Rotor for rotary electrical machine and method for producing same

Abstract

A rotor 2 for a rotary electrical machine comprises: a rotor core; a plurality of permanent magnets 6 that are attached on a peripheral surface of the rotor core; an armor ring 7 that holds the permanent magnets 6 from the outer side; a seal pipe 8 that is sandwiched between the permanent magnets 6 and the armor ring 7; and a pair of end plates 9. A circumferential protrusion 15 is formed so as to protrude from an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the end plates 9 toward an inner peripheral surface of the armor ring 7. A circumferential groove 16 which engages with the circumferential protrusion 15 with the seal pipe 8 therebetween is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the armor ring 7.

Description

Rotor of a Rotating Electric Machine and Method for Manufacturing the Same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rotor of an electrical rotating device, and a manufacturing method therefor.

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a rotor of an electrical rotating device. The rotor disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a rotor of a surface permanent magnet (SPM) type electrical rotating device, and a plurality of permanent magnets are attached side by side in the circumferential direction on its outer peripheral surface. The plurality of permanent magnets on the outer periphery form a plurality of rows parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor. An armoring is also attached outside the permanent magnets so that the permanent magnets do not come off the rotor due to the centrifugal force of the rotating rotor. In Patent Document 1, the armoring is called a holding sleeve. In order to suppress heat generation due to eddy current loss in the armoring, the armoring is divided into a plurality in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor. In Patent Document 1, the divided armoring, that is, the divided holding sleeve is called a divided sleeve.

[0003] Also, in the rotor disclosed in Patent Document 1, a coolant flow path for cooling the rotor including the permanent magnets is formed on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the permanent magnets along the above-described axial direction. In order to prevent the coolant from leaking from the inside of the rotor to the outside through the gaps between adjacent permanent magnets and the gaps between adjacent armoring due to the centrifugal force of the rotating rotor, the above-described rotor also includes a seal tube. In Patent Document 1, the seal tube is called a seal ring. The seal tube is provided between the permanent magnets and the armoring.

[0004] International Publication No. 2021 / 192444

[0005] In the rotor disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a concern about the axial displacement of the armoring with respect to the permanent magnets.

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of the rotor of the rotating electric machine according to this disclosure is to effectively suppress axial displacement of the armor ring relative to the permanent magnets. Furthermore, the purpose of the manufacturing method of the rotor of the rotating electric machine according to this disclosure is to efficiently manufacture a rotor that can effectively suppress axial displacement of the armor ring relative to the permanent magnets.

[0007] The rotor of the rotating electric machine according to this disclosure comprises a rotor core, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted in a circumferential direction on the circumferential surface of the rotor core, an armor ring divided into a plurality of parts in the axial direction which is the direction of the rotor's rotation axis and holding the permanent magnets from the outside, a seal tube sandwiched between the permanent magnets and the armor ring, and a pair of end plates that sandwich the rotor core and the plurality of permanent magnets from both sides in the axial direction, wherein a circumferential protrusion protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of at least one of the pair of end plates and the inner circumferential surface of the armor ring corresponding to the outer circumferential surface toward the other outer circumferential surface and the other inner circumferential surface, and a circumferential groove is formed on the other outer circumferential surface and the other inner circumferential surface, with the seal tube interposed between them, and engages with the circumferential protrusion.

[0008] The method for manufacturing a rotor for a rotating electric machine according to this disclosure is a method for manufacturing the rotor for the above-mentioned rotating electric machine, wherein the permanent magnet is attached to the rotor core and the rotor core is sandwiched from both sides by the end plates, the rotor core, the permanent magnet and the end plates are arranged inside the enlarged seal tube, and the seal tube, the rotor core, the permanent magnet and the end plates are arranged inside the enlarged armor ring, and the circumferential convex portion and the circumferential recess are engaged while deforming the seal tube interposed between the circumferential convex portion and the circumferential recess by the reduction in diameter of the seal tube and the armor ring.

[0009] The rotor of the rotating electric machine according to this disclosure can effectively suppress axial displacement of the armor ring relative to the permanent magnets. Furthermore, the method for manufacturing the rotor of the rotating electric machine according to this disclosure can efficiently manufacture a rotor that can effectively suppress axial displacement of the armor ring relative to the permanent magnets.

[0010] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor according to the embodiment, including the axis of rotation. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the rotor according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part showing the manufacturing method of the rotor according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the rotor according to the second embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the rotor 2 of the rotating electric machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The rotor 2 in this embodiment is the rotor of the rotating electric machine 1. The rotating electric machine 1 in this embodiment functions as a generator. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 2 including the rotation axis O, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis O. Note that Figure 1 is also a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Figure 2, showing only one side with respect to the rotation axis O. Figure 2 is also a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views of section X in Figure 1, with Figure 3 showing the first embodiment and Figure 4 showing the second embodiment. Note that the ratio of the size of the parts in Figure 1 and the ratio of the size of the parts in Figure 2 are slightly different, but this does not hinder the understanding of the embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the rotating electric machine 1 comprises a rotor 2 that rotates around a rotation axis O, and a stator 3 arranged outside the rotor 2. The rotating shaft 4 of the rotor 2 is integrally formed with the rotating shaft of an external device (not shown) provided on the left side in Figure 1. The rotating electric machine 1, which is a generator, generates electricity when the rotor 2 is rotated by the rotating shaft 4, which is rotated by the external device. The rotating shaft 4 in this embodiment is a hollow shaft. The rotating shaft 4 extending from the rotor 2 toward the external device is rotatably supported by bearings inside the external device.

[0014] The rotor 2 comprises a rotor core 5 fixed to a rotating shaft 4, a plurality of permanent magnets 6 mounted circumferentially on the outer circumference of the rotor core 5, and an armor ring 7 positioned radially outward from the permanent magnets 6. The rotating electric machine 1 as a generator in this embodiment is an SPM type generator. The cross-section of the rotor core 5 perpendicular to the rotation axis O is approximately octagonal, as shown in Figure 2, and the inside of the rotor core 5 is hollow. The permanent magnets 6 are attached to each side of the octagon of the rotor core 5, and eight permanent magnets 6 are arranged circumferentially. Therefore, on the circumferential surface of the rotor core 5, the permanent magnets 6 form eight rows parallel to the rotation axis O. Hereinafter, the direction of the rotation axis O of the rotor 2 will also simply be referred to as the axial direction.

[0015] The armor ring 7 is a cylindrical metal component positioned outside the permanent magnet 6, and holds the permanent magnet 6 in place to prevent it from detaching from the rotor core 5 due to the centrifugal force during the rotation of the rotor 2. The armor ring 7 may also be made of a material other than metal, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). Eddy currents are generated in a metal armor ring 7 due to fluctuations in magnetic flux density caused by the rotation of the rotor 2, and heat is generated in the armor ring 7. In this embodiment, in order to suppress the heating of the permanent magnet 6 by the heat of the armor ring 7, the entire armor ring 7 is made up of a number of segmented armor rings 7a with a small axial width to reduce these eddy currents.

[0016] The adjacent segmented armor rings 7a are in close contact with each other, forming a cylindrical shape that covers all the permanent magnets 6 as a whole. Because the armor ring 7 is composed of multiple annular segmented armor rings 7a, the electrical resistance between adjacent segmented armor rings 7a increases, and the flux linkage per segmented armor ring 7a decreases, thus reducing eddy currents and thus reducing losses. As a result, heat generation due to eddy current losses can also be reduced.

[0017] Furthermore, a cylindrical sealing tube 8 is sandwiched between the permanent magnet 6 and the armor ring 7. The sealing tube 8 is a component that prevents the coolant circulating inside the rotor 2 from leaking out of the joints of the divided armor ring 7a to the outside of the rotor 2. In this embodiment, the sealing tube 8 is made of metal, but it may be made of a material other than metal. For example, the sealing tube 8 may be made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), similar to the armor ring 7. However, since the armor ring 7 is responsible for strength and rigidity, the sealing tube 8 only needs to ensure that coolant does not leak, and may be made of simple resin. Also, the sealing tube 8 only needs to ensure that coolant does not leak, and can be made thin.

[0018] A pair of end plates 9 are fixed to both axial ends of the rotor core 5, sandwiching the permanent magnet 6 from both sides in the axial direction. A retaining disk 10 or a retaining ring 11 is placed in a hole formed in the center of each circular end plate 9. The retaining disk 10 is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 4, which is a hollow shaft, opposite to the external device (the right end in Figure 1). The retaining ring 11 is fixed to a position on the rotating shaft 4 closer to the external device (the left side in Figure 1).

[0019] In section X in Figure 1, the outer edge of the end plate 9 is in contact with the inner surface of the seal pipe 8. Section X will be explained in more detail later with reference to Figures 3 and 4. An O-ring is attached to the contact surface between the outer edge of the retaining disk 10 and the inner edge of the end plate 9 to prevent leakage of the coolant. A coolant inlet 13 is formed in the center of the retaining disk 10, and this inlet 13 is connected to a coolant delivery pump (not shown) and a coolant supply source (not shown).

[0020] Next, the circulation path of the coolant will be explained with reference to Figure 1. Inside the center of the holding disk 10, a circular storage chamber 14 is formed to receive the coolant supplied to the inside of the rotor 2 from the inlet 13. The rotation axis O of the rotor 2 passes through the center of the circular storage chamber 14. Twelve outlet holes 14a are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the storage chamber 14. From each outlet hole 14a, radial inlet flow passages P1 are formed radially from the rotation axis O. That is, each radial inlet flow passage P1 extends radially from the rotor 2 and reaches the position of the permanent magnet 6.

[0021] More specifically, each radial introduction channel P1 is formed by a first segment P1a formed on the rotating shaft 4 and a second segment P1b formed on the end plate 9. The second segment P1b formed on the end plate 9 is formed as a groove on the inner surface of the end plate 9. The radially outer end of the radial introduction channel P1 is in communication with an annular introduction channel P2 formed between the outer circumference of the end plate 9 and the permanent magnet 6. The annular introduction channel P2 is formed between the radially outer end of the radial introduction channel P1 and the seal pipe 8, and the center of the annular introduction channel P2 coincides with the axis of rotation O. At multiple circumferential locations inside the annular introduction channel P2, the inner surface of the end plate 9 is in contact with the permanent magnet 6 so as not to obstruct the flow of coolant in the annular introduction channel P2.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, five axial flow passages P3 are formed on the outer surface of each permanent magnet 6, parallel to the axial direction. The axial flow passages P3 are coolant flow passages formed on the surface of the permanent magnet 6. One end of the axial flow passage P3 is connected to the annular inlet passage P2 described above. On the other hand, the other end of the axial flow passage P3 is connected to an annular outlet passage P4 similar to the annular inlet passage P2. Multiple radial outlet passages P5, similar to the radial inlet passage P1, are formed radially, i.e., outward, and the outermost ends of each of them are connected to the annular outlet passages P4. The radial outlet passages P5 are formed by grooves formed on the inner surface of the end plate 9 and grooves formed on the end face of the rotor core 5. The innermost end of each radial outlet passage P5 reaches the rotating shaft 4 and is connected to an annular discharge passage P6 formed between the rotating shaft 4 and the retaining ring 11. The annular discharge passage P6 is connected to an external device not shown in the figure.

[0023] The flow of coolant inside the rotor 2 will now be described. The coolant supplied to the storage chamber 14 flows outward through the radial introduction channel P1 due to the supply fluid pressure and the centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the rotor 2. The coolant flowing through the radial introduction channel P1 comes into contact with the end face of the rotor core 5 and cools the rotor core 5. The coolant is introduced from the radial introduction channel P1 through the annular introduction channel P2 to the axial channel P3, and cools the permanent magnet 6 as it flows through the axial channel P3. In this embodiment, since the axial channel P3 is formed on the surface close to the armor ring 7 of the permanent magnet 6, the coolant flowing through the axial channel P3 also cools the armor ring 7 via the seal pipe 8.

[0024] The coolant that has flowed through the axial channel P3 is led out to the annular outlet channel P4, and further led out to the radial outlet channel P5. Due to its supply fluid pressure, the coolant flows through the radial outlet channel P5 toward the axis of rotation O and is discharged into the annular discharge channel P6. The coolant discharged into the annular discharge channel P6 is supplied to an external device (not shown).

[0025] Next, the seal tube 8 positioned between the permanent magnet 6 and the armor ring 7 will be described. As mentioned above, the armor ring 7 is composed of segmented armor rings 7a that are divided in the axial direction. Therefore, a joint is formed between adjacent segmented armor rings 7a. The seal tube 8 prevents the coolant flowing through the axial flow path P3 from leaking from the joint of the segmented armor rings 7a due to the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the rotor 2. The seal tube 8 covers the joint of the segmented armor rings 7a from the inside of the diameter of the armor ring 7, preventing coolant leakage from the joint.

[0026] The sealing tube 8 is attached to the outside of the permanent magnet 6 by first expanding it radially through shrink-fitting or the like, and then shrinking it. There is a concern that the sealing tube 8 attached in this way may be misaligned in the axial direction relative to the permanent magnet 6. Furthermore, the armor ring 7 is also attached to the outside of the sealing tube 8 by first expanding it radially through shrink-fitting or the like, and then shrinking it. There is a concern that the armor ring 7 attached in this way may also be misaligned in the axial direction relative to the sealing tube 8. In other words, there is a concern that the armor ring 7 may be misaligned in the axial direction relative to the permanent magnet 6 through the sealing tube 8.

[0027] Therefore, in the first embodiment, an engagement structure as shown in Figure 3 is constructed to suppress these positional misalignments. Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of section X in Figure 1. The following explanation of this engagement structure will use one end of the rotor 2 in the axial direction (the right end in Figure 1) as an example, but a similar engagement structure is constructed at the other end (the left end in Figure 1).

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, a circumferential ridge 15 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the end plate 9 toward the inner circumferential surface of the armor ring 7. The circumferential ridge 15 is formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the end plate 9 and has a triangular cross-section. A circumferential groove 16 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the armor ring 7, which engages with the circumferential ridge 15 with the seal tube 8 interposed therebetween. The circumferential groove 16 is also formed around the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the armor ring 7 and has a triangular cross-section. Therefore, the armor ring 7 and the end plate 9 engage with each other through the engagement of the circumferential ridge 15 and the circumferential groove 16. As a result, axial displacement of the armor ring 7 relative to the permanent magnet 6, which is held in place by the end plate 9, is suppressed.

[0029] At this engagement point between the armor ring 7 and the end plate 9, one end of the seal tube 8 is clamped between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16. The portion of the seal tube 8 clamped between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16 undergoes plastic deformation. Because the seal tube 8 is clamped in this manner, axial displacement of the seal tube 8 is suppressed with respect to both the permanent magnet 6, which is clamped by the end plate 9, and the armor ring 7.

[0030] The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion 15 is triangular, and the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 16 is also triangular, corresponding to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion 15. Therefore, when the armor ring 7 is attached by shrink fitting or the like, the axial position of the armor ring 7 relative to the end plate 9 is automatically adjusted by the engagement of the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16. As a result, the armor ring 7 is positioned in an appropriate axial position relative to the end plate 9 and the permanent magnet 6 that is held in place by them.

[0031] The cross-sectional shapes of the circumferential protrusions 15 and circumferential grooves 16 may be rectangular. However, with a rectangular cross-section, poor engagement between the circumferential protrusions 15 and circumferential grooves 16 is more likely to occur when the armor ring 7 is attached by shrink fitting or the like. Therefore, a triangular cross-section is preferred for these parts, as in this embodiment. A triangular cross-section also provides the self-positioning effect of the armor ring 7 relative to the end plate 9 described above. A self-positioning effect can also be obtained with a semicircular cross-sectional shape. However, a triangular cross-sectional shape is preferred because the self-positioning effect is more effectively achieved through the contact of tapered planes than through the contact of a convex curved surface and a concave curved surface.

[0032] As described above, the seal tube 8 and armor ring 7 are first expanded in diameter and then reduced in diameter to be fixed to the rotor 2. Figure 4 is shown for this explanation. Prior to fixing the seal tube 8 and armor ring 7, the permanent magnet 6 is attached to the rotor core 5 and the rotor core 5 is sandwiched from both sides by the end plates 9. Then, the rotor core 5, permanent magnet 6 and end plates 9 are placed inside the expanded seal tube 8. Similarly, the seal tube 8, rotor core 5, permanent magnet 6 and end plates 9 are placed inside the expanded armor ring 7. As the seal tube 8 and armor ring 7 are reduced in diameter, the seal tube 8 interposed between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential recess 16 is deformed, causing the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential recess 16 to engage with each other.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the seal tube 8 is a cylindrical member having a constant radius along its entire length before being fixed to the rotor 2. When the armor ring 7 is reduced in diameter, a portion of the seal tube 8 is sandwiched between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential recess 16 and undergoes plastic deformation. Because this plastically deformed portion is sandwiched in the engagement portion between the end plate 9 and the armor ring 7, the seal tube 8 is also securely attached to the end plate 9, i.e., to the permanent magnet 6 and the armor ring 7. Note that the armor ring 7 may be reduced in diameter after the seal tube 8 is reduced in diameter, or these reductions may occur simultaneously. If the expansion of the armor ring 7 and the seal tube 8 is performed by thermal expansion due to heating, the diameter will naturally decrease as their temperature decreases.

[0034] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that the formation positions of the circumferential protrusions 15 and the circumferential grooves 16 are reversed. Since the other configurations are the same, the same reference numerals are used for identical or equivalent configurations, and their redundant descriptions are omitted. Accordingly, the rotor 2 of this embodiment also has the same overall structure of the rotor 2 and its coolant circulation structure as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment as well, the description will be given using one axial end of the rotor 2 as an example, but a similar engagement structure is constructed at the other end.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, a circumferential projection 15 protrudes from one side of the inner circumferential surface of the armor ring 7 toward the outer circumferential surface of the end plate 9, and a circumferential groove 16 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the end plate 9, which engages with the circumferential projection 15 with the seal tube 8 interposed between them. In this case as well, the same effects as those provided by the rotor 2 according to the first embodiment described above are obtained. Furthermore, the rotor 2 of this embodiment is also manufactured by the same manufacturing method as the rotor 2 of the first embodiment described above. And in this case as well, the same effects as those provided by the manufacturing method of the rotor 2 according to the first embodiment described above are obtained.

[0036] The configuration of the rotor 2 of the rotating electric machine 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above will be summarized below, along with the advantages of that configuration. Furthermore, the advantages of the manufacturing method of the rotor 2 described in the first and second embodiments will also be summarized.

[0037] The rotor 2 of the rotating electric machine 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above comprises a rotor core 5, a plurality of permanent magnets 6, an armor ring 7, a seal tube 8, and a pair of end plates 9. The plurality of permanent magnets 6 are mounted on the circumferential surface of the rotor core 5 in a circumferential arrangement. The armor ring 7 is divided into a plurality of sections in the axial direction, which is the direction of the rotation axis O of the rotor 2, and holds the permanent magnets 6 from the outside. The seal tube 8 is sandwiched between the permanent magnets 6 and the armor ring 7. The pair of end plates 9 sandwich the rotor core 5 and the plurality of permanent magnets 6 from both sides in the axial direction.

[0038] A circumferential projection is projected from one of "at least one outer surface of the end plate 9" and "the inner surface of the armor ring 7 corresponding to this outer surface" toward the other "outer surface and inner surface". In the first embodiment, "one" is "the outer surface of the end plate 9" and "the other" is "the inner surface of the armor ring 7". In the second embodiment, "one" is "the inner surface of the armor ring 7" and "the other" is "the outer surface of the end plate 9".

[0039] Furthermore, a circumferential groove 16 is formed on the other side of the "outer circumferential surface of the end plate 9" and the "inner circumferential surface of the armor ring 7," with the seal tube 8 interposed between them, and engages with the circumferential protrusion. Regarding the "at least one end plate 9," in the first and second embodiments described above, an engagement structure consisting of a circumferential protrusion 15 and a circumferential groove 16 is formed on each of the pair of end plates 9. Therefore, according to the rotor 2 of the rotating electric machine 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above, the engagement structure described above can prevent axial misalignment of the armor ring 7 with respect to the end plate 9, i.e., with respect to the permanent magnet 6. In addition, since the seal tube 8 is firmly sandwiched between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16, axial misalignment of the seal tube 8 can also be prevented. It can also be said that the anchoring effect of the seal tube 8 can suppress axial misalignment of the end plate 9 and the permanent magnet 6, as well as axial misalignment of the armor ring 7.

[0040] Since the seal tube 8 is firmly held between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16, leakage of coolant from the axial end of the rotor 2 is more reliably prevented when coolant is circulated inside the rotor as in the first and second embodiments. In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the armor ring 7 is composed of a plurality of segmented armor rings 7a. In the first and second embodiments, the engagement structure described above, consisting of the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16, is constructed at both ends of the rotor 2. Therefore, since the plurality of segmented armor rings 7a are held in place from both sides by the engagement structure, misalignment of the entire armor ring 7 is reliably prevented even if the armor ring 7 has a segmented structure.

[0041] In the rotor 2 of the rotating electric machine 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above, the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion 15 is triangular, and the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 16 is also triangular, corresponding to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion 15. Therefore, the engagement between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential groove 16 is achieved by the engagement of tapered planes. As a result, a self-position adjustment effect is obtained for the axial position of the armor ring 7 relative to the end plate 9, i.e., the permanent magnet 6. Furthermore, since the circumferential protrusion 15 bites into the seal tube 8 like a wedge, axial displacement of the seal tube 8 can be prevented more reliably. Moreover, since the circumferential protrusion 15 bites into the seal tube 8 like a wedge, the anchoring effect of the seal tube 8 described above can be obtained more reliably.

[0042] In the manufacturing method of the rotor 2 of the rotating electric machine 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above, the permanent magnet 6 is attached to the rotor core 5 and the rotor core 5 is sandwiched from both sides by end plates 9. The rotor core 5, permanent magnet 6 and end plates 9 are arranged inside the enlarged seal tube 8, and the seal tube 8, rotor core 5, permanent magnet 6 and end plates 9 are arranged inside the enlarged armor ring 7. By reducing the diameter of the seal tube 8 and the armor ring 7, the seal tube 8 interposed between the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential recess 16 is deformed, and the circumferential protrusion 15 and the circumferential recess 16 are engaged.

[0043] The rotor 2 manufactured by this method will have the advantages of the rotor 2 described above. That is, according to the manufacturing methods of the first and second embodiments described above, a rotor 2 that has the advantages described above can be manufactured efficiently. In particular, with this manufacturing method, the seal tube 8 is deformed by the circumferential protrusions 15 and circumferential grooves 16 when the diameter of the armor ring 7 is reduced, so a simple cylindrical seal tube 8 can be used. Therefore, there is no need to form a circumferential bead on the seal tube 8 in advance to correspond to the circumferential protrusions 15 and circumferential grooves 16, so the rotor 2 can be manufactured efficiently. Also, since there is no need to form a circumferential bead on the seal tube 8, the expansion radius required for the seal tube 8 itself and the armor ring 7 can be kept small, and from this point of view as well, the rotor 2 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0044] Also, in the manufacturing method according to the first and second embodiments, as described above, it is advantageous in the following respects that the cross-sectional shapes of the circumferential convex portion 15 and the circumferential concave groove 16 are triangular. When the diameter of the armoring 7 is reduced, the seal tube 8 is deformed by the circumferential convex portion 15 and the circumferential concave groove 16, but the amount of deformation of the seal tube 8 at the deformed portion can be suppressed, and breakage of the deformed portion can be prevented. For example, if the cross-sectional shape is square, the amount of deformation of the seal tube 8 will be larger than that of a triangle. Also, at the initial stage of deformation of the seal tube 8, positioning is performed between the triangular cross-section top of the circumferential convex portion 15 and the deformed portion of the seal tube 8, so that the axial displacement of the seal tube 8 during the deformation process of the seal tube 8 can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, when an engagement structure by the circumferential convex portion 15 and the circumferential concave groove 16 is provided at both ends of the rotor 2 as in the first and second embodiments, since a slight tension acts on the central portion of the seal tube 8 when the seal tube 8 is deformed, the seal tube 8 can be closely adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 6 beautifully. Still further, as described above, it is also an advantage of this manufacturing method that when the diameter of the armoring 7 is reduced, the end plate 9, that is, the self-positioning action of the armoring 7 with respect to the permanent magnet 6 can be obtained.

[0045] Although several embodiments have been described, it is possible to modify or deform the embodiments based on the above disclosure. All the components of the above embodiments and all the features described in the claims may be extracted and combined individually as long as they do not contradict each other. For example, the engagement structure by the circumferential convex portion 15 and the circumferential concave groove 16 is preferably formed at both ends of the rotor 2, but it may be provided only at either one of the two ends. Also, the engagement structure of FIG. 3 may be constructed at one of both ends of the rotor 2, and the engagement structure of FIG. 4 may be constructed at the other end.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the rotating electric machine 1 equipped with the rotor 2 was a generator, but the rotor of this disclosure can also be applied to the rotor of an electric motor that receives electricity and outputs power. That is, the rotor of this disclosure can be applied to a rotating electric machine such as a generator or an electric motor. In addition, in the above embodiment, the axial flow path P3 was formed on the outer diameter surface of the permanent magnet 6, but it may also be formed on the inner diameter surface of the permanent magnet 6. That is, in this case, the axial flow path P3 is formed between the rotor core 5 and the permanent magnet 6. In this case as well, the coolant flowing through the axial flow path P3 can move from the joint of axially adjacent permanent magnets 6 to the outer diameter surface of the permanent magnet 6, so the seal tube 8 described above can still prevent the coolant from leaking to the outside of the rotor 2. In the above embodiment, shrink fitting was exemplified as the method for expanding the diameter of the seal tube 8 and the armor ring 7, but they may be expanded by other methods.

[0047] All the contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-202361 (filed November 20, 2024) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] 1 Rotating electric machine 2 Rotor 5 Rotor core 6 Permanent magnet 7 Armor ring 7a Split armor ring 8 Seal tube 9 End plate 15 Circumferential protrusion 16 Circumferential recess 0 Rotating shaft (of rotor 2)

Claims

1. A rotor for a rotating electric machine, comprising: a rotor core; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted circumferentially on the circumferential surface of the rotor core; an armor ring divided into a plurality of sections in the axial direction which is the direction of the rotor's rotation axis, and holding the permanent magnets from the outside; a seal tube sandwiched between the permanent magnets and the armor ring; and a pair of end plates sandwiching the rotor core and the plurality of permanent magnets from both sides in the axial direction, wherein a circumferential projection protrudes from one of the outer circumferential surfaces of at least one of the pair of end plates and the inner circumferential surface of the armor ring corresponding to the outer circumferential surface toward the other outer circumferential surface and the other inner circumferential surface, and a circumferential groove is formed on the other outer circumferential surface and the other inner circumferential surface, with the seal tube interposed between them, to engage with the circumferential projection.

2. A rotor for a rotating electric machine according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion is triangular, and the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove is also triangular, corresponding to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion.

3. A method for manufacturing a rotor for a rotating electric machine according to claim 1, comprising: attaching the permanent magnet to the rotor core and clamping the rotor core from both sides with the end plates; arranging the rotor core, the permanent magnet and the end plates inside the enlarged seal tube; arranging the seal tube, the rotor core, the permanent magnet and the end plates inside the enlarged armor ring; and engaging the circumferential protrusion and the circumferential groove while deforming the seal tube interposed between the circumferential protrusion and the circumferential groove by reducing the diameter of the seal tube and the armor ring.

4. A method for manufacturing a rotor for a rotating electric machine according to claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion is triangular, and the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove is also triangular, corresponding to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion.

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