Stator Slot Dividers for Winding Separation and Coolant Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stator assemblies face challenges in controlling the position of stator windings, which can lead to insulation degradation and shorting due to unconstrained windings touching, and arranging effective cooling channels around the windings.
Innovation Solution
A stator assembly with dividers and spacers that separate and position stator windings in cavities, using T-shaped dividers and end cheeks to secure the windings and form coolant channels, preventing touching and facilitating efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stator windings are placed in slots without constraints, then the installation process is simpler, but the windings spread out and touch causing insulation degradation and shorting
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is divided into multiple cavities using dividers, with each cavity containing a separate winding. This segmentation prevents windings from spreading and touching while maintaining a relatively simple installation process, as each winding is contained in its own dedicated space.
Solution Approach 2:
Dividers act as intermediary components between adjacent windings, physically separating them and preventing direct contact. These dividers maintain insulation integrity without requiring complex constraint mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and reliable insulation.
2Temperature
If cooling channels are arranged around stator windings, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity and difficulty of arrangement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dividers serve multiple functions: they separate windings into cavities, maintain insulation, and simultaneously form cooling channels. This multi-functionality improves cooling efficiency without adding separate cooling components, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel structure is merged with the divider components that already exist for winding separation. By combining the cooling function with the existing structural elements, the patent achieves effective cooling without increasing device complexity through separate cooling systems.
3Reliability
If dividers are used to separate windings into cavities, then winding position is controlled and insulation is protected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is segmented into multiple cavities using simple divider components. This segmentation provides stable winding position control and insulation protection while keeping the added structural complexity minimal, as the dividers are straightforward partitioning elements rather than complex mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stator assembly (10) for an electrical machine, including stator teeth (15) spaced azimuthally from each other and slots (13) defined by the azimuthal spacing of the stator teeth (15). The slots (13) include dividers (16) which define cavities arranged to receive a plurality of stator windings (14).