Amorphous Transformer Core Winding via Inversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing transformers with ferromagnetic cores made of amorphous metal are inefficient and economically suboptimal, particularly due to the complexity of winding conductors around the core and the use of excessive ferromagnetic material, leading to high costs and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A mechanized process for manufacturing transformers using strip-shaped ferromagnetic material, where electrically conductive windings and ferromagnetic cores are formed separately, allowing for the use of a closed path to wind the ferromagnetic material efficiently around the windings, reducing material usage and enhancing compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductors are wound around a pre-formed amorphous metal core, then the core provides magnetic coupling, but the winding process becomes extremely complex and technologically restricted due to insufficient traction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic couplingVSAvoidwinding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional manufacturing sequence by forming the ferromagnetic core around the conductors rather than winding conductors around a pre-formed core. This is achieved by positioning conductors in a mold cavity and then depositing ferromagnetic material around them, eliminating the traction problem associated with winding thin amorphous metal strips around complex core geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductors are positioned in the mold cavity before the ferromagnetic core is formed. This preliminary placement allows the core to be built around the conductors in a single casting or deposition operation, avoiding subsequent complex winding operations and ensuring precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If traditional lamination stacking methods are used, then electrical insulation between laminations is achieved, but the assembly process becomes highly time-consuming due to the large number of laminations required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparasitic current lossesVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stacking and assembly of numerous individual laminations with a single-step ferromagnetic material deposition process. The ferromagnetic material is deposited directly around the conductors in a mold, forming the complete core structure without requiring manual or automated stacking of thin sheets, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining electrical insulation properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If circular cross-section cores are used, then the structure is simple to form, but excessive ferromagnetic material is required creating empty spaces around the windings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore formation simplicityVSAvoidferromagnetic material usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a mold cavity with a specific geometry that matches the desired core shape, allowing the ferromagnetic material to be deposited only where needed around the conductors. This localized formation eliminates empty spaces and ensures optimal material utilization, creating a core with irregular cross-section that closely fits the winding geometry rather than using a simple circular shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method results in a more compact, economical, and efficient transformer production process, reducing overall costs and energy consumption by minimizing material usage and optimizing the winding process.

Implementation Method 1

a first ferromagnetic core linked to the first electrically conductive winding and to the second electrically conductive winding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3268973B1Method and device for manufacturing transformers with a core made of amorphous material, and transformer thus produced
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 MONTAGNANI GUGLIELMO
  • EP3268973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3268973B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3268973B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for the production of a transformer is disclosed, comprised of at least two electrically conductive windings (A, B, C) adjacent to one another, and a ferromagnetic core (1l; N2; N3) linked to the two electrically conductive windings, formed by wound strip-shaped ferromagnetic material. The device comprises guide members (9) configured and arranged so as to define a closed path linked to the two electrically conductive windings, along which one or more strip-shaped ferromagnetic materials can be wound from at least one coil (R; R1-R18).