JP2012218701A - Electric power steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric power steering device capable of respectively easily connecting an electric motor and a rotation position sensor to a control circuit for controlling the electric motor in driving.SOLUTION: An ECU housing 45 is installed on one end in the axial direction of a motor housing 31 to form a control circuit storage part 48 between both 31 and 45, a resolver 73 being the rotation position sensor for detecting a position in the rotational direction of a motor rotor 33 and the control circuit 49 for supplying electric power to the electric motor M based on an output signal of the resolver 73, are respectively arranged in the control circuit storage part 48, and the resolver 73 and the electric motor M are electrically connected to the control circuit 49 in the control circuit storage part 48.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric power steering apparatus using an electric motor as a power source.

  As a technique related to the electric power steering apparatus, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a pedestal that protrudes toward one radial direction of the motor housing is formed in the motor housing of the electric motor that outputs assist torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle. A drive control device that drives and controls the electric motor is fixed to the pedestal. The motor housing base part is provided with terminals for each phase electrically connected to the armature winding, and the power supply bus bars on the drive control device side are respectively connected to the terminals. It is connected.

JP 2009-132174 A

  By the way, the drive control apparatus in the technique described in Patent Document 1 is electrically connected to a rotational position sensor that detects the rotational position of the motor rotor, and generates electric power generated based on an output signal of the rotational position sensor. The electric power is supplied from the supply bus bar to the electric motor. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, electrical connection between the rotational position sensor and the drive control device is not considered at all. The work for electrically connecting the drive control device may be complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides an electric power steering device capable of easily connecting an electric motor and a rotational position sensor to a control circuit for driving and controlling the electric motor. The purpose is that.

  In particular, the present invention provides a control circuit housing that forms a control circuit housing portion between the motor housing and a rotational position for detecting the position of the motor rotor in the rotational direction. A sensor and a control circuit for supplying electric power to the electric motor based on an output signal of the rotational position sensor are provided in the control circuit housing portion, respectively, and a signal output terminal on the rotational position sensor side and the control circuit side The electrical connection with the signal input terminal of the electric motor and the electrical connection between the current input terminal on the electric motor side and the current output terminal on the control circuit side are respectively made in the control circuit housing portion. It is said.

  According to the present invention, the electric motor and the rotational position sensor can be easily connected to the control circuit for driving and controlling the electric motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic which shows an electric power steering apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. AA sectional drawing of FIG. BB sectional drawing of FIG. The expanded sectional view which shows the motor control apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the motor control device shown in FIG. 4. The figure which looked at the ECU housing of the state which assembled | attached the control circuit shown in FIG. 4 from the motor housing side. The figure which looked at the motor control apparatus of the state which removed the ECU housing shown in FIG. 4 from the ECU housing side. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The figure which looked at the motor control apparatus of the state which removed ECU housing from the ECU housing side. Sectional drawing along the axial direction of the motor control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The figure which looked at the motor control apparatus of the state which removed ECU housing from the ECU housing side. Sectional drawing along the axial direction of the motor control apparatus shown in FIG.

  1 to 7 are views showing a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of an electric power steering apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 3, illustration of the worm wheel 22 mentioned later is abbreviate | omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering shaft 1 that rotates integrally with the steering wheel SW is connected to a pinion shaft 4 via universal joints 2 a and 2 b and an intermediate shaft 3. As is well known, the pinion shaft 4 is connected to an input shaft 5 on the steering wheel SW side and an output shaft 6 that is coaxially connected to the lower end of the input shaft 5 with a torsion bar (not shown) and has a pinion gear 6a on the outer peripheral surface. The output shaft 6 is inserted into a substantially cylindrical pinion housing portion 7a extending in the vertical direction of a steering gear housing 7 supported and fixed to a vehicle body (not shown). It meshes with a rack shaft 8 accommodated in a substantially cylindrical rack accommodating portion 7b extending in the left-right direction. That is, the pinion shaft 4 and the rack shaft 8 constitute a so-called rack and pinion type steering gear 9 as a steering mechanism. 2 indicates a rack retainer that urges the rack shaft 8 in a direction in which the engagement with the pinion shaft 4 is strengthened.

  When the driver rotates the steering wheel SW, the input shaft 5 rotates in synchronization with the steering wheel SW to twist the torsion bar, and the output shaft 6 is connected to the input shaft 5 by the elastic force of the torsion bar. Rotate following. Then, the rotational motion of the output shaft 6 is converted into the linear motion of the rack shaft 8 by the rack and pinion mechanism, and the steered wheels 13 connected to both ends of the rack shaft 8 via the tie rods 11 and the knuckle arms 12 respectively. It will be steered.

  A substantially cylindrical sensor housing 14 is fixed to the upper open end of the pinion accommodating portion 7a of the steering gear housing 7 by a sensor housing fixing bolt 15, and the torsion bar is provided in the sensor housing 14. A torque sensor TS for detecting a steering torque by relative rotation between the input shaft 5 and the output shaft 6 based on the torsional deformation of the motor is housed.

  The torque sensor TS includes an outer cylinder 16 fixed by caulking to the upper end of the output shaft 6, an inner cylinder 17 fixed to the input shaft 14 at a position on the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 16, and an outer peripheral side of the outer cylinder 16. When the torsion bar is twisted, the overlapping area of the slits formed in the outer cylinder 16 and the inner cylinder 17 changes to increase or decrease the magnetic flux. Yes. Such an increase or decrease in magnetic flux is detected as an impedance difference of the coil unit 18 by the impedance detection circuit 19, and the information is output to an electronic control unit 21 described later.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotational driving force of the steering assist electric motor M is transmitted to the lower end portion of the output shaft 6 via the worm gear mechanism 20 that is a reduction mechanism. It has become. In addition to the output signal of the torque sensor TS, the electric motor M is described later by an electronic control unit 21 (hereinafter abbreviated as ECU) provided at a position opposite to the worm gear mechanism 20 across the electric motor M. The drive is controlled based on the output signal of the resolver 73 and the signal indicating the driving state of the vehicle such as the vehicle speed. As the electric motor M is driven and controlled in this way, a steering assist force corresponding to the driver's steering torque is applied to the output shaft 6 to assist the driver's steering. In addition, although mentioned later in detail, the electric motor M and ECU21 are integrally comprised as the motor control apparatus MC by sharing a part of those housing | casings.

  The worm gear mechanism 20 is integrally fixed to the lower end portion of the output shaft 6, and a worm wheel 22 having a tooth portion 22 a on the outer periphery and a tooth portion 23 a meshing with the tooth portion 22 a of the worm wheel 22 are in a predetermined range in the axial direction. The worm shaft 23 is formed in a worm gear housing 26. The worm gear housing 26 is fixed with a worm gear housing fixing bolt 25 at the lower open end of the pinion housing 5a.

  The worm gear housing 26 is formed so that a substantially flat cylindrical worm wheel housing portion 26a for housing the worm wheel 22 and a predetermined range in the axial direction face the worm wheel housing portion 26a. And a worm shaft housing portion 26b having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that is housed in a posture along the shape. Both ends of the worm shaft 23 in the axial direction are pivotally supported by the worm shaft housing portion 26b of the worm gear housing 26 via a pair of ball bearings 27 and 28, and one end of the worm shaft 23 in the axial direction is connected to the electric motor. It is coaxially connected to the M motor rotating shaft 24 via an Oldham coupling 29 as a shaft coupling. In addition, the code | symbol 26c of FIG. 2 is an end cover which closes the opening on the opposite side to the steering gear housing 7 among the worm wheel accommodating parts 26a.

  The electric motor M is configured integrally with the ECU 21 by sharing a part of the casing with the ECU 21 as described above, and the motor control device MC configured as an integral unit accommodates the worm shaft in the worm gear housing 26. The motor control device fixing bolt 30 is attached and fixed to the opening end of the portion 26b. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the motor control device MC along the axial direction, and FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the motor control device MC.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the electric motor M is a so-called three-phase induction motor driven by three-phase AC power, and includes a motor housing 31 and a motor element housing portion 32 described later in the motor housing 31. A motor rotating shaft 24 to be inserted and a motor element MB for rotating the motor rotating shaft 24 by energization are provided, and one end of the motor rotating shaft 24 is a resolver as a rotational position sensor in a control circuit housing portion 48 described later. The other end of the motor rotating shaft 24 is connected to the worm shaft 23 via an Oldham coupling 29 in the worm shaft housing portion 26b on the worm gear housing 26 side.

  The motor element MB is press-fitted into the outer periphery of the motor rotating shaft 24 and is prevented from rotating by a key or the like (not shown). A substantially cylindrical motor stator 34 arranged in a non-contact state via a radial gap, and the motor rotor 33 rotates the motor by three-phase AC power supplied from the ECU 21 to the motor stator 34. It rotates with the shaft 24.

  The motor housing 31 is divided into two parts in the axial direction by a first housing member 35 and a second housing member 36. The first housing member 35 is fixed to the opening end of the worm shaft housing portion 26 b of the worm gear housing 26 by a motor control device fixing bolt 30 and has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that opens toward the opposite side of the worm gear housing 26. ing. On the other hand, the second housing member 36 is formed with a partition wall 37 at an axially intermediate portion of the peripheral wall having a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first housing member 35 side of the peripheral wall of the second housing member 36 with the partition wall 37 interposed therebetween. The portion is formed as a substantially cylindrical cylindrical portion 38, and the portion of the peripheral wall of the second housing member 36 on the side opposite to the first housing member 35 across the partition wall 37 is a rectangular tube portion having a substantially rectangular cross section. 39 is formed.

  Then, the second housing member fixing bolt 40 is used to form a cylinder by the second housing member fixing bolt 40 in a state where the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 38 on the second housing member 36 side is seated on a flange portion 35c formed on the front end portion of the peripheral wall 35b on the first housing member 35 side. The tip of the portion 38 and the flange portion 35c are fixed to each other. As a result, a motor element accommodating portion 32 that accommodates the motor element MB is formed between the bottom wall 35 a of the first housing member 35 and the partition wall 37 of the second housing member 36. That is, the cylindrical portion 38 of the second housing member 35 functions as a peripheral wall of the motor element housing portion 32 together with the peripheral wall 35 b of the first housing member 35.

  In addition, a substantially cylindrical first bearing housing portion 41 is formed to protrude toward the motor element housing portion 32 at the center portion of the partition wall 37 of the second housing member 36 and is housed in the first bearing housing portion 41. The end portion on the ECU 21 side of the motor rotating shaft 24 is supported by the first ball bearing 42 so as to be rotatable. On the other hand, a substantially cylindrical second bearing housing portion 43 is formed to protrude toward the motor element housing portion 32 at the center portion of the bottom wall 35a of the first housing member 35. The end of the motor rotating shaft 24 on the worm shaft 23 side is rotatably supported by the accommodated second ball bearing 44.

  Furthermore, the opening of the rectangular tube portion 39 of the second housing member 36 is closed by an ECU housing 45 serving as a control circuit housing. The ECU housing 45 includes a power module 46 that generates three-phase AC power to be supplied to the electric motor M, and a control module that drives and controls a switching element (not shown) represented by a MOS-FET in the power module 46. 47 from the electric motor M side in a superposed state in the order of the control module 47 and the power module 46. That is, the ECU 21 is configured by housing the control circuit 49 including the control module 47 and the power module 46 in the control circuit housing portion 48 formed between the partition wall 37 of the second housing member 36 and the control circuit housing 45. Has been. 3 to 5 are external connection connectors for connecting the torque sensor TS and a battery (not shown) to the control circuit 49, and reference numeral 83 in FIG. 5 is the second housing member 36 and the ECU housing 45. Are ECU housing mounting screws that fasten and fix each other.

  6 is a view of the ECU housing 45 with the control circuit 49 assembled as viewed from the motor housing 31 side, and FIG. 7 is a view of the motor control device MC with the ECU housing 45 removed as viewed from the ECU housing 45 side. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6 in addition to FIGS. 4 and 5, the ECU housing 45 has a power module housing recess 51 that opens in a substantially rectangular shape toward the motor housing 31, and the power module housing recess 51 has power. The module 46 is accommodated, and a plurality of substantially cylindrical boss portions 52 protruding from the bottom surface of the power module accommodating recess 51 are provided. Each boss portion 52 extends to a position closer to the motor housing 31 than the opening end of the power module housing recess 51, and the control module 47 is mounted on the tip surface of each boss portion 52, It is fixed by a plurality of control module mounting screws 53 that are respectively screwed into the portion 52. As a result, the control module 47 is accommodated on the inner peripheral side of the rectangular tube portion 39 on the motor housing 31 side.

  The control module 47 forms a conductive pattern (not shown) on both front and back surfaces of the substrate 54 made of a non-conductive resin material typified by glass epoxy resin, and a microcomputer for performing a predetermined calculation thereon. The circuit board 54 of the control module 47 has a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the opening end of the power module housing recess 51. ing.

  Further, the substrate 54 of the control module 47 is provided as a signal input terminal at one end edge of the substrate 54, a female sensor connector 56 for inputting a signal from a resolver 73 described later, the control module 47, and the power module A plurality of through-holes 55 formed so as to penetrate each other are provided.

  On the other hand, the power module 46 has three current output terminals 57u, 57v, and 57w for supplying the three-phase AC power generated by the power module 46 to the motor stator 34 of the electric motor M. The current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w are juxtaposed along one edge of the board 54 on the control module 47 side where the sensor connector 56 is provided, and the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w are arranged in parallel. 2, the two current output terminals 57u and 57v are located on one side (right side in FIG. 6) with the sensor connection connector 56 on the control module 47 side interposed, and one is located on the other side (left side in FIG. 6). A current output terminal 57w is provided. That is, a gap larger than the width dimension of the sensor connector 56 is provided between the current output terminals 57u and 57v and the current output terminal 57w. Further, by arranging the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w and the sensor connection connector 56 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the electric motor M, the control circuit housing portion 48 in the axial direction of the electric motor M can be reduced in size. Yes.

  Each current output terminal 57u, 57v, 57w passes through the gap between the square tube portion 39 and one end edge of the control module 47, and faces the space between the control module 47 and the partition wall 37. The electric motor M is connected via a conductor module 58 provided at a position where the tip of each of the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w overlaps the sensor connection connector 56 in the mounting direction of the ECU housing 45 with respect to the motor housing 31. It is electrically connected to the motor stator 34 on the side. Here, the assembly direction of the ECU housing 45 with respect to the motor housing 31 means the approaching / separating direction between the motor housing 31 and the ECU housing 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the conductor module 58 is made of a conductive metal material, and has three bus bars 59 u and 59 v as relay terminals having one ends connected to the current output terminals 57 u, 57 v, and 57 w, respectively. 59w and a terminal block 60 made of an insulating resin material and holding the bus bars 59u, 59v, 59w.

  The terminal block 60 extends with the alignment direction of the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w as the longitudinal direction, and holds the bus bars 59u, 59v, 59w, respectively, and both longitudinal ends of the terminal block body 61 And a pair of mounting bases 62 fixed to the partition wall 37 of the second housing member 36 with conductor module mounting screws 63, and the above-described current output terminals 57u, A predetermined gap is formed between the inner surface of the rectangular tube portion 39 by abutment between the protruding portion 39a formed at a position corresponding to the gap between 57v and the current output terminal 57w and the terminal base body 61. Forming.

  On the other hand, each bus bar 59u, 59v, 59w is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the terminal block main body 61, and is located at a position on one side (left side in FIG. 7) of the terminal block main body 61 with the protruding portion 39a interposed therebetween. One bus bar 59w is provided at a position where one bus bar 59u, 59v is on the other side (right side in FIG. 7).

  Each of the bus bars 59u, 59v, 59w is formed by bending a conductive metal plate into a substantially L shape, and is in close proximity to the inner peripheral surface of the rectangular tube portion 39 in the terminal block main body 61. A power module side connection portion 64 superposed on the terminal mounting surface 61b, and a motor side connection portion 65 that bends at a substantially right angle from one end of the power module side connection portion 64 and extends toward the resolver 73 described later. Yes.

  A terminal insertion hole 37 a is formed at a position corresponding to the motor side connection portion 65 of each bus bar 59 u, 59 v, 59 w in the partition wall 37 of the second housing member 36, and the terminal insertion hole 37 a is inserted from the motor stator 34. A plurality of current input terminals 66u, 66v, 66w extending into the control circuit accommodating portion 48 are electrically connected to the motor side connection portions 65 of the bus bars 59u, 59v, 59w, for example, by welding.

  Further, the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w on the power module 46 side are superposed on the power module side connection portion 64 of each bus bar 59u, 59v, 59w, and are fastened and fixed by terminal fixing screws 67, respectively. . Thereby, the power module 46 and the motor stator 34 are electrically connected.

  Further, in a position where each terminal fixing screw 67 faces in the rectangular tube portion 39, a substantially circular work is performed so that each terminal fixing screw 67 can be rotated in a state where the motor housing 31 and the ECU housing 45 are combined. The holes 68 are formed so as to penetrate each other, and each of the working holes 68 is sealed with a plug 70 with an O-ring 69, and a cover plate 71 covering each plug 70 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rectangular tube portion 39. It is attached with a plate attachment screw 72.

  On the other hand, the end of the motor rotating shaft 24 on the ECU 21 side is connected to a resolver 73 serving as a rotational position sensor provided in the control circuit housing 48. That is, the resolver 73 is provided at a position between the motor element MB and the control circuit 49.

  The resolver 73 includes a resolver rotor 74 as a sensor rotor that is integrally fixed to an end of the motor rotation shaft 24 on the ECU 21 side, and a partition wall of the second housing member 36 at a position on the outer peripheral side of the resolver rotor 74. 37, a ring-shaped resolver stator 75 fixed as a sensor stator, and a plurality of signal output terminals 76 electrically connected at one end to the resolver stator 75, and rotate integrally with the resolver rotor 74. A detection signal corresponding to the rotational position of the motor stator 34 is output from each signal output terminal 76 to the control module 47. Reference numeral 77 in FIG. 7 denotes a resolver mounting screw for fixing the resolver stator 75 to the partition wall 37.

  The resolver stator 75 is formed in a substantially annular shape surrounding the outer periphery of the resolver rotor 74, and is a stator as a stator body formed by winding a stator coil 80 around a plurality of teeth 79 projecting radially inward. A main body 78 and a resin-made terminal holding portion 81 that extends radially outward from the stator main body 77 toward the conductor module 58 and in which one end portion of each signal output terminal 76 is embedded.

  Each signal output terminal 76 is formed by bending a linear member made of a conductive metal material into a substantially crank shape, and is a straight sensor side through which the terminal holding portion 81 is inserted in the axial direction of the electric motor M. A connecting portion 76a, a straight intermediate connecting portion 76b that is bent at a substantially right angle from the end on the control circuit 49 side of the sensor side connecting portion 76a and extends toward the conductor module 58, and an intermediate connecting portion 76b Of these, a straight control circuit side connection portion 76c that is bent at a substantially right angle from the end portion on the conductor module 58 side and extends toward the sensor connection connector 56 side is provided.

  The other end of the conductive wire 82, one end of which is electrically connected to the stator coil 80, is wound around the tip of the sensor side connecting portion 76a of each signal output terminal 76, and each signal output. The tip of the control circuit side connection portion 76 c of the terminals 76 is inserted into the sensor connection connector 56 on the control module 47 side. As a result, the resolver 73 and the control module 47 are electrically connected, and the output signal of the resolver 73 is input to the control module 47. In addition, the code | symbol 76d of FIG. 4 has shown the bulge part formed by winding the other end of the wire 82 around the front-end | tip of the sensor side connection part 76a among each signal output terminal 76. FIG.

  In addition, the end on the control circuit side connecting portion 76c side of the intermediate connecting portion 76b of each signal output terminal 76 is on the control module 47 side in the mounting direction of the ECU housing 45 with respect to the motor housing 31 on the upper surface of the terminal base body 61. Are fitted into a plurality of groove portions 61a formed at positions overlapping with the sensor connection connector 56, and backed up by the terminal block body 61 in the assembling direction.

  That is, to assemble the motor control device MC configured as described above, the motor element MB, the motor rotating shaft 24, the resolver 73, and the conductor module 58 are in the motor housing 31, and the power module 46 and the control module 47 are in the ECU housing 45. After assembling each other, the opening end of the square tube portion 39 on the motor housing 31 side and the opening end on the ECU housing 45 side are abutted while relatively positioning the both 31 and 45. As a result, the current output terminals 57u, 57v, and 57w on the power module 46 side are inserted into the gaps between the inner peripheral surface of the rectangular tube portion 39 and the power module side connection portions 64 of the bus bars 59u, 59v, and 59w, respectively. At the same time, the control circuit side connection portion 76c of each signal output terminal 76 is inserted into the sensor connection connector 56 on the control module 47 side. At this time, since the intermediate connection portions 76b of the signal output terminals 76 are backed up by the terminal block 60, bending deformation of the intermediate connection portions 76b due to the pressing force from the sensor connection connector 56 is suppressed, and the control circuit side connection portion 76c is smoothly inserted into the sensor connector 56 without being displaced.

  When the motor housing 31 and the ECU housing 45 are combined in this way, both the 31 and 45 are fastened and fixed to each other by the ECU housing mounting screw 83, and then each of the motor housing 31 and the ECU housing 45 is put into the control circuit housing portion 48 through each work hole 68. The bus bars 59u, 59v, 59w and the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w are fastened and fixed together by the inserted terminal fixing screws 67, and the work holes 68 are sealed by the plugs 70 and the cover plate 71, respectively. . Thereby, in addition to the electrical connection between the current input terminals 66u, 66v, 66w on the electric motor M side and the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w on the control circuit 49 side, the sensor connection connector 56 on the control circuit 49 side. And the signal output terminals 76 on the resolver 73 side are electrically connected in the control circuit housing portion 48, and the motor control device MC is completed.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the electrical connection between the current input terminals 66u, 66v, 66w on the electric motor M side and the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w on the control circuit 49 side, the control circuit Since the sensor connection connector 56 on the 49 side and the signal output terminals 76 on the resolver 73 side are electrically connected in the control circuit housing portion 48, the electric motor M and the resolver 73 are respectively connected to the control circuit 49. It can be easily connected.

  Further, since the control circuit 49 and the resolver 73 are electrically connected only by combining the motor housing 31 and the ECU housing 45, the assembly work of the motor control device MC becomes easier.

  Further, the power module side connection portion 64 of each bus bar 59u, 59v, 59w is disposed close to the inner peripheral surface of the rectangular tube portion 39, and the power module side connection portion of each bus bar 59u, 59v, 59w in the rectangular tube portion 39. By forming the working holes 68 through the positions where the 64 faces, the bus bars 59u, 59v, 59w and the current output terminals 57u, 57v, 57w can be connected through the working holes 68. Therefore, the assembly work of the motor control device MC is further facilitated.

  8 and 9 are views showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 8 is a view of the motor control device MC with the ECU housing 45 removed as viewed from the ECU housing 45 side, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along the axial direction of the motor control apparatus MC shown in FIG. 8 and 9, the same or corresponding parts as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the terminal holding portion 84 of the resolver 73 is extended to a position where it overlaps the sensor connection connector 56 in the assembly direction of the ECU housing 45 with respect to the motor housing 31. The intermediate connection portion 76 b of each signal output terminal 76 is embedded in the terminal holding portion 84. That is, among the signal output terminals 76, the straight control circuit side connection portion 76 c that does not have a bent portion extends from the distal end portion of the terminal holding portion 84 toward the sensor connection connector 56 side.

  The terminal holding portion 84 is spanned between both end edges of the terminal insertion hole 37 a in the radial direction of the resolver 73, and the tip of the terminal holding portion 84 is on the outer peripheral edge portion of the partition wall 37 in the second housing member 36. Sitting. In the second embodiment, a part of the terminal block body 61 is cut out from the terminal block 60 on the conductor module 58 side in order to avoid interference with the terminal holding portion 84 that is extended as described above. Yes. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and among the signal output terminals 76 from the terminal holding portion 84 to the sensor connection connector 56 side. The control circuit side connection portion 76c that protrudes toward the side does not have a bent portion, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in component accuracy due to an error when forming the bent portion. Thus, there is an advantage that the relative positional accuracy with respect to the sensor connector 56 is improved, and the assembly work of the motor control device MC is further facilitated.

  Further, since the tip of the terminal holding portion 84 is backed up by being seated on the partition wall 37 of the second housing member 36, bending deformation of the terminal holding portion 84 due to the pressing force from the sensor connection connector 56 is suppressed, The signal output terminal 76 can be more smoothly inserted into the sensor connector 56.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 10 is a view of the motor control device MC with the ECU housing 45 removed as viewed from the ECU housing 45 side, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along the axial direction of the motor control apparatus MC shown in FIG. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals as those in the second embodiment are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in the second embodiment described above.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each signal output terminal 85 is formed in a straight shape having no bent portion, and the other portions are the second embodiment described above. It is the same. In other words, of each signal output terminal 85, a sensor side connection portion 85a that protrudes from the terminal holding portion 84 toward the opposite side of the sensor connection connector 56, and an intermediate connection portion 85b embedded in the terminal holding portion 84. The control circuit side connection portion 85c protruding from the terminal holding portion 84 toward the sensor connection connector 56 is formed on a straight line. In addition, the code | symbol 85d of FIG. 11 has shown the bald part formed by winding the other end of the wire 82 around the front-end | tip of the sensor side connection part 85a among each signal output terminal 85. FIG.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as that of the second embodiment described above, and the entire signal output terminal 85 does not have a bent portion. Therefore, each signal output terminal 85 can be easily manufactured, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

  Here, technical ideas other than those described in the scope of claims ascertained from the above-described embodiments will be described below.

(1) The current input terminal on the electric motor side and the current output terminal on the control circuit side are electrically connected via a conductor module provided in the control circuit housing portion,
The conductor module includes a relay terminal that electrically connects the current input terminal and the current output terminal, and a terminal block that holds the relay terminal,
The end of the relay terminal on the current output terminal side is offset in the direction closer to the peripheral wall of the control circuit housing portion than the end of the relay terminal on the current input terminal side, while the control 2. A work window is formed in the peripheral wall of the circuit housing portion so as to allow a connection work between the relay terminal and the current output terminal to be performed from outside the control circuit housing portion. The electric power steering apparatus as described.

  According to the technical idea described in (1), the connection work between the relay terminal and the current output terminal can be easily performed from outside the control circuit housing portion.

(2) The signal input terminal on the control circuit side is provided at a position facing the terminal block in the assembly direction of the control circuit housing with respect to the motor housing, and the signal output on the rotational position sensor side in the assembly direction. While it is designed to fit into the terminal
The electric power steering device according to (1), wherein the signal output terminal is backed up in the assembly direction by the terminal block.

  According to the technical idea described in (2), during the connection work between the signal output terminal and the signal input terminal, a force that pushes the end on the signal input terminal side of the signal output terminal in the axial direction acts. Then, the terminal block suppresses the deformation of the signal output terminal, and the connection work between the signal output terminal and the signal input terminal is further facilitated.

(3) The sensor stator includes an annular stator body that surrounds the outer peripheral side of the sensor rotor, and from the stator body toward the signal input terminal side of the control circuit in the radial direction of the stator body. A resin-made terminal holding portion that extends, and by embedding a part of the signal output terminal in the longitudinal direction in the terminal holding portion, the signal output terminal is held by the terminal holding portion. And
The control circuit side end of the signal output terminal protrudes from the terminal holding portion toward the signal input terminal side of the control circuit as a straight control circuit side connection portion having no bent portion, and the control circuit side The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connection portion is electrically connected to the signal input terminal.

  According to the technical idea described in (3), since the control circuit side connection portion does not have a bent portion, it is possible to suppress a decrease in component accuracy due to an error in forming the bent portion. It is possible to improve the relative positional accuracy between the circuit side connection portion and the signal input terminal on the counterpart side.

(4) The entire signal output terminal has a straight shape having no bent portion,
The stator body and the signal output terminal are electrically connected by winding a conductive wire extending from the stator body around the signal output terminal (3) The electric power steering device described in 1.

  According to the technical idea described in (4), since the entire signal output terminal is formed in a straight shape having no bent portion, the signal output terminal can be easily manufactured, which is advantageous in terms of cost. Become.

(5) The signal input terminal on the control circuit side is provided at a position facing the control circuit side connection portion of the signal output terminal on the rotational position sensor side in the assembly direction of the control circuit housing with respect to the motor housing. And is adapted to fit in the assembly direction with respect to the control circuit side connection portion,
The electric power steering apparatus according to (3) or (4), wherein a distal end portion of the terminal holding portion is seated on a partition wall between the motor element housing portion and the control circuit housing portion.

  According to the technical idea described in (5), when the force for pushing the control circuit side connection portion of the signal output terminal in the axial direction is applied during the connection work of the signal output terminal and the signal input terminal, Since the deformation of the terminal holding portion is suppressed by the partition wall, the connection work between the signal output terminal and the signal input terminal is further facilitated.

  (6) The power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current output terminal and the signal input terminal of the control circuit are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the electric motor.

  According to the technical idea described in (6), by arranging the current output terminal and the signal input terminal of the control circuit side by side in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the electric motor, the control circuit is arranged in the axial direction of the electric motor. The accommodating portion can be reduced in size.

SW ... Steering wheel M ... Electric motor 9 ... Steering gear (steering mechanism)
13 ... steered wheel 20 ... worm gear mechanism (deceleration mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 24 ... Motor rotating shaft 31 ... Motor housing 32 ... Motor element accommodating part 33 ... Motor rotor 34 ... Motor stator 45 ... ECU housing (control circuit housing)
48 ... Control circuit housing part 49 ... Control circuit 56 ... Sensor connection connector (signal input terminal)
57u, 57v, 57w ... Current output terminal 66u, 66v, 66w ... Current input terminal 73 ... Resolver (rotational position sensor)
74 ... Resolver rotor (sensor rotor)
75 ... Resolver stator (sensor stator)
76 ... Signal output terminal 78 ... Stator body (stator body)
81 ... Terminal holding part 82 ... Wire

Claims (2)

A steering mechanism that transmits the rotation of the steering wheel to the steered wheels;
A motor stator having a current input terminal and a motor rotor provided on the inner peripheral side of the motor stator are housed in a motor element housing portion of a motor housing, respectively, and rotate with the motor rotor. An electric motor in which a rotating shaft is inserted through the motor element housing portion in the axial direction, and the motor rotor rotates together with the motor rotating shaft with electric power supplied from a current input terminal of the motor stator;
A control circuit housing which is provided on one side in the axial direction of the electric motor and forms a control circuit housing portion facing the one end of the motor rotation shaft between the motor housing;
A speed reduction mechanism that is provided on the other side in the axial direction of the electric motor and transmits the rotation of the motor rotation shaft to the steering mechanism;
A sensor rotor fixed to one end portion of the motor rotation shaft in the control circuit housing portion, a sensor stator provided on the outer peripheral side of the sensor rotor in the control circuit housing portion, and one end of the sensor stator A rotational position sensor that detects the position of the motor rotor in the rotational direction and outputs the detection signal from the signal output terminal;
A signal input terminal for receiving a detection signal of the rotational position sensor from the signal output terminal; a current output terminal for supplying electric power generated based on the detection signal of the rotational position sensor to the motor stator from the current input terminal; A control circuit fixed to the control circuit housing in the control circuit housing portion;
With
An electrical connection between the signal output terminal on the rotational position sensor side and a signal input terminal on the control circuit side; and an electrical connection between a current input terminal on the electric motor side and a current output terminal on the control circuit side. Are respectively made in the control circuit housing portion. The sensor stator extends from the stator body to the signal input terminal side of the control circuit in the radial direction of the stator body, and surrounds the outer periphery of the sensor rotor. While having a resin terminal holding portion,
The signal output terminal is formed in a straight shape having no bent part, and is held in the terminal holding part by embedding a part in the longitudinal direction of the signal output terminal in the terminal holding part,
2. The stator body and the signal output terminal are electrically connected by winding a conductive wire extending from the stator body around the signal output terminal. The electric power steering device described in 1.

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