Patent ID: 9013078
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
1. An automotive alternator comprising: a rotor that creates a rotating magnetic field; a stator that generates alternating current (AC) power in the rotating magnetic field created by the rotor, the stator including a stator winding from which the AC power is output, the stator winding being made of a metal other than copper and copper alloys; and a rectifier including a plurality of rectifying elements and a plurality of electrical conductors, the rectifying elements and the electrical conductors together forming a rectification circuit for rectifying the AC power output from the stator winding into DC power, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors includes first and second portions, wherein the first portion is connected to at least one of the rectifying elements, and the first portion is made of one of copper and a copper alloy, wherein the second portion is connected to the stator winding, and the second portion is made of a metal containing a metallic element that is also contained in the metal of which the stator winding is made, wherein the rectifier further comprises a resin-made insulator, wherein the at least one of the electrical conductors further comprises a joining portion between a joining surface of the first portion and a joining surface of the second portion, wherein the joining portion comprises the entire area over which the first portion and the second portion are in direct contact, wherein the entire joining surface of the first portion throughout the joining portion is coplanar with a surface of the first portion outside the joining portion, and the entire joining surface of the second portion throughout the joining portion is coplanar with a surface of the second portion outside the joining portion, and wherein the joining portion is embedded in the insulator.