Motor Bearing Support Design to Reduce Positioning Complexity and Cost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motors for home appliances, such as pumps and washing devices, have complex structures and high component costs due to the need for additional positioning parts in the bearing system, leading to unsatisfactory performance and increased production expenses.

Innovation Solution

A motor design that incorporates a support member with a positioning wall and a bearing system without an additional positioning part, utilizing a reinforcing rib, barb, and cushioning ring to securely position and support the bearing, reducing complexity and costs while enhancing radial and axial rigidity and vibration cushioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional positioning part is used to position the bearing, then the bearing positioning reliability is improved, but the device complexity and component costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing positioning reliabilityVSAvoidmotor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both radial support for the bearing through its cylindrical inner surface and axial positioning through the positioning wall with barb structure. This merging of support and positioning functions into a single component eliminates the need for separate positioning parts, reducing structural complexity while maintaining positioning reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member serves as a multi-functional component that combines bearing support, axial positioning, and vibration damping (through the integrated cushioning ring). This universal design approach allows one component to fulfill multiple roles that would traditionally require separate parts, thereby simplifying the overall motor structure

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

2Reliability

If an additional positioning part is used to position the bearing, then the bearing positioning reliability is improved, but the component costs and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing positioning reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the positioning function into the support member, the total number of components is reduced. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning parts, directly reducing component costs and simplifying assembly operations, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining positioning reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is designed to automatically position the bearing through its integrated positioning wall and barb structure without requiring additional positioning components. The cushioning ring further enhances this self-positioning capability while providing vibration damping, eliminating the need for separate positioning parts and reducing both component and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If a positioning wall with barb structure is used, then the axial positioning of the bearing is improved, but the radial rigidity requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial positioning precisionVSAvoidradial rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning wall is designed with localized structural features: the barb structure provides concentrated axial positioning force where needed, while the overall positioning wall geometry and material selection ensure sufficient radial rigidity. The cushioning ring is strategically placed to provide radial support and vibration damping without interfering with the axial positioning function of the barb

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is made from a composite material or engineered plastic that combines high radial rigidity with appropriate flexibility for the positioning wall structure. This allows the positioning wall to maintain sufficient radial stiffness while the barb structure provides precise axial positioning, and the integrated cushioning ring adds vibration damping capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the cushioning ring is added to cushion vibration, then the vibration damping is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration between rotor and casingVSAvoidmotor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning ring is integrated into the support member assembly, combining vibration damping functionality with the existing bearing support structure. This integration allows the cushioning ring to work in conjunction with the positioning wall and barb structure without requiring separate mounting mechanisms, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while effectively cushioning vibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a simpler motor structure with lower component and production costs, improved reliability, and extended service life of the bearing, while maintaining effective axial and radial positioning and vibration damping.

Implementation Method 1

a cushioning ring sleeved on the bearing, where the positioning wall includes an arc-shaped groove accommodating the cushioning ring. In this way, vibration between the rotor and the casing can be cushioned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration cushioning: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the positioning wall can be at least partially elastically deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3926172B1Motor, pump, and washing device
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3926172B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926172B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926172B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor (10) is provided, including: a stator (12); a casing (14), receiving the stator (12), and including a support member (16); a bearing (18), engaged inside the support member (16); a rotor shaft (20), supported by the bearing (18); and a rotor (22), adapted to rotate around the rotor shaft (20) relative to the stator (12). The present invention further relates to a pump (60) and a washing device (100) that include the motor (10), and a washing device (100) including the pump (60).