Segmented Rotor Yoke for Motor Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rotor designs for motors and generators, featuring a complete yoke, are costly and complex to manufacture, leading to high production costs and complicated maintenance, especially for large units, and require specialized machinery for assembly.

Innovation Solution

A segmented yoke rotor design where permanent magnets are arranged on individual segments before assembly, allowing for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance, with the option to arrange magnets before or after segment assembly, and using laminated sheet material to reduce eddy current losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a complete ring yoke is used in rotor design, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yoke is divided into multiple separate segments instead of being manufactured as a single complete ring. Each segment can be manufactured independently using standard machining equipment, then assembled together to form the complete yoke structure. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall yoke through proper joining of segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a complete ring yoke is used, then structural integrity is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The yoke is divided into multiple separate segments instead of being manufactured as a single complete ring. Each segment can be manufactured independently using standard machining equipment, then assembled together to form the complete yoke structure. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall yoke through proper joining of segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If a complete ring yoke is used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The yoke is divided into multiple separate segments instead of being manufactured as a single complete ring. Each segment can be manufactured independently using standard machining equipment, then assembled together to form the complete yoke structure. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall yoke through proper joining of segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If laminated sheet material is used for yoke segments, then eddy current losses are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current lossesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yoke segments are constructed using laminated sheet material, which consists of multiple thin layers of electrical insulation material bonded together. This composite structure reduces eddy current losses by breaking up the conductive paths within the yoke material. The laminated construction is applied to the segmented yoke design, combining the benefits of reduced energy losses with the manufacturing advantages of segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 simplifies manufacturing and assembly, reduces production costs, and facilitates easier maintenance by allowing for the exchange of magnets, while minimizing eddy current losses through the use of laminated sheet material.

Implementation Method 1

using laminated sheet material to reduce eddy current losses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP2831979B1Rotor including segmented yoke
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 KONGSBERG MARTIME CM AS
  • EP2831979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2831979B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2831979B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Rotor for motor or generator, which rotor (11) includes a rotor ring (12), which rotor includes a yoke formed by yoke segments (13) which by arrangement to the rotor ring (12) forms a complete yoke. The yoke segments (13) are provided with one or more magnet blanks (19), which magnet blanks (19) are formed by one or more permanent magnets (18).