Patent Application
20220407384
In fields where rotor construction is undertaken, such as for alternators, motors, etc., it is common to press a rotor shaft into a lamination to produce a completed rotor. Rotors have been constructed in this way for many years and are commercially acceptable. However, it is also the case that the pressing operation often introduces compression, distortion, cupping and gaps within the lamination of the rotor. These are undesirable and may have a detrimental impact upon overall rotor function. The art would benefit from advances that avoid deleterious effects and improved rotor performance.
Disclosed is a rotor comprising a shaft having splines with flanks thereon; a lamination disposed on the shaft and configured to engage at least one flank less than all flanks of all of the splines.
A method for making a rotor comprising configuring a lamination with an opening for a shaft having splines thereon, the lamination having a recess that provides a clearance fit over a flank of a spline; press fitting the shaft into the lamination while maintaining clearance over the flank.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the recesses 18 are evenly spaced about the opening 20 in the lamination 12. Uneven spacing is also, however, contemplated. It is also to be appreciated that the number of spines cleared in a single recess 18 does not need to be consistent over all recesses 18. Rather, the number of splines 22 that are clearance in each recess 18 could be different among the recesses 18. The difference could be a repeating pattern or completely random for various embodiments. The number of spines that are cleared, is directly proportional to the reduction in pressing force required to complete the rotor 10.
Referring to
In another embodiment, it is noted that the same reduction in press force may be achieved by specially constructing a shaft rather than using a standard shaft. If the shaft 14a is constructed with fewer splines 22a and greater spacing between splines 22a as illustrated in
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
