Segmented Motor Housing for Automated Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of flameproof electric motors in hazardous environments is challenging due to axial movement requirements, making automation difficult and prone to 'piling effect' pressure peaks during potential gas combustion, with limited space for hermetic cable feedthroughs and complex axial connections.

Innovation Solution

The housing is divided into two parts with integrated end shields, allowing for vertical assembly and easy cable connection through sealed feedthroughs, and axial channels in the stator core to control flame propagation, enabling automated assembly and reducing pressure peaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the stator is inserted in the housing and the rotor is inserted inside the stator with axial connections using fasteners, then the motor can be assembled, but the assembly procedure is difficult to automatize and components must move axially during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly automationVSAvoidaxial connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first part and a second part, with the stator core integrated into the first part. This segmentation allows components to be assembled in a simplified sequence without complex axial movements, enabling automated assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the divided housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the standard construction with axial fasteners is used, then the motor can be assembled, but the assembly is prone to 'piling effect' pressure peaks during potential gas combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety in hazardous environmentsVSAvoidpressure peaks during combustion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate parts that can be assembled without tight axial fastening. This segmentation creates a flameproof gap between the first housing part and the second housing part, which prevents pressure peaks during gas combustion by allowing pressure equalization while maintaining the sealed enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the housing is divided into two parts with integrated end shields, then automated assembly is enabled and cable connection is simplified, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end shields are integrated directly into the first and second housing parts, merging multiple components into unified structures. This integration simplifies the overall assembly process and enables automated manufacturing, as the end shields and housing parts form single pieces that eliminate separate assembly steps for attaching end shields.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3934069A1Arrangement for motor and housing
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3934069A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3934069A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3934069A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An arrangement for a motor (100) and a housing, comprising a stator core (104) with a longitudinal centre axis (A-A) and a housing (122) surrounding the stator core (104) is disclosed. The housing comprises a first part (124) and a second part (126), the first part comprising first half of end shield (128, 130) at each axial end of the housing and the second part comprising second half of end shield (132, 134) at each axial end of the housing. Both first and second parts further comprise a housing structure (136, 138) between the end shields. The first part comprises a protruding part at the outer edge of the bottom of the first part and the second part comprises a corresponding protruding part. The protruding parts comprise fastening points (204, 206, 208, 210) for enabling the fastening of the first and second part together.