Injection-Molded Motor Stator Fastening for Thermal Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing stator fastening portions in washing machines are prone to breakage due to thermal stress caused by motor operation, leading to structural weaknesses and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

A reinforced stator fastening structure is achieved through injection molding of the stator core, insulator, and fastening portions as a single unit, with vertically arranged ribs and symmetric design to distribute thermal stress evenly, and strategically placed pass-through holes and gate portions to enhance structural integrity and thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the stator is fastened using conventional separate fastening portions, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the fastening portions are prone to breakage due to thermal stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening portion durabilityVSAvoidstator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fastening portions with the insulator into a single integrated component formed by injection molding. The fastening portions are formed as protrusions that extend from the insulator body, eliminating the need for separate fastening parts. This integration strengthens the fastening structure against thermal stress while simplifying the overall assembly by reducing the number of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure where the insulator and fastening portions are formed as a single integrated component through injection molding. This creates a unified structure that combines the insulating function with the fastening function, improving durability under thermal stress while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the stator core and insulator are assembled separately, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the thermal stress distribution is uneven causing breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stress distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fastening portions directly into the insulator body through injection molding, creating a unified structure. This integration ensures that thermal stress is distributed evenly across the entire insulator-f fastening portion assembly, eliminating the interface between separate components that would otherwise create stress concentration points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If reinforcement ribs are added to the fastening portions, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening portion strengthVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates reinforcement ribs as integral features of the fastening portions during the injection molding process. The ribs protrude from the fastening portion surfaces and are formed simultaneously with the main body, providing enhanced structural strength without requiring additional manufacturing steps or separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2036190B1Stator of motor and washing machine having the same
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2036190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2036190B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2036190B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stator of an electric motor and a washing machine having the same, wherein the stator includes a stator core of a stack of bases each with a plurality of poles, an insulator having an upper insulator and a lower insulator fastened to the stator core, a plurality of fastening portions each having a fastening hole for fastening the stator, and a plurality of connection portions each having a plurality of vertical ribs for connecting the insulator to each of the fastening portions, wherein the insulator, the fastening portions, and the connection portions are injection molded as one unit, with the stator core inserted thereto.