Rotary Electric Machine Sealing Mechanism for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealed rotary electric machines pose a challenge as their sealed enclosures prevent access to the internal space after assembly, making it difficult to perform maintenance or modifications, such as mounting rotary components, without compromising the isolation from dust and humidity.
Innovation Solution
A rotary electric machine design that includes an access hole in the cap, a bearing system, and a sealing mechanism with an elastic element and a closing element, allowing for reversible sealing and access to the internal space while maintaining isolation from external agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the enclosure is sealed by fixing the casing to the cap, then the isolation from extraneous agents is improved, but the accessibility to internal space deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can be separated from each other. The movable portion can be detached to provide access to the internal space while the fixed portion remains sealed to the casing, thus maintaining the sealing function while enabling accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap transitions from a static sealed structure to a dynamic structure where the movable portion can be shifted between a closed position (maintaining seal) and an open position (providing access). This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between sealing and accessibility requirements.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the enclosure is sealed to prevent dust and humidity entry, then the durability is improved, but the ability to perform maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap's movable portion can be detached to allow maintenance operations on components within the internal space such as the shaft and rotary components. After maintenance, the movable portion is reattached to restore the sealed environment, thus enabling durability through sealing while facilitating maintenance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portion is designed to be detachable from the beginning, allowing maintenance operations to be performed on the shaft and other internal components without permanently compromising the seal. The seal is restored after maintenance, ensuring long-term durability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is inserted through the cap to allow rotary component mounting, then the adaptability is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the shaft and the cap. The bearing allows the shaft to rotate and supports rotary components while the cap remains sealed. The bearing acts as a mediator that enables rotary functionality without compromising the sealing integrity of the cap-casing connection.
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
Enables access to the internal space for maintenance and component mounting without compromising the machine's sealed environment, preventing shear stresses on the bearings and ensuring reliable sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing mechanism comprising a closing element and a sealing mechanism comprising a closing element and an elastic element acting on the closing element in such a way as to seal the access hole
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary electric machine includes an enclosure delimiting an internal space for stator and rotor units. An access hole gives access to the internal space. An internal gasket encircles the access hole adjacent a wall of the enclosure. A closing element is disposed in the internal space, movable towards and away from the wall between a closed configuration compressing the gasket to seal the access hole and an open configuration connecting the internal space with the surrounding atmosphere. An elastic device operates to move the closing element from the open to closed configurations to compress the gasket and seal the access hole. The closing element has a pressure surface facing the access hole and accessible through the access hole via a pin. Pressing the pressure surface causes the closing element to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.