Rotor Magnet Support Mechanism for Accurate Outer-Surface Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large rotor manufacturing, attaching magnets to the outer peripheral surface is challenging due to strong magnetic forces, which makes it difficult to control the attractive or repulsive forces and maintain the magnet's posture during attachment.

Innovation Solution

A rotor manufacturing apparatus with a magnet support mechanism that includes a pair of support members and a driving unit, allowing the support members to move closer and farther apart to securely attach the magnet to the rotor core while maintaining its posture, using inclined support surfaces and a pressure mechanism to ensure accurate positioning and attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If magnets are attached to the outer peripheral surface of a large rotor core, then the magnetic force becomes large, but it becomes difficult to control the attractive or repulsive force and maintain the magnet's posture during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic forceVSAvoiddifficulty to control attractive or repulsive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A support mechanism with support members is introduced as an intermediary device to hold the magnet during attachment. The support members contact the circumferential end surfaces of the magnet and can be moved closer or farther apart, providing mechanical control over the magnet's position and posture while it is being attached to the rotor core, thus mediating the difficult control of magnetic forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If magnets are attached to the outer peripheral surface of a large rotor core, then the magnetic force becomes large, but it becomes difficult to maintain the magnet's posture during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic forceVSAvoidmagnet posture control
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support members act as a mediator to maintain the magnet's posture during attachment. By contacting the circumferential end surfaces and being movable relative to each other, they provide precise mechanical support and positioning, ensuring the magnet maintains the correct posture while being attached to the rotor core despite the strong magnetic forces involved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are designed to be movable, allowing their distance from each other to be adjusted dynamically during the attachment process. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise control of the magnet's position and posture at different stages of attachment, improving manufacturing precision while handling large magnetic forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the precise and secure attachment of magnets to the rotor core's outer surface, even with strong magnetic forces, ensuring good positional accuracy and preventing damage to the magnets, thus facilitating the use of high-temperature-resistant samarium cobalt magnets in rotating electric machines.

Implementation Method 1

The pair of support surfaces are respectively inclined away from each other in the facing direction outwardly in the radial direction... The pair of support surfaces are moved away from each other in the facing direction to move the magnet inward in the radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4528990A1Rotor manufacturing apparatus and rotor manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4528990A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4528990A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4528990A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor manufacturing apparatus of an embodiment includes a rotor core support unit and a magnet support mechanism. The magnet support mechanism includes a pair of support members and a driving unit. The pair of support members face each other in a facing direction orthogonal to both a radial direction and an axial direction. A magnet is disposed between the pair of support members. The driving unit moves the pair of support members close to each other and away from each other in the facing direction. Each of the pair of support members includes a support surface. The pair of support surfaces face each other in the facing direction. The pair of support surfaces contact circumferential end surfaces of the magnet. The pair of support surfaces are respectively inclined away from each other in the facing direction outwardly in the radial direction.