What other functions does the slot wedge of the motor winding have besides limiting?

What is a slot wedge?

A slot wedge, as the name implies, is a wedge-shaped component that is mainly used to insert into the stator slot of a motor to fix the winding and prevent it from loosening or falling off. It is usually made of insulation material. And it has good insulation properties and mechanical strength and can ensure that the motor will not have faults such as short circuits or loose windings during operation.

The structural characteristics of the slot wedge are mainly reflected in its shape and size. Generally speaking, the cross-sectional shape of the slot wedge is wedge-shaped, which is convenient for insertion into the stator slot. At the same time, its length and width also need to be precisely designed according to the specific specifications of the motor and the size of the winding to ensure that it can fit closely on the surface of the winding and achieve a good fixing effect.

Slot wedges are essential parts in the motor winding process. Their main function is to fix the coil embedded in the core to prevent it from moving in the slot, including preventing the coil from popping out of the slot. There are two types of slot wedges that are commonly used, one is the insulating slot wedge that acts as an insulator, and the other is the magnetic slot wedge that is commonly used in high-efficiency and high-voltage motors.

Function of slot wedges

1. Limiting and fixing

The primary function of slot wedges is limiting and fixing. During the operation of the motor, the winding coil needs to withstand the electromagnetic force. If the coil is displaced or ejected in the slot, it will seriously affect the normal operation of the motor. The slot wedges fill the slots to fix the winding coil tightly in the slot to prevent it from being displaced due to vibration or electromagnetic force during operation. This fixing effect ensures the stability and reliability of the motor winding and is the basis for the normal operation of the motor.

2. Optimization of thermal conductivity

In some cases, slot wedges can also be used to improve the thermal conductivity of motors. Optimization of thermal conductivity is of great significance for the heat dissipation and efficiency improvement of motors. By selecting materials with good thermal conductivity and optimizing the design of slot wedges, the heat dissipation efficiency of motors can be improved, thereby enhancing the working capacity of motors. For example, thermal conductive plastic is a commonly used material for motor slot wedges. It has good thermal conductivity and can quickly conduct the heat generated by the windings, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the motor. In addition, the design of slot wedges can also consider increasing the heat dissipation area or adopting other heat dissipation structures to further improve the heat dissipation performance of the motor.

3. Insulation reinforcement function

Insulation slot wedges also have the function of insulation reinforcement in motor windings. For low-voltage motor stator windings and rotor windings, insulation slot wedges are usually used to strengthen the insulation performance of the coil at the slot position. Insulation slot wedges are usually made of insulation materials, such as engineering plastics, glass fiber reinforced materials, etc., which have good electrical insulation properties. When the slot wedge is placed on the winding coil, it can effectively isolate the electrical contact between the winding and the core to prevent short circuits and faults caused by direct contact. At the same time, the insulation slot wedge can also strengthen the insulation layer of the winding coil and improve the insulation strength of the winding, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the motor.