrease. Also, the flow path between adjacent winding turns is divided by the V - shaped open insulating sheet, and the refrigerant flowing through the space inside the insulating sheet does not contribute to the cooling of the winding turn, so this may also cause a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the winding turn.

[0005] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a stator and a rotating electric machine capable of improving the cooling efficiency of winding turns as compared with the prior art.

[0006] A first aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a stator comprising: a stator core having a plurality of radially extending teeth; a plurality of insulators mounted on the plurality of teeth; a plurality of winding portions wound around the plurality of teeth via each of the insulators; and a plurality of insulating sheets disposed between the plurality of winding portions to insulate adjacent winding portions, wherein the insulating sheets have convex portions that protrude toward adjacent winding portions.

[0007] A second aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a stator comprising: a stator core having a plurality of radially extending teeth; an insulator mounted on the plurality of teeth; a plurality of winding portions wound around the plurality of teeth via the insulators; and a plurality of insulating sheets disposed between the plurality of winding portions to insulate adjacent winding portions, wherein the insulating sheets have a bent portion and a pair of sheet body portions bent starting from the bent portion; and the insulator has a first clamping portion that clamps the base end of the pair of sheet body portions on the bent portion side from the circumferential direction of the stator core; and a second clamping portion that clamps the tip of the pair of sheet body portions opposite to the bent portion from the circumferential direction of the stator core.

[0008] A third aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a rotating electric machine comprising a stator according to the first or second aspect and a rotor rotatably housed inside the stator core.

[0009] The technology of this disclosure provides a stator and a rotating electric machine that can improve the cooling efficiency of the winding section compared to conventional methods.

[0010] This is a plan view of a stator according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is a perspective view of an insulating sheet according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is a plan view of an insulating sheet according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part of a stator according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part showing a first modified example of the insulating sheet according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part showing a second modified example of the insulating sheet according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part showing a third modified example of the insulating sheet according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part showing a fourth modified example of the insulating sheet according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part of a stator according to the second embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main part of a stator according to the third embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an exploded perspective view of a stator according to the fourth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is a perspective view of an insulator cover according to the fourth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of a stator according to the fourth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of the main parts of the insulating sheet and insulator cover according to the fourth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an exploded perspective view of a stator according to the fifth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is a perspective view of an insulator cover according to a fifth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a stator according to a fifth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure. This is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing an insulating sheet according to a comparative example.

[0011] [First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure will be described.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the rotating electric machine M comprises a stator 10 and a rotor 11. The stator 10 has a stator core 24. The stator core 24 is formed in an annular shape, and the rotor 11 is rotatably housed inside the stator core 24. The stator 10 and rotor 11 constitute an inner rotor type brushless motor.

[0013] In each figure, the X direction indicates the tangential direction of the stator 10, the Y direction indicates the radial direction of the stator 10, and the Z direction indicates the axial direction of the stator 10. Furthermore, in the following explanation, the circumferential direction of the stator 10 refers to the direction around the central axis of the stator 10. The tangential, radial, axial, and circumferential directions of the stator core 24 are the same as the tangential, radial, axial, and circumferential directions of the stator 10, respectively.

[0014] The stator 10 comprises a plurality of stator components 12. The stator 10 is formed by combining the plurality of stator components 12 in an annular manner in the circumferential direction of the stator 10. Figure 1 shows the configuration of half of the rotating electric machine M, including the stator 10 and rotor 11. The configuration of the stator 10 of the rotating electric machine M will be described in detail below.

[0015] Each stator component 12 comprises a core member 14, an insulator 16, and a winding section 18. The core member 14 is formed in a T-shape when viewed from the Z direction and has a teeth section 20 and a core back section 22. The core member 14 is formed symmetrically in the tangential direction of the stator 10. The core back section 22 is located radially outward of the stator 10 relative to the teeth section 20. The core back section 22 extends on both sides of the stator 10 in the tangential direction relative to the teeth section 20, and the teeth section 20 extends radially inward from the center of the core back section 22 toward the stator 10.

[0016] The core member 14 is a laminate formed by stacking multiple core sheets in the Z direction. The stator core 24 is constructed by combining the multiple core members 14 in an annular manner in the circumferential direction of the stator core 24. That is, the stator core 24 is formed by multiple core members 14 divided into tooth portions 20. In the state in which the stator core 24 is constructed, the multiple core back portions 22 form an annular portion 26 which is the outer circumference of the stator core 24, and the multiple tooth portions 20 extend radially from the center of the stator core 24. The spaces between the multiple tooth portions 20 are formed as slots 28.

[0017] The insulator 16 is made of resin. The insulator 16 is installed from the teeth portion 20 to the core back portion 22, insulating the teeth portion 20 and the core back portion 22 from the winding portion 18. The winding portion 18 is wound around the teeth portion 20 via the insulator 16. In the stator 10 with the above configuration, the winding portion 18 is cooled by the flow of coolant between adjacent winding portions 18. The flow of coolant may be generated by a blower or the like, or it may be generated by the rotation of the fan when the rotating electric machine M is used as a fan motor.

[0018] The stator 10 includes multiple stator components 12, as well as multiple insulating sheets 30. The multiple insulating sheets 30 are arranged between multiple winding sections 18, insulating adjacent winding sections 18. The insulating sheets 30 are made of resin and are formed by folding the sheet material. The insulating sheets 30 may also be made of insulating paper.

[0019] Figures 2 and 3 show the insulating sheet 30 before it is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18. The insulating sheet 30 has a bent section 32, a pair of sheet body sections 34 bent into a V-shape starting from the bent section 32, a plurality of convex-shaped sections 36 formed on the pair of sheet body sections 34, and a pair of support sections 38 formed on the tips of the pair of sheet body sections 34.

[0020] Each of the multiple convex-shaped portions 36 is formed by folding a part of the insulating sheet 30. Specifically, each convex-shaped portion 36 has a top portion 40 and a pair of convex-shaped main body portions 42 that are folded in a V-shape starting from the top portion 40 (see Figure 3). The multiple convex-shaped portions 36 are formed in the portion between the folded portion 32 and the support portion 38 of the pair of sheet main body portions 34. Before the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding portions 18, the pair of sheet main body portions 34 and the pair of convex-shaped main body portions 42 are in an open state. That is, the pair of sheet main body portions 34 are separated from each other, and the pair of convex-shaped main body portions 42 are separated from each other. The pair of support portions 38 are formed by folding the tips of the pair of sheet main body portions 34 (i.e., the ends opposite to the folded portion 32) in opposite directions.

[0021] Hereafter, when describing a pair of sheet body portions 34 separately, one of the pair of sheet body portions 34 will be referred to as the "first sheet body portion 34A," and the other of the pair of sheet body portions 34 will be referred to as the "second sheet body portion 34B." Furthermore, when describing a plurality of convex-shaped portions 36 separately, the convex-shaped portion 36 formed on the first sheet body portion 34A will be referred to as the "first convex-shaped portion 36A," and the convex-shaped portion 36 formed on the second sheet body portion 34B will be referred to as the "second convex-shaped portion 36B." Furthermore, when describing a pair of support portions 38 separately, the support portion 38 formed on the first sheet body portion 34A will be referred to as the "first support portion 38A," and the support portion 38 formed on the second sheet body portion 34B will be referred to as the "second support portion 38B."

[0022] Figure 4 shows the insulating sheet 30 inserted between adjacent winding sections 18. As an example, the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18 with the folded portion 32 located on the core back portion 22 side. When the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18, the first convex portion 36A protrudes from the first sheet body portion 34A toward one of the adjacent winding sections 18 (hereinafter also referred to as "first winding section 18A"), and the second convex portion 36B protrudes from the second sheet body portion 34B toward the other of the adjacent winding sections 18 (hereinafter also referred to as "second winding section 18B"). Furthermore, the top 40 of the first convex portion 36A is in contact with the outer surface of the first winding portion 18A, and the top 40 of the second convex portion 36B is in contact with the outer surface of the second winding portion 18B.

[0023] The multiple first convex shapes 36A formed on the first seat body 34A are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the first seat body 34A (i.e., the radial direction of the stator 10). Similarly, the multiple second convex shapes 36B formed on the second seat body 34B are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the second seat body 34B (i.e., the radial direction of the stator 10).

[0024] Furthermore, when the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18, the first support section 38A protrudes from the first sheet body section 34A toward one of the adjacent tooth sections 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "first tooth section 20A"), and the second support section 38B protrudes from the second sheet body section 34B toward the other of the adjacent tooth sections 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "second tooth section 20B"). The tip of the first support section 38A is in contact with the side surface of the first tooth section 20A, and the tip of the second support section 38B is in contact with the side surface of the second tooth section 20B. When the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18, the pair of sheet body sections 34 and the pair of convex-shaped body sections 42 are closed. In other words, the pair of sheet body portions 34 overlap each other, and the pair of convex-shaped body portions 42 overlap each other.

[0025] Figure 18 shows an insulating sheet 130 according to a comparative example. The insulating sheet 130 according to the comparative example is folded in a V-shape and is fixed in contact with adjacent winding sections 18 by a springback force acting on a pair of sheet body portions 134. However, in the comparative example, since a pair of sheet body portions 134 of the insulating sheet 130 are in contact with adjacent winding sections 18, the flow path between the outer surface of the winding section 18 and the insulating sheet 130 becomes narrower. As a result, the flow rate of refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surface of the winding section 18 decreases, and the cooling efficiency of the winding section 18 decreases. In addition, the flow path between adjacent winding sections 18 is divided by the V-shaped insulating sheet 130, and the refrigerant flowing in the space inside the insulating sheet 130 does not contribute to the cooling of the winding section 18, which also reduces the cooling efficiency of the winding section 18.

[0026] In contrast, the insulating sheet 30 according to this embodiment, shown in Figure 4, has a convex shape 36 that protrudes toward the adjacent winding section 18. Therefore, by having the convex shape 36, it is possible to secure a flow path for the refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surface of the winding section 18 while narrowing the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., a flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding section 18). Furthermore, since the flow path through which the refrigerant flows can be partitioned by the convex shape 36, the cross-sectional area of ​​each partitioned flow path can be reduced, and the flow velocity of the refrigerant flowing through each flow path can be increased. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the winding section 18 can be improved compared to the comparative example.

[0027] Moreover, the pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed. Therefore, the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) can be made as small as possible, and the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in direct contact with the outer surface of the winding portion 18 can be enlarged. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18.

[0028] Furthermore, the convex portion 36 has a top portion 40 and a pair of convex main body portions 42 that are bent starting from the top portion 40. In other words, the convex portion 36 is formed by bending a part of the insulating sheet 30. Therefore, since the convex portion 36 can be easily formed on the insulating sheet 30, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the insulating sheet 30's structure.

[0029] Furthermore, the pair of convex-shaped main body portions 42 are also closed. Therefore, the flow path inside the convex-shaped portion 36 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) can be made as small as possible, and the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in direct contact with the outer surface of the winding portion 18 can be enlarged. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18.

[0030] Furthermore, the insulating sheet 30 has a plurality of convex-shaped portions 36. Therefore, the flow path through which the refrigerant flows can be divided into more sections by the plurality of convex-shaped portions 36, so the cross-sectional area of ​​each divided flow path can be made even smaller. As a result, the flow velocity of the refrigerant flowing through each flow path can be increased even further, so the cooling efficiency of the winding section 18 can be further improved.

[0031] Furthermore, the insulating sheet 30 has a first convex shape 36A that protrudes from the first sheet body 34A toward the first winding section 18A, and a second convex shape 36B that protrudes from the second sheet body 34B toward the second winding section 18B. Therefore, the flow path for the refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surfaces of the first winding section 18A and the second winding section 18B can be enlarged, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the first winding section 18A and the second winding section 18B with each insulating sheet 30.

[0032] Furthermore, the first convex portion 36A is in contact with the first winding portion 18A, and the second convex portion 36B is in contact with the second winding portion 18B. Therefore, the position and shape of the insulating sheet 30 can be maintained between adjacent winding portions 18, thereby maintaining an improved cooling efficiency for the winding portions 18.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the shape of the insulating sheet 30 may be other than that described above. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the pair of convex main body portions 42 may be bent into a U shape starting from the top portion 40.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the convex portion 36 may be formed in an arc shape. When the convex portion 36 is formed in an arc shape, the support rigidity of the convex portion 36 with respect to the sheet body portion 34 can be increased compared to when the convex portion 36 is closed. This makes it possible to more effectively maintain the position and shape of the insulating sheet 30.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the multiple convex shapes 36 may be formed in an alternating pattern. Also, the number of first convex shapes 36A formed on the first sheet body 34A may be different from the number of second convex shapes 36B formed on the second sheet body 34B.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the pair of sheet body portions 34 may be open. Similarly, the pair of convex-shaped body portions 42 may also be open. In addition, the pair of sheet body portions 34 may be open due to a springback force. The insulating sheet 30 may be fixed between adjacent winding portions 18 by the springback force acting on the pair of sheet body portions 34.

[0037] Thus, when the insulating sheet 30 is fixed between adjacent winding sections 18 by the springback force acting on the pair of sheet body sections 34, the position and shape of the insulating sheet 30 can be maintained between the adjacent winding sections 18, thereby maintaining an improved cooling efficiency for the winding sections 18. Furthermore, when the pair of convex-shaped body sections 42 are open, the support rigidity of the convex-shaped sections 36 relative to the sheet body section 34 can be increased compared to when the convex-shaped sections 36 are closed. As a result, the position and shape of the insulating sheet 30 can be maintained more effectively.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18 with the bent portion 32 positioned towards the core back section 22, but it may also be inserted between adjacent winding sections 18 with the bent portion 32 positioned towards the tip section 20.

[0039] Furthermore, although multiple convex portions 36 are formed on each convex-shaped main body portion 42, only one convex portion 36 may be formed. Also, the number of convex portions 36 formed on each convex-shaped main body portion 42 may be any number.

[0040] Furthermore, the convex portion 36 is formed by folding a part of the insulating sheet 30, but it may also be formed by a cut-up piece, for example, a part of the insulating sheet 30 that has been cut and raised.

[0041] Furthermore, the stator core 24 is divided into a plurality of core members 14, and the plurality of core members 14 are configured independently of each other, but the plurality of core members 14 may be rotatably connected by a rotating connecting part that has the axial direction of the stator core 24 as the axis of rotation. Alternatively, instead of the plurality of core members 14 being rotatably connected by a connecting part, the plurality of insulators 16 attached to each of the plurality of core members 14 may be rotatably connected by a rotating connecting part. Also, the plurality of core members 14 may be formed as a single unit, and the plurality of insulators 16 may also be formed as a single unit.

[0042] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described.

[0043] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the insulating sheet 30 and the insulator 16 is modified from that of the first embodiment as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 9, the insulating sheet 30 has a configuration in which a plurality of convex-shaped portions 36 (see Figure 4, etc.) are omitted, and has a pair of sheet body portions 34 and a pair of locking portions 44. The insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding portions 18 with the folded portion 32 located on the tip portion 21B side of the tooth portion 20.

[0044] The tooth portion 20 has a main body portion 21A and a tip portion 21B. The main body portion 21A of the tooth portion 20 is the portion between the tip portion 21B and the base end portion of the tooth portion 20. The tip portion 21B of the tooth portion 20 is a free end, and the base end portion of the tooth portion 20 is connected to the core back portion 22. The tip portion 21B of the tooth portion 20 is located on the side opposite to the core back portion 22 with respect to the main body portion 21A, and the width of the tooth portion 20 expands in the tangential direction of the stator 10 with respect to the main body portion 21A.

[0045] The insulator 16 has a main body portion insulator 51A that insulates the main body portion 21A of the tooth portion 20, a tip portion insulator 51B that insulates the tip portion 21B of the tooth portion 20, and a core back portion insulator 52 that insulates the core back portion 22. The end portion of the tip portion insulator 51B in the circumferential direction of the stator 10 is formed as a first clamping portion 54. The base end portions 35A on the side of the bending portion 32 in the pair of sheet main body portions 34 are clamped by the first clamping portion 54 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10.

[0046] The core back portion insulator 52 has a groove 58 that opens in the circumferential direction of the stator 10. A locking portion 44 is formed at the tip portion 35B on the side opposite to the bending portion 32 in the sheet main body portion 34, and the locking portion 44 is locked by being inserted into the groove 58. The end portion of the core back portion 22 in the circumferential direction of the stator 10 is formed as a second clamping portion 56. The tip portions 35B on the side opposite to the bending portion 32 in the pair of sheet main body portions 34 are clamped by the second clamping portion 56 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10.

[0047] The pair of sheet main body portions 34 are closed by the base end portions 35A on the side of the bending portion 32 being clamped by the first clamping portion 54 and the tip portions 35B on the side opposite to the bending portion 32 being clamped by the second clamping portion 56. Note that the pair of sheet main body portions 34 may be closed in a manner where they overlap each other, or may be closed in a manner having a slight gap. That is, the pair of sheet main body portions 34 only need to be more closed than the insulating sheet 130 according to the comparative example.

[0048] Thus, in the second embodiment, the insulator 16 has a first clamping portion 54 that clamps the base end portion 35A on the folded portion 32 side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10, and a second clamping portion 56 that clamps the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10. Therefore, it is possible to narrow the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., a flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) while ensuring a flow path for the refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surface of the winding portion 18. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18 can be improved compared to the comparative example.

[0049] Furthermore, the pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed. Therefore, the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) can be made as small as possible, and the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in direct contact with the outer surface of the winding portion 18 can be enlarged. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18.

[0050] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described.

[0051] In the third embodiment, the configuration of the insulating sheet 30 and the insulator 16 is modified from that of the second embodiment as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 10, the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding portions 18 with the folded portion 32 located on the core back portion 22 side.

[0052] A first clamping portion 54 is formed at the end of the core back portion 22 in the circumferential direction of the stator 10. The base end portion 35A on the folded portion 32 side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 is clamped by the first clamping portion 54 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10.

[0053] The tip insulating portion 51B has a groove 60 that opens in the circumferential direction of the stator 10. A locking portion 44 is formed on the tip portion 35B of the sheet body portion 34 opposite to the folded portion 32, and the locking portion 44 is locked by being inserted into the groove 60. The end of the tip insulating portion 51B in the circumferential direction of the stator 10 is formed as a second clamping portion 56. The tip portions 35B of the pair of sheet body portions 34 opposite to the folded portion 32 are clamped from the circumferential direction of the stator 10 by the second clamping portion 56.

[0054] The pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed by the first clamping portion 54 gripping the base end portion 35A on the side of the folded portion 32, and the second clamping portion 56 gripping the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the folded portion 32. The pair of sheet body portions 34 may be closed in a manner that overlaps each other, or they may be closed with a small gap between them. In other words, the pair of sheet body portions 34 only need to be closed more tightly than the insulating sheet 130 according to the comparative example.

[0055] Thus, in the third embodiment as well, the insulator 16 has a first clamping portion 54 that clamps the base end portion 35A on the folded portion 32 side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10, and a second clamping portion 56 that clamps the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10. Therefore, it is possible to narrow the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., a flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) while ensuring a flow path for the refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surface of the winding portion 18. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18 can be improved compared to the comparative example.

[0056] Furthermore, the pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed. Therefore, the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) can be made as small as possible, and the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in direct contact with the outer surface of the winding portion 18 can be enlarged. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18.

[0057] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described.

[0058] In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the stator 10 is modified from that of the first embodiment as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 11, the stator 10 has a pair of insulator covers 70. Hereinafter, when describing the pair of insulator covers 70 separately, one of the pair of insulator covers 70 will be referred to as the "first insulator cover 70A," and the other of the pair of insulator covers 70 will be referred to as the "second insulator cover 70B."

[0059] The first insulator cover 70A is positioned on one axial side of the plurality of insulators 16 and covers the plurality of insulators 16. The second insulator cover 70B is positioned on the other axial side of the plurality of insulators 16 and covers the plurality of insulators 16. The first insulator 16, the second insulator cover 70B, and the plurality of insulators 16 constitute an insulator unit 71. The insulator unit 71 is an example of an "insulator" according to the technology of this disclosure. The first insulator cover 70A and the second insulator cover 70B are formed symmetrically in the axial direction of the stator 10.

[0060] As shown in Figure 12, the first insulator cover 70A has an outer annular portion 72 formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the stator 10, an inner annular portion 74 formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the stator 10 and located inside the outer annular portion 72, and a plurality of connecting portions 76 formed radially and connecting the outer annular portion 72 and the inner annular portion 74. Similarly, the second insulator cover 70B also has an outer annular portion 72, an inner annular portion 74, and a plurality of connecting portions 76.

[0061] Each connecting portion 76 is positioned between adjacent winding portions 18 in an axial view of the stator 10. Each connecting portion 76 has a groove 78 that extends radially in the stator 10. The groove 78 is formed in a V-shape in cross-section. The grooves 78 formed in each connecting portion 76 of the first insulator cover 70A open towards the second insulator cover 70B, and the grooves 78 formed in each connecting portion 76 of the second insulator cover 70B open towards the first insulator cover 70A. Each connecting portion 76 has a pair of side wall portions 80 located on both sides of the groove 78.

[0062] As shown in Figure 13, the insulating sheet 30 is inserted into the groove 78 of the first insulator cover 70A and the groove 78 of the first insulator cover 70A, respectively. The insulating sheet 30 may be inserted between adjacent winding sections 18 with the bent portion 32 facing the core back section 22, or it may be inserted between adjacent winding sections 18 with the bent portion 32 facing the tip section 21B of the teeth section 20.

[0063] As shown in Figure 14, the ends of the pair of side wall portions 80 on the side of the bent portion 32 are formed as a first clamping portion 84. The base end portion 35A of the pair of sheet body portions 34 on the side of the bent portion 32 is clamped from the circumferential direction of the stator 10 by the first clamping portion 84 (i.e., the side surface on the bottom side of the V-shaped groove 78). The ends of the pair of side wall portions 80 opposite to the first clamping portion 84 are formed as a second clamping portion 86. The tip portion 35B of the pair of sheet body portions 34 opposite to the bent portion 32 is clamped from the circumferential direction of the stator 10 by the second clamping portion 86.

[0064] The pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed by the first clamping portion 84 gripping the base end portion 35A on the folded portion 32 side and the second clamping portion 86 gripping the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the folded portion 32. The pair of sheet body portions 34 may be closed in a manner that overlaps each other, or they may be closed with a small gap between them. In other words, the pair of sheet body portions 34 only need to be closed more tightly than the insulating sheet 130 according to the comparative example.

[0065] Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the insulator cover 70 has a first clamping portion 84 that clamps the base end portion 35A on the folded portion 32 side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10, and a second clamping portion 86 that clamps the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10.Therefore, it is possible to narrow the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., a flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) while ensuring a flow path for the refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surface of the winding portion 18.As a result, the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18 can be improved compared to the comparative example.

[0066] Furthermore, the pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed. Therefore, the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) can be made as small as possible, and the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in direct contact with the outer surface of the winding portion 18 can be enlarged. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18.

[0067] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described.

[0068] In the fifth embodiment, the configuration of the insulator unit 71 is modified from that of the fourth embodiment as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 15, the insulator unit 71 has a plurality of insulators 16 and an insulator cover 70. The insulator cover 70 is positioned on one axial side of the plurality of insulators 16 and covers the plurality of insulators 16.

[0069] As shown in Figure 16, each connecting portion 76 of the insulator cover 70 has an extension portion 82 that extends along the axial direction of the stator 10. Each extension portion 82 has a groove 88 that extends in the axial direction of the stator 10. The groove 88 opens radially inward from the stator 10. Each connecting portion 76 has a pair of side wall portions 90 located on both sides of the groove 88.

[0070] As shown in Figure 17, the insulating sheet 30 is inserted between adjacent winding sections 18 with the bent section 32 positioned on the core back section 22 side. The ends of the pair of side wall sections 90 on the bent section 32 side are formed as first clamping sections 94. The base ends 35A of the pair of sheet body sections 34 on the bent section 32 side are clamped by the first clamping sections 94 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10.

[0071] The tip insulating portion 51B has a groove 60 that opens in the circumferential direction of the stator 10. A locking portion 44 is formed on the tip portion 35B of the sheet body portion 34 opposite to the folded portion 32, and the locking portion 44 is locked by being inserted into the groove 60. The end of the tip insulating portion 51B in the circumferential direction of the stator 10 is formed as a second clamping portion 96. The tip portions 35B of the pair of sheet body portions 34 opposite to the folded portion 32 are clamped from the circumferential direction of the stator 10 by the second clamping portion 96.

[0072] The pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed by the first clamping portion 94 gripping the base end portion 35A on the side of the bent portion 32, and the second clamping portion 96 gripping the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the bent portion 32. The pair of sheet body portions 34 may be closed in a manner that overlaps each other, or they may be closed with a small gap between them. In other words, the pair of sheet body portions 34 only need to be closed more tightly than the insulating sheet 130 according to the comparative example.

[0073] Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the insulator cover 70 has a first clamping portion 94 that clamps the base end portion 35A on the folded portion 32 side of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10, and the insulator 16 has a second clamping portion 96 that clamps the tip portion 35B on the opposite side of the folded portion 32 of the pair of sheet body portions 34 from the circumferential direction of the stator 10. Therefore, it is possible to narrow the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) while ensuring a flow path for the refrigerant that directly contacts the outer surface of the winding portion 18. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18 can be improved compared to the comparative example.

[0074] Furthermore, the pair of sheet body portions 34 are closed. Therefore, the flow path inside the insulating sheet 30 (i.e., the flow path that does not contribute to the cooling of the winding portion 18) can be made as small as possible, and the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in direct contact with the outer surface of the winding portion 18 can be enlarged. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the winding portion 18.

[0075] Furthermore, among the configurations described in the first to fifth embodiments above, the combinable configurations may be combined as appropriate.

[0076] Although one embodiment of the technology of this disclosure has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it is of course possible to implement it in various modified forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0077] The following are additional notes regarding the technology of this disclosure. (Note 1) A stator (10) comprising: a stator core (24) having a plurality of radially extending teeth (20); insulators (16) attached to the plurality of teeth; a plurality of winding portions (18) wound around the plurality of teeth via the insulators; and a plurality of insulating sheets (30) arranged between the plurality of winding portions to insulate adjacent winding portions, wherein the insulating sheets have convex portions (36) that protrude toward adjacent winding portions. (Note 2) The stator according to Note 1, wherein the convex portion has a top (40) and a pair of convex body portions (42) bent from the top. (Note 3) The stator according to Note 2, wherein the pair of convex body portions are closed. (Note 4) The stator according to Note 2, wherein the pair of convex-shaped main body portions are open. (Note 5) The stator according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the insulating sheet has a plurality of convex-shaped portions. (Note 6) The stator according to Note 5, wherein the stator core has a core back portion (22) connected to the base end of the teeth portion, the insulating sheet has a bent portion (32) located on the core back portion side or the tip end side of the teeth portion, and a pair of sheet main body portions (34) bent starting from the bent portion, the convex-shaped portion has a first convex-shaped portion (36A) protruding from one of the pair of sheet main body portions to one of the adjacent winding portions, and a second convex-shaped portion (36B) protruding from the other of the pair of sheet main body portions to the other of the adjacent winding portions. (Note 7) The stator according to Note 6, wherein the first convex portion is in contact with one of the adjacent winding portions, and the second convex portion is in contact with the other of the adjacent winding portions. (Note 8) The stator according to Note 6 or Note 7, wherein the pair of sheet body portions are closed. (Note 9) The stator according to Note 6 or Note 7, wherein the insulating sheet is fixed between the adjacent winding portions by a springback force acting on the pair of sheet body portions.(Note 10) The stator core (24) has a plurality of radially extending teeth (20), an insulator (16) attached to the plurality of teeth, a plurality of winding sections (18) wound around the plurality of teeth via the insulators, and a plurality of insulating sheets (30) arranged between the plurality of winding sections to insulate adjacent winding sections, wherein the insulating sheets have a bent portion (32) and a pair of sheet body portions (34) bent starting from the bent portion. Stator (10), wherein the insulator has first clamping portions (54, 84, 94) that clamp the base end portion (35A) on the folded portion side of a pair of sheet body portions from the circumferential direction of the stator core, and second clamping portions (56, 86, 96) that clamp the tip portion (35B) on the opposite side of the folded portion of a pair of sheet body portions from the circumferential direction of the stator core. (Note 11) The stator according to Note 10, wherein the pair of convex-shaped body portions are closed. (Note 12) Rotating electric machine (M), comprising the stator according to any one of Notes 1 to 11, and a rotor (11) rotatably housed inside the stator core.

Claims

1. A stator (10) comprising: a stator core (24) having a plurality of radially extending teeth (20); insulators (16) attached to the plurality of teeth; a plurality of winding sections (18) wound around the plurality of teeth via the insulators; and a plurality of insulating sheets (30) arranged between the plurality of winding sections to insulate adjacent winding sections, wherein the insulating sheets have convex-shaped portions (36) that protrude toward adjacent winding sections.

2. The stator according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion has a top portion (40) and a pair of convex body portions (42) bent from the top portion.

3. The stator according to claim 2, wherein the pair of convex-shaped main body portions are closed.

4. The stator according to claim 2, wherein the pair of convex-shaped main body portions are open.

5. The stator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insulating sheet has a plurality of the convex-shaped portions.

6. The stator according to claim 5, wherein the stator core has a core back portion (22) connected to the base end of the teeth portion, the insulating sheet has a bent portion (32) located on the core back portion side or the tip end side of the teeth portion, and a pair of sheet body portions (34) bent starting from the bent portion, and the plurality of convex portions have a first convex portion (36A) that protrudes from one of the pair of sheet body portions to one of the adjacent winding portions, and a second convex portion (36B) that protrudes from the other of the pair of sheet body portions to the other of the adjacent winding portions.

7. The stator according to claim 6, wherein the first convex portion is in contact with one of the adjacent winding portions, and the second convex portion is in contact with the other of the adjacent winding portions.

8. The stator according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the pair of sheet body portions are closed.

9. The stator according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the insulating sheet is fixed between adjacent winding portions by a springback force acting on a pair of sheet bodies.

10. A stator core (24) having a plurality of radially extending teeth (20); an insulator (16) attached to the plurality of teeth; a plurality of winding portions (18) wound around the plurality of teeth via the insulators; and a plurality of insulating sheets (30) arranged between the plurality of winding portions to insulate adjacent winding portions, wherein the insulating sheets have a bent portion (32) and a pair of sheet body portions (34) bent starting from the bent portion; the insulator has first clamping portions (54, 84, 94) that clamp the base end portion (35A) of the pair of sheet body portions on the bent portion side from the circumferential direction of the stator core, and second clamping portions (56, 86, 96) that clamp the tip portion (35B) of the pair of sheet body portions opposite to the bent portion from the circumferential direction of the stator core. Stator (10).

11. The stator according to claim 10, wherein the pair of convex-shaped main bodies are closed.

12. A rotating electric machine (M) comprising: a stator according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and a rotor (11) rotatably housed inside the stator core.

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