Electric Machine Compact Guide Stub and Arc Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical machines, such as alternating current generators, face challenges in achieving a compact design while ensuring effective cooling and maintaining electrical insulation, particularly in the connection between the controller and bearing plate, which affects the efficiency and space utilization of the rectifier device.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a shorter guide stub between the bearing plate and controller, with a circumferential arc connection that is sectionally mounted under the outer edge of a receptacle, featuring kinks for insulation and supported by eyelets to prevent vibration, and stator winding conductor ends of varying lengths to adapt to different guide stubs, allowing for a compact and efficient layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a shorter guide stub is used between the bearing plate and controller, then the electrical machine becomes more compact, but the connection reliability and electrical insulation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall size of electrical machineVSAvoidconnection reliability and electrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential arc connection contact extends the connection path in the circumferential direction rather than relying solely on axial length. By positioning the arc connection contact radially outward from the guide stub and extending it circumferentially, the invention creates an additional dimensional space for electrical connection, allowing reliable insulation despite the shortened axial guide stub.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The arm with the arc connection contact acts as an intermediary element between the guide stub and the controller. This intermediate structure provides the necessary electrical insulation and connection reliability by creating a controlled pathway for electrical connection that is separated from the shortened guide stub, thus mediating between the compact design requirement and the reliability requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the circumferential arc connection contact is positioned radially outward, then space utilization is improved, but the cooling airflow may be impeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential arc connection contact is segmented into multiple sections along its arc length. This segmentation allows different portions of the arc to serve different functions: some sections provide electrical connection while others create gaps that allow cooling airflow to pass through, thus resolving the conflict between space utilization and cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the circumferential arc connection contact have different properties. The arc is designed with varying thickness, curvature, and positioning at different circumferential locations to locally optimize both electrical connection quality and airflow passage, allowing the structure to simultaneously achieve compact space utilization and effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If stator winding conductor ends of different lengths are used, then adaptability to various guide stub configurations is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to guide stub configurationsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stator winding conductor ends are manufactured with different lengths as a controlled parameter variation. This parameter change allows the windings to be adapted to different guide stub configurations without requiring fundamentally different winding structures, achieving versatility through systematic parameter adjustment rather than complete redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enables a compact and vibration-resistant electrical machine with improved cooling and electrical insulation, enhancing the machine's efficiency and space utilization without impeding airflow.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling device in the rectifier device, having a first heat sink (53), having at least one receptacle (66), on which a current rectifier (147) is accommodated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a first heat sink (53), having at least one receptacle (66), on which a current rectifier (147) is accommodated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2728714B1Electric machine
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 SEG AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
  • EP2728714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2728714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2728714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The machine (10) has a controller for controlling excitation current, and a cooling device with a cooling body (53) and another cooling body having receptacles for receiving current rectifiers, respectively. An interconnection unit interconnects the rectifiers into a bridge circuit and has integral guide sockets for receiving conductor ends of a stator winding (18). The sockets are arranged between a bearing shield (13.2) and the controller in a direction of a rotational axis (26) of a rotor (20).