Adaptive Unscrewing Automation for Electric Motors

Abstract

This paper presents the development of solutions for the autonomous disassembly of electric motors, a vital component in the realm of e-mobility. With the escalating growth in electric vehicle (EV) production, exemplified by the registration of 10.8 million EVs worldwide in 2022 and the substantial sales of specific electric motor models, the importance of efficient recycling and disassembly processes has become more pronounced. Recognizing this, our project “Zirkel” aims to address the challenges of circular economy and resource efficiency through innovative disassembly techniques.Our methodology involved comprehensive pre-disassembly workshops to familiarize ourselves with the electric motor as a component, understanding its structure, and identifying potential challenges in the disassembly process. The workshops provided crucial insights into the specificities of electric motors used in popular EV models like the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, paving the way for the development of an autonomous disassembly system.The technical challenges in developing this system were manifold, tackled through a multi-staged approach that integrates both sensorial and mechanical processes. This approach allowed us to efficiently navigate the complexities associated with the disassembly of electric motors, ensuring a balance between precision and practicality.In the demonstrator section of the paper, we elucidate the step-by-step process of overcoming these technical hurdles, detailing the development stages and the innovative solutions we employed. This includes the use of advanced automated techniques, adaptive designs, and automation of previously manual processes.