Rotor Hub And Drive Plate Mounting For Crankshaft Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in providing a cost-effective solution for supporting the rotor of an electric motor/generator and effectively transferring torque to and from the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine.
Innovation Solution
An emotor mounting arrangement is provided, featuring a rotatably mounted rotor and a fixed stator, with a hub connected to the rotor and a drive plate extending radially, allowing for easy alignment and connection via fasteners through access openings, and utilizing stamped sheet metal parts to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hub with pilot extension and drive plate is used to connect the rotor to the crankshaft, then the ease of mounting and alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is divided into multiple components: a pilot extension for alignment with the crankshaft, a drive plate for torque transfer, and a flange for mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining ease of mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot extension acts as an intermediary element between the hub and the crankshaft, providing precise alignment during assembly. This intermediary component facilitates easy mounting by guiding the hub into correct position before final fastening, without requiring complex alignment procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If stamped sheet metal parts are used for the drive plate and hub components, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the strength and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drive plate and hub components are manufactured using stamped sheet metal processes with optimized parameters including material selection, thickness, and geometric design. These parameter changes enable cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining sufficient strength for torque transfer applications through proper engineering of the stamped features.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly combines stamped sheet metal components with fasteners and seals, creating a composite structure that leverages the cost advantages of stamped parts while using complementary materials to ensure adequate strength and sealing performance for the application.
3Ease of operation
If connector openings are provided in the drive plate for fasteners, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive plate incorporates connector openings at specific locations where fasteners will be installed, with local reinforcement around the opening perimeters. This local quality approach provides ease of assembly through accessible fastener locations while maintaining structural integrity by strengthening the areas around the openings to compensate for the material removal.
Data Source
AI summary
An emotor mounting arrangement for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an emotor having a rotor that is rotatably mounted and a stator that is fixed relative to the engine. A hub is connected to the rotor, with the hub including a pilot extension that is adapted to be supported in an end of a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. A drive plate is connected to and extends radially from the hub, and the drive plate includes connector openings that are adapted for connecting the drive plate to a flex plate connected to the crankshaft. The hub can b integrally formed with a rotor carrier, or the hub can be assembled from stamped sheet metal parts.