Motor Control Unit Rear Contacting via PCB Passages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor devices face challenges in establishing a reliable, space-efficient electrical connection between the electric motor and the control unit, particularly when the motor needs to be installed from the front side, requiring a solution that allows for rear contacting of the printed circuit board while ensuring structural adaptability and stability during assembly.

Innovation Solution

The control unit incorporates a printed circuit board with passages for connection elements and deflection means, such as electrically conductive pins, which are mounted in the housing to facilitate rear contacting and provide a stable electrical connection, allowing the connection elements to be guided through the board from the mounting side to the contacting side, enabling precise positioning and withstanding assembly forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printed circuit board is contacted from the front side (mounting side), then the assembly process is simplified, but the connection elements cannot be properly guided through the board to achieve rear contacting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidcontacting direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The printed circuit board is segmented by creating passages through it, allowing connection elements to be guided from the mounting side through the board to the contacting side. This segmentation enables the board to accommodate contacting from both sides simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between simplified front-side assembly and the need for rear contacting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the motor is installed from the front side of the printed circuit board, then the mounting process is simplified, but the connection elements cannot reach the contacting side for proper electrical connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting processVSAvoidelectrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The passage acts as an intermediary structure that enables connection elements to traverse the printed circuit board from the mounting side to the contacting side. This intermediary feature allows the motor to be mounted from the front while still achieving proper electrical connection at the rear, simultaneously improving ease of manufacture and ensuring connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the printed circuit board is designed without passages, then the board structure remains simple and intact, but rear contacting of the board is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboard structureVSAvoidcontacting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The passage introduces a new dimensional feature through the printed circuit board, transforming it from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional structure with through-holes. This dimensional change enables the board to accommodate connection elements passing through it, providing rear contacting capability while maintaining relatively simple board construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3632195B1Control unit for activating a drive device, motor unit having a drive device and having a control unit, and method for producing the motor unit.
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3632195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control unit (2) for activating a drive device (1), wherein the control unit (2) has a circuit board (3) to to be contacted by at least one connecting element (4) of the drive device (1), which circuit board has at least one leadthrough (8) for the connecting element (4) and can be contacted by the drive device (1) from the contacting side (10) via the at least one connecting element (4), wherein the contacting side (10) faces away from the drive device (1). The invention further relates to a corresponding motor unit having a control unit and a drive device, and to a production method for producing a motor unit.