Motor End Frame with Radial Support Surfaces for Versatile Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor designs face challenges in accommodating different main frame sizes and providing adequate support and mounting options for rotor shafts, while also ensuring effective cooling and protection from environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
The electric motor incorporates an end frame with a bearing housing and support body that includes radial support surfaces and extensions, allowing for versatile mounting and cooling, along with a terminal canopy for protection and easy installation of electrical components, including a BX fitting for cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single end frame design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate different main frame sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The end frame is designed with multiple radial support surfaces (first, second, and third) that can engage with different main frame sizes, allowing a single end frame design to serve multiple frame size applications. The support surfaces are positioned at different radial distances from the axis, enabling the end frame to accommodate various stator outer diameters while maintaining structural integrity and proper bearing support geometry.
2Ease of operation
If the BX fitting aperture is located on the main frame, then cable management is simple, but access is difficult and environmental protection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The BX fitting aperture is positioned on the terminal end of the end frame, which extends axially from the main frame. This axial extension provides a new dimensional space that allows the aperture to be located away from the main frame body, improving access for cable installation while the terminal canopy provides environmental protection. The mounting member extends radially from the terminal end, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that separates the aperture location from both the main frame and the bearing housing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radial support surfaces are added to accommodate different frame sizes, then versatility improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end frame is divided into distinct functional segments: a bearing housing portion, a terminal end portion, and a frustoconical wall portion. Each segment contains specific radial support surfaces that can be manufactured independently using standard machining operations. The first radial support surface is on the bearing housing, the second is on the frustoconical wall, and the third is on the terminal end, allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An end-frame of an electro-dynamic machine includes a bearing housing defining an annular bearing cavity for rotatably supporting a rotor shaft about an axis. A support body is coupled to the bearing housing. The support body has a terminal end and a base end opposite the terminal end. The base end includes a first radial support surface having a first diameter, a second radial support surface having a second diameter, and an annular wall axially disposed between the first radial support surface and the second radial support surface. A radial extension extends radially from the support body adjacent the terminal end. A mounting member extends axially from the radial extension portion. The mounting member defines an aperture for receiving a BX fitting.