drive device

Abstract

The problem lies in the potential for adjacent power lines to come into contact and short-circuit. The solution is that the drive unit comprises: multiple power lines, each connected to a coil mounted on the stator core; multiple first terminals located at the ends of the multiple power lines opposite to the side connected to the coil; a terminal block; multiple second terminals supported by the terminal block in a separated state; multiple fastening components that fasten the multiple first terminals and the multiple second terminals one-to-one to the terminal block; and one or more spacers located between adjacent power lines and formed of an insulator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to drive devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drive device comprising a motor, an inverter for controlling the current supplied to the motor, and multiple plate-shaped busbars electrically connecting the motor and the inverter. The busbars are arranged in a row, overlapping each other in the thickness direction. Furthermore, according to Patent Document 1, three connecting coil lines corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase extend from the ends of the motor coils. Each connecting coil line is connected to one of the three busbars at a crimp terminal at its front end.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-81278 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The narrow spacing between the multiple wires that electrically connect the inverter and the motor coils makes them susceptible to short circuits due to foreign objects or contact due to vibration. This manual provides techniques to prevent such contact and short circuits.

[0008] [Methods used to solve problems]

[0009] The drive device disclosed in this specification comprises: a plurality of power lines, each connected to a coil mounted on a stator core; a plurality of first terminals disposed at the ends of the plurality of power lines opposite to the side connected to the coil; a terminal block; a plurality of second terminals supported by the terminal block in a separated state; a plurality of fastening members fastening the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals one-to-one to the terminal block; and one or more spacers located between adjacent power lines and formed of an insulator.

[0010] According to the structure, the partition wall can prevent adjacent power lines from contacting or short-circuiting each other. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 It is a diagram that simply represents the structure of the drive unit.

[0012] Figure 2 It means based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the first and second terminals of line II-II.

[0013] Figure 3The diagram shows the structure of the first embodiment, simply illustrated from a viewpoint opposite to the side of the terminal block, including the terminal block.

[0014] Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the second embodiment, simply illustrated from a viewpoint opposite to the side of the terminal block, including the terminal block.

[0015] Figure 5 It is simply represented from a viewpoint opposite to the supporting surface. Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure.

[0016] Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure of the third embodiment, simply illustrated from a viewpoint opposite to the side of the terminal block, including the terminal block.

[0017] Figure 7 It is simply represented from a viewpoint opposite to the supporting surface. Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure.

[0018] Figure 8 From and Figure 2 A diagram showing the structure of the fourth embodiment from the same viewpoint.

[0019] Figure 9 From and Figure 3 A diagram showing the structure of the fourth embodiment from the same viewpoint.

[0020] Figure 10 From and Figure 5 A diagram showing the structure of the fourth embodiment from the same viewpoint.

[0021] Label Explanation

[0022] 10: Drive unit; 20: Motor; 22: Stator core; 24, 24U, 24V, 24W: Coil; 30, 30U, 30V, 30W: Power line; 32, 32U, 32V, 32W: First terminal; 40: Terminal block; 40a: Side; 40b: Support surface; 42, 42U, 42V, 42W: Second terminal; 44: Spacer wall; 44a: First spacer wall portion; 44b: Second spacer wall portion; 44b1, 44b2: Wall portion; 46: Fastening component; 50: Inverter; 60, 60U, 60V, 60W: Inverter busbar; 70: Wiring; 80: Housing; 90: Cover; 92: Rib. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed.

[0024] According to the drive device disclosed in this specification, the plurality of power lines may also have a flexible conductor and an insulating film covering the conductor.

[0025] According to the above structure, even if the insulating film is damaged and the conductor serving as the power line is exposed, the spacer can prevent such conductors from contacting each other.

[0026] According to the driving device disclosed in this specification, the partition wall may also be integrally formed with the terminal block.

[0027] According to the above structure, the partition wall integrally formed with the terminal block can prevent adjacent power lines from contacting each other.

[0028] According to the drive device disclosed in this specification, the terminal block may also include: a support surface for supporting the second terminal and fixing the fastening member; and a side surface facing the side where the power line extends from the first terminal. The partition wall includes: a first partition wall portion protruding from the side surface to separate adjacent power lines; and a second partition wall portion protruding from the support surface to separate adjacent first terminals.

[0029] According to the above structure, the first partition wall and the second partition wall can prevent adjacent power lines from contacting each other and adjacent first terminals from contacting each other.

[0030] According to the driving device disclosed in this specification, the second spacer wall portion may also have a plurality of paired wall portions corresponding to the plurality of first terminals, and the paired wall portions are arranged in the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are arranged to sandwich the corresponding first terminals.

[0031] According to the above structure, it is possible to suppress the rotation of multiple first terminals and prevent the first terminals from contacting each other.

[0032] According to the drive device disclosed in this specification, it may also include a cover mounted on the terminal block, the cover covering the area including the power line, the first terminal, the second terminal and the fastening member, the cover being formed of an insulator, and the spacer wall being part of the cover.

[0033] According to the above structure, by installing a cover on the terminal block, it is possible to prevent adjacent power lines from contacting each other using a partition wall.

[0034] The embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely illustrative, and the embodiments are not limited to the content shown. Furthermore, since the drawings are illustrative, some parts have been omitted.

[0035] Figure 1The structure of the drive unit 10 is simply shown. The drive unit 10 includes, for example, all or part of the structure shown. The drive unit 10 can also be referred to, for example, as an electric motor unit. According to... Figure 1 The drive unit 10 generally includes an electric motor 20, an inverter 50, and wiring 70 electrically connecting the electric motor 20 and the inverter 50. Wiring 70 includes a power line 30 (described later), a first terminal 32, a second terminal 42, and a busbar 60. The drive unit 10 is, for example, mounted on an electric vehicle. The electric motor 20 is the driving motor of the electric vehicle and is the prime mover driving at least one wheel of the electric vehicle.

[0036] The drive unit 10 is housed in a common housing 80. Within the housing 80, for example, a partition wall 82 may be used to define a chamber housing the motor 20 and a chamber housing the inverter 50. Alternatively, the housing 80 housing the motor 20 and the housing 80 housing the inverter 50 may be separate housings.

[0037] A battery (not shown) supplies power to the motor 20 via an inverter 50. The inverter 50 converts the DC power supplied from the battery, for example, into three-phase AC power. Therefore, the inverter 50 has multiple inverter busbars 60. The multiple inverter busbars 60 include inverter busbar 60U, inverter busbar 60V, and inverter busbar 60W, corresponding to the U phase, V phase, and W phase, respectively.

[0038] The electric motor 20 includes a shaft 28, a rotor 26, a stator core 22, and coils 24. The shaft 28 extends along the central axis C of the electric motor 20. The rotor 26 is generally cylindrical in shape. The rotor 26 is fixed to the shaft 28. The rotor 26 rotates together with the shaft 28 about the central axis C. The direction parallel to the direction in which the central axis C points is called the axial direction. Figure 1 The motor 20 is illustrated from a viewpoint opposite to the face of the stator core 22 and the face facing the axial direction, namely the end face 22a.

[0039] The stator core 22 is approximately cylindrical in shape. The radial and circumferential directions of the stator core 22 are simply referred to as radial and circumferential directions, respectively. The stator core 22 is positioned radially outward relative to the rotor 26. Coils 24 are mounted on the stator core 22. The stator core 22 and coils 24 are collectively referred to as the stator. The coils 24 include multiple coils 24U, 24V, and 24W corresponding to phases U, V, and W, respectively. In the motor 20, three-phase AC power (U, V, and W phases) is input from the inverter 50 through wiring 70 to the stator coils 24U, 24V, and 24W, thereby causing the rotor 26 and shaft 28 to rotate.

[0040] Although detailed descriptions are omitted, coils 24U, 24V, and 24W extend circumferentially by being mounted on multiple slots formed in the stator core 22. Coils 24U, 24V, and 24W are respectively constructed, for example, by connecting multiple conductors with square cross-sections, referred to as segmented coils. The specific structure of coils 24U, 24V, and 24W is not particularly limited. For example, coils 24U, 24V, and 24W can have a concentrated winding structure or a distributed winding structure.

[0041] Multiple power lines 30 are connected to coil 24. The multiple power lines 30 include power lines 30U, 30V, and 30W corresponding to phases U, V, and W, respectively. One end 24Ua, 24Va, and 24W of each coil 24U, 24V, and 24W is connected one-to-one with the power lines 30U, 30V, and 30W, for example, by welding. Figure 1 The diagram shows power lines 30U, 30V, and 30W connected to one end 24Ua, 24Va, and 24Wa of the input side of each of the coils 24U, 24V, and 24W. However, it can also be understood that these power lines 30U, 30V, and 30W are connected to the other end of the output side of each of the coils 24U, 24V, and 24W. The other end of each of the coils 24U, 24V, and 24W can also be connected to a so-called neutral line. The inclusion of multiple power lines 30 and a neutral line as part of the wiring 70 indicates that the features of this embodiment are applied to these wirings 70.

[0042] The drive unit 10 also includes a terminal block 40, a plurality of second terminals 42, a plurality of fastening components 46, and one or more spacer walls 44. The terminal block 40 and the spacer walls 44 are formed of an insulator such as resin. The terminal block 40 is fixed to the housing 80. For example, a hole is formed in a part of the spacer wall 82 to communicate between the chamber housing the motor 20 and the chamber housing the inverter 50, and the terminal block 40 is fixed to this hole. The terminal block 40 supports the plurality of metal second terminals 42 in a separated state. A plurality of metal first terminals 32 are provided at each end of the plurality of power lines 30 on the opposite side of the side connected to the coil 24. Power line 30U has a first terminal 32U. Similarly, power line 30V has a first terminal 32V, and power line 30W has a first terminal 32W.

[0043] Multiple fastening components 46 securely fasten and fix multiple first terminals 32 and multiple second terminals 42 to the terminal block 40 one-to-one. The fastening components 46 are, for example, metal bolts. Figure 1 The first terminal 32U and the second terminal 42U are fastened by fastening member 46. Similarly, the first terminal 32V and the second terminal 42V are fastened by fastening member 46, and the first terminal 32W and the second terminal 42W are fastened by fastening member 46. Spacer 44 is located between adjacent power lines 30. Figure 1 Spacer walls 44 are respectively arranged between adjacent power lines 30U and 30V and between adjacent power lines 30V and 30W.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, multiple inverter busbars 60 are connected one-to-one with multiple second terminals 42. Inverter busbar 60U is connected to second terminal 42U. Similarly, inverter busbar 60V is connected to second terminal 42V, and inverter busbar 60W is connected to second terminal 42W. The connection method between inverter busbars 60 and second terminals 42 is not particularly limited. Second terminal 42 can also be part of inverter busbar 60, i.e., a terminal of inverter busbar 60. In terminal block 40, multiple first terminals 32 are connected one-to-one with multiple second terminals 42, thereby realizing the wiring 70 corresponding to phase U, phase V, and phase W that electrically connects inverter 50 to the coils 24U, 24V, and 24W of motor 20.

[0045] Figure 2 Indicates based on Figure 1 The cross-sections of the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 42 of the II-II line, etc. Figure 2 In this diagram, for ease of observation, only the first terminal 32, the second terminal 42, and the fastening member 46 are shaded to indicate cross-section. Figure 2 In the example shown, as a combination of a first terminal 32 and a second terminal 42 that are mutually fastened together, a first terminal 32V and a second terminal 42V are shown. The terminal block 40 has a support surface 40b that supports the second terminal 42. Figure 2 In the example, with at least a portion of the second terminal 42 embedded in the recess formed in the support surface 40b, the second terminal 42 is supported on the support surface 40b. The first terminal 32 contacts the second terminal 42 in an overlapping state, and the fastening member 46 passes through through holes formed in the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 42 respectively, thereby fastening the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 42. One end of the fastening member 46, which passes through the through holes formed in the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 42 respectively, is fixed to the terminal block 40. It should be noted that when the fastening member 46 is a bolt, one end of the fastening member 46 can be fastened to a threaded hole formed in the terminal block 40, or it can be fastened to a nut fixed in the terminal block 40. Alternatively, one end of the fastening member 46 can also be fixed to the terminal block 40 by fastening it to a nut fixed to the second terminal 42.

[0046] The terminal block 40 has a side surface 40a that is different from the support surface 40b and faces the side of the power line 30 that extends from the first terminal 32. Figure 3 The structure including the terminal block 40 is simply shown from a viewpoint opposite to side 40a. Figure 3In this context, direction D1 is the direction in which multiple power lines 30 are arranged, and also the direction in which multiple first terminals 32 are arranged. (Refer to...) Figure 1 , 3 It can be seen that, Figure 2 The partition wall 44 shown is a partition wall 44 disposed at a position separating adjacent power lines 30V and 30U. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the spacer wall 44 also extends between adjacent first terminals 32. According to... Figure 2 The partition wall 44 has a first partition wall portion 44a that protrudes from the side 40a and separates adjacent power lines 30, and a second partition wall portion 44b that protrudes from the support surface 40b and separates adjacent first terminals 32. According to Figure 2 It can be said that the partition wall 44 has a roughly L-shaped structure formed by connecting a first partition wall portion 44a extending along the side 40a and a second partition wall portion 44b extending along the support surface 40b.

[0047] Multiple power lines 30 can also be plate-shaped conductors, like busbars, but... Figure 2 , 3 In this example, each of the multiple power lines 30 has a flexible conductor and an insulating film surrounding the conductor. The flexible conductor is, for example, a braided wire. Braided wire is constructed by bundling and braiding multiple wires, exhibiting excellent flexibility and elasticity. As an example, a cable using such a braided wire surrounded by a resin tube (a type of insulating film) is used as a power line 30 (30U, 30V, 30W).

[0048] As an example, the partition wall 44 is integrally formed with the terminal block 40. That is, the partition wall 44 is part of the terminal block 40, integrally formed from the same material as the terminal block 40. This facilitates the assembly of the drive unit 10, including the partition wall 44 and the terminal block 40. However, the partition wall 44 can also be manufactured separately from the terminal block 40 and directly or indirectly fixed to the terminal block 40. Alternatively, the partition wall 44 may simply be positioned to separate adjacent power lines 30, or it may not be connected to the terminal block 40. The partition wall 44 can also be fixed to an object other than the terminal block 40, such as the housing 80.

[0049] Thus, according to this embodiment, the drive device 10, by providing the partition wall 44, can prevent adjacent power lines 30 from contacting or short-circuiting with each other. For example, when the power lines 30 are flexible conductors such as braided wires, it is possible for the power lines 30 to contact with each other due to vibration or other factors. However, according to this embodiment, contact between the power lines 30 is prevented by the partition wall 44. Even if the insulating film covering the flexible conductor in the power lines 30 is damaged and a portion of the conductor is exposed, contact between the conductors can be prevented by the partition wall 44.

[0050] The first terminal 32 can rotate around the fastening member 46 when it is fastened. Furthermore, the first terminal 32 can rotate around the fastening member 46 due to vibration, loosening of the fastening member 46, etc. According to this embodiment, the partition wall 44 includes a second partition wall portion 44b in addition to the first partition wall portion 44a. Therefore, even if the first terminal 32 rotates, the second partition wall portion 44b can prevent adjacent first terminals 32 from contacting each other.

[0051] For convenience, please refer to this point. Figures 1-3 The described embodiment is referred to as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, embodiments other than the first embodiment will be described. With respect to the following embodiments, features that differ from the first embodiment will be described, while descriptions common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0052] The second embodiment will be described. Figure 4 With Figure 3 The same viewpoint simply illustrates the structure of the second embodiment, including the terminal block 40. Figure 5 The following is a simplified viewpoint shown from the perspective opposite to the support surface 40b: Figure 4 The terminal block 40 shown has the following structure. According to the second embodiment, the second partition wall portion 44b of the partition wall 44 has a plurality of "paired wall portions 44b1, 44b2" corresponding to the plurality of first terminals 32 respectively. The paired wall portions 44b1, 44b2 are arranged in the direction D1 in which the plurality of first terminals 32 are arranged at positions that sandwich the corresponding first terminals 32.

[0053] The number of paired wall portions 44b1 and 44b2 corresponds to the number of first terminals 32. According to... Figure 5 The first terminal 32U is clamped by a pair of wall portions 44b1 and 44b2 corresponding to the second spacer wall portion 44b. Similarly, the first terminal 32V is clamped by a pair of wall portions 44b1 and 44b2 corresponding to the second spacer wall portion 44b, and the first terminal 32W is also clamped by a pair of wall portions 44b1 and 44b2 corresponding to the second spacer wall portion 44b. According to Figure 4 , 5 Alternatively, the second embodiment may be described as having two partition walls 44 disposed between adjacent power lines 30, wherein the partition walls 44 have a first partition wall portion 44a and a second partition wall portion 44b.

[0054] In the direction D1 in which the plurality of first terminals 32 are arranged, the distance between the wall portions 44b1 and 44b2 formed in pairs between the first terminals 32 is equal to or approximately equal to the width of the first terminals 32. Figure 4 , 5It is understood that the paired wall portions 44b1 and 44b2 that clamp the first terminal 32 are in contact or substantially in contact with the first terminal 32, which is the object being clamped. Therefore, the plurality of first terminals 32 are substantially unable to rotate because they are clamped by their respective paired wall portions 44b1 and 44b2. In this way, since the first terminals 32 cannot rotate, it is possible to reliably prevent adjacent first terminals 32 from contacting each other and adjacent power lines 30 from contacting each other.

[0055] The third embodiment will be described. Figure 6 With Figure 3 , 4 The same viewpoint simply illustrates the structure of the third embodiment, including the terminal block 40. Figure 7 With Figure 5 The same viewpoint is simply shown including Figure 6 The terminal block 40 shown has the following structure. In the third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the second spacer wall portion 44b of the spacer wall 44 has multiple pairs of wall portions 44b1, 44b2 corresponding to the multiple first terminals 32. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that, as in the first embodiment, one first spacer wall portion 44a is arranged between adjacent power lines 30. That is, instead of arranging two spacer walls 44 including the first spacer wall portion 44a between adjacent power lines 30, only two second spacer wall portions 44b are arranged between adjacent first terminals 32, thereby achieving a structure in which each first terminal 32 is clamped by the second spacer wall portions 44b (pairs of wall portions 44b1, 44b2). According to the third embodiment, compared to the second embodiment, the total amount of material required to form the spacer wall 44 can be reduced, while achieving the same effect as the second embodiment.

[0056] The fourth embodiment will be described. The drive device 10 may also include a cover 90 mounted on the terminal block 40. Figure 8 Through with Figure 2 The same viewpoint represents the structure including the cover 90. Figure 9 , Figure 10 By respectively and Figure 3 , 5 The same viewpoint representation includes the structure of the cover 90. In Figures 8-10 In the diagram, the approximate shape of the cover 90 is indicated by a double-dotted line. The cover 90 is formed of an insulator such as resin. The cover 90 covers a portion or all of the area including the power line 30, the first terminal 32, the second terminal 42, and the fastening member 46.

[0057] The cover 90 can have holes, notches, etc., at the necessary positions and sizes for the power lines 30, inverter busbars 60, etc. to pass through. The method of mounting the cover 90 to the terminal block 40 is not particularly limited. The cover 90 can be fixed directly or indirectly to the terminal block 40. In the fourth embodiment, the partition wall 44 is part of the cover 90. That is, at least a portion of the cover 90 functions as the partition wall 44 in this embodiment. The wall portion of the cover 90 located between adjacent power lines 30 and separating the power lines 30 from each other corresponds to the partition wall 44. Thus, by mounting the cover 90 to the terminal block 40, the same effect as in the first embodiment is achieved.

[0058] exist Figure 10 In the case of a cover 90 covering a combination of a power line 30, a first terminal 32, a second terminal 42, and a fastening member 46 (a combination of power line 30U, first terminal 32U, second terminal 42U, and a fastening member 46), paired ribs 92 parallel to each other are shown. The paired ribs 92 extend in a direction intersecting direction D1 and are separated in direction D1. The paired ribs 92 are part of the internal structure of the cover 90. The paired ribs 92 correspond to the paired wall portions 44b1, 44b2 described in the second and third embodiments. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the paired wall portions 44b1, 44b2 may also be formed within the cover 90. Although in Figure 10 The details are omitted, but pairs of ribs 92 can also be formed inside each of the multiple covers 90. After the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 42 are fastened with the fastening member 46, the first terminal 32 is prevented from rotating by the pair of wall portions 44b1, 44b2, i.e., the pair of ribs 92, by installing the cover 90 on the terminal block 40.

[0059] exist Figure 9 , 10 In the example, a cover 90 is installed in each assembly of a power line 30, a first terminal 32, a second terminal 42, and a fastening component 46. That is, in Figure 9 , 10 In the example, the three covers 90 are similarly mounted on the terminal block 40. However, these multiple covers 90 can also be formed as a single, integral cover.

[0060] The above provides a detailed description of specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes technologies obtained by various modifications and alterations to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, the technical elements illustrated in this specification or drawings exert their technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. Additionally, the technology illustrated in this specification or drawings may simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

Claims

1. A driving device, wherein, The drive device includes: Multiple power lines are connected to coils installed in the stator core; Multiple first terminals are disposed at each end of the multiple power lines on the opposite side of the side connected to the coil; Terminal block; Multiple second terminals are supported by the terminal block in a separated manner; Multiple fastening components secure the multiple first terminals and the multiple second terminals one-to-one to the terminal block; and One or more partition walls are located between adjacent power lines and are formed of insulators.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of power lines comprises: a conductor having flexibility; and an insulating film covering the conductor.

3. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, The partition wall is integrally formed with the terminal block.

4. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal block includes: a support surface for supporting the second terminal and securing the fastening member; and a side surface facing the side from which the power line extends from the first terminal. The partition wall includes: a first partition wall portion that protrudes from the side and separates adjacent power lines; and a second partition wall portion that protrudes from the support surface and separates adjacent first terminals.

5. The driving device according to claim 4, wherein, The second spacer wall portion has a plurality of paired wall portions, each pair of wall portions corresponding to a plurality of first terminals. The paired wall portions are arranged in the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are arranged to sandwich the corresponding first terminals.

6. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, The drive unit includes a cover mounted on the terminal block, the cover covering an area including the power line, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the fastening member, the cover being formed of an insulator. The spacer wall is part of the cover.

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