Rotating electric machine and electric power steering device

By segregating current supply and control circuits on separate boards with a heat sink for heat dissipation, the device addresses noise interference and size issues, achieving efficient and compact rotating electric machine performance.

JP7603840B2Active Publication Date: 2024-12-20MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MOBILITY CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023557885
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-11-04
Publication Date
2024-12-20
Estimated Expiration
2041-11-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing rotating electric machine devices face issues with noise interference from current supply circuits affecting control circuits, leading to performance degradation and increased size due to the need for noise isolation and heat dissipation.

Method used

The solution involves separating the current supply and control circuits onto different boards, with the current supply board mounted on one surface of a heat sink and the control board arranged parallel and spaced apart, connected via signal terminals, while using a heat sink to dissipate heat and minimize noise propagation.

Benefits of technology

This configuration effectively suppresses noise interference, ensures efficient heat dissipation, and reduces the overall size and weight of the rotating electric machine device.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

It is necessary to obtain a rotating electric machine device (100) in which the effect of noise generated from a current supply circuit (3a) can be suppressed while ensuring a heat dissipation performance and suppressing an increase in size. The rotating electric machine device (100) according to the present application comprises: a rotating electric machine (2); a heatsink (50) having a plate-shaped portion (502) extending to one side in the axial direction; a current supply board (30) disposed on one surface of the plate-shaped portion (502) of the heatsink (50) and mounted with the current supply circuit (3a) for supplying current to the rotating electric machine (2); and a control board (40) disposed apart from and in parallel with the current supply board (30) and mounted with a control circuit (4a) for controlling the current supply circuit (3a). The electric power steering device (160) according to the present application is provided with the rotating electric machine device (100).
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a rotating electric machine device and an electric power steering device. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric power steering devices equipped with a rotating electric machine device in which a rotating electric machine and a control unit are integrated have been manufactured. A control unit configuration has been proposed for such a rotating electric machine device. A current supply circuit that supplies a large current to drive the rotating electric machine generates heat, so a control unit structure provided with a heat sink for cooling the current supply circuit has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-41507 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a control board on which both a current supply circuit (power circuit) for driving a rotating electric machine and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the current supply circuit are mounted is arranged along the axial direction of the rotating electric machine. A heat sink is provided on one side of the central axis of the rotating electric machine, and the control board is attached to the heat sink to dissipate heat. Because the current supply circuit for driving the rotating electric machine and the control circuit for controlling the current supply circuit are mounted on the same board, it is possible to reduce the product size, particularly in the radial direction of the rotating electric machine.

[0005] However, because the current supply circuit for driving the rotating electric machine and the control circuit that controls the current supply circuit are mounted on the same board, noise generated by the switching of the current supply circuit becomes an issue. The noise generated by the current supply circuit affects the operation of the microcomputer and other components that make up the control circuit, resulting in a decrease in product performance. Furthermore, if a certain distance is ensured between the current supply circuit and the control circuit on the same board to take into account the effects of noise, the board size becomes larger, leading to an increase in the size of the rotating electric machine device.

[0006] Therefore, the rotating electric machine device according to the present application has an object to obtain a rotating electric machine capable of suppressing the influence of noise generated from a current supply circuit while ensuring heat dissipation and preventing an increase in product size, and also has an object to obtain a small and lightweight electric power steering device using a rotating electric machine capable of suppressing the influence of noise generated from a current supply circuit while ensuring heat dissipation and preventing an increase in product size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The rotating electric machine according to the present application comprises: A rotating electric machine; a heat sink disposed on one side in an axial direction of the rotating electric machine and having a plate-shaped portion extending on the one side in the axial direction; a current supply board on which a current supply circuit for supplying current to the rotating electric machine is mounted, the current supply board being disposed on one surface of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink; a control board on which a control circuit for controlling the current supply circuit is mounted, the control board being disposed in parallel with the current supply board at a distance; a sensor board on which a rotation sensor is mounted, the rotation sensor facing one end of the shaft in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine and detecting a rotation state of the rotating electric machine; The sensor board has a signal terminal for connecting to the current supply board and the control board, and is characterized in that the current supply board and the control board are electrically connected to each other. It is something.

[0008] Further, an electric power steering device according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned rotating electric machine device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the rotating electric machine device and electric power steering device of the present application, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that can ensure heat dissipation, suppress an increase in product size, and suppress the effects of noise generated from the current supply circuit.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a small and lightweight electric power steering device using a rotating electric machine that can ensure heat dissipation, prevent the product size from increasing, and suppress the effects of noise generated from a current supply circuit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram of a rotating electric machine device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotary electric machine device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of the control unit for the rotary electric machine device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a rotating electric machine device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotary electric machine device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit for a rotary electric machine device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit for a rotary electric machine device according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotary electric machine device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit for a rotary electric machine device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotary electric machine device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit for a rotary electric machine device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotary electric machine device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit for a rotary electric machine device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an electric power steering device according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 1. First embodiment A rotating electric machine device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of the rotating electric machine device 100 according to the first embodiment. The circuit diagram of Fig. 1 is an example in which the rotating electric machine device 100 is applied to an electric power steering device.

[0013] <Control unit> 1, the rotating electric machine 2 is described as a three-phase rotating electric machine, but it may be a multi-phase winding rotating electric machine having three or more phases. The control unit 1 includes a control circuit 4a having a CPU 10a mounted thereon, a current supply circuit 3a that supplies current to the rotating electric machine 2, a power supply relay 5a, and a filter 6a. The control unit is the portion of the rotating electric machine device 100 excluding the rotating electric machine 2. A power supply input and a ground input are connected to the control unit 1 from a battery 9a mounted on the vehicle.

[0014] The filter 6a is composed of a coil and a capacitor for suppressing noise in the power supply system (+B, ground). Furthermore, a power relay 5a for opening and closing the +B power line is inserted in the +B power line. The power relay 5a includes two switching elements and two parasitic diodes, one in the forward direction and the other in the reverse direction with respect to the current supply direction. The power relay 5a can forcibly cut off the power supply when a failure occurs in the current supply circuit 3a or the rotating electric machine 2. Furthermore, the power relay 5a can cut off the line through which the current flows when the battery 9a is connected in reverse, and also serves as a so-called battery reverse connection protection.

[0015] <Control circuit> The control circuit 4a receives information on the turning on of an ignition switch 7. In addition, information is input from sensors 8 such as a torque sensor mounted near the steering wheel for detecting steering torque, and a speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle.

[0016] The control circuit 4a is supplied with power from a battery 9a via a filter 6a, and generates a power output from a power supply circuit 13a, which is supplied to the inside of the control circuit 4a. Information from the sensors 8 is transmitted to a CPU 10a via an input circuit 12a of the control circuit 4a. The CPU 10a calculates and outputs a current value for rotating the rotating electric machine 2 from the information. An output signal from the CPU 10a is transmitted to the current supply circuit 3a via a drive circuit 11a that constitutes an output circuit. The drive circuit 11a receives a command signal from the CPU 10a and outputs a drive signal for driving each switching element of the current supply circuit 3a.

[0017] The components of the control circuit 4a are mounted on a control board. Since only a small current flows through the drive circuit 11a, it is arranged in the control circuit 4a, but it can also be arranged in the current supply circuit 3a.

[0018] <Current supply circuit> The current supply circuit 3a includes upper and lower arm switching elements 31Ua, 31Va, 31Wa, 32Ua, 32Va, and 32Wa for the U1 phase, V1 phase, and W1 phase of the three-phase winding 24 of the rotating electric machine 2. The current supply circuit 3a also includes rotating electric machine relay switching elements 34Ua, 34Va, and 34Wa that connect / disconnect wiring to the winding 24 of the rotating electric machine 2. The current supply circuit 3a also includes shunt resistors 33Ua, 33Va, and 33Wa for current detection, and capacitors 30Ua, 30Va, and 30Wa.

[0019] The upper and lower arm switching elements 31Ua, 32Ua are PWM-driven based on commands from the CPU 10a. For this reason, a capacitor 30Ua is connected in parallel with the upper and lower arm switching elements 31Ua, 32Ua for the purpose of noise suppression. The same is true for the V-phase and W-phase. The current supply circuit 3a has the same circuit configuration for the windings 24 of each phase, and is capable of supplying current to the windings 24 of each phase independently.

[0020] 1, the potential differences across the shunt resistors 33Ua, 33Va, and 33Wa, and the voltage at the terminals of the winding 24, for example, are also transmitted to the input circuit 12a. These pieces of information are also input to the CPU 10a, which calculates the difference between the calculated current value and the corresponding detected value and performs so-called feedback control to supply a desired motor current and assist the steering force.

[0021] Furthermore, the control circuit 4a also outputs a drive signal for a power supply relay 5a. Power is supplied to the current supply circuit 3a by the power supply relay 5a via a filter 6a. The current supply to the rotating electric machine 2 can be cut off by the power supply relay 5a.

[0022] The rotating electric machine relay switching elements 34Ua, 34Va, and 34Wa are also arranged in the current supply circuit 3a, and can cut off each phase. In addition, a filter 6a consisting of a capacitor and a coil is arranged near the power supply input in order to suppress noise emission due to the PWM drive of the current supply circuit 3a. Since a large current flows through the drive circuit of the power supply relay 5a, which generates heat, the power supply relay 5a can also be included in the current supply circuit 3a to form the current supply circuit 3a.

[0023] <Rotating electrical equipment> 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of the rotating electric machine device 100 according to the first embodiment, showing the internal structure. The rotating electric machine device 100 includes a control unit 1 and a rotating electric machine 2. The control unit 1 is disposed adjacent to the rotating electric machine 2 on one axial side of an output shaft 21 of the rotating electric machine 2. The control unit 1 is integrated with the rotating electric machine 2.

[0024] In an electric power steering device, the axial direction of the output shaft 21 of the rotating electric machine 2 is often oriented in the vertical direction, and the control unit 1 is positioned above. The output of the rotating electric machine 2 is output from the lower end of the output shaft 21 to, for example, a reduction gear (not shown). This drives a steering gear or a steering rack to apply a steering force.

[0025] The rotating electric machine 2 includes a rotating electric machine case 25, a stator 22, a rotor 23, and the like, which are arranged inside the rotating electric machine case 25. The rotating electric machine case 25 is composed of a cylindrical portion 251 and a bottom portion 252 that closes an opening on the output side of the cylindrical portion 251. The rotating electric machine case 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The rotating electric machine case 25 is made of metal, and is preferably made of aluminum in consideration of heat dissipation and the external shape.

[0026] Frame 29 is formed in a disk shape from a metal material. Frame 29 is inserted and fixed into an opening on the opposite side to the output of cylindrical portion 251 by a process such as press fitting or shrink fitting. Frame 29 closes the opening on the opposite side to the output of cylindrical portion 251. Rotating electric machine 2 is separated from control unit 1 by frame 29.

[0027] The stator 22 is inserted and held in a cylindrical portion 251 of the rotating electric machine case 25 by press fitting, shrink fitting, or the like. The stator 22 includes three-phase windings 24. An annular wiring portion 27 is disposed on the output side of a frame 29 and in the vicinity of the windings 24. Terminals of the three-phase windings 24 are each connected to the wiring portion 27. Phase terminals 28 through which three-phase currents for driving the rotating electric machine 2 flow extend from the wiring portion 27, penetrate the frame 29, and are drawn out to the anti-output side.

[0028] The output shaft 21 penetrating the rotor 23 is rotatably supported by a bearing 261 arranged at the axial center of the frame 29 and a bearing 262 arranged at the axial center of the bottom 252. The rotor 23 is rotatably arranged in the rotating electric machine case 25. The rotor 23 is arranged coaxially with the stator 22 within the stator 22. The sensor rotor 18 is arranged at the end of the output shaft 21 protruding from the frame 29. Although not shown, a plurality of permanent magnets are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 23 at a constant pitch so that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0029] <Control unit placement> 3 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of the control unit 1 of the rotating electric machine device 100 according to the first embodiment. The control unit 1 is separated from the rotating electric machine 2 and the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 is removed, and the control unit 1 is viewed from the sensor board 60 side. The arrangement of the control unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The area of ​​the control unit 1 in the radial direction, which is perpendicular to the output shaft 21, must be equal to or smaller than the area of ​​the rotating electric machine 2 in the radial direction. Therefore, the control unit 1 adopts a vertically-mounted structure in which its main parts are arranged coaxially with the output shaft 21.

[0030] The outer periphery of the control unit 1 is covered by a resin housing 15. The housing 15 is formed of a connector portion 151 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 152. The connector portion 151 of the housing 15 holds a power connector 19 that connects the control unit 1 to a battery 9a, which is an external power source, and a signal connector 20 that connects to the sensors 8. The peripheral wall 152 of the housing 15 is cylindrical and covers and protects the components of the control unit 1.

[0031] Housing 15 is fitted into the opening of cylindrical portion 251 of rotating electrical machine case 25 with the opening facing downward, and is attached to cylindrical portion 251 using screws (not shown) or the like. A power connector 19 and a plurality of signal connectors 20 to be connected to sensors 8 are arranged on the end face of connector portion 151 of housing 15 on the opposite output side.

[0032] The power connector 19 and the signal connector 20 are molded integrally with a connector portion 151 of the housing 15. In addition, the power connector 19, the signal connector 20, wiring of the filter 6a, a signal terminal 201 of the signal connector 20, a power terminal 191 of the power connector 19, etc. are insert-molded into the connector portion 151.

[0033] A heat sink 50, a current supply board 30a, and a control board 40a are arranged inside the housing 15. The heat sink 50 is arranged on the axially opposite output side of the rotating electric machine 2, and has a plate-shaped portion 502 extending on the axially opposite output side. The current supply board 30a is arranged on one surface of the long side arrangement portion 503 side of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50. The control board 40a is arranged parallel to the current supply board 30a with a gap therebetween. In the case of FIG. 3, the control board 40a is provided on the other surface of the long side arrangement portion 503 side of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50. The heat sink 50 is made of a highly thermally conductive material such as aluminum, copper, etc. The heat sink 50 includes a disk-shaped base portion 501 and a rectangular parallelepiped plate-shaped portion 502 that stands upright in the center of the base portion 501.

[0034] The base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 is disposed within the opening on the opposite output side of the cylindrical portion 251 of the rotating electric machine case 25. The base portion 501 is pressed and sandwiched between the peripheral wall 152 of the housing 15 attached to the cylindrical portion 251 and the frame 29. In this way, the heat sink 50 is fixed to the rotating electric machine 2.

[0035] A base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 contacts the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical portion 251 and contacts the end surface of the frame 29 on the anti-output side. A plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 is located on an extension line of the axial direction of the output shaft 21 and is disposed within the housing 15. As shown in FIG. 3 , the plate-shaped portion 502 has a rectangular cross section having a long side arrangement portion 503 and a short side arrangement portion 504.

[0036] <Current supply board layout> As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the current supply board 30a is a rectangular plate having an upper side 301, a lower side 302, and a side 303. Each side is provided with a connection hole for transmitting and receiving power and signals. On the current supply board 30a, a plurality of switching elements 31Ua, 32Ua, 31Va, 32Va, 31Wa, 32Wa (shown only in Fig. 1) constituting the current supply circuit 3a and the power relay 5a, a smoothing capacitor 35, a filter coil 36, and the like are mounted. On the current supply board 30a, shunt resistors 33Ua, 33Va, 33Wa (shown only in Fig. 1) for detecting current are surface-mounted by solder or the like. Similarly, the filter coil 36 and the smoothing capacitor 35 are also surface-mounted.

[0037] The current supply board 30a is disposed on the long side arrangement portion 503 of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 so that the plane of the current supply board 30a is substantially parallel to the output shaft 21. The signal terminal 201 and the power terminal 191 drawn out from the connector portion 151 of the housing 15 are connected to connection holes provided on the upper side 301 of the current supply board 30a.

[0038] A current supply terminal 37 is connected to a connection hole in the lower side 302 of the current supply board 30a. The current supply terminal 37 capable of relaying is connected to a phase terminal 28 connected to the winding 24 of the rotating electric machine 2. The current supply terminal 37 is composed of a terminal portion made of sheet metal such as copper, and a resin portion for holding the terminal.

[0039] 3, the current supply terminals 37 extend radially outward from the current supply board 30a toward the rotating electric machine 2 side, and are connected to the phase terminals 28aU, 28aV, 28aW on the rotating electric machine 2 side. The phase terminals 28aU, 28aV, 28aW and the current supply terminals 37 of the current supply board 30a are connected by welding or the like.

[0040] <Control board layout> The control board 40a is mounted with a CPU 10a, a drive circuit 11a, an input circuit 12a, a power supply circuit 13a, etc. (11a, 12a, 13a are only shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control board 40a is a rectangular plate having an upper side 401, a lower side 402, and a side 403. Connection holes are provided on each side for transmitting and receiving power and signals. Furthermore, the CPU 10a that calculates the control amount for supplying power to the rotating electric machine 2, etc. are surface-mounted on the control board 40a.

[0041] The control board 40a is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the long side arrangement portion 503 of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50. The control board 40a is disposed on the opposite side of the plate-shaped portion 502 on which the current supply board 30a is disposed. The plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 is disposed between the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a.

[0042] With this arrangement, the temperature of the current supply board 30a, which generates heat when a current is supplied to the rotating electric machine 2, can be reduced by thermal conduction through the heat sink 50. Furthermore, by arranging the control board 40a across the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50, the propagation of noise can be suppressed.

[0043] It is possible to suppress the propagation of noise generated in the current supply circuit 3a caused by the implementation of switching control to the control circuit 4a. If the current supply circuit 3a and the control circuit 4a are configured on the same board, noise caused by the on / off switching of the switching elements will propagate via a common power supply pattern and a common ground pattern. However, by separating the control board 40a and the current supply board 30a, it is possible to prevent the propagation of noise.

[0044] In addition, because the control board 40a is arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the current supply board 30a, the space within the housing 15 can be effectively utilized, which can contribute to reducing the outer diameter of the control unit 1. Furthermore, by arranging the control board 40a and the current supply board 30a at a distance, a space exists between them, which can also reduce the effects of noise radiation from the current supply board 30a.

[0045] In particular, according to the arrangement of the heat sink 50, current supply board 30a, and control board 40a in embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 3, by interposing the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50, which is made of a thermally conductive material, between the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a, it is possible to significantly suppress the propagation of radiation noise from the current supply board 30a to the control board 40a.

[0046] <Relay section> A signal terminal 381 arranged on a short side arrangement portion 504 of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 is connected to the connection hole of the side edge 303 of the current supply board 30a. The signal terminal 381 is a terminal that connects the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a, and extends perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating electric machine 2 to connect them. A plurality of signal terminals 381 are lined up in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine 2 to form the relay portion 38, as shown in FIG.

[0047] Such a configuration makes it possible to connect the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a at an appropriate position and optimizes the wiring patterns of the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a, thereby improving the wiring efficiency of the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a and contributing to making the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a smaller and lighter.

[0048] The signal terminal 381 is composed of a terminal portion made of sheet metal such as copper and a resin portion for holding the terminal, similar to the current supply terminal 37. The terminals connected to the connection holes of the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a are connected, for example, by soldering to form an electric circuit, and signals necessary for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine are exchanged.

[0049] <Sensor board> 2, a signal terminal 201 and a power terminal 191 drawn from a connector portion 151 of a housing 15 are connected to a connection hole in an upper side 401 of a control board 40a. A signal terminal 601 drawn from a sensor board 60 on which a rotation sensor 17a (described later) is mounted is connected to a connection hole in a lower side 402 of the control board 40a.

[0050] A recess 505 for disposing a sensor board 60 on which the rotation sensor 17a is mounted is formed in a part of the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50. The rotation sensor 17a mounted on the sensor board 60 is disposed in the recess 505 so as to face the sensor rotor 18 attached to the end of the output shaft 21 on the opposite output side.

[0051] Providing the sensor board 60 separately from the current supply board 30a is advantageous in that it is possible to prevent noise from the current supply board 30a from being superimposed on the signal from the rotation sensor 17a. The signal from the rotation sensor 17a only needs to be input to the control circuit 4a on the control board 40a, so it can be separated from the current supply circuit 3a on the current supply board 30a.

[0052] A signal terminal 601 drawn from the sensor substrate 60 is connected to a connection hole in the bottom side 302 of the current supply substrate 30a. A signal terminal 601 drawn from the sensor substrate 60 is connected to a connection hole in the bottom side 402 of the control substrate 40a. It becomes possible to connect the current supply substrate 30a and the control substrate 40a via the sensor substrate 60. This makes it possible to connect the current supply substrate 30a and the control substrate 40a without using the signal terminal 381 and the relay portion 38, thereby promoting the miniaturization, weight reduction, and cost reduction of the rotating electric machine device.

[0053] 2. Second embodiment 4 is a circuit diagram of a rotating electric machine device 100a according to embodiment 2. The rotating electric machine device 100a according to embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that the circuits of the control unit and the windings 24 of the rotating electric machine are duplicated to enhance redundancy.

[0054] Specifically, the control unit 1a has a current supply circuit 3a, a second current supply circuit 3b, a control circuit 4a, and a second control circuit 4b. The control circuit 4a and the second control circuit 4b are connected by a communication line, and can continue to operate while verifying the soundness of each other. The rotating electric machine 2a also has two sets of windings 24a and 24b, and even if one of the windings is broken or short-circuited, it is possible to perform degenerate operation using the other winding.

[0055] 4 includes a second current supply circuit 3b, a second control circuit 4b, and their components, such as a CPU 10b, a drive circuit 11b, an input circuit 12b, and a power supply circuit 13b, which are added to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment. In addition, a second rotation sensor 17b is also included. All components are distinguished by adding "b" to their reference numerals. The functions of the respective components are similar to those of the components with "a" added to their reference numerals explained in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0056] Fig. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotating electric machine device 100a according to embodiment 2. Fig. 6 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit 1a of the rotating electric machine device 100a according to embodiment 2. The control unit 1a is separated from the rotating electric machine 2a and the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 is removed, and viewed from the sensor board 60 side. The arrangement of the current supply board 30 and the control board 40 with respect to the control unit 1a and the rotating electric machine 2a in the case of duplexing will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6.

[0057] Two circuits having the same configuration, the current supply circuit 3a and the second current supply circuit 3b shown in Fig. 4, are mounted on the current supply board 30 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Two circuits having the same configuration, the control circuit 4a and the second control circuit 4b shown in Fig. 4, are mounted on the control board 40 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

[0058] The current supply board 30 is disposed on the long side arrangement portion 503 of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 such that the plane of the current supply board 30 and the output shaft 21 are approximately parallel to each other. The control board 40 is disposed on the long side arrangement portion 503 on the opposite side of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 such that they are approximately parallel to each other. The control board 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the plate-shaped portion 502 on which the current supply board 30 is disposed. The plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 is disposed between the current supply board 30 and the control board 40.

[0059] With this arrangement, the temperature of the current supply board 30, which generates heat when a current is supplied to the rotating electric machine 2a, can be reduced by thermal conduction through the heat sink 50. Furthermore, by placing the control board 40 across the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50, the propagation of noise can be suppressed. Thus, even if two similar circuits are mounted on the same board, by placing the current supply board 30 and the control board 40 across the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0060] 3. Third embodiment Fig. 7 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit 1b of a rotating electric machine device 100b according to embodiment 3 (rotating electric machine device 100b is not shown). The view is taken from the sensor board 60 side after the control unit 1b has been separated from the rotating electric machine 2a and the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 has been removed. The rotating electric machine device 100b according to embodiment 3 differs from embodiment 2 in that each of the duplicated circuits of the control unit 1b is mounted on a separate board. The rotating electric machine remains the same as 2a, and the circuit diagram in Fig. 2 can be applied.

[0061] A current supply circuit 3a is mounted on the current supply board 30a. A second current supply circuit 3b is mounted on the second current supply board 30b. A control circuit 4a is mounted on the control board 40a. A second control circuit 4b is mounted on the second control board 40b.

[0062] Two sets of the current supply board 30a and the second current supply board 30b are arranged side by side. Two sets of the control board 40a and the second control board 40b are arranged side by side. By arranging them in this way, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the first embodiment as in the second embodiment while receiving the benefit of duplication. In addition, since each duplicated circuit is on a separate board, it is possible to avoid the influence of noise propagation between the circuits. Furthermore, even if a break or short circuit occurs in each board, other boards may not be affected, so that it is possible to improve the fault tolerance.

[0063] Two sets of the same type of substrates can be arranged vertically or on a flat surface. Stacking them reduces the area required, which contributes to making the rotating electrical machine 100b smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

[0064] 4. Fourth embodiment Fig. 8 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotating electric machine device 100c according to embodiment 4. Fig. 9 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit 1c of the rotating electric machine device 100c according to embodiment 4. This is a view seen from the sensor board 60 side with the control unit 1c separated from the rotating electric machine 2 and the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 removed. The sensor board 60 and the like are omitted.

[0065] A rotating electrical machine device 100c according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the arrangement of a control board 40a of a control unit 1c. Specifically, the rotating electrical machine device 100c differs from the first embodiment in that the control board 40a is arranged in a layered manner on the same side of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 as the current supply board 30a. The circuit diagram in FIG. 1 can be applied.

[0066] In the fourth embodiment, the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a are arranged on one of the long side arrangement portions 503 of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50. Signals are exchanged between the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a using the relay portion 38, as in the first embodiment. Connection holes provided on the side 303 of the current supply board 30a and the side 403 of the control board 40a are connected to the signal terminal 381 of the relay portion 38 by soldering or the like.

[0067] Since relay section 38 and signal terminal 381 between current supply board 30a and control board 40a are short, costs and weight can be reduced, and product size can be reduced, particularly in the radial direction. In control unit 1c according to embodiment 4, current supply board 30a and control board 40a are disposed on one side of plate-shaped section 502 of heat sink 50, so that the thermal capacity of the heat sink as viewed from current supply board 30a can be improved, and heat resistance can be improved.

[0068] Since the current supply board 30a is overwhelmingly the one that generates the greatest heat loss and the greatest amount of heat, the current supply board 30a can be attached to one side of the plate-like portion 502 of the heat sink 50, so that cooling of the current supply board 30a can be prioritized. Also, since the board is attached to the plate-like portion 502 of the heat sink 50 on only one side, assembly costs can be reduced.

[0069] 5. Fifth embodiment FIG. 10 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotating electric machine device 100d according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit 1d of the rotating electric machine device 100d according to the fifth embodiment. The control unit 1d is separated from the rotating electric machine 2a and the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 is removed, and the control unit 1d is viewed from the sensor board 60 side. The sensor board 60 and the like are omitted. The rotating electric machine device 100d according to the fifth embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in the arrangement of the control board 40 of the control unit 1d. Specifically, the rotating electric machine device 100d according to the fifth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the control board 40 is stacked on the same side of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50 as the current supply board 30. The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 4 can be applied.

[0070] In the fifth embodiment, the current supply board 30 and the control board 40 are disposed on one of the long side arrangement portions 503 of the plate-shaped portion 502 of the heat sink 50. Signals are exchanged between the current supply board 30 and the control board 40 using the relay portion 38, as in the second embodiment. Connection holes provided on the side 303 of the current supply board 30 and the side 403 of the control board 40 are connected to signal terminals 381 of the relay portion 38 by soldering or the like.

[0071] Since relay section 38 and signal terminal 381 between current supply board 30 and control board 40 are short, costs and weight can be reduced, and product size can be reduced, particularly in the radial direction. In control unit 1d according to embodiment 5, current supply board 30 and control board 40 are disposed on one side of plate-shaped section 502 of heat sink 50, so that the thermal capacity of the heat sink as viewed from current supply board 30 can be improved, and heat resistance can be improved.

[0072] Since the current supply board 30 is overwhelmingly the one that generates the greatest heat loss and heat generation, the current supply board 30 can be attached to one side of the plate-like portion 502 of the heat sink 50, so that cooling of the current supply board 30 can be prioritized. Also, since the board is attached to the plate-like portion 502 of the heat sink 50 on only one side, assembly costs can be reduced.

[0073] 6. Sixth embodiment Fig. 12 is an axial cross-sectional view of a rotating electric machine device 100e according to embodiment 6. Fig. 13 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a control unit 1e of the rotating electric machine device 100e according to embodiment 6. The control unit 1e is separated from the rotating electric machine 2a and the base portion 501 of the heat sink 50 is removed, and viewed from the sensor board 60 side. The sensor board 60 and the like are omitted. The rotating electric machine device 100e according to embodiment 6 differs from embodiment 3 only in the arrangement of the control board 40a, the second control board 40b, the current supply board 30a, and the second current supply board 30b of the control unit 1e.

[0074] Specifically, it differs from the third embodiment in that current supply board 30a and control board 40a are stacked in parallel with a gap on one side of plate-shaped portion 502 of heat sink 50, and that a second current supply board 30b and a second control board 40b are stacked in parallel with a gap on the other side of plate-shaped portion 502 of heat sink 50. The circuit diagram in FIG. 4 can be applied.

[0075] The relay portion 38a between the current supply board 30a and the control board 40a and the signal terminal 381 are shortened. Also, the relay portion 38b between the second current supply board 30b and the second control board 40b and the signal terminal 381 are shortened. Therefore, it is possible to reduce costs and weight, and to reduce the product size, especially in the radial direction. Also, in the control unit 1e according to the sixth embodiment, the current supply board 30a and the second current supply board 30b are arranged on both sides of the plate-shaped part 502 of the heat sink 50, so that the heat capacity of the heat sink as seen from the current supply board 30a and the second current supply board 30b can be improved, and the heat resistance can be improved. The amount of heat generated by the control board 40a and the second control board 40b is smaller than that of the current supply board 30a and the second current supply board 30b, so there is no big problem even if they are far from the heat sink.

[0076] Furthermore, since the combination of current supply board 30a and control board 40a and the combination of second current supply board 30b and second control board 40b are arranged on the front and back of plate-shaped portion 502 of heat sink 50, even if a physical external force is applied, one of the combinations will survive and is likely to be able to perform degenerate operation.

[0077] 7. Seventh embodiment Fig. 14 is a configuration diagram of an electric power steering device 160 according to embodiment 7. An example in which the rotating electric machine device 100 is applied to an electric power steering device 160 mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of the electric power steering device 160, which is an example of a rack-type electric power steering device.

[0078] When a driver generates a steering torque in the steering mechanism of the vehicle using a steering wheel 161, a torque sensor 162 detects the steering torque and outputs it to the rotating electric machine device 100. In addition, a speed sensor 163 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle and outputs it to the rotating electric machine device 100. The rotating electric machine device 100 generates an assist torque that assists the steering torque based on the inputs from the torque sensor 162 and the speed sensor 163, and supplies the assist torque to the steering mechanism of the front wheels 164 of the vehicle.

[0079] The torque sensor 162 and the speed sensor 163 are part of the sensors 8 in Fig. 1. The rotating electric machine device 100 may generate an auxiliary torque based on an input other than the torque sensor 162 and the speed sensor 163. By ensuring the heat dissipation of the rotating electric machine device 100 applied to the electric power steering device and suppressing the increase in the product size while suppressing the effect of noise generated from the current supply circuit, the performance is improved and the mountability on the vehicle is improved. Although Fig. 14 shows the rotating electric machine device 100, the present invention can also be applied to the rotating electric machine devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, and 100e.

[0080] Although various exemplary embodiments and examples are described in this application, various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a specific embodiment, but can be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not illustrated are expected within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification. For example, the modification, addition, or omission of at least one component, and the extraction and combination of at least one component with components of other embodiments are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e control unit, 2 rotating electric machine, 3a current supply circuit, 3b second current supply circuit, 4a control circuit, 4b second control circuit, 17a rotation sensor, 17b second rotation sensor, 30, 30a current supply board, 30b second current supply board, 37 current supply terminal, 38, 38a, 38b relay unit, 381, 601 signal terminal, 40, 40a control board, 40b second control board, 50 heat sink, 502 plate-shaped portion, 503 long side arrangement portion, 60 sensor board, 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e rotating electric machine device, 160 electric power steering device

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine; a heat sink disposed on one side in an axial direction of the rotating electric machine and having a plate-shaped portion extending to the one side in the axial direction; a current supply board on which a current supply circuit for supplying current to the rotating electric machine is mounted, the current supply board being disposed on one surface of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink; a control board on which a control circuit for controlling the current supply circuit is mounted, the control board being disposed in parallel to the current supply board with a gap therebetween; a sensor board on which a rotation sensor is mounted, the rotation sensor facing one end of the shaft in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine and detecting a rotation state of the rotating electric machine; The rotating electric machine device is characterized in that the sensor board has signal terminals connected to the current supply board and the control board, and electrically connects between the current supply board and the control board.

2. The rotating electrical machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control board is disposed on the other surface of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink.

3. 2. The rotating electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the control board is disposed on one surface of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink, and is stacked with a gap therebetween on the current supply board.

4. A rotating electric device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotation sensor is connected to the control circuit and insulated from the current supply circuit.

5. The current supply board is provided with two sets of current supply circuits; The rotating electrical machine according to claim 1 , wherein two sets of control circuits are mounted on the control board.

6. The current supply board is arranged in two sets, The rotating electrical machine according to claim 1 , wherein two sets of the control boards are arranged side by side.

7. a second current supply board on which a second current supply circuit for supplying current to the rotating electric machine is mounted, the second current supply board being disposed on the other surface of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink; a second control board on the other surface side of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink, the second control board being stacked in parallel with the second current supply board at a distance from the second current supply board, the second control board having a second control circuit mounted thereon for controlling the second current supply circuit; 2. The rotating electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the control board is disposed on one surface of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink, and is stacked with a gap therebetween on the current supply board.

8. A rotating electric device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cross section of the plate-shaped portion of the heat sink is rectangular, one surface of the plate-shaped portion corresponds to one long side of the rectangular cross section, and the other surface of the plate-shaped portion corresponds to the other long side of the rectangular cross section.

9. A rotating electric machine device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an intermediate portion in which a plurality of signal terminals are arranged in the axial direction of the rotating electric machine, the signal terminals extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rotating electric machine and connecting between the current supply board and the control board.

10. The rotating electric machine device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a current supply terminal extending from the current supply board radially outwardly of the rotating electric machine and connected to a winding of the rotating electric machine.

11. An electric power steering device comprising the rotating electric machine device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Citation Information

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