Ceramic Torque Coupling for Electrical Isolation Under Bearing Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bearing damage in electrical machines due to current passage is often shifted to driven machines, and existing insulation methods, such as plastic-based solutions, lack rigidity and load transfer capacity, making it difficult to prevent damage in these components.
Innovation Solution
A structural unit composed of at least 90% technical ceramic materials, specifically designed for torque transmission between components, providing reliable electrical insulation, high impedance, stability, and strength, with a compact design that absorbs forces and moments in axial and radial directions, using components like rolling or spherical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic-based insulation solutions are used to isolate electrical machines from driven machines, then electrical insulation is achieved, but rigidity and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to ceramic, fundamentally altering the physical properties. Ceramic materials provide both excellent electrical insulation properties and high mechanical strength, simultaneously resolving the contradiction between insulation reliability and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting unit is made of ceramic material that combines electrical insulation properties with high mechanical strength. This composite approach integrates both insulating and structural functions into a single material, eliminating the need for separate insulation and mechanical coupling components.
2Reliability
If traditional insulation methods are used to prevent bearing damage in driven machines, then electrical isolation is achieved, but the design becomes complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic connecting unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation, transmits mechanical torque, and protects against bearing damage in driven machines. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation components and mechanical couplings, simplifying the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the insulation component and mechanical coupling into a single integrated ceramic unit. This merging eliminates multiple separate components and their associated mounting requirements, significantly reducing design complexity and space requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-ceramic materials are used for the connecting unit, then manufacturing is easier, but electrical insulation and load transfer capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The use of ceramic material provides both excellent electrical insulation properties and high load transfer capacity in a single material. This eliminates the need for complex composite structures or multiple components that would be required to achieve the same performance with non-ceramic materials.
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
The ceramic-based structural unit achieves reliable electrical insulation, high rigidity, and load transfer capability, effectively preventing bearing damage in driven machines, especially in high-frequency applications, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
Electrically insulated rolling bearings can solve the problem within the electrical machine itself... the electrical machines must be electrically isolated from all other components
Implementation Method 2
connecting unit... which is intended to transmit torque from the first component to the second component during an operating process
Implementation Method 3
The connecting unit fastens the second component to the first component in a form-fitting manner
Implementation Method 4
With suitable design, forces and moments can be absorbed in axial and radial directions
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a component unit comprising a first component (10), a second component (12), and a connecting unit (14), which is designed to transmit torque from the first component to the second component during operation. It is proposed that the connecting unit be made at least largely of technical ceramic.