Motor Control Unit Connection Part with Integral Relay Terminal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods face challenges in precisely and efficiently arranging motor and control unit components in a direction along the rotational shaft, leading to mounting errors and inaccuracies in electrical and mechanical connections.

Innovation Solution

A connection part with a ring-shape control unit mounting flange and integral relay terminal, which includes a conductive body for electrical connection and a waterproof, dustproof member for sealing, allowing for precise and efficient mechanical and electrical connections between the motor and control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the motor and control unit are arranged in a direction along the rotational shaft, then the spatial arrangement is achieved, but mounting errors accumulate and position accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial arrangementVSAvoidposition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control unit mounting flange and relay terminal into a single integrally formed connection part. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting and electrical connection operations, thereby preventing the accumulation of mounting errors and maintaining position accuracy while achieving the required spatial arrangement along the rotational shaft direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection part serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical mounting for the control unit through the ring-shaped flange and establishes electrical connections through the integrated relay terminal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and operations, preventing error accumulation while achieving precise spatial arrangement.

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

2Strength

If separate mounting surfaces are used for motor and control unit, then mechanical connection is achieved, but electrical connection precision deteriorates due to accumulated mounting errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidelectrical connection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mechanical mounting function (control unit mounting flange) and electrical connection function (relay terminal) into a single integrally formed connection part. This ensures that both mechanical and electrical connections are established simultaneously with a single positioning reference, preventing the accumulation of mounting errors that would otherwise affect electrical connection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for connection, then flexibility is achieved, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple separate components (control unit mounting flange and relay terminal) into a single connection part. This reduction in the number of parts simplifies assembly while the integral design maintains the necessary flexibility for both mechanical mounting and electrical connection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single connection part performs multiple functions: mechanical mounting of the control unit and electrical connection via the relay terminal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining the flexibility required for both mounting and electrical connection operations.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3168967B1Connecting part for electric motor and electic motor control device, connecting structure for electric motor and electric motor control device using this connecting part, and electric power steering device, electric actuator, and vehicle using this connecting structure
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 NSK LTD
  • EP3168967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3168967B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3168967B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Problem] An object of the present invention is to precisely and efficiently perform a connection between a motor and a control unit with a connection part configured as a single member in a case that the control unit is arranged adjacent the motor along a direction of the rotational shaft of the motor. [Means for solving the problem] The present invention is the connection part 100 for connecting the motor 200 and the control unit 300, and the connection part 100 comprising a ring shape control unit mounting flange 130 and a relay terminal 150, wherein the relay terminal comprises a conductive body 151 which electrically connects a conductive terminal formed to be protruded from the motor and a control terminal of the control unit, and a protection section which surrounds a periphery of the conductive terminal formed to be protruded from the motor.