Drive device

Abstract

To provide a drive unit which can secure a mounting area of a substrate.SOLUTION: A drive unit 1 comprises a motor 80 and an ECU 10. The ECU 10 comprises a connector unit 50, a master substrate 31, a slave substrate 32, and connection components 241, 246, and is provided on one side in an axial direction of the motor 80. On the master substrate 31 and the slave substrate 32, a first system region in which an electronic component concerning energization control of a first motor winding is mounted, and a second system region in which an electronic component concerning energization control of a second motor winding is mounted are separated from each other at a substrate center line. In the first system region and the second system region, a power region in which motor current to be energized to the motor 80 flows and a control region in which control current relatively smaller than the motor current flows are separated from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a drive device in which a motor and an ECU related to drive control of the motor are integrally provided is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, various electronic components are mounted on a single substrate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the drive of the motor is controlled by one microcomputer. Here, for example, when two microcomputers or ASICs are provided redundantly, there is a risk that the mounting area of the substrate will be insufficient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a drive device capable of securing a mounting area of a substrate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The drive device of the present invention includes a motor (80) and a control unit (10). The motor has a first motor winding (180) and a second motor winding (280). The control unit includes a connector unit (50) having connectors (152, 156, 252, 256) used for connection to the outside, a main board (31) fixed to the motor housing (840), a sub-board (32) fixed to the connector unit, and connection components (141, 146, 241, 246) connecting the main board and the sub-board, and is provided on one side in the axial direction of the motor.

[0007] The main board and the sub-board are separated by a board center line into a first system area where electronic components related to the energization control of the first motor winding are mounted and a second system area where electronic components related to the energization control of the second motor winding are mounted. Further, in the first system area and the second system area of the main board and the sub-board, a power area, which is an area where a motor current to be supplied to the motor flows, and a control area, which is an area where a control current relatively smaller than the motor current flows, are separated. In the main substrate and the sub-substrate, when one substrate outer peripheral region on one side in the direction along the substrate center line is defined as one end portion and the substrate outer peripheral region on the other side is defined as the other end portion, in each of the first system region and the second system region, the power region is a region that includes one end portion and extends toward the other end portion side, and the control region is a region that includes the other end portion and extends toward the one end portion side. Thereby, the mounting area of the board can be secured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (One Embodiment) Hereinafter, the drive device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drive device according to one embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 11.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 1 includes a motor 80 and an ECU 10, and is applied to an electric power steering device 8 as a steering device for assisting the steering operation of a vehicle. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a steering system 90 including the electric power steering device 8. The steering system 90 includes a steering wheel 91 as a steering member, a steering shaft 92, a pinion gear 96, a rack shaft 97, wheels 98, and the electric power steering device 8 and the like.

[0011] The steering wheel 91 is connected to the steering shaft 92. A torque sensor 94 for detecting the steering torque is provided on the steering shaft 92. The torque sensor 94 is internally divided into two systems, and the respective detection values trq1 and trq2 are input to the corresponding connectors 156 and 256. A pinion gear 96 is provided at the tip of the steering shaft 92. The pinion gear 96 meshes with the rack shaft 97. A pair of wheels 98 are connected to both ends of the rack shaft 97 via tie rods and the like.

[0012] When the driver rotates the steering wheel 91, the steering shaft 92 connected to the steering wheel 91 rotates. The rotational motion of the steering shaft 92 is converted into a linear motion of the rack shaft 97 by the pinion gear 96. The pair of wheels 98 are steered at an angle corresponding to the displacement amount of the rack shaft 97.

[0013] The electric power steering device 8 includes the drive device 1 and a reduction gear 89 and the like as a power transmission unit that decelerates the rotation of the motor 80 and transmits it to the rack shaft 97. The electric power steering device 8 of the present embodiment is a so-called "rack assist type", but it may also be a so-called "column assist type" that transmits the rotation of the motor 80 to the steering shaft 92.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the motor 80 is a three-phase brushless motor. The motor 80 outputs part or all of the torque required for steering, is driven by power supplied from a battery (not shown), and rotates the reduction gear 89 forward and backward.

[0015] The motor 80 has a first motor winding 180 and a second motor winding 280. The motor windings 180 and 280 have the same electrical characteristics and are wound around a common stator 860 with a cancellation winding shift of 30° in electrical angle from each other. Accordingly, the motor windings 180 and 280 are controlled such that phase currents with a phase difference φ of 30° are energized. By optimizing the energization phase difference, the output torque is improved. Also, the sixth-order torque ripple can be reduced, and noise and vibration can be reduced. Also, since the current is dispersed and the heat generation is dispersed and leveled, it is possible to reduce the temperature-dependent systematic error between systems such as the detected value of each sensor and the torque, and it is possible to increase the amount of current that can be energized. Note that the motor windings 180 and 280 do not necessarily need to be cancellation-wound and may have different electrical characteristics.

[0016] Hereinafter, the combination of configurations related to the energization control of the first motor winding 180 is referred to as the first system, and the combination of configurations related to the energization control of the second motor winding 280 is referred to as the second system. The configurations of the first system are mainly numbered in the 100s, the configurations of the second system L2 are mainly numbered in the 200s, and the last two digits of the configurations that are substantially the same between the first system and the second system are made the same for numbering, and the description is omitted as appropriate. Also, in the figure, etc., the suffix "1" is attached to the configurations related to the first system L1, and the suffix "2" is attached to the configurations related to the second system L2 as appropriate.

[0017] The drive device 1 has an ECU 10 integrally provided on one axial side of the motor 80, and is a so-called "mechatronic type". The ECU 10 is arranged coaxially with respect to the axis Ax of the shaft 870 on the side opposite to the output shaft of the motor 80. Here, "coaxial" means that, for example, errors and misalignments related to assembly and design are allowed. Note that the "mechatronics integration" in the drive device 1 of the present embodiment is different from simply providing an ECU having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape in the vicinity of the motor 80. By adopting the mechatronic type, the ECU 10 and the motor 80 can be efficiently arranged in a vehicle with limited mounting space. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the motor 80 is regarded as the axial direction of the drive device 1, and is simply referred to as the "axial direction".

[0018] The motor 80 includes a motor case 830, a motor frame 840, a stator 860, a rotor 865, etc. The stator 860 is fixed to the motor case 830, and the motor windings 180 and 280 are wound around it. The rotor 865 is provided inside the stator 860 in the radial direction and is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the stator 860.

[0019] The shaft 870 is fitted into the rotor 865 and rotates integrally with the rotor 865. The shaft 870 is rotatably supported by the motor case 830 and the motor frame 840 by bearings 871 and 872. The end portion of the shaft 870 on the ECU 10 side is inserted into a shaft hole 849 formed in the motor frame 840 and is exposed on the ECU 10 side. A magnet 875 is provided at the end portion of the shaft 870 on the ECU 10 side.

[0020] The motor case 830 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape composed of a bottom portion 831 and a cylindrical portion 832, and the ECU 10 is provided on the opening side. A bearing 871 is provided on the bottom portion 831. The stator 860 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 832.

[0021] The motor frame 840 has a frame portion 841, a heat sink 845, a connector connection portion 846, etc., and is formed of a material with good thermal conductivity such as aluminum. The frame portion 841 is press-fitted inside the motor case 830 in the radial direction, and as a whole, it is contained within the projection area (hereinafter appropriately referred to as the "motor silhouette") obtained by axially projecting the cylindrical portion 832 of the motor case 830. A flange portion 842 is formed on the outer periphery of the frame portion 841 and abuts against a stepped portion 833 formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 832. Also, an extension member connection portion 843 is formed on the outside of the heat sink 845 of the frame portion 841.

[0022] The heat sink 845 is erected on the ECU 10 side of the frame portion 841. On both sides sandwiching the heat sink 845, one ends of the motor windings 180 and 280 are taken out to the ECU 10 side from the motor wire extraction holes formed in the frame portion 841. An insulating member is provided in the motor wire extraction holes of the frame portion 841, and a recess is formed on the side surface of the heat sink 845 at the location where the motor windings 180 and 280 are taken out, and the motor windings 180 and 280 are taken out to the ECU 10 side in a state of being insulated from the motor frame 840. The motor windings 180 and 280 taken out from the motor frame 840 are connected to the mother board 31.

[0023] The connector connection portion 846 is erected substantially at the center of the side surface of the heat sink 845 on the side where the motor windings 180 and 280 are not taken out. The height of the connector connection portion 846 is higher than that of the heat sink 845.

[0024] The ECU 10 has a mother board 31, a daughter board 32, power system connection components 141 and 241, signal system connection components 146 and 246, a connector unit 50, a cover 60, etc. The mother board 31 is fixed to a board fixing portion 847 formed on the end surface of the heat sink 845 with a screw 319. The daughter board 32 is fixed to the connector unit 50.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIGS. 8 to 11, a relief recess 316 is formed in the parent substrate 31 to avoid interference with the connector connection portion 846. A relief recess 326 is formed in the child substrate 32 to avoid interference with the fixing portion 516 of the connector unit 50 described later. In the present embodiment, the substrates 31 and 32 are cut out to form the relief recesses 316 and 326, and the connector unit 50 is directly fastened to the motor frame 840. The parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32 are connected by power system connection components 141 and 241 and signal system connection components 146 and 246. Details of components and the like mounted on the parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32 will be described later.

[0026] The first power system connection component 141 has a power terminal 142, a terminal holding portion 143, and a pin 144. There are two power terminals 142, one being a power supply terminal and the other being a ground terminal. The power terminal 142 is held by the terminal holding portion 143, one end is connected to the parent substrate 31, and the other end is connected to the child substrate 32. The pins 144 are provided to protrude toward the parent substrate 31 on both sides of the terminal holding portion 143, and the power system connection component 141 is positioned by being fixed to the parent substrate 31. The second power system connection component 241 has a power terminal 242, a terminal holding portion 243, and a pin 244.

[0027] The power system connection components 141 and 241 are arranged on both sides along the same side with the relief recesses 316 and 326 interposed therebetween in the outer region outside the region where various elements such as switching elements are mounted.

[0028] The first signal system connection component 146 has a plurality of signal terminals 147, a terminal holding part 148, and pins 149. The signal terminals 147 are held by the terminal holding part 148, one end is connected to the parent substrate 31, and the other end is connected to the child substrate 32. The pins 149 protrude toward the parent substrate 31 at both ends of the terminal holding part 148 and are fixed to the parent substrate 31 to position the signal system connection component 146. The second signal system connection component 246 has a plurality of signal terminals 247, a terminal holding part 248, and pins 249. The signal terminals 147 and 247 are used for signal transmission with the torque sensor 93 and the vehicle communication network 99. The number of terminals can be arbitrarily set according to the number of signals and the like.

[0029] The signal system connection components 146 and 246 are arranged on both sides along the side opposite to the side where the power system connection components 141 and 241 are provided, sandwiching the relief recesses 316 and 326, in the outer region outside the region where various elements are mounted.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the connector unit 50 has a base part 51, vehicle system connectors 152 and 252, and a steering system connector 156 and 256. The base part 51 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. A groove part 511 is formed along the outer edge on the surface of the base part 51 opposite to the motor 80. Further, a fixing part 516 is formed on the base part 51. A through bolt 519 is inserted into the fixing part 516 and screwed to the connector connection part 846 of the motor frame 840. Thereby, the connector unit 50 is fixed to the motor frame 840. The connection position in the axial direction between the connector connection part 846 of the motor frame 840 and the fixing part 516 of the connector unit 50 is between the parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32.

[0031] The connectors 152, 156, 252, and 256 are formed with their widths facing axially outward. The vehicle connectors 152 and 252 are integrated hybrid connectors that combine a power connector connected to the vehicle power supply and ground, and a communication connector connected to a vehicle communication network 99 such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The steering connectors 156 and 256 are connected to the torque sensor 93 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] In the present embodiment, when the ECU 10 is projected axially, the power system connection components 141, 241, the vehicle connectors 152, 252, the steering connectors 156, 256, and the signal system connection components 146, 246 are arranged in this order from one side.

[0033] The cover 60 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape and houses the substrates 31, 32, the heat sink 845, etc. inside. A substantially rectangular hole 61 is formed at the bottom of the cover 60. The connectors 152, 156, 252, and 256 are inserted through the hole 61. The end 611 of the hole 61 is bent inward. The end 611 is inserted into the groove 511 of the connector unit 50 coated with an adhesive member such as an adhesive. This can prevent the intrusion of water droplets and dust from between the connector unit 50 and the cover 60.

[0034] In the present embodiment, four widths are provided for the vehicle connectors 152, 252 and the steering connectors 156, 256, and the width area is large. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by providing an extension member 70 in a shape where the four corners protrude from the motor silhouette, the area outside the motor silhouette can be utilized.

[0035] The extension member 70 has a base portion 71, an annular convex portion 72, a cover insertion groove 73, a fixing portion 74, etc., and is integrally formed of resin or the like. The extension member 70 is formed in an annular shape as a whole, on the ECU 10 side of the frame portion 841 of the motor frame 840, and is disposed radially outside the heat sink 845. In other words, the heat sink 845 protrudes toward the ECU 10 on the inner peripheral side of the extension member 70. At least a part of the outer edge of the extension member 70 is located outside the motor silhouette. Depending on the shape of the extension member 70, the substrates 31, 32 and the connector unit 50 can be extended to the outside of the motor silhouette, so that the mounting area and the frontage area of the substrate can be expanded.

[0036] The annular convex portion 72 is provided to protrude along the inner peripheral surface on the surface of the base portion 71 on the motor 80 side, and is inserted into the cylindrical portion 832 of the motor case 830. A cover insertion groove 73 is formed along the outer edge on the surface of the extension member 70 opposite to the motor 80. The end portion on the opening side of the cover 60 is inserted into the cover insertion groove 73 coated with an adhesive member such as an adhesive. Thereby, intrusion of water droplets, dust, etc. from between the extension member 70 and the cover 60 can be prevented. The fixing portion 74 is formed to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral wall of the extension member 70. A collar is inserted into the fixing portion 74 and fixed to the frame portion 841 with a screw 79.

[0037] Here, the circuit configuration of the electronic components mounted on the substrates 31, 32 is shown in FIG. 7. In the present embodiment, since the circuit configuration of the first system L1 and the circuit configuration of the second system L2 are the same, the first system L1 will be described and the description related to the second system L2 will be omitted.

[0038] The inverter circuit 120 is a three-phase inverter, and the switching elements 121 to 126 are bridge-connected. The switching elements 121 to 123 are connected to the high potential side, and the switching elements 124 to 126 are connected to the low potential side. The high potential side of the inverter circuit 120 is connected to the power supply terminal PIG via the power wiring Lp, and the low potential side is connected to the ground terminal GND via the ground wiring Lg.

[0039] The connection points of the paired U-phase switching elements 121 and 124 are connected to one end of the U-phase coil via the motor relay element 127. Also, the connection points of the paired V-phase switching elements 122 and 125 are connected to one end of the V-phase coil via the motor relay element 128, and the paired W-phase switching elements 123 and 126 are connected to one end of the W-phase coil via the motor relay element 129. The other ends of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils that make up the motor winding 180 are connected together.

[0040] Shunt resistors 131, 132, and 133, which are current detection elements for detecting the current in each phase of the motor winding 180, are provided on the low-potential sides of the low-potential side switching elements 124, 125, and 126. The capacitor 135 is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor and is connected in parallel with the inverter circuit 120. The capacitor 135 stores charge to assist in supplying power to the inverter circuit 120.

[0041] Power is supplied to the inverter circuit 120 via the power relay elements 111 and 112. In this embodiment, the switching elements 121 to 126, the motor relay elements 127 to 129, and the power relay elements 111 and 112 are all MOSFETs, but they may also be IGBTs, thyristors, or the like. The power relay elements 111 and 112 are connected in series such that the directions of their parasitic diodes are opposite. This prevents a reverse current from flowing when the battery is accidentally connected in reverse, protecting the ECU 10. A capacitor 113 and a choke coil 114 that form a filter circuit are provided between the power relay element 111 and the power terminal PIG. This reduces noise transmitted from other devices sharing the battery and also reduces noise transmitted from the drive device 1 to other devices.

[0042] The microcomputer 170 controls the on / off operations of the switching elements 121 to 126, the motor relay elements 127 to 129, and the power relay elements 111 and 112. The microcomputer 170 is connected to the ground via the stabilization passive components 172 and 173. The microcomputer 170 is connected to the torque connector terminal TRQ that is connected to the torque sensor 93 via the torque filter circuit 177. The microcomputer 170 is connected to the CANH terminal and the CANL terminal via the CAN driver 178. The CAN driver 178 is connected between the diode 115 and the switching power supply element 116 via the CAN IC 117. In this embodiment, the CAN IC 117 is provided in the integrated circuit unit 175, but it may be provided separately from the integrated circuit unit 175.

[0043] The integrated circuit unit 175 (described as "ASIC" in the figure) has a pre-driver, a signal amplification unit, a regulator, and the like. The integrated circuit unit 175 is connected to the power wiring Lp between the filter circuit and the power relay element 111 via the negative surge protection diode 115 and the switching power supply element 116. The switching power supply element 116 includes components that constitute a boost circuit, a buck circuit, and the like. In FIG. 7, the components in the range X are mounted on the parent substrate 31, and the components in the range Y are mounted on the daughter substrate 32. Also, the components in the range Z may be mounted on either the substrate 31 or 32.

[0044] The element arrangements on the substrates 31 and 32 are shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. FIGS. 8 to 11 show the arrangements when viewed from the connector unit 50 side for the purpose of explanation. Also, the hole portions through which the terminals, screws, etc. of the connecting components are inserted are appropriately labeled with the reference numerals of the corresponding members. FIG. 8 shows the motor surface 311 which is the surface of the parent substrate 31 on the motor 80 side, and FIG. 9 shows the connector surface 312 which is the surface of the parent substrate 31 on the connector unit 50 side. Also, FIG. 10 shows the motor surface 321 which is the surface of the daughter substrate 32 on the motor 80 side, and FIG. 11 shows the connector surface 322 which is the surface of the daughter substrate 32 on the connector unit 50 side.

[0045] In FIGS. 8 to 11, components related to the first system L1 are mounted on the left side of the drawing sheet, and components related to the second system L2 are mounted on the right side of the drawing sheet. The first system area RL1 and the second system area RL2 are partitioned by the substrate center line C. Also, the areas on the sides connected to the signal system connection components 146 and 246 are defined as control areas Rc1 and Rc2, and the areas on the sides connected by the power system connection components 141 and 241 are defined as power areas Rp1 and Rp2, which are indicated by two-dot chain lines. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the frontage projection areas of the connectors 152, 156, 252, and 256 are indicated by thick dashed lines.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, on the first system area RL1 of the motor surface 311 of the parent substrate 31, there are mounted power relay elements 111 and 112, switching elements 121 to 126, motor relay elements 127 to 129, shunt resistors 131 to 133, integrated circuit section 175, and pass components 172 and 173, etc. On the second system area RL2 of the motor surface 311 of the parent substrate 31, there are mounted power relay elements 211 and 212, switching elements 221 to 226, motor relay elements 227 to 229, shunt resistors 231 to 233, integrated circuit section 275, and pass components 272 and 273, etc. Also, at approximately the center of the motor surface 311 of the parent substrate 31, a rotation angle sensor 85 for detecting the rotation angle of the motor 80 is mounted.

[0047] In the power area Rp1 of the motor surface 311, there are mounted power relay elements 111 and 112, switching elements 121 to 126, motor relay elements 127 to 129, and shunt resistors 131 to 133, etc. The power relay elements 111 and 112 are on the power system connection component 141 side of the power area Rp1 and are mounted on the substrate center line C side. In the first system area RL1, the elements of each phase are arranged in the order of the high-potential side switching elements 121 to 123, the low-potential side switching elements 124 to 126, and the motor relay elements 127 to 129 from the substrate center line C side. Also, the motor relay elements 127 to 129 are arranged adjacent to the location where the motor winding 180 is connected. Here, the state where no other elements are arranged in between is defined as "adjacent".

[0048] In the power region Rp2 of the motor surface 311, power relay elements 211, 212, switching elements 221 to 226, motor relay elements 227 to 229, shunt resistors 231 to 233, etc. are mounted. The power relay elements 211, 212 are on the power system connection component 241 side of the power region Rp2 and are mounted on the substrate center line C side. In the second system region RL2, the elements of each phase are arranged in the order of the high-potential-side switching elements 221 to 223, the low-potential-side switching elements 224 to 226, and the motor relay elements 227 to 229 from the substrate center line C side. Also, the motor relay elements 227 to 229 are arranged adjacent to the location where the motor winding 280 is connected.

[0049] The element arrangement of each phase does not necessarily have to be side by side, and depending on the wiring pattern and the arrangement of other components, etc., there may be a displacement in the vertical position on the drawing. Also, the shunt resistors 131 to 133, 231 to 233 are arranged adjacent to the low-potential-side switching elements 124 to 126, 224 to 226 of the corresponding phase.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, in the first system region RL1 of the connector surface 312 of the parent substrate 31, diodes 115, capacitors 135, switch power supply elements 116, microcontrollers 170, and diodes etc. that constitute the torque filter circuit 177 are mounted. On the connector surface 312, the diodes 115, 215 and the capacitors 135, 235 etc. are mounted in the power regions Rp1, Rp2, and the switch power supply elements 116, 216, microcontrollers 170, 270 and diodes etc. that constitute the torque filter circuit 177 are mounted in the control regions Rc1, Rc2.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, on the motor surface 311, the passcons 172, 173, 272, 273 are arranged on the power region Rp side and the substrate center line C side rather than the integrated circuit section 175. Also, on the connector surface 312, the microcontrollers 170, 270 are on the power region Rp side rather than at least some of the switch power supply elements 116, 216 and are mounted on the substrate center line C side rather than the torque filter circuits 177, 277.

[0052] The microcontroller 170 and the integrated circuit unit 175 are arranged such that at least a part of their mounting areas does not overlap and they are offset from each other. Also, in the area on the back side of the microcontroller 170, path capacitors 172 and 173 for the microcontroller are mounted. The path capacitor 172 is a capacitor for core power supply stabilization, and the path capacitor 173 is a capacitor for power supply stabilization related to a power supply having a voltage different from that of the core power supply. In the microcontroller 170 of this embodiment, terminals are formed on the back surface of the package, and it is mounted on the parent substrate 31 by a ball grid array (BGA). By arranging the path capacitors 172 and 173 on the back surface of the microcontroller 170, the wiring length between the microcontroller 170 and the path capacitors 172 and 173 can be made as short as possible, so that a noise tolerance can be ensured.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, in the first system area RL1 of the motor surface 321 of the daughter substrate 32, a capacitor 113, a choke coil 114, a torque filter circuit 177, a CAN driver 178, and peripheral elements 179, etc. are mounted. In the second system area RL2 of the motor surface 321 of the daughter substrate 32, a capacitor 213, a choke coil 214, a torque filter circuit 277, a CAN driver 278, and peripheral elements 279, etc. are mounted. On the motor surface 321 of the daughter substrate 32, the capacitor 113 and the choke coil 114, etc. are mounted in the power areas Rp1 and Rp2, and the torque filter circuits 177 and 277, the CAN drivers 178 and 278, and the peripheral elements 179 and 279, etc. are mounted in the control areas Rc1 and Rc2. No electronic components are mounted on the connector surface 322 of the daughter substrate 32. That is, the parent substrate 31 is a double-sided mount, and the daughter substrate 32 is a single-sided mount.

[0054] In this embodiment, among the components constituting the torque filter circuits 177 and 277, transistors and some capacitors are dispersed and mounted on the connector surface 312 of the parent substrate 31, and the remaining capacitors are mounted on the motor surface 321 of the daughter substrate 32. The peripheral elements 179 and 279 include capacitors for noise removal, etc.

[0055] In the present embodiment, in the parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32, the first system region RL1 and the second system region RL2 are divided into regions by the substrate center line C, and components are arranged substantially line-symmetrically with respect to the substrate center line C. Further, in the connector unit 50, when projected in the axial direction, the connectors 152 and 156 related to the first system L1 and the connectors 252 and 262 related to the second system L2 are arranged with their breadths line-symmetrically with respect to the substrate center line C. Note that not limited to strict line symmetry, for example, even when the element positions are shifted as necessary due to wiring patterns or for the purpose of avoiding interference with other members, it shall be included in the concept of "line symmetry".

[0056] Also, in the parent substrate 31, both the first system region RL1 and the second system region RL2 are separated into a power region Rp1, PR2 through which a relatively large motor current for energizing the motor 80 flows and a control region Rc1, Rc2 through which no motor current flows and through which a control current relatively smaller than the motor current flows. Similarly for the child substrate 32, both the first system region RL1 and the second system region RL2 are separated into a power region Rp1, Rp2 and a control region Rc1, Rc2. In each of the substrates 31 and 32, the power regions Rp1 and Rp2 are substantially line-symmetric with respect to the substrate center line C. Similarly, in each of the substrates 31 and 32, the control regions Rc1 and Rc2 are substantially line-symmetric with respect to the substrate center line C.

[0057] The power regions Rp1 and Rp2 are regions extending toward the power system connection components 141 and 241, and the control regions Rc1 and Rc2 are regions extending toward the signal system connection components 146 and 246. In the vehicle connectors 152 and 252, the wiring patterns to which the power terminals 153 and 253 constituting the power connectors are connected are included in the power regions Rp1 and Rp2 and are connected to the power system connection components 141 and 241. Also, in the vehicle connectors 152 and 252, the wiring patterns to which the communication signal terminals 154 and 254 constituting the communication connectors are connected are included in the control regions Rc1 and Rc2 and are connected to the signal system connection components 146 and 246. In the steering connectors 156 and 256, the wiring patterns connected to the signal terminals 157 and 257 are included in the control regions Rc1 and Rc2 and are connected to the signal system connection components 146 and 246.

[0058] That is, the vehicle connectors 152 and 252 are hybrid connectors in which the widths of the power connector and the communication connector are integrated, but on the daughter board 32, they are separated into the power regions Rp1 and Rp2 and the control regions Rc1 and Rc2. Also, the steering connectors 156 and 256 have different widths from the communication connector, but common signal system connection components 146 and 246 are used for the connection between the boards 31 and 32.

[0059] The CAN drivers 178 and 278 and the CAN driver peripheral elements 179 and 279 are arranged as close as possible to the communication signal terminals 154 and 254 and along the communication signal terminals 154 and 254. In other words, no other electronic components are mounted between the communication signal terminals 154 and 254 and the CAN drivers 178 and 278 and the CAN driver peripheral elements 179 and 279. Thereby, the influence of noise and the like can be reduced and appropriate communication can be performed.

[0060] As described above, the drive device 1 of the present embodiment includes a motor 80 and an ECU 10. The motor 80 has a first motor winding 180 and a second motor winding 280. The ECU 10 has a connector unit 50, a parent substrate 31, a child substrate 32, and connection components 141, 146, 241, 246, and is provided on one side in the axial direction of the motor 80.

[0061] The connector unit 50 has connectors 152, 156, 252, 256 used for connection with the outside. The parent substrate 31 is fixed to the motor frame 40. The child substrate 32 is fixed to the connector unit 50. The connection components 141, 146, 241, 246 connect the parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32.

[0062] On the parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32, a first system area RL1 where electronic components related to the energization control of the first motor winding 180 are mounted and a second system area RL2 where electronic components related to the energization control of the second motor winding 280 are mounted are separated by the substrate center line C. Also, in the first system area RL1 and the second system area RL2, a power area Rp1, Rp2 where a motor current supplied to the motor 80 flows and a control area Rc1, Rp2 where a control current relatively smaller than the motor current flows are separated.

[0063] Here, the power areas Rp1, Rp2 and the control areas Rc1, Rc2 do not necessarily need to be linearly separated. On the substrates 31, 32, an area where power components are intensively mounted is defined as the power area Rp, and an area where control components are intensively mounted at a location different from the power area Rp is defined as the control area Rc, as long as the areas are separated. Although not shown in the figure, the power areas Rp1, Rp2 may be collectively regarded as the power area Rp, and the control areas Rc1, Rc2 may be collectively regarded as the control area Rc.

[0064] In this embodiment, by using two substrates, a parent substrate 31 and a child substrate 32, the mounting area can be secured. Further, in each of the parent substrate 31 and the child substrate 32, by dividing the first system region RL1 and the second system region RL2, and by dividing the power region Rp and the control region Rc, components can be appropriately arranged. Also, by arranging each element so that the wiring length is as short as possible, voltage drop can be made difficult to occur, and noise tolerance can be ensured.

[0065] The connectors include a power connector connected to a power source, a communication connector connected to the vehicle communication network 99, and steering system connectors 156, 256 connected to the torque sensor 93. In this embodiment, vehicle system connectors 152, 252 in which the power connector and the communication connector are integrated are provided. On the child substrate 32, CAN drivers 178, 278 which are communication elements related to communication are mounted adjacent to communication signal terminals 154, 254 which constitute the communication connector. Thereby, appropriate communication can be performed with the vehicle communication network 99. In particular, it is effective when the vehicle communication network 99 is CAN.

[0066] The connection components include a first power system connection component 141, a second power system connection component 241, a first signal system connection component 146, and a second signal system connection component 246. The first power system connection component 141 connects the power region Rp1 of the parent substrate 31 and the power region Rp1 of the child substrate 32 in the first system region RL1. The second power system connection component 241 connects the power region Rp2 of the parent substrate 31 and the power region Rp2 of the child substrate 32 in the second system region RL2. The first signal system connection component 146 connects the control region Rc1 of the parent substrate 31 and the control region Rc1 of the child substrate 32 in the first system region RL1. The second signal system connection component 246 connects the control region Rc2 of the parent substrate 31 and the control region Rc2 of the child substrate 32 in the second system region RL2.

[0067] The first power system connection component 141 and the second power system connection component 241 are provided symmetrically with respect to the substrate center line C. The first signal system connection component 146 and the second signal system connection component 246 are provided symmetrically with respect to the substrate center line C. Thereby, the power regions Rp and the control regions Rc of the substrates 31 and 32 can be appropriately connected.

[0068] Microcontrollers 170 and 270 are mounted on the control regions Rc1 and Rc2 on one surface of the parent substrate 31 (connector surface 312 in this embodiment). Also, on the other surface of the parent substrate 31 (motor surface 311 in this embodiment), on the control regions Rc1 and Rc2 on the back side of the microcontrollers 170 and 270, passives 172, 173, 272, and 273 are mounted. In this embodiment, by arranging the microcontrollers 170 and 270 and the integrated circuit portions 175 and 275 offset from each other, space is secured on the back side of the microcontrollers 170 and 270. Also, the microcontrollers 170 and 270 of this embodiment are mounted on the parent substrate 31 by a ball grid array, and by mounting the passives 172, 173, 272, and 273 for noise removal on the back surface, the wiring length can be made as short as possible. Thereby, the noise tolerance can be ensured.

[0069] In the embodiment, the ECU 10 corresponds to the "control unit", the motor frame 840 corresponds to the "motor housing", the power system connection components 141, 241 and the signal system connection components 146, 246 correspond to the "connection components", the vehicle system connectors 152, 252 correspond to the "power connector" and the "communication connector", the torque sensor 93 corresponds to the "sensor", the steering system connectors 156, 256 correspond to the "sensor connector", the vehicle communication network 99 corresponds to the "communication network", the CAN drivers 178, 278 correspond to the "communication element", the microcontrollers 170, 270 correspond to the "control circuit component", and the passives 172, 173, 272, 273 correspond to the "capacitor".

[0070] Also, the parent substrate 31 corresponds to the "main substrate", and the child substrate 32 corresponds to the "substrate". Here, for the sake of distinguishing the two substrates, they are referred to as "main" and "sub" for convenience, but they do not necessarily have to be in a functional main-sub relationship.

[0071] (Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the power connector connected to the vehicle power supply and the ground and the communication connector connected to the vehicle communication network are integrated. In other embodiments, the power connector and the communication connector may be separate. Also, the type and number of connectors can be arbitrarily set, and the frontages may be provided separately or in any combination. Further, in the above embodiment, the frontages of the connectors are provided separately for each system. In other embodiments, the frontages of the connectors may not be divided by system, and one frontage may be shared by two systems.

[0072] In the above embodiment, by providing the extension member, the control unit is formed to extend outside the motor shroud. In other embodiments, the extension member may be omitted, and the control unit may be housed within the motor shroud.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the steering device is an electric power steering device. In other embodiments, the steering device may be a steer-by-wire device, and the drive device may be used as a steering device for steering the wheels or as a reaction force device for applying a reaction force to the steering wheel. Also, the drive device may be applied to a device other than the steering device. As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1 ··· Drive device 10 ··· ECU (Control unit) 31 ··· Mother board (Main board) 32 ··· Daughter board (Sub-board) 141, 241 ··· Power system connection components (Connection components) 146, 246 ··· Signal system connection components (Connection components) 50 ··· Connector unit 152, 252 ··· Vehicle system connectors (Power connector, Communication connector) 156, 256 ··· Steering system connectors (Sensor connectors) 80 ··· Motor 840 ··· Motor Frame (Motor Housing)

Claims

1. A motor (80) having a first motor winding (180) and a second motor winding (280), a connector unit (50) having connectors (152, 156, 252, 256) used for connection to the outside, a main board (31) fixed to a motor housing (840), a sub-board (32) fixed to the connector unit, and connection components (141, 146, 241, 246) connecting the main board and the sub-board, and a control unit (10) provided on one axial side of the motor; comprising: the main board and the sub-board are such that a first system area on which electronic components related to energization control of the first motor winding are mounted and a second system area on which electronic components related to energization control of the second motor winding are mounted are separated by a board center line; in the first system area and the second system area, a power area which is an area through which a motor current for energizing the motor flows and a control area which is an area through which a control current relatively smaller than the motor current flows are separated; in the main board and the sub-board, when one board outer peripheral area on one side in the direction along the board center line is one end portion and the other board outer peripheral area on the other side is the other end portion, in each of the first system area and the second system area, the power area is an area including the one end portion and extending toward the other end portion side, and the control area is an area including the other end portion and extending toward the one end portion side, a drive device.

2. the connectors include power connectors (152, 252) connected to a power source, communication connectors (152, 252) connected to a communication network (99), and sensor connectors (156, 256) connected to a sensor (93), the drive device according to claim 1, wherein communication elements related to communication are mounted on the sub-board adjacent to communication signal terminals (154, 254) provided on the communication connectors.

3. the connection components include in the first system area, a first power system connection component (141) connecting the power area of the main board and the power area of the sub-board; in the second system area, a second power system connection component (241) connecting the power area of the main board and the power area of the sub-board. In the first system area, a first signal system connection component (146) that connects the control area of the main substrate and the control area of the sub-substrate, and, In the second system area, it includes a second signal system connection component (246) that connects the control area of the main substrate and the control area of the sub-substrate, The first power system connection component and the second power system connection component are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the substrate center line, The drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first signal system connection component and the second signal system connection component are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the substrate center line.

4. Control circuit components (170, 270) are mounted in the control area on one surface of the main substrate in the control area, The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein capacitors (172, 173, 272, 273) are mounted on the back side of the control circuit components in the control area on the other surface of the main substrate.

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