Semiconductor Module Latch Positioning for Electric Power Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control devices for electric power steering systems require complex and costly machine processing to ensure accurate positioning of semiconductor modules, leading to increased costs and complexity in the attachment process.
Innovation Solution
A control device design featuring a housing with a motor, a control unit, and a frame where a semiconductor module is interposed between the frame and an intermediate member, with a latch portion on one component and an engaged portion on the other, both formed from insulators, allowing for simplified and cost-effective attachment without affecting motor configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an engagement portion is provided in the motor case to improve positional accuracy of the semiconductor module, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase due to required machine processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate member as a mediator between the motor case and the semiconductor module. This intermediate member includes the engagement portion with a latch structure that mechanically couples to the semiconductor module, eliminating the need for complex machine processing of the motor case itself. The intermediate member serves as a bridge that provides precise positioning while keeping the motor case structure simple and easy to manufacture.
2Manufacturing precision
If machine processing is used to create an engagement portion in the motor case, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the number of managed processes and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function from the motor case by creating a separate intermediate member. This segmentation allows the engagement portion to be designed and manufactured independently with optimized simple structures, while the motor case maintains its primary function without complex modifications. The latch structure on the semiconductor module further segments the coupling mechanism into discrete, easily manufactured components.
3Manufacturing precision
If a special terminal extends from the semiconductor module to engage with the motor case, then positional accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member serves multiple functions: it provides the engagement portion for positioning, acts as an electrical connection interface, and serves as a mounting structure for the semiconductor module. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent eliminates the need for special terminals extending from the semiconductor module, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is concerning the control device equipped with a motor 2 and a control unit 1 which is coaxial to the motor 2. An upper frame 40 is arranged at a boundary between the motor 2 and the control unit 1. A semiconductor module 35, an intermediate member 50, and a control board 3 are provided in the control unit 1. For assembly of the semiconductor module 35 and the intermediate member 50, a latch portion 35f is provided on one of the semiconductor module 35 and the intermediate member 50, and an engaged portion into which the latch portion 35f locks is provided on the other of the semiconductor module 35 and the intermediate member 50, whereby positioning of the semiconductor module 35 and the intermediate member 50 is achieved.