Rotary Electric Machine Shaft Angular Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of high-power reversible electric machines into host elements within motor vehicles is complicated due to the need for precise angular positioning and mechanical coupling, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A rotary electric machine design featuring a shaft with a coupling member and an adjustment portion for angular indexing, allowing controlled rotation and mechanical coupling with host elements, facilitated by a cooling circuit and lubricating/cooling liquid flow, and an indexing member for precise positioning during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional assembly methods are used for integrating electric machines into host elements, then the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming, but the structural integrity and precision requirements cannot be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is pre-equipped with an adjustment portion during manufacturing that enables subsequent angular adjustment during assembly. This preliminary preparation allows the assembly process to be simplified and accelerated without compromising the precision positioning requirement, as the adjustment mechanism is already integrated into the shaft structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment portion acts as an intermediary element between the shaft and the host element, facilitating the angular positioning process. This intermediate structure enables controlled rotation and precise angular adjustment during assembly, making the integration process more efficient while maintaining the required mechanical coupling precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise angular positioning is implemented during assembly, then mechanical coupling accuracy is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular positioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft itself provides the positioning capability through its integrated adjustment portion, eliminating the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms. The adjustment portion enables the shaft to self-adjust to the correct angular position during assembly through controlled rotation, achieving precise positioning without adding external complexity to the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment portion serves multiple functions: it enables controlled rotation for angular adjustment, provides mechanical coupling with the host element, and ensures precise angular positioning. This multi-functional element reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall positioning mechanism while maintaining high precision

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

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 efficient and precise assembly of the electric machine within motor vehicle components, ensuring mechanical coupling and effective cooling/lubrication, thereby enhancing the integration of the machine into traction chain elements like gearboxes or differentials.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling circuit arranged to allow in particular the flow of a lubricating and/or cooling liquid, for example an oil, inside the machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

flow of a lubricating and/or cooling liquid, for example an oil, inside the machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3320604B1Rotary electric machine equipped with a means of adjusting the angular position of the shaft
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 VALEO EQUIP ELECTRIC MOTEUR
  • EP3320604B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3320604B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3320604B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates mainly to a rotary electric machine (10), notably for a motor vehicle, comprising a stator (11) and a rotor (12) which are mounted inside a casing (16) and a shaft, this shaft (13) comprising: • - at its first end, a coupling member (24) comprising a pinion, notably for coupling the said rotary electric machine (10) to a corresponding pinion of a host element (20), and • - at its second end, an adjusting portion (65) designed to allow the said shaft (13) to be turned, notably when the said rotary electric machine (10) is being inserted into a housing (21) of the said host element (20).