Motor Case Rib Structure for Torsional Stiffness and Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary electric machines face challenges in achieving both weight reduction and securing torsional stiffness, leading to increased vibration and noise due to electromagnetic excitation forces, particularly in low rotation ranges.

Innovation Solution

A motor case design featuring a tubular peripheral wall with a flange portion and damping ribs formed by crossing linear ribs, which are arranged to cover the outer periphery between the flange and the end of the stator, enhancing torsional stiffness while reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the motor case uses a simple tubular structure for weight reduction, then weight is reduced, but torsional stiffness is insufficient leading to increased vibration and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of motor caseVSAvoidtorsional stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral wall is segmented into multiple regions by forming ribs at specific positions. The damping ribs divide the wall into sections that work together to resist torsional deformation, allowing weight reduction while maintaining stiffness through strategic segmentation rather than uniform thickening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damping ribs extend in the radial direction from the end portion of the stator, adding a dimensional element that crosses the peripheral wall. This radial extension creates a three-dimensional reinforcement structure that significantly improves torsional stiffness without proportionally increasing weight

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the motor case increases torsional stiffness to reduce vibration, then vibration and noise are reduced, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration and noiseVSAvoidweight of motor case
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the thickness or density of the entire motor case, damping ribs are formed at specific locations where torsional stress is highest. The ribs are positioned to cross the peripheral wall at strategic points, providing localized reinforcement that effectively reduces vibration and noise without unnecessary weight addition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3859948B1Motor case
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3859948B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859948B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3859948B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to promote weight reduction while improving torsional stiffness of a motor case of a rotary electric machine. A motor case accommodates a stator, a rotor facing an inner periphery of the stator, and a rotating shaft coupled to the rotor. The motor case includes a peripheral wall which is formed in a tubular shape and has a space accommodating the stator and the rotating shaft on an inside, a flange portion which is formed at one end of the peripheral wall and is coupled to an outside, and damping ribs which are formed at an outer periphery of the peripheral wall, are formed between a position crossing the outer periphery of the peripheral wall and the flange portion on an extension of the rotating shaft in a radial direction from an end portion of the stator, and are constituted by a plurality of ribs.