Stator Plug-in Elements with Bent Sections for Space Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Stator designs for electrical machines require additional installation space due to the need for reversing connectors, which cannot be compressed like winding heads, leading to increased space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A stator arrangement with cylindrical slots for plug-in elements featuring a first and third section in a plane and a second section partially bent out of the plane, allowing for reduced overhang dimensions and interlocking elements to minimize space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If reversing connectors are bent into the inner diameter of the stator, then the height of the sub-product is reduced, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of sub-productVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The plug-in element transitions from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional structure by bending the second section out of the plane defined by the first and third sections. This spatial transformation allows the connector to achieve compact height while maintaining adequate installation space through optimized 3D geometry rather than simply compressing the planar layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in element is designed to be inserted into slots within the stator body, nesting the connector within the existing stator structure. This nesting approach allows the reversing connector to be integrated into the stator's internal space without requiring additional external installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If plug-in elements are designed with 3D shaping, then the dimensions of the winding head are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensions of winding headVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The plug-in element is divided into three distinct sections (first section, second section, third section) with specific geometric characteristics. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular design rather than requiring complex monolithic shaping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in element incorporates curved geometries, particularly in the second section which is bent out of the plane, creating a U-shaped or curved configuration. These controlled curvatures reduce the bounding box dimensions of the winding head while being manufacturable through standard bending and forming processes rather than requiring complex 3D shaping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3416266B1Stator assembly for an electric machine with connector elements, method for producing a connector element, connector element and tool
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3416266B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3416266B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3416266B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stator arrangement (15) for an electric machine with a cylindrical stator body (16), wherein the stator body (16) has adjacent slots into which plug-in elements (1, 2, 3) for current reversal are inserted, wherein the plug-in elements (1, 2, 3) have a first section (5) with a first end, a second U-shaped section (6) and a third section (10) with a second end, wherein the second section (6) is arranged between the first section (5) and the third section (10), and wherein the first section (5) and the third section (10) extend in a plane and the second section (6) is at least partially bent out of the plane.