Electric Machine Shaft Through-Hole for Gasket Sealing Tests
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric machines for motor vehicles often require the temporary installation of a relief valve for pressing tests, which is time-consuming and costly, and lacks a method to effectively test the sealing of gaskets without this valve.
Innovation Solution
The electric machine incorporates a through-hole in the shaft that allows air to be blown into the machine for sealing tests, eliminating the need for a relief valve by using the shaft as a duct to pressurize the internal chambers and verify the airtightness of gaskets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relief valve is temporarily installed to perform pressing tests, then the sealing of gaskets can be tested, but the production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the testing function from the relief valve by creating a separate dedicated testing hole in the casing. This allows the relief valve to be permanently installed for its primary pressure compensation function while the testing hole enables pressing tests without requiring temporary valve installation, thus resolving the contradiction between test capability and production time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the functions by separating the pressure compensation function (handled by the relief valve) from the testing function (handled by the dedicated testing hole). This segmentation allows both functions to be performed simultaneously without interference, eliminating the need to temporarily install relief valves for testing
2Reliability
If a relief valve is temporarily installed and then removed, then the pressing test can be performed, but assembly and disassembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing hole is created during the initial manufacturing process of the casing, before assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent assembly and disassembly of relief valves for testing purposes, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining test capability
Solution Approach 2:
The testing function is extracted from the relief valve system and placed in a dedicated hole, allowing the relief valve to remain permanently installed. This eliminates the recurring assembly and disassembly costs associated with temporary valve installation
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 method simplifies and cost-effectively tests the sealing of gaskets without the need for a relief valve, ensuring effective insulation against humidity and water, while maintaining the ability to adapt to pressure changes during normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
The electric machine incorporates a through-hole in the shaft that allows air to be blown into the machine for sealing tests, eliminating the need for a relief valve by using the shaft as a duct to pressurize the internal chambers
Implementation Method 2
Generally, to perform this test, the inner space is pressurised by blowing air and then any changes in the internal pressure values as time passes are checked
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An electric machine (2) for motor vehicles has a casing (8) defining at least one chamber accommodating electric/electronic components (17, 30); the rotor of the electric machine (2) has a shaft (20) provided with a first and a second end portion (21, 26), axially opposite one another; the first end portion (21) is configured so as to define a coupling point, at an axial end of the electric machine (2), to transmit motion; at the axial opposite end, the electric machine (2) is closed by a lid (37) having an outer annular portion (38) coupled to the casing (8) through the interposition of at least one gasket (39, 35); the shaft (20) has a through hole (50) with an input mouth (51a) at the first end portion (21) and an output mouth (51b) communicating with the above-mentioned chamber (29a); in a testing method for testing the sealing of the gasket (39, 35), pressurised air is blown through this input mouth (51a) .