Stator Lamination Pin Slot Alignment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for aligning and retaining stator laminations in electrical devices, such as motors and generators, lack a cost-effective solution for temporary securement until full assembly, often relying on pins or clamps that may not provide precise orientation and axial constraint.

Innovation Solution

The use of pins extending from the housing into slots on the stator laminations for rotational orientation and axial constraint, allowing limited movement to facilitate precise alignment and temporary retention until further securing, with the pins engaging slots to prevent axial removal and rotational movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pins are used to fix stator laminations to housing, then rotational orientation and axial constraint are achieved, but the solution lacks cost-effectiveness and temporary retention capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational orientation precisionVSAvoidcost-effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is divided into two functional segments: a first portion for rotational alignment and a second portion for axial retention. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while using a simple, low-cost single-piece structure that can be manufactured economically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pin serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rotational orientation through the first portion engaging the slot, axial constraint through the second portion, and temporary retention during assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment and retention components, reducing overall cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traditional pins or clamps are used for stator retention, then securing is achieved, but precise orientation and limited movement for alignment are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment capabilityVSAvoidretention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pin-slot interaction provides dynamic characteristics: the first portion allows rotational movement during alignment while the second portion provides fixed axial constraint. This dynamic behavior enables precise orientation during assembly while maintaining secure retention in the final position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slot in the stator lamination acts as an intermediary element between the pin and the laminations. It receives the pin's first portion for rotational alignment and provides the geometric constraint that enables precise orientation while maintaining retention security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If stator laminations are dipped in varnish to adhere parts, then vibration prevention is achieved, but the method is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration preventionVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical/adhesive system (varnish dipping) is replaced with a mechanical system (pin engagement). The pin's first portion rotates with the lamination stack during assembly, providing mechanical alignment and vibration prevention without requiring varnish dipping, thereby simplifying the process and reducing time

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

Data Source

PatentEP2662951B1Stator lamination stack alignment and retention
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 DEERE & CO
  • EP2662951B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2662951B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2662951B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An electrical device including a housing having an inner surface, a lamination assembly and at least one pin extending from an inner surface of the housing. The lamination assembly has at least one slot therein. The lamination assembly is clocked to a position so that the at least one pin coacts with the at least one slot to rotationally orient the lamination assembly. The at least one pin additionally acts to constrain the lamination assembly from axial removal from the housing thereby rotationally and axially limiting movement of the lamination assembly to a predetermined range of movement within the housing.