RESOLVER STATOR CLAMPING PLATE

Abstract

A resolver assembly for an electric motor includes a housing, a resolver stator for an electric motor, and a clamping plate. The clamping plate includes a first radially extending portion fixed to the housing, a second radially extending portion pressing the resolver stator towards the housing, and an axially extending portion arranged axially between the first radially extending portion and the second radially extending portion. In an example embodiment, the clamping plate is elastically deformed. In an example embodiment, the resolver assembly includes a bolt extending through an orifice in the first radially extending portion radially outside of the axially extending portion to fix the clamping plate to the housing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a resolver for an electric motor, and more specifically to resolver stator clamping plate.

BACKGROUND

Resolvers are used to determine rotational position of electric motors. A resolver rotor rotates with a motor rotor and a resolver stator is rotationally fixed to a housing or other non-rotating component.

SUMMARY

Example aspects broadly comprise a resolver assembly for an electric motor including a housing, a resolver stator for an electric motor, and a clamping plate. The clamping plate includes a first radially extending portion fixed to the housing, a second radially extending portion pressing the resolver stator towards the housing, and an axially extending portion arranged axially between the first radially extending portion and the second radially extending portion. In an example embodiment, the clamping plate is elastically deformed. In an example embodiment, the resolver assembly includes a bolt extending through an orifice in the first radially extending portion radially outside of the axially extending portion to fix the clamping plate to the housing.

In an example embodiment, the clamping plate forms a complete ring surrounding an outer diameter of the resolver stator. In an example embodiment, the first radially extending portion is an annular disk and the axially extending portion is a tab extending from the annular disk radially outside an outer diameter of the resolver stator. In an example embodiment, the clamping plate includes a semicircular portion connecting a distal end of the axially extending portion, opposite the first radially extending portion, to the second radially extending portion.

In some example embodiments, the resolver stator includes a notch and the housing includes a tab disposed in the notch for positioning the resolver stator relative to the housing. In an example embodiment, the resolver stator is radially and circumferentially positioned by the tab in the notch.

In some example embodiments, the resolver assembly includes an electric motor and a resolver rotor. The electric motor includes a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor rotatable relative to the housing and the stator. The resolver rotor is radially aligned with the resolver stator and fixed to the rotor for corotation. In an example embodiment, the resolver assembly includes a bearing. The rotor includes a rotor carrier, the resolver rotor is fixed to the rotor carrier, and the bearing radially positions the rotor carrier relative to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The single FIGURE illustrates a top-half cross-sectional view of a hybrid module according to an example aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should be appreciated that like drawing numbers appearing in different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. Also, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, the following example methods, devices, and materials are now described.

The following description is made with reference to the single FIGURE. The single FIGURE illustrates a top-half cross-sectional view of a hybrid module according to an example aspect of the present disclosure. Hybrid module 100 includes resolver assembly 102. The resolver assembly includes housing 104, resolver stator 106 for electric motor 108, and clamping plate 110. The clamping plate includes radially extending portion 112 fixed to the housing, radially extending portion 114 pressing the resolver stator towards the housing, and axially extending portion 116 arranged axially between the radially extending portions 112 and 114.

In the example embodiment shown in the FIGURE, the resolver assembly includes bolt 118 extending through orifice 120 in radially extending portion 112, radially outside of the axially extending portion to fix the clamping plate to the housing. The clamping plate is elastically deformed. In other words, when the clamping plate is fixed to the housing, a portion of the clamping plate is deformed by the resolver stator to press the resolver stator. In the example embodiment shown in the FIGURE, clamping plate 110 includes semicircular portion 122 connecting distal end 124 of the axially extending portion, opposite radially extending portion 112, to radially extending portion 114. Semicircular portion 122 is deflected when bolt 118 is tightened, clamping the resolver stator axially between the housing and radially extending portion 114.

Clamping plate 110 may form a complete ring surrounding an outer diameter of the resolver stator, or the clamping plate may be one of a plurality of tabs distributed circumferentially about axis 126. Radially extending portion 112 may be an annular disk and the axially extending portion may be a tab extending from the annular disk radially outside outer diameter 128 of the resolver stator.

As shown in the FIGURE, resolver stator 106 includes notch 130 and housing 104 includes tab 132 disposed in the notch for positioning the resolver stator relative to the housing. The resolver stator is radially and circumferentially positioned by the tab in the notch. Although a tab and notch are shown, other embodiments are possible. For example, a one of the resolver stator or the housing may include a cylindrical protrusion and the other of the resolver or the housing may include a divot or a counterbore for receiving the protrusion. Also, resolver assembly 102 may include a plurality of tabs or protrusions distributed circumferentially about axis 126.

Resolver assembly 102 includes electric motor 108 and resolver rotor 136. The electric motor includes stator 138 fixed to the housing and rotor 140 rotatable relative to the housing and the stator. Axially extending portion 116 is disposed radially within inside diameter 141 of the electric motor rotor. The resolver rotor is radially aligned with the resolver stator and fixed to the rotor for corotation. In other words, the resolver rotor and the rotor rotate together. Resolver assembly 102 also includes bearing 142. The rotor includes rotor carrier 144, the resolver rotor is fixed to the rotor carrier, and the bearing radially positions the rotor carrier relative to the housing. The resolver rotor and the resolver stator work together to determine a rotational position of the electric motor rotor relative to the electric motor stator by transmitting an electrical signal to a motor controller via an electrical cable (not shown).

As shown in the FIGURE, resolver assembly 102 is a part of hybrid module 100 including torque converter 146 including torque converter clutch 148. Hybrid module 100 also includes K0 clutch 150 for disconnecting the electric motor rotor from a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine (ICE). Damper 152 helps isolate ICE torsional fluctuations from the hybrid module.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 Hybrid module

102 Resolver assembly

104 Housing

106 Resolver stator

108 Electric motor

110 Clamping plate

112 Radially extending portion (first)

114 Radially extending portion (second)

116 Axially extending portion

118 Bolt

120 Orifice

122 Semicircular portion

124 Distal end (axially extending portion)

126 Axis

128 Outer diameter (resolver stator)

130 Notch (resolver stator)

132 Tab (housing)

136 Resolver rotor

138 Stator

140 Rotor

141 Inside diameter (rotor)

142 Bearing

144 Rotor carrier

146 Torque converter

148 Torque converter clutch

150 K0 clutch

152 Damper

Claims

1. A resolver assembly for an electric motor, comprising:

a housing;

a resolver stator for an electric motor; and

a clamping plate comprising: a first radially extending portion fixed to the housing; a second radially extending portion pressing the resolver stator towards the housing; and an axially extending portion arranged axially between the first radially extending portion and the second radially extending portion.

2. The resolver assembly of claim 1 wherein the clamping plate is elastically deformed.

3. The resolver assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bolt extending through an orifice in the first radially extending portion radially outside of the axially extending portion to fix the clamping plate to the housing.

4. The resolver assembly of claim 1 wherein the clamping plate forms a complete ring surrounding an outer diameter of the resolver stator.

5. The resolver assembly of claim 1 wherein the first radially extending portion is an annular disk and the axially extending portion is a tab extending from the annular disk radially outside an outer diameter of the resolver stator.

6. The resolver assembly of claim 1 wherein the clamping plate comprises a semicircular portion connecting a distal end of the axially extending portion, opposite the first radially extending portion, to the second radially extending portion.

7. The resolver assembly of claim 1 wherein the resolver stator comprises a notch and the housing comprises a tab disposed in the notch for positioning the resolver stator relative to the housing.

8. The resolver assembly of claim 7 wherein the resolver stator is radially and circumferentially positioned by the tab in the notch.

9. The resolver assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

an electric motor comprising a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor rotatable relative to the housing and the stator; and

a resolver rotor radially aligned with the resolver stator and fixed to the rotor for corotation.

10. The resolver assembly of claim 9 further comprising a bearing, wherein:

the rotor comprises a rotor carrier;

the resolver rotor is fixed to the rotor carrier; and

the bearing radially positions the rotor carrier relative to the housing.