JPH09149603A - Generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size and weight of a vehicle AC generator by a method wherein the constructions of a collector and a brush device are simplified. SOLUTION: In a generator, a negative pole side slip ring 42 is pushed into a center hole 37 formed in the rear end surface of a shaft 5. A rivet 55 is driven into the bottom surface of a bottom wall 20 of which the bearing housing 18 of a rear housing 12 is composed to fix a negative pole side brush 52 directly to the rear housing 12 in order to make the negative pole side brush 52 slide along the axial direction end surface of the negative pole side slip ring 42. The negative pole side slip ring 42 is made of conductive copper alloy and the negative pole side brush 52 is made of phosphorus bronze or berillium copper which is copper alloy spring material and formed by a press. With this constitution, the thickness of the negative side brush 52 can be reduced and, further, the axial length of the shaft 5 can be reduced significantly. Moreover, as the negative pole side brush 51 is not only used as a conventional spring but also as a pigtail, a current can flow through the negative pole side brush 51 easily, so that a vehicle AC generator 1 which produces little power loss can be realized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a generator for exciting a rotor coil by supplying electric power to the rotor coil from a brush device through a current collector, and particularly to a vehicle. The present invention relates to a vehicle AC generator that charges an external power source mounted on the vehicle and supplies electric power to an electric device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 13, a three-phase rectifier 101 and a voltage regulator 1 for regulating a generated voltage.
02, a shaft 104 rotatably supported in the housing 103, a stator 105 fixed to the inner surface of the housing 103, a rotor 106 rotating relative to the stator 105, and an outer periphery of an end portion of the shaft 104. A vehicle AC generator 100 including a current collector 107 and a brush device 108 that slides on the outer periphery of the current collector 107.
It has been known. Here, the stator 105 includes a stator core 111, a three-phase stator coil 112, and the like. The rotor 106 includes a Lundell-type pole core 113, a rotor coil 114, and the like.

The current collector 107 is composed of two current collector rings 120, two connection bars 121 and the like. The two collector rings 120 are made of a metallic material such as a copper alloy or stainless steel in a ring shape, and rotate integrally with the shaft 104. Further, the two connection bars 121 are provided on both end wires 1 of the rotor coil 114.
Two current collector rings 1 electrically connected to 15 respectively
20 are electrically connected to each other. Further, due to the vibration of the vehicle and the fluctuation of the rotation of the vehicle alternator 100, the connection portion between the end of the terminal wire 115 and the connection bar 121 and the connection portion between the current collector ring 102 and the connection bar 121 resonate with each other. In order to prevent the connection strength of both connection parts of the
6 and the terminal wire 115 and the connection bar 12
1 is covered with an impregnating agent (epoxy resin) 123.

On the other hand, the brush device 108 has two fixed-side brushes 131, a brush holder 132 for holding these fixed-side brushes 131, and two fixed-side brushes 131 on the outer circumference of the two collector rings 120. It is composed of a coil spring 133 or the like that is pressed to electrically connect. The two fixed brushes 131 are made of carbonaceous material. The two fixed-side brushes 131 are connected to each other via a voltage adjusting device 102 and a brush terminal (not shown) by a pigtail 134 made of copper wire.

In recent years, as the engine room of a vehicle has become smaller, the space for mounting auxiliary equipment has become narrower, the fuel consumption has been restricted to reduce the size and weight of the vehicle, and the life of the vehicle has been extended to extend its warranty period. A vehicle AC generator is desired. As a means for downsizing the vehicle AC generator, it is generally required to reduce the physical size of the vehicle AC generator and shorten the axial length of the vehicle AC generator.

[0006]

However, in the conventional vehicle AC generator 100, the two fixed-side brushes 13 are provided.
Since 1 is a wear member, it is necessary to set a length that predicts wear in advance to extend the life.
In order to reduce the voltage drop of the exciting circuit that supplies the exciting current to the motor 4 and prevent the generation output from decreasing, the brush holder 132 is installed close to the voltage adjusting device 102 that controls the exciting current to the rotor coil 114. ing. For this reason,
Since the voltage adjusting device 102 and the brush holder 132 are arranged close to each other, the radial dimension orthogonal to the axial direction of the brush holder 132 is increased in order to increase the length of the two fixed-side brushes 131. , I couldn't set it for a long time.
Therefore, the brush holder 132 and the two collector rings 120
The axial dimension of occupies a large proportion with respect to the axial length of the vehicle alternator 100, and the alternator is downsized,
In particular, there is a problem that the axial length of the AC generator cannot be shortened.

Since the two fixed side brushes 131 are made of carbonaceous material, the two fixed side brushes 13 are
In order to reduce the electric resistance of the contact portion that contacts the outer circumference of the two current collector rings 120 in No. 1, an appropriate area (size)
And the pressing force (spring load) of the coil spring 133 are required. Therefore, if the surface area of the contact portion of the two fixed-side brushes 131 is reduced in order to downsize the vehicle AC generator 100, the current density increases and the temperature of the two fixed-side brushes 131 rises. As a result, the durability life of the two fixed-side brushes 131 is shortened, which causes a problem that the life of the vehicle AC generator 100 cannot be extended.

In US Pat. No. 4,406,961, the fixed side brush is made of a carbonaceous material, the collector ring is also made of a carbonaceous material, and an insulating tube for covering the terminal wire of the rotor coil is formed on the shaft. There is disclosed an AC generator in which the terminal wire of the rotor coil and the current collecting ring are directly connected by passing through the axial groove portion. The collector ring and the terminal wire of the rotor coil are connected by soldering using a solder layer adjacent to the collector ring.

However, there is concern about the play of the current collector ring due to the contraction of the solder layer after the connection of the current collector ring and the terminal wire and the vibration resistance of the soft solder layer. There is a problem that the connection strength at the connection part with the current collecting ring is reduced. Further, since the connection between the current collector ring and the terminal wire of the rotor coil is performed by soldering, a large work space is required for inserting a soldering iron or a jig for the soldering work. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is impossible to reduce the size of the AC generator, especially to shorten the axial length of the AC generator.

Further, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-165081, a current collector ring is provided on the rear end surface of the rotary shaft, and a brush and a coil spring are arranged in series (axial direction) so as to slide with the current collector ring. An alternator is listed. Therefore, in this AC generator, the current on the negative side flows to the rear housing via the coil spring, but since the electric resistance value of the coil spring is usually large, there is a problem that it is difficult for the current to flow.
Further, since the brush and the coil spring are formed as separate parts, the axial length of the AC generator is long, and it is not possible to downsize the AC generator, especially to shorten the axial length of the AC generator. Further, since the brush and the coil spring are formed as separate parts, the number of parts is also increased, which makes it difficult to manage the inventory of the brush device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a generator by simplifying the structure of the brush device and the current collector and shortening the axial length of the generator. Another object is to reduce the price of the generator by extending the life of the brush device and the current collector. Another object of the present invention is to provide a generator in which current easily flows through the fixed-side brush and power loss is small. Then, by reducing the number of parts, it is to provide a generator in which stock management of the brush device is easy.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the current collector is fixed to one end surface of the shaft, which is electrically and mechanically fixed to one end of the rotor coil, and the surface of the current collector is fixed. By providing the sliding fixed-side brush in the axial direction of the shaft, the axial length of the shaft can be shortened and the axial dimension of the fixed-side brush can be shortened. As a result, the effect that the axial length of the generator can be shortened can be obtained.

Further, since the fixed-side brush is made of a metallic plate-like member, the fixed-side brush is light in weight, and the spring load of the fixed-side brush is reduced, so that the fixed-side brush is greatly worn. The life of the fixed-side brush can be extended by reducing the number of defects and suppressing the problems caused by the vibration of the brush. As a result, it is possible to obtain the effect that the life of the generator can be extended.

Further, since the fixed-side brush is made of a metallic plate-like member, it is less likely to wear. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the size and length of which the wear is predicted in advance like a brush made of a conventional wear member. Absent. As a result, the fixed-side brush can be made thin, and the brush device can be significantly reduced in size and weight. As a result, the axial length of the generator can be shortened, and the effect of reducing the size and weight of the generator can be obtained. The fixed-side brush is made of a metallic plate-like member, so that the electric resistance value is relatively small, the current easily flows, and the power loss is small.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the current collector, in which the conductive copper alloy is used as the metallic member, is fixed to the center hole formed on one end surface of the shaft or the outer circumference of the shaft. The current collector can be attached to the shaft with. As a result, the workability of assembling the current collector on the shaft can be improved and the number of parts can be reduced, so that the price of the generator can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the fixed-side brush using phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, which is a spring steel of a copper alloy, as the metallic plate-shaped member is bent and pressed by pressing to obtain a predetermined shape. By forming it into a shape, the hardness of the fixed-side brush that affects the wear life can be sufficiently increased.
In addition, the fixed side brush can be significantly lightened by using the conventional spring and spring steel that doubles as a pigtail and graphite brush, so the spring load can be greatly reduced and the fixed side brush You can avoid problems caused by vibration. Therefore, the life of the fixed side brush can be extended. As a result, it is possible to obtain the effect that the life of the generator can be extended.

The fixed-side brush is made of copper alloy spring steel, so that the fixed-side brush urges the current collector side without a spring, so that the contact pressure of the fixed-side brush against the current collector is sufficiently increased. Since it can be ensured, an effect that a stable power supply state can be ensured is obtained. further,
The fixed-side brush is made of the conventional copper alloy spring steel that also serves as a pigtail, so that the axial length of the generator does not become long even if the fixed-side brush is arranged in the axial direction of the current collector of the current collector. Moreover, since the fixed-side brush itself can be elasticized so as to slide the current collector of the current collector while eliminating the conventional spring and pigtail, the number of parts of the brush device can be reduced. This has the effect of facilitating inventory management of the brush device.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the brush on the positive electrode side is made of a metallic member, it is less likely to wear as compared with a brush on the positive electrode side made of a wear member such as a carbonaceous member. Unlike the conventional brush on the positive electrode side made of a wear member, it is not necessary to set the size and length of which wear is predicted in advance. Accordingly, the brush on the positive electrode side can be made thinner than that on the conventional brush on the positive electrode side, so that the weight of the brush device can be significantly reduced, and the radial and axial dimensions of the brush device can be shortened. Further, since the axial dimension of the brush device can be shortened in this way, the axial dimension of the current collecting ring can be shortened. Therefore, the radial dimension of the generator can be reduced and the axial length of the generator can be shortened, so that the generator can be reduced in size and weight.

Since the current collecting ring is made of a carbonaceous material, the positive electrode side brush is made of a metal material and is stable even if the positive electrode side brush is slid on the outer circumference of the current collecting ring at a high speed. Wear and power supply to the rotor coil can be secured.
Also, by making the brush on the positive electrode side with spring steel of copper alloy,
Even without a spring, the brush on the positive electrode side is biased toward the current collecting ring, so that the contact pressure of the brush on the positive electrode side with respect to the current collecting ring can be sufficiently secured, so that a stable power supply state to the rotor coil can be secured. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fixed-side brush is provided in the bearing accommodating portion in which the tubular side wall portion for holding the bearing and the annular bottom wall portion for closing one end side of the side wall portion are formed. Is electrically and mechanically fixed, the electric connection between the fixed-side brush and the housing can be ensured. Further, since the sliding portion between the current collector and the fixed-side brush is surrounded by the bearing housing, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as water and dust from entering the sliding portion between the current-collector and the fixed-side brush. The effect is obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by using a lubricant to lubricate the sliding portion between the current collector and the fixed brush, the sliding portion between the current collector and the fixed brush is highly lubricated. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect that the amount of wear between the current collector and the fixed-side brush can be reduced because the lubricant is maintained and lubricated.

According to the invention described in claim 7, by electrically insulating the bearing and the bearing accommodating portion from each other by the cylindrical insulating member, it is possible to prevent a minute current from flowing through the bearing. The effect of eliminating problems such as corrosion and deterioration of the lubricant can be obtained.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Structure of First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment in which the generator of the present invention is applied to a vehicle AC generator. FIG. 1 shows a current collector of the vehicle AC generator. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the peripheral structure of the brush device, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall structure of the vehicle AC generator, and FIG. It is the figure which showed.

The vehicle alternator 1 is a high-side regulator type alternator and is driven by an engine via a poly V belt (not shown) to generate an alternating current and generate a three-phase rectifier 9. It is an alternator for a vehicle that rectifies the electric current and converts it into a direct current to charge a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle and supply necessary electric power to an electric load. The vehicle AC generator 1 includes a housing 2, a stator 3, a rotor 4, a shaft 5, a current collector 6, a blower 7, a brush device 8, a three-phase rectifier 9, a voltage regulator 10, and the like. .

[Description of Housing] Next, the housing 2
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The housing 2 includes a front housing (also referred to as a drive frame) 11 and a rear housing (also referred to as a rear frame) 12 that are made of aluminum and have excellent conductivity, and are fastened by a plurality of stud bolts 13 and nuts 14. ing. Also, housing 2
Is grounded by being attached to the engine via a bracket (not shown), and constitutes a negative electrode side connection terminal of the brush device 8 described later and a DC output terminal of the three-phase rectifier device 9 described later. .

A front bearing 15 that rotatably supports the front side (tip side) of the shaft 5 is fixed to the front housing 11 in a cylindrical bearing housing 16 by press fitting and caulking. A rear bearing 17 that rotatably supports the rear side (rear end side) of the shaft 5 is fixed to the rear housing 12 by a press-fitting in a cylindrical bearing housing 18 via a brush holding device 53 described later. . The rear bearing 17 is
Inner race (inner ring) 17a and outer race (outer ring)
Double shielded ball bearings (double shielded ball bearings) with a large number of balls 17c as rolling elements provided between them and 17b
It is.

The bearing housing 18 of the rear housing 12 is
The bearing holder includes a cylindrical side wall portion 19 having an open front end, and an annular plate-shaped bottom wall portion 20 that closes the rear end of the side wall portion 19. A circular through hole 20a is formed in the bottom wall portion 20. Further, grease G as a lubricant for lubricating the rear bearing 17 is applied in the bearing housing portion 18 (FIG. 1).
reference). In order to suck the cooling air into the housing 2, a large number of ventilation holes 21 are provided in the front housing 11 in a substantially annular shape, and a large number of ventilation openings 22 are provided in the rear housing 12 in a substantially annular shape. There is.

Further, a stay portion 23 fastened and fixed to an engine bracket (not shown) is integrally formed on the front housing 11 and a stay portion 24 fastened and fixed to the engine bracket is integrally formed on the lower portion. . Also,
The rear housing 12 is integrally formed with a stay portion 25 that is fastened and fixed to a bracket of the engine. Bolt holes 23a to 25a, through which bolts (not shown) are inserted, penetrate through these stay portions 23 to 25.

[Description of Stator] Next, the stator 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The stator 3 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 2 and includes a stator core 31 including a laminated core formed by laminating a plurality of thin steel plates made of a magnetic material, and a large number of slots (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral side of the stator core 31. No. 3) is a stator constituted by three-phase stator coils 32.

The stator core 31 constitutes an armature core and a stator core, and is press-fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the front housing 11 to be integrated. The large number of slots are formed on the inner peripheral side of the stator core 31 at equal intervals. The three-phase stator coil 32 is a three-phase armature winding,
It is a winding that constitutes a three-phase stator winding, is connected by a Y connection or a Δ connection, and induces a three-phase AC output as the rotor 4 rotates. These stator coils 32
The winding end of is electrically connected to the three-phase full-wave rectification bridge circuit of the three-phase rectifier 9 by soldering or the like.

[Description of Rotor] Next, the rotor 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. This rotor 4
It is a rotor that rotates integrally with the shaft 5 in a portion that acts as a field. The rotor 4 includes a shaft 5, a Lundell-type pole core 33 fixed to the shaft 5, a field coil 34 wound around the pole core 33, and a current collector 6 for supplying an exciting current to the field coil 34. , And an air blower 7 for generating cooling air.

The pole core 33 is a Lundell type rotor core (also referred to as a field pole, a field iron core or a rotor iron core), around which a field coil 34 is wound, and is made of a conductive and ferromagnetic material. There is. This pole core 33
When an exciting current flows through the field coil 34, all the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions 33a on the front end side become N poles, and the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions 33b on the rear end side.
Become all S poles. Then, the claw-shaped magnetic pole portion 33b on the rear end side
An air blower 7 for sucking cooling air into the housing 2 is attached to the rear side wall surface of the housing 2 by means of welding or the like.

The field coil 34 is the rotor coil of the present invention, and has a coil bobbin 35 at the center of the pole core 33.
When the exciting current flows, the pole core 33 is wound.
It is an excitation winding (also called a rotor winding) that magnetizes. In this field coil 34, terminal wires at both ends are electrically connected to a connection bar (not shown) by soldering or the like. The coil bobbin 35 is made of an electrically insulating resin material that electrically insulates the field coil 34 and the pole core 33 from each other.

[Description of Shaft] Next, the shaft 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The shaft 5 is made of a conductive metal member and is rotatably supported in the bearing housing portions 16 and 18 of the housing 2 via front and rear bearings 15 and 17. A V-ribbed pulley (poly-V belt pulley) 36 for transmitting the rotational power of the engine to the shaft 5 is fastened to the tip portion (front end portion) of the shaft 5 between the seated nut 36 a and the front bearing 15. It is fixed.
The V-ribbed pulley 36 is an output shaft (crankshaft) of the engine via a transmission means (not shown) such as a poly-V belt.
It is drivingly connected to a pulley for poly V belt (not shown) mounted on the. The shaft 5 and the V-ribbed pulley 3
A clutch means such as an electromagnetic clutch may be arranged between the first and second clutches.

[Description of Current Collector] Next, the current collector 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Current collector 6
Is the battery and voltage regulator 10 and the field coil 34.
And the negative electrode side slip rings 41 and 42 used for connecting the and through the brush device 8, and the two positive electrode sides electrically connected to the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side slip rings 41 and 42, respectively. , The negative electrode side connection bars 43, 44 and the like.

The positive side slip ring 41 is the current collecting ring of the present invention, and is a ring-shaped carbonaceous current collecting ring provided on the outer periphery of the rear end (rear side end) of the shaft 5, and the negative electrode side. It is a collector ring. As the material of the positive electrode side slip ring 41, a carbonaceous member (for example, carbon powder having a foamed skeleton metal of a copper alloy as a metal matrix, natural graphite, electric graphite or metal graphite) is used. The positive electrode side slip ring 41 is formed into a predetermined annular shape by firing in a state where the positive electrode side connection bar 43 is inserted.

The negative electrode side slip ring 42 is the current collector of the present invention, and is an annular plate-shaped sliding contact portion 42a that is locked to the rear end surface of the shaft 5, and the shaft 5 side with respect to this sliding contact portion 42a. And a negative electrode side current collecting ring, which is a circular plate-shaped metallic current collector made up of a columnar protrusion 42b and the like. The tip of the protrusion 42b has a substantially spherical shape,
The shaft 5 is press-fitted into a center hole 37 formed in the rear end surface (rear end surface) of the shaft 5. As the material of the negative electrode side slip ring 42, a metallic member (for example, a copper alloy having excellent conductivity) is used. The negative electrode side slip ring 42 is formed in an annular plate shape and is electrically connected to the shaft 5.

Two positive and negative connection bars 4
3 and 44 are formed in a flat plate shape by press working. These positive side and negative side connection bars 43, 4
As shown in FIG. 2, the field coil 34 is provided at one end of the field coil 34.
Both terminal wires (coil ends) 34a, 34b are electrically joined by welding means such as soldering, brazing, and fusing welding (resistance welding). The other end of the positive electrode side connection bar 43 is mechanically and electrically connected to the positive electrode side slip ring 41 by being insert-molded in the positive electrode side slip ring 41, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is fixed.

It should be noted that, by forming irregularities on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the portion to be insert-molded by a processing method such as a shot blasting method, a shot peening method or a pressing method, the slip ring 41 on the positive electrode side and the positive electrode side The contact area with the side connection bar 43 may be increased to reduce the contact resistance between the positive side slip ring 41 and the positive side connection bar 43.

The other end of the negative connection bar 44 is
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pole core 33 is electrically and mechanically fixed to the rear end face (rear end face) of the pole core 33 by welding means such as soldering, brazing, and fusing welding (resistance welding). . In addition, the negative connection bar 4
The welded portion 4 is a recessed portion 44a that is recessed in a recessed shape. In addition, it is more reliable in the electrical conduction state that the recessed portion 44a is caulked and fixed by a rivet or the like, or that it is tightened and fixed by a fastener such as a bolt or a screw.

[Explanation of Blower] Next, the blower 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. This blower 7 is integrally formed of an electrically insulating resin material, and the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the two positive electrode side and negative electrode side connection bars 43, 44 are insert-molded by the resin material. The air blower 7 is also a terminal protection member that protects the coupling portion between the positive slip ring 41 and the positive connection bar 43.

The blower 7 is a cylindrical collector ring fixing portion 4 in which a plurality of blades (blower body) 45 constituting a centrifugal fan and a positive electrode side slip ring 41 are insert-molded.
6 and so on. The blower 7 is insert-molded with the positive and negative connection bars 43, 44 and fixed to the side surface on the rear end side of the pole core 33, and serves as a fitting portion on the facing surface (rear end surface) facing the brush device 8. A convex portion 47 is provided. In addition, the blower 7 has a window portion 48 for inserting a welding tool into the recess 44a of the negative electrode side connection bar 44.

The collector ring fixing portion 46 is press-fitted or fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the shaft 5 by insert molding the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side connection bar 43. As the resinous member, it is desirable to use, for example, a phenol resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS resin), which is excellent in electrical insulation and heat resistance, high in strength, and excellent in dimensional stability.

[Explanation of Brush Device] Next, the brush device 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The brush device 8 includes a positive electrode side brush 51 that slides on the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode side slip ring 41, a negative electrode side brush 52 that slides on the surface (annular plate-shaped end surface) of the negative electrode side slip ring 42, and a positive electrode side brush. 5
1, a brush holding device 53 for supporting and fixing 1, and a positive electrode side connection terminal 54 insert-molded in the brush holding device 53.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the positive brush 51 is integrally formed only by bending and pressing by pressing, and supplies an exciting current to the field coil 34 through the positive slip ring 41. It is a metallic brush (metallic plate brush). As the material of the positive brush 51,
A metallic plate member (for example, a conductive thin plate elastic material such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, which is a spring steel of a copper alloy) is used.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the positive brush 51 has a ceiling 510 and a positive slip ring 41.
Two arm portions 511 provided so as to surround the brush holding portion and a brush fixing portion 512 protruding from the ceiling portion 510 to the side opposite to the brush holding device 53 side are integrally formed.

The two arm portions 511 are formed in a semi-circular shape (horseshoe shape) so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the positive side slip ring 41. Two contact portions 513, which come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode side slip ring 41, are formed at the tips of the two arm portions 511, respectively. In addition,
The two contact portions 513 have a dimension A between the two arm portions 511.
Is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the positive side slip ring 41 by the interference of the dimensional difference (BA) between the outer diameter dimension B of the positive side slip ring 41.

The two contact portions 513 are sliding portions that slide on the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode side slip ring 41, and ensure contact pressure with the positive electrode side slip ring 41 due to their spring characteristics. Two projecting portions 514 project from both sides of the contact portions 513 in the axial direction. These protruding portions 514 are formed in a shape (chamfered shape) that is curved outward by a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the extension direction (direction parallel to the axial direction) of the contact portion 513.
As a result, the positive electrode side brush 51 is connected to the positive electrode side slip ring 4
Since the two arm portions 511 can be smoothly moved in the axial direction of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 when being attached to or detached from the positive electrode side 1, the positive electrode side brush 51 can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, the disassembling work and the assembling work of the vehicle alternator 1 are facilitated,
The productivity of the vehicle alternator 1 is increased.

Since the brush fixing portion 512 uses spring steel made of copper alloy as the metallic plate member, that is, it is electrically connected to the positive electrode side connection terminal 54 by the method utilizing the spring characteristic which is the characteristic of spring steel. , Mechanically fixed. For this reason, the brush fixing portion 512 of this embodiment has a faston shape which is a minimum space in terms of performance and manufacturing. That is, the brush fixing portion 512 includes the protruding piece 515 axially protruding from the ceiling portion 510, and the protruding piece 51.
5 has two elastically deformable locking pieces 516 which are bent on both sides so as to draw a circle having a substantially oval cross section. The brush fixing portion 512 is configured such that the tip end portion of the positive electrode side connecting terminal 54 is inserted between the projecting piece 515 and the two locking pieces 516, so that the positive electrode side connecting terminal 5 is connected.
The tip of 4 is clamped to establish electrical continuity.

The negative side brush 52 is the fixed side brush of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG.
This is a metallic brush (metallic plate-shaped brush) that is integrally formed only by pressing by drawing and that supplies an exciting current to the field coil 34 via the negative-side slip ring 42.
As the material of the negative electrode side brush 52, a metallic plate-like member (for example, a conductive thin plate elastic material such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper which is a spring steel of a copper alloy) is used. In this embodiment, the negative electrode side brush 52 and the negative electrode side slip ring 42
Since both and are made of a metallic member, grease G that lubricates the rear bearing 17 is applied to the frictional portions of both in order to reduce wear of both (see FIG. 1).

The negative brush 52 is disposed axially outward of the negative slip ring 42, and the sliding contact portion 4 thereof is provided.
It is formed in a dish shape so as to come into contact with the surface (axial end surface) of 2a, particularly near the center of the sliding contact portion 42a. The negative brush 52 is driven by driving a rivet 55 as a rotation direction restricting means (locking means) penetrating the through hole 20a and sandwiching the rivet 55 between the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 20 and the brim portion of the rivet 55. It is directly fixed to the wall portion 20 electrically and mechanically. As a result, the movement of the negative electrode side brush 52 in the rotation direction when the shaft 5 rotates is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the negative electrode side brush 52 has a bell mouth-shaped hole 52a at its center, a plurality of slits 52b radially extending from the hole 52a, and a rivet 55 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). (See FIG. 2) has a circular through hole 52c which penetrates. Multiple slits 52b
Is the rear end surface of the shaft 5 and the bottom wall portion 20 of the bearing housing portion 18.
In order to absorb the error of the gap with the bottom of the
This is to set a plurality of ranges of the spring pressure of each divided piece 56 of No. 2.

The brush holding device 53 is a brush (brush) holder for holding and fixing the positive brush 51 and is made of an electrically insulating resin material (for example, PPS resin). The brush holding device 53 constitutes a brush holding portion (also referred to as a brush holder portion) and includes a positive electrode side connection terminal 54.
Is insert-molded and the positive electrode side connection terminal 54
Holds the positive electrode side connection terminal 54 in a state in which the tip of the positive electrode is projected.

The brush holding device 53 includes a cylindrical bearing holding portion (also referred to as a bearing holder portion) 60 provided on the inner peripheral side and a cylindrical extension portion (current collecting ring) extended forward in the axial direction. A tubular covering portion (also referred to as a slip ring cover portion) 61 and a casing 62 of the voltage adjusting device 10 described later are integrally formed. The bearing holding portion 60 is an insulating member of the present invention, and is press-fitted into the side wall portion 19 of the bearing housing portion 18 of the rear housing 12, and the rear bearing 17 is fixed to the inner peripheral side by press-fitting. Bearing holder 60
Is a side wall 19 of the bearing housing 18 and the rear bearing 17.
And a bearing insulating portion for electrically insulating the and.

The extension portion 61 covers the blower 7 and the periphery of the sliding portion between the two positive electrode side slip rings 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51. This extension 61 is provided by the blower 7
The convex portion 47 of the blower 7 is provided on the facing surface (front end surface) facing the
A recessed portion 63 is formed as a fitted portion to be fitted to. Therefore, the concave portion 63 of the brush holding device 53 forms a labyrinth seal 64 having a substantially U-shaped cross section with the convex portion 47 of the blower device 7. This labyrinth seal 6
4 is formed in a circular ring shape without a break in the entire circumference. Therefore, the cylindrical space where the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51 slide is present is hermetically sealed by the blower 7 and the brush holder 53.

The positive electrode side connection terminal 54 is the brush device 8
The external connection terminal is a power supply terminal having a substantially inverted L-shaped cross section, which is fastened and fixed to the DC output terminal 71 of the three-phase rectifier 9 with the fixing screw 72 to be electrically connected. The positive electrode side connection terminal 54 is made of a metallic plate member such as an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy.

[Description of Three-Phase Rectifier] Next, the three-phase rectifier 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The three-phase rectifier 9 is a so-called rectifier, and has a DC output terminal 71, a positive side cooling fin 73, a negative side cooling fin 74, three positive side diodes 75, three negative side diodes 76 and a terminal block. It is composed of 77 etc.

The DC output terminal 71 is an external connection terminal of the three-phase rectifier 9, and is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery through a conductive wire (not shown) at one end and the brush device 8 at the other end. The positive electrode side connection terminal 54 and the positive electrode side cooling fin 73 are electrically connected by fastening a fixing screw (not shown). The DC output terminal 71 is a terminal that supplies a charging current to the battery (also referred to as a DC output positive electrode side terminal), and constitutes the B terminal of the vehicle AC generator 1.

The positive-side cooling fins 73 are integrally formed in a predetermined shape so as to surround the brush holding device 53 together with the negative-side cooling fins 74, and are arranged along the side surface of the rear housing 12. The positive electrode side cooling fins 73 are fixed to the inner surface of the rear housing 12 via an insulating member (not shown). The negative electrode side cooling fin 74 is body-grounded (grounded) via the rear housing 12 which constitutes a DC output negative electrode side terminal. That is, the positive electrode side cooling fin 73 is electrically connected to the positive electrode (+) side of the battery,
The negative electrode side cooling fin 74 is electrically connected to the negative electrode (−) side of the battery via the rear housing 12. The positive and negative side cooling fins 73 and 74 are made of a conductive metal plate (for example, an aluminum plate) having excellent thermal conductivity, and generate heat from the three positive and negative side diodes 75 and 76. It is a radiation fin that radiates heat,
It is also a rectifying element holding means for holding and fixing the three positive and negative diodes 75 and 76.

Three positive side and negative side diodes 75, 7
Reference numerals 6 are positive side and negative side rectifying elements that rectify (rectify) the AC output of the three-phase stator coil 32 into a DC output. The three positive and negative side diodes 75 and 76 are
One end side (lead wire) each has three AC input terminals 78
Is electrically connected to the positive and negative side cooling fins 73 and 74 by soldering. DC output terminal 7
A three-phase full-wave rectification bridge circuit is composed of 1, the positive electrode side, the negative electrode side cooling fins 73 and 74, the three positive electrode sides, the three negative electrode side diodes 75 and 76, the three AC input terminals 78, and the like.

The terminal block 77 is made of an electrically insulating resin material (for example, PPS resin) in a predetermined shape, and insert-molds and holds the three AC input terminals 78, and at the same time, the positive-side cooling fins 73. The negative electrode side cooling fin 74 is electrically insulated. In this terminal block 77, the positive and negative cooling fins 73 and 74 are fixed by fixing screws 79.

[Description of Voltage Adjusting Device] Next, the voltage adjusting device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The voltage regulator 10 is an IC regulator (energization control circuit) including various external connection terminals (not shown) such as an exciting current output terminal, an integrated circuit (not shown), a casing 62 and the like. The exciting current output terminal is an external connection terminal of the voltage regulator 10, and is a casing fixed to the rear housing 12 by being integrally molded with the positive electrode side connection terminal 54 by a metallic plate member such as a copper alloy as described above. It is held by 62 and is mechanically connected to the positive electrode side brush 51.

The integrated circuit is a voltage adjusting means for controlling the exciting current supplied to the field coil 34 to adjust the generated voltage of the three-phase stator coil 32. The integrated circuit includes a power transistor as a switching element for controlling energization and de-energization of the field coil 34 and the field coil 3.
A back electromotive force absorption diode or the like for attenuating the exciting current flowing in 4 is incorporated.

The casing 62 is integrally molded with the brush holding device 53 by an electrically insulating resin material (such as PPS resin), and has a plurality of brackets 66 which are fixed to the rear housing 12 by fixing screws 65. There is. Thus, the casing 62 functions as a brush fixing unit that fixes the brush holding device 53 and the positive electrode side brush 51 to the rear housing 12. In addition, inside the casing 62,
Electronic components such as integrated circuits are molded by epoxy resin-based resin members.

[Operation of Embodiment] Next, the operation of the vehicle alternator 1 of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

When the engine mounted on the vehicle starts,
Rotational power of the engine is transmitted to the V-ribbed pulley 36 via transmission means such as a poly-V belt, and the shaft 5 rotatably supported by the housing 2 via front and rear bearings 15 and 17 rotates to rotate the rotor. Four
Rotates. At this time, the pole core 33, the field coil 34, and the two positive electrode side slip rings 41 integrally rotate on the shaft 5.

Then, the voltage adjusting device 10 makes the field coil 3
When the power feeding of No. 4 is started, the battery → the DC output terminal 71 → the positive electrode side connection terminal 54 → the positive electrode side brush 51 → the positive electrode side slip ring 41 → the positive electrode side connection bar 43.
→ field coil 34 → negative side connection bar 44 → pole core 33 → shaft 5 → negative side slip ring 42 →
An exciting current flows in the order of the negative electrode side brush 52 → rear housing 12 → body. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to the field coil 34 from the battery and an exciting current flows through the field coil 34, the pair of claw-shaped magnetic pole portions 3 of the pole core 33 are formed.
3a and 33b are magnetized. As a result, all of the front end side claw-shaped magnetic pole portions 33a become N poles, and the rear end side claw-shaped magnetic pole portions 33a.
All b are S poles.

Then, an alternating current is sequentially induced in the three-phase stator coil 32 wound around the stator core 31 of the stator 3 rotating relative to the rotor 4, and the generated voltage rises rapidly. This three-phase AC current is applied to three AC input terminals 7
It is inputted to the three-phase full-wave rectification bridge circuit via 8. That is, by being input to the three positive side diodes 75 and the three negative side diodes 76, the three-phase alternating current is rectified and converted into a direct current. Then, the generated voltage of the three-phase stator coil 32 (DC output terminal 71
Voltage, B terminal voltage) exceeds the battery voltage, the rectified DC current, that is, the charging current, is supplied to the battery through three positive electrode side diodes 75 → positive electrode side cooling fins 73 → DC output terminal 71 → conductive wire. Is supplied to. As a result, the charging current flows through the battery to charge the battery, and at the same time, electric power is supplied to the electric load mounted on the vehicle.

Here, the three-phase stator coil 32, the field coil 34, the three-phase rectifier 9, and the voltage regulator 10 of the vehicle alternator 1 generate heat when energized. This heat is cooled by the cooling air being sucked into the housing 2 by the rotation of the rotor 4 and the rotation of the plurality of blades 45 fixed to the pole core 33. Specifically, the three-phase stator coil 32 of the stator 3 and the field coil 3 of the rotor 4
As shown in FIG. 2, 4 is a large number of ventilation holes 21 formed in the front housing 11 and the rear housing 12.
And the cooling air of the plurality of blades 45 sent through the multiple ventilation ports 22 directly cools.

Also, three positive and negative side diodes 7 are provided.
The heat generated in Nos. 5 and 76 is applied to the cooling fins 7 on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side.
The positive and negative cooling fins 73 and 74 are cooled by hitting the cooling air sent through the ventilation holes 22 of the rear housing 12 on the positive and negative cooling fins 73 and 74. Radiates heat through. When the cooling air is sucked into the housing 2, foreign matters such as water and dust also enter the housing 2. In particular, if foreign matter enters through the ventilation port 22 of the rear housing 12, there is a possibility that it will enter the sliding portion between the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51.

However, in this embodiment, the brush holding device 5
The outer peripheral side of the cylindrical void is sealed by 3 and its extension 61, and the convex portion 47 of the air blower 7 and the brush holding device 53 are sealed.
A labyrinth seal 64 between the concave portion 63 and the concave portion 63 seals the pole gap 33 side of the cylindrical void. As a result, even if foreign matter such as water or dust enters the housing 2, the sliding between the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51 in the space surrounded by the air blower 7 and the brush holder 53. It is also possible to prevent foreign matter such as water and dust from entering the cylindrical void where the moving part exists. Further, it is possible to prevent the abrasion powder generated at the sliding portion between the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51 from scattering in the housing 2 and adversely affecting the internal parts.

On the other hand, when foreign matter enters through the ventilation port 22 of the rear housing 12, the negative-side slip ring 42
There is a possibility that it may enter the sliding portion between the negative electrode side brush 52 and the negative electrode side brush 52. However, in this embodiment, the bearing housing portion 18 of the rear housing 12 and the bearing holding portion 60 of the brush holding device 53 are provided.
Thus, the annular gap side where the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 exists is sealed.
As a result, even if foreign matter such as water or dust enters the housing 2, the sliding between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 occurs in the space surrounded by the brush holding device 53 and the rear housing 12. It is also possible to prevent foreign matter such as water and dust from entering the annular space where the moving part exists. Further, it is possible to prevent the abrasion powder generated at the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 from scattering into the housing 2 and adversely affecting the internal parts.

When the vehicle alternator 1 is operated at high speed for a long period of time, the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51 slide and wear. However, in this embodiment, since the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is made of a carbonaceous member, it is self-lubricating. That is, by reducing the friction coefficient of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 itself, the amount of wear of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is significantly reduced as compared with the current collector ring 120 made of a conventional metallic member. Further, since the positive electrode side brush 51 is made of a metallic plate-shaped member, the amount of wear of the positive electrode side brush 51 is greatly reduced by reducing the weight and reducing the spring load. Therefore, the durability life of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the positive electrode side brush 51 can be extended.

On the other hand, when the vehicle alternator 1 is operated at high speed for a long time, the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 are slid and worn. However, in this embodiment, since the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 is lubricated by the grease G for lubricating the rear bearing 17, the negative electrode side slip ring 42.
The amount of wear between the negative electrode side brush 52 and the negative electrode side brush 52 is significantly reduced. Therefore, the negative side slip ring 42 and the negative side brush 5
The durable life of No. 2 can be extended.

[Effects of the Embodiment] As described above, in the vehicular AC generator 1 of this embodiment, the negative side slip ring 42 is fixed to the rear end surface of the shaft 5 electrically connected to the field coil 34. However, by disposing the negative electrode side brush 52 sliding on the surface of the negative electrode side slip ring 42 in the axial direction of the shaft 5, two slip rings are provided on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the shaft 5. Shaft 5 compared to the one
The axial length of the negative electrode side brush 52 can be shortened significantly, and the axial length of the vehicle AC generator 1 can be shortened. As a result, the vehicle AC generator 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

Next, the effect obtained when the negative electrode side slip ring 42 is made of a metallic member will be described. It is possible to assemble the negative electrode side slip ring 42 to the shaft 5 simply by press-fitting the negative electrode side slip ring 42 using a conductive copper alloy as the metallic member into the center hole 37 formed in the rear end surface of the shaft 5. it can. That is, a solder material required for soldering the shaft 5 and the negative electrode side slip ring 42, a rivet required for caulking and fixing the shaft 5 and the negative electrode side slip ring 42 by rivets, or a shaft 5 and the negative electrode side slip. Ring 4
The fasteners required when fastening the two with fasteners such as bolts and screws are not required. As a result, the workability of assembling the negative side slip ring 42 on the shaft 5 can be improved, and the number of parts can be reduced, so that the product cost of the vehicle alternator 1 can be reduced.

Then, the negative electrode side brush 52 is fixed to the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 20 constituting the bearing housing portion 18 for holding the rear bearing 17 by driving the rivet 55.
Electrical conduction between the rear housing 12 and the negative brush 52 can be ensured. Further, the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 is the brush holding device 5.
It is surrounded by the side wall portion 19 and the bottom wall portion 20 which form the bearing holding portion 60 and the bearing housing portion 18 of No. 3. That is, since the bearing holding portion 60 and the bearing housing portion 18 function as a slip ring cover, foreign matter such as water and dust can be prevented from entering the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52.

Next, the brush holder 53 is attached to the bearing holder 60.
The effect of integrating the two will be described. As described in the section of the above-mentioned action, in addition to the effect of the sealing property, the positive electrode side brush 51 is attached to the positive electrode side brush 51 in the bearing holding portion 60 which holds the rear bearing 17 (the rear end portion of the shaft 5).
By integrally molding the brush holding device 53 which is held via the resin member, the positional relationship between the brush holding device 53 and the bearing holding portion 60 becomes constant, and the rear bearing 1
7 due to an assembly error between the bearing holding part 60 and the brush holding device 53 and the bearing holding part 60.
It is possible to eliminate the axial misalignment of.

Then, the grease G of the rear bearing 17 in the bearing accommodating portion 18 is used to make a slip ring 42 on the negative electrode side.
By lubricating the sliding part between the negative electrode side brush 52 and
Lubrication of the rear bearing 17 and the slip ring 42 on the negative electrode side
Compared with the case where different grease G is used for the lubrication of the sliding portion between the negative electrode side brush 52 and the negative electrode side brush 52, deterioration of lubricity due to mixing different lubricants can be prevented. Thereby,
The sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 is lubricated with the grease G having high lubricity, so that the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52
The amount of wear with can be reduced. In addition, the type of grease G can be reduced by using one type of grease G to lubricate the rear bearing 17 and to lubricate the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52. Inventory management becomes very easy, and a vehicle alternator 1
The product cost can be reduced.

Then, the brush 52 on the negative electrode side is attached to the bearing housing 18
The rivet 55 is driven into the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 20 of the rotor to fix it electrically and mechanically, so that the shaft 5 and the negative side slip ring 4 serve as an exciting circuit of the rotor coil.
2, a main excitation circuit that passes through the negative electrode side brush 52 and the bearing housing 18, and is connected in parallel to this excitation circuit, and the shaft 5,
A sub-excitation circuit that passes through the rear bearing 17 and the bearing housing 18 is formed. Of these, a minute current flows in the sub-excitation circuit due to the difference in electric resistance between the negative brush 52 and the rear bearing 17.

As described above, when a minute current flows through the rear bearing 17, sparks are generated in the minute gaps between the rear bearing 17 (for example, between the inner race 17a and the ball 17c, between the ball 17c and the outer race 17b), and sparks are generated. The bearing 17 may be oxidized and consumed, or the grease G of the rear bearing 17 may be carbonized to deteriorate lubricity. Therefore, the bearing holder 6 integrally formed with the brush holder 53 is formed.
0 is interposed between the side wall portion 19 of the rear housing 12 and the outer race 17b of the rear bearing 17 to electrically insulate the rear bearing 17 and the bearing housing portion 18.
As a result, a minute current can be prevented from flowing through the rear bearing 17, and problems such as oxidation corrosion of the rear bearing 17 and deterioration of the grease G can be eliminated.

Next, the brush 5 on the positive electrode side of the vehicle alternator 1
The effect of using a metallic plate-shaped member as the material for the first and negative brushes 52 will be described. When a carbonaceous member is used as the material of the fixed-side brush 131 as in the prior art, in order to reduce the contact electric resistance, copper powder is mixed into carbon to contact electric resistance and wear of the fixed-side brush 131. The blending ratio was decided by the life. By mixing copper powder or the like into the carbonaceous member, the weight of the fixed-side brush 131 becomes heavy, so that the influence of vibration (for example, excessive wear between the fixed-side brush 131 and the collector ring 120) must be taken into consideration. did not become. Note that the vibration resistance of the fixed-side brush is generally expressed by the following formula 1 according to the literature of the mechanical design document.

[Equation 1] Vibration resistance ∝ {(k × spring load) / (fixed side brush weight)} + {spring weight}

From the above equation (1), it can be seen that the spring load of the positive side brush 51 and the negative side brush 52 can be reduced by reducing the weight of the positive side brush 51 and the negative side brush 52 as the fixed side brush. In this embodiment, by using spring steel (phosphor bronze or beryllium copper in this example) that also serves as a spring, a pigtail, and a graphite brush as the material of the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52,
The weights of the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52 are significantly reduced. As a result, the spring load of the positive side brush 51 and the negative side brush 52 can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional fixed side brush 131, so that the wear amount of the positive side brush 51 and the negative side brush 52 can be greatly reduced. Moreover, since the influence of the vibration of the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52 can be suppressed, the life of the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52 can be extended. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the vehicle alternator 1.

Since the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52 are made of a metallic plate member, the outer periphery of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 and the negative electrode side slip ring in the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52 are formed. 42
Since the current density does not change even if the surface areas of the contact portions of the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side brush 52 are reduced in order to reduce the electric resistance of the contact portion in contact with the axial end surface of the positive electrode side brush 51 and the negative electrode side The temperature rise of the side brush 52 is suppressed, and the durability life of the positive side brush 51 and the negative side brush 52 is extended.

Further, the positive side brush 51 and the negative side brush 5
Since 2 is made of a metallic plate member and the conventional spring and pigtail are eliminated, the electric resistance value of the brush device 8 becomes relatively small. As a result, it is possible to provide the brush device 8 in which the current easily flows and the power loss is small. Further, the negative electrode side brush 52 is made of a conventional copper alloy spring steel that also serves as a pigtail, so that even if the negative electrode side brush 52 is arranged in the axial direction of the negative electrode side slip ring 42, The shaft length does not become long. Furthermore, the elasticity of the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side brushes 51 and 52 themselves can be imparted so as to slide on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side slip rings 41 and 42 while eliminating the conventional spring and pigtail, so that the brush device 8 The number of parts can be reduced. This facilitates inventory management of the brush device 8.

Next, the effect obtained when the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is made of a carbonaceous member (for example, a foamed skeleton metal of a copper alloy is used as a metal matrix to form carbon powder) will be described. In the case of the conventional structure, since the material of the fixed side brush 131 is a carbonaceous member (wear member), it is necessary to set the size and length in which wear is predicted in advance, and as shown in FIG. The voltage adjusting device 102 is arranged near the brush device 108 in order to reduce the drop voltage of the exciting circuit. For this reason, the physical size of the vehicle AC generator 100 cannot be reduced, which hinders the downsizing of the vehicle AC generator 100.

However, since the positive brush 51 is made of a metallic plate-like member, the positive brush 51 is less likely to wear. Therefore, the wear is predicted in advance like the fixed brush 131 made of conventional wear members. There is no need to set the size and length. Thereby, the positive electrode side brush 51 can be made extremely thin. That is, since the positive electrode side brush 51 can be manufactured from a thin plate elastic material, the brush device 8 including the positive electrode side brush 51, the brush holding device 53 and the like can be significantly lightened and downsized. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, even when the voltage adjusting device 10 is installed in the vicinity of the positive electrode side brush 51, it is possible to reduce the physical size of the vehicle alternator 1.
Moreover, since the axial length of the vehicle AC generator 1 can also be reduced, the vehicle AC generator 1 can be made lighter and smaller.

Further, as in this embodiment, the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is made of a carbonaceous material, and the self-lubricating property (reduction of friction coefficient) of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 itself and the positive electrode side brush 51. By significantly reducing the contact probability, the amount of wear can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional current collector ring 120. In addition, as shown in the equation (1), the spring load of the positive electrode side brush 51 is reduced to reduce the weight of the positive electrode side brush 51.
Since the wear amount of No. 1 can be further reduced, the life of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 can be extended. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the vehicle alternator 1.

On the other hand, although the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is made of a carbonaceous material, the portion of the annular positive electrode side slip ring 41 that contacts the positive electrode side brush 51 is part of the circumferential dimension. Also, the temperature rise of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is suppressed and the durable life of the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is extended. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the vehicle alternator 1. Since the positive electrode side slip ring 41 is made of a carbonaceous member, the positive electrode side brush 51 is made of a metallic plate member, and the positive electrode side brush 51 is driven at a high speed on the outer periphery of the positive electrode side slip ring 41. Stable wear and energization to the field coil 34 can be ensured even when sliding at (for example, 10000 rpm or more).

Next, the effect of sliding the negative electrode side brush 52 near the center of the negative electrode side slip ring 42 will be described. Since the negative electrode side brush 52 is slid near the center of the negative electrode side slip ring 42, the amount of wear of the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52 can be greatly reduced, and the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush Since the defect due to the vibration of 52 can be suppressed, the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52
The life of can be extended. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the vehicle alternator 1.

From the above, in the vehicle alternator 1 of this embodiment, the size of the engine room of the vehicle is made smaller, and the space for mounting the accessories is narrowed, and the size and weight of the vehicle are reduced by restricting the fuel consumption. In addition to being able to achieve this, it is possible to reduce the product cost of the vehicle alternator 1 by extending the warranty period of the vehicle to extend its life.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a negative-side slip ring of an automotive alternator.

In this embodiment, an annular plate-shaped sliding contact portion 4 press-fitted into the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the shaft 5 as a negative electrode side current collector.
9a and a container-shaped negative slip ring 49 having a cylindrical covering portion 49b extending forward from the outer periphery of the sliding contact portion 49a and locked to the rear end surface of the shaft 5.
Is used. The negative electrode side slip ring 49 is
Similar to the embodiment, it is formed by pressing a metallic member such as a conductive copper alloy. Then, the negative electrode side brush 52 slides on the surface of the sliding contact portion 49a of the negative electrode side slip ring 49, particularly near the center. Also in this embodiment, the sliding portion between the negative brush 52 and the negative slip ring 49 is lubricated with grease G that lubricates the rear bearing 17 to reduce the amount of wear.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention and is a view showing a negative electrode side brush of an automotive alternator.

In this embodiment, as the metallic plate member, a negative electrode side brush 57 using a conventional spring, a pigtail and a copper alloy spring steel which is a copper alloy also serving as a graphite brush is used. . This negative side brush 5
7, a pointed contact portion 57a that slides on the surface of the negative side slip ring, and a flat plate-shaped extension portion 57b extended to both sides from the contact portion 57a are integrally formed by press working. In addition, a circular through hole 57c through which a fastening tool (not shown) such as a rivet or a bolt passes is formed in one extension portion 57b.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a view showing a negative electrode side brush of an automotive alternator.

In this embodiment, as the fixed side brush, the negative side brush 5 made of the same metallic plate member as in the third embodiment is used.
8 is used. The negative brush 58 is integrally formed with two contacts 58a that slide on the surface of the negative slip ring and a connecting portion 58b that connects the two contacts 58a by press working. A circular through hole 58c through which a fastening tool (not shown) such as a rivet or a bolt passes is formed at the center of the connecting portion 58b.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention and is a view showing a negative electrode side brush of an automotive alternator.

In this embodiment, as the fixed-side brush, a negative-side brush 59, which is a split of the negative-side brush 58 of the fourth embodiment, is used. The two-divided negative electrode side brush 59 is integrally formed by press working with a contactor 59a that slides on the surface of the negative electrode side slip ring and an extension 59b extended from this contactor 59a. A circular through hole 59c through which a fastening tool (not shown) such as a rivet or a bolt passes is formed at the center of the extension portion 59b.

[Sixth Embodiment] FIGS. 10 to 12 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a peripheral structure of a current collecting device and a brush device of an alternator for a vehicle. so,
FIG. 11 is a view showing the main part of the rear housing.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a negative electrode side brush.

In this embodiment, a recessed portion (locking portion) 20b for locking the recessed protrusion (locked portion) 52d of the negative brush 52 is formed on the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 20 of the bearing housing portion 18. A plurality is formed. The recesses 20b are provided between adjacent ridges 20c by integrally molding a plurality of arc-shaped ridges 20c on the bottom surface of the bottom wall 20 at equal intervals.

[Modification] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a high-side regulator type vehicle alternator (so-called vehicle alternator) 1. However, the present invention is applied to a direct earth type alternator. It may be applied, or may be applied to a stationary AC generator that supplies electric power in a building. Further, the present invention may be applied to a generator motor. The shaft 5 may be directly connected to the output shaft of the engine. In this case, the pulley is unnecessary. Further, a transmission unit such as a gear transmission having one or more stages or a V-belt continuously variable transmission may be connected between the shaft 5 and the output shaft of the engine. Further, the shaft 5 may be rotationally driven by a water turbine, a wind turbine, or an electric motor.

In this embodiment, the positive side slip ring 4 is used.
As a material of 1, a carbonaceous member (for example, carbon powder formed by using a foam skeleton metal of a copper alloy as a metal matrix, natural graphite,
Although electric graphite or metallic graphite) is used, a metal powder having higher strength and higher conductivity (conductivity) than simple carbon may be used as the material of the positive electrode side slip ring 41. Even in this case, a metallic member (for example, phosphor bronze or beryllium copper which is spring steel of a copper alloy) is used as the material of the positive electrode side brush 51.

In this embodiment, the brush holder (brush holder) 53, the casing 62 of the voltage regulator (regulator) 10, and the bearing holder (bearing holder) 6
Although 0 is integrally formed with a resinous member, they may be manufactured separately, and the bearing holding portion 60 may not be provided.
Alternatively, only the brush holding device 53 and the voltage adjusting device 10 may be integrally molded.

In this embodiment, the negative slip ring 4 is used.
Although the grease G of the rear bearing 17 was used as a lubricant for lubricating the sliding portion between the negative electrode side brush 52 and the No. 2 side, as a lubricant for lubricating the sliding portion between the negative electrode side slip ring 42 and the negative electrode side brush 52, other The above lubricant or lubricating oil may be used. In addition, the negative side slip ring 42 and the negative side brush 5
A lubricant different from the lubricant that lubricates the rear bearing 17 may be used as the lubricant that lubricates the sliding portion with respect to 2.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a peripheral structure of a current collector and a brush device of an automotive alternator (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of a vehicle alternator (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a plan view in which a three-phase rectifying device, a voltage adjusting device, and a brush device are assembled in the rear housing (first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a positive electrode side brush and a positive electrode side slip ring of the vehicle alternator (first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode side brush of the vehicle AC generator (first embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a negative slip ring of the vehicle alternator (second embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode side brush of a vehicle AC generator (third embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode side brush of an automotive alternator (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode side brush of a vehicle AC generator (fifth embodiment).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a peripheral structure of a current collecting device and a brush device of an automotive alternator (sixth embodiment).

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a main part of a rear housing of an automotive alternator (sixth embodiment).

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode side brush of an automotive alternator (sixth embodiment).

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the overall structure of a conventional vehicle AC generator (conventional example).

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vehicle AC Generator (Generator) 2 Housing 3 Stator 4 Rotor 5 Shaft 6 Current Collector 8 Brush Device 10 Voltage Regulator 17 Rear Bearing (Bearing) 18 Bearing Housing 19 Side Wall 20 Bottom Wall 37 Center Hole 41 Positive electrode side slip ring (current collecting ring) 42 Negative side slip ring (current collecting material) 49 Negative side slip ring (current collecting material) 51 Positive electrode side brush 52 Negative electrode side brush (fixed side brush) 53 Brush holding device 57 Negative side brush (fixed) Side brush) 58 negative side brush (fixed side brush) 59 negative side brush (fixed side brush) 60 bearing holder (insulating member)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A stator fixed to an inner surface of a housing; (b) a rotor rotatably provided inside the stator and wound with a rotor coil; and (c) one end of the rotor coil. A shaft that is electrically and mechanically fixed and that penetrates the center of the rotor, and (d) is electrically connected to the shaft and is fixed to one end surface of the shaft, and is made of a metallic member. A current collector having the current collector, and (e) arranged axially with respect to the current collector of the current collector,
A generator including a brush device that slides on the surface of the current collector to supply power to the rotor coil and that has a fixed-side brush made of a metallic plate-shaped member. 2. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the current collector uses a conductive copper alloy as a metallic member, and a center hole formed in one end surface of the shaft,
Alternatively, a generator fixed to the outer circumference of the shaft. 3. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the fixed-side brush uses phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, which is a spring steel of a copper alloy, as a metallic plate-shaped member, and is bent.
A generator characterized in that it is formed into a predetermined shape by press working by drawing. 4. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the current collector has a current collector ring made of a carbonaceous material, in addition to the current collector. In addition to the negative side brush composed of the fixed side brush, the brush device slides on the surface of the current collecting ring of the current collecting device to supply power to the rotor coil, and also the positive side brush made of a metallic member. The positive-side brush, phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, which is a spring steel of a copper alloy, is used as a metallic member, and the contact pressure with the current collector ring is secured by its own spring characteristic to conduct electricity. A generator characterized by. 5. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the housing closes a cylindrical side wall portion that holds a bearing that rotatably supports one end portion of the shaft, and one end side of the side wall portion. A generator comprising: a bearing housing having an annular bottom wall formed therein, wherein the fixed-side brush is electrically and mechanically fixed to the bearing housing. 6. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion between the fixed-side brush and the current collector is lubricated with a lubricant. Generator. 7. The generator according to claim 5, wherein the generator includes a tubular insulating member that electrically insulates the bearing from the bearing housing.