Stator Temperature Sensing via External Heat-Conducting Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating temperature sensors into stators of electrical machines are complex, difficult to automate, and require manual handling of sensor cables, making them inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A stator design with a heat-conducting element outside or protruding from the coil, where the temperature sensor is in direct thermal contact with the heat-conducting element, simplifying assembly and eliminating the need for pre-impregnation attachment, using a sensor holder with a receiving space for precise thermal contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the temperature sensor is integrated into the stator using prior art methods (sensor carrier, guide elements, encapsulation in impregnating resin), then the temperature can be monitored, but the assembly process becomes complex and difficult to automate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the temperature sensor from the complex assembly process by providing it as a separate component that is inserted into a receiving space in the stator core after impregnation. This eliminates the need for sensor carriers, guide elements, and pre-impregnation attachment, significantly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable temperature monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The stator is divided into functional modules: the stator core with receiving spaces, the impregnated coil assembly, and the temperature sensor as a separate insertable component. This segmentation allows each component to be prepared independently and assembled in a simple sequential process, enabling automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the temperature sensor is attached before impregnation and encapsulated in impregnating resin, then the sensor is fixed in position, but manual handling and positioning are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor position stabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving spaces are pre-formed in the stator core before impregnation, and the temperature sensors are prepared separately. After impregnation, the sensors are simply inserted into the pre-prepared receiving spaces, eliminating the need for manual positioning and attachment during the impregnation process itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the heat-conducting element is arranged inside the coil, then thermal contact with the coil is achieved, but the temperature sensor cannot be easily accessed for assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal contact reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting element is arranged to extend from the interior of the coil through the coil winding to the exterior, where it protrudes radially outward. This dimensional extension allows the temperature sensor to be attached on the outside of the coil, making assembly easy while maintaining reliable thermal contact through the heat-conducting element

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

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 design enables reliable, automated, and cost-effective temperature measurement of the stator coil, reducing assembly complexity and allowing for precise monitoring of temperature hotspots without the need for manual handling of sensor cables.

Implementation Method 1

the temperature sensor being arranged in direct thermal contact with the heat-conducting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3567705B1Stator for electrical machine and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3567705B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3567705B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3567705B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6c

AI summary

To provide a stator for an electric machine whose assembly is simple and easily automated, which allows reliable temperature measurement and is cost-effective to manufacture, a stator (100) for an electric machine is proposed, comprising a coil (10) with a coil winding or a hairpin winding and a temperature sensor (17), wherein the stator has a heat conducting element (24), wherein the temperature sensor (17) is arranged in direct or indirect thermal contact with the heat conducting element (24), and wherein the heat conducting element (24) is arranged outside the coil (10) and/or protrudes from the coil (10).