Connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board of an assembly for an electronic control unit of an electric power steering system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector (10) for electronically connecting a first printed circuit board (30) to a second printed circuit board (40) and a third printed circuit board (50), wherein the connector (10) is configured to form an assembly (1) of an electronic control unit (102) for an electric power steering system (101) when the printed circuit boards (30, 40, 50) are electronically connected to each other via the connector (10), the connector (10) having a body including a base (19) and a stepped portion (20). The present invention also relates to an assembly (1) of an electronic control unit (102) for an electric power steering system (101) including the connector (10) and the electronic control unit (102) for an electric power steering system (101).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for electronically connecting a printed circuit board to an electronic control unit for an electric power steering system, an electronic control unit for an electric power steering system including said connector, and said electronic control unit for an electric power steering system including said component. Background Technology

[0002] In an electric steering system, an electronic control unit can be connected to an electric motor to supply power to the motor from a source such as a battery. Electric steering systems can assist in the maneuvering, typically steering, of transportation equipment, either by a driver or a machine in an autonomous vehicle. The transportation equipment can be a car.

[0003] An electric power steering system may further include a torque sensor, a steering shaft, a handle (usually a steering wheel), and a power source. The typical arrangement and operation of an electric power steering system in a car will be described below.

[0004] A torque sensor can be mounted on the steering shaft. When the steering shaft is rotated via an operating lever, the torque sensor detects the torque applied to the steering shaft by the lever's operation. Upon detecting the torque, a torque signal is output from the torque sensor to the electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU then drives the electric motor based at least on this torque signal. Optionally, in addition to the torque signal used to control the drive of the electric motor, the control unit may also include other data such as vehicle speed.

[0005] The electronic control unit drives the electric motor by supplying drive current from a power source (such as the car's battery). The driving force generated by the electric motor is then transmitted to the wheels, either directly or via the transmission, depending on the car's construction. Therefore, electric steering changes the steering angle of the wheels by amplifying the torque of the steering shaft with the aid of the electric motor. This allows the driver to operate the steering wheel with less force.

[0006] The electronic control unit includes a power board that is electronically connected to the electric motor. Power from the electric motor is transmitted through this power board. A logic board is connected to the power board to control the power transmission to the electric motor. Both the power board and the logic board are provided as printed circuit boards. The power board generates heat during operation of the electronic control unit. To prevent overheating and damage to the electronic control unit, a heat sink may be located inside the electronic control unit and arranged to be in thermal contact with the housing of the electric steering system or the electric motor.

[0007] In particular, when there are two or more printed circuit boards, such as three printed circuit boards (e.g., two printed circuit boards for providing power and one printed circuit board for providing logic or control operation), it may be difficult to obtain a compact assembly of printed circuit boards that are electronically connected to each other while providing sufficient space for the assembly, such as for the printed circuit boards, their electronic components and heat sinks. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a connector for electronically connecting printed circuit boards to components of electronic control units for electric power steering systems, so that the corresponding components can be more compact and have more space for the corresponding parts of the components.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned objective is achieved by a connector for electronically connecting a first printed circuit board to a second and a third printed circuit board. The connector is configured such that, when the printed circuit boards are electronically connected to each other via the connector, they form an assembly for an electronic control unit of an electric steering system. The connector has a body comprising a base having a first connecting means and a second connecting means, wherein the first connecting means and the second connecting means are electronically connected to each other, the first connecting means extending from a first side of the base, and the second connecting means extending from a second side of the base, the first connecting means being configured to be electronically connected to the first printed circuit board, and the second connecting means being configured to be electronically connected to the third printed circuit board. The body further includes a stepped portion projecting from the base and having a third connecting means and a fourth connecting means, wherein the third connecting means and the fourth connecting means are electronically connected to each other, the third connecting means extending from the stepped portion, and the fourth connecting means extending from the stepped portion, the third connecting means being configured to be electronically connected to the first printed circuit board, and the fourth connecting means being configured to be electronically connected to the second printed circuit board.

[0010] Therefore, by providing a connector comprising a base having electronic connection devices and a stepped portion protruding from the base having electronic connection devices, the present invention provides a compact yet spacious assembly. A first connection device of the base is electronically connected to a first printed circuit board, and a third connection device of the stepped portion is also connected to the first printed circuit board, while a second connection device of the base and a fourth connection device of the stepped portion are connected to different printed circuit boards, namely a second and a third printed circuit board. By providing a single connector formed as described above, particularly utilizing the stepped portion protruding from the base, as further explained below, three printed circuit boards can be electronically connected to the compact yet spacious assembly.

[0011] The base and step can be made from a single piece. The base and step can be molded onto the connecting devices such that these connecting devices are embedded in the base and step of the connector. The base and step can be made of plastic or any other suitable material for embedding the connecting devices therein.

[0012] The stepped portion can have a smaller height than the base. Since the stepped portion protrudes from the base, measured from the side where the first connecting device extends from the base, the stepped portion provides a fourth connecting device with a smaller height along the base compared to the second connecting device on the base. Thus, the second and third printed circuit boards can be connected to different heights or planes relative to the base or the total height of the connector, which can be the same as the total height of the base, i.e., determined by the base. The height of the base or connector can be measured along a height axis. The height axis can correspond to the extension of the connecting device from the base or the stepped portion, or in other words, the height axis can be measured transversely to, and particularly perpendicular to, the longitudinal extension of the base or connector. Therefore, the stepped portion can be considered as a step extending from the base of the connector.

[0013] Furthermore, the first side can be opposite to the second side. Therefore, the first connecting device and the second connecting device extend in opposite directions along the height axis of the base. Thus, the first printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board can be connected opposite to each other, and in particular, connected parallel to each other.

[0014] Furthermore, the third connecting device can extend from the first side of the base. The first side can be a common side of the base and the stepped portion. Thus, the first printed circuit board can be connected to the first and third connecting devices on the common side of the connector, even though the first and third connecting devices are located on different parts of the connector, namely the base and the stepped portion. Therefore, the first and third connecting devices can be adjacent to each other and electronically connected to the first printed circuit board at the same plane or height of the connector.

[0015] Furthermore, a fourth connecting device can extend from the third side of the step portion, wherein the third side is opposite to the first side. This third side can terminate along the height of the base or connector before the second side. Thus, the fourth connecting device and the second connecting device are arranged at different heights of the base or connector, allowing them to efficiently arrange the corresponding printed circuit boards relative to the space in the assembly.

[0016] Furthermore, the stepped portion may protrude from the base into a direction transverse to, and particularly perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to, the extensions of the first, second, third, and / or fourth connecting devices. Substantially perpendicular includes deviations from mathematical perpendicularity due to technical limitations (such as dimensional tolerances).

[0017] Furthermore, the first connecting device, the second connecting device, the third connecting device, and / or the fourth connecting device can be pins, particularly press-fit pins. The connecting devices, particularly the pins, can be made of metal, such as copper, to provide suitable electrical conductivity. The pins can be easily fitted into corresponding connection openings, such as holes, for receiving the pin inside the printed circuit board. Press-fit pins are a particularly simple solution for insertion into corresponding connection openings on a printed circuit board.

[0018] Furthermore, the connector may include positioning devices, particularly resilient pins, for securing the connector to at least one of the first, second, and third printed circuit boards and / or the heatsink of the electronic control unit. A simple connecting device may not be sufficient to provide positioning of the connector within the assembly, i.e., on the printed circuit board; therefore, the positioning device may be fitted into a corresponding positioning opening in the heatsink of at least one printed circuit board and / or the electronic control unit. The positioning device may also be referred to as a fixing device because it provides fixation of the connector relative to at least one printed circuit board and / or heatsink. The positioning device may be made from a single piece together with the base and stepped portion of the connector. The positioning device may extend, in particular, from the base and / or stepped portion along the height axis of the base or connector. The positioning device may include a positioning head at its end. This head can be heated, particularly when it is made of plastic, to become flexible, and then inserted into the corresponding positioning opening.

[0019] Furthermore, the connector may have a circular longitudinal extension and / or a first connecting device arranged along a first circular path, a second connecting device arranged along a second circular path, a third connecting device arranged along a third circular path, and / or a fourth connecting device arranged along a fourth circular path. In other words, the longitudinal extension of the connector may follow a circular path. The corresponding connecting devices may follow or be aligned with a corresponding circular path along the longitudinal extension. This arrangement is preferred because it can be easily positioned around the periphery of the printed circuit board, thereby saving space on the printed circuit board.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object set forth in the introductory portion of this specification is achieved by an assembly for an electronic control unit of an electric steering system, comprising a connector according to a first aspect of the invention, wherein the connector electronically connects a first printed circuit board to a second printed circuit board via a first connecting means and a second connecting means, and the connector electronically connects the first printed circuit board to the third printed circuit board via a third connecting means and a fourth connecting means.

[0021] Thus, the advantages associated with the connector according to the first aspect of the invention are realized in the electronic control unit for the electric steering system. The electric steering system can particularly be an electric steering system for a motor vehicle.

[0022] The component and / or electronic control unit may further include a heat sink and a housing. The housing may enclose printed circuit boards that are electronically connected to each other via connectors. The heat sink may be positioned in the space between two printed circuit boards (particularly a power board) so that it can dissipate heat generated by the power board. The heat sink may be thermally connected to the housing so that heat is dissipated through the housing.

[0023] Connectors can be positioned on the periphery of the printed circuit board. This saves space on the printed circuit board for mounting electronic components and allows for the placement of heat sinks between two printed circuit boards.

[0024] Furthermore, the first printed circuit board can be a logic board, and the second and third printed circuit boards can be power boards. In this configuration with two power boards, the electric motor can be electronically connected to the first power board via a first electric motor connector and electroelectronically connected to the second power board via a second electric motor connector. Each power board can provide three-phase current. Therefore, the electric motor can be designed as a six-phase electric motor. Thus, the electric motor can be driven independently by the drive current provided by either or both of the two power boards. This provides redundancy and fault insensitivity for the electronic control unit and the electric steering system.

[0025] In addition, the electronic control unit may include an electric motor as described above. The electric motor can be electronically connected to the power board of the printed circuit board via an electric motor connector for each power board.

[0026] Furthermore, printed circuit boards can have a circular or nearly circular shape. In this sense, a nearly circular shape is one in which at least half of its circumference is circular. It has been found that a circular shape of printed circuit boards is advantageous for compact components.

[0027] Furthermore, the diameter of the second printed circuit board can be smaller than that of the third printed circuit board. Additionally, the diameter of the second circuit board can be smaller than that of the first printed circuit board. The first and third printed circuit boards can have equal or substantially equal dimensions, including dimensional tolerances. This is a result of the design having a stepped portion extending into the middle of the second printed circuit board of the assembly. Although some space is lost on the second printed circuit board compared to the first and third printed circuit boards, the overall design of the assembly becomes more compact compared to other arrangements, and more space is available for the second printed circuit board.

[0028] According to a third aspect of the invention, the objective set forth in the introductory section of this specification is achieved by an electronic control unit for an electric steering system (particularly an electric steering system for automobiles), the electronic control unit comprising components according to a second aspect of the invention.

[0029] Therefore, the electronic control unit and the electric steering system can benefit from the advantageous connector of the first aspect of the invention as described above.

[0030] The electric steering system may also include a torque sensor, a steering shaft, a handle (particularly a steering wheel), and a power source. The electric steering system may also have an arrangement as described in the introduction of this specification and be configured for the operation of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention are set forth in the following description, wherein embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the features derived from the claims and the features mentioned in the specification, whether individually or in any combination, are essential to the invention.

[0032] In the diagram:

[0033] Figure 1 A side perspective sectional view of a component according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 The embodiments of the present invention are shown in the figure. Figure 1 A side perspective view of the connector in the component;

[0035] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the connector;

[0036] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the components; and

[0037] Figure 5 A front perspective view of a car equipped with an electronic control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 Component 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Component 1 includes three printed circuit boards 30, 40, and 50. The first printed circuit board 30 is an electronic control unit 102 (see...). Figure 5 The logic board of the electronic control device 102 is the second printed circuit board 40, which is the first power board of the electronic control device 102, and the third printed circuit board 50 is the second power board of the electronic control device 102.

[0039] In component 1, a first printed circuit board 30, designed as a logic board, is electronically connected to a second printed circuit board 40 and a third printed circuit board 50, designed as power boards, via connector 10. The three printed circuit boards 30, 40, and 50 are arranged parallel to each other in component 1 by means of connector 10.

[0040] from Figure 4 As can be clearly seen, connector 10 includes a base 19 and a stepped portion 20. The base 19 has a height extension along a height axis (not shown), and the base 19 defines the total height of connector 10. The stepped portion 20 extends in length along a direction perpendicular to the height extension or height axis of the base 19. The stepped portion 20 has a relatively small height compared to the height of the base 19. Therefore, a large space exists between the second printed circuit board 40 and the third printed circuit board 50. Heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the printed circuit boards 40 and 50 can be disposed therein, since the printed circuit boards 40 and 50 are designed as power boards, thus generating a large amount of heat during operation controlled by the first printed circuit board 30, which is designed as a logic board.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Further explanation of the design of connector 10, Figure 3 and Figure 4 Show in more detail Figure 1 and Figure 4 Component 1 connector 10.

[0042] Connector 10 has a circular longitudinal extension, or in other words, has a circular shape along its length, as can be seen from... Figure 2 This is particularly clear. Accordingly, printed circuit boards 30, 40, and 50 are designed to have a circular shape. Therefore, connector 10 can be positioned particularly well around the periphery of printed circuit boards 30, 40, and 50, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown. This saves space on printed circuit boards 30, 40, and 50.

[0043] Connector 10 also includes a plurality of first connection devices 12 that are electronically connected to the first printed circuit board 30, which can be obtained from Figure 1 As can be seen, these multiple first connecting devices 12 are disposed on a first side 25 of the connector 10 or its base 19. Opposite to the first side 25, on a second side 26, multiple second connecting devices 14 are disposed on the connector 10. (As can be seen from...) Figure 1As can be seen, these multiple second connecting devices 14 are electronically connected to the third printed circuit board 50. Furthermore, multiple third connecting devices 16 are again disposed on the first side 25 of the connector 10. Here, the first side 25 is the common side of the base 19 and the step portion 20. The multiple third connecting devices 16 are again connected to the first printed circuit board 30. Finally, multiple fourth connecting devices 18 are disposed on the third side 27 of the step portion 20 opposite to the first side 25. The multiple fourth connecting devices 18 are electronically connected to the second printed circuit board 40. Each of the multiple first connecting devices 12 is connected to each of the multiple second connecting devices 14 within the base 19, and each of the multiple third connecting devices 16 is connected to each of the multiple fourth connecting devices 18 within the step portion 20. Through the described arrangement of connecting devices 12, 14, 16, and 18, the first printed circuit board 30 is operatively connected to the two printed circuit boards 40 and 50 for controlling them.

[0044] Each of the plurality of first connecting devices 12, second connecting devices 14, third connecting devices 16, and fourth connecting devices 18 is arranged along a corresponding row, specifically along the circular longitudinal extension of the connector 10. The corresponding row is an imaginary circular path 11, 13, 15, 17 drawn along each of the respective plurality of first connecting devices 12, second connecting devices 14, third connecting devices 16, and fourth connecting devices 18. The first circular path 11 is coaxial with the third circular path 15 and the fourth circular path 17. The second circular path 13 is parallel to the first circular path 11.

[0045] Each of the multiple connecting devices 12, 14, 16, 18 is designed as a press-fit pin for insertion into a corresponding connection opening within the printed circuit boards 30, 40, 50 (unmarked, but...). Figure 1 (As shown in the figure), thereby providing electronic connections between the various components.

[0046] If possible Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be further seen, the connector 10 includes positioning devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 for positioning the connector 10 in corresponding positioning openings (not shown) of the second printed circuit board 40 and the heat sink (not shown). Specifically, the first positioning device 21 and the second positioning device 22 are configured for positioning on the second printed circuit board 40, and the third positioning device 23 and the fourth positioning device 24 are configured for positioning on the heat sink.

[0047] Positioning devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 have heads at their ends and are integrally formed of plastic with the base 19 and the stepped portion 20. The positioning devices are heated before being inserted into the corresponding positioning openings, allowing for flexible arrangement within them. Of course, the positioning of the connector 10 within component 1 can also be achieved in alternative ways; the described methods are merely exemplary.

[0048] Figure 5 A vehicle 100 is shown as an exemplary transportation device, which may be equipped with an electronic control unit 102. As can be seen from this schematic diagram of the electric steering system 101, the electronic control unit 102 is included in the electric steering device 101 installed in the vehicle 100.

[0049] List of reference numerals

[0050] 1 component

[0051] 10 connectors

[0052] 11 First circular path

[0053] 12 First connecting device

[0054] 13 Second circular path

[0055] 14 Second connecting device

[0056] 15 Third circular path

[0057] 16 Third connecting device

[0058] 17 Fourth Circular Path

[0059] 18 Fourth connecting device

[0060] 19 base

[0061] 20 steps

[0062] 21 First Positioning Device

[0063] 22 Second positioning device

[0064] 23 Third positioning device

[0065] 24 Fourth Positioning Device

[0066] 25 First side

[0067] 26 Second side

[0068] 27 Third side

[0069] 30 First Printed Circuit Board

[0070] 40 Second Printed Circuit Board

[0071] 50 Third Printed Circuit Board

[0072] 100 Auto

[0073] 101 Electric Steering System

[0074] 102 Electronic Control Unit

Claims

1. A connector (10) for electrically connecting a first printed circuit board (30) to a second printed circuit board (40) and a third printed circuit board (50), wherein, The connector (10) is configured to form an assembly (1) of an electronic control unit (102) for an electric steering system (101) when the printed circuit boards (30, 40, 50) are electronically connected to each other via the connector (10). The connector (10) has a body comprising: (a) A base (19) having a first connecting device (12) and a second connecting device (14), wherein the first connecting device (12) and the second connecting device (14) are electronically connected to each other, the first connecting device (12) extending from a first side (25) of the base (19), and the second connecting device (14) extending from a second side (26) of the base (19), the first connecting device (12) being configured to be electronically connected to the first printed circuit board (30), and the second connecting device (14) being configured to be electronically connected to the third printed circuit board (50), and (b) A stepped portion (20) protruding from the base (19) and having a third connecting device (16) and a fourth connecting device (18), wherein the third connecting device (16) and the fourth connecting device (18) are electronically connected to each other, the third connecting device (16) extending from the stepped portion (20) and the fourth connecting device (18) extending from the stepped portion (20), the third connecting device (16) being configured to electronically connect to the first printed circuit board (30), and the fourth connecting device (18) being configured to electronically connect to the second printed circuit board (40). The stepped portion (20) protrudes from the base (19) in a direction transverse to the extensions of the first connecting device (12), the second connecting device (14), the third connecting device (16) and / or the fourth connecting device (18).

2. The connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The stepped portion (20) has a smaller height than the base portion (19).

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first side (25) is opposite to the second side (26).

4. The connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The third connecting device (16) extends from the first side (25) of the base (19), and the first side (25) is the common side of the base (19) and the step portion (20).

5. The connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The fourth connecting device (18) extends from the third side (27) of the step portion (20), wherein the third side (27) is opposite to the first side (25).

6. The connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stepped portion (20) protrudes from the base (19) in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the extensions of the first connecting device (12), the second connecting device (14), the third connecting device (16), and / or the fourth connecting device (18).

7. The connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first connecting device (12), the second connecting device (14), the third connecting device (16) and / or the fourth connecting device (18) are pins.

8. The connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first connecting device (12), the second connecting device (14), the third connecting device (16) and / or the fourth connecting device (18) are press-fit pins.

9. The connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connector (10) includes positioning devices (21, 22, 23, 24) for securing the connector (10) to at least one of the first printed circuit board (30), the second printed circuit board (40) and the third printed circuit board (50) and / or the heat sink of the electronic control unit.

10. The connector (10) according to claim 9, wherein, The positioning devices (21, 22, 23, 24) are elastic pins.

11. The connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connector (10) has a circular longitudinal extension and / or the first connecting device (12) is arranged along a first circular path (11), the second connecting device (14) is arranged along a second circular path (13), the third connecting device (16) is arranged along a third circular path (15), and / or the fourth connecting device (18) is arranged along a fourth circular path (17).

12. A component (1) for an electronic control unit (102) of an electric steering system (101), comprising a connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The connector (10) electronically connects the first printed circuit board (30) to the second printed circuit board (40) through the first connecting device (12) and the second connecting device (14), and the connector (10) electronically connects the first printed circuit board (30) to the third printed circuit board (50) through the third connecting device (16) and the fourth connecting device (18).

13. The component (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The connector (10) is disposed on the periphery of these printed circuit boards (30, 40, 50).

14. The component (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The first printed circuit board (30) is a logic board, and the second printed circuit board (40) and the third printed circuit board (50) are power boards.

15. The component (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, These printed circuit boards (30, 40, 50) have a circular or nearly circular shape.

16. The component (1) according to claim 15, wherein, The diameter of the second printed circuit board (40) is smaller than the diameter of the third printed circuit board (50).

17. An electronic control unit (102) for an electric steering system (101), comprising a component (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 16.

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