Rotor Position Sensor Fixing Arm Overmolding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional position measuring devices for rotating electric machines face issues with calibration desynchronization due to material expansion differences during thermal shocks and vibrations, and they require complex manufacturing processes with multiple parts, leading to increased costs and assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A simplified position measuring device with a metal-to-metal fixing mechanism, where the fixing means are integrated into the fixing arm through overmolding, reducing the number of parts and ensuring no play during thermal shocks, and allowing for easier calibration and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the mounting arm, bearing and retaining plate are made of different materials (plastic and metal) to enable assembly, then the position measuring device can be manufactured and assembled, but the different coefficients of expansion cause play between parts during thermal shocks, leading to desynchronization between position sensors and target

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing and assemblyVSAvoidcalibration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by making both the mounting arm and the bearing from the same plastic material. This eliminates the interface between different materials (metal and plastic) that caused thermal expansion mismatches. The retaining plate is also made of plastic, creating a homogeneous plastic assembly that expands uniformly during thermal shocks, preventing play and desynchronization while maintaining ease of manufacture through injection molding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by creating an integrated plastic component that combines the mounting arm, bearing, and retaining plate functions into a single molded part. This composite plastic structure eliminates the need for metal-bearing interfaces, resolving the thermal expansion conflict while maintaining structural integrity and assembly simplicity through a single-material construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If several parts (mounting arm, bearing, retaining plate, screws) are used to secure the position measuring device, then the device can be firmly attached to the bearing, but the number of parts increases, complicating manufacturing and assembly processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment firmnessVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mounting arm, bearing, and retaining plate into a single integrated plastic component manufactured through injection molding. This consolidation reduces the part count from multiple separate components (mounting arm, bearing, retaining plate, screws) to one unified piece, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design that incorporates all fastening functions within the molded structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple parts and assembly steps are required to secure the position measuring device, then proper fixation can be achieved, but manufacturing time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing steps and parts into a single injection molding process that produces the integrated mounting arm-bearing-retaining plate assembly in one operation. This eliminates sequential assembly steps, reduces manufacturing time, and lowers costs while maintaining fixation stability through the designed integrated structure that incorporates all necessary fastening features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution provides a stable and calibrated position measuring device with reduced manufacturing complexity and costs, preventing desynchronization and simplifying the assembly process by using a single molding step and fewer parts, ensuring reliable operation under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the fixing means are overmolded in the fixing arm during an overmolding operation so as to obtain fixing means integrated in the fixing arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOvermolding:

Implementation Method 2

Conventionally, the position sensor is a Hall effect sensor detecting magnets that are part of the target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4133237B1Rotor position measuring device for a stator unit of a rotary electric machine
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP4133237B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4133237B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a position measuring device (1) for a stator unit (2) of a rotary electric machine (3), comprising fixing means (8) that are connected to fixing arms (7) and that are intended to be fixed to a bearing (9) of the stator unit (2), the bearing (9) being positioned at an axial end (10) of the stator unit (2).