Sensor assembly and motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor assembly (2, 3) comprising a probe unit (3) and a carrier element (2) for arranging the probe unit on a motor housing (11), wherein the probe unit (3) has electronic components (17) on a side facing the motor housing (11), which are accommodated in an accommodation (6) of the carrier element (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor having a motor housing and a corresponding sensor assembly.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The published patent application DE 3914082 A1 discloses an electronically commutated electric motor having a stator with at least one stator winding, a rotor with a magnetized region, and a sensor element on the stator for detecting the position of the magnetized region. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The sensor assembly according to the present invention comprises a detection unit and a carrier element for placing the detection unit on the motor cover. The detection unit has electronic components on the side facing the motor cover, which are accommodated in the receptacle of the carrier element. The detection unit can be understood as an inductive measuring device, which is provided, for example, in the form of a printed circuit board or a circuit board, and on or in which electronic components, such as printed conductors and ASIC components, are provided. In addition, in order to determine the measured values ​​inductively, a measuring coil and an excitation coil can be provided in the detection unit so that the measured value determination can be achieved. The component to be measured can be, for example, the rotor of a motor, in which the detection unit can be installed. The carrier element can be made of plastic and holds the detection unit. In addition, the carrier element enables the carrier element and the retained detection unit to be fixed to the motor cover of the motor.

[0003] The integration of such a detection unit, for example, into an electric motor (brush motor, EC motor) requires adequate protection against particles that could impair the electrical function during its service life (e.g. conductive metal fragments, debris caused by the manufacturing process or generated by wear, loss or particles generated during operation).

[0004] This is achieved by the aforementioned receptacle in the carrier element, whereby the outwardly enclosed region of the retaining element is formed in the region of the electronic component that receives it. The partially open region of the carrier element combines the protective and retaining functions in a single component, resulting in functional integration and eliminating the need for additional components. Consequently, no additional components are required to protect the electronic components on the circuit board. Furthermore, no additional sealing and / or coating steps are required.

[0005] In another embodiment of the sensor assembly, the carrier element can be mounted on the motor housing, thereby indirectly mounting the detection unit held by the carrier element on the motor housing. This ensures the aforementioned integration of the retention and protection functions. Furthermore, mounting the carrier element on the motor housing reduces the number of assembly steps, as the detection unit is held in the carrier element.

[0006] In another embodiment of the sensor assembly, the receptacle for the electronic components is formed in the carrier element as a continuous opening. This opening is at least partially covered by the detection unit, in particular its printed circuit board, and can be covered by the motor housing. This window structure allows for simple production of the receptacle in the carrier element by leaving a region blank during manufacture of the carrier element or, for example, by injection molding or stamping the region out of a solid body. In the installed state, the remaining open side is covered by the motor housing.

[0007] In an alternative embodiment of the sensor assembly, the receptacle is a recessed opening in the carrier component, wherein the open side is at least partially covered by the detection unit, in particular by its printed circuit board. This has the advantage that less material is lost in the region of the receptacle and improved protection is achieved because no additional opening toward the motor housing is present.

[0008] In another embodiment, the carrier member has a lateral opening for passing an electrical connection. The electrical connection enables contact between the electronic component and the connection plate. The connection plate 4 can be configured to contact a controller that controls the motor based on the signal from the detection unit.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the further opening, in particular in the lateral direction, is directly connected to the receptacle, ie the opening, for accommodating the electronic component. This enables, for example, simple contacting with a flat cable.

[0010] In another embodiment, the connecting plate of the sensor assembly can be mounted on the motor housing. The support element can be mounted on a first surface of the motor housing, while the connecting plate can be mounted on a second surface of the motor housing facing away from the first surface. The height difference between the first and second surfaces can be easily compensated by means of electrical connections. This allows the sensor assembly to be optimally adapted to the motor's structural requirements.

[0011] In another embodiment, the detection unit is annular, and the receptacle extends radially partially along the circumference of the detection unit. This annular detection unit allows for simple, central accommodation of other motor components, such as the motor shaft, within the central opening. If the opening / receptacle extends only partially along the circumference, the remaining support element can be thicker at other locations, making it more stable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention, a motor is proposed, which has a corresponding motor housing and a corresponding sensor arrangement according to the described embodiment.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 Shown is a cross section of a motor.

[0015] Figure 2 The motor housing with the sensor assembly is shown.

[0016] Figure 3 A sensor assembly having a sensor circuit board and a carrier member is shown.

[0017] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A carrier member with a sensor circuit board and electrical connections to a coupling plate is shown.

[0018] Figure 6 The carrier member and the sensor circuit board are shown in a mounted state on a motor housing of a motor.

[0019] Figure 7 The lateral openings on the carrier member for routing electrical connections are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 The drive motor 1 is shown in cross section. The rotor 12 is connected to the shaft 10, which is supported by bearings 13 and 14. The lower bearing 13 is accommodated in a recess in the housing 15 of the drive motor 1. The upper bearing 14 is accommodated in the circumferential flange 5 of the bearing cover 11 of the drive motor 1. The shaft 10 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis 10 in the bearings 13 and 14.

[0021] Rotor 12 is set into rotation by means of a stator 16 surrounding it. Stator 16 can include a laminated core, with stator teeth wound with copper. Electrical insulation between the stator laminations and the copper windings must be ensured, for example, using two insulators mounted on the ends. One of the two insulators can have an additional function by ensuring the guidance and positioning of interconnecting wires between the stator coils. For example, the positioned wires are contacted via insulation displacement connections.

[0022] The rotor 12 comprises, for example, a laminated core composed of electrical steel sheets and rotor magnets integrated into the rotor laminated core.

[0023] A target 7 is connected to the shaft 10 and / or the rotor 12 in such a way that it rotates together with the rotor 12 and / or the shaft 10. The movement of the target 7 can be measured using a suitable sensor 3. Thus, the position and / or speed estimation of the rotor 12 can be performed using the sensor 3 based on the target 7. The position and / or speed estimation of the rotor 12 can then be used for motor control.

[0024] Here, sensor 3 is held parallel to target 7 so that the sensitive sensor surface of sensor 3 faces target 7. The measuring principle can be an inductive measuring principle. Sensor 3 comprises at least one excitation coil and at least one detector coil, ideally two detector coils, to unambiguously detect the rotor angle. Both the excitation coil and the detector coil are integrated into sensor circuit board 3. Target 7 includes conductive and non-conductive areas. Sensor 3, or more precisely, sensor circuit board 3, further comprises sensor components 17, in particular active and passive sensor components, such as, for example, a sensor ASIC, which are mounted on the rear side of sensor circuit board 3.

[0025] As target 7 rotates, conductive and non-conductive areas of target 7 alternately sweep across the sensitive surface of sensor 3. This induces a variable voltage in the detector coil, which serves as a signal representing the rotational motion. This allows the position or rotational speed of rotor 12 relative to stator 16 to be determined.

[0026] The connection plate 4 is electrically connected to the sensor printed circuit board 3. The connection can be made via an electrical connection 8, for example via a flat ribbon cable 8.

[0027] The supply voltage for the sensor electronics is provided and the supply current is transmitted via electrical connection 8 , and the output signal is also transmitted to a subsequent evaluation unit (eg ECU). Depending on the embodiment of the ASIC used, the output signal can be an analog signal or a digital signal.

[0028] The connection plate 4 is assigned a plug unit 18 , by means of which the connection element can be connected to the control unit.

[0029] The coupling plate 4 and the sensor circuit board 3 are arranged in different planes of the motor. The sensor circuit board 3 is arranged closer to the rotor 12 than the coupling plate 4. The sensor circuit board 3 is also arranged closer to the shaft 10 than the coupling plate 4. Figure 1 The sensor circuit board 3 is mounted on the bearing cover 11 of the motor 2. In this case, the connecting plate 4 is directly mounted on the bearing cover. The mounting of the sensor circuit board 3 is carried out by means of the carrier component 2.

[0030] The support member 2 can be made of plastic. The plastic support member 2 prevents electrical contact between the electrical component 17 and the bearing cap 11 when the sensor circuit board 3 is mounted. On the one hand, the electrical connection between the electrical component 17 and the sensor circuit board 3 can be covered by the support member 2, thereby preventing contact with the bearing cap 11. On the other hand, in the optionally open areas of the support member 2, sufficient spacing can be provided between the electrical component 17 or the electrical connection of the sensor circuit board 3 and the bearing cap 11.

[0031] Figure 2 The bearing cover 11 with the mounted support component 2 is shown in a perspective view.

[0032] Two planes A and B are visible, wherein the connecting plate 4 (plane B) and the sensor circuit board 3 (plane A) are positioned on the bearing cover 11. The sensor circuit board 3 is mounted on the bearing cover 11 by means of a carrier component 2. The carrier component 2 accommodates the sensor circuit board 3 and fixes it to the bearing cover 11.

[0033] The electrical connection 8 connects the sensor circuit board 3 and the connection board 4. The sensor circuit board 3 has a central opening so that the shaft 10 can pass through. Figure 2 The circumferential collar 5 can also be seen, which serves as a receptacle for the bearing 14 of the shaft 10 .

[0034] Figure 3 The carrier member 2 is shown in another rear view. The carrier member 2 has a window 6 in the form of a continuous opening. The electronic components 17 of the sensor circuit board 3 are accommodated in this opening. When the carrier member 2 and the sensor circuit board 3 are mounted on the bearing cover 11, a receptacle 6 for the electronic components 17 of the sensor circuit board 3 is formed. This receptacle 6 protects the electronic components 17 from any contamination that may be present in the interior of the motor, such as contamination caused by wear when the bearing cover 11 is mounted in the motor housing 15.

[0035] Figure 4 Another view of the carrier member 2 with the mounted circuit board 3 is shown. The connecting plate 4 electrically connected to the sensor circuit board 3 is also shown. The carrier member 2 has a window 6 as described, which has a sufficient extension to accommodate an electronic component 17 in the window 6, which extends from the sensor circuit board 3. In other words, the edge of the window 6 is high enough so that the structural height of the electronic component 17 does not extend beyond the window. To this end, on the one hand, the total thickness of the carrier member 2 can be set to be high enough, and on the other hand, local increased portions can be provided, which surround the area of ​​the sensor circuit board 3 on which the electronic component 17 is arranged. Figure 4 , contact pads 20 are also shown, by means of which electrical contact can be made on the connection plate 4 .

[0036] Figure 5 An alternative embodiment of the combination of the carrier member 2 and the sensor circuit board 3 is shown. The sensor circuit board 3 is connected to the connection plate 4 via an electrical connection 8. Also visible is the plug part 16, with which the connection plate 4 can make contact. Figure 3 and Figure 4In contrast to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portion 6 of the carrier member 2 is not continuously open. Instead, the receiving portion of the carrier member 2 is provided in the form of a recess 6, which can also accommodate the electronic component 17. The carrier member 2 is Figure 5 It is only partially shown in FIG. 1 , so that the depression 6 can be seen in the cross-sectional view.

[0037] Figure 6 Show again Figure 2 An enlarged detail of FIG, in which the recess 6 as a receptacle for the electronic component 17 can once again be clearly seen. Figure 6 The target 7, the stator 16 and the rotor 12 are not shown.

[0038] Two bases Figure 3 and 4 or Figure 5 and 6 The common feature of the embodiments is that the carrier component 2 is used to form the receptacle for the electronic components 17 of the sensor circuit board 3. In the first embodiment, the electronic components 17 are surrounded by parts of the carrier component 2 and the bearing cover 11. In the second embodiment, the electronic components are surrounded only by the carrier component 2. In both embodiments of the receptacle 6, one side of the receptacle is bounded by the sensor circuit board 3.

[0039] exist Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the electrical connection 8 can be led out of the receptacle 6 of the electronic component 17. For this purpose, the receptacle 6 can have a slot-shaped opening 19, through which the electrical connection 8 passes from the sensor circuit board 3 to the connection plate. Figure 4 In contrast, the connection of the electrical connection 8 can be made directly in the region where the electronic component 17 is also mounted, whereas Figure 4 The connection of the electrical connection 8 is arranged radially offset next to the receptacle 6 and is guided to the electronic components accommodated in the sensor circuit board 3. From a circuit engineering perspective, it can be advantageous to maintain a short electrical connection between the flat cable and the sensor electronics. This is ensured by routing the electrical connection 8 in the region of the receptacle 6 of the carrier component 2. The opening 19 can be dimensioned so that the electrical connection 8 (e.g., a flat ribbon cable 8) can be guided through the opening 19 in a form-fitting manner. The form-fit with the electrical connection 8 can also be achieved by both the carrier component 2 and the sensor circuit board 3. This can thus largely prevent interfering particles from entering the region of the opening.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly (2, 3) comprising a detection unit (3) and a carrier element (2) for placing the detection unit on a motor housing (11), wherein: The detection unit (3) has an electronic component (17) on the side facing the motor cover (11), which is accommodated in a receptacle (6) of the carrier element (2), and the receptacle (6) is constructed in the carrier element (2) in the form of a through opening (6), which is at least partially covered by the circuit board of the detection unit (3) on the one hand and can be covered by the motor cover (11) on the other hand, and a further lateral opening (19) is provided on the carrier element (2) between the detection unit (3) and the carrier element (2), through which an electrical connection (8) can be passed, which is used to contact the electronic component (17) with the connecting plate (4), wherein the size of the further opening (19) is designed so that the passing of the electrical connection (8) through the further opening (19) is realized in a form-fitting manner.

2. A sensor assembly (2, 3) comprising a detection unit (3) and a carrier element (2) for placing the detection unit on a motor housing (11), wherein: The detection unit (3) has an electronic component (17) on the side facing the motor cover (11), and the electronic component is accommodated in a receptacle (6) of the carrier element (2), and the receptacle (6) is constructed in the carrier element (2) in the form of a recessed opening (6), wherein the opening (6) is at least partially covered by the detection unit (3), and a further lateral opening (19) is provided on the carrier element (2) between the detection unit (3) and the carrier element (2), through which an electrical connection (8) can be passed, which electrical connection is used to contact the electronic component (17) with the connecting plate (4), wherein the size of the further opening (19) is designed so that the passing of the electrical connection (8) through the further opening (19) is achieved in a form-fitting manner.

3. The sensor assembly (2, 3) according to claim 2, characterized in that The opening (6) is at least partially covered by a circuit board of the detection unit (3).

4. The sensor assembly (2, 3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The support element (2) can be placed on the motor housing (11), whereby the detection unit (3) held by the support element (2) can be placed indirectly on the motor housing (11).

5. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The lateral opening (19) is directly connected to the receiving portion (6).

6. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The connecting plate (4) can be placed on the motor cover (11), wherein the supporting element (2) can be placed on a first plane (A) of the motor cover (11), and the connecting plate (4) can be placed on a second plane (B) of the motor cover (11), wherein a height difference between the first and second planes (A, B) can be compensated by the electrical connection (8).

7. The sensor assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The electrical connection is a cable.

8. The sensor assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The electrical connection is a flat ribbon cable.

9. The sensor assembly (2, 3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The detection unit (3) is annular, and the receiving portion (6) extends radially partially along the circumference of the detection unit (3).

10. A motor (1) comprising a motor housing (11) and a sensor assembly (2, 3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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