Motor Control Unit Layout With External Connector Mounting Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive devices with integrated motors and control units face limitations in design flexibility due to the need to accommodate connectors and circuit boards within a specific diameter, restricting the mounting area and design freedom.
Innovation Solution
The drive device incorporates a motor, motor frame, control unit, extension member, and cover, where the extension member extends beyond the motor case's projected area, allowing the control unit to be expanded outside the motor silhouette, thereby increasing the mounting area for boards and connector space, enhancing design freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If connectors and circuit boards are accommodated within the motor case's projected area, then the drive device maintains a compact structure, but the mounting area and design freedom are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The extension member extends the control unit mounting area in the axial direction (adding a dimensional element) beyond the radial projection of the motor case. This allows connectors and circuit boards to be mounted on the extension member's outer surface, effectively increasing the mounting area without expanding the motor case's radial dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting area and structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control unit is expanded outside the motor silhouette using an extension member, then design freedom and mounting area are increased, but the device occupies more axial space
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is segmented into the motor case and the extension member as separate functional components. The extension member is specifically designed to extend in the axial direction to provide mounting space for the control unit, separating the motor function from the control unit mounting function. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's dimensions and design, resolving the contradiction between design freedom and axial length.
3Ease of operation
If connectors are erected from a base portion with frontage facing outward, then connector accessibility is improved, but the required mounting space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension member utilizes the axial dimension to create a platform that extends beyond the motor case's radial projection. Connectors mounted on this extension member can have their frontages face outward (radially) for easy accessibility, while the actual mounting footprint is distributed along the axial direction on the extension member's outer surface. This dimensional redistribution resolves the contradiction between connector accessibility and mounting space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor case of a motor has a cylindrical portion. A motor frame is provided on one side of the cylindrical portion in an axial direction. A control unit has at least one board and a connector unit and is arranged on one axial side of the motor. The connector unit has at least one connector erected from the base portion with a frontage facing outward in the axial direction of the motor. An extension member is secured to the motor case. A cover having a hole through which the connector is inserted and fixed to the extension member. The extension member is formed to extend to an outside of a projected area in which the cylindrical portion of the motor case is projected in an axial direction.