Permanent magnet-embedded motor and compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Permanent-magnet-embedded electric motors that utilize reluctance torque to enhance efficiency often experience torque ripple, leading to increased current requirements and reduced efficiency due to magnetic path blockage by slits, which also cause vibration and noise.

Innovation Solution

A rotor core structure with alternating core blocks, one without slits and the other with slits, is used to minimize torque ripple while maintaining torque efficiency by optimizing the ratio of core block lengths in the axial direction, allowing effective magnetic flux usage and reducing leakage flux.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If slits are disposed on the rotor core to reduce torque ripple, then torque ripple is reduced, but magnetic flux path is blocked causing reduced torque and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque rippleVSAvoidtorque
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor core is segmented into multiple core blocks in the axial direction, with alternating blocks having slits and non-slits. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: slit blocks reduce torque ripple while non-slit blocks maintain magnetic flux paths for torque generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the rotor core are given different properties: some core blocks have slits (for torque ripple reduction) while others don't (for torque maintenance). The axial lengths of these blocks are optimized to achieve the desired balance between torque ripple reduction and torque preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If slits are disposed on the rotor core to reduce torque ripple, then torque ripple is reduced, but current requirement increases due to reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque rippleVSAvoidcurrent
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor core is segmented into multiple core blocks in the axial direction, with alternating blocks having slits and non-slits. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: slit blocks reduce torque ripple while non-slit blocks maintain magnetic flux paths for torque generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the rotor core are given different properties: some core blocks have slits (for torque ripple reduction) while others don't (for torque maintenance). The axial lengths of these blocks are optimized to achieve the desired balance between torque ripple reduction and torque preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If slits are disposed on the rotor core to reduce torque ripple, then torque ripple is reduced, but vibration and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque rippleVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor core is segmented into multiple core blocks in the axial direction, with alternating blocks having slits and non-slits. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: slit blocks reduce torque ripple while non-slit blocks maintain magnetic flux paths for torque generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the rotor core are given different properties: some core blocks have slits (for torque ripple reduction) while others don't (for torque maintenance). The axial lengths of these blocks are optimized to achieve the desired balance between torque ripple reduction and torque preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively reduces torque ripple while preventing a decrease in torque at the same current, enhancing motor efficiency and reducing vibration and noise.

Implementation Method 1

permanent-magnet-embedded electric motors achieving high efficiency by using rare earth magnets with high residual magnetic flux density and coercivity in a rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the permanent magnets are embedded in the rotor so as to be able to use not only magnet torque but also reluctance torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the slits block a magnetic path of a magnetic flux to cause a reduction in torque obtained at the same current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic reluctance: Magnetic Reluctance

Data Source

PatentEP3309931B1Permanent magnet-embedded motor and compressor
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3309931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3309931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3309931B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor 3 of a permanent-magnet-embedded electric motor includes an annular rotor core 10 having a plurality of magnet insertion holes 13 formed in a circumferential direction, and permanent magnets 11 inserted into the magnet insertion holes 13, respectively. The rotor core 10 is formed by alternately stacking a core block 10a and a core block 10b in an axial direction of the rotor core 10, the core block 10a not having slits 15a and 15b between each of the magnet insertion holes 13 and a circumferential surface of the rotor core 10, and the core block 10b having the slits 15a and 15b between each of the magnet insertion holes 13 and the circumferential surface of the rotor core 10. The slit 15a and an end 11a of the permanent magnet 11 are arrayed in a radial direction, and the slit 15b and an end 11b of the permanent magnet 11 are arrayed in the radial direction.