Stator Alignment Fixture for Precise Motor Housing Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor constructions face challenges in precisely aligning the stator within the motor housing, which affects the air gap and overall motor performance, especially in shrink-fit and bolted constructions, making maintenance and repair difficult.

Innovation Solution

A centering fixture is used to align the stator within the motor housing, comprising first, second, and third centering devices that expand radially outward upon hydraulic actuation, ensuring precise centering of the stator relative to the motor housing shaft bore, facilitated by a locating plate that allows access to mounting bolts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stator is shrink fit within a bore of a motor housing, then the motor structure is compact and strong, but it is difficult to disassemble for maintenance and repair

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The motor assembly is divided into separable components: the stator can be independently removed from the motor housing through the bore opening. This segmentation allows the stator to be detached for maintenance while maintaining the overall structural integrity of both components when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stator is pre-positioned and aligned using the centering fixture before final assembly. This preliminary centering action ensures proper alignment is achieved before the stator is permanently secured, facilitating easier future maintenance while maintaining strong initial assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of repair

If a stator is bolted within the motor housing, then maintenance and repair become easier, but precise location and alignment are difficult to achieve due to manufacturing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A centering fixture serves as an intermediary tool between the stator and motor housing during assembly. This fixture temporarily holds the stator in the correct centered position, allowing precise alignment to be achieved despite manufacturing tolerances in the individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The centering fixture is used to pre-align the stator before final bolting. This preliminary centering action ensures that the stator is precisely positioned relative to the motor housing bore, establishing accurate alignment before the permanent fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If tight tolerances are used in manufacturing the motor housing and stator, then alignment precision improves, but assembly difficulty increases and manufacturing cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The centering fixture acts as a mediating device that compensates for normal manufacturing tolerances. Instead of requiring tight tolerances in the motor housing and stator themselves, the fixture provides the necessary alignment, allowing standard tolerance levels while achieving precise final alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment function is substituted from relying on precision mechanical tolerances of the components to using a dedicated alignment mechanism (the centering fixture). This replaces the need for tight manufacturing tolerances with a mechanical alignment system that is easier to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The method enables precise alignment of the stator within the motor housing, improving the air gap and facilitating easier maintenance and repair by ensuring accurate assembly and alignment of the stator and rotor.

Implementation Method 1

The first centering device and the second centering device of the centering fixture includes a hydraulic actuated centering device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS12620878B2Method for stator alignment to the motor housing

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of installing a stator and a motor housing includes inserting a stator into a motor housing, the motor housing having a shaft bore and a plurality first bolt holes end of the state are having a bore opening and a plurality of second bolt holes. A centering fixture is inserted into the shaft bore of the housing and into the bore opening, the centering fixture includes a first centering device received into the shaft bore and a second centering device received into the bore opening of the stator. A locating plate is secured to the motor housing and engaged with the centering fixture. The first centering devices actuated for centering the centering fixture relative to the shaft and the second centering device is actuated for centering the state are relative to the shaft board. The plurality of bolts are tightened to secure the stator to the motor housing.