Flattened Stator Lamination for Compact Electric Machine Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric machine systems require a space-saving arrangement for multiple machines, which is challenging due to the limitations in compactly integrating stators and rotors while maintaining efficient magnetic flux and cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The system combines two or more electric machines with locally flattened stator laminations and a common stator lamination, allowing adjacent machines to share a housing and coolant circuit, reducing the gauge of shafts and optimizing magnetic flux through a shared stator plate and housing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple electric machines are arranged in a device, then the device can perform multiple functions or provide higher power, but the space required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electric machines into a single integrated unit by connecting their stator laminations at flattened points. The stators of at least two electric machines are connected to one another at least in sections to form a common stator lamination, allowing the machines to share a common housing and coolant circuit, thereby reducing the overall installation space while maintaining individual power outputs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial arrangement by flattening specific points on the otherwise circular outer walls of stator laminations. This creates localized contact surfaces that enable three-dimensional integration of multiple machines in a compact configuration, transitioning from traditional side-by-side arrangement to a more space-efficient multi-dimensional layout
2Device complexity
If electric machines are arranged with parallel axes on a common stand, then the structure is simplified, but the space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stator laminations into a common structure by connecting them at flattened points. This merging reduces the number of separate structural components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while simultaneously reducing the footprint area compared to traditional common stand arrangements
3Volume of moving object
If two electric machines are arranged directly next to each other, then space is saved, but magnetic flux interference and cooling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating flattened points at specific locations on the stator lamination outer walls. These localized modifications enable direct connection between adjacent machines while preserving the magnetic flux paths within each machine. The flattened areas are precisely where connections are needed, leaving the rest of the stator structure intact for optimal magnetic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The common stator lamination acts as an intermediary structure that connects multiple electric machines. This shared stator structure facilitates close positioning of machines while providing a unified magnetic circuit that reduces interference, and simultaneously enables a common coolant circuit for efficient thermal management
4Device complexity
If a common coolant circuit is used for multiple electric machines, then the system complexity is reduced, but the cooling effectiveness for individual machines may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the common coolant circuit into multiple channels, with each channel dedicated to cooling a specific stator lamination. This segmentation allows the coolant to flow through and cool each individual machine effectively while still being part of a unified cooling system, preventing temperature rise in each stator without requiring separate cooling systems
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, efficient arrangement of electric machines, reducing the pitch of shafts and providing a larger installation space for power and torque, while maintaining effective cooling and magnetic flux optimization.
Implementation Method 1
stator laminations of electric machines to be arranged immediately adjacent are connected to one another via and at the locally limited flattened points of the outer walls of the stator laminations
Implementation Method 2
an originally circular coolant circuit is flattened at one point for each electric machine and a flattened coolant circuit is produced in each case, the flattened coolant circuits being combined to form a common coolant circuit
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric machine (2a, 2b) comprising a rotor rotatable about a shaft (6a, 6b) and a stator, wherein the stator has a stator lamination (14a', 14b') whose outer wall is locally flattened at at least one point (15a, 15b) and is otherwise round.