Spring-Loaded Rotor Fastening System for Electric Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems between a rotor and a ring component in electric motors, such as those used in fans, often require high assembly effort, cannot be easily detached, and involve additional parts like connecting flanges, which increase complexity and part count.

Innovation Solution

A direct interlocking connection using spring elements and locking hooks and grooves that generate a prestressing force, allowing for a secure and repeatable attachment and detachment without additional parts, where the locking hooks can be pressed out of the grooves to release the connection, and the spring elements provide both axial and radial holding forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screw connections are used to fasten the ring component to the rotor, then a secure connection is achieved, but the assembly effort becomes comparatively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw connection mechanism with a spring-based elastic connection system. The spring element generates continuous contact force between the ring component and rotor, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners while maintaining secure connection through elastic deformation and continuous pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection mechanism from rigid screw fastening to elastic spring-based connection. By utilizing elastic deformation parameters and continuous contact force, the system achieves both secure connection and ease of assembly/disassembly through simple axial movements rather than threaded operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If material connections such as gluing are used to fasten the ring component to the rotor, then a secure connection is achieved, but the connection cannot be detached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoiddetachability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic spring-based connection system that allows for reversible attachment and detachment. The elastic spring element maintains continuous contact force during operation, yet permits simple axial separation when detachment is required, providing both security during use and adaptability for reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a flange bridging the rotor and ring component is used, then connection is achieved, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection function directly into the rotor structure by integrating locking elements and contact surfaces into the rotor body. This eliminates the need for separate bridging flanges and reducing the overall part count while maintaining secure mechanical connection between the rotor and ring component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If additional connecting flanges are used, then connection between rotor and ring component is achieved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the connection function from separate bridging components and integrates it directly into the rotor structure. By incorporating locking hooks, contact surfaces, and spring elements directly into the rotor, the system eliminates additional connecting flanges and simplifies the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution simplifies assembly and disassembly, reduces the number of components, and ensures a secure connection without additional parts, allowing for multiple repeatable engagements and disengagements while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a prestressing force is generated between the ring component and the rotor via the spring element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

form-fit locking by the locking hooks and locking grooves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3451501B1Fastening system between a ring component and a rotor
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3451501B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening system between two fastening elements, which are designed as a ring component and rotor of an electric motor, wherein at least one of the fastening elements has a locking hook and at least one locking groove is formed on the other fastening element, which engage positively and directly in each other in the fastened state and detachably connect the ring component and the rotor, wherein at least one elastic spring element is formed on one of the fastening elements, which, in the fastened state of the ring component with the rotor, exerts a preload force on the other fastening element, which is directed against a holding force of the at least one locking hook.