MOTOR

Description

BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor.2. Discussion of Related Art

[0002] A motor includes a rotor and a stator. In addition, the motor may be integrally formed with an inverter. A substrate is disposed in the inverter, and the substrate is connected to a cable through a connector. Such a motor may be used as a driving source to drive a cooling fan of a vehicle. In this case, the rotor of the motor may be disposed outside the stator.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-117708 (April 04, 2005, hereinafter called a present document) discloses a motor integrated with an inverter.

[0004] In the motor of the present document, a connector mounting portion for mounting a connector on an inverter housing is provided. A plurality of sealing members are used in the connector mounting portion, or a body of the connector is formed in a grommet type which is elastically deformed for a watertight seal of a gap between the inverter housing and the connector or a gap between the connector and the cable.

[0005] However, the motor has problems in that a mounting structure for mounting the connector on the inverter housing is complex, and an assembly operation of electrically connecting the connector to the substrate is very difficult.

[0006] KR 20180018282 A relates to an inverter built-in brushless direct current motor. The present document relates to a BLDC motor integrated with an inverter, and more particularly, to a BLDC motor integrated with an inverter capable of easily sealing a space between an inverter part and a connector block and a space between the connector block and an electric line by simplifying components for forming a watertight structure by interposing the connector block in a combination space between an inverter housing and a cover to be combined, sealing the circumferences of a longitudinal direction and a height direction of the connector block by a sealing part formed in the connector block and a space between the inner side of the cover and the inverter housing, and sealing the space between the connector block and the electric line combined by passing through an electric line penetration hole, and reducing the size of a package including the connector block and a connector block assembling part formed on the inverter part. US 2018 / 0048218 A1 relates to an inverter built-in brushless direct current motor. Provided is an inverter built-in brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, in which an inverter housing and a cover are coupled to each other by having a connector block interposed therebetween, a sealing portion formed in the connector block seals between a circumference in a height direction and a length direction of the connector block and an inner side surface of the inverter housing and the cover, and a space between an electric wire penetrating through an electric wire through hole and the connector block, thereby simplifying parts for forming a watertight structure, easily sealing between the inverter unit and the connector block and sealing between the connector block and the electric wire, and reducing a package size including a connector block assembling part formed in the inverter unit and the connector block. KR 20170078206 A relates to an inverter-integrated BLDC motor, wherein a connector block is interposed and coupled between the inverter housing and the cover, and the sealing material is formed in the central through-hole formed to be connected to the sealing material filling groove and the wire through hole formed in the connector block. By filling it, the height direction and length direction circumference of the connector block and the inner surface of the inverter housing and the cover are sealed by the sealing material, and the gap between the wire and the connector block that is coupled through the wire through hole is formed to be sealed, By simplifying the parts for forming the watertight structure, it is easy to seal between the inverter unit and the connector block and between the connector block and the wire, and reduce the size of hte package including the connector block assembly unit and the connector block formed in the inverter unit. US 2002 / 0117914 A1 relates to a brushless DC motor. A brushless DC motor includes: a motor section which has a rotor, a stator and a housing; a control circuit section which is integrated with the motor section and separated from the motor section by a partition; and a casing member which covers the control circuit section to isolate the control circuit section from the external environment. A position detection means is disposed outside of a bearing member with respect to an axial direction. US 2016 / 0036305 A1 relates to a driver unit and electric power steering device including the driver unit. A driver unit has a rotating electric machine and a frame member that is disposed on one axial end of the rotating electric machine. A substrate is fixed onto one surface of the frame member which faces away from the rotating electric machine. Switching elements constituting inverters for switching power supply to winding groups are mounted on a first surface for enabling heat dissipation toward the frame member. An Integrated Circuit (IC) is mounted on the first surface for enabling heat dissipation toward the frame member. An electronic component is mounted on a second surface at an overlapping position that at least partially overlaps a mounting position of the IC.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful motor in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided a motor according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a motor according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an interior of an inverter housing illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a connector mounting portion and an accommodation groove of the inverter housing illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another example of an accommodation groove; FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a connector of a motor according to a first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a body of the connector illustrated in FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the connector in a state in which the first terminals and the cables are connected; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector taken along line A-A of FIG. 5; FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly process of a substrate; FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an arrangement state of the first terminals; FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the substrate and the connector in a state in which the substrate and the connector are connected; and FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the substrate and the connector in a state in which the substrate and the connector are connected. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 relate to an illustrative example which does not form part of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the connector 200 of the motor according to an illustrating example which does not form part of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state in which the first terminals 240 and the second terminals 320 are coupled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Purposes, specific advantages, and novel features of the invention will be made clear from the exemplary embodiments and the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the description of the invention, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related well-known functions unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention, the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0010] It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and the second element could similarly be termed the first element without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes combinations or any one of a plurality of associated listed items.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a motor according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an interior of an inverter housing illustrated in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, a vertical direction denotes a direction parallel to a shaft direction of the motor.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor according to the embodiment includes an inverter housing 100 and a connector 200. A motor part 10 may be disposed on the inverter housing 100. Although not illustrated in the drawings, a shaft part may be disposed in the inverter housing 100, and a rotor of the motor may be rotatably coupled to the shaft part. A stator may be disposed inside the rotor. In the motor according to the embodiment, since the shaft part is disposed in the inverter housing 100, an inverter connected to the rotor may be integrated with the motor part 10. The stator may be coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft part. The rotor rotates about a center C of a shaft. Meanwhile, a magnet may be attached to an inner circumferential surface of the rotor. A lower side of the inverter housing 100 is open, and the open lower side of the inverter housing 100 may be covered by a cover 20. Meanwhile, the inverter housing 100 may include a connector mounting portion 110.

[0013] The connector 200 is mounted on the connector mounting portion 110 of the inverter housing 100.

[0014] Cables 400 are connected to the connector 200.

[0015] A substrate 300 is disposed inside the inverter housing 100. The substrate 300 is electrically connected to the connector 200.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the connector mounting portion 110 and an accommodation groove 111 of the inverter housing 100 illustrated in FIG. 1

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inverter housing 100 includes the connector mounting portion 110 and the accommodation groove 111. The connector mounting portion 110 accommodates the connector 200 therein. The connector mounting portion 110 may be formed to extend outward from the inverter housing 100. The accommodation groove 111 is concavely formed in a bottom surface of the connector mounting portion 110. The accommodation groove 111 is for additionally securing a space to be filled with sealing members 230.

[0018] The connector mounting portion 110 has a space that is defined by a boundary including both sidewalls 110b and an inlet 110a and accommodates the connector 200 therein. In addition, the inlet 110a of the connector mounting portion 110 may have a form in which a part of the sidewall 110b of the inverter housing 100 is cut. Guides 112 may be disposed to protrude from the both sidewalls 110b of the connector mounting portion 110. The guides 112 may be disposed to extend in a height direction of the inverter housing 100. Meanwhile, the connector mounting portion 110 may include a second coupling hole 113. The second coupling hole 113 is for coupling the connector 200 to the inverter housing 100.

[0019] The accommodation groove 111 is concavely formed in the bottom surface of the connector mounting portion 110. The accommodation groove 111 is a groove for additionally securing a space to be filled with the sealing members 230 in order to more thoroughly fill a gap between the connector 200 and the inverter housing 100 with the sealing members 230.

[0020] The accommodation groove 111 is divided into a first accommodation groove 111A and a second accommodation groove 111B. The first accommodation groove 111A is disposed outward from the guides 112 of the connector mounting portion 110, and the second accommodation portion is disposed inward from the guides 112.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another example of an accommodation groove 111.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, a first accommodation groove 111A may be disposed at a higher level than a second accommodation groove 111B. Accordingly, the first accommodation groove 111A and the second accommodation groove 111B may be divided in a stepped manner. Such a structure is a structure in which a contact area between a sealing member 230 and an inverter housing 100 increases, a step structure is formed, and thus air tightness of the inverter housing 100 is further improved.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a connector 200 of a motor according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a body 210 of the connector 200 illustrated in FIG. 5; A motor may be classified as the motor according to the first embodiment or a motor according to an example on the basis of a structure in which a substrate 300 is connected to a connector 200. First, the motor according to the first embodiment has a feature in which a connector 200 and a substrate 300 are directly connected.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 200 may include a body 210 and first terminals 220.

[0025] The body 210 includes a first part 210A and a second part 210B. The first part 210A and the second part 210B are connected with a first hole 211 disposed therebetween. The first part 210A is coupled to the first terminals 220. The second part 210B is connected to cables 400. A second hole 212 is disposed in the second part 210B. The first hole 211 and the second hole 212 are formed to pass through the body 210 in a vertical direction. The first hole 211 and the second hole 212 are filled with sealing members 230.

[0026] A first coupling hole 213 is disposed in the first part 210A. The first coupling hole 213 is for coupling the connector 200 to an inverter housing 100. When the connector 200 is mounted on a connector mounting portion 110 of the inverter housing 100, the first coupling hole 213 and a second coupling hole 113 are aligned. A coupling member such as a bolt is coupled to the first coupling hole 213 and the second coupling hole 113 so as to couple the inverter housing 100 to the connector 200.

[0027] Cable holes 214 are disposed in the second part 210B. The cables 400 are disposed to be inserted into the cable holes 214. The cable holes 214 may be disposed to communicate with the first hole 211.

[0028] Slots 215 may be disposed in side surfaces of the body 210. The slots 215 are concavely formed in the side surfaces of the body 210. In addition, the slots 215 are disposed to extend in a vertical direction. In a process in which the connector 200 is mounted on the connector mounting portion 110, the guides 112 are slidably coupled to the slots 215. The body 210 of the connector 200 is guided to the connector mounting portion 110 by the slots 215 and the guides 112.

[0029] Cable insertion portions 218 which communicate with the cable holes 214 and into which the cables 400 are inserted may be disposed in a rear surface of the second part 210B.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the connector 200 in a state in which the first terminals 220 and the cables 400 are connected.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 7, one end portions of the first terminals 220 are connected to the substrate 300 (see FIG. 9), and the other end portions of the first terminals 220 are connected to the cables 400. The other end portions of the first terminals 220 protrude from the first part 210A to be disposed in the first hole 211. The other end portions of the first terminals 220 are connected to the cables 400 in the first hole 211. The second hole 212 is disposed behind the first hole 211.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector 200 taken along line A-A of FIG. 5.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 8, the sealing members 230 include a first sealing part 231, a second sealing part 232, and a third sealing part 233.

[0034] When the connector mounting portion 110 is coupled to the connector 200, a first accommodation groove 111A of the inverter housing 100 is disposed to be aligned with a lower side of the first hole 211 of the connector 200. A second accommodation groove 111B of the inverter housing 100 is disposed to be aligned with a lower side of the second hole 212 of the connector 200.

[0035] When the first hole 211 is filled with the sealing member 230, the first sealing part 231 is formed. The first sealing part 231 serves to fill gaps between the cable holes 214 and the cables 400. In addition, the first sealing part 231 serves to surround and protect contact portions between end portions of the first terminals 220 and the cables 400.

[0036] When the second hole 212 is filled with the sealing member 230, the second sealing part 232 is formed. The second sealing part 232 serves to fill a gap between the connector mounting portion 110 and the body 210 of the connector 200.

[0037] Meanwhile, the sealing member 230 filling the first hole 211 flows down to the first accommodation groove 111A due to a weight thereof. In addition, the sealing member 230 filling the second hole 212 flows down to the second accommodation groove 111B due to the weight thereof. The sealing members 230 which flow down are accommodated in the first accommodation groove 111A and the second accommodation groove 111B to form the third sealing part 233. The third sealing part 233 is connected to the first sealing part 231 and the second sealing part 232. The third sealing part 233 serves to fill a gap between the lower surface of the body 210 of the connector 200 and the inverter housing 100. The accommodation groove 111 is concavely formed to be stepped from a bottom surface of the inverter housing 100. Accordingly, the third sealing part 233 formed due to the accommodation groove 111 may thoroughly fill the gap which may be formed between the lower surface of the body 210 of the connector 200 and the inverter housing 100. This provides an advantage in that overall air tightness of the inverter housing 100 can be improved.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 8, a rib 219 may be disposed to protrude from the lower surface of the body 210. The rib 219 is in contact with the third sealing part 233. The rib 219 increases a contact area of the third sealing part 233. The rib 219 serves to reduce movement of the connector 200 when the connector 200 is shaken when the cables 400 are pulled or vibrate.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly process of the substrate 300.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, the connector 200 is directly coupled to the substrate 300. Specifically, a plurality of pinholes 310 may be disposed in the substrate 300. Conductive patterns of the substrate 300 are connected to the pinholes 310. The first terminals 220 are inserted into the pinholes 310 and are electrically connected to the substrate 300.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an arrangement state of the first terminals 220.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 10, the first terminals 220 may include first terminal bodies 221 and first end portions 222. The first terminal bodies 221 may have a plate shape formed to extend in a lateral direction. One end portions of the terminal bodies are in contact with the cables 400. The first end portions 222 are disposed to be bent upward from the other end portions of the first terminal bodies 221. The first end portions 222 are inserted into the pinholes 310 of the substrate 300.

[0043] The plurality of first terminals 220 may be disposed to be arranged in parallel. At least one of the first end portions 222 of the plurality of first terminals 220 may have a size which is different from that of other first end portions 222. In addition, a stepped surface 222a may be disposed at least one of the first end portions 222 of the plurality of first terminals 220. The stepped surface 222a of the first end portion 222 is in contact with a lower surface of the substrate 300 when the substrate 300 is inserted into the inverter housing 100 on the first end portion 222. The stepped surface 222a serves as a stopper which prevents the substrate 300 from being pressed anymore after the first end portions 222 are inserted into the pinholes 310 when the substrate 300 is pressed down to insert the first end portions 222 into the pinholes 310.

[0044] Bent portions 221b may be formed in first terminal bodies 221a of first terminals 220A, which are disposed adjacent to the first coupling hole 213 disposed in the body 210 of the connector 200, among the plurality of first terminals 220. The bent portions 221b are for securing a space of the first coupling hole 213.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the substrate 300 and the connector 200 in a state in which the substrate 300 and the connector 200 are connected, and FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the substrate 300 and the connector 200 in a state in which the substrate 300 and the connector 200 are connected.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 12, in a state in which the connector 200 is mounted on the inverter housing 100, the substrate 300 is assembled with the first terminals 220. Accordingly, in an assembly process, it is easy to adjust the gaps between the substrate 300 and the first terminals 220.

[0047] Since the substrate 300 is assembled on the connector 200, a lower surface of the substrate 300 is disposed at a higher level than the first terminal bodies 221. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a height H1 of the first part 210A of the body 210 is less than a height H2 of the second part 210B.

[0048] In the following, an illustrative example, which does not form part of the present invention, is described with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

[0049] A connector 200 according to an example has a feature in which first terminals 240 of the connector 200 are electrically connected to second terminals 320 disposed in a substrate 300.

[0050] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the connector 200 of the motor according to the example, and FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state in which the first terminals 240 and the second terminals 320 are coupled.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 13, the connector 200 of the motor according to the example includes the first terminals 240. In addition, the substrate 300 includes the second terminals 320. The first terminals 240 may include first terminal bodies 221 and first end portions 222. The first end portions 222 may are disposed to be bent upward from end portions of the first terminal bodies 221.

[0052] The second terminals 320 may include second terminal bodies 321 and second end portions 322. The second end portions 322 are disposed to be bent upward from one end portions of the second terminal bodies 321. The other end portions of the second terminal bodies 321 are coupled to the substrate 300. The first end portions 222 and the second end portions 322 are coupled by welding in a state in which the first end portions 222 and the second end portions 322 are in surface contact with each other.

[0053] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a motor is provided with advantageous effects in that assembly is easy and sealability is improved.

[0054] Since a terminal for connecting a substrate to a connector can be removed from the substrate, an advantageous effect is provided in which a manufacturing cost and the number of manufacturing processes are reduced.

[0055] Since a body of the connector is mounted on a motor housing and then the substrate is assembled, an advantageous effect is provided in which assemblability for connecting the substrate to the connector is improved.

[0056] Since a gap between a lower surface of a body of the connector and the motor housing is filled with a sealing member, an advantageous effect is provided in that sealability of the motor housing is improved.

[0057] As described above, the motor according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been specifically described with the accompanying drawings. That is, the above-described embodiments of the present invention should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the detailed description but by the appended claims, and encompasses all modifications and alterations derived from meanings and the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A motor comprising: an inverter housing (100) in which a substrate (300) is disposed; a connector (200) which is mounted on the inverter housing (100) and electrically connects the substrate (300) and a cable (400); and wherein the connector (200) includes a body (210) and a first terminal (220) coupled to the body (210), one side of the first terminal (220) is in electrical contact with the substrate (300), the other side of the first terminal (220) is in contact with the cable (400), wherein the inverter housing (100) includes a connector mounting portion (110) which accommodate the body (210) of the connector (200), sealing members (230) seal a gap between the connector mounting portion (110) and the connector (200), characterized in that the body (210) includes a first part (210A) and a second part (210B), wherein the first part (210A) and the second part (210B) are connected with a first hole (211) disposed therebetween and the first part (210A) is coupled to the first terminal (220) and the second part (210B) is connected to the cable (400), wherein a second hole (212) is disposed in the second part (210B), and the first hole (211) and the second hole (212) are formed to pass through the body (210) in a vertical direction, which is a direction parallel to a shaft direction of the motor, wherein the first hole (211) and the second hole (212) are filled with sealing members (230), wherein an accommodation groove (111) of the inverter housing (100) is concavely formed in the bottom surface of the connector mounting portion (110). wherein the accommodation groove (111) is divided into a first accommodation groove (111A) and a second accommodation groove (111B). wherein the first accommodation groove (111A) of the inverter housing (100) is disposed to be aligned with a lower side of the first hole (211) of the connector (200) and a second accommodation groove (111B) of the inverter housing (100) is disposed to be aligned with a lower side of the second hole (212) of the connector (200), wherein the sealing members (230) includes a first sealing part (231), a second sealing part (232), and a third sealing part (233), wherein the first hole (211) is filled with the sealing member (230) to form the first sealing part (231), which seals a contact portion between end portions of the first terminals (220) and the cable (400), wherein the second hole (212) is filled with the sealing member (230) to form the second sealing part (23), which fills a gap between the connector mounting portion (110) and the body (210), wherein the sealing member (230) filling the first hole (211) flows down to the first accommodation groove (111A) due to a weight thereof, wherein the sealing member (230) filling the second hole (212) flows down to the second accommodation groove (111B) due to the weight thereof, wherein the sealing members (230) in the first accommodation groove (111A) and the second accommodation groove (111B) form the third sealing part (233), so that the third sealing part (233) is connected to the first sealing part (231) and the second sealing part (232).

2. The motor of claim 1, wherein the first terminal (220) is directly coupled and electrically connected to the substrate (300).

3. The motor of claim 1,wherein: the substrate (300) includes a plurality of pinholes (310) connected to conductive patterns; the first terminal (220) includes first terminal bodies (221) which are coupled to the body (210) and first end portions (222) which extend from the first terminal bodies (221); and the first end portions (222) are inserted into the pinholes (310) and electrically connected to the conductive patterns.

4. The motor of claim 3,wherein: the first end portions (222) are disposed to be bent upward from the first terminal bodies (221); and a size of at least one of the plurality of first end portions (222) is different from those of other first end portions (222).

5. The motor of claim 4,wherein a lower surface of the substrate (300) is disposed at a higher level than the first terminal bodies (221).

6. The motor of claim 5,wherein at least one of the plurality of first end portions (222) include a stepped surface (222a) in contact with the substrate (300).

7. The motor of claim 1, wherein the substrate (300) includes a second terminal (320) in surface contact with the first terminal (220).

8. The motor of claim 7, wherein: the first terminal (220) includes a first terminal body (221) coupled to the body (210) and a first end portion (222) which extends from the first terminal body (221); the second terminal (320) includes a second terminal body (321) coupled to the substrate (300) and a second end portion (322) which extends from the second terminal body (321); the first end portion (222) is disposed to be bent upward from the first terminal body (221); and the second end portion (322) is disposed to be bent upward from the second terminal body (321).

9. The motor of claim 1, wherein the first hole (211) is disposed in the first part (210A) and a second hole (212) is disposed in the second part (210B).

10. The motor of claim 1, wherein the body (210) of the connector (200) is slidably connected to the connector mounting portion (110).

11. The motor of claim 1, wherein: the connector mounting portion (110) includes a guide (112) which protrudes from a sidewall (110b) of the connector mounting portion (110); and the connector (200) includes a slot (215) disposed in a side surface of the body (210) and slidably connected to the guide (112).

12. The motor of claim 1,wherein: the first accommodation groove (111A) and the second accommodation groove (111B) are divided in a stepped manner.

13. The motor of claim 1, wherein: a first coupling hole (213) is disposed in the body (210); a second coupling hole (113) is disposed in the connector mounting portion (110); and the body (210) is coupled to the inverter housing (100) by coupling members coupled to the first coupling hole (213) and the second coupling hole (113).