Magnet Tiles Assembly with Male-Female Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnet assemblies for brushless direct current motors face issues with magnet displacement during manufacturing, leading to dimensional spreads, balancing problems, and magnetic field imbalances due to permanent magnetic forces, and previous solutions like magnets in slots result in significant magnetic force loss and size incompatibility.

Innovation Solution

A rotor with a support member featuring male and female portions on its surface allows for precise positioning of magnets, engaging them securely to prevent displacement during assembly, utilizing a polygonal cross-section for optimal magnetic field symmetry and attachment, even in small sizes where traditional methods fail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If magnets are attached directly onto the shaft using traditional methods, then the assembly process is simple, but magnet displacement occurs during manufacturing due to permanent magnetic forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet attachment simplicityVSAvoidmagnet positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is segmented into multiple portions, each with dedicated male and female portions for individual magnet engagement. This segmentation allows each magnet to be independently positioned and secured, preventing displacement while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Male and female portions act as intermediary mechanical features between the magnets and support member. These intermediaries provide precise positioning and secure engagement, eliminating direct magnet-to-shaft attachment issues while preserving manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If magnets are positioned in slots of the rotor, then magnet positioning is improved, but significant magnetic force is lost and size reduction is incompatible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet positioning accuracyVSAvoidmagnetic force loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support member features a polygonal cross-section that dynamically engages with the magnets through male and female portions. This dynamic engagement allows precise positioning without rigid slot constraints, maintaining magnetic force while enabling size reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of confining magnets to slot-based two-dimensional positioning, the invention uses three-dimensional male-female portion engagement on the polygonal support member surface. This dimensional approach provides precise positioning without the magnetic force losses associated with slot configurations.

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

3Productivity

If magnets are attached without mechanical positioning features, then the assembly process is fast, but dimensional spreads and balancing issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoiddimensional consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The male and female portions are pre-formed on the support member before magnet attachment. This preliminary action ensures that when magnets are attached, they are automatically positioned with high precision, achieving both fast assembly and dimensional consistency without requiring post-assembly adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If the support member uses a polygonal cross-section with male and female portions, then magnet positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet placement accuracyVSAvoidsupport member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The polygonal support member structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical strength, defines precise magnet positions through its geometry, and creates the male-female engagement features. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures accurate magnet placement, reducing displacement and maintaining magnetic field symmetry, even in small motors where traditional attachment methods are difficult, thereby enhancing motor performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

one of the said outer surface of said support member and each of the said plurality of magnets comprises at least one male portion, the other of the said outer surface of said support member and each of the said plurality of magnets comprises at least one female portion, and in that the at least one male portion is engaged into the at least one female portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

due to the permanent magnetic forces, movements of the magnets may occur during the steps of manufacturing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermanent magnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2911274B1Magnet tiles assembly
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 PORTESCAP
  • EP2911274B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2911274B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2911274B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Magnet assembly comprising: - at least one support member, - a plurality of magnets, wherein each one of the plurality of magnets is positioned relatively to the at least one support member by a male-female interface. For each one of the plurality of magnets, a male portion is engaged into a female portion so that displacements during a step of attachment of each one of the plurality of magnets to the at least one support member are avoided.