Keyless Resolver Rotor Assembly Using Static Magnetic Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling resolvers in electric machines rely on key coupling structures, which increase manufacturing costs, reduce sensing accuracy, and introduce errors in angular position sensing due to the complexity of the tolerance chain.

Innovation Solution

A tool and method that utilize a DC voltage applying device to create a static magnetic field, aligning the machine rotor's magnets with the static field, and a pressing device to press-fit the resolver rotor onto the machine shaft without a key coupling structure, ensuring precise angular orientation and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a key coupling structure is used to assemble the resolver rotor to the machine shaft, then the mechanical connection is ensured, but the manufacturing cost increases and the sensing accuracy of angular position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidsensing accuracy of angular position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the key coupling structure from the assembly, extracting the problematic mechanical connection method that caused tolerance chain issues. The resolver rotor is directly press-fitted to the machine shaft without keys, eliminating the source of angular position errors while maintaining reliable mechanical connection through proper press-fit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical key coupling system with a direct press-fit connection. By using a pressing device to apply axial force during assembly, the system transitions from a complex mechanical key structure to a simpler direct fit that reduces tolerance links and improves angular position sensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a key coupling structure is used to assemble the resolver rotor to the machine shaft, then the mechanical connection is ensured, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the key coupling components (keys, keyways) from the assembly process. This elimination reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable mechanical connection through direct press-fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mechanical connection function into a single direct press-fit interface between the resolver rotor and machine shaft, eliminating the separate key coupling components. This consolidation reduces part count, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers overall assembly cost while ensuring reliable mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a key coupling structure is used, then the resolver rotor can be mechanically connected to the machine shaft, but the number of tolerance links increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidprecision of tolerance chain
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate key coupling elements that create additional tolerance links in the chain. By establishing a direct press-fit connection between the resolver rotor and machine shaft, the number of interfaces requiring tolerance control is reduced, thereby improving overall manufacturing precision and angular position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach eliminates the need for key grooves, reduces the number of tolerance links, enhances sensing accuracy, and maintains high precision in angular position sensing, improving operational stability and reducing noise at high speeds.

Implementation Method 1

applying a DC voltage across at least one phase of windings of three-phase windings of the electric machine to create a static magnetic field by a DC electric current flowing through the at least one phase of windings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the static magnetic field being able to force the machine rotor to rotate to an angular orientation where an N-S direction of magnets of the machine rotor is aligned with an N-S direction of the static magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

a pressing device configured to push the resolver rotor onto the machine shaft in an axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4203273B1Tool and method for assembling rotary machine resolver and rotary machine with keyless resolver
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4203273B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4203273B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is an electric machine comprises a resolver which comprises a resolver rotor and a resolver stator, the resolver rotor being assmbled by: applying a DC voltage across at least one phase of windings the electric machine to create a static magnetic field by a DC electric current flowing through the at least one phase of windings of the three-phase windings, the static magnetic field forcing a machine rotor to rotate to an angular orientation where an N-S direction of magnets of the machine rotor is aligned with an N-S direction of the static magnetic field and keeping the machine rotor stably in this angular orientation; and pushing the resolver rotor onto a machine shaft in an axial direction in a state that the machine rotor is kept in the angular orientation by the static magnetic field.