HOUSING HAVING HALF-SHELL DESIGN FOR ELECTRIC MACHINES, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAID HOUSING

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for an electric machine and a method for producing a housing for an electric machine from at least two shell portions which cover at least a portion of the periphery. At least one of the shell portions is produced from a metal sheet by means of at least one shaping operation and the metal sheet is at least partially provided with a plastics material layer prior to the shaping operation.

Claims

1. A method for producing a motor housing for an electric machine from at least two shell portions which each cover at least a portion of the periphery, wherein at least one of the shell portions is produced from a metal sheet by means of at least one shaping operation, and in that the metal sheet is at least partially provided with a plastics material layer prior to the shaping operation.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein before, during or after the shaping operation functional elements are applied to the plastics material layer.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the functional elements are applied in one piece in a method step together with the plastics material layer before the shaping operation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the functional elements are provided with a temperature control unit.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein on the shell portions flange-like connection regions for connecting the shell portions to each other are produced by one of shaping and application to the metal sheet.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein an additional metal component is applied to the side of the plastics material layer.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the metal sheet is formed by a plurality of metal layers which are electrically insulated with respect to each other.

8. A housing for an electric machine, which comprises at least one shell portion produced with a method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the shell portion comprise flange-like connection regions and comprise a metal sheet and in that the metal sheet at least partially comprises a plastics material layer.

9. The housing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shell portions comprises functional elements which are provided on the plastics material layer.

10. The housing as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plastics material layer and the functional elements are constructed in one piece.

11. The housing as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flange-like connection regions are constructed as flanges, in which at least one of the plastics material layer and functional elements of the respective shell portions are connected to each other.

12. The housing as claimed in one of claim 11, wherein the functional elements comprise at least one temperature control unit.

13. The housing as claimed in claim 12, wherein an additional metal component is provided on the side of the plastics material layer.

14. The housing as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metal sheet is formed from a plurality of metal layers which are electrically insulated with respect to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to schematic drawings, wherein identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. In detail in the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an embodiment of an electric motor according to the invention, and

[0027] FIG. 2 is a detailed view at the periphery of a shell portion in the region of an end of the stator.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an electric motor in a schematically illustrated embodiment according to the invention. An electric motor comprises a motor shaft (1) which is connected to the rotor (2), wherein the rotor (2) is surrounded by the stator (3). The motor housing in the example illustrated is composed of three components, wherein two shell portions (4.1, 4.2) according to the invention are combined with a bearing shield which terminates an end side of the motor. The shell portions (4.1, 4.2) are in this embodiment constructed in an identical and symmetrical manner and surround in each case a peripheral angle of 180 of the electric motor and together form a pot-like housing. The two shell portions (4.1, 4.2) are connected to each other by means of a flange-like connection region (8.1). Via the flange (8.2) the bearing shield which is not illustrated in this view is connected to the shell portions (4.1, 4.2).

[0029] The shell portions (4.1, 4.2) are in this embodiment provided with a plastics material layer (6) over the entire surface. In the flange-like connection region (8.1), the two shell portions (4.1, 4.2) are brought into contact with each other via this plastics material layer (6). Functional elements (7) are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the shell portions (4.1, 4.2).

[0030] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed illustration of the outer peripheral region of an electric motor according to the invention in the region of an end of the stator (3). The shell portion comprises a metal sheet (5). In this embodiment, the plastics material layer and the functional elements are constructed in one piece. The stator is surrounded by cooling channels (7.1) as a functional element and its positioning is facilitated by a stop (7.2) as an additional functional element.

[0031] The different features of the invention can be freely combined with each other and are not limited only to the examples of embodiments described or illustrated. Thus, the plastics material layer and the functional elements may also be provided contrary to the exemplary illustration on the outer side of the shell portion or on both sides.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0032] 1 Motor shaft

[0033] 2 Rotor

[0034] 3 Stator

[0035] 4.1, 4.2 Shell portion

[0036] 5 Metal sheet

[0037] 6 Plastics material layer

[0038] 7 Functional element

[0039] 7.1 Cooling channel

[0040] 7.2 Stop

[0041] 8.1 Flange-like connection region

[0042] 8.2 Flange