Modular Stacking Unit for Inductive Core Plate Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing industrial chokes with air gaps are time-consuming and costly, and lack flexibility in adjusting inductance and core disk spacing, making it difficult to produce components with reproducible electromagnetic properties and varying frequency and power ratings.

Innovation Solution

A stacking unit composed of form-fitting elements that can be easily assembled and adjusted, allowing for variable length and inductance settings through spring elements and annular outer walls, enabling precise alignment and spacing of core plates for optimal magnetic energy storage and minimal stray fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If individual core parts are arranged and glued to one another to produce magnetic core columns, then the core pieces can be assembled into inductive components, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly with difficulty in achieving reproducible electromagnetic properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process efficiencyVSAvoidreproducibility of electromagnetic properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stacking unit is divided into multiple individual stacking elements that can be independently assembled. Each stacking element holds core disks in a predetermined arrangement, and multiple elements are connected together to form the complete core column. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual elements while enabling flexible assembly of different configurations, thereby improving both manufacturing efficiency and reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stacking elements are pre-assembled with core disks in the desired positions and orientations before final assembly into the complete core column. This preliminary arrangement ensures correct alignment and spacing is achieved without requiring complex alignment procedures during final assembly, reducing manufacturing time and improving reproducibility of electromagnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a plastic shell element with fixed length is used to accommodate core disks, then the core disks can be held in position, but flexibility is lost for producing different types of chokes and fine adjustment of inductance is no longer possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in producing different choke typesVSAvoidfine adjustment of inductance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed plastic shell is segmented into multiple adjustable stacking elements. Each stacking element can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the overall length and configuration of the core column to be varied. This enables production of different choke types while maintaining the ability to adjust inductance by changing the spacing between core disks within the modular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stacking elements incorporate adjustable spacing mechanisms that allow the distance between core disks to be dynamically changed after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability enables fine-tuning of inductance values without requiring complete disassembly or replacement of the entire core structure, maintaining versatility across different choke types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If axial pressure is exerted on the front and rear of the core column to adjust the length, then the inductance can be adjusted within limits, but fine adjustment is only possible within relatively narrow limits of approx. +/- 15%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of inductance adjustmentVSAvoidprecision of inductance adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into multiple discrete stacking elements rather than relying on continuous axial compression. Each stacking element provides a defined spacing increment, allowing precise control of the overall core column length and inductance. This segmented approach expands the adjustment range beyond the narrow +/- 15% limit while maintaining precision through standardized element dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution provides a flexible and cost-effective method for producing inductive components with adjustable inductance, accommodating customer-specific requirements and enabling wide-range variation in component length and inductance without compromising stability, suitable for both small and large series production.

Implementation Method 1

The stacking elements have spring elements (10) which resiliently support the core plates (12) against one another in such a way that the distances between adjacent core plates (12) can be varied within a wide range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3161836B1Stacking unit for reception of core plates for an inductive element
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 STS SPEZIAL TRANSFORMATOREN STOCKACH GMBH
  • EP3161836B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3161836B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3161836B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a stacking unit for holding core plates of an inductive component, comprising a plurality of stacking elements inside or on each of which one of the core plates is held, the stacking elements being designed in such a way that a portion of one stacking element can be accommodated in a portion of another stacking element and the individual stacking elements including the core plates held therein or thereon can be stacked next to one another.