Abstract
Disclosed is a wound iron core (3) for a static apparatus in which magnetic paths in the inside of the wound iron core are subdivided to improve iron core characteristics. The iron core (3) is configured by using two or more kinds of magnetic materials (11 to 14) with different magnetic permeabilities to form laminated blocks with single plates or a plurality of laminated plates and by alternately arranging the laminated blocks with different magnetic permeabilities from the inner circumference. An iron core material (14) with large magnetic permeability out of iron core materials with different magnetic permeabilities is arranged on the inner circumference side. Further, when the iron core materials with different magnetic permeabilities are alternately arranged, the iron core materials (11) with the same magnetic permeability are configured to gradually change in thickness to ease an excessive magnetic flux density distribution in the iron core. A ring-shaped iron core is configured such that a plurality of block-like laminated members, which are each formed by laminating a plurality of strip-like amorphous material thin plates, are laminated and formed into a ring shape and a sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material is arranged between the n-th (n: an integer of two or more) layer of the ring-shaped block-like laminated members from the most inner circumference side and the (n+1)-th layer of the ring-shaped block-like laminated members from the most inner circumference side.
Claims
1-51. (canceled)
52. An amorphous iron core transformer comprising: a ring-shaped iron core having multiple layers of block-like laminated members formed by laminating a plurality of strip-like amorphous material thin plates, having a sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material disposed between an nth (n being a integer of two or more) layer of block-like laminated members from an innermost circumference side and an (n+1)-th layer of block-like laminated members, wherein a leading end surface and a rear end surface in a longitudinal direction of the block-like laminated members are butted against one another or superposed; and a coil for exciting the iron core.
53. The amorphous iron core transformer according to claim 52, wherein the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material is disposed between a plurality of layers of the block-like laminated members disposed on the inner circumference side of the coil and a plurality of layers of the block-like laminated members disposed on the outer circumference side of the coil.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0080] FIG. 1 is a view of a wound iron core illustrating claim 1 of the present invention.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a view showing a pole-mounted transformer as a typical example of a static apparatus.
[0082] FIG. 3 is a view showing a wound iron core.
[0083] FIG. 4 is a view showing a view of the wound iron core and the magnetic flux density distribution of the cross section of the core.
[0084] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating embodiment 2.
[0085] FIG. 6 is a view comparing the result of measurement of embodiment 2.
[0086] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating embodiment 3.
[0087] FIG. 8 is a view showing an oil-immersed transformer equipped with the iron core according to the present invention.
[0088] FIG. 9 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of an amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0089] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a laminated state of a block-like laminated member of an iron core according to the amorphous iron core transformer of FIG. 9.
[0090] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a step for forming the block-like laminated member shown in FIG. 10 into a ring shape.
[0091] FIG. 12 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of an amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.
[0092] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the state during annealing of the iron core according to the amorphous iron core transformer shown in FIG. 12.
[0093] FIG. 14 is a view showing the arrangement of a transformer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 15 is a view showing the arrangement of a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0095] FIG. 16A is an explanatory view of an arrangement of connecting sections of a plurality of block-like laminated members of the iron core according to the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0096] FIG. 16B is a view showing the connecting section of a single block-like laminated member of an iron core according to the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0097] FIG. 17 is a view showing the laminated state of the iron core according to the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0098] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view for processing the iron core according to the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0099] FIG. 19A is an explanatory view showing the operation and effect of the iron core according to the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0100] FIG. 19B is an explanatory view of the connecting section of the iron core according to the prior art transformer.
[0101] FIG. 20 is a view showing the example of arrangement of the iron core according to a prior art transformer.
[0102] FIG. 21 is a view showing the arrangement of the iron core used in a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0103] FIG. 22 is a view showing the arrangement of the iron core used in a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0104] FIG. 23A is a configuration diagram of a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the iron core prior to being formed in a ring shape is covered via a pouched insulation member.
[0105] FIG. 23B is a configuration diagram of a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the iron core formed in a ring shape is covered via a pouched insulation member.
[0106] FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0107] FIG. 25A is a configuration diagram of a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a plan view of the coil and the iron core.
[0108] FIG. 25B is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 25A.
[0109] FIG. 26A is a perspective view showing embodiment 6 of the amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention, wherein the amorphous iron core is placed on the protection member.
[0110] FIG. 26B is a perspective view showing the operation for inserting the wrapped amorphous iron core shown in FIG. 26A to a coil.
[0111] FIG. 26C is a perspective view showing the operation for expanding protection members from the amorphous iron core inserted to the coil shown in FIG. 26B.
[0112] FIG. 26D is a perspective view showing the operation for folding the protection member after reattaching the amorphous iron core shown in FIG. 26C.
[0113] FIG. 27A is a perspective view showing the iron core wrapping operation of the amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 7 of the present invention.
[0114] FIG. 27B is a perspective view showing the operation for inserting the coil after wrapping the iron core and folding the protection member shown in FIG. 27A.
[0115] FIG. 28A is a perspective view showing an iron core wrapping operation of the amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 8 of the present invention.
[0116] FIG. 28B is a perspective view showing the operation for inserting the coil after wrapping the iron core and folding the protection member shown in FIG. 28A.
[0117] FIG. 29A is a perspective view showing the operation for wrapping the inner iron core of a three-phase amorphous iron core transformer of the amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 9 of the present invention.
[0118] FIG. 29B is a perspective view showing the operation for expanding the joint portion of the inner iron core after performing wrapping operation shown in FIG. 29A.
[0119] FIG. 29C is a perspective view showing the operation for wrapping the outer iron core of a three-phase amorphous iron core transformer of the amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 9 of the present invention.
[0120] FIG. 29D is a perspective view showing the operation for expanding the joint portion of the outer iron core after performing wrapping operation shown in FIG. 29C.
[0121] FIG. 29E is a perspective view showing the operation for assembling the inner and outer iron cores, inserting the coil and folding the protection member for the inner iron core shown in FIGS. 29B and 29D.
[0122] FIG. 29F is a perspective view showing the operation for reattaching the joint portion of the outer iron core after assembling the inner and outer iron cores and folding the protection member shown in FIG. 29E.
[0123] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the prior art method for wrapping the iron core.
[0124] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the prior art structure after inserting the iron core coil.
[0125] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a winding wire of the transformer according to embodiment 10 of the present invention.
[0126] FIG. 33 is an external view showing the coil winding frame used in the transformer shown in FIG. 32.
[0127] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the winding wire of the transformer according to embodiment 11 of the present invention.
[0128] FIG. 35 is an external view of the coil winding frame used in the transformer shown in FIG. 34.
[0129] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a winding wire of the transformer according to embodiment 12 of the present invention.
[0130] FIG. 37 is an external view of the coil winding frame used in the transformer shown in FIG. 36.
[0131] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the winding wire of the transformer according to embodiment 13 of the present invention.
[0132] FIG. 39 is an external view of the coil winding frame used in the transformer shown in FIG. 38.
[0133] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of buckling of the coil winding frame used in the prior art transformer.
[0134] FIG. 41A is a front view showing a shell-type amorphous transformer according to embodiment 14 of the present invention, which is an amorphous mold transformer having a three-phase five-leg wound iron core structure for receiving and distributing high pressure.
[0135] FIG. 41B is a side view of the shell-type amorphous mold transformer according to FIG. 41A.
[0136] FIG. 41C is an upper view of the shell-type amorphous mold transformer according to FIG. 41A.
[0137] FIG. 42A is a perspective view of a side bracket according to a shell-type amorphous transformer shown in FIG. 41.
[0138] FIG. 42B is a perspective view showing the iron core support panel used in the side bracket shown in FIG. 42A.
[0139] FIG. 42C is a perspective view of the side bracket equipped with the iron core support panel shown in FIG. 42B.
[0140] FIG. 43A is a perspective view of the side bracket of a shell-type amorphous transformer according to embodiment 15 of the present invention.
[0141] FIG. 43B is a perspective view showing the iron core support panel used in the side bracket shown in FIG. 43A.
[0142] FIG. 43C is a perspective view of a side bracket equipped with an iron core support panel shown in FIG. 43B.
[0143] FIG. 44A is a perspective view showing the side bracket of a shell-type amorphous transformer according to embodiment 16 of the present invention.
[0144] FIG. 44B is a perspective view of the iron core support panel used in the side bracket shown in FIG. 44A.
[0145] FIG. 44C is a perspective view of the side bracket equipped with the iron core support panel shown in FIG. 44B.
[0146] FIG. 45A is a view showing one example of a three-phase five-leg amorphous wound iron core according to the prior art.
[0147] FIG. 45B is a view showing one example of the iron core cover for the three-phase five-leg amorphous wound iron core according to FIG. 45A.
[0148] FIG. 45C is a view showing one example of the three-phase five-leg amorphous wound iron core in which the amorphous iron core shown in FIG. 45A is equipped with the iron cover core shown in FIG. 45B.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0149] Now, the preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail.
[0150] The present invention relates to (1) an invention related to an iron core for a static apparatus, (2) an invention related to an amorphous iron core, (3) an invention related to a transformer iron core, (4) an invention related to protection of an iron core of an amorphous transformer, (5) an invention related to a coil winding frame for a transformer, and (6) an invention related to a shell-type amorphous transformer, wherein the detailed descriptions of each invention will follow.
[0151] At first, we will describe the invention regarding (1) an iron core for a static apparatus.
Embodiment 1
[0152] FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a wound iron core 3 using four kinds of magnetic steel sheets with different magnetic permeabilities. When the respective magnetic permeabilities of the four kinds of magnetic steel sheets constituting the wound iron core 3 are referred to as 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the respective magnetic steel sheets satisfy a relationship of 1<2<3<4, the magnetic steel sheet having a small magnetic permeability (magnetic permeability 1) is arranged on the inner side of the iron core, the magnetic steel sheet having a magnetic permeability 2 is disposed on the next layer on the outer side thereof, the magnetic steel sheet having a magnetic permeability 3 is disposed on the next layer on the outer side thereof, and the magnetic sheet having a magnetic permeability 4 is disposed as the next layer on the outer side thereof, wherein these layers formed of four kinds of magnetic steel sheets constitute a single block, and these blocks are repeatedly laminated to constitute the iron core.
[0153] Actually when magnetic steel sheets are used, a nondirectional magnetic steel sheet is used as the iron core material 14 disposed on the innermost circumference side, a domain control magnetic steel sheet having a greater magnetic permeability than the nondirectional magnetic steel sheet is disposed as the next outer layer (material 13), a unidirectional magnetic steel sheet having a greater magnetic permeability than the domain control magnetic steel sheet is disposed as the next layer (material 12), and a high orientation magnetic steel sheet having a greater magnetic permeability than the unidirectional magnetic steel sheet is disposed as the next layer (material 11).
[0154] These magnetic steel sheets constitute a single block, and these blocks are alternately arranged and laminated to form the iron core.
[0155] Now, the magnetic permeabilities of the respective magnetic sheets are as follows: the magnetic permeability of the nondirectional magnetic steel sheet is generally 0.016 or smaller (Nippon Steel Corporation, product name 35H210); the magnetic permeability of the domain control magnetic steel sheet is 0.08 or smaller (product name 23ZDKH); the magnetic permeability of the unidirectional magnetic steel sheet is 0.10 or smaller (product name 23Z110); and the magnetic permeability of the high orientation magnetic steel sheet is 0.11 or smaller (product name 23ZH90). Further, FIG. 1 shows an enlarged view in which single plates of magnetic steel sheets are laminated for easier understanding, but it is also possible to laminate a plurality of plates having the same magnetic permeability.
[0156] Regarding the magnetic flux distribution within the iron core according to the present arrangement, as shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic flux density at the innermost circumference side is low, the magnetic flux density becomes higher at areas closer to the next outer-circumference-side laminated section, the density becomes lower at the center of the laminated section, the density becomes higher at areas closer to the subsequent third laminated layer, the density becomes lower at the center of the third laminated layer, and the magnetic flux density becomes higher at areas closer to the forth laminated layer. Similarly, the magnetic flux density becomes lower at the center of the fourth laminated layer, and the density of the fifth laminated layer becomes equivalent to the first laminated layer on the innermost circumference, so that at areas of the fourth laminated layer closer to the fifth laminated layer, the magnetic flux density becomes lower than at the center area.
[0157] The value of the magnetic flux density at the intermediate section from the first laminated layer to the fourth laminated layer is relatively a little higher, and from the fifth layer onward, the properties of the first to fourth layers are repeated.
[0158] In other words, the material having higher magnetic permeability allows higher magnetic flux flow and that having lower permeability exerts the opposite effect, so that when materials having high magnetic permeability and low magnetic permeability are arranged regularly, the magnetic permeability becomes uneven. When observing the whole body of the iron core, magnetic flux tends to gather at the inner circumference portion having a short magnetic path, but since the magnetic permeability is uneven, the magnetic flux flowing through the area having a high magnetic permeability cannot easily exceed the areas having a low magnetic permeability. Therefore, compared to a wound iron core formed of a single material, the present embodiment enables magnetic paths through which magnetic flux flows to be subdivided in the circumferential direction, and enables to prevent magnetic flux from excessively concentrating at the inner circumference portion of the iron core due to the difference in lengths of the magnetic paths. By utilizing this effect, when the material having a high magnetic permeability has a low loss, local magnetic flux concentration is suppressed, so that the present embodiment enables to ease the loss caused by excessive excitation by the magnetic flux being concentrated at the inner circumference side of a single-material iron core, thereby offering an iron core with a low loss and capable of maintaining the low loss performance of a single-plate material.
[0159] Further, the magnetic permeability can be varied by combining materials having different magnetic permeabilities, but as for amorphous metal, the magnetic permeability can be varied using the same annealing temperature by utilizing different kinds of materials, so that the same effect can be achieved by combining materials and performing collective annealing.
Embodiment 2
[0160] FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which an iron core is formed by laminating two kinds of materials with different magnetic permeabilities.
[0161] In this example, an amorphous material SA1 (Hitachi Metals, product name 2605SA1) and an amorphous material HB1 (Hitachi Metals, product name 2605HB1) having a higher magnetic flux density than SA1 were used as the two materials with different magnetic permeabilities.
[0162] In FIG. 5, the iron core 15 is formed by disposing an amorphous material in which the magnetic permeability is reduced when the core is annealed at a certain temperature on the inner circumference side of the core, laminating an amorphous material in which the magnetic permeability is increased when annealed as the next layer, and repeating such arrangement to constitute the amorphous iron core.
[0163] The amorphous material 15 having a small magnetic permeability can be formed of a single plate or a plurality of plates, and the amorphous material having a greater magnetic permeability can also be formed of a single plate or a plurality of plates.
[0164] FIG. 5 shows the magnetic flux density distribution of the iron core formed by laminating two kinds of amorphous materials with different magnetic permeabilities. In this magnetic flux density distribution, an iron core material 14 having a small magnetic permeability is disposed as the first layer on the inner circumference side, and a core material 11 having a high magnetic permeability is disposed as the second layer laminated on the outer side thereof, wherein the thickness of the second layer is formed thicker than the first layer, so that the magnetic flux distribution of the first layer is low and that of the second layer is high. From the third layer onward, the structure of the first and second layers are repeatedly disposed, so that the magnetic flux distribution of the second layer becomes smaller at areas closer to the third layer, and this property of magnetic flux distribution appears repeatedly.
[0165] When the magnetic flux density distribution shown in FIG. 5 is compared with the magnetic flux density distribution of the prior art, the magnetic flux density of the iron core material (amorphous material) 14 is small while that of the iron core material (amorphous material) 11 is greater, so that as a whole, the magnetic flux distribution biased toward the inner core side in the prior art is eased and the characteristics of the iron core are improved.
[0166] Next, FIG. 6 shows the result of comparison in which the iron core is formed by laminating two kinds of amorphous materials with different magnetic permeabilities in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 and the hysteresis loss thereof is measured. FIG. 6 compares the change of characteristics in a magnetic flux density of 1.3 T and 50 Hz, wherein the left side of FIG. 6 shows an example in which the iron core is formed by laminating only the amorphous material thin plate with a small magnetic permeability (material 11), the hysteresis loss of which is shown as 100.
[0167] In comparison, the iron core formed by alternately laminating two kids of amorphous ribbons (materials 11 and 14) with different magnetic permeabilities has a 87% hysteresis loss, so that the loss could be improved by approximately 15%.
[0168] This comparison shows that hysteresis loss can be reduced by forming an iron core by using amorphous thin plates with different magnetic permeabilities as the iron core material in which the amorphous mate with a small magnetic permeability is disposed on the inner side, the amorphous material having a greater magnetic permeability is disposed on the outer side and the materials are laminated alternately.
Embodiment 3
[0169] FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an iron core formed by laminating two kinds of amorphous ribbons with different magnetic permeabilities.
[0170] In FIG. 7, the inner iron core is formed by laminating a single plate or a plurality of plates of amorphous ribbons (material 14) with a small magnetic permeability, laminating as the next layer an amorphous ribbon (material 11) with greater magnetic permeability, and alternately repeating such lamination, wherein the laminated amount, or thickness, amorphous ribbons having greater magnetic permeability is gradually increased. The thickness of the amorphous ribbon 14 is substantially the same, that is, the values of A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 are substantially equal.
[0171] The laminated thickness of the amorphous ribbons having greater magnetic permeability is L1<L2<L3<L4<L5, wherein the amount of thickness is increased proportionally. However, it is possible to set the thickness at the center portion of the iron core to be substantially the same, such as L1<L2<L3=L4<L5, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0172] FIG. 7 shows the magnetic flux density of the iron core structure. FIG. 7 shows partially enlarged view of the amorphous iron core, wherein the magnetic flux density of the inner side of the iron core is shown by a solid line 100. A1 and A2 are narrowed so as to prevent the density from concentrating at the inner side of the iron core.
[0173] FIG. 7 is formed by laminating an iron core material 14 having a small magnetic permeability as the first layer on the innermost circumference, an iron core material 11 having a greater magnetic permeability as the second layer on the outer side thereof, the iron core material 14 having a small magnetic permeability as the third layer on the outer side thereof, the iron core material 11 having a greater magnetic permeability as the fourth layer on the outer side thereof, and repeating this laminated structure from the fifth layer onward with the thickness of the iron core material having greater magnetic permeability gradually increased.
[0174] According to this arrangement, the magnetic flux density distribution is low at the first layer, gradually increased at areas closer to the second layer, lowered at the center area, lowered at areas closer to the third layer, lowered at the third layer, and increased at area closer to the fourth layer, wherein such magnetic flux density distribution characteristics appears repeatedly, by which the excessive concentration of the magnetic flux density is eased as a whole and the iron core characteristics is improved.
[0175] FIG. 8 shows a static apparatus 15, such as a three-phase oil-immersed transformer, equipped with a wound iron core having, for example, the amorphous steel plate having the above-described arrangement.
Embodiment 4
[0176] Next, the invention regarding (2) the amorphous iron core will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0177] FIGS. 9 through 11 are explanatory views of embodiment 4 of an amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 4 of the invention, FIG. 10 shows a state where block like-laminated members constituting the iron core of the amorphous iron core transformer of FIG. 9 is laminated, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view in which the block-like laminated members of FIG. 10 are formed in a ring shape.
[0178] In FIG. 9, 105a refers to an amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, 31 refers to a ring-shaped iron core formed of amorphous material and constituting a magnetic circuit of the amorphous iron core transformer 105a, 32a and 32b refer to coils for exciting the iron core 31, 41 refers to a sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material capable of enduring a temperature of over 400 C., for example, 31a refers to an iron core portion on the inner circumference side constituting a portion of the iron core 31 disposed on the inner circumference side of the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41, and 31b refers to an iron core portion on the outer circumference side constituting a portion of the iron core 31 disposed on the outer circumference side of the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41. The inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b are each composed so that a plurality of block-like laminated member formed by laminating a plurality of sheets of strip-like amorphous material (hereinafter referred to as amorphous sheet material) with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, for example, are further laminated. In other words, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 having heat resistance is disposed between a block-like laminated member on the n-th layer (n being an integer of two or more) from the innermost circumference side of the iron core 31 and a block-like laminated member disposed on the (n+1)-th layer thereof. The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 enables to suppress concentration of magnetic flux in the cross-section of the iron core 31, increase of eddy current loss, and stress generated due to the difference of thermal expansion coefficients with a jig for preventing deformation (not shown) during annealing. In other words, (1) the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 forms a nonmagnetic layer between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b of the iron core 31, wherein the nonmagnetic layer divides the magnetic circuit of the iron core 31 into a magnetic circuit formed in the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the magnetic circuit formed in the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b. Therefore, the magnetic flux generated the iron core 31 by the excitation via power supply to coils 32a and 32b is dispersed and flown through the respective magnetic circuits. As a result, the concentration of magnetic flux to the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a can be suppressed or the level of concentration of the magnetic flux can be eased. Thus, the magnetic saturation or the increase of magnetic resistance can be suppressed at the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a, and the deterioration of magnetic circuit characteristics or the increase of hysteresis loss canoe suppressed. Since the present arrangement enables to prevent the deterioration of magnetic circuit characteristics, the occurrence of waveform distortion of the first and second coil currents can be prevented. (2) The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 forms an insulation layer between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b in the cross-section of the iron core 31, thereby electric isolating the inner-circumference-side iron core portion. 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b. Therefore, the electrical resistance in the cross-section of the iron core 31 is increased, suppressing the increase of eddy current generated in the cross-section of the iron core 31 due to the time variation of magnetic flux flowing through the iron core 31, that is, the alternating magnetic field. (3) During annealing, for example, jigs for preventing deformation formed of steel material (not shown) are disposed respectively on the inner circumference portion and the outer circumference portion of the iron core 31, and when the iron core 31 and the jigs for preventing deformation are heated to a temperature of approximately 400 C., since the thermal expansion coefficients of the amorphous material of the iron core 31 and the steel material of the jig for preventing deformation (not shown) differ greatly (the thermal expansion coefficient of the amorphous material is small, which is approximately one-fourth to one-half of the thermal expansion coefficient of the steel material), so that stress is generated in the interior of the iron core 31 by the deformation via thermal expansion of the jig for preventing deformation, leading to baking of the amorphous sheet materials and deteriorating magnetic characteristics, however, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 due to its deformability and shock-absorbing performance forms a layer for absorbing stress between the inner-circumference-side iron core Portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b within the iron core 31, and thereby absorbs the stress generated in the iron core 31 by the jig for preventing deformation, suppressing the deterioration of magnetic characteristics of the iron core 31 or the baking of amorphous sheet materials.
[0179] In the following description, the components equivalent to that in FIG. 9 are denoted with the same reference numbers.
[0180] FIG. 10 is a view showing the state in which a plurality of block-like laminated members constituting the iron core 31 of the amorphous iron core transformer 105a of FIG. 9 are laminated in multiple layers.
[0181] In FIG. 10, references 31a.sub.11, 31a.sub.12, . . . 31a.sub.1n, 31b.sub.11; 31b.sub.12, . . . , 31b.sub.1p each refer to block-like laminated members in which a plurality of (for example, 20) sheets of strip-like amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m are laminated, 31a.sub.1 is a group of block-like laminat on the inner circumference side constituting the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a (FIG. 9) of the iron core 31 in which block-like laminated members 31a.sub.11, 31a.sub.12, . . . , 31a.sub.1n are laminated, and 31b.sub.1 is a group of block-like laminated members on the outer circumference side constituting the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b (FIG. 9) of the iron core 31 in which block-like laminated members 31b.sub.11, 31b.sub.12, . . . , 31b.sub.1p are laminated. The block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1n constitute a block-like laminated member on the n-th layer (n being an integer of two or more) from the innermost circumference side of the ring-shaped iron core 31, and the block-like laminated member 31b.sub.11 constitutes a block-like laminated member on the (n+1)-th layer. The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 is laminated between the group of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1 and 31b.sub.1, in other words, between the block-like laminated member 31a.sub.1n and the block-like laminated member 31b.sub.11.
[0182] In the following description, the components equivalent to the components in FIG. 10 are denoted with the same reference numbers.
[0183] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an example where the group of block-like laminated members of FIG. 10 is formed in a ring shape.
[0184] In FIG. 11, reference number 51 denotes a jig for forming the group of block-like laminated member 31a.sub.1 and 31b.sub.1 and the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 into a ring shape. The groups of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1 and 31b.sub.1 and the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 are wound around a ring-shape forming jig 51 in the named order of the group of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 and the group of block-like laminated members 31b.sub.1. The ring-shape forming jig 51 is formed for example of steel material. The block-like laminated members 31a.sub.11, 31a.sub.12, . . . 31a.sub.1n, 31b.sub.11, 13b.sub.12, . . . , 31b.sub.1p have their respective leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction thereof butted against or superposed with one another. The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 is also disposed so that the leading end and the rear end in the longitudinal direction thereof is butted against each other.
[0185] The group of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1 and 31b.sub.1 and the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 formed into a ring-shape are subjected to annealing as an iron core 31. The annealing process is performed for example by attaching jigs for preventing deformation formed of steel material (not shown) respectively to the inner circumference of the group of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1 and the outer circumference of the group of block-like laminated members 31b.sub.1, and raising the environment temperature to 400 C., for example. A ring-shape forming jig 51 can be used as the jig for preventing deformation attached to the inner circumference of the group of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1. During annealing, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 absorbs the stress generated in the iron core 31 between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b by the thermal expansion of the jig for preventing deformation, and thereby suppresses the deterioration of magnetic characteristics of the iron core 31 or the baking of amorphous sheet materials. When the annealing process is completed, the annular condition of the group of block-like laminated members 31a.sub.1 and 31b.sub.1 and the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 is released, so that both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction are released.
[0186] The amorphous iron core transformer 105a of embodiment 4 of the present invention enables to suppress the increase of iron loss of the iron 31 or the deterioration of magnetic characteristics of the iron core 31 due to the stress caused by the difference of thermal expansion coefficients of the iron core 31 and the jig for preventing deformation during annealing, and further enables to reduce noise caused during operation of the amorphous iron core transformer 105a.
Embodiment 5
[0187] FIGS. 12 and 13 are explanatory views of embodiment 5 of the amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 5, and FIG. 13 shows a state where the iron core of the amorphous iron core transformer shown in FIG. 12 is annealed. The amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 5 has sheet-like non-magnetic insulation materials disposed not only between the group of block-like laminated members within the iron core but also on the inner-circumference side and the outer-circumference side of the iron core.
[0188] In FIG. 12, reference 105b refers to the amorphous iron core transformer according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, 31 refers to a ring-shaped iron core formed of amorphous material and constituting a magnetic circuit of the amorphous iron core transformer 105b, 41, 42 and 43 each refer to a sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material having heat resistance (for example, capable of enduring a temperature of 400 C. or higher), 31a refers to the inner-circumference-side iron core portion disposed on the inner circumference of the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 in the iron core 31, and 31b refers to the outer-circumference-side iron core portion disposed on the outer circumference of the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 in the iron core 31. The inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b are each formed so that a plurality of layers of block-like laminated members formed by laminating a plurality of strip-like amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m are laminated further.
[0189] The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 is disposed between the group of block-like laminated members constituting the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the group of block-like laminated members constituting the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b, that is, between the n-th layer (n being an integer of two or more) of block-like laminated members from the innermost circumference of the ring-shaped iron core 31 and the (n+1)-th layer of block-like laminated members, similar to the case of embodiment 4. Further, a sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 42 is disposed on the inner-circumference side of the iron core 31, and a sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 43 is disposed on the outer-circumference side of the iron core 31. The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 enables to suppress the concentration of magnetic flux within the cross-section of the iron core 31, the increase of eddy current loss, or enables to suppress the stress generated due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the core and the jig for preventing deformation (not shown) due to its deformability and shock absorbing property during annealing, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 42 enables to suppress the stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the jig for preventing deformation (not shown) and the iron core 31 during annealing from being generated to the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a due to its deformability and shock absorbing property, and the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 43 suppresses the stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the jig for preventing deformation (not shown) and the iron core 31 during annealing from being generated to the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b due to its deformability and shock absorbing property. In other words, (1) the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 forms a nonmagnetic layer between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core Portion 31b of the iron core 31, wherein the nonmagnetic layer divides the magnetic circuit of the iron core 31 into a magnetic circuit formed in the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the magnetic circuit formed in the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b. Therefore, the magnetic flux generated in the iron core 31 by the excitation via power supply to coils 32a and 32b is dispersed and flown through the respective magnetic circuits. As a result, the concentration of magnetic flux to the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a can be suppressed or the level of concentration of the magnetic flux can be eased. Thus, the magnetic saturation or the increase of magnetic resistance can be suppressed at the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a, and the deterioration of magnetic circuit characteristics or the increase of hysteresis loss can be suppressed. Since the present arrangement enables to prevent the deterioration of magnetic circuit characteristics, the occurrence of waveform distortion of the first and second coil currents can be suppressed. Further, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 forms an insulation layer between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b in the cross-section of the iron core 31, thereby electrically isolating the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b. Therefore, the electrical resistance in the cross-section of the iron core 31 is increased, suppressing the increase of eddy current generated in the cross-section of the iron core 31 due to the time variation of magnetic flux flowing through the iron core 31, that is, the alternating magnetic field. Even further, during annealing of the iron core 31, for example, jigs for preventing deformation formed of steel material (not shown) are disposed respectively on the inner circumference portion and the outer circumference portion of the iron core 31, and when the iron core 31 and the jigs for preventing deformation are heated to a temperature of approximately 400 C., since the thermal expansion coefficients of the amorphous material of the iron core 31 and the steel material of the jig for preventing deformation (not shown) differ greatly (the thermal expansion coefficient of the amorphous material is small, which is approximately one-fourth to one-half the thermal expansion coefficient of the steel material), stress is generated to the interior of the iron core 31 by the deformation via thermal expansion of the jig for preventing deformation, leading to baking of the amorphous sheet materials and deteriorating magnetic characteristics, however, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 due to its deformability and shock-absorbing performance forms a layer for absorbing stress between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b within the iron core 31, and thereby absorbs the stress generated in the iron core 31 by the jig for preventing deformation, suppressing the deterioration of magnetic characteristics of the iron core 31 or the baking of amorphous sheet materials. (2) The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 42 absorbs the deformation caused by the difference in thermal expansion quantity of the jig for preventing deformation formed for example of steel material and attached to the inner circumference side of the insulating material 42 and the thermal expansion quantity of the iron core 31 itself during annealing by the deformability and the shock absorbing property thereof, so as to prevent stress caused by such deformation from being generated in the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a. (3) The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 43 absorbs the deformation due to the difference in thermal expansion quantity of the jig for preventing deformation formed for example of steel material and attached to the outer circumference side of the insulating material 43 and the thermal expansion quantity of the iron core 31 itself during annealing by the deformability and the shock absorbing property thereof, so as to prevent stress caused by such deformation from being generated in the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b.
[0190] In the following description, the components of FIG. 13 equivalent to those in FIG. 12 are denoted with the same reference numbers.
[0191] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a state where the iron core 31 of the amorphous iron core transformer 105b shown in FIG. 12 is annealed.
[0192] In FIG. 13, reference 51 denotes a jig for forming a ring shape doubling as jig for preventing deformation for forming the group of block-like laminated members disposed on the inner-circumference side of the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 42 and constituting the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a, the group of block-like laminated members constituting the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b and the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation materials 41, 42 and 43 in a ring-shape and also for preventing deformation of the iron core 31 during annealing, and 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d are jigs for preventing deformation disposed on the outer circumference side of the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 42 for preventing deformation of the iron core 31 during annealing. The jig for forming a ring shape doubling as jig for preventing deformation 51 and the jigs for preventing deformation 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d are formed for example of steel material. During anneal ing of the iron core 31, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 41 absorbs the stress generated in the iron core 31 by the difference in thermal expansion quantity of the iron core 31 itself and the thermal expansion quantity of the jig for forming a ring shape doubling as jig for preventing deformation 51 and the jig for preventing deformation 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d within the iron core 31 between the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a and the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b, thereby suppressing the deterioration of magnetic characteristics of the iron core 31 and baking of the amorphous sheet members. The sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 42 absorbs the deformation caused by the difference in the thermal expansion quantity of the iron core 31 itself and the thermal expansion quantity of the jig for forming a ring shape doubling as jig for preventing deformation 51 during annealing of the iron core 31, and prevents stress caused by such deformation from being generated in the inner-circumference-side iron core portion 31a Further, the sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material 43 absorbs the deformation caused by the difference in the thermal expansion quantity of the iron core 31 itself and the thermal expansion quantity of the jigs for preventing deformation 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d during annealing of the iron core 31, and prevents stress caused by such deformation from being generated the outer-circumference-side iron core portion 31b.
[0193] The amorphous iron core transformer 105b according to embodiment 4 of the present invention enables to suppress the increase of iron loss of the iron core 31 and the deterioration of the magnetic characteristics of the iron core 31 due to the stress caused by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the iron core 31 and the jig for forming a ring shape doubling as jig for preventing deformation 51 or the jig for preventing deformation 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d during annealing, and also enables to reduce the noise during operation of the amorphous iron core transformer 105a.
[0194] Next, the information regarding (3) a transformer iron core will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0195] FIGS. 14 through 20 are explanatory views of the embodiment of a transformer according to the present invention, which are explanatory views of the case where the requirements regarding the connecting section of the iron core are set as the characteristic configuration requirements of the present invention. FIGS. 14 and 15 are views showing the arrangement of a transformer according to the present embodiment, FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of the arrangement of the connecting section of the iron core in the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 17 is a view showing the laminated state of the iron core in the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing the processing of the iron core in the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 19A is an explanatory view of the effects of the iron core in the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 19B is an explanatory view of the connecting section of the iron core according to the prior art transformer, and FIG. 20 is a view showing the arrangement example of an iron core in a prior art transformer.
[0196] FIG. 14 shows an example of the case of a transformer using two rectangular iron cores according to one embodiment of a transformer of the present invention.
[0197] In FIG. 14, 1000.sub.A is a transformer, 60a and 60b are rectangular iron cores, 62 are coils for exciting the iron cores 60a and 60b and generating induction voltage, 60a.sub.11 is one long side out of the two long sides of the iron core 60a around which the coil 62 is wound (one long side), 60a.sub.12 is the other long side around which the coil 62 is not wound (the other long side), 60a.sub.21 and 60a.sub.22 are short sides of the iron core 60a, 60b.sub.11 is one long side out of the two long sides of the iron core 60b around which the coil 62 is wound (one long side), 60b.sub.12 is the other long side around which the coil 62 is not wound (the other long side), 60b.sub.21 and 60b.sub.22 are short sides of the iron core 60b, 60a.sub.c1 through 60a.sub.c4 are corners of the iron core 60a, 60b.sub.c1 through 60b.sub.c4 are corners of the iron core 60b, 70a.sub.11 through 70a.sub.1n1, 70a.sub.21 through 70a.sub.2n2 (n2>n1) and 70a.sub.31 through 70a.sub.3n3 (n3>n2) are connecting sections of the iron core 60a, and 70b.sub.11 through 70b.sub.1n1, 70b.sub.21 through 70b.sub.22 (n2>n1) and 70b.sub.31 through 70b.sub.3n3 (n3>n2) are connecting sections of the iron core 60b. In the example, the long side (the other long side) 60a.sub.12 includes a linear near portion between the corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c2 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c2, the long side (one long side) 60a.sub.11 includes the linear portion between the corners 60a.sub.c3 and 60a.sub.c4 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c3 and 60a.sub.c4, the long side (the other long side) 60b.sub.12 includes a linear portion between the corners 60b.sub.c1 and 60b.sub.c2 and a portion of the respective corners 60b.sub.c1 and 60b.sub.c2, and the long side (one long side) 60b.sub.11 includes the linear portion between the corners 60b.sub.c3 and 60b.sub.c4 and a portion of the respective corners 60b.sub.c3 and 60b.sub.c4. Similarly, the short side 60a.sub.21 includes a linear portion between the corners 60a.sub.c2 and 60a.sub.c3 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c2 and 60a.sub.c3, the short side 60a.sub.22 includes the linear portion between the corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c4 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c4, the short side 60b.sub.21 includes a linear portion between the corners 60b.sub.c2 and 60b.sub.c3 and a portion of the respective corners 60b.sub.c2 and 60b.sub.c3, and the short side 60b.sub.22 includes the linear portion between the corners 60b.sub.c1 and 60b.sub.c4 and a portion of the respective corners 60b.sub.c1 and 60b.sub.c4.
[0198] Each iron core 60a and 60b are formed by laminating a plurality of blocks formed by laminating a plurality of thin plates of strip-like magnetic materials (hereinafter referred to as block-like laminated members), wherein each of the block-like laminated member of the plurality of block-like laminated, members have their leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction connected to one another (abutted against one another) at connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1, 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2, 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3, and at connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2, 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3, and formed in a ring shape (n3>n2>n1). In other words, in the ring-shaped iron core 60a, the block-like laminated member disposed on the innermost circumference side has the leading end portion and the rear end portion thereof in the longitudinal direction connected via a connecting section 70a.sub.11 into a ring shape, the plurality of block-like laminated members disposed on the outer side thereof have their leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction connected via connecting sections 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 into a ring shape, the block-like laminated members on the outer side thereof have their leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction connected via connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n, 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . into a ring shape, and the block-like laminated member disposed on the outermost circumference side has its leading end and rear end in the longitudinal direction connected via a connecting section 70a.sub.3n into a ring shape. Similarly, in the ring-shaped iron core 60b, the block-like laminated member disposed on the innermost circumference side has the leading end portion and the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction connected via a connecting section 70b.sub.11 into a ring shape, the plurality of block-like laminated members disposed on the outer side thereof have their leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction connected via connecting sections 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1 into a ring shape, the block-like laminated members on the outer side thereof have their leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction connected via connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n, 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . into a ring shape, and the block-like laminated member disposed on the outermost circumference side has its leading end and rear end in the longitudinal direction connected via a connecting section 70b.sub.3n into a ring shape. In each connecting section, each leading end and each rear end of the block-like laminated members have their end surfaces (end surfaces of the leading end and end surface of the rear end) butted against one another. Each of the plurality of block-like laminated members are formed so that a single block-like laminated member has a plurality of, for example, 20 to 30 sheets, of amorphous material thin plates (hereinafter referred to as amorphous sheet materials) with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, for example.
[0199] In the ring-shaped iron core 60a, the n1 numbers of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 form a single unit (first unit), the n2 numbers (n2>n1) of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2 also form a single unit (second unit), and the n3 numbers (n3>n2) of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 also form a single unit (third unit). In manufacturing the ring-shaped iron core 60a, the operation for butting the leading end and the rear end of each block-like laminated member to form the respective connecting section is performed per each unit. In other words, in the n1 numbers of block-like laminated members within the first unit on the innermost circumference side of the iron core 60a, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1, thereafter, in the n2 numbers of block-like laminated members within the second unit disposed adjacent to the outer side of the first unit, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2, and thereafter, in the n3 numbers of block-like laminated members within the third unit disposed adjacent to the outer side of the second unit, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3.
[0200] The connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 are disposed within the first unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction, the connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2 are disposed within the second unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction, and the connecting sections 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 are also disposed within the third unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction. The distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 is greater than the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2, and the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2 is greater than the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3. The sum of connecting sections (n1) of connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 is smaller than the sum of connecting sections (n2) of connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, 70a.sub.2n2 (n1<n2), and the sum of connecting sections (n2) of connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2 is smaller than the sum of connecting sections (n3) of connecting sections 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 (n2<n3).
[0201] Similarly in the ring-shaped iron core 60b, the n1 numbers of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1 form a single unit (first unit), the n2 numbers (n2>n1) of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . 70b.sub.2n2 also form a single unit (second unit), and the n3 numbers (n3>n2) of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 also form a single unit (third unit). In fabricating the ring-shaped iron core 60b, the operation for butting the leading end and the rear end of each block-like laminated member and forming the connecting section is performed per each unit. In other words, in the n1 numbers of block-like laminated members within the first unit on the innermost circumference side of the iron core 60b, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1, thereafter, in the n2 numbers of block-like laminated members within the second unit disposed adjacent to the outer side of the first unit, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2, and thereafter, in the n3 numbers of block-like laminated members within the third unit disposed adjacent to the outer side of the second unit, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3.
[0202] The connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1 are disposed within the first unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction, the connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2 are disposed within the second unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction, and the connecting sections 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 are also disposed within the third unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction. The distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1 is greater than the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2, and the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2 is greater than the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3. The sum of connecting sections (n1) of connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1 is smaller than the sum of connecting sections (n2) of connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2 (n1<n2), and the sum of connecting sections (n2) of connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2 is smaller than the sum of connecting sections (n3) of connecting sections 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 (n2<n3). In other words, the iron cores 60a and 60b are each formed so that the unit forming the inner circumference portion of the iron core has a smaller number of block-like laminated members in a unit compared to the unit forming the outer circumference portion of the iron core. According to such arrangement, the number of connecting sections are reduced at the inner circumference side portion of the iron core, according to which the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit is reduced, and the magnetic flux transits via long pitches to the side of the adjacent block-like laminated members and flows smoothly, and as a result, the amount of magnetic flux flowing through the iron core in the inner circumference portion of the iron core can be increased and thus the overall amount of magnetic flux flowing through the iron core can be increased, according to which the efficiency of the transformer can be improved.
[0203] Further, both iron cores 60a and 60 are designed so that the number of laminated magnetic thin plates per single block-like laminated member is greater in the block-like laminated member constituting the inner-circumference-side portion of the iron core than the block-like laminated member constituting the outer-circumference-side portion of the iron core. In other words, in the iron core 60a, the n1 block-like laminated members within the innermost circumference-side unit (first unit) constituting the connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 are each formed by laminating 30 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, the n2 block-like laminated members within the unit (second unit) constituting the connecting sections 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n2 are each formed by laminating 25 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, and the n3 block-like laminated members within the outermost circumference-side unit (third unit) constituting the connecting sections 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 are each formed by laminating 20 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m. Similarly, in the iron core 60b, the n1 block-like laminated members within the innermost circumference-side unit (first unit) constituting the connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1 are each formed by laminating 30 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, the n2 block-like laminated members within the unit (second unit) constituting the connecting sections 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2 are each formed by laminating 25 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, and the n3 block-like laminated members within the outermost circumference-side unit (third unit) constituting the connecting sections 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 are each formed by laminating 20 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m. According to such arrangement, in each of the iron cores 60a and 60b, a certain predetermined thickness can be ensured for each of the iron cores 60a and 60b with the number of block-like laminated members reduced and the number of connecting sections reduced at the inner-circumference-side portion of the iron core so as to enable magnetic flux to be passed therethrough easily. According to the above-described arrangement, the numbers of amorphous sheet members constituting a single block-like laminated member are varied among units, but in another example, it is possible to vary the number of amorphous sheet members in block-like laminated member units. For example, in iron core 60a, the number of laminated layers of amorphous sheet materials in the block-like laminated member formed in a ring shape in connecting section 70a.sub.11 can be formed greater than the number of laminated layers of amorphous sheet materials in the block-like laminated member formed in a ring shape in the connecting section 70a.sub.12.
[0204] In the ring-shaped iron core 60a, the connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1, 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n1, 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in a longer area in the other long side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60a.sub.12 than the length of the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.22. In the arrangement of FIG. 14, the respective connecting sections are arranged in a dispersed manner across the length area corresponding to the whole length of the linear portion of the other long side 60a.sub.12. Similarly, the connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1, 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n2, 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in a longer area in the long side 60b.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60b.sub.12 than the length of the linear portion of the short side 60b.sub.12 or the linear portion of the short side 60b.sub.22. In the arrangement of FIG. 14, the respective connecting sections are arranged in a dispersed manner across the length area corresponding to the whole length of the near portion of the other long side 60b.sub.12. Further, an arrangement can be adopted in which the connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1, 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n1, 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the long side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60a.sub.12 in a length area 1.3 times or longer than the length of the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.21 or in the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.22, and the connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1, 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n1, 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the other long side 60b.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60b.sub.22 in a length area 1.3 times or longer than the length of the linear portion of the short side 60b.sub.21 or in the linear portion of the short side 60b.sub.22, or in another example, the connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1, 70a.sub.21, 70a.sub.22, . . . , 70a.sub.2n1, 70a.sub.31, 70a.sub.32, . . . , 70a.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the other long side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60a.sub.12 in a length area 50% or longer than the length of the linear portion, and the connecting sections 70b.sub.11, 70b.sub.12, . . . , 70b.sub.1n1, 70b.sub.21, 70b.sub.22, . . . , 70b.sub.2n1, 70b.sub.31, 70b.sub.32, . . . , 70b.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the long side 60b.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60b.sub.12 in a length area 50% or longer than the length of the linear portion.
[0205] Further, the coil 62 is formed so that a secondary-side coil which is a low pressure-side coil is disposed on the inner side and a primary-side coil which is a high pressure-side coil is disposed on the outer side, wherein high pressure is applied to the primary-side coil to excite the iron cores 60a and 60b and to generate a low-pressure induction voltage on the secondary-side coil.
[0206] FIG. 15 is an example of a transformer using a single rectangular iron core out of the embodiments of a transformer according to the present invention.
[0207] In FIG. 15, 1000.sub.B refers to a transformer, 60 refers to a rectangular iron core, 62 refers to a coil for exciting the iron core 60 and for generating induction voltage, 60a.sub.11 refers to a long side (one long side) of the two long sides of the iron core 60 around which the coil 62 is wound, 60a.sub.12 is another long side (the other long side) around which the coil 62 is not wound, 60a.sub.21 and 60a.sub.22 are short sides of the iron core 60, 60a.sub.c1 through 60a.sub.c4 are corners of the iron core 60, and 70.sub.11 through 70.sub.1n1, 70.sub.21 through 70.sub.2n2 (n2>n1) and 70.sub.31 through 70.sub.3n3 (n3>n2) are connecting sections of the iron core 60. Mere, the long side (the other long side) 60a.sub.12 includes a linear portion between corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c2 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c2, and the long side (one long side) 60a.sub.11 includes a linear portion between corners 60a.sub.c3 and 60a.sub.c4 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c3 and 60a.sub.c4. Similarly, the short side 60a.sub.21 includes a linear portion between the corners 60a.sub.c2 and 60a.sub.c3 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c2 and 60a.sub.c3, and the short side 60a.sub.22 includes a linear portion between the corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c4 and a portion of the respective corners 60a.sub.c1 and 60a.sub.c4.
[0208] The iron core 60 is formed by laminating a plurality of blocks formed by laminating a plurality of strip-like magnetic thin plates (hereinafter referred to as block-like laminated members), wherein the respective block-like laminated members of the plurality of block-like laminated members have their leading ends and rear ends in the longitudinal direction thereof connected via connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1, 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2, 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 (n3>n2>n1) and formed into a ring shape. That is in the ring-shaped iron core 60, the block-like laminated member disposed on the innermost circumference side is connected via a connecting section 70.sub.11 and formed into a ring shape, the block-like laminated members disposed on the outer side thereof are connected via connecting sections 70.sub.12, . . . and 70.sub.1n1 and formed into a ring shape, the block-like laminated members on the outer side thereof are connected via connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n, 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . and formed into a ring shape, and the block-like laminated member disposed on the outermost circumference side is connected via a connection section 70.sub.3n and formed into a ring shape. In the respective connecting sections, the leading end and the rear end of each block-like laminated member have their end surfaces (end surface of the leading end and the end surface of the rear end) opposed and butted against one another. In the above-mentioned block like laminated members, similar to the case of FIG. 14, a single block-like laminated member is formed by laminating a plurality of (20 to 30 sheets, for example) amorphous material thin plates (hereinafter referred to as amorphous sheet materials) with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m.
[0209] In the ring-shaped iron core 60, the n1 numbers of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1 form a single unit (first unit), the n2 numbers (n2>n1) of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . 70.sub.2n2 also form a single unit (second unit), and the n3 numbers (n3>n2) of block-like laminated members constituting the connecting sections 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 also form a single unit (third unit). In manufacturing the ring-shaped iron core 60, the operation for butting the leading end and the rear end of each block-like laminated member to form connecting sections is performed per each unit. In other words, in the n1 numbers of block-like laminated members within the first unit on the innermost circumference side of the iron core 60, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1, thereafter, in the n2 numbers of block-like laminated members within the second unit disposed adjacent to the outer side of the first unit, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2, and thereafter, in the n3 numbers of block-like laminated members within the third unit disposed adjacent to the outer side of the second unit, the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are butted against one another to form connecting sections 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3.
[0210] The connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1 are disposed within the first unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction, the connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2 are disposed within the second unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction, and the connecting sections 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 are also disposed within the third unit so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction. The distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1 is greater than the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2, and the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2 is greater than the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction of connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3. The sum of connecting sections (n1) of connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1 is smaller than the sum of connecting sections (n2) of connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2 (n1<n2), and the sum of connecting sections (n2) of connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2 is smaller than the sum of connecting sections (n3) of connecting sections 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 (n2<n3). In other words, the iron core 60 is formed so that the unit forming the inner circumference portion of the iron core has a smaller number of block-like laminated members in a unit compared to the unit forming the outer circumference portion of the iron core. According to such arrangement, the number of connecting sections are reduced at the inner circumference side portion of the iron core, according to which the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit is reduced, and the magnetic flux transits via long pitches to the side of the adjacent block-like laminated members and flows smoothly, and as a result, the amount of magnetic flux flowing through the iron core in the inner circumference portion of the iron core can be increased and thus the overall amount of magnetic flux flowing through the iron core can be increased, according to which the efficiency of the transformer can be improved.
[0211] Further, the iron core 60 is designed so that the number of laminated magnetic thin plates in a single block-like laminated member is greater in the block-like laminated member constituting the inner-circumference-side portion of the iron core than the block-like laminated member constituting the outer-circumference-side portion of the iron core. In other words, in the iron core 60, the n1 block-like laminated members within the innermost circumference-side unit (first unit) constituting the connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1 are each formed by laminating 30 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, the n2 block-like laminated members within the unit (second unit) constituting the connecting sections 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n2 are each formed by laminating 25 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, and the n3 block-like laminated members within the outermost circumference-side unit (third unit) constituting the connecting sections 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 are each formed by laminating 20 sheets of amorphous sheet members with a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m. According to such arrangement, in the iron core 60, a certain predetermined thickness can be ensured for the iron core 60 with the number of block-like laminated members reduced and the number of connecting sections reduced at the inner-circumference-side portion of the iron core so as to enable magnetic flux to be passed therethrough easily.
[0212] According to the above-described arrangement, the numbers of amorphous sheet members constituting a single block-like laminated member are varied among units, but in another example, it is possible to vary the number of amorphous sheet members per block-like laminated member units. For example, in the first unit, the number of laminated layers of amorphous sheet materials in the block-like laminated member formed in a ring shape in connecting section 70.sub.11 can be formed greater than the number of laminated layers of amorphous sheet materials in the block-like laminated member formed in a ring shape in the connecting section 70.sub.12, or in the first unit, the number of laminated layers of the amorphous sheet materials in the plurality of block-like laminated members in the inner circumference side of the iron core can be formed greater than the number of laminated layers of the amorphous sheet materials in the outer circumference side of the iron core, or the number of laminated layers of the amorphous sheet materials of one or a plurality of block-like laminated members on the inner circumference side of the iron core in the first unit can be formed greater than the number of laminated layers of the amorphous sheet materials of the block-like laminated members within the second unit or the third unit.
[0213] Further, in the respective arrangements, the amorphous sheet materials of the respective block-like laminated members is formed by laminating amorphous sheets having a fixed thickness, such as a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, but the block-like laminated members can be formed by laminating amorphous sheet materials having varied thicknesses. For example, the respective block-like laminated members in the first unit can be formed by laminating amorphous sheet materials having a thickness greater than approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, and the block-like laminated members in the second and third units can be formed by laminating amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m.
[0214] In the ring-shaped iron core 60, the connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1, 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n1, 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in a longer area in the other long side (the long side around which the coil 62 is not wound) 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the other long side 60a.sub.12 than the length of the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.22. In the arrangement of FIG. 15, the respective connecting sections are arranged in a dispersed manner across the length area corresponding to the whole length of the linear portion of the other long side 60a.sub.12. Similarly, the connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1, 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n1, 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the other long side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the other long side 60a.sub.12 in a length area 1.3 times or longer than the length of the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.21 or the linear portion of the short side 60a.sub.22, and the connecting sections 70.sub.11, 70.sub.12, . . . , 70.sub.1n1, 70.sub.21, 70.sub.22, . . . , 70.sub.2n1, 70.sub.31, 70.sub.32, . . . , 70.sub.3n3 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the long side 60a.sub.12 or in the linear portion of the long side 60a.sub.12 in a length area 50% or greater than the length of the linear portion.
[0215] Further, the coil 62 is formed so that a secondary-side coil which is a low pressure-side coil is disposed on the inner side and a primary-side coil which is a high pressure-side coil is disposed on the outer side, wherein high pressure is applied to the primary-side coil to excite the iron core 60 and to generate a low-pressure induction voltage on the secondary-side coil.
[0216] The components included in the arrangements of FIGS. 14 and 15 that appear in the following description are denoted with the same reference numbers as those in FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0217] FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of the arrangement of the connecting sections of the iron core used in the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15. According to the transformer of FIGS. 14 and 15, the arrangements of the connecting sections of the iron cores are substantially the same, so that in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the arrangement of the iron core 60a.sub.12 used in transformer 1000A of FIG. 14 will be shown. FIG. 16A shows connecting sections of a plurality of block-like laminated members within the first unit of the iron core 60a.sub.12, and FIG. 16B shows a connecting section of the single block-like laminated member disposed on the innermost circumference side of the iron core out of the plurality of said block-like laminated members.
[0218] In FIG. 16A, 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.13, . . . , 100.sub.A1n1 respectively refer to block-like laminated members, 100.sub.A1 refers to a first unit composed of n1 numbers of block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , and 100.sub.A1n1, and 70a.sub.1 refers to the connecting section in the first unit 100.sub.A1. The connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, 70a.sub.13, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 are respectively formed by butting together the end surfaces of a leading end and end surfaces of a rear end of the block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A1n1, by which the respective block-like laminated members are formed in a ring-shape. The connecting section 70a.sub.1 is composed of respective connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, 70a.sub.13, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1. In the first unit 100.sub.A1, the respective block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A1n1 are formed by laminating a plurality of magnetic thin plates, for example, 30 sheets of amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, wherein the respective connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, 70a.sub.13, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 are disposed so that they are mutually displaced in the magnetic circuit direction (+ directions in the Z axis), and wherein the distances between the adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (amount of displacement) are made equal. For example, the length of each connecting section 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, 70a.sub.13, . . . , 70a.sub.1n1 in the magnetic circuit direction is approximately 510.sup.3 m, and the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (amount of displacement) is approximately 1310.sup.3 m (in this case, the distance between center lines of adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction is approximately 1810.sup.3 m). Further, in the second unit, the respective block-like laminated members are formed by laminating a smaller number of sheets of magnetic thin plates than the first unit, for example, laminating twenty-five sheets of amorphous sheets having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, and the respective connecting sections are displaced mutually in the magnetic circuit direction (+ directions in the Z axis), wherein the distances between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (amounts of displacement) are set to be equal, wherein for example, the length of the connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction is approximately 510.sup.3 m, and the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (amounts of displacement) is approximately 1010.sup.3 m (in this case, the distance between center lines of adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction is approximately 1510.sup.3 m). Further, in the third unit, the respective block-like laminated members are formed by laminating a smaller number of sheets of magnetic thin plates than the first unit, for example, laminating twenty sheets of amorphous sheets having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, and the respective connecting sections are displaced mutually in the magnetic circuit direction (+ directions in the Z axis), wherein the distances between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (amounts of displacement) are set to be equal, wherein for example, the length of the connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction is approximately 510.sup.3 m, and the distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (amount of displacement) is approximately 710.sup.3 m (in this case, the distance between center lines of adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction is approximately 1210.sup.3 m).
[0219] Further, in FIG. 16B, 100.sub.A111, 100.sub.A112, . . . , 100.sub.A11x are each magnetic thin plates constituting the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11, which are amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, for example. The block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11 is formed by laminating x numbers of magnetic thin plates, such as laminating thirty sheets of amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, for example. Reference 100.sub.A11t is an end surface of a leading end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A11e is an end surface of a rear end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11, and g refers to the distance (gap) between both end surfaces 100.sub.A11t and 100.sub.A11e. The distance g is, for example, 310.sup.3 m through 510.sup.3 m. The same applies for other block-like laminated members 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A1n1 within the first unit 100.sub.A1. The block-like laminated members constituting the second unit or the block-like laminated members constituting the third unit are formed by reducing the number of laminated magnetic thin plates than those constituting the block-like laminated members in the first unit 100.sub.A1, wherein for example, the block-like laminated member constituting the second unit is formed by laminating twenty-five amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, for example, and the block-like laminated member constituting the third unit is formed by laminating twenty amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, for example.
[0220] In the following description, the components included in the arrangements of FIGS. 16A and 16B are denoted with the same reference numbers as those in FIGS. 16A and 16B.
[0221] FIG. 17 is a view showing the laminated state of the iron core according to the transformer illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 17 shows the laminated state of block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A1n1 in a linear state prior to performing a bending process in the first unit 100.sub.A1 of the transformer of FIG. 14.
[0222] Each of the block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, , 100.sub.A1n1 laminated as shown in FIG. 17 are subjected to a bending process to be bent within the ZX plane, wherein the end surfaces of the respective leading ends and end surfaces of the respective rear ends are opposed to one another to form connecting sections 70a.sub.11, 70a.sub.12, . . . 70a.sub.1n1 and formed in a ring shape.
[0223] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of processing of the iron core according to the transformer shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 18 illustrates an example where the iron core 60a of the transformer shown in FIG. 14 is subjected to a bending process.
[0224] In FIG. 18, 100.sub.A2 denotes a second unit formed of a plurality of (n2) block-like laminated members. The iron core 60a is formed by subjecting the block-like laminated members of the first unit 100.sub.A1 to bending process, and then the second unit 100.sub.A2 to the bending process, and then the third unit (not shown) to the bending process. FIG. 18 shows the state where the first unit 100.sub.A1 and the second unit 100.sub.A2 are subjected to the bending process. In FIG. 18, out of the n1 block-like laminated members of the first unit 100.sub.A1, block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11 through 100.sub.A15 have completed bending processes, wherein the end surface of the leading end and the end surface of the rear end are butted against each other to form connecting sections 70a.sub.11 through 70a.sub.15 on the long side (other long side) 1a.sub.12, by which an annular section constituting a portion of the inner circumference side of the iron core 60a is formed, wherein as for the block-like laminated members of the first unit 100.sub.A1 other than the block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11 through 100.sub.A15 and the block-like laminated members of the second unit 100.sub.A2, they are still in mid way of the bending process, wherein the end surfaces of the leading ends and the end surfaces of the rear ends are not yet butted against one another. By completing the bending processes of the block-like laminated members of the first and second units and the block-like laminated members of the third unit, a ring-shaped iron core 60a is formed. When forming at least the long side (the other long side) 60a.sub.12 of the iron core 60a, the leading ends and the rear ends of the respective block-like laminated members are simultaneously bent in each of the respective first, second and third units. By simultaneously bending the leading ends and the rear ends of the respective block-like laminated members of each unit, it becomes possible to reduce the time required for manufacturing the iron core 60a compared to when the leading ends and rear ends of the respective block-like laminated members are bent independently.
[0225] The iron core 60b of the transformer shown in FIG. 14 and the iron core 60 of the transformer shown in FIG. 15 are formed in a similar manner as the above-described iron core 60a.
[0226] FIGS. 19A and 19B are explanatory views of the effects of the iron core in the transformer shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 as embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 19A and 19B are explanatory views regarding the iron core 60a of the transformer shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 19A is a configuration diagram of the area surrounding the connecting sections of the block-like laminated members of the first unit 100.sub.A1 formed on the long side (the other long side) 60a.sub.12 of the iron core 60a, and FIG. 19B is a configuration diagram of the area around the connecting sections of the block-like laminated members of a short side 60.sub.B of a rectangular iron core 60 according to a prior art transformer shown in FIG. 20. In the drawing, 70 denotes the whole area of the connecting section.
[0227] In FIG. 19A, g denotes a distance (gap) between the end surface of a leading end and the end surface of a rear end of the respective block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12 and 100.sub.A13, p.sub.1 denotes the distance between the center of the connecting section 70a.sub.11 (center of gap g) of the block-like laminated member 70.sub.A11 and the center of the connecting section 70a.sub.12 of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A12 (center of gap g) (the distance between the center of the connecting section 70a.sub.12 of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A12 (center of gap g) and the center of the connecting section 70a.sub.13 of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A13 (center of gap g) is also denoted as p.sub.1) and q.sub.1 refers to the distance between the end surface of the leading end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11 and the end surface of the rear end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A12 (the distance between the end surface of the leading end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A12 and the end surface of the rear end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A13 is also referred to as q.sub.1). The gap g is approximately 510.sup.3 m, the distance (distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (quantity of displacement)) is approximately 1310.sup.3 m, and the distance (distance between center lines of adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction) p.sub.1 is approximately 1810.sup.3 m. If the length of the linear portion of the long side 1a.sub.12 of the rectangular iron core 60a is approximately 20010.sup.3 m, the number of block-like laminated members per single unit is eleven at maximum (20018). Accordingly, when the iron core 60a is formed for example by using 150 block-like laminated members formed by laminating 3000 to 4000 amorphous sheet materials having a thickness of approximately 0.02510.sup.3 m, the number of units required for forming the iron core 60a is 14 (15011).
[0228] In FIG. 19B, g refers to a distance (gap) between the end surface of a leading end and the end surface of a rear end of the respective block-like laminated members 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A16, p.sub.2 refers to the distance between the center of the connecting section 70a.sub.11 (center of gap g) of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11 and the center of the connecting section 70a.sub.12 of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A12 (center of gap g) (the distance between centers of connecting sections of other adjacent block-like laminated members are also denoted as p.sub.2), and q.sub.2 refers to the distance between the end surface of the leading end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A11 and the end surface of the rear end of the block-like laminated member 100.sub.A12 (the distance between the end surface of the leading end and the end surface of the rear end of other adjacent block-like laminated members are also denoted as q.sub.2). According to the prior art arrangement, for example, the gap g is approximately 310.sup.3 the distance (distance between adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction (quantity of displacement)) is approximately 510.sup.3 m, and the distance (distance between center lines of adjacent connecting sections in the magnetic circuit direction) p.sub.2 is approximately 810.sup.3 m. If the length of the linear portion of the short side 1.sub.B of the rectangular iron core 60 is approximately 5010.sup.3 m, the number of block-like laminated members in a single unit is six at maximum (508). Accordingly, when the iron core 60 is formed by using 150 block-like laminated members as a whole, the number of units necessary for forming the iron core 60 will be 25 (1506).
[0229] Upon comparing the arrangement of FIG. 19A showing the embodiment of the present invention and the arrangement of FIG. 19B showing the prior art arrangement, the number of block-like laminated members per a single unit is six in the arrangement of FIG. 19B whereas the number is 11 at maximum according to the arrangement of FIG. 19A, and the number of units required for forming the whole iron core is 25 according to the arrangement of FIG. 19B whereas the number is 14 according to the arrangement of FIG. 19A. Further, if the length L (length required for forming the connecting sections of block-like laminated members in a single unit) in FIGS. 19A and 19B is approximately 5010.sup.3 m, six connecting sections are formed in a single unit within this length according to the arrangement of FIG. 19B, whereas only three connecting sections per single unit are formed according to the arrangement of FIG. 19A.
[0230] In other words, according to the arrangement of FIG. 19A, the number of block-like laminated members in a single unit can be increased in the iron core for a transformer compared to the arrangement of FIG. 19B, and the iron core can be formed using a smaller number of units, so the workability for manufacturing the iron cores can be improved. Further, since the distance between connecting sections between adjacent block-like laminated members can be increased so as to reduce the number of connecting sections per unit length of the magnetic circuit, the flow of magnetic flux can be smoothed in the magnetic circuit of the long side having the connecting section and the magnetic resistance can be reduced, and as a result, the efficiency of the transformer can be improved.
[0231] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the workability can be improved for connecting the leading end and the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the block-like laminated members formed by laminating a plurality of magnetic thin sheets such as amorphous sheet materials in manufacturing cores 60a, 60b and 60 of transformers 1000.sub.A and 1000.sub.B. Further, in the magnetic circuit of iron cores 60a, 60b and 60, the flow of magnetic flux can be smoothed and the increase of magnetic resistance can be suppressed. As a result, a transformer that can be manufactured easily and with ensured performance can be obtained.
[0232] Further according to the above-described embodiment, all the block-like laminated members have their leading ends and rear ends butted against each other and connected to form a ring-shaped structure, but it is also possible to mutually overlap leading ends and rear ends of a portion of the block-like laminated members to form a ring-shaped structure. Also according to this arrangement, effects similar to the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
[0233] FIG. 21 is a view showing the arrangement of an iron core used in a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0234] In FIG. 21, 60.sub.A refers to an iron core formed by laminating a plurality of amorphous material thin plates, 65 refers to a sheet-like insulation material such as paper wound around the linear portion of the iron core 1.sub.A, and 61 refers to a thermosetting or light curing coating applied on a laminated end surface of the magnetic thin plate in iron core 60.sub.A. The coating is applied on the corner portion of the iron core 60.sub.A. This arrangement enables to prevent scattering of fragments of amorphous material thin plates. Especially, the workability is improved according to this arrangement since thermosetting or light curing coating is applied on the corner portion without winding a sheet-like insulation material thereto.
[0235] FIG. 22 is a view showing the arrangement of another iron core used in a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0236] In FIG. 22, 60.sub.B refers to an iron core formed by laminating a plurality of amorphous material thin plates, and 71 refers to a thermosetting or light curing coating applied on a laminated end surface of the magnetic thin plate in iron core 60.sub.B. The coating is applied on the whole laminated end surface of thin plates of the iron core 60.sub.B. This arrangement enables to prevent scattering of fragments of amorphous material thin plates. Especially, the workability is improved according to this arrangement since thermosetting or light curing coating is applied.
[0237] FIGS. 23A and 23B are drawings showing other arrangements of a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0238] In FIGS. 23A and 23B, 60 refers to an iron core formed by laminating amorphous material thin plates, 62a and 62b refer to coils, 80 refers to a pouched insulation material with both ends opened, and 90 refers to a band for fixing the pouched insulation material 80 to the iron core 60. After covering the outer surface of the iron core 60 with the pouched insulation material 80, the iron core 60 together with the pouched insulation material 80 is passed through a center hole of coils 62a and 62b (FIG. 23A), and thereafter, both ends of the iron core 60 are connected to form a ring-shaped iron core, the connecting section of the iron core 60 is also covered with the pouched insulation material 80, and both ends of the pouched insulation material 80 is fixed to the iron core 60 via a band (FIG. 23B). This arrangement enables to prevent scattering of fragments of amorphous material thin plates with an easy arrangement without fail. Further, the outer surface of the iron core 60 can be covered with a sheet-like thermosetting resin instead of the above-mentioned pouched insulation material 80, and this arrangement also enables to prevent scattering of fragments of amorphous material thin plates.
[0239] FIG. 24 is a view showing yet another arrangement of the transformer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present transformer adopts an arrangement in which the iron core is supported via a retention member.
[0240] In FIG. 24, 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1 are inner iron cores having amorphous material thin plates laminated and formed into a ring shape, 60.sub.C1 refers to an outer iron core similarly having amorphous material thin plates laminated and formed into a ring shape and surrounding the outer side of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1, 70.sub.A is a connecting section disposed on the lower side of the inner iron core 60.sub.A1, 70.sub.B is a connecting section disposed on the lower side of the inner iron core 60.sub.B1, 7.sub.C is a connecting section disposed on the lower side of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1, 62 is a coil, and 65a, 65b and 65c are flat-plate shape retention members. Each connecting section 70.sub.A, 70.sub.B and 70.sub.C are formed by butting together or superposing the leading ends and the rear ends in the longitudinal direction of the amorphous material thin plates or the leading ends arid the rear ends in the longitudinal direction of the collective body of thin plates (block-like laminated members). The retention member 65a is arranged on the inner circumference surface of the upper side of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1 so as to retain the outer iron core 60.sub.C1, especially supporting its self weight of the upper side of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1 so as to suppress the deformation of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1 itself by the self weight and to suppress the deformation of the upper side and the sides of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1. The retention member 65b is arranged on the outer circumference surface of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1 so as to retain the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1, thereby suppressing the deformation of the lower side of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1 by the total load of the self weight of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1 and the self weight of the coil 62, or by the total load of the self weight of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1, the self weight of the coil 62 and the self weight of the upper side of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1, especially suppressing the deformation of the connecting sections 70.sub.A and 70.sub.B and the occurrence of breaking. The retention member 65c is arranged on the outer circumference surface of the lower side of the outer iron core 70.sub.C1 so as to retain the outer iron core 60.sub.C1, thereby suppressing the deformation of the lower side of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1 by the total load of the self weight of the outer iron core 60.sub.C1, the self weight of the inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1 and the self weight of the coil 62, especially suppressing the deformation of the connecting section 70.sub.C and the occurrence of breaking. As described, the present arrangement enables to suppress the deformation of inner iron cores 60.sub.A1 and 60.sub.B1 and the outer iron core 60.sub.C1, or the deformation and braking of the respective connecting sections 70.sub.A, 70.sub.B and 70.sub.C, according to which a transformer having a stable strength and stable performance can be obtained.
[0241] FIGS. 25A and 25B show yet another arrangement of transformer according to one embodiment of the present invention. The transformer according to the present embodiment has an arrangement in which a coil is reinforced via a plate-shaped reinforcement member. FIGS. 25A and 25B show a major arrangement of a part of the transformer according to the present embodiment, wherein FIG. 25A is a plan view of a coil and an iron core passed through the center hole of the core, and FIG. 25B is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 25A.
[0242] In FIGS. 25A and 25B, 60 denotes an iron core formed by laminating magnetic thin plates of amorphous materials or the like, 60.sub.D1, 60.sub.D2, 60.sub.D3 and 60.sub.D4 are divided iron cores constituting the iron core 60, which divide the iron core 60 into both the width direction of the magnetic member and the laminated direction thereof and constituting four independent magnetic circuits (hereinafter referred to as divided cores), 62 denotes a pipe-like coil, 68 denotes a cylindrical winding frame formed of a nonmagnetic material and having a coil 62 wound around the outer circumference thereof, and 67a, 67b, 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d are each plate-shaped reinforcement members disposed within the winding frame 68 for reinforcing the coil 62. The reinforcement member 67a is arranged between the divided cores 60.sub.D1 and 60.sub.D2 and between the divided cores 60.sub.D3 and 60.sub.D4, and both end surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68 within the winding frame 68. Further, the reinforcement member 67b is arranged between the divided cores 60.sub.D1 and 60.sub.D4 and between the divided cores 60.sub.D2 and 60.sub.D3 and orthogonal to the reinforcement member 67a, wherein both end surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68 within the winding frame 68. Further, the reinforcement member 66a is arranged between the iron cores 60.sub.D1 and 60.sub.D2 and the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68 in parallel with the reinforcement member 67b, wherein both end surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68, the reinforcement member 66c is arranged between the iron cores 60.sub.D3 and 60.sub.D4 and the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68 in parallel with the reinforcement member 67b, wherein both end surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68, the reinforcement member 66b is arranged between the iron cores 60.sub.D2 and 60.sub.D3 and the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68 in parallel with the reinforcement member 67a, wherein both end surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68, and the reinforcement member 66d is arranged between the iron cores 60.sub.D1 and 60.sub.D4 and the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 3 in parallel with the reinforcement member 67a, wherein both end surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68. The reinforcement members 67a, 67b, 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d have their respective end surfaces coming in contact with the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68, to thereby reinforce the coil 62 via the winding frame 68. The reinforcement member 67a, 67b, 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d can be formed of magnetic material.
[0243] The iron core 60 has at least the portion passing through the winding frame 68 correspond to the radius of curvature of the inner circumference surface of the cylindrical winding frame 68, wherein the width of the magnetic material laminated on the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side of the iron core has a narrower width than the magnetic material laminated on the center area of the iron core 60. In other words, in the divided cores 60.sub.D1 and 60.sub.D4, at least the portions passing through the winding frame 68 have the width of the magnetic materials 100.sub.D1i and 100.sub.D4i laminated on the side of the reinforcement member 66d narrowed than the magnetic material laminated on the reinforcement member 67a, and in the divided cores 60.sub.D2 and 60.sub.D3, at least the portions passing through the winding frame 68 have the width of the magnetic materials 100.sub.D2e and 100.sub.D3e laminated on the side of the reinforcement member 66d narrowed than the magnetic material laminated on the reinforcement member 67a.
[0244] According to this arrangement, the reinforcement members 67a, 67b, 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d reinforce the coil 62 without fail, improving the reliability of the transformer. Especially when a magnetic material is used for the reinforcement members 67a, 67b, 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d, the cross-sectional area of the magnetic circuit of the iron core 60 can be substantially increased, according to which the amount of magnetic flux passing through the magnetic circuit is increased and the characteristics of the transformer is improved. Moreover, the arrangement in which the magnetic material laminated on the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side of the ring-shaped iron core 60 is narrowed than the magnetic material laminated on the center side of the iron core 60 to correspond to the radius of curvature of the inner circumference surface of the winding frame 68, the laminated number of magnetic materials can be increased, according to which the cross-sectional area of the magnetic circuit of the iron core 60 is also increased, by which the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit is reduced, the amount of magnetic flux within the magnetic circuit is increased and the characteristics of the transformer is improved. Further, this arrangement in which the width of the magnetic material sheets laminated on the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side of the ring-shaped iron core is narrowed than the width of magnetic materials on other portions in correspondence with the radius of curvature of the inner circumference surface of the winding frame can be applied to examples where the winding frame adopts shapes other than the cylindrical shape or where the iron core is not composed of divided cores.
[0245] Next, the invention related to (4) the protection of iron core of an amorphous transformer will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0246] In the present invention, the protection member covering the iron core is formed of an insulating member and having a box shaped structure covering the circumference of the iron core, wherein the contact surface with the work table is formed of a single panel. Further, the lines shown by the broken lines of the protection member denote folding lines for performing fold forming.
Embodiment 6
[0247] FIGS. 26A through 26D illustrate a sixth embodiment of an amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention, which are work drawings showing in perspective views operations starting from an iron coil wrapping operation to an coil insertion operation.
[0248] An iron coil protection member 81a.sub.1 is formed of an insulation member cut in advance into dimensions capable of being assembled into a box shape, which is formed of a single panel so that the connecting sections of the iron core protections members 81a.sub.1 are not disposed on the contact surface with the work table. A protection member 81a.sub.2 to be disposed on an inner side of a window of the iron core is disposed by being adhered to the center of the iron core protection member 81a.sub.1. An amorphous iron core 82a is placed on the iron core protection member 81a, arranged as above. The protection member 81a.sub.2 on the inner surface iron core window is disposed within the iron core window of the amorphous iron core 82a (FIG. 26A).
[0249] After taking out a formed cored bar disposed during annealing from the amorphous iron core 82a, the iron core protection member 81a.sub.1 is fold-formed in a box shape around the amorphous iron core 82a. At this time, the joint portion of the amorphous iron core 82a is separated temporarily, and then slid and inserted to coils 83a and 83a placed transversely (FIG. 26B). The iron core protection member 81a.sub.1 is formed by fold forming around the released expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 of the amorphous iron core 82a having its joint sections separated temporarily. Therefore, upon inserting the amorphous iron core 82a into coils 83a and 83a, the iron core protection members 81a.sub.3 surrounding the expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 will not interfere with the coils 83a and 83a.
[0250] After inserting the amorphous iron core 82a into coils 83a and 83a, the iron core protection member 81a.sub.3 having been folded to the inner side of expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 of the amorphous iron core 82a is expanded (FIG. 26C), and both expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 of the amorphous iron core 82a are attached together again. The iron core protection member 81a.sub.3 having been expanded is folded and assembled around the reattached expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a1, which cover the reattached joint section to connect the protection members together and fix the same (FIG. 26D).
[0251] Upon insertion to the coils 83a and 83a, the iron core protection member 81a.sub.3 covers the expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 formed by temporarily expanding the joint section of the iron core, and exerts an effect to protect the expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 inserted as the leading end to the coils 83a and 83a. Further, the iron core protection member 81a.sub.3 ensures an insulation distance between the amorphous iron core 82a and coils 83a and 83a, so that there is no need to insert an independent insulation member between the amorphous iron cores 82a and coils 83a and 83a. Furthermore, since the dimension of the iron core protection member 81a.sub.3 can be formed easily, it becomes possible to insert the amorphous iron core 82a into the coils 83a and 83a without deforming the core.
[0252] According to embodiment 6, since the whole circumference of the amorphous iron core 82a is covered via the iron core protection members 81a.sub.1 and 81a.sub.2, it becomes possible to obtain an amorphous iron core transformer capable of protecting the fragments of amorphous material from scattering within the transformer while suppressing work time and manufacturing costs. Further, when the iron core protection members 81a.sub.2 and 81a.sub.2 are formed into a box shape, the connecting sections between the iron core protection members are not positioned at the contact surface with the work table but are positioned at the side wall of the transversely positioned iron core 82a or the inner surface of the upper surface of the iron core window, so that the connecting operation of iron core protection members can be facilitated.
Embodiment 7
[0253] FIGS. 27A and 27B are work drawings showing a seventh embodiment of the amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention, wherein the iron core wrapping operation and the state in which the coil is inserted are shown in perspective views.
[0254] As shown in FIG. 27, the iron core protection member is composed of a lower part 81b.sub.1 and an upper part 81b.sub.2. The lower part 81b.sub.1 of the iron core protection member is a single plate cut into a dimension for assembling a box-shaped lower part in advance, to which is attached a protection member 81b.sub.3 to be inserted to the inner side of an iron core window of the amorphous iron core 82a. After placing the amorphous iron core 82a on the lower part 81b.sub.1 of the iron core protect ion member and removing the molding cored bar disposed during annealing, the upper part 81b.sub.2 of the iron core protection member is covered (FIG. 27A). The lower part 81b.sub.1 and the upper part 81b.sub.2 of the iron core protection member are folded and formed along the surface of the amorphous iron core 82a, and formed into a box shape by being mutually connected at the side wall of the amorphous iron core 82a. Thereby, the connecting sections between the lower part 81b.sub.1 and the upper part 81b.sub.2 of the iron core protection member will not be disposed on the contact surface of the work table on which the amorphous iron core 82a is placed, and the connecting operation can be performed extremely easily at the side wall of the amorphous iron core 82a.
[0255] The joint portion of the amorphous iron core 82a will be separated once, and the expanded amorphous iron core 82a is inserted by sliding into the transversely placed coils 83a and 83a. During insertion, the protection members 81b.sub.1 and 81b.sub.2 of the iron core joint portion exerts an effect to protect the portions to be joined in the amorphous iron core 82a. The expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 having been expanded are reattached, and protection members 81b1 and 81b2 are folded and formed around the joint portion and connected, so that the whole circumference of the amorphous iron core 82a are covered with the protection members 81b.sub.1 and 81b.sub.2 without any clearance (FIG. 27B). Further, the iron core protection members 81b1 and 81b2 ensure an insulation distance between the amorphous iron core 82a and coils 83a and 83a, so that there is no need to insert a separate insulation material between the amorphous iron core 82a and coils 83a and 83a. Further, since the dimension of the iron core protection members 81b.sub.1 and 81b.sub.2 can be formed easily, it becomes possible to insert the amorphous iron core 82a into the coils 83a without deforming the core.
[0256] According to embodiment 7, since the whole circumference of the amorphous iron core 2a is covered with the iron core protection members 81b.sub.1 and 81b.sub.2, it becomes possible to obtain an amorphous iron core transformer capable of preventing fragments of amorphous materials from scattering within the transformer while suppressing the work time and manufacturing costs. Especially since the joint portion can be positioned in a restricted manner only on the side walls and the inner side of the amorphous iron core window, the operation for connecting the iron core protection members together can be performed extremely easily.
Embodiment 8
[0257] FIGS. 28A and 28B are work drawings showing an eighth embodiment of an amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention, wherein the coil wrapping operation and the state after inserting the coil is shown in perspective views.
[0258] As shown in FIG. 28A, the iron core protection member comprises a bottom surface protection member 81c1 composed of a single plate cut to a dimension capable of being assembled into a box shape in advance and designed so that there is no connecting section disposed on the contact surface with the work table, a contact surface protection member 81c.sub.2 extended from the bottom-surface protection member 81c.sub.1 and disposed on the contact surface between the iron core 82a and the coil 83a, an iron core window inner surface protection member 81c.sub.3 inserted to the inner side of the iron core window, and a joint portion side wall protection member 81c.sub.4 disposed on the side wall of the iron core joint portion. The iron core protection member also has attached thereto insulation materials 84d and 84e covering the surface of an iron core 82a that cannot be covered by the iron core protection member.
[0259] The amorphous iron core 82a is placed on the iron core protection member having attached to the single-plate iron core protection member 81c.sub.1 the iron core window inner side protection member 81c.sub.3 and the insulation materials 84d and 84e. The iron core protection member 81c.sub.3 is attached to the inner side of the window of the amorphous iron core 82a (FIG. 28A). After wrapping the amorphous iron core 82a with iron core protection members 81c.sub.1 through 81c.sub.4, the joint portion of the amorphous iron core 82a is temporarily separated, and the amorphous iron core 82a covered with the iron core protection members 81c.sub.1 through 81c.sub.4 and expanded is inserted by sliding into the transversely placed coil 83a. During insertion, the protection member 81c.sub.4 on the side wall of the iron core joint portion exerts an effect to protect the expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 of the iron core formed by the joint portion being expanded. After insertion, the inner side portion of the protection member 81c.sub.4 is opened and the expanded sections 82a.sub.1 and 82a.sub.1 of the iron core 82a are reattached, and thereafter, the protection member 81c.sub.4 at the side wall of the iron core joint portion is folded, connected and fixed, and the area without the protection member is wrapped via an insulation material 84e (FIG. 28B). At this time, the amorphous iron core protection members 81c.sub.1 through 81c.sub.4 ensure an insulation distance between the iron core 82a and the coils 83a and 83a, so that there is no need to insert an insulation member between the amorphous iron core 82a and the coils 83a and 83a. Further, since the dimension of the iron core protection member 81c.sub.2 of the iron core contact surface can be formed easily, it becomes possible to insert the amorphous iron core 82a into the coils 83a and 83a without deforming the core.
[0260] According to embodiment 8, the whole circumference of the amorphous iron core 82a is covered by the iron core protection members 81c.sub.1 through 81c.sub.4 without any clearances, so that an amorphous iron core transformer capable of preventing scattering of fragments of amorphous materials while reducing work time and manufacturing costs. Specifically, the present embodiment enables to minimize the strength of the iron core protection member and to further cut down material costs.
Embodiment 9
[0261] The above-mentioned embodiments described examples related to a single-phase amorphous iron core transformer, but the present invention is not restricted to such single-phase amorphous iron core transformers. FIGS. 29A through 29F are perspective work drawings showing a ninth embodiment of an amorphous iron core transformer according to the present invention. FIGS. 29A through 29F show iron core wrapping operations using iron core protections members for inner and outer iron cores in a three-phase amorphous iron core transformer. The iron core protection member 81d.sub.1 of an inner core 82b is a single plate of a bottom surface cut in advance into a dimension capable of being assembled into a box shape and having no connecting section disposed on the contact surface with the work table. The protection member 81d is a protection member fit to an inner side of an iron core window (FIG. 29A). According to embodiment 9, in a state where the joint portion of an amorphous wound iron core 82a is expanded and the protection members are folded and formed to cover a major portion of the amorphous wound iron core 82a excluding the expanded sections 82b.sub.1 and 82b.sub.1 (FIG. 29B), overhanging structures 81d.sub.2 (only one of which is selected and denoted with the reference number for representation) remain only on the lower side and the upper side corresponding to the corners of the amorphous wound iron core 82a. The overhanging structure 81d.sub.2 enable the inner core 82b to be assembled with the outer iron core 82c as described later.
[0262] The state of the wrapping operation of the outer iron core 82c is shown in FIGS. 29C and 29D. The protection member 81e.sub.1 is substantially square shape, with a window formed at the center and cutouts formed at the four corners. An outer iron core 2c is placed above an iron core protection member. 81e.sub.1 formed of a single plate for covering the outer iron core 82c in a box shape (FIG. 29C), and the protection member 81e.sub.1 is folded and formed into a box shape around the outer iron core 82c. Thereafter, the joint portion of the outer iron core 82c is temporarily expanded (FIG. 29D). Curved portions are formed at corners of the outer iron core 82c, but upon fold forming the protection member 81e.sub.1, normally the member is folded via right angles, so that in correspondence to the corners of the outer iron core 82c, overhanging structures 81e.sub.3 are formed on the outer side of the protection member 81e.sub.1, and inner corners 81e.sub.2 and 81e.sub.2 are formed on the inner side where the curved portions of the outer iron core 82c are exposed.
[0263] FIGS. 29E and 29F are perspective views showing a state after the coils are inserted to a three-phase three-leg amorphous iron core. Two inner iron cores 82b and 82b illustrated in FIG. 29B covered with protection members 81d.sub.1 through 81d.sub.3 are inserted transversely into three coils 83b, 83b and 83b, and an outer iron core 82c shown in FIG. 29D is inserted to both outer side coils 83b and 83b. Thereafter, expanded sections 82b.sub.1, 82b.sub.1, 87c.sub.1 and 82c.sub.1 of the inner iron cores 82b, 82b and outer iron core 82c are reattached, the iron core protection members 81d.sub.1, 81d.sub.1 and 81e.sub.1 are folded and formed to cover the joint portion being assembled and reattached, and then the protection members covering the joint portion are mutually connected and fixed to each other. At this time, the curved portions at the four corners of the outer iron core 82c conform the curved portions as contact surfaces on four corners of two parallel inner cores 82b and 82b, and surrounds the circumference of the inner iron core 82b. Further, the overhanging structures 81d.sub.2 formed on the lower surface and the upper surface of the inner iron cores 82b and 82b by the protection members overhung to the outer side are connected to cover the openings formed between adjacent curved portions of inner iron cores 82b and 82b and also connected with the iron core protection member 81e.sub.1, and are connected to the four corners of the outer iron core 82c by being fit to the respective inner corners 81e.sub.2 exposed on the inner side of the outer core, so that the protection members 81d.sub.1, 81d.sub.1 and 81e.sub.1 can be mutually assembled without any clearances formed thereto. Therefore, since the whole circumference of the amorphous iron cores 82a and 82c can be covered completely by the iron core protection members 81d.sub.1 through 81d.sub.3 and 81e.sub.1, an amorphous iron core transformer capable of preventing scattering of amorphous material fragments can be provided with reduced work time and manufacturing costs, capable of exerting equivalent effects as the aforementioned embodiments.
[0264] Further, it is clear that the expanded drawings of the iron core protection members and the joint portions of the above-described embodiments can adopt other shapes and positions as long as it satisfies the condition that joint portions are not disposed on the contact surface with the work table.
Embodiment 10
[0265] Next, we will describe the invention related to (5) a coil winding frame for a transformer with reference to the drawings.
[0266] FIGS. 32 through 39 are explanatory views of a coil winding frame and a transformer using the same according to the present invention.
[0267] A tenth embodiment of a transformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33. FIG. 32 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing embodiment 10 of the transformer according to the present invention. FIG. 33 is an external view of a coil winding frame used for the transformer shown in FIG. 32. Hereafter, the reference numbers denoting the components used in the drawings are used in common for all the drawings related to embodiments 11 to 13.
[0268] According to embodiment 10 of the transformer shown in FIG. 32, the transformer comprises an iron core 90 and a coil 89 wound around the iron core 90. The coil 89 is composed of an inner winding wire 93 and an outer winding wire 94 wound concentrically on the outer side thereof via a main insulation. The iron core 90 can be formed for example by winding multiple layers of amorphous magnetic thin plates, but is not restricted thereto. A coil winding frame 88a is disposed on the inner side of the inner winding wire 93. A winding frame member insulation portion 91 is disposed on the coil winding frame 88a so as not to form a magnetic line loop. The iron core characteristics of the iron core 90 is sensitive to stress especially when an amorphous wound iron core is used, so spacers 92 are inserted to four sides of the iron core 90 between the iron core 90 and the coil winding frame 88a to prevent the coil winding frame 88a from applying force to the iron core 90.
[0269] According to the transformer structure, if the coil winding frame has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, if short circuit occurs to the load side of the transformer and short-circuit current is generated in the coil 89, an electromagnetic mechanical force is applied to the inner side of the inner winding wire 93, and the coil winding frame is buckled toward the inner side so as to dent toward the iron core 90. The buckling of the coil winding frame 88a occurs so that the center of the side corresponding to the long side in the cross-section is dented further than the short side. When buckling occurs to the coil winding frame 88a, the coil 89 is deformed, and the buckling causes pressure to be applied to the iron core 90m, deteriorating iron loss and excitation current.
[0270] According to the present invention, in order to prevent buckling of the coil winding frame, the coil winding frame 88a having a bow-like cross-sectional shape is used. FIG. 33 is an external view of a coil winding frame 88a used for the transformer illustrated in FIG. 32. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the coil winding frame 88a is formed so that the coil winding frame portions 95a and 95a of the long sides in the cross section where buckling is likely to occur is formed in a bow-like cross-sectional shape expanded to the outer side. Such bow-like cross-sectional shape resists against the center section of the coil winding frame portions 95a and 95a from denting toward the iron core 90. In other words, in order for the coil winding frame portions 95a and 95a to be dented and buckled to the inner side, a force strong enough to deform the frame against the expanded portions expanded to outward in a bow-like shape is required, so that it can be recognized that the buckling strength is increased. As for the coil winding frame sections 95b and 95b on the short sides of the cross-sectional shape, buckling itself is relatively not likely to occur, so they are formed of flat surfaces. The buckling strength of the bow-like coil winding frame 88a can be improved by approximately 30% than the prior art rectangular coil winding frame.
Embodiment 11
[0271] An eleventh embodiment of a transformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. FIG. 34 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating embodiment 11 of the transformer according to the present invention. FIG. 35 is an external view of the coil winding frame used in the transformer shown in FIG. 34. In embodiment 11, the coil winding frame 88b is subjected to extrusion machining 96c, but the other structures are the same as embodiment 10. As shown in FIG. 35, extrusion machining 96c is provided at multiple locations on the long sides in the cross section of the coil winding frame portions 96a and 96a easily buckled and therefore requiring strength against buckling. The coil winding frame portions 96a and 96a tend to receive bending deformation force to buckle the center section to the inner side in a dented state, but the extrusion machining 96c exerts an effect to resist against such bending and improve the buckling strength of the coil winding frame 88b.
[0272] The buckling strength of the coil winding frame 88b subjected to extrusion machining is improved by approximately 60% compared to the prior art rectangular coil winding frame. Further, since the buckling strength can be varied by the shape of the extrusion machining, the processing shape of the extrusion machining can be determined to correspond to the magnetic mechanical force generated from the inner winding wire 93.
Embodiment 12
[0273] A twelfth embodiment of the transformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37. FIG. 36 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing embodiment 12 of the transformer according to the present invention. FIG. 37 is an external view of the coil winding frame used from the transformer shown in FIG. 36. In embodiment 12, the coil winding frame 88c is formed as a cylinder with supporting posts 98 and 98 disposed on the center hollow portion, wherein the other structures are the same as embodiment 10. The coil winding frame 88c has a cylindrical profile, but it is discontinued via insulation portions 91 at four regular intervals. The coil winding frame 88c and the supporting posts 98 and 98 are formed of metal panels, wherein the coil winding frame 88c is connected via welding to the side ends of the support posts 98 and 98 at angular positions separated by 45 degrees around the center from the insulation portions 91, and the supporting posts 98 and 98 are formed for example by being assembled in a cross shape via welding. The iron core 90 is formed by assembling a large (large area) portion and a small (small area) portion for filling the space within the coil winding frame 88c. As for the spacers 92, the large portion and the small portion are arranged in a relatively wide area facing the inner side of the coil winding frame 88.
[0274] The cylindrical coil winding frame 88c is composed of four cylindrical parts of coil winding frames 97a, 97b, 97c and 97d, and the respective coil winding frames 97a through 97d are arched toward the outer side, so that it has high strength against buckling to the inner side caused by the force in the compression direction, and since it is reinforced from the inner side via supporting posts 98 and 98 assembled in a cross-shape, the buckling strength is improved further. Moreover, the supporting posts 98 and 98 improve not only the buckling strength but also the workability for inserting the iron core 90 to the coil 89 during assembly.
Embodiment 13
[0275] A thirteenth embodiment of the transformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39. FIG. 38 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing embodiment 13 of the transformer according to the present invention. FIG. 39 is an external view of the coil winding frame used in the transformer shown in FIG. 38. In embodiment 13, similar to embodiment 10, the coil winding frame 88d adopts a bow-like shape expanded to the outer side, and further, similar to embodiment 11, multiple extrusion machining 99c is applied to the outer side of the coil winding frames 99a and 99a on the long sides.
[0276] The transformer according to the present invention is not restricted to the respective coil winding frame structures as shown in FIGS. 32 through 37, but can be applied to assembled structures such as a bow-like coil winding frame subjected to extrusion machining as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39. Further, it is possible to provide extrusion machining shown in embodiment 11 to the cylindrical coil winding frame shown in embodiment 12.
[0277] Next, the invention of (6) a shell-type amorphous transformer is described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 14
[0278] FIGS. 41A through 41C show a fourteenth embodiment of a shell-type amorphous mold transformer. FIG. 41A is a front view of the shell-type amorphous mold transformer, FIG. 41B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 41C is an upper view thereof. The amorphous mold transformer having a three-phase five leg wound iron core structure shown in FIGS. 41A through 41C is mainly composed of an inner iron core 110, an outer iron core 111, primary coils 2U, 2V and 2W, secondary coils 20u, 20v and 20w, primary terminals 30U, 30V and 30W, secondary terminals 31u, 31v and 31w, a coil support 132, an iron core support 133, an upper bracket 141, a lower bracket 142 and a side bracket 143.
[0279] Since the primary coils 2U, 2V and 2W and the secondary coils 20u, 20v and 20w isolated electrically are magnetically connected via the inner iron core 110 and the outer iron core 111, so that the winding ratio of the primary coil and the secondary coil is reflected as the voltage ratio and is voltage-converted. In a most standard transformer for receiving and distributing high pressure, the primary terminals 30U, 30V and 30W receive power of 6600 V, and a voltage of 210 V is induced to the secondary terminals 31u, 31v and 31w. The user of the transformer uses the transformer by connecting loads to the secondary terminals 31u, 31v and 31w.
[0280] The inner iron core 110 and the outer iron core 111 are placed via an iron core support 133 on primary coils 2U, 2V and 2W and secondary coils 20u, 20v and 20w. The primary coils 2U, 2V and 2W and the secondary coils 20u, 20v and 20w are placed via a coil support 132 on the lower bracket 142. The lower bracket 142 is connected via bolts to the side bracket 143 (in the drawing, six bolts 34H and 34L are used at respective connecting sections), and the side bracket 143 is connected via a similar bolt connection to the upper bracket 141. The upper bracket 141 has a lifting lug 41a formed on the outer side for suspending the same. Therefore, the load of the inner cores 110 and the outer cores 111 and the load of the primary coils 2U, 2V and 2W and the secondary coils 20u, 20v and 20w are transmitted via the lower bracket 142, the side bracket 143 and the upper bracket 141 to the lifting lug 41a, so that the main body of the transformer can be supported in a suspended manner via the lifting lug 41a.
[0281] Since the amorphous transformer for receiving and distributing high pressure has inner iron cores 110 and outer iron cores 111 which are amorphous iron cores formed by laminating amorphous ribbons of approximately 0.025 mm, so that the rigidity thereof is extremely small. Therefore, in a shell-type amorphous transformer in which the legs of the amorphous iron core are positioned outside the coils as in the case of a three-phase five-leg wound iron core structure, the outer side of the legs of the outer iron core (legs on the opposite side from the side arranged within the coil) may contact or come close to the high pressure primary coils via vibration during transportation or the like. Since voltage applied to the primary coil surface is a few thousand bolts while the iron core is grounded and has zero potential, so that if it is not possible to ensure a sufficient distance 5 between the primary coil and the outer iron core legs, insulation failure may occur.
[0282] The shell-type amorphous transformer (embodiment 14) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 42A through 42C. FIGS. 42A through 42C are perspective views illustrating a shell-type amorphous transformer, wherein. FIG. 42A shows a side bracket, FIG. 42B shows an iron core protection plate used for the side bracket, and FIG. 42C shows a side bracket having the iron core protection plates. Embodiment 14 adopts a side bracket structure without using iron core covers 10a and 11a for ensuring a predetermined distance 5 between the primary coil and the outer iron core legs.
[0283] FIG. 42A shows a side bracket 43 prior to assembling the transformer, which is a member formed of iron having a U-shape when viewed from arrow 71. The U-shaped side bracket 143 is composed of a main face plate 161 constituting a side wall of the transformer and two side face plates 162 and 163 connected perpendicularly to the main face plate 161. Holes 43a1 and 43a2 are formed on upper and lower areas of the main face plate 161. The holes 43a1 are for inserting bolts 34H for connecting the upper bracket 141 with the side brackets 143 (refer to FIG. 41A), and holes 43a2 are for inserting bolts 34L for connecting the lower bracket 142 with the side brackets 143 (refer to FIG. 41A).
[0284] On two side face plates 162 and 163 are formed a plurality of long rectangular holes 43b1 and 43b2 along the sides opposite from the connecting sides connected perpendicularly with the main face plate 161. The same number of holes 43b1 and 43b2 are disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to a surface 160 perpendicular to the main face plate 161 and passing the center in the depth direction of the main face plate 161.
[0285] In the present embodiments, three holes 43b1 and three holes 43b2 are disposed respectively on the side face plates 162 and 163, but the safety of ensuring a distance 105 between the primary coil and outer iron core leg portions increases as the number of holes increases or as the length 152 of the long side of the rectangular holes increases.
[0286] The minimum distance 151 from the holes 43b1 and 43b2 to the main face plate 161 is set longer than the laminated thickness 153 of the iron core (refer to FIG. 45A). Therefore, the outer iron core leg portion 11c can be disposed on the inner side of the area surrounded by the main face plate 161 and two side face plates 162 and 163 and denoted by distance 151. Iron core support panels 44 shown in FIG. 42B is passed through the holes 43b1 and 43b2 as shown in FIGS. 41A and 42C. The iron core support panels 144 are formed of insulation materials so that the side bracket 143 does not form a loop through which current flows. FIG. 42C omits the drawing of an outer iron core leg portion 11c, but actually, an outer iron core leg portion 11c is disposed between the main face plate 161 and the iron core support panel 144. The length 154 of the iron core support panels 144 is the same as the length 155 between two side face plates 162 an 163 or longer, and the iron core support panels 144 are fixed via silicon rubber or other adhesives at areas where the holes 43b1 and 43b2 are formed. According to the present arrangement, it becomes possible to ensure a predetermined distance as the distance 105 between the primary coil and the outer iron core leg portion.
Embodiment 15
[0287] Another example (embodiment 15) of a shell-type amorphous transformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 43A through 43C. FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing another example of the shell-type amorphous transformer, FIG. 43A shows a side bracket thereof, FIG. 43B shows an iron core support panel used with the side bracket, and FIG. 43C shows a side bracket equipped with the iron core support panel.
[0288] The bracket shown in FIG. 43A is a side bracket 145 according to embodiment 15 prior to assembling the transformer, which is a member formed of iron having a U-shape when viewed from arrow 172. This side bracket 143 with a U-shaped structure is composed of a main face plate 161 forming a side wall of the transformer and two side face plates 162 and 163 connected perpendicularly to the main face plate 161. Holes 43a1 and 43a2 are formed near the upper edge and the lower edge of the main face plate 161. The holes 43a1 are for inserting bolts 34H (refer to FIG. 41) for connecting the upper bracket 141 and the side bracket 145, and holes 43a2 are for inserting bolts 34L (refer to FIG. 41) for connecting the lower bracket 142 and the side bracket 145.
[0289] The width direction length 156 of the side face plates 162 and 163 of the side bracket 145 is set longer than the laminated thickness 153 of the iron core (refer to FIG. 45). Therefore, it becomes possible to arrange the outer iron core leg portion 11c inside the area surrounded by the main face plate 161 and two side face plates 162 and 163. In the side bracket 145, an insulating iron core support panel 146 shown in FIG. 43B is disposed on one side not forming the U-shape of the side bracket 145 (the side between leading ends of two side face plates 162 and 163). The iron core support panel 146 and the side bracket 145 cover the outer iron core leg portion 11c as shown in FIG. 43C. FIG. 43C omits the view of the outer iron core leg portion 11c. The height length 57H of the iron core support panel 146 is either equal to or shorter than the linear length having subtracted double the length of the inner-window corner radius 53R from the inner height 53H of the iron core window, and the width direction length 57W of the iron core support panel 146 is either equal to or longer than the length 155 between the side face plates 162 and 163. The iron core support panel 146 is either fixed via silicon rubber or other adhesives to the side bracket 45 or fixed by winding tapes 82 (FIG. 43C) to three areas or so in the height direction of the side bracket 145. The present arrangement enables to ensure a predetermined distance as the distance 5 between the primary coil, and the outer iron core leg portion.
Embodiment 16
[0290] A yet another example (embodiment 16) of a shell-type amorphous transformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 44A through 44C. FIGS. 44A through 44C are perspective views showing yet another example of the shell-type amorphous transformer, wherein FIG. 44A shows a side bracket, FIG. 44B shows an iron core retention member used for the side bracket, and FIG. 44C show a side bracket equipped with the iron core support panel.
[0291] The bracket shown in FIG. 44A is a side bracket 47 according to embodiment 16 prior to assembling the transformer, which is a single plate-shaped iron member. The holes 43a1 formed near the upper edge are for inserting bolts 34H (refer to FIG. 41A) for connecting the upper bracket 141 and the side bracket 147, and the holes 43a2 formed on the lower edge are for inserting bolts 34L (refer to FIG. 41A) for connecting the lower bracket 142 and the side bracket 147.
[0292] The member shown in FIG. 44B is an iron core retention member 148 for retaining the leg portion of the outer iron core according to embodiment 16, formed in a U-shape when viewed from the arrow 73. The iron core retention member 148 is formed of plate-shaped insulation members 148A, 148B and 148C, which are fixed via silicon rubber or other adhesives and formed in a U-shape. The width direction length 158 of the insulation members 148B and 148C is longer than the laminated thickness 153 of the iron core (refer to FIG. 45A). The height direction length 158H of the iron core retention member 148 is either equal to or shorter than the linear length having subtracted double the length of the inner-window corner radius 53R from the inner height 53H of the iron core window, and the width direction length. 158W of the insulation member 148A is either equal to or shorter than the width direction length 159 of the side bracket 147. The side bracket 147 and the iron core retention member 148 are arranged as shown in FIG. 44C, and the outer iron core leg portion 11c is disposed in the area covered by these members. The view of the outer iron core leg portion 11c is omitted in FIG. 44C. The side bracket 147 and the iron core retention member 148 are either fixed via silicon rubber or other adhesives or fixed by winding tapes 183 (FIG. 44C) to three areas or so in the height direction of the side bracket 147. The present arrangement enables to ensure a predetermined distance as the distance 5 between the primary coil and the outer iron core leg portion.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES
[0293] 1: pole-mounted transformer, [0294] 2: winding wire [0295] 3: wound iron core [0296] 11-14: magnetic materials with different magnetic permeability [0297] L1-5: block formed of material 11 [0298] A1-5: block formed of material 14 [0299] 105a, 105b: amorphous iron core transformer [0300] 31: iron core [0301] 31a: inner circumference of iron core [0302] 31b: outer circumference of iron core [0303] 31a.sub.11, 31a.sub.12, . . . , 31a.sub.1n, 31b.sub.22, 31b.sub.12, . . . , 31b.sub.1p: block-like laminated member [0304] 31a.sub.1, 31b.sub.1: group of block-like laminated members [0305] 32a, 32b: coil [0306] 41, 42, 43: sheet-like non-magnetic insulation material [0307] 51: jig for forming ring shape [0308] 51: jig for forming ring shape doubling as jig for preventing deformation [0309] 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d: jig for preventing deformation [0310] 1000.sub.A, 1000.sub.B: transformer [0311] 60, 60a, 60b, 60.sub.A, 60.sub.B, 60.sub.A1, 60.sub.B1, 60.sub.C1, 60.sub.D1, 60.sub.D2, 60.sub.D3, 60.sub.D4: iron core [0312] 62, 62a, 62b: coil [0313] 68: winding frame [0314] 60a.sub.11, 60a.sub.12, 60b.sub.11, 60b.sub.12: long side of iron core [0315] 60a.sub.21, 60a.sub.22, 60b.sub.21, 60b.sub.22: short side of iron core [0316] 60a.sub.c1-60a.sub.c4, 60b.sub.c1-60b.sub.c4: corner portion of iron core [0317] 70a.sub.11-70a.sub.1n1, 70a.sub.21-70a.sub.2n2, 70a.sub.31-70a.sub.3n3, 70b.sub.11-70b.sub.1n1, 70b.sub.21-70b.sub.2n2, 70b.sub.31-70b.sub.3n3, 70.sub.11-70.sub.1n1, 70.sub.21-70.sub.2n2, 70.sub.31-70.sub.3n3, 70.sub.a1, 70.sub.A, 70.sub.B, 70.sub.C: connecting section [0318] 65a, 65b, 65c: retention member [0319] 67a, 67b, 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d: reinforcement member [0320] 65: sheet-like insulation material [0321] 61, 71: thermosetting or light curing coating [0322] 80: pouched insulation material [0323] 90: band [0324] 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A1n1, 100.sub.A11, 100.sub.A12, 100.sub.A13, . . . , 100.sub.A16: block-like laminated member [0325] 100.sub.A1: first unit [0326] 100.sub.A2: second unit [0327] 100.sub.A111, 100.sub.A112, . . . , 100.sub.A11x: magnetic thin plate [0328] 100.sub.A11t, 100.sub.A11e: end surface [0329] g, g: distance between end surfaces [0330] 81a.sub.1, 81a.sub.2, 81a.sub.3; 81b.sub.1, 81b.sub.2, 81b.sub.3; 81c.sub.1, 81c.sub.2, 81c.sub.3, 81c.sub.4; 81d.sub.1, 81d.sub.2, 81d.sub.3; 81e.sub.1, 81e.sub.2, 81e.sub.3: iron core protection member [0331] 82a.sub.1, 82b.sub.1; 82c.sub.1, 82c.sub.1: expanded section [0332] 82a, 82b, 82c: amorphous iron core [0333] 83a, 83b: coil [0334] 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d, 84e: insulation material [0335] 85: jig [0336] 86a, 86b: Insulation material (for retaining insulation distance between iron core and coil) [0337] 88a: bow-like coil winding frame [0338] 88b: coil winding frame with extrusion machining [0339] 88c: coil winding frame having supporting posts disposed in cylinder [0340] 88d: bow-like coil winding frame with extrusion machining [0341] 89: coil [0342] 93: inner winding wire [0343] 94: outer winding wire [0344] 90: iron core [0345] 91: winding frame member insulating portion [0346] 92: spacer [0347] 98: supporting post [0348] 95a, 95b: coil winding frame portion [0349] 96a, 96b: coil winding frame portion [0350] 96c: extrusion machining [0351] 97a, 97b, 97c, 97d: coil winding frame portion [0352] 99a, 99b: coil winding frame portion [0353] 99c: extrusion machining [0354] 110: inner iron core [0355] 110a: inner iron core cover [0356] 111: outer iron core [0357] 111a: outer iron core cover [0358] 11c: outer iron core leg portion (outer side) [0359] 2U, 2V, 2W: primary coil [0360] 20u, 20v, 20w: secondary coil [0361] 30U, 30V, 30W: primary terminal [0362] 31u, 31v, 31w: secondary terminal [0363] 32: coil support [0364] 33: iron core support [0365] 34H: bolts connecting side bracket and upper bracket [0366] 34L: bolts connecting side bracket and lower bracket [0367] 141: upper bracket [0368] 42a: lifting lug [0369] 142: lower bracket [0370] 43, 45, 47: side bracket [0371] 43a1, 43a2: circular hole [0372] 43b1, 43b2: rectangular hole [0373] 144, 146, 148A, 148B, 148C: insulating iron core retention member (iron core support panel) [0374] 148: insulating member [0375] 105: distance between primary coil and outer iron core leg portion [0376] 151: distance between side wall of side bracket and rectangular hole [0377] 152: length of long side of rectangular hole [0378] 153: iron core laminated thickness [0379] 153H: inner height of iron core window [0380] 53R: inner corner radius of iron core window [0381] 154: insulation panel length [0382] 155, 159: depth direction length of side bracket [0383] 56: width direction length of side wall of side bracket [0384] 57W: depth direction length of insulation panel [0385] 57H: insulation panel height [0386] 58W: depth direction length of insulation member [0387] 58H: insulation member height [0388] 160: surface perpendicular to side wall of side bracket and passing the center of depth direction of side wall of side bracket [0389] 162: main face plate of side bracket [0390] 162, 163: side face plate perpendicular to main face plate constituting two sides of side bracket [0391] 171, 172, 173: arrow view viewing transformer from upper part of transformer [0392] 182, 183: tape
