Axial Motor Control Integration for Electric Power Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric power steering devices with integrated motors and control units face poor operability and increased costs due to indirect connections between the motor winding and the power module, which hinder efficient manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An electric power steering device design where the motor and control unit are integrated axially, featuring a current supply circuit with a supply terminal, an extension member connected to the supply terminal, and a first connection portion arranged radially outer to the current supply circuit, allowing direct connection between the motor winding and the inverter circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the winding is connected to the output terminal of the power module through intermediation of a circuit board, then the motor and control unit can be integrated, but the operability regarding connection deteriorates and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the circuit board from the connection path between the power module and motor winding. By removing this intermediate component, the power module's output terminal is directly connected to the motor winding, thereby improving connection operability and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the integrated structure of motor and control unit
Solution Approach 2:
The invention eliminates the circuit board as an intermediary component. Instead of using a circuit board to mediate the connection, the design establishes a direct electrical connection between the power module output terminal and the motor winding, simplifying the structure and improving manufacturability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the winding is connected to the output terminal of the power module through intermediation of a circuit board, then the motor and control unit can be integrated, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the circuit board from the connection path between the power module and motor winding. By removing this intermediate component, the power module's output terminal is directly connected to the motor winding, thereby improving connection operability and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the integrated structure of motor and control unit
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the connection function directly into the integrated structure of the motor and control unit. By eliminating the separate circuit board and establishing direct electrical connections, the design reduces the number of components and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing costs
Data Source
AI summary
According to this invention, provided is an electric power steering device, including: a motor having a winding; and a control unit configured to control the motor, the motor and the control unit being integrated with each other in alignment with each other in an axial direction of a rotary shaft of the motor. The winding of the motor includes a winding end portion configured to receive a current supplied thereto. The control unit includes: a current supply circuit, which includes a supply terminal, and is configured to supply the current to the winding end portion; an extension member connected to the supply terminal; and a first connection portion at which the extension member and the winding end portion are connected to each other. The first connection portion is arranged on a radially outer side of the motor with respect to the current supply circuit.