Rotor Core With Varying Magnetic Path Width

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotors for rotary electric machines face challenges in reducing weight and inertia while maintaining torque and responsiveness, as the conventional design of permanent magnets and rotor cores does not effectively minimize weight and inertia.

Innovation Solution

The rotor design features a varying radial magnetic path width along the circumferential direction, achieved by alternating laminated core pieces with different magnetic path widths, which reduces weight and inertia by optimizing the distribution of magnetic flux and incorporating lightening holes and press-fit portions to minimize material usage and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If lightening portions are formed in the rotor core to reduce weight and inertia, then weight and inertia are reduced, but the radial magnetic path width becomes non-uniform causing insufficient performance optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor weightVSAvoidmagnetic path width uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the magnetic path width vary intentionally in different circumferential regions. The outer circumferential portion has a first magnetic path width while the inner circumferential portion has a second magnetic path width that is different from the first. This localized variation optimizes both weight reduction and magnetic flux distribution, resolving the contradiction between uniformity and performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the rotor core is made lighter to improve responsiveness, then inertia is reduced, but maintaining torque becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor responsivenessVSAvoidmotor torque
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic path width parameter in different circumferential regions to optimize both responsiveness and torque. By setting the outer circumferential portion with one magnetic path width and the inner circumferential portion with a different magnetic path width, the design achieves reduced inertia for better responsiveness while maintaining adequate torque through optimized magnetic flux distribution in each region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively reduces the weight and inertia of the rotor, enhancing motor responsiveness and accuracy while preventing increases in cogging torque and deformation, thus improving the motor's performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of permanent magnets 4 which are each extended in an axial direction of the rotor core 2 and are fixed along an outer circumferential surface of the rotor core 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3062419B1Rotor for rotary electric machine
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3062419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3062419B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3062419B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A rotor (1) for a rotary electric machine includes a rotor core (2) including a first core portion (20) having a plurality of core pieces (5, 6) joined together through caulking portions (2a) and a hollow first lightening portion (20a), and a second core portion (21) having a plurality of core pieces (7, 8) joined together through caulking portions (2a) and a press-fit portion (21 b). A radial magnetic path width of a ring-shaped outer circumferential portion formed by laminating the first core portion (20) and the second core portion (21) changes along a circumferential direction of the rotor core (2). Therefore, a weight and an inertia can be reduced.