Balanced Stator Windings Using Single Continuous Conductor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motor stator winding methods face challenges in achieving balanced windings efficiently, particularly in compact spaces and during manufacturing, where prior-art methods often result in unbalanced or complex configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method for winding a multi-phase electric motor stator using a single continuous conductor to create balanced windings, where each tooth receives an equal number of turns, with the conductor looping around the stator axis and connectors positioned to simplify the lead frame design, allowing for balanced and efficient winding configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a single continuous conductor is used to wind all teeth of a phase, then balanced windings are achieved with equal turns per tooth, but the winding process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding balanceVSAvoidwinding speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor is pre-configured with predetermined sections and connection points before the winding process begins. The connection points are positioned in advance to align with specific teeth, allowing the winding operation to proceed systematically without complex real-time adjustments, thus maintaining balance while improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The single continuous conductor is divided into multiple predetermined sections, each section being assigned to wind a specific tooth. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different teeth while maintaining the overall balance requirement, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple separate conductors are used for different teeth, then manufacturing is simpler and faster, but balanced windings are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding speedVSAvoidwinding balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single continuous conductor serves multiple functions: it winds multiple teeth to achieve balanced windings, provides inherent electrical connection between teeth, and maintains consistent electrical properties throughout the phase. This multi-functionality allows simplified manufacturing processes while ensuring precision in the final winding configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2016662B1Electric motor windings
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 TRW LIMITED
  • EP2016662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2016662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2016662B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stator for a multi-phase electric motor comprises a plurality of teeth (12), (14, 16) for each phase. The windings on two teeth (12a, 12b) from one phase are formed from a single length of conductor 18. The windings on a first one (12a) of the teeth being formed at least in part from two sections (18c, 18d) of the conductor spaced apart along the length of the conductor, and the windings on a second one (12b) of the teeth being formed from an intermediate section (18e) of the conductor between the spaced apart sections.