Patent Description:
In the state of the art, <CIT>, a vehicle air conditioning system comprises a closed circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, the circuit comprises notably a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator and a compressor, notably an electrical compressor. A known electrical compressor comprises a rotating electrical machine, electrically powered and housed in a metal or synthetic housing, the rotating electrical machine comprising a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor that is mobile in rotation about a rotation axis. The rotor, situated radially inside the stator, is coupled in rotation to a shaft which is itself coupled in rotation to a compression device, thus allowing the compression of the refrigerant when the rotor is rotated. The housing is configured to ensure that the stator is secured in such a way that the latter remains immobile relative to the rotor, therefore dictating a specific dimensioning of the housing. The presence of securing members, such as tie-rods, ensuring the tight closure of the housing by securing different elements forming said housing, means, as is known, having to adapt the form of the stator and of any member required to cooperate therewith.

The stator is formed by a stack of sheets whose teeth accommodate a polyphase winding. The conductor wires of this winding, for example copper wires, are assembled around the teeth, thus forming windings and whose top and bottom ends form lead-out wires, also called winding overhangs. The windings are electrically linked to one another, for example so as to form three phases. This connection can be made according to different configurations, for example a delta or star configuration. In order to organize the winding of these conductor wires, it is known practice to equip the stator with an insulating element, disposed at the level of the winding overhangs.

Such insulating elements are nevertheless not always suited to the current stators, particularly when the latter combine windings connected according to a delta configuration, that is more complex, and the presence of securing members in the housing. Indeed, in the case of a delta configuration, several windings are electrically mounted in series, a terminal end of one winding being connected to the initial end of another winding. Such electrical connection requires the passage of numerous conductor wires within the stator, particularly in its top part where the connections between distinct windings are disposed. It is thus necessary on the one hand to organize the different conductor wires within the stator in order to circumvent the housing securing members, and on the other hand to electrically insulate said conductor wires from the securing members likely to conduct the electrical current running through the windings without in any way affecting the diameter of the stator concerned.

The problem is solved by the features of the independent claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

The present invention falls within this context and its aim is to propose an insulating element for winding overhangs of a stator that is capable of at least partly addressing the abovementioned drawbacks. Notably, the insulating element of the present invention is configured to organize the different wires of windings of a stator, whose windings are connected according to a delta configuration, while electrically insulating said conductor wires from other conductive elements external to the stator, such as the securing members, and do so while preserving the diameter of the stator. The invention can notably be advantageously used for a compressor, for example of refrigerant of an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle.

The subject of the present invention relates to an insulating element for winding overhangs of a stator comprising a support centred on an extension axis and defined by an outer radial face, an inner radial face and a top face which extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis. The insulating element comprises a plurality of arms emerging from the inner radial face and distributed circumferentially thereon, as well as a plurality of indentations distributed circumferentially in the outer radial face and extending along the extension axis of the support. At least one indentation is at least partially delimited by a low wall emerging from the top face of the support in a direction substantially parallel to the extension axis. The insulating element being characterized in that it comprises at least one receptacle delimited by the low wall and by the top face, the receptacle being configured to receive at least one wire of a winding of the stator.

The insulating element consists of a support made of an insulating material, for example a synthetic material, having an annular form centred on the extension axis. The terms "internal/inner" or "external/outer" relative to this extension axis will be used hereinafter in the description and in the claims in a nonlimiting manner and in order to facilitate the understanding thereof. Also, according to a radial orientation, orthogonal to the extension axis, "the interior" designates a proximal part of the extension axis and "the exterior" designates a distal part of this same axis. The support thus comprises an inner radial face and an outer radial face, that are respectively defined by a first diameter and a second diameter, and joined to one another by a top face and a bottom face, both extending in planes substantially orthogonal to the extension axis. In particular, the insulating element is configured in such a way that the second diameter, defining the diameter of the outer radial face of the support, is greater than the first diameter. The dimension measuring the difference between the second diameter and the first diameter thus defines the thickness of the support.

The insulating element comprises a plurality of arms regularly distributed over the circumference of the inner radial face. Arm is understood to mean a member having a substantially elongate form emerging from the inner radial face towards the extension axis, for example in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the top face and/or of the bottom face of the support. The arms are configured to cooperate with the winding overhangs of the stator and can have a portion that is flared at a free end. Additionally and according to a feature of the present invention, at least one arm can comprise at least one helical groove configured to receive at least one winding conductor wire. The groove or grooves are at least partially disposed in a top face of the arm in order to contribute to the organizing and the securing of at least one conductor wire at the time of the winding operation.

The insulating element also comprises a plurality of indentations, which are distributed regularly in the circumference of the outer radial face of the support. The indentations extend in a direction substantially parallel to that of the extension axis of the insulating element and at least over a height equal to the height of the support. "Height of the support" is understood to mean the dimension measured in a direction parallel to the extension axis, between the top face and the bottom face of the support.

The indentations are configured to allow a passage for securing members, such as tie-rods, which run in or along the housing enclosing a rotating electrical machine comprising the stator. The housing can comprise a block which houses the stator and which is closed by an electronic control unit of the motor. In such a case, the securing members retain the electronic unit on the block of the housing, by closing its longitudinal end.

The indentations each comprise a bottom, that is to say a zone radially closer to the extension axis of the insulating element and lateral edges extending in a direction substantially parallel to the extension axis. The indentations can have a semi-circular or arc profile, but other alternative forms will also be able to be envisaged.

The low walls consist of protuberances of material emerging from the top face of the support and comprising an outer periphery and an inner periphery. At least one low wall delimits, partially or completely, an indentation in its top part, or, to put it another way, the indentation extends over the height of the support and the height of the low wall, the low wall thus following the form of the indentation on its outer periphery. Notably, the outer periphery of the low wall can be disposed in the continuity of the outer radial face of the support. The inner periphery of the low wall emerges from the top face of the support, such that the low wall does not extend over all of the thickness of the support. Thus, the top face of the support forms, with the low wall, and more particularly with the internal periphery of the low wall, a receptacle configured to receive at least one wire of a winding of the stator connecting one winding to another. The inner periphery of the low wall can have variable forms, for example a semi-circular or arc form, or even comprise a substantially rectilinear section.

According to an additional feature of the present invention, at least one radial direction, originating in the extension axis, passes through an arm, a receptacle, a low wall and an indentation. To put it another way, an arm, a receptacle, a low wall and an indentation are at least partially radically aligned, the low wall, according to the invention, being radially interposed between the receptacle and the indentation. The low wall thus allows the passage of a conductor wire while electrically insulating it from any securing member extending at the level of the indentation delimited by the low wall.

Notably, the arm, the receptacle, the low wall and the indentation can be centred on the common radial axis passing through them, the radial axis passing through the middle of each of the respective widths of these elements. These widths are evaluated by considering them in the plane of the top face, orthogonal to the extension axis. The widths measure the distance separating two points lying within the ends of each of the abovementioned elements along an axis at right angles to the radial axis. Additionally, at least one arm can be configured so as to have a width, called width of the arm, that is less than or substantially equal to a width of the indentation aligned on the same radial axis.

According to an additional feature of the present invention, at least one low wall has a variable thickness, defined by a minimum thickness and a maximum thickness, the low wall having the minimum thickness in a central zone situated between the arm and the indentation, and the low wall having the maximum thickness at at least one lateral end of the low wall. The different thicknesses of the low wall are measured in the plane of the top face. The minimum thickness is thus the dimension measured along the radial axis, between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the low wall. The maximum thickness is measured at a lateral end of the low wall, between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the low wall, along an axis substantially at right angles to the inner periphery. The low wall can, for example, have a minimum thickness substantially equal to or greater than <NUM> ± <NUM>%, a value corresponding to the minimum of the thickness required to allow the electrical insulation of the conductor wire or wires disposed in the receptacle delimited by the low wall. The maximum thickness can, for its part, lie within a range of values ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> times the value of the minimum thickness, such a maximum thickness ensuring the resistance of the low wall to the pulling forces undergone during winding. To the same end, the indentation can be bracketed, at at least one of its lateral edges, by a shoulder extending over the height of the support and in a direction substantially parallel to that of the extension axis, said shoulder extending, for example, in the continuity of the lateral end of the low wall having the maximum thickness.

Since the support according to the present invention comprises a plurality of indentations, the latter can be configured to all adopt an identical configuration, or, on the other hand, to each have a specific combination of the features previously explained. For example, and in a nonlimiting manner, one and the same insulating element can comprise indentations having one or more combinations of the features previously explained.

According to an additional feature of the invention, a portion of the support separating two adjacent indentations can be defined by an angular segment, this portion of support comprising at least one arm. To put it another way, the indentations as previously explained are disposed so as to be radially aligned with an arm. The insulating element can nevertheless comprise a greater number of arms than indentations. In such a configuration, all the arms are not radially disposed in the alignment of an indentation, and the indentations are particularly disposed in order not to be aligned with two adjacent arms. Thus, the indentations are at least separated by a portion of the support comprising an arm that is not formed in the radial alignment of an indentation.

Moreover, the different indentations can be formed regularly within the insulating element. For example, the different indentations can be respectively separated from the bracketing adjacent indentations by a first portion of the support, defined by a first angular segment, and by a second portion of the support, defined by a second angular segment, the first angular segment comprising a number of arms different from that of the second angular segment.

Additionally, the insulating element can comprise members, such as hooks, whose purpose is to organize the winding of the different conductor wires within the stator. According to a feature of the invention, the insulating element thus comprises a plurality of hooks emerging from the top face of the support, at least one of these hooks delimiting the receptacle. In other words, at least two hooks are disposed on at least one portion of the support separating two adjacent indentations, one of these hooks being particularly arranged at a lateral end of a low wall so as to delimit, at least partially, the receptacle intended to receive at least one conductor wire.

For example, a hook can be disposed either so as to be radially aligned with an arm, or so as to be disposed in a section of the support separating two adjacent arms. These hooks can take variable forms, but consist, generally, of the association of a base and of a finger, the base emerging from the top face of the support and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the extension axis, and the finger being disposed at the free end of the base and extending in a direction substantially at right angles to that of said base.

The hooks are defined by a width, measured according to a protocol similar to that described for measuring the width of the indentation or the width of the arm, and by a height. The height measures, along an axis parallel to that of the extension axis, the space separating the top face of the support, from a bottom face of the finger of the hook. This space is configured so as to allow the passage of at least one conductor wire. Preferentially, the height of the hooks allows the arrangement of at least two or three conductor wires arranged one alongside the others in the extension axis. To put it another way, the height of the hooks is substantially proportional to the diameter of a conductor wire used to produce the winding of the stator, said height being, preferably, at least equal to two or three times the value of the diameter of said conductor wire.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the support can also comprise, at the level of the top face, a flange delimiting, with the hooks, a recess for the passage of at least one conductor wire. The hooks and the flange thus ensure the securing of the conductor wire or wires and prevent any translational movement in a direction parallel to the extension axis. The flange extends in the continuity of the top face, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extension axis, it is present at the level of the portions of support separating two adjacent indentations, and can be continuous or discontinuous. For example, it can be interrupted at a hook, in such a way that the recess is then limited only by the hook. The recess can thus be bordered by a hook and/or the flange depending on the point considered.

The present invention also proposes a stator of a rotating electrical machine comprising a body of the stator of cylindrical form, a plurality of windings formed by at least one conductor wire and an insulating element as previously explained. The body of the stator comprises a top terminal face against which the insulating element is disposed. Notably, the bottom face of the insulating element, cooperating with the top terminal face of the stator, can comprise centring means, intended to ensure the appropriate positioning of the insulating element on the stator.

The body of the stator is defined by an outer radial wall and an inner radial wall, the outer radial wall of the body of the stator comprising a plurality of notches extending at least over a height of the body, measured between the two terminal faces of the stator along an axis parallel to the extension axis. The notches of the body of the stator can be disposed so as to be aligned, in directions parallel to the extension axis, with at least three of the indentations of the insulating element when the latter is arranged on the body of the stator.

The outer radial wall of the body of the stator is defined by a diameter, called outer diameter of the body, this diameter being greater than the second diameter of the insulating element and being particularly defined so as to comprise all of said insulating element, such that, when the insulating element comprises one or more shoulders, the latter remain included in a volume delimited by the second diameter. Such a configuration guarantees that the stator does not comprise elements likely to increase its diameter.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the windings of the stator are electrically connected according to a delta configuration. The delta configuration consists of a three-phase electrical connection system, each of the three phases comprising a plurality of windings mounted in series and that can be configured to comprise an equal number of windings or not.

According to an additional feature of the invention, at least the conductor wire is arranged relative to the insulating element according to at least two radial positions which are each determined by a radial distance relative to the extension axis of the insulating element, a first portion of the conductor wire being arranged according to a first radial position which is defined by a first radial distance and a second portion of the same conductor wire being arranged according to a second radial position which is defined by a second radial distance, the first radial distance being less than the second radial distance and the first radial distance extending along a straight line passing through the low wall. Also, the second radial distance is measured between the second radial position and the extension axis of the insulating element, along a second straight line passing alongside the same low wall. The first radial distance is thus the dimension separating the first radial position from the extension axis of the insulating element measured along the straight line passing through the low wall. For example, the first radial distance can be the dimension measured between the extension axis and a point of the receptacle delimited by the internal periphery of the low wall.

According to an additional feature of the invention, at least the conductor wire is arranged in the insulating element in such a way that the first portion of the conductor wire is radially interposed between the low wall and the extension axis of the insulating element. The conductor wire can thus be arranged relative to the insulating element so as to exhibit an alternation between the first radial position and the second radial position. Notably, the first portion of the conductor wire is turned towards the interior of the stator when it is arranged according to the first radial position whereas the second portion of this same conductor wire, arranged according to the second radial position, is turned towards the outside of the stator. Such an arrangement thus contributes to the organization of the conductor wire relative to the insulating element, and therefore relative to the stator.

The present invention relates finally to a rotating electrical machine of a motor vehicle, the rotating electrical machine comprising the housing housing the stator comprising an insulating element as previously explained, the housing comprising a block and an electronic unit configured to close said block, the stator being situated radially around a rotor that is mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation, said axis coinciding with the extension axis of the insulating element. At least one notch of the stator and one indentation of the insulating element of the stator allow at least the passage of a securing member ensuring that the electronic unit is secured on the block. Notably, the rotating electrical machine according to the present invention can be intended for a motor vehicle compressor. Particularly, the structure of the insulating element and the arrangement of the conductor wire or wires relative to the insulating element and to the stator ensure that, once the rotating electrical machine is assembled, the conductor wire or wires circumvent the housing securing members and are electrically insulated from the housing securing members.

It is understood that all features and configurations previously described are in no way limiting. Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given hereinbelow, and from several exemplary embodiments given in an indicative and nonlimiting manner with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:.

It should first of all be noted that while the figures explain the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course serve to best define the invention as necessary. It should also be noted that, in all the figures, the elements that are similar and/or fulfil the same function are indicated by the same reference frame.

Moreover, referring to the orientations and directions defined previously, the vertical direction will be represented by the axis Oy whereas the axes Ox and Oz will represent the directions of different radial axes. These axes together define an orthonormal reference frame Oxyz represented in the figures that require it. In this reference frame, the qualifiers "up" or "top" will be represented by the positive direction of the axis Oy, the qualifiers "down" or "bottom" being represented by the negative direction of this same axis Oz.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a stator <NUM> of a rotating electrical machine, such as a motor vehicle air conditioner refrigerant compressor, comprising a body <NUM>, an insulating element <NUM> and an insulating member <NUM>. The body <NUM> has a cylindrical form centred on an axis, called extension axis <NUM>, defining the vertical direction Oy within the object. The insulating element <NUM> consists of a piece made of insulating material, such as a synthetic material, of annular form, disposed on a top terminal face <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. This insulating element <NUM> comprises members intended to organize the different conductor wires <NUM> such as low walls <NUM>, delimiting receptacles <NUM> or hooks <NUM>. The insulating element <NUM> will be detailed more hereinbelow. The insulating member <NUM> has, similarly, an annular form, but it is nevertheless disposed at the level of a bottom terminal face of the body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. Both the insulating element <NUM> and the insulating member <NUM> are arranged so as to be centred on the extension axis <NUM>.

The body <NUM> consists of a stack of laminated sheets, the body <NUM> comprising an inner radial wall <NUM> and an outer radial wall <NUM> respectively defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter <NUM> of the body <NUM>. A plurality of teeth <NUM> emerge from the inner radial wall, and are regularly distributed over the circumference of the inner radial wall <NUM>. The teeth <NUM> extend vertically, in a direction parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>, and radially, in a direction substantially at right angles to that of the extension axis <NUM> and towards said extension axis <NUM>. In the example illustrated, the body <NUM> of the stator <NUM> comprises fifteen teeth <NUM>.

The outer radial wall <NUM> of the body <NUM> comprises notches <NUM>, the latter having a semi-circular profile and extending in a direction substantially parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>. The notches <NUM> extend over a height equal to a height of the body <NUM>, that is to say the distance separating the bottom terminal face from the top terminal face <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The notches <NUM> are configured to allow the passage of at least one securing member, not represented, such as a metal tie-rod, ensuring the securing of a housing of the rotating electrical machine.

The insulating element <NUM> can be observed in more detail in <FIG> and <FIG>. The insulating element comprises a support <NUM> in the form of a ring defined by an inner radial face <NUM> and an outer radial face <NUM>, respectively defining a first diameter <NUM> and a second diameter <NUM> and extending in directions substantially parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>. The dimension measuring the space separating the second diameter <NUM> from the first diameter <NUM> defines a thickness of the support <NUM>. The support <NUM> also comprises a bottom face <NUM> and a top face <NUM> joining the inner radial face <NUM> and the outer radial face <NUM> and extending in a plane substantially orthogonal to that of the extension axis <NUM>, for example called plane of the top face <NUM>.

The insulating element <NUM> comprises, on the outer radial face <NUM>, a plurality of indentations <NUM>, distributed regularly in the outer radial face <NUM> and extending in a direction substantially parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>. Notably, the indentations <NUM> have a semi-circular profile, similar to that observed in the notches <NUM> of the body <NUM>, and are laterally delimited by lateral edges <NUM>. The indentations <NUM> are disposed in the support <NUM> of the insulating element <NUM> so as to be vertically aligned with said notches <NUM> and extend at least over a height equal to a height of the support <NUM>, that is to say extending over the distance separating the bottom face <NUM> of the support <NUM> from its top face <NUM>, measured in a direction parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>.

Arms <NUM> emerge from the inner radial wall <NUM>, these arms <NUM> being distributed regularly in the inner circumference of the support <NUM> and being specifically arranged so as to adopt a distribution similar to that of the teeth <NUM> within the body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. The insulating element <NUM> thus comprises, in the example illustrated, fifteen arms <NUM>, configured to be vertically aligned with the teeth <NUM> of the body <NUM> when the insulating element <NUM> is disposed on the top terminal face <NUM> of said body <NUM>. The insulating member <NUM> adopts a similar configuration and is disposed at the bottom terminal face of the body <NUM>. The vertical alignment of the arms of the insulating member <NUM>, of the teeth <NUM> of the body <NUM> and of the arms <NUM> of the insulating element <NUM> allows the conductor wires <NUM> forming the winding to be wound.

In the invention represented, the insulating element <NUM> comprises a greater number of arms <NUM> than of indentations <NUM>. The indentations <NUM> are particularly arranged so as to be radially aligned with an arm <NUM>. In other words, some arms <NUM> are arranged in the support <NUM> in order for the arm <NUM> and the indentation <NUM> to be passed through by at least one common radial axis <NUM>, this radial axis <NUM> originating in the extension axis <NUM> and extending in a direction at right angles thereto. This specific arrangement will be detailed more hereinbelow.

When the insulating element <NUM> is disposed on the body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, the second diameter <NUM> of the support <NUM> of the insulating element <NUM> is less than the outer diameter <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Thus, the insulating element <NUM> only partially covers the top terminal face <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Furthermore, the insulating element <NUM> is configured to be fully included within a volume delimited by the outer volume <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

When the winding operation is performed, the conductor wires <NUM> are wound around an assembly formed by an arm of the insulating member <NUM>, a tooth <NUM> of the body <NUM> and an arm <NUM> of the insulating element <NUM>, that are vertically aligned. The winding of the conductor wires <NUM> thus forms, around each of these assemblies, a winding <NUM> whose top and bottom portions are qualified as winding overhangs. The electrical connection made between the different windings <NUM> can adopt different configurations.

In the present invention, the winding of the windings <NUM> is done so as to adopt a delta configuration, explained in <FIG> and <FIG>. In a delta configuration, the windings <NUM> are divided up into three distinct subsets, each of these subsets constituting a different phase. In the example illustrated, the stator <NUM> comprises fifteen windings <NUM>. Each subset, in other words each phase, is composed of five windings <NUM> mounted in series and of two electrical terminals <NUM>. For example, a first phase <NUM> comprises windings <NUM> to <NUM>, a second phase <NUM> comprises windings <NUM> to <NUM> and a third phase <NUM> comprises windings <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> details the respective arrangement of the different windings <NUM> whereas <FIG> schematically illustrates the electrical connection thereof. The winding is done in such a way that two windings electrically disposed in series are not adjacent within the stator <NUM>, or to put it another way, two adjacent windings do not belong to the same phase <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. Thus, in moving along the inner radial wall <NUM> of the stator <NUM> in the anticlockwise direction, there are observed a first winding of the first phase <NUM>, then a first winding of the second phase <NUM>, which is succeeded by a first winding of the third phase <NUM>, then a second winding of the first phase <NUM>, a second winding of the second phase <NUM>, and so on up to a fifth winding of the third phase <NUM>, disposed so as to bracket the first winding of the first phase <NUM> with the first winding of the second phase <NUM>.

It should be noted that the total number of windings, or the number of windings per phase <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, can vary, the example represented being in no way limiting. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the electrical terminals <NUM> are grouped together in a common zone of the stator and directed towards an electrical connector <NUM>, visible in <FIG>, electrically connecting the stator <NUM> to an electrical power supply.

Because of the spaced-apart arrangement of the different windings <NUM> of one and the same phase <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, it is necessary to arrange the stator <NUM> so as to ensure the organization of the different conductor wires <NUM> so that they circumvent the housing securing members, and the electrical insulation of the conductor wires <NUM> relative to these same housing securing members of the rotating electrical machine. The insulating element <NUM> has, to this end, different arrangements and members, explained in more detail hereinbelow, making it possible notably to control the radial position of the conductor wires <NUM> relative to the extension axis <NUM> of the insulating element <NUM>.

By studying the arrangement of one of the conductor wires <NUM> relative to the insulating element and to the stator <NUM>, it is observed that said conductor wire <NUM> is arranged according to at least two radial positions which are each determined by a radial distance relative to the extension axis <NUM> on which the insulating element is centred. A first portion <NUM> of the conductor wire <NUM> is arranged according to a first radial position <NUM> which is defined by a first radial distance <NUM>. A second portion <NUM> of this same conductor wire <NUM> is arranged according to a second radial position <NUM> which is defined by a second radial distance <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, the first radial distance <NUM> of the first radial position <NUM> measures the dimension separating the extension axis <NUM> from a point of one of the receptacles, not visible, receiving the first portion <NUM> of the conductor wire <NUM>. The first radial distance <NUM> is in particular measured along a straight line <NUM> passing through the extension axis <NUM> and the low wall <NUM> delimiting said receptacle. The second radial distance <NUM> represents, for its part, the dimension measured between the extension axis <NUM> and the second radial position <NUM>, along a second straight line <NUM> passing alongside the low wall <NUM>.

Notably, the first radial distance <NUM> is less than the second radial distance <NUM>. In other words, the conductor wire <NUM> is arranged in such a way that its first portion <NUM>, disposed according to the first radial position <NUM>, is radially closer to the extension axis <NUM> than its second portion <NUM>, disposed according to the second radial position <NUM>, and the conductor wire <NUM> exhibits an alternation between the first radial position <NUM> and the second radial position <NUM>.

In particular, the first portion <NUM> of the conductor wire <NUM> is radially interposed between the low wall <NUM> and the extension axis <NUM> of the insulating element, the first portion <NUM> is thus turned towards the interior of the stator <NUM>, the low wall <NUM> physically and electrically insulating the conductor wire <NUM> from the housing securing members surrounding the stator <NUM>, which are not represented, and running in the indentations <NUM> of the insulating element and of the notches of the body of the stator <NUM>. Conversely, the second portion <NUM> of the conductor wire <NUM>, arranged according to the second radial position <NUM>, is turned towards the outside of the stator <NUM>.

Thus, when the rotating electrical machine is assembled, the physical and electrical insulation of the conductor wire <NUM> in the zone of passage of the securing members is ensured by displacing the conductor wire <NUM> from the second radial position <NUM>, turned towards the outside of the stator <NUM>, to the first radial position <NUM>, turned towards the interior of the stator <NUM> such that the low wall <NUM> is radially interposed between the first portion <NUM> of the conductor wire <NUM> and the securing member.

In order to ensure such an arrangement of the conductor wires of the windings of the stator, and more particularly of the winding overhangs, the insulating element <NUM> comprises different members, detailed in <FIG>, such as the low walls <NUM> delimiting the receptacles <NUM>, hooks <NUM> and helical grooves <NUM>, the latter being formed on the arms <NUM>.

The helical grooves <NUM> can be observed in all of <FIG>, and more particularly in <FIG>, illustrating the arms <NUM> in more detail. As represented, the arms <NUM> have a substantially parallelepipedal form comprising, at a free end, a flaring forming a substantially flat border <NUM>. All of the arms <NUM> have an identical configuration. Here, an arm <NUM> comprises a flat bottom side, intended to come into contact with a tooth of the body of the stator, and two lateral sides <NUM>, extending from the inner radial face <NUM> of the support <NUM> to the border <NUM>, and a top side <NUM>, which is also flat. At each join zone attaching the top side <NUM> to each lateral side <NUM>, the arm <NUM> has a rounded edge <NUM> which incorporates a plurality of helical grooves <NUM> intended to direct and hold the conductor wire or wires. In the examples represented, the helical grooves <NUM> are disposed regularly from the border <NUM> of the arm <NUM> to the inner radial face <NUM> of the support <NUM>. It will nevertheless be possible to envisage adopting a different disposition or width of the helical grooves <NUM>. Also, helical grooves <NUM> can be incorporated in the top side <NUM> of the arm <NUM>.

The insulating element <NUM> also comprises a plurality of low walls <NUM>. These low walls <NUM> here have an identical configuration. They emerge from the top face <NUM> and comprise an inner periphery <NUM> and an outer periphery <NUM>. Notably, the walls <NUM> are arranged so as to be vertically aligned with the indentations <NUM> that are present, the outer periphery <NUM> of each low wall <NUM> being disposed in the continuity of the outer radial face of the support <NUM> and thus having a semi-circular profile. The indentation <NUM> then extends over a height equal to an aggregate height <NUM> of the support <NUM> and of the low wall <NUM>, measured in a direction parallel to the extension axis <NUM> between the bottom face of the support and a top surface of the low wall <NUM>. The low wall <NUM> then partially delimits the indentation <NUM>, more specifically, the low wall <NUM> delimits the indentation <NUM> in a top part.

The inner periphery <NUM> of the low wall <NUM> is not, on the other hand, disposed in the continuity of the inner radial face <NUM> of the support <NUM>, it emerges from the top face of said support <NUM>, the low wall <NUM> thus not extending over all of the thickness of the support <NUM>. That way, the top face <NUM> of the support <NUM> and the inner periphery <NUM> of the low wall <NUM> delimit a receptacle <NUM> configured to receive at least one conductor wire and thus make it possible to electrically insulate the connection between two windings of one and the same phase. The inner periphery <NUM> of the low wall <NUM> can have a rectilinear section, as illustrated, or even an arc form. The low wall <NUM> thus has a form comparable to an arc or to a "truncated U", following the form of the indentation <NUM> that it delimits.

As previously explained, the indentations <NUM> are disposed so that each indentation <NUM> is radially aligned with an arm <NUM>, that is to say that at least one common radial axis <NUM> passes through the arm <NUM> and the indentation <NUM>. This arrangement can be observed more in <FIG>.

The arm <NUM>, the receptacle, the low wall <NUM> and the indentation <NUM> are aligned so as to be each passed through by one and the same radial axis <NUM>. More specifically, it can be seen that the indentation <NUM> and the arm <NUM> are each defined by a width, respectively called width of the indentation <NUM> and width of the arm <NUM>. These widths are measured in the plane of the top face <NUM>, orthogonal to the extension axis <NUM>. For the width of the arm <NUM>, the distance separating the lateral sides <NUM> of the arm <NUM> are measured along an axis at right angles to at least one of the lateral sides <NUM>. For the indentation <NUM>, the distance separating two points of the lateral edges <NUM> contained in the plane of the top face <NUM> is measured. In the configuration illustrated, the width of the arm <NUM> is substantially less than the width of the indentation <NUM>. Likewise, the radial axis <NUM> common to the indentation <NUM> and to the arm <NUM> can be defined as being the radial axis <NUM> passing through the middle of the width of the arm <NUM> and through the middle of the width of the indentation <NUM>.

This radial axis <NUM> is contained in a radial plane <NUM>, at right angles to the plane of the top face <NUM>. The radial plane <NUM> divides the arm <NUM> into two fragments that are symmetrical to one another relative to said radial plane <NUM>. The same applies for the indentation <NUM>. The radial axis <NUM>, and therefore the radial plane <NUM>, also pass through the low wall <NUM>, which is radially interposed between the receptacle <NUM> and the indentation <NUM>. Contrary to what could be observed for the arm <NUM> and the indentation <NUM>, the low wall <NUM> does not necessarily have a symmetrical structure relative to the radial plane <NUM>, but rather comprises, as illustrated, two asymmetrical branches whose lateral ends <NUM> are of distinct forms. These branches can be configured in order to accompany the organization of one or more conductor wires, for example by orienting one branch angled, and more specifically towards an adjacent member, which is also involved in the organization of the conductor wires. Additionally, one branch can have a truncated lateral end <NUM>, that is to say that it can comprise an additional surface, extending between the inner periphery <NUM> and the outer periphery <NUM>, such a feature facilitating the insertion of a conductor wire at the receptacle <NUM>.

The low wall <NUM> is also characterized by a variable thickness. In a central zone <NUM>, situated between the arm <NUM> and the indentation <NUM> and passed through by the radial plane <NUM>, the low wall <NUM> adopts a minimum thickness <NUM>, this minimum thickness <NUM> being nevertheless configured to ensure the electrical insulation of any conductor wire situated in the receptacle <NUM>. The minimum thickness <NUM> of the low wall <NUM> is measured along the radial axis <NUM>, between the inner periphery <NUM> and the outer periphery <NUM>.

At least one lateral end <NUM>, the low wall <NUM> has a maximum thickness <NUM>, measured between the inner periphery <NUM> and the outer periphery <NUM> along an axis extending, for example, at right angles to the inner periphery <NUM>. Such an increase in the thickness contributes to the indentation of the low wall <NUM>, thereby increasing its resistance to physical stresses. The thickness of the low wall <NUM> thus increases in advancing, along the branches of the low wall <NUM>, from the central zone <NUM> to the lateral ends <NUM>. This thickening can be accompanied by the presence of shoulders <NUM> included in the support <NUM> of the insulating element. The shoulders <NUM> consist of a thickening of the support <NUM> at the lateral edges <NUM> of the indentation <NUM>, said shoulders <NUM> extending in the continuity of the lateral ends <NUM> of the low wall <NUM>, in a direction substantially parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>.

In order to organize the different conductor wires of the stator, the insulating element <NUM> is also equipped with a plurality of hooks <NUM>, these hooks <NUM> being able to be observed in <FIG>. These hooks <NUM> can thus have variable forms, but generally retain a structure composed of a base <NUM> and a finger <NUM>. The base <NUM> of the hook <NUM> emerges from the top face <NUM> of the support <NUM> and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the extension axis <NUM> whereas the finger <NUM> emerges from a free end of the base <NUM> and extends towards the outside of the insulating element <NUM>, in a direction substantially at right angles to that of said base <NUM>.

The hooks <NUM> can be defined by a height, called height of the hook <NUM>. The height of the hook <NUM> measures the space separating the top face <NUM> of the support <NUM> from a bottom face of the finger <NUM> of the hook <NUM>, measured along an axis parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>. The height of the hook <NUM> thus determines a space configured to receive and organize one or more conductor wires. The hooks <NUM> illustrated in the different figures are characterized by a height of the hooks <NUM> allowing the arrangement of at least two or three conductor wires arranged one on top of the other in a direction parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>.

At the top face <NUM> of the support <NUM>, the insulating element <NUM> comprises a flange <NUM> formed on the portions of the support <NUM> separating the indentations <NUM> from one another. This flange <NUM> extends in the continuity of the top face <NUM>, in a direction parallel to the plane of the top face <NUM> and towards the outside of the insulating element <NUM>. In the example illustrated, this flange <NUM> is discontinuous. The insulating element <NUM> thus exhibits an alternation between a section of the flange <NUM> and an interval <NUM>, the interval <NUM> being, for example, disposed at the level of a hook <NUM>. It is nevertheless possible to envisage arranging a flange <NUM> extending continually between two indentations <NUM>.

The hooks <NUM> and the flange <NUM> define a space forming a recess <NUM> configured to allow the passage of a plurality of conductor wires but also to limit their translational movement in a direction parallel to the extension axis <NUM>. Depending on the point of the recess <NUM> considered, the latter can be delimited by a hook <NUM> and/or the flange <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is thus defined by the height of the hook <NUM>. Additionally, to organize the different conductor wires, the insulating element <NUM> can include simple blocks <NUM>, visible in <FIG>, consisting of a protuberance of material emerging from the top face <NUM> in a direction substantially parallel to that of the extension axis <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> (detail) show the general relative arrangement of the indentations <NUM>, of the low wall <NUM>, of the hooks <NUM> and of the flange <NUM> within the insulating element <NUM>. The different indentations <NUM> are separated from one another by the portion of the support <NUM> defined by an angular segment <NUM>' or <NUM>". The angular segment <NUM>' or <NUM>" is measured in the plane of the top face <NUM>, between two rays emerging from one and the same point of the extension axis <NUM> and each passing through a middle of the width of an indentation <NUM>. In the present invention, this angular segment <NUM> is configured to comprise at least one arm <NUM>, said arm <NUM> not being radially disposed in the alignment of an indentation <NUM>. Thus, the indentations <NUM> are then not aligned with two adjacent arms <NUM>.

Notably, in the example of insulating element <NUM> illustrated, the indentations <NUM> are disposed regularly, each indentation <NUM> being respectively separated from the two indentations <NUM> bracketing it by a first portion of the support, defined by a first angular segment <NUM>', and by a second portion of the support, defined by a second angular segment <NUM>". The first portion of the support comprises an arm <NUM> whereas the second portion of the support comprises two arms <NUM>.

The hooks <NUM> and the blocks <NUM> are distributed in the portions of the support <NUM> separating the indentations <NUM> and are arranged so that each portion of the support <NUM> comprises at least two hooks <NUM>. Notably, the hooks <NUM> can be arranged in the radial alignment of an arm <NUM>, so as to be passed through by at least one common radial axis, or, on the contrary, the hooks <NUM> can be disposed in a section of the support <NUM> without arms <NUM>, that is to say in a section of the support <NUM> separating two adjacent arms <NUM>.

Within the plurality of hooks <NUM> included in each portion of support <NUM>, at least one of the hooks <NUM> is particularly arranged at a lateral end <NUM> of a low wall <NUM>. That way, the hook <NUM> delimits, at least partially, the receptacle <NUM> intended to receive at least one conductor wire <NUM> and contributes to the arrangement of said conductor wire <NUM> in the insulating element.

The arrangement and the form of the hooks <NUM>, of the blocks <NUM> but also of the low walls <NUM> thus condition the organization, but above all the arrangement, of the conductor wires <NUM> according to different radial positions, such as the first radial position or the second radial position, relative to the extension axis of the insulating element <NUM>. The hooks <NUM>, disposed in the portions of the support <NUM>, not being configured to allow the passage of the conductor securing members, tend to favour the passage of the conductor wires <NUM> towards the outside of the insulating element <NUM>, or in other words, towards the second radial position, through their form and their involvement in the formation of the recess <NUM>, thus distancing the conductor wires <NUM> from the windings or even from the inner radial face <NUM> of the support <NUM> to bring them closer to the outer radial face <NUM>. Conversely, the low walls <NUM> are configured to physically and electrically insulate the conductor wires <NUM> disposed in the receptacles <NUM> of the securing members running at the level of the indentations <NUM> of the insulating element <NUM>. The low walls <NUM> thus allow the passage of the conductor wires <NUM> in a radially more inner zone of the insulating element <NUM>, that is to say according to the first radial position, the conductor wires <NUM> thus being arranged so that they are radially closer to the extension axis <NUM> when they are disposed at the level of one of the low walls <NUM> than when they are arranged at the level of the hooks <NUM>.

It can thus be noted that certain features relating to the form of the low walls <NUM> actively contribute to the transition described from the "outer" arrangement, in the recess <NUM>, to the "inner" arrangement in the receptacle <NUM>, and vice versa. Such is, for example, the case of the angled disposition of the branches of the low walls <NUM> or even of the asymmetrical form of said branches.

It will be understood on reading the above that the present invention proposes an insulating element for the winding overhang of a stator, for example intended for a motor vehicle compressor, configured to organize the conductor wires of the different windings and to electrically insulate them from securing members of a housing enclosing a rotating machine comprising said stator. The insulating element comprises, to this end, a combination of low walls and of hooks specifically arranged to allow the organization of the different conductor wires.

Claim 1:
Insulating element (<NUM>) for winding overhangs of a stator (<NUM>) comprising a support (<NUM>) centred on an extension axis (<NUM>) and defined by an outer radial face (<NUM>), an inner radial face (<NUM>) and a top face (<NUM>), which extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the extension axis (<NUM>), the insulating element (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of arms (<NUM>) emerging from the inner radial face (<NUM>) and distributed circumferentially thereon, the insulating element (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of indentations (<NUM>) distributed circumferentially in the outer radial face (<NUM>) and extending along the extension axis (<NUM>) of the support (<NUM>), wherein the indentations are configured to allow a passage for securing members, such as tie-rods, which run in or along the housing enclosing a rotating electrical machine comprising the stator, at least one indentation (<NUM>) being at least partially delimited by a low wall (<NUM>) emerging from the top face (<NUM>) of the support (<NUM>) in a direction substantially parallel to the extension axis (<NUM>), wherein the insulating element (<NUM>) comprises at least one receptacle (<NUM>) delimited by the low wall (<NUM>) and by the top face (<NUM>), the receptacle (<NUM>) being configured to receive at least one conductor wire (<NUM>) of a winding (<NUM>) of the stator (<NUM>), characterized in that the low wall (<NUM>) is radially interposed between the receptacle (<NUM>) and the indentation (<NUM>).