Shrink Ring Motor Add-on Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting electric motors and add-on units, such as screwing, caulking, or welding, are expensive, complex, and often unsuitable for small motors due to increased construction volume and radial deformations, while snap-on connections lack stability when using metal components.
Innovation Solution
A thermally shrunk shrink ring is used to create a firm, friction-locking connection between the electric motor and add-on unit, eliminating the need for connection flanges and allowing for assembly with different dimensions, featuring a cylindrical or hollow cylindrical design with optional positive-locking elements and step-like trimming for a compact and stable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screwing, caulking, or welding is used to connect the electric motor and add-on unit, then the connection is firm and stable, but the construction volume increases and the assembly becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink ring is placed over both the electric motor shaft and the add-on unit hub, creating a nested structure where the shrink ring encloses both components. This eliminates the need for separate connection flanges and reduces the overall radial dimensions of the assembly while maintaining firm connection through thermal shrinking.
Solution Approach 2:
The shrink ring's dimensions are changed through thermal expansion and contraction. When heated, the ring expands to allow easy assembly over the motor shaft and add-on unit. When cooled, the ring contracts to create a firm friction-locking connection, providing both ease of assembly and connection stability without increasing construction volume.
2Reliability
If connection flanges with precision bore holes and screws are used, then the connection is stable, but the assembly becomes extremely complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The connection function is extracted from the traditional flange-screw system and transferred to the shrink ring. The shrink ring alone provides both the connection and the locking mechanism through thermal shrinking, eliminating the need for separate flanges, precision bore holes, and multiple screws, thereby simplifying the assembly while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shrink ring performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a connection element, a locking mechanism, and a mounting structure. By heating the ring, assembly is facilitated; by cooling it, a firm friction-locking connection is created. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate components required in traditional flange connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If snap-on connection with plastic components is used, then the assembly is simple, but the connection lacks stability when using metal components
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink ring's dimensional parameters are dynamically changed through temperature control. During assembly, the ring is heated to expand, allowing simple snap-on installation similar to plastic components. After assembly, the ring is cooled to contract and create a firm friction-locking connection, providing the stability of metal connections. This thermal parameter change enables both ease of manufacture and connection reliability.
4Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used for small motors and micro motors, then the connection is firm, but the construction volume becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink ring is nested directly over the motor shaft and add-on unit hub, eliminating the need for separate connection flanges that would increase radial dimensions. This nested configuration is particularly advantageous for small motors and micro motors where space is limited, as it maintains firm connection while minimizing the overall construction volume.
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 enables economical, fast, and stable assembly of electric motors and add-on units with reduced construction volume, suitable for small motors and micro motors, while allowing for easy disassembly by controlling thermal expansion coefficients.
Implementation Method 1
A thermally shrunk shrink ring (4) is used to create a firm, friction-locking connection between the electric motor and add-on unit
Implementation Method 2
a shrink ring is thermally shrunk on to the electric motor and add-on unit in the area of the joint so that the shrink ring covers the joint
Implementation Method 3
A thermally shrunk shrink ring (4) is used to create a firm, friction-locking connection between the electric motor and add-on unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electric motor with an add-on unit, such as a gearbox unit, encoder unit or controller unit, and disclosed whereby the electric motor and add-on unit can be firmly connected to each other. For a firm connection, a shrink ring is thermally shrunk on to the electric motor and add-on unit in the area of the joint so that the shrink ring covers the joint. A method is also disclosed for producing the connection, wherein a temperature difference is first created between the shrink ring on the one hand and the electric motor as well as add-on unit on the other hand, whereby furthermore the temperature of the shrink ring is greater than the temperature of the electric motor and add-on unit and whereby the components are then joined together and held so that the shrink ring shrinks on to the electric motor and add-on unit.