Power Module Positioning Structures for Board Terminal Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power modules face challenges in precise mechanical and electrical connection to control electronics due to difficulties in aligning terminals with assembly boards, often resulting in bent or displaced terminals that do not fit properly into contact holes.

Innovation Solution

The power module incorporates positioning structures on its side surface that can receive an alignment tool, allowing for controlled vertical and lateral movement, ensuring exact alignment with assembly boards through complementary alignment structures, facilitating secure electrical interconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional alignment methods are used without positioning structures, then the assembly process is simpler in terms of tooling, but the alignment precision between power module terminals and assembly board contact holes deteriorates, resulting in bent or displaced terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Positioning structures are pre-integrated into the power module housing before assembly, establishing predetermined alignment references that guide the alignment tool and ensure precise terminal-to-contact-hole alignment during the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An alignment tool serves as an intermediary device that bridges the power module and assembly board, utilizing the positioning structures to transmit alignment information and enable precise positioning during the assembly operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment methods are used, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of terminal alignment deteriorates, causing terminals to be bent or displaced and not fit properly into contact holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal alignment precisionVSAvoidalignment tool complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment features are pre-configured into the power module housing and alignment tool before assembly, establishing a predetermined alignment pathway that ensures precise terminal positioning when the alignment tool is used during assembly operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning structures on the power module housing automatically guide the alignment tool into the correct position, enabling the system to self-align without requiring complex external alignment equipment or sophisticated manual alignment procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4297085A1Power module comprising positioning structures, alignment tool and method for positioning and aligning the power module
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP4297085A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4297085A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4297085A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A power module (10) comprising at least one module component (12) is provided, wherein - the power module (10) has a side surface (10S), - the side surface (10S) of the power module (10) comprises positioning structures (13), and - at least one of the positioning structures (13) has a geometrical form configured for receiving an alignment tool (20) and further configured for vertically moving the power module (10) when sliding the alignment tool (20) along a lateral direction. Moreover, an alignment tool (20) and a method using the alignment tool (20) for positioning and aligning the power module (10) are provided.