Integrated Power Supply Connector for Electric Drive Downsizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric power steering devices require a significant amount of space for two power supply connectors, leading to increased device size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An electric drive device with a power supply connector housing that includes two separate power supply terminals and ground terminals, arranged in a way to prevent short circuits and allow for redundant power supply from external sources, while minimizing the overall size and assembly steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two separate power supply connectors are used to achieve redundant power supply, then power supply reliability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate power supply connectors into a single integrated power supply connector housing that contains both power supply terminals. This merging approach maintains the redundant power supply capability (improving reliability) while reducing the overall device size by eliminating the need for two separate connector housings and their associated mounting spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If two separate power supply connectors are used to achieve redundant power supply, then power supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidconnector arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate power supply connector assemblies into a single integrated housing structure. This reduces device complexity by minimizing the number of separate components, simplifying the assembly process, and reducing the complexity of electrical wiring and mechanical mounting arrangements while still providing redundant power supply paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single power supply connector housing serves multiple functions: it houses both power supply terminals for redundant power input, provides a unified mounting interface, and integrates grounding connections. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to using two separate specialized connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3496241B1Electric drive device
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3496241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3496241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3496241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electric drive device capable of achieving redundant supply of power from outside, and achieving downsizing. An electric drive device, including: a motor; a controller configured to control driving of the motor; and a power supply connector electrically connected to the controller, the power supply connector including: a power supply connector housing; and a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal, which are provided in the power supply connector housing and electrically connected to separate external power sources, respectively.