Overlapping Power Terminals for Radial Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric power steering devices face challenges in size reduction, particularly in the radial direction, due to the limitations of their terminal configurations, which hinder further miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a power supplying-side terminal with a hanging, extending, and standing portion that overlaps with a power receiving-side terminal's corresponding portions, allowing for electrical continuity within the projected area of the circuit board, thereby reducing the radial size without increasing the terminal's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the terminal configuration uses a conventional layout with power supplying-side terminal and power receiving-side terminal positioned separately, then electrical connectivity is ensured, but the radial size of the electric power steering device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supplying-side terminal is positioned within the projected area of the circuit board, nesting the terminal structure within the existing board footprint rather than extending outward. This allows electrical connectivity to be maintained while eliminating the need for additional radial space, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact size and reliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a radial arrangement where terminals extend outward from the circuit board to a configuration where the power supplying-side terminal is positioned in the axial direction within the projected area of the circuit board. This dimensional repositioning allows electrical connectivity to be achieved without increasing radial dimensions, solving the size-connectivity contradiction
2Area of stationary object
If the terminal structure extends outward from the circuit board to ensure electrical continuity, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but the footprint on the circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supplying-side terminal is nested within the projected area of the circuit board, with its position in the axial direction allowing it to occupy space that does not increase the radial footprint. This nesting approach maintains electrical continuity through the hanging, extending, and standing portions while keeping the circuit board footprint unchanged
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is designed with different portions (hanging, extending, standing) that perform specific functions at different locations. The standing portion is positioned within the circuit board's projected area, while the hanging and extending portions provide the necessary electrical connection path without increasing the overall footprint, thus maintaining local optimization for both area and connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
A power supplying-side terminal (38) has a power supplying-side hanging portion (38H) extending toward a surface of the circuit board (31), a power supplying-side extending portion (38E) bent from the power supplying-side hanging portion (38H) and extending outwards along the surface of the circuit board (31) and a power supplying-side standing portion (38S) bent from the power supplying-side extending portion (38E) and extending in a direction away from circuit board (31). A power receiving-side terminal (39) has a power receiving-side extending portion (39E) extending outwards along the surface of the circuit board (31) and a power receiving-side standing portion (39S) bent from the power receiving-side extending portion (39E) and extending in the direction away from circuit board (31). The power supplying-side standing portion (38S) and the power receiving-side standing portion (39S) overlap each other, and connected to each other so as to have electrical continuity.