Drive device

Abstract

A drive device (1) comprises a motor (10), a substrate (31), and electromechanical connection members (41, 410). The motor (10) includes a motor case (11), a stator (15) fixed to the motor case (11), a motor winding (18), a rotor (16) provided so as to be capable of rotating due to energization of the motor winding (18), and a shaft (17). The substrate (31) is provided on one side of the motor (10) in the axial direction, and has mounted thereon an electronic component related to drive control of the motor (10). The electromechanical connection members (41, 410) have substrate connection terminals (45-48) connected to the substrate (31), and connect the substrate (31) and the motor winding (18). One end side of the substrate connection terminal (45) is connected to the substrate (31) by elastic contact, and the other end side of the substrate connection terminal (45) is connected to the motor winding (18) in such a form so as to be capable of being adjusted in the axial direction such that the location of connection to the substrate (31) in the motor axial direction falls within a prescribed range.

Description

Drive unit CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Patent Application No. 2024-008852, filed on January 24, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a drive device.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a drive device including a rotating electric machine and a controller that drives and controls the rotating electric machine. For example, in Patent Document 1, a motor wire is press-fit-connected to a substrate via a motor wire connection terminal.

[0004] JP 2016-36243 A

[0005] In the case of press-fit connections, the tolerance for positional variation in the height direction is small, and if there is variation in the stator height, for example, there is a risk that the connection will not be proper. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a drive device that can properly connect the motor wires and the circuit board.

[0006] The drive device of the present disclosure includes a motor, a substrate, and an electromechanical connection member. The motor has a motor case, a stator fixed to the motor case, motor windings wound around the stator, a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator when current is applied to the motor windings, and a shaft that is rotatably supported by the motor case and rotates integrally with the rotor.

[0007] The circuit board is provided on one axial side of the motor and is mounted with electronic components related to motor drive control. The electromechanical connection member has circuit board connection terminals that are connected to the circuit board and connect the circuit board to the motor windings. One end of the circuit board connection terminal is connected to the circuit board by elastic contact, and the other end is connected to the motor windings in a manner that allows the axial position of the circuit board connection terminal to be adjusted so that the connection position with the circuit board in the motor axial direction is within a predetermined range. This reduces variation in the connection position between the circuit board and the circuit board connection terminal in the motor axial direction, allowing for appropriate connection between the motor windings and the circuit board.

[0008] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a steering system according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drive unit according to the first embodiment, Fig. 3 is a side view of the drive unit according to the first embodiment, Fig. 4 is a plan view showing board connection terminals and contact-connecting portions according to the first embodiment, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the board connection terminals and contact-connecting portions according to the first embodiment, Fig. 6A is a schematic view showing a connection state of the board connection terminals and contact-connecting portions according to the first embodiment, Fig. 6B is a view taken in the direction of arrow VIB of Fig. 6A, and Fig. 7A is a diagram showing the first embodiment. 7B is a schematic diagram showing the connection state of the board connection terminal and the contact connection portion according to the embodiment, FIG. 7B is a view in the direction of the arrow VIIB in FIG. 7A, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the board connection terminal and the board are assembled in the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the board connection terminal and the board are assembled in the first embodiment, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the board connection terminal according to the second embodiment, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the board connection terminal according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the drive device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0009] A drive device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, substantially identical components in multiple embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 9. As shown in Figure 1, a drive device 1 includes a motor 10 and an ECU 30, and is applied to an electric power steering device 8. Figure 1 shows the configuration of a steering system 90 that includes the electric power steering device 8. The steering system 90 includes a steering wheel 91, which is a steering member, a steering shaft 92, a pinion gear 96, a rack shaft 97, wheels 98, the electric power steering device 8, and the like.

[0011] The steering wheel 91 is connected to a steering shaft 92. A torque sensor 94 that detects steering torque is provided on the steering shaft 92. A pinion gear 96 is provided at the tip of the steering shaft 92. The pinion gear 96 meshes with a rack shaft 97. A pair of wheels 98 are connected to both ends of the rack shaft 97 via tie rods or the like.

[0012] When the driver turns 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 linear motion of a rack shaft 97 by a pinion gear 96. A pair of wheels 98 are steered to an angle corresponding to the amount of displacement of the rack shaft 97.

[0013] The electric power steering device 8 includes the drive unit 1 and a reduction gear 89, which is a power transmission unit that reduces the speed of the rotation of the motor 10 and transmits it to the steering shaft 92. That is, the electric power steering device 8 of this embodiment is a so-called "column assist type," and the steering shaft 92 can be said to be the driven object. It may also be a so-called "rack assist type," in which the rotation of the motor 10 is transmitted to a rack shaft 97.

[0014] The motor 10 is, for example, a three-phase brushless motor. The motor 10 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 reverse. The drive unit 1 has the ECU 30 provided on one axial side of the motor 10, and is a so-called "mechatronically integrated" drive unit. The mechatronically integrated drive unit 1 allows the motor 10 and ECU 30 to be efficiently arranged in a vehicle with limited installation space. Hereinafter, when simply referring to the "axial direction" and "radial direction," the terms "axial direction" and "radial direction" will be used appropriately to refer to the axial direction and radial direction of the motor 10.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the motor 10 includes a motor case 11, a stator 15, and motor windings 18. Note that Figure 2 shows a cross section slightly offset from the center to facilitate explanation of the electromechanical connection member 41, which will be described later. Figure 3 is a view from the direction III in Figure 2, with the circuit board 31 omitted.

[0016] The motor case 11 has a case body 12 and a frame member 13. The case body 12 is formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy and is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens toward the circuit board 31. The frame member 13 is provided on the opening side of the case body 12 and is shrink-fitted to the radially inner side of the cylindrical portion of the case body 12. The frame member 13 is formed with a hole 131 through which a circuit board connection terminal 45 (described later) is inserted. A step 132 is formed in the hole 131 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 ).

[0017] The stator 15 is made of laminated steel plates or the like and is fixed to the radially inner side of the cylindrical portion of the case body 12. A rotor 16 is provided radially inside the stator 15 so as to be rotatable relative to the stator 15. A shaft 17 is press-fitted into the rotor 16 and rotatably supported by the motor case 11. Motor windings 18 are wound around the stator 15. When current is applied to the motor windings 18, the rotor 16 and the shaft 17 rotate together. An end of the motor windings 18 extends to the frame member 13 side.

[0018] The ECU 30 has a circuit board 31 and is housed inside a cover (not shown). Various electronic components related to the drive control of the motor 10 are mounted on the circuit board 31. The motor windings 18 and the circuit board 31 are connected by an electromechanical connecting member 41.

[0019] 2 and 9, the electromechanical connection member 41 has a winding connection member 42 and a board connection terminal 45. The winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 are formed into a plate shape from, for example, a copper alloy, and are so-called bus bars.

[0020] The winding connection member 42 has a lead wire connection portion 421, a base portion 422, and a contact connection portion 423, and is formed integrally by bending or folding a plate-like member. The motor winding 18 of this embodiment is composed of two sets of three-phase windings, and six winding connection members 42 are provided. The six winding connection members 42 form a ring shape as a whole.

[0021] The output wire connection portion 421 is connected to an end of the motor winding 18 taken out from each throttle of the stator 15. The base portion 422 is held by an annular holder 43. The output wire connection portion 421 and a contact connection portion 423 are provided on the side of the base portion 422 opposite the motor 10. The contact connection portion 423 protrudes from the base portion 422 toward the side opposite the motor 10, and is formed by bending the tip side so that it extends radially outward. An insertion portion 425 (see FIG. 4, etc.) is formed in the contact connection portion 423.

[0022] The three contact-connections 423 corresponding to each phase of the same winding set are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The three contact-connections 423 corresponding to one winding set are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the axis with the three contact-connections 423 corresponding to the other winding set. It is desirable to arrange the contact-connections 423 as far outward in the radial direction as possible.

[0023] 4 and 5 , the contact connection portion 423 has a generally U-shaped insertion portion 425 that opens toward the board 31. The contact connection portion 423 can also be considered to have a tuning fork terminal shape. The insertion portion 425 has a clamping portion 426 that is narrower than the plate thickness of the board connection terminal 45. The tip portion 455 of the board connection terminal 45 is inserted into the contact connection portion 423 and clamped by the clamping portion 426, thereby electrically connecting the board connection terminal 45 and the winding connection member 42.

[0024] 2 and 9, the contact connection portion 423 abuts against the load receiving portion 435 of the annular holder 43 on the surface facing the motor 10. This allows the annular holder 43 to bear the insertion load of the board connection terminal 45, and prevents excessive insertion stress from being applied to the winding connection member 42.

[0025] The annular holder 43 has a holding portion 431, legs 432, and a load receiving portion 435, and is integrally formed from resin or the like. The holding portion 431 holds the base portion 422 of the winding connection member 42 in an insulated state. The legs 432 are provided so as to straddle the motor windings 18, and are fixed at their tip ends to the stator 15. The legs 432 are provided at multiple locations. The load receiving portions 435 are provided at two locations where the contact connecting portions 423 are located, protruding toward the opposite side from the motor 10.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 to 9, the board connection terminals 45 are formed in a flat plate shape and are held in a terminal holder 51. In this embodiment, the board connection terminals 45 are formed by punching out a metal plate and are used in a straight state without undergoing any bending process or the like. The board connection terminals 45 are insert-molded into the terminal holder 51. The terminal holder 51 is provided with a flange 511 that abuts against the stepped portion 132. As a result, the flange 511 of the terminal holder 51 abuts against the stepped portion 132 of the frame member 13, thereby positioning the board connection terminals 45 in the axial direction.

[0027] 4 to 6B, the board connection terminal 45 has an elastic connection portion 451 formed on one end side. The elastic connection portion 451 is formed in an elastically deformable shape, and is inserted into a terminal connection hole formed in the board 31 to be electrically connected to the board 31 by a so-called press-fit connection. In this embodiment, the elastic connection portion 451 is formed in an annular shape, but the shape may be different as long as elastic connection is possible.

[0028] Each board connection terminal 45 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) branched elastic connection portions 451. This makes it possible to prevent the board connection terminals 45 from shifting in position or orientation.

[0029] The other end of the board connection terminal 45, that is, the tip portion 455, is inserted into the insertion portion 425 of the contact connection portion 423, thereby being electrically connected to the winding connection member 42. As a result, the motor winding 18 is electrically connected to the board 31 via the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45.

[0030] For reference, if the connection between the circuit board 31 and the motor wires is performed by soldering, the cycle time is long and large equipment is required. In this embodiment, the connection between the circuit board 31 and the motor wires is performed by press-fit connection, so that the electrical connection is completed at the same time as assembly.

[0031] In the case of a press-fit connection, assembly with relatively high precision in the axial direction is required so that the elastically deformable portion of the board connection terminal 45 is located within the thickness of the board 31. On the other hand, the stator 15 is made of multiple laminated steel plates, and its axial length varies considerably. As a result, the axial positions of the ends of the motor windings 18 wound around the stator 15 vary.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, the insertion depth of the board connection terminal 45 into the insertion portion 425 is adjusted at the connection point between the contact connection portion 423 and the board connection terminal 45, thereby accommodating variations in the axial length of the stator 15. Specifically, the thickness direction of the board connection terminal 45 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the contact connection portion 423, and the board connection terminal 45 is inserted into the insertion portion 425 while pushing and widening the clamping portion 426 with the board connection terminal 45's thickness. The clamping portion 426 abuts against the winding connection member 42, thereby electrically connecting the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45. Furthermore, the board connection terminal 45 is clamped by the clamping portion 426 at an insertion depth at which the terminal holder 51 abuts against the stepped portion 132 of the frame member 13, thereby defining the connection position in the axial direction. The tip portion 455 is spaced from the deepest portion of the insertion portion 425, and the connection position in the axial direction can be adjusted by changing the insertion depth.

[0033] 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing the connection between the contact connection portion 423 and the board connection terminal 45 of this embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a view from the VIB direction of FIG. 6A . In this embodiment, the contact connection portion 423 side is female and the board connection terminal 45 side is male. Because it is difficult to increase the number of contact points at the connection portion between the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 by male-female fitting, it is preferable to use a material with good conductivity for the winding connection member 42. Furthermore, because it is easy to increase the number of contact points at the connection portion between the board connection terminal 45 and the board 31 by elastic contact, it is preferable to use a material with good spring properties for the board connection terminal 45.

[0034] 7A and 7B, the contact connection portion 423 may be male and the board connection terminal 45 may be female. In this case, it is preferable to use a material for the board connection terminal 45 taking into consideration electrical conductivity and spring properties. Note that Fig. 7B is a view seen from the direction VIIB in Fig. 7A.

[0035] The assembly of the motor 10 and the circuit board 31 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 9 shows the assembled state corresponding to Figure 2, and for simplicity, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the assembled state on the left side of the page, while omitting details of the connection configuration, rotor 16, shaft 17, etc. on the right side of the page. Furthermore, although the connection points between the motor windings 18 and the winding connection members 42 are located in a radially outer region and are shifted in the circumferential direction from the connection points between the winding connection members 42 and the circuit board connection terminals 45, for simplicity, they are shown as being radially inner.

[0036] With the stator 15 and frame member 13 assembled to the motor case 11 by shrink fitting or the like, the board connection terminals 45 insert-molded into the terminal holder 51 are inserted into the holes 131 of the frame member 13. The tip ends 455 of the board connection terminals 45 are clamped by the clamping portions 426 and connected to the winding connection members 42. Furthermore, the flange portions 511 of the terminal holder 51 come into contact with the stepped portions 132 of the frame member 13, thereby determining the axial position.

[0037] In this embodiment, the insertion portion 425 is formed so that the clamping portion 426 can clamp the board connection terminal 45 regardless of the allowable stator length variation, depending on the variation in the axial length of the stator 15. The contact connection portion 423 is formed in a tuning fork terminal shape, and the clamping position of the board connection terminal 45 in the axial direction is variable, thereby accommodating variation in the axial length of the stator 15. This suppresses variation in the axial position of the elastic connection portion 451 of the board connection terminal 45, allowing for appropriate connection to the board 31 by press-fit connection. In this embodiment, the board 31 is held by press-fit connection with the board connection terminal 45 and abuts against the frame member 13 at the board abutment portion 135.

[0038] When connecting the board connection terminals 45 and the winding connection members 42, no jig is required, unlike when connecting by soldering, for example. Therefore, the board connection terminals 45 and the winding connection members 42 can be connected after the frame member 13 is assembled to the motor case 11.

[0039] As described above, the drive device 1 includes the motor 10, the substrate 31, and the electromechanical connection member 41. The motor 10 includes a motor case 11, a stator 15 fixed to the motor case 11, motor windings 18 wound around the stator 15, a rotor 16 that is rotatable relative to the stator 15 when current is applied to the motor windings 18, and a shaft 17 that is rotatably supported by the motor case 11 and rotates integrally with the rotor 16.

[0040] The board 31 is provided on one axial side of the motor 10, and is mounted with electronic components related to drive control of the motor 10. The electromechanical connection member 41 has board connection terminals 45 that are connected to the board 31, and connects the board 31 to the motor windings 18. In this embodiment, the electromechanical connection member 41 has winding connection members 42 that connect the motor windings 18 for each phase inside the motor case 11, and the other end of the board connection terminals 45 is connected to the winding connection members 42.

[0041] One end of the board connection terminal 45 is connected to the board 31 by elastic contact, and the other end is connected to the motor winding 18 in a manner that allows the axial position of the connection position with the board 31 in the motor axial direction to be adjusted within a predetermined range. In other words, the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 are configured so that the connection position can be adjusted during assembly depending on the axial position of the winding connection member 42.

[0042] In this embodiment, the other end of the board connection terminal 45 is connected to the motor winding 18 via the winding connection member 42. Here, "the connection position with the board in the motor axial direction is within a predetermined range" specifically refers to a range in which the board 31 and the board connection terminal 45 satisfy the conductive function through elastic contact.

[0043] As a result, even if the axial position of the winding connection member 42 is shifted due to, for example, variations in lamination of the stator 15, by adjusting the connection position between the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 and assembling it, it is possible to suppress variations in the connection position between the board 31 and the board connection terminal 45, and the board 31 and the board connection terminal 45 can be properly connected through elastic contact.

[0044] One of the winding connection member 42 or the board connection terminal 45 is provided with an insertion portion 425 extending in the motor axial direction. The other of the winding connection member 42 or the board connection terminal 45 is inserted into the insertion portion 425 and is clamped by the clamping portion 426 at a position corresponding to the insertion depth, thereby achieving electrical connection. This makes it possible to absorb, for example, variations in lamination of the stator 15 and connect the board connection terminal 45 and the board 31 within a predetermined range. Furthermore, because the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 are electrically connected by assembling them, a blind connection can be achieved, for example, inside the motor case 11.

[0045] In this embodiment, the insertion portion 425 is provided in the winding connecting member 42. This allows the winding connecting member 42 to be made of a material with good conductivity, and the board connecting terminal 45 to be made of a material that emphasizes spring properties.

[0046] The winding connection member 42 is held by an annular holder 43, and has a contact connection portion 423 that protrudes from the annular holder 43 toward the board 31. The contact connection portion 423 abuts against the annular holder 43 on the surface opposite to the board 31. This allows the annular holder 43 to bear the load when the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 are assembled.

[0047] The drive unit 1 includes a terminal holder 51 that holds the board connection terminals 45. The terminal holder 51 is inserted into a hole 131 provided in a frame member 13 of the motor case 11 from the board 31 side, and abuts the frame member 13 on its axial surface. In this embodiment, a flange 511 of the terminal holder 51 abuts against a step 132 of the frame member 13. In other words, the terminal holder 51 is seated on the frame member 13. This allows the axial position of the board connection terminals 45 to be positioned. Furthermore, the terminal holder 51 can bear the load of the press-fit connection between the board connection terminals 45 and the board 31.

[0048] The board connection terminals 45 are insert-molded into the terminal holder 51. This prevents the board connection terminals 45 from being misaligned in the axial direction during assembly. The connection points on the other ends of the board connection terminals 45 are within a projection area of ​​the terminal holder 51 projected in the motor axial direction. This allows the opening of the motor case 11 (frame member 13 in this embodiment) to be relatively small.

[0049] Second Embodiment A second embodiment is shown in Figure 10. The second and third embodiments differ from the above embodiments in the shape of the board connection terminal, and this point will be mainly described below. The board connection terminal 46 of this embodiment is provided with an insertion positioning portion 461 on the outer periphery of the elastic connection portion 451. The insertion positioning portion 461 abuts against the surface of the board 31 facing the motor 10 when the elastic connection portion 451 is electrically connected to the board 31.

[0050] In this embodiment, the board connection terminals 46 are connected to the board 31, and then the board connection terminals 46 are connected to the winding connecting member 42. In this case, by providing the board connection terminals 46 with insertion positioning portions 461, it is possible to prevent the connection between the board 31 and the board connection terminals 46 from being disconnected by re-pushing when the tip portions 455 of the board connection terminals 46 are inserted into the contact connection portions 423 after the board connection terminals 46 have been assembled to the board 31. The number, shape, position, etc. of the insertion positioning portions 461 may be different from those shown in FIG. 10 as long as they are able to prevent re-pushing.

[0051] Furthermore, when the board 31 is first assembled and then inserted into the contact connection portion 423, and when the insertion positioning portion 461 is not provided, the configuration is such that formula (1) holds. In the formula, Lp is the re-press load of the press-fit portion, Lm is the connection load on the motor side, and n is the number of branches of the elastic connection portion 451.

[0052] Lp×n>Lm...(1)

[0053] It is also possible to prevent the press-fit portion from being pressed in again by providing a plurality of elastic connection portions 451 in one board connection terminal 45 and increasing the number of connection points. This configuration also achieves the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0054] 11 shows a third embodiment. The board connection terminal 47 is provided with a shoulder 471 and is fixed to the terminal holder 51 by an outsert. The shoulder 471 is formed to protrude from the terminal holder 51 toward the board 31. When assembling the board connection terminal 47 with the winding connection member 42, applying force to the shoulder 471 and inserting it into the insertion portion 425 can prevent the board connection terminal 47 from coming off the terminal holder 51 during assembly. This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0055] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment is shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 9, and some components are omitted. The electromechanical connection member 410 has a winding connection member 420, an intermediate connection member 44, and a board connection terminal 48. The winding connection member 420 is generally similar to the winding connection member 42 of the above embodiment, except that it is connected to the intermediate connection member 44 instead of the board connection terminal. The winding connection member 420 and the intermediate connection member 44 can be connected by any method as long as they are electrically connected.

[0056] The intermediate connection member 44 is a flat plate-shaped member formed to extend in the axial direction, one side of which is held by the terminal holder 52, and the other side of which is connected to the winding connection member 42. The winding connection member 42 and the intermediate connection member 44 can be connected in any manner as long as they are electrically connected.

[0057] The board connection terminal 48 is formed with an elastic connection portion 451 that is press-fit connected to the board 31, and is generally similar to the board connection terminal of the above embodiment except that it has a relatively short axial length. The board connection terminal 48 may be provided with an insertion positioning portion 461 and a shoulder portion 471.

[0058] The intermediate connection member 44 is formed with an insertion portion 425 (see FIG. 5 , not shown in FIG. 12 ), and the tip end of the board connection terminal 48 is inserted into the insertion portion 425 and abuts at the clamping portion, thereby electrically connecting the intermediate connection member 44 and the board connection terminal 48. Note that an insertion portion may be formed on the board connection terminal 48 side, and the intermediate connection member 44 may be inserted into the insertion portion to provide electrical connection. That is, in this embodiment, the connection between the intermediate connection member 44 and the board connection terminal 48 is the same as the connection between the winding connection member 42 and the board connection terminal 45 in the first embodiment, and is connected in a manner that allows the axial position to be adjusted so that the connection position on the board 31 side is within a predetermined range.

[0059] If the intermediate connection member 44 is not provided and the board connection terminals 45, which are relatively long in the axial direction, are connected to the winding connection members 42, a blind connection will be made inside the frame member 13. In this embodiment, by providing the intermediate connection member 44, terminal connection by fitting the intermediate connection member 44 and the board connection terminals 48 together can be made outside the motor case 11.

[0060] In this embodiment, the electromechanical connection member 410 includes winding connection members 420 that connect the motor windings 18 for each phase inside the motor case 11, and intermediate connection members 44 that connect the winding connection members 420 to the board connection terminals 48. The intermediate connection members 44 and the board connection terminals 48 are connected to each other outside the motor case 11. This reduces the difficulty of assembly.

[0061] In the embodiment, the winding connecting member 42 and the intermediate connecting member 44 correspond to the "other end connecting member", the contact connecting portion 423 corresponds to the "terminal connecting portion", and the annular holder 43 corresponds to the "holder member".

[0062] In the above embodiment, the electromechanical connection member has a tip of the board connection terminal inserted into the substantially U-shaped contact connection portion and clamped by the clamping portion, thereby making the connection position adjustable in the axial direction of the motor. In other embodiments, the connection configuration may be different as long as the electromechanical connection member is connected in a state where the connection position is adjustable in the axial direction of the motor, for example, by including an elastic member such as a spring that is elastically deformable in the axial direction of the motor.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the board connection terminals are connected to the motor windings via the electromechanical connection members or via the electromechanical connection members and the intermediate connection members. In other embodiments, the board connection terminals and the motor windings may be directly connected.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the drive device is applied to an electric power steering device. In other embodiments, the drive device may be applied to an in-vehicle device other than an electric power steering device, or may be applied to a device other than an in-vehicle device.

[0065] (Disclosure of Technical Ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, with the subsequent clause alternatively referring to the preceding clause. Furthermore, some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, with the subsequent clause referring to another multiple dependent clause. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0066] (Technical Idea 1) A drive device comprising: a motor (10) having a motor case (11), a stator (15) fixed to the motor case, motor windings (18) wound around the stator, a rotor (16) rotatable relative to the stator when current is applied to the motor windings, and a shaft (17) rotatably supported by the motor case and rotating integrally with the rotor; a board (31) provided on one axial side of the motor and on which electronic components related to drive control of the motor are mounted; and electromechanical connecting members (41, 410) having board connection terminals (45-48) connected to the board and connecting the board to the motor windings, wherein one end of the board connection terminal is connected to the board by elastic contact, and the other end is connected to the motor windings in a manner that allows the axial position of the board connection terminal to be adjusted within a predetermined range in the motor axial direction. (Technical Idea 2) The drive device according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the member connected to the other end of the board connection terminal is an other end connection member (42, 44), one of the other end connection member or the board connection terminal is provided with an insertion portion (425) extending in the motor axial direction, and the other of the other end connection member or the board connection terminal is inserted into the insertion portion and clamped by a clamping portion (426) at a position corresponding to the insertion depth, thereby providing an electrical connection. (Technical Idea 3) The drive device according to Technical Idea 2, wherein the insertion portion is provided on the other end connection member. (Technical Idea 4) The drive device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 3, wherein the electromechanical connection member further has a winding connection member (42) that connects the motor windings for each phase inside the motor case, and the other end of the board connection terminal is connected to the winding connection member. (Technical Idea 5) A drive device described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 3, wherein the electromechanical connection members further include winding connection members (420) that connect the motor windings for each phase inside the motor case, and intermediate connection members (44) that connect the winding connection members and the board connection terminals, and the intermediate connection members and the board connection terminals are connected outside the motor case.(Technical Idea 6) The drive device according to Technical Idea 4 or 5, wherein the winding connection member is held by a holder member (43), and a terminal connection portion (423) is formed from the holder member toward the board, and the terminal connection portion abuts the holder member on a surface opposite to the board. (Technical Idea 7) The drive device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 6, further comprising a terminal holder (51) for holding the board connection terminal, and the terminal holder is inserted into a hole (131) provided in the motor case from the board side and abuts the motor case on a surface on the axial side. (Technical Idea 8) The drive device according to Technical Idea 7, wherein the board connection terminals (45, 46, 48) are insert-molded into the terminal holder. (Technical Idea 9) The drive device according to Technical Idea 7, wherein the board connection terminal (47) is formed with a shoulder portion (471) that protrudes from the terminal holder toward the opposite side to the motor, and is outsert-molded into the terminal holder. (Technical Idea 10) The drive device according to any one of Technical Ideas 7 to 9, wherein the connection location on the other end of the board connection terminal is within a projection area of ​​the terminal holder projected in the motor axial direction.

[0067] As described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0068] The present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. Furthermore, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A motor (10) having a motor case (11), a stator (15) fixed to the motor case, a motor winding (18) wound around the stator, a rotor (16) provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the stator by energization of the motor winding, and a shaft (17) rotatably supported by the motor case and rotating integrally with the rotor; a substrate (31) provided on one axial side of the motor and having electronic components related to drive control of the motor mounted thereon; and electromechanical connection members (41, 410) having substrate connection terminals (45 to 48) connected to the substrate and connecting the substrate and the motor winding, wherein one end side of the substrate connection terminal is connected to the substrate by elastic contact, and the other end side is connected to the motor winding in a form in which the axial position can be adjusted so that the connection position with the substrate in the motor axial direction is within a predetermined range.

2. When a member connected to the other end side of the substrate connection terminal is an other-end-side connection member (42, 44), an insertion portion (425) extending in the motor axial direction is provided on one of the other-end-side connection member or the substrate connection terminal, and the other of the other-end-side connection member or the substrate connection terminal is inserted into the insertion portion and electrically connected by being clamped by a clamping portion (426) at a position corresponding to the insertion depth. The drive device according to claim 1.

3. The drive device according to claim 2, wherein the insertion portion is provided on the other-end-side connection member.

4. The electromechanical connection member further has a winding connection member (42) that connects the motor windings phase by phase inside the motor case, and the other end side of the substrate connection terminal is connected to the winding connection member. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The electromechanical connection member further has a winding connection member (420) that connects the motor windings phase by phase inside the motor case and an intermediate connection member (44) that connects the winding connection member and the substrate connection terminal, and the intermediate connection member and the substrate connection terminal are connected outside the motor case. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The winding connection member is held by a holder member (43), and a terminal connection portion (423) protruding from the holder member toward the substrate side is formed. The drive device according to claim 4, wherein the terminal connection portion is in contact with the holder member on the surface opposite to the substrate.

7. The drive device according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal holder (51) for holding the substrate connection terminal, wherein the terminal holder is inserted into a hole portion (131) provided in the motor case from the substrate side and is in contact with the motor case on the axial side surface.

8. The drive device according to claim 7, wherein the substrate connection terminals (45, 46, 48) are insert-molded in the terminal holder.

9. The drive device according to claim 7, wherein the substrate connection terminal (47) is provided with a shoulder portion (471) protruding from the terminal holder to the side opposite to the motor, and is outserted in the terminal holder.

10. The drive device according to claim 7, wherein the connection location on the other end side of the substrate connection terminal is within the projection area obtained by projecting the terminal holder in the motor axis direction.

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