Electronic control unit

Abstract

As one mode of an electronic control device (E1) according to the present invention, for example noise filter capacitors (53m) (53s) and smoothing capacitors (54m) (54s), which are capacitors occupying a relatively large mounting area, are disposed not on a circuit board (30) but rather on a second side surface (412) of a connector base (41). This makes it possible to reduce the mounting area of the circuit board (30) by the amount of the noise filter capacitors (53m) (53s) and the smoothing capacitors (54m) (54s) disposed on the connector base (41), making it possible to miniaturize the electronic control device (E1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a conventional electronic control device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

[0003] Briefly explained, this electronic control device constitutes a so-called redundant system (dual system), and a smoothing capacitor that constitutes one of the power modules of the dual system is arranged on the outer surface of a bus bar holder arranged so as to overlap with a control board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional electronic control device, while the number of connector ports increases due to the configuration of the redundant system, the arrangement area of the connectors decreases due to the mounting of so-called filter components such as the smoothing capacitor. As a result, there remains room for improvement in terms of the drawback of miniaturization of the device.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the technical problems of the conventional electronic control device, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic control device capable of achieving miniaturization of the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a capacitor is mounted on a second side surface of a connector base facing a power conversion circuit module or a power conversion circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize electronic control devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electronic control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure corresponds to Figure 2, showing another example of the first embodiment of this present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along line CC in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electronic control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the DD line. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line EE. [Figure 10] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the FF line. [Figure 11] This figure corresponds to Figure 9, showing a first modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure corresponds to Figure 9, showing a second modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic control device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the electronic control device according to the present invention is applied to a motor unit mounted on an electric power steering system for an automobile, and in particular a power steering system having a redundant system (a dual system in this embodiment). Furthermore, most of the electronic components constituting the redundant system will be described by adding "m" or "s" to the end of their reference numerals.

[0011] [First Embodiment] (Configuration of electronic control unit) Figure 1 shows an electronic control device E1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the motor unit MU, which is formed by integrally configuring the electronic control device E1 and the motor M, and is cut along the rotation axis Z direction of the motor M. For the purposes of this explanation of Figure 1, the side in the axial direction where the motor M is located will be referred to as the "first end side Z1", and the side where the electronic control device E1 is located will be referred to as the "second end side Z2".

[0012] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the electronic control device E1 according to this embodiment is arranged in series with the second end Z2 of the motor M, which is the object to be controlled, and is configured as a so-called electromechanical unit, integrated with the motor M. The motor unit MU, consisting of this electronic control device E1 and the motor M, is mounted on a power steering device (not shown) to generate an assist torque corresponding to the input torque input from a steering wheel (not shown), thereby assisting the driver's steering operation.

[0013] The motor M is, for example, a three-phase AC brushless motor, comprising a motor housing 10 formed in a generally cylindrical shape, a motor element (not shown) housed inside the motor housing 10, and a motor rotating shaft 11 that is rotationally driven by the motor element. Power and drive control signals are supplied to the motor M via an electronic control device E1 attached to the motor M, and the motor M is driven and controlled based on the power and drive control signals supplied via the electronic control device E1.

[0014] The motor housing 10 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape from a metal material with relatively excellent heat dissipation properties, such as an aluminum alloy material, and has an accommodation space inside that extends along the axial direction and has a substantially circular cross-section. Further, at the end of the motor housing 10 facing the electronic control device E1, an ECU connection portion 101 having a reduced diameter formed in a stepped shape toward the first end side Z1 is provided. The ECU connection portion 101 is fixed by fitting the first housing 21 of the ECU housing 20, which will be described later.

[0015] Note that since the motor element (not shown) accommodated in the motor housing 10 has a well-known configuration, specific illustration thereof is omitted. However, it has a stator in which a coil (a three-phase winding of U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase) is wound around an iron core (teeth), and a cylindrical rotor that is rotatably accommodated on the inner peripheral side of the stator with a predetermined gap therebetween and has a plurality of permanent magnets provided on the outer peripheral side such that the magnetic poles alternate in the circumferential direction.

[0016] One end side (the first end side Z1) in the axial direction of the motor rotating shaft 11 is connected to a steering shaft or a rack shaft of the power steering device (not shown) via a reduction mechanism (for example, a worm gear) not shown. On the other hand, a well-known sensor magnet MG is attached to the end of the other end side (the second end side Z2) of the motor rotating shaft 11, and the rotation position (rotation angle) of the motor rotating shaft 11 is detected via this sensor magnet MG.

[0017] The electronic control device E1 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the motor M, and is connected to the second end side Z2 of the motor M. Specifically, the electronic control device E1 includes an ECU housing 20 as a housing attached to the end of the second end side Z2 of the motor housing 10, a circuit module 3 accommodated in an accommodation space S formed in the ECU housing 20, and a connector module 4 connected to the circuit module 3 and supplying power to a power conversion circuit (not shown), which will be described later.

[0018] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a power conversion circuit (not shown) and a control circuit (not shown) are provided on a single circuit board 30 in a single circuit module 3. However, the power conversion circuit may be formed on a power conversion circuit board (not shown) that is provided separately (independently) from the control board on which the control circuit (not shown) is formed.

[0019] The ECU housing 20 includes a first housing 21, which is a mounting base that fits and is fixed to the end of the second end side Z2 of the motor housing 10, and a second housing 22, which is a cover that fits and is attached to the second end side Z2 of the first housing 21.

[0020] The first housing 21 is formed in a generally disc shape from a metal material and functions as a mounting base for the circuit board 30, as well as a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the electronic components mounted on the circuit board 30. A first sealing member S1, such as an O-ring, is interposed between the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, and the outer surface of the first housing 21 and the inner surface of the second housing 22 are sealed liquid-tight by the first sealing member S1.

[0021] The second housing 22 is made of a metal or synthetic resin material and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with one end (first end side Z1) open in the axial direction and the other end (second end side Z2) closed. Specifically, the second housing 22 has an opening 23 that opens to the first end side Z1, a bottom wall 24 that closes the second end side Z2, and a cylindrical side wall 25 that rises approximately vertically from the outer edge of the bottom wall 24 and extends to the first end side Z1. Furthermore, the bottom wall 24 of the second housing 22 has a connector insertion hole 26 through which the first connector port 421 and the second connector port 422 of the connector module 4, described later, pass, allowing the first connector port 421 and the second connector port 422 to face the outside.

[0022] Furthermore, an annular second sealing member S2, such as an O-ring, is interposed between the second housing 22 and the connector base 41 of the connector module 4 (described later) in the area on the outer circumference of the connector insertion hole 26. In other words, the second sealing member S2 prevents foreign matter from entering the second housing 22 from the outside through the connector insertion hole 26.

[0023] The circuit module 3 consists of a single multilayer printed circuit board 30 that is roughly disc-shaped. On the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30 facing the connector module 4, an inverter circuit, which is a power conversion circuit (not shown), is configured. Various electronic components, such as a plurality of switching elements 31 that constitute the inverter circuit and a pre-driver 32 as a drive circuit component that drives and controls the switching elements 31, are mounted on each of the three-phase windings of the motor M as a drive system capable of driving the motor M. On the other hand, on the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30 facing the motor M, a motor control circuit (not shown) is configured, which includes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcontroller") 33 that controls the drive of the motor M, as well as a power relay 34 for supplying power, a signal relay 35 for inputting external signals, and a rotation angle sensor 36 for detecting the rotation angle of the motor rotation shaft 11. Furthermore, the motor control circuit (not shown) formed on the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30 is connected to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase connection terminals (winding terminals) that connect to the motor M: U-phase connection terminal 12u, V-phase connection terminal 12v, and W-phase connection terminal 12w.

[0024] The connector module 4 includes a generally disc-shaped connector base 41 housed inside the second housing 22, and a plurality of connector openings, namely the first connector opening 421 and the second connector opening 422, which protrude from the first side surface 411 (the end face on the second end side Z2) of the connector base 41 facing the bottom wall 24 of the second housing 22. The connector base 41 and the first and second connector openings 421 and 422 are integrally formed from a synthetic resin material.

[0025] The connector base 41 embeds a portion of the power lines 61, CAN communication lines 62, and sensor signal lines 63 that are exposed to the outside of the second housing 22 via the first connector port 421 and the second connector port 422, and introduces them into the housing space S within the ECU housing 20. The connector base 41 is fixed to the first housing 21 together with the circuit board 30 by fastening members (not shown), such as screws. A plurality of switching elements 51, a plurality of noise filter coils 52, a plurality of noise filter capacitors 53, and a plurality of smoothing capacitors 54 are arranged on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41 facing the circuit board 30. Although not shown, the smoothing capacitors 54 may be held by a well-known capacitor holder.

[0026] The first connector port 421 and the second connector port 422 are exposed to the outside of the second housing 22 and are used for connecting to power supplies and various communication lines (not shown). Specifically, the first connector port 421 has a relatively large rectangular opening and a rectangular shape through which the flat power terminal 611 of the power line 61 connected to the circuit board 30 and the CAN communication terminal 621 of the CAN communication line 62 are inserted. On the other hand, the second connector port 422 has a relatively small rectangular opening and a rectangular shape through which various sensor signal lines 63, such as steering angle sensors and torque sensors (not shown), are inserted.

[0027] Here, the power line 61 is composed of a pair of metal busbars, having a P-side busbar 61p and an N-side busbar 61n. The P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n each have a flattened shape with a relatively wide P-side first planar portion 61p1 and N-side first planar portion 61n1, and a relatively narrow P-side second planar portion 61p2 and N-side second planar portion 61n2, and are arranged parallel to each other. The P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are mainly composed of three parts by being bent in the middle, having a P-side connector connection terminal 611p and N-side connector connection terminal 611n, a P-side embedded portion 612p and N-side embedded portion 612n, and a P-side board connection portion 613p and N-side board connection portion 613n.

[0028] The P-side connector terminal 611p and the N-side connector terminal 611n extend linearly from the first side surface 411 of the connector base 41 in a direction perpendicular to the connector base 41 and are exposed to the outside from the first connector opening 421. The P-side embedded portion 612p and the N-side embedded portion 612n bend at approximately a right angle to the P-side connector terminal 611p and the N-side connector terminal 611n, extend linearly inside the connector base 41 parallel to the connector base 41 and are embedded inside the connector base 41. The P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n bend at approximately a right angle to the P-side embedded portion 612p and the N-side embedded portion 612n, extend linearly from the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41 in a direction perpendicular to the connector base 41 and are connected to the circuit board 30.

[0029] Here, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are configured such that relatively wide planar sections face each other, namely the P-side first planar section 61p1 and the N-side first planar section 61n1. On the other hand, the P-side buried section 612p and the N-side buried section 612n are configured such that relatively narrow planar sections face each other, namely the P-side second planar section 61p2 and the N-side second planar section 61n2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first region Q1 where the P-side first planar section 61p1 and the N-side first planar section 61n1 face each other is longer than the second region Q2 where the P-side second planar section 61p2 and the N-side second planar section 61n2 face each other.

[0030] Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the main parts of Figure 1, specifically the vicinity of the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 also shows another example of the enlarged view of the main parts of Figure 1 shown in Figure 2.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, in the electronic control device E1 according to this embodiment, the smoothing capacitor 54, which is located on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, and the switching element 31, which is located on the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30, are arranged facing each other in close proximity. Furthermore, in the region adjacent to the smoothing capacitor 54 and the switching element 31, the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n are arranged facing each other in close proximity. Thus, in this embodiment, the smoothing capacitor 54 located on the connector base 41 and the switching element 31 located on the circuit board 30 are arranged with the smallest possible distance between them, and the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n are arranged with the smallest possible distance between them in positions close to the smoothing capacitor 54 and the switching element 31.

[0032] In other words, in this embodiment, the wiring length X of the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n is shortened as much as possible, thereby shortening the distance between the smoothing capacitor 54 and the switching element 31 as much as possible. As a result, the switching time of each switching element 31 is shortened, and the heat generated by the switching of each switching element 31 is reduced.

[0033] In this embodiment, considering the reduction of the mounting area of ​​the smoothing capacitor 54 at the connector base 41, an example is shown in which the smoothing capacitor 54 is arranged vertically (with its longitudinal direction parallel to the rotation axis Z of the motor M, i.e., perpendicular to the connector base 41), as shown in Figure 2. However, the embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, the smoothing capacitor 54 may be arranged horizontally (with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Z of the motor M, i.e., parallel to the connector base 41), as shown in Figure 3. In this case, depending on the relationship with other electronic components, it may be possible to further narrow the distance between the connector base 41 and the circuit board 30, which has the advantage of further shortening the wiring length X of the P-side board connection part 613p and the N-side board connection part 613n.

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along line AA in Figure 1, showing a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E1 as seen from the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the connector module 4 has multiple (pairs) of noise filter coils 52m and 52s and multiple (pairs) of noise filter capacitors 53m and 53s mounted on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, in the area to the left of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11) in Figure 4. Furthermore, multiple CAN communication line insertion holes 43 through which multiple CAN communication lines 62 are inserted and multiple sensor signal line insertion holes 44 through which multiple sensor signal lines 63 are inserted, extending axially beyond the pair of noise filter coils 52m and 52s.

[0036] Furthermore, on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of switching elements 51m, 51s are arranged in the region to the right of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11) in Figure 4. In addition, on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s are arranged outside of the switching elements 51, and a plurality of P-side busbar insertion holes 45p through which the P-side board connection portion 613p is inserted, and a pair of N-side busbar insertion holes 45n through which the N-side board connection portion 613n is inserted are arranged outside of the smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s.

[0037] Here, the P-side busbar insertion hole 45p and the N-side busbar insertion hole 45n are arranged opposite each other along the radial direction of the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, and are also arranged in close proximity to the smoothing capacitor 54. In this case, the P-side busbar insertion hole 45p and the N-side busbar insertion hole 45n are arranged such that the wide P-side first planar portion 61p1 of the P-side board connection portion 613p and the wide N-side first planar portion 61n1 of the N-side board connection portion 613n face each other, and the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1 are in close proximity to each other.

[0038] More specifically, the P-side busbar insertion hole 45p and the N-side busbar insertion hole 45n are arranged to be close together with a gap smaller than the width W1 of the relatively wider P-side first planar portion 61p1 and N-side first planar portion 61n1 of the P-side board connection portion 613p and N-side board connection portion 613n, or the width W2 of the relatively narrow P-side second planar portion 61p2 and N-side second planar portion 61n2 of the P-side board connection portion 613p and N-side board connection portion 613n.

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along the line BB in Figure 1, showing a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E1 as seen from the first surface B1 side of the circuit board 30.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, on the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30, multiple (pairs) of pre-drivers 32m and 32s are arranged radially in the area to the left of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11) in Figure 5. In addition, multiple CAN communication line insertion holes 391 through which multiple CAN communication lines 62 are inserted, and multiple sensor signal line insertion holes 392 through which multiple sensor signal lines 63 are inserted, extend axially through the circuit board 30, outside of the pair of pre-drivers 52m and 52s.

[0041] On the other hand, on the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30, in the region to the right of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation shaft 11) in Figure 5, the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2, which constitute the inverter circuit used for driving control of the three-phase motor M, are arranged in pairs, above and below the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation shaft 11), facing the smoothing capacitor 54 located on the connector base 41. Specifically, the paired first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 are arranged such that the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 are on the inside and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 are on the outside, with the switching elements related to each phase facing each other.

[0042] Furthermore, in the parallel direction of the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, and 31w1, the circuit board 30 has through-holes 37u, 37v, and 37w formed on the outside of each first switching element 31u1, 31v1, and 31w1, through which the U-phase connection terminal 12u, V-phase connection terminal 12v, and W-phase connection terminal 12w, which are three-phase (U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase) connection terminals (winding terminals) extending from the motor M side, are inserted.

[0043] Furthermore, on the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30, in an area on the outer periphery of the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 with respect to the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11), a pair of P-side busbar insertion holes 38p and N-side busbar insertion holes 38n are formed through the P-side board connection portion 613p and N-side board connection portion 613n, so as to be in close proximity to each other and facing each other, similar to the P-side busbar insertion hole 45p and N-side busbar insertion hole 45n of the connector base portion 41.

[0044] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along the CC line in Figure 1, showing a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E1 as seen from the second surface B2 side of the circuit board 30.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, on the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30, a pair of microcontrollers 33m and 33s are arranged symmetrically above and below the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11) in the area to the left of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11) in Figure 6. Furthermore, a rotation angle sensor RE is located in the center of the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30, which works in cooperation with a sensor magnet MG provided on the motor rotation axis 11 to detect the rotation phase and rotation speed of the motor rotation axis 11. In addition, a power relay 34 and a signal relay 35 are arranged adjacently along the radial direction in the area to the right of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11) on the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30 in Figure 6.

[0046] Furthermore, the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30 has empty space BS on both sides of the power relay 34 and signal relay 35 in the area to the left of the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation shaft 11) in Figure 6. This empty space BS may be used to cool the inverter circuit (not shown) formed on the second surface B2 of the circuit board 30 by bringing the inverter circuit (not shown) into contact with the first housing 21 which functions as a heat sink, or it can be used as mounting space for other electronic components (not shown).

[0047] (Effects of this embodiment) The aforementioned conventional electronic control devices have an increased number of connector ports due to the configuration of redundant systems, but because so-called filter components such as smoothing capacitors are mounted on the circuit board, the area available for placing connector ports decreases. In particular, when configuring redundant systems, the number of electronic components will be mounted in multiples of the number of systems, so a larger mounting area is required. For this reason, as with the aforementioned conventional electronic control devices, the mounting of filter components such as smoothing capacitors, which occupy a relatively large area, on the circuit board has led to obstacles to miniaturization of the electronic control device, leaving room for improvement.

[0048] In contrast, the electronic control device E1 according to this embodiment can solve the problems of the conventional electronic control device by achieving the following effects.

[0049] The electronic control device E1 is an electronic control device having a power conversion system that converts power from a power source into drive power to drive a rotating electric machine (motor M in this embodiment), and comprises a power conversion circuit module or power conversion circuit board (circuit board 30 in this embodiment) on which a power conversion circuit constituting the power conversion system is formed, a housing (ECU housing 20 in this embodiment) having a housing space S inside and housing the circuit board 30, a connector base 41 housed in the housing space S together with the circuit board 30, and a protruding part formed on the first side surface 411 of the connector base 41 and the ECU housing The connector module 4 has connector ports facing the outside of the ring 20 (in this embodiment, this corresponds to a first connector port 421 and a second connector port 422), and the connector base 41 is mounted on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41 which is on the opposite side of the first side surface 411 facing the circuit board 30, and is used for power smoothing or noise removal of the power line 61 connected from the connector port (in this embodiment, this corresponds to the first connector port 421) to the power conversion circuit (in this embodiment, this corresponds to noise filter capacitors 53m, 53s and smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s).

[0050] Thus, in this embodiment, the noise filter capacitors 53m, 53s and the smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s, which occupy a relatively large mounting area, are placed on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, rather than on the circuit board 30. This makes it possible to reduce the mounting area of ​​the circuit board 30 by the amount of the noise filter capacitors 53m, 53s and the smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s placed on the connector base 41, thereby enabling miniaturization of the electronic control device E1.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power line 61 is composed of conductive busbars (in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n), and the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are provided to pass through the inside of the connector module 4 from the connector port (in this embodiment, the first connector port 421) and face the housing space S of the ECU housing 20 from the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, and are connected to the circuit board 30, and the second side surface 412 of the connector module 4 has a condenser In addition to the capacitors (in this embodiment, noise filter capacitors 53m, 53s and smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s), other electronic components (in this embodiment, switching elements 51m, 51s and noise filter coils 52m, 52s) are mounted, and on the second side surface 412 of the connector module 4, the capacitors (in this embodiment, smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s) are positioned closer to the P-side busbar 61p and N-side busbar 61n facing the accommodation space S than the other electronic components.

[0052] Here, the inductance L between parallel flat conductors can be calculated using the formula "L (inductance) = μ (permeability) × d (distance between opposing plates) / W (width between opposing plates)". In other words, according to this formula, the smaller the distance d between the opposing flat conductors, the smaller the inductance L, and the larger the width W between the opposing flat conductors, the smaller the inductance L. Furthermore, the smaller the wiring length of the flat conductors, that is, the distance between the switching element and the filter component (capacitor) connected by the flat conductors, the smaller the inductance L.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s are positioned closer to the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n than to other electronic components such as the switching elements 51m and 51s and the noise filter coils 52m and 52s. This reduces the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, and reduces the mounting area of ​​the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, thereby contributing to further miniaturization of the electronic control unit E1.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power line 61 is composed of conductive busbars (in this embodiment, a P-side busbar 61p and an N-side busbar 61n), and the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are provided so as to pass through the inside of the connector module 4 from the connector port (in this embodiment, the first connector port 421) and face the housing space S of the ECU housing 20 from the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, and are connected to the circuit board 30, and the power conversion circuit has a plurality of switching elements, and the circuit board 30 has a plurality of switching elements (in this embodiment, the first switching element 31u Other electronic components (in this embodiment, multiple pre-drivers 32m, 32s) are mounted together with the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2. On the second side surface 412 of the connector module 4, at least one of the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 is positioned closer to the exposed wiring portions of the P-side busbar 61p and N-side busbar 61n facing the housing space S (in this embodiment, the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n) than the other electronic components.

[0055] Thus, in this embodiment, at least one of the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 is positioned closer to the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n than other electronic components such as pre-drivers 32m, 32s. This makes it possible to shorten the wiring length X between the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 and the smoothing capacitors 54m, 54s, thereby reducing the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n.

[0056] Furthermore, by reducing the inductance L of the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, the switching time of the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 can be shortened. As a result, heat generation in the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 is reduced, and the cooling structure for cooling the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 can be simplified. In this way, the reduction in the inductance L of the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, along with the shortening of the switching time, contributes to further miniaturization of the electronic control device E1.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power line 61 has a P-side busbar 61p and an N-side busbar 61n, and the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n have exposed wiring portions facing the housing space S (in this embodiment, the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n) that are arranged facing each other.

[0058] As described above, in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are arranged facing each other. This makes it possible to shorten the distance d between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, and to reduce the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n. As a result, the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s can be made smaller, and the electronic control unit E1 can be made smaller more effectively.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are wirings formed in a wide, flat shape, and the wide side surfaces (corresponding to the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1 in this embodiment) are arranged to face each other.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are composed of wiring formed in a wide, flat shape, and the wide side surfaces, the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1, are arranged to face each other. This reduces the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, allowing for miniaturization of the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s. As a result, the electronic control unit E1 can be miniaturized more effectively.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n face each other at a distance closer than the width dimension (corresponding to the width W1 of the first planar portion 61p1 on the P side and the first planar portion 61n1 on the N side in this embodiment) or the thickness dimension (corresponding to the width W2 of the second planar portion 61p2 on the P side and the second planar portion 61n2 on the N side in this embodiment).

[0062] Thus, in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n face each other at a distance shorter than the width W1 of the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1, or the width W2 of the P-side second planar portion 61p2 and the N-side second planar portion 61n2. This effectively reduces the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, allowing for further miniaturization of the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s. As a result, the electronic control unit E1 can be miniaturized even more effectively.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance X1 between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n in the section where the wide sides face each other (in this embodiment, the first region Q1 where the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1 face each other) is longer than the distance X2 between the section where the wide sides do not face each other (the second region Q2 where the P-side second planar portion 61p2 and the N-side second planar portion 61n2 face each other).

[0064] Thus, in this embodiment, the distance X1 of the first region Q1 where the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1 face each other is longer than the distance X2 of the second region Q2 where the P-side second planar portion 61p2 and the N-side second planar portion 61n2 face each other. In this way, by setting the distance X1 of the first region Q1 where the P-side first planar portion 61p1 and the N-side first planar portion 61n1 face each other to be relatively long, the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n can be reduced compared to the case where the distance X2 of the second region Q2 where the P-side second planar portion 61p2 and the N-side second planar portion 61n2 face each other is relatively long.

[0065] [Second Embodiment] Figures 7 to 10 show a second embodiment of the electronic control device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the power line 61, i.e., the P-side busbar 61p and N-side busbar 61n, of the electronic control device E1 according to the first embodiment has been changed. Note that the basic configuration other than these changes is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0066] Figure 7 shows an electronic control device E2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the motor unit MU, which is formed by integrally configuring the electronic control device E2 and the motor M, cut along the rotation axis Z direction of the motor M. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view cut along the DD line in Figure 7, and shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E2 as seen from the second side surface 412 side of the connector base 41. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view cut along the EE line in Figure 7, and shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E2 as seen from the first surface B1 side of the circuit board 30. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along the FF line in Figure 7, and shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E2 as seen from the second surface B2 side of the circuit board 30.

[0067] As shown in Figures 7 to 10, in the electronic control device E2 according to this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p has multiple P-side branch sections 613px at the P-side board connection section 613p, and the N-side busbar 61n has multiple N-side branch sections 613nx at the N-side board connection section 613n. The P-side branch section 613px and the N-side branch section 613nx are configured to have relatively wide planar sections facing each other, that is, the first P-side planar section 61p1 and the first N-side planar section 61n1.

[0068] Furthermore, on the second side surface 412 of the connector base 41, outside of the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s, are arranged multiple P-side busbar insertion holes 45p through which the P-side branch portion 613px of the P-side board connection portion 613p is inserted, and multiple N-side busbar insertion holes 45n through which the N-side branch portion 613nx of the N-side board connection portion 613n is inserted. Here, the P-side busbar insertion holes 45p and the N-side busbar insertion holes 45n are provided in pairs in an alternating pattern along the outer edge of the circuit board 30.

[0069] In other words, in this embodiment, the multiple P-side branch sections 613px and N-side branch sections 613nx are not arranged in groups of one P-side branch section 613px and one N-side branch section 613nx, respectively, but rather are arranged alternately so that pairs of P-side branch sections 613px and N-side branch sections 613nx are adjacent to each other.

[0070] Furthermore, the P-side busbar insertion hole 38p and the N-side busbar insertion hole 38n are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment, such that the P-side substrate connection portion 613p (P-side branch portion 613px) and the N-side substrate connection portion 613n (N-side branch portion 613nx) are positioned close together with a gap smaller than the width W1 of the relatively wider P-side first planar portion 61p1 and N-side first planar portion 61n1 of the P-side substrate connection portion 613p (P-side branch portion 613px) and N-side substrate connection portion 613n (N-side branch portion 613nx), or the width W2 of the relatively narrow P-side second planar portion 61p2 and N-side second planar portion 61n2 of the P-side substrate connection portion 613p (P-side branch portion 613px) and N-side substrate connection portion 613n (N-side branch portion 613nx).

[0071] Furthermore, on the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30, the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 are arranged in a staggered pattern, with the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 on the inside and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 on the outside. In addition, on the outside of each second switching element 31u2, 31v2, 31w2, through-holes 37u, 37v, and 37w are formed in a through-state, through which the U-phase connection terminal 12u, V-phase connection terminal 12v, and W-phase connection terminal 12w, which are the connection terminals (winding terminals) for the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase connected to the motor M, are inserted.

[0072] Furthermore, on the first surface B1 of the circuit board 30, in the region on the outer periphery of the first switching elements 31u1, 31v1, 31w1 and the second switching elements 31u2, 31v2, 31w2 with respect to the rotation axis Z of the motor M (motor rotation axis 11), a plurality of P-side busbar insertion holes 38p and N-side busbar insertion holes 38n are formed in pairs along the outer edge of the circuit board 30, corresponding to the P-side busbar insertion hole 45p and N-side busbar insertion hole 45n of the connector base 41, through which the P-side branch portion 613px and N-side branch portion 613nx are inserted.

[0073] In other words, in this embodiment, the multiple P-side branch sections 613px and N-side branch sections 613nx are not arranged in groups of one P-side branch section 613px and one N-side branch section 613nx, but rather are arranged alternately so that pairs of P-side branch sections 613px and N-side branch sections 613nx are adjacent to each other.

[0074] As described above, in this embodiment, the power line 61 has a P-side busbar 61p and an N-side busbar 61n. The P-side busbar 61p has multiple P-side branch sections 613px branched into an exposed wiring section facing the housing space S (corresponding to the P-side board connection section 613p in this embodiment), and the N-side busbar 61n has multiple N-side branch sections 613nx branched into an exposed wiring section facing the housing space S (corresponding to the N-side board connection section 613n in this embodiment). The P-side branch sections 613px and the N-side branch sections 613nx are arranged alternately.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n are provided with P-side branch sections 613px and N-side branch sections 613nx, respectively, and these P-side branch sections 613px and N-side branch sections 613nx are arranged alternately. This increases the opposing area between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n, and reduces the inductance L between the P-side busbar 61p and the N-side busbar 61n. As a result, the smoothing capacitors 54m and 54s can be miniaturized, and the electronic control unit E1 can be miniaturized more effectively.

[0076] In this embodiment, the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n are each branched into eight P-side branch portions 613px and eight N-side branch portions 613nx, and an example is shown in which these eight P-side branch portions 613px and eight N-side branch portions 613nx are arranged in an arc shape along the outer edge of the connector base portion 41 and the circuit board 30, respectively. However, the configuration of the P-side branch portions 613px and eight N-side branch portions 613nx is not limited to the eight branch configurations or the arc shape along the outer edge, and any number of branches and any configuration can be adopted depending on the specifications of the electronic control device E2, for example, as shown in the following modified examples.

[0077] (First variation) Figure 11 shows a first modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E21 corresponding to the EE line cross-section in Figure 7.

[0078] As shown in Figure 11, the P-side branch 613px and the N-side branch 613nx may be arranged linearly along the radial direction in the central part of the circuit board 30.

[0079] (Second variation) Figure 12 shows a second modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control device E22 corresponding to the EE line cross-section in Figure 7.

[0080] As shown in Figure 12, the P-side board connection portion 613p and the N-side board connection portion 613n may be branched into two P-side branch portions 613px and N-side branch portions 613nx, which is fewer than the eight branch configurations in the second embodiment. In this case, the P-side branch portions 613px and N-side branch portions 613nx may be arranged in pairs facing each other, and the P-side branch portions 613px and N-side branch portions 613nx may be arranged in a so-called V-shape along the outer edge of the circuit board 30.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the configurations and aspects exemplified in the embodiments described above, and can be freely modified according to the specifications and cost of the electronic control device to which the present invention is applied, as long as it can achieve the effects and advantages of the present invention described above.

[0082] In particular, the present invention only requires that capacitors, which require a relatively large mounting area compared to other electronic components, be placed on the connector module side, and other electronic components can be arbitrarily placed on the connector module or circuit board. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the shapes of the P-side busbar 61p and N-side busbar 61n that constitute the power line 61 can also be arbitrarily changed according to the power conversion circuit configured on the circuit board.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which the inverter circuit, which is a power conversion circuit, is formed on a power conversion circuit board (circuit board 30). However, the inverter circuit may also be formed in a so-called power conversion circuit module, which is packaged together with other functional elements along with the power conversion functional element.

[0084] (Other technical ideas) The technical ideas other than those described in the claims are described below. (a) The electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned power line is composed of conductive busbars, The busbar is provided so as to pass through the connector port, through the inside of the connector module, and face the housing space of the housing from the second side of the connector base, and is connected to the power conversion circuit module. The aforementioned power conversion circuit module is an electronic component packaged with other functional elements along with the power conversion functional element. On the second side of the connector module, the power conversion functional element within the package is positioned closer to the exposed wiring portion of the busbar facing the housing space than the other functional elements. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (b) The electronic control device according to claim 1, The power conversion system is a power conversion system having the power conversion circuit module, The system includes a microcomputer that controls the power conversion circuit module, or a control board equipped with a drive circuit component that outputs a drive signal to the power conversion circuit module. The aforementioned power line is composed of conductive busbars, The busbar is provided so as to pass through the connector port, through the inside of the connector module, and face the housing space of the housing from the second side of the connector base, and is connected to the power conversion circuit module and the control board. On the second side of the connector module, the power conversion circuit module is positioned closer to the exposed wiring portion of the busbar facing the housing space than the electronic components mounted on the control board. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (c) An electronic control device according to claim 1, On the second side of the connector module, a capacitor and coil component for noise reduction are mounted together with the capacitor for power smoothing, thereby forming a noise filter circuit. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (d) The electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned rotating electric machine has at least a plurality of windings, The power conversion circuit system is a power conversion system that supplies drive power to each winding, The connector port, the capacitor, and the power conversion circuit are configured as a power supply system for each winding. The rotating electric machine can be driven by energizing the corresponding windings using at least one power supply system. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (e) The electronic control device according to claim 1, The power line is composed of conductive busbars made of aluminum, The first end of the busbar is located inside the connector opening. The intermediate portion of the busbar passes through the inside of the connector module, The second end of the busbar faces the housing space of the housing from the second side surface of the connector base and is located in the housing space. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (f) An electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned rotating electric machine has at least a plurality of windings, The power conversion circuit system is a power conversion system that supplies drive power to each winding, The connector port, the capacitor, and the power conversion circuit are configured as a power supply system for each winding. The power conversion circuit is formed on the power conversion circuit board, The power conversion circuit board is a board on which control circuit components including a microcomputer and drive circuit components that output a drive support signal to the power conversion circuit based on the calculation processing results of the microcomputer are mounted. The power conversion circuit components, control circuit components, and drive circuit components of the power conversion circuit are provided on the substrate as a drive system capable of driving the rotating electric machine for each winding, At least the power conversion component, the microcomputer, and some of the drive circuit components are arranged symmetrically on the substrate between the drive systems in terms of geometric structure. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (g) The electronic control device described in (f) above, The aforementioned substrate is a single multilayer printed circuit board. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (h) The electronic control device according to claim 1, A capacitor holder for holding the capacitor is provided on the second side surface at the mounting position of the capacitor related to power smoothing. An electronic control device characterized by the following features. (i) The electronic control device described in (h) above, The capacitor is held in the capacitor holder such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the rotation axis of the rotating electric machine. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

Claims

1. An electronic control device having a power conversion system that converts power from a power source into drive power to drive a rotating electric machine, A power conversion circuit module or power conversion circuit board having a power conversion circuit formed on it that constitutes the power conversion system, A housing having an internal storage space for housing the power conversion circuit module or the power conversion circuit board, A connector module having a connector base that is housed in the housing space together with the power conversion circuit module or the power conversion circuit board, and a connector port that protrudes from the first side surface of the connector base and faces the outside of the housing, A capacitor is mounted on the second side of the connector base, which is on the opposite side of the first side, and is used for power smoothing or noise reduction of the power line connected from the connector port to the power conversion circuit. Equipped with, The power conversion circuit module or the plurality of switching elements constituting the power conversion circuit are mounted on the side of the power conversion circuit board facing the second side. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned power line is composed of conductive busbars, The busbar is provided so as to pass through the connector port, through the inside of the connector module, and face the housing space from the second side of the connector base, and is connected to the power conversion circuit module or the power conversion circuit board. In addition to the capacitor, other electronic components are mounted on the second side surface of the connector module. On the second side of the connector module, the capacitor is positioned closer to the busbar facing the housing space than the other electronic components. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

3. The electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned power line is composed of conductive busbars, The busbar is provided so as to pass through the connector port, through the inside of the connector module, and face the housing space from the second side of the connector base, and is connected to the power conversion circuit board. The power conversion circuit has the plurality of switching elements, The power conversion circuit board has other electronic components mounted on it along with the plurality of switching elements. On the second side of the connector module, at least one of the plurality of switching elements is positioned closer to the exposed wiring portion of the busbar facing the housing space than the other electronic components. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

4. The electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned power line has a P-side busbar and an N-side busbar. The P-side busbar and the N-side busbar are arranged so that their exposed wiring portions facing the housing space are opposite each other. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

5. The electronic control device according to claim 4, The P-side busbar and the N-side busbar are wirings formed in a wide, flat shape, and are arranged so that their wide sides face each other. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

6. The electronic control device according to claim 5, The P-side busbar and the N-side busbar face each other at a distance closer than the width or thickness dimension of each busbar. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

7. The electronic control device according to claim 6, The P-side busbar and the N-side busbar have a distance between the sections where their wide sides face each other that is greater than the distance between the sections where their wide sides do not face each other. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

8. The electronic control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned power line has a P-side busbar and an N-side busbar. The P-side busbar has multiple P-side branch sections in the exposed wiring section facing the housing space, The N-side busbar has multiple N-side branch sections in the exposed wiring section facing the housing space, The P-side branch and the N-side branch are arranged in an alternating pattern. An electronic control device characterized by the following features.

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