A redundant electric power steering system

Abstract

This utility model provides a redundant electric power steering system, including a motor and a controller. The upper end of the motor has an upwardly protruding power pin. The controller includes a housing, a combination connector, and a circuit board. By making the motor a six-phase motor, two sets of power pins are installed that penetrate the bottom wall of the groove, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. The combination connector is located on one side of the motor and is sealed to the connection area on the bottom surface of the lower cover. The power pin and signal pin in the combination connector pass through the through hole at the connection area, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. Two sets of control units are set on the circuit board, and each control unit is electrically connected to a set of power pins. When the signal pin transmits the detection signal to the control unit, either control unit can drive the motor to rotate through the power pin, forming a dual control system. When one control fails, the other control can still work normally, achieving redundant control. It is safe, reliable, compact, and highly adaptable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electric power steering technology, specifically to a redundant electric power steering system. Background Technology

[0002] Electric power steering is an advanced automotive steering assistance technology that provides precise and comfortable steering assistance to the driver through an electric motor. The main components of an electric power steering system include a steering column, a torque sensor, a motor, and a controller. The torque sensor detects the torque on the input shaft and transmits the signal to the controller, which then drives the motor to rotate to achieve power steering.

[0003] Traditional electric power steering system controllers have only one set of control units, which is a non-redundant control. When the control unit fails, the electric power steering system cannot provide steering assistance, and the driver can only manually operate the steering device. This is labor-intensive, unsafe, and the motor and controller of such electric power steering systems are mostly independent modules with poor integration, large size, large installation space, and poor adaptability. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome one or more shortcomings in the prior art and provide a safe, reliable, compact, and highly adaptable redundant electric power steering system.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is a redundant electric power steering system, which includes a vertically arranged motor and a controller connected to the motor. The lower end of the motor output shaft protrudes downward and is fitted with a coupling. The upper end of the motor is provided with an upwardly protruding power pin. The controller includes a housing, a combination connector, and a circuit board. The housing includes a lower cover with a recessed groove and an upper cover sealed and connected to the lower cover. The circuit board is located in the groove.

[0006] The motor is a six-phase motor with two sets of power pins. These two sets of power pins penetrate the bottom wall of the groove, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. The combined connector is located on one side of the motor and is sealed to the connection area on the bottom of the lower cover. The combined connector contains power pins and signal pins. The power pins and signal pins pass through the through holes in the connection area, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. The circuit board has two sets of control units. Each control unit is electrically connected to one set of power pins. When the signal pin transmits the detection signal to the control unit, any control unit can drive the motor to rotate through the power pins, achieving redundant control.

[0007] Preferably, the control unit includes a capacitor connected to the bottom surface of the circuit board, the bottom wall of the groove is provided with a receiving groove corresponding to the capacitor, and a downwardly extending protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the lower cover.

[0008] More preferably, the protrusion is located between the motor and the combined connector, and the protrusions corresponding to the two sets of control units are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the vertical connection line between the motor output shaft and the combined connector.

[0009] Preferably, the lower cover is a metal cover, and a thermal pad is attached to the bottom wall of the groove, with the thermal pad located below the circuit board.

[0010] Preferably, the outer side of the groove is provided with an upper sealing groove, the upper sealing groove is coated with sealant, the upper cover is fastened to the lower cover by screws, and the sealant is used to achieve a sealed connection.

[0011] Preferably, the connection area is further provided with a lower sealing groove surrounding the through hole, the lower sealing groove is coated with sealant, the combined plug is fastened to the connection area by screws, and a sealed connection is achieved by sealant.

[0012] Preferably, the upper cover is provided with a waterproof and breathable valve, and the waterproof and breathable valve and the combined connector are located on the same side of the motor.

[0013] Preferably, the upper end of the output shaft passes through the bottom wall of the groove and is fitted with a turntable, and the circuit board is provided with a sensor to detect the rotation angle of the turntable.

[0014] More preferably, the turntable is located below the circuit board, and the outer edge of the turntable has a notch.

[0015] Preferably, the two sets of power supply pins are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the motor output shaft.

[0016] Due to the application of the above technical solution, this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0017] This utility model provides a redundant electric power steering system, including a motor and a controller. The upper end of the motor has an upwardly protruding power pin. The controller includes a housing, a combination connector, and a circuit board. By making the motor a six-phase motor, two sets of power pins are installed that penetrate the bottom wall of the groove, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. The combination connector is located on one side of the motor and is sealed to the connection area on the bottom surface of the lower cover. The power pin and signal pin in the combination connector pass through the through hole at the connection area, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. Two sets of control units are set on the circuit board, and each control unit is electrically connected to a set of power pins. When the signal pin transmits the detection signal to the control unit, either control unit can drive the motor to rotate through the power pin, forming a dual control system. When one control fails, the other control can still work normally, achieving redundant control. It is safe, reliable, compact, and highly adaptable. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an assembly and disassembly diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A diagram showing the viewpoint after the perspective has been changed.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the top surface of the lower cover.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the bottom surface of the middle and lower cover.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional enlarged schematic diagram of the motor.

[0023] The components are as follows: 10. Motor; 11. Output shaft; 111. Turntable; 112. Notch; 12. Coupling; 13. Power pin; 20. Controller; 21. Lower cover; 211. Groove; 212. Connection area; 213. Through hole; 214. Receiving groove; 215. Protrusion; 216. Upper sealing groove; 217. Lower sealing groove; 22. Upper cover; 221. Waterproof and breathable valve; 23. Combined connector; 231. Power connector pin; 232. Signal pin; 24. Circuit board; 241. Capacitor; 242. Sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the redundant electric power steering system provided by this utility model includes a vertically arranged motor 10 and a controller 20 connected to the motor 10. The lower end of the output shaft 11 of the motor 10 protrudes downward and is fitted with a coupling 12. The upper end of the motor 10 is provided with an upwardly protruding power pin 13. The controller 20 includes a housing, a combination connector 23, and a circuit board 24. The housing includes a lower cover 21 with a recessed groove 211 and an upper cover 22 sealed and connected to the lower cover 21. The circuit board 24 is disposed in the groove 211. The motor 10 is a six-phase motor. There are two sets of power pins 13, which are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the output shaft 11 of the motor 10. Each set corresponds to one set of three-phase windings of the motor 10. These two sets of power pins 13 penetrate upward through the bottom wall of the groove 211 and insert into the circuit board 24. The combined connector 23 is located on one side of the motor 10 and is sealed to the connection area 212 on the bottom surface of the lower cover 21. The combined connector 23 is equipped with a power connector PIN 231 and a signal PIN 232. The power connector PIN 231 and the signal PIN 232 pass through the through hole 213 at the connection area 212 and are inserted into the circuit board 24 and soldered to it. The circuit board 24 is equipped with two sets of control units. Each set of control units is electrically connected to a set of power connectors 13. When the signal PIN 232 transmits the detection signal to the control unit, either set of control units can drive the motor 10 to rotate through the power connectors 13, thereby forming two-way control. When one control fails, the other control can still work normally, realizing redundant control, which is safe, reliable, compact, and highly adaptable.

[0025] In this embodiment, each control unit includes two capacitors 241 connected to the bottom surface of the circuit board 24. The bottom wall of the groove 211 is provided with receiving grooves 214 corresponding to the two capacitors 241. A downwardly extending protrusion 215 is formed on the bottom surface of the lower cover 21. The protrusion 215 is located between the motor 10 and the combined connector 23. The protrusions 215 corresponding to the two control units are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the vertical connection line between the output shaft 11 of the motor 10 and the combined connector 23, making the structure of the redundant electric power steering more compact and reducing the volume it occupies in the axial direction of the motor 10.

[0026] To facilitate heat dissipation, in this embodiment, the lower cover 21 is a metal cover, preferably an aluminum cover. A heat-conducting pad is attached to the bottom wall of the groove 211. The heat-conducting pad is set at the connection part of the motor 10 and the part of the circuit board 24 that generates a lot of heat. The heat-conducting pad is located below the circuit board 24. The circuit board 24 and the bottom wall of the groove 211 are fastened together by screws.

[0027] To achieve sealing and venting, in this embodiment, an upper sealing groove 216 is provided on the outer side of the groove 211. The upper sealing groove 216 is coated with sealant. The upper cover 22 is fastened to the lower cover 21 by screws, and the sealing connection is achieved through the sealant in the upper sealing groove 216. The connection area 212 is also provided with a lower sealing groove 217 surrounding the through hole 213. The lower sealing groove 217 is coated with sealant. The combined plug 23 is fastened to the connection area 212 by screws, and the sealing connection is achieved through the sealant in the lower sealing groove 217. A waterproof and breathable valve 221 is provided on the upper cover 22. The waterproof and breathable valve 221 and the combined plug 23 are located on the same side of the motor 10.

[0028] To achieve feedback detection, in this embodiment, the upper end of the output shaft 11 passes through the bottom wall of the groove 211 and is fitted with a turntable 111. The turntable 111 is located below the circuit board 24. The outer edge of the turntable 111 is provided with a notch 112. The bottom surface of the circuit board 24 is provided with a sensor 242 for detecting the rotation angle of the turntable 111.

[0029] The redundant electric power steering system provided by this utility model is suitable for dual pinion steering systems. The motor and controller are integrated and installed on the steering gear. When the controller is working normally, both control circuits work simultaneously to provide steering assistance. When one control circuit fails, the other control circuit can still work normally, and the system can still output steering assistance. This reduces the driver's workload, improves driving safety, and has high reliability. The system has a simple structure, redundant design, and is safe and reliable. It is easy to install, highly adaptable, waterproof, and dustproof, making it suitable for working in harsh environments.

[0030] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be used to limit the protection scope of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A redundant electric power steering system, comprising a vertically arranged motor and a controller connected to the motor, wherein the lower end of the motor output shaft protrudes downward and is fitted with a coupling, and the upper end of the motor is provided with an upwardly protruding power pin; the controller includes a housing, a combination connector, and a circuit board; the housing includes a lower cover with a recessed groove and an upper cover sealed and connected to the lower cover; and the circuit board is disposed in the groove. Its features are: The motor is a six-phase motor with two sets of power pins. These two sets of power pins penetrate the bottom wall of the groove, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. The combined connector is located on one side of the motor and is sealed to the connection area on the bottom of the lower cover. The combined connector contains power pins and signal pins. The power pins and signal pins pass through the through holes in the connection area, insert into the circuit board, and are soldered to it. The circuit board has two sets of control units. Each control unit is electrically connected to one set of power pins. When the signal pin transmits the detection signal to the control unit, any control unit can drive the motor to rotate through the power pins, achieving redundant control.

2. The redundant electric power steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit includes a capacitor connected to the bottom surface of the circuit board, the bottom wall of the groove is provided with a receiving groove corresponding to the capacitor, and a downwardly extending protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the lower cover.

3. The redundant electric power steering gear according to claim 2, characterized in that: The protrusion is located between the motor and the combined connector, and the protrusions corresponding to the two sets of control units are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the vertical connection line between the motor output shaft and the combined connector.

4. The redundant electric power steering gear of claim 1, wherein: The lower cover is a metal cover, and a thermal pad is attached to the bottom wall of the groove. The thermal pad is located below the circuit board.

5. The redundant electric power steering gear of claim 1, wherein: The outer side of the groove is provided with an upper sealing groove, and the upper sealing groove is coated with sealant. The upper cover is fastened to the lower cover by screws and the sealant is used to achieve a sealed connection.

6. The redundant electric power steering gear of claim 1, wherein: The connection area is also provided with a lower sealing groove surrounding the through hole. The lower sealing groove is coated with sealant. The combined plug is fastened to the connection area by screws and the sealant is used to achieve a sealed connection.

7. The redundant electric power steering gear of claim 1, wherein: The upper cover is equipped with a waterproof and breathable valve, which is located on the same side of the motor as the combined connector.

8. The redundant electric power steering gear of claim 1, wherein: The upper end of the output shaft passes through the bottom wall of the groove and is fitted with a turntable. The circuit board is equipped with a sensor to detect the rotation angle of the turntable.

9. The redundant electric power steering gear according to claim 8, characterized in that: The turntable is located below the circuit board, and the outer edge of the turntable has a notch.

10. The redundant electric power steering gear of claim 1, wherein: The two sets of power supply pins are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the motor output shaft.

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