JP2013196974A - Terminal connection section group and electric actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure for reducing a reaction force when connected to a terminal connection section group provided with plural terminal connection sections in which one conduction terminal and the other conduction terminal are connected to each other.SOLUTION: A terminal connection section group provided with terminal connection sections for three phases is constituted by drive circuit side second conductive terminals 15a, 15b, 15c having shaft sections 24, and motor side conductive terminals 16a, 16b, 16c provided with a pair of holding sections 37 moving forward in a direction almost orthogonal to the shaft sections 24 and holding the shaft sections 24. The shaft sections 24 and the pair of holding sections 37 with the same constitution are used for every terminal connection section. The shaft sections 24 are arranged at different positions in an entry direction for every terminal connection section, and the pair of holding sections 37 are arranged at almost the same position in the entry direction for every terminal connection section. The terminal connection sections of three phases are pressure-welded in three stages.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal connecting portion group provided with a plurality of terminal connecting portions that electrically connect the other energizing terminal to one energizing terminal, and an electric actuator provided with the terminal connecting portion group.

  For example, an electric motor is used as a drive source in a device that generates a steering assist torque by applying a rotational driving force in the same direction as the rotation direction of a steering shaft that is rotated by a driver, such as an electric power steering device. ing. The electric motor is accommodated in the motor unit, and a control means for controlling the electric motor is accommodated in the control unit. An energization terminal connected to the electric motor and an energization terminal connected to the control means are provided. The terminal connection part is comprised by these connected energization terminals. And such a terminal connection part is provided for several, for example, three phases, and the terminal connection part group is comprised.

  As a conventional terminal connection part group, the thing of patent documents 1 is known, for example. In patent document 1, the insertion web 21 is inserted in the insertion slit 18, and the terminal connection part which can provide a heavy current load is comprised. A plurality of such terminal connection portions are provided to constitute a terminal connection portion group.

Special table 2010-508646

  However, in the terminal connection portion group described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of insertion webs 21 are simultaneously inserted into the plurality of insertion slits 18, so that a single insertion web is inserted into the single insertion slit 18. The insertion force required for inserting 21 is abruptly required to be several times the insertion force corresponding to the number of terminal connection portions. Become. Therefore, there is a need to be able to withstand the reaction force received when the insertion force is applied, and the structure may be enlarged.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the terminal connection part group and electric actuator which solved said subject.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a terminal connecting portion is constituted by a first energizing terminal having a shaft portion and a second energizing terminal having a pair of holding portions for holding the shaft portion, and a plurality of the terminal connecting portions are provided. In the terminal connection section group provided,
When connecting the first energization terminal and the second energization terminal, the shaft portion relatively enters between the pair of sandwiching portions, and between the shaft portion and the pair of sandwiching portions. The press-contact start timing at which the press-contact force starts to act is configured to be different for each terminal connection portion.

The invention according to claim 2 is the terminal connection portion group according to claim 1,
The shaft portion of the first current-carrying terminal is disposed at a different position for each of the terminal connection portions with respect to the direction in which the second current-carrying terminal enters toward the shaft portion,
The pair of sandwiching portions of the second energization terminals are arranged at substantially the same position for each of the terminal connection portions with respect to the direction in which the second energization terminals enter toward the shaft portion.

The invention according to claim 3 is the terminal connection portion group according to claim 1,
The shaft portion of the first current-carrying terminal is disposed at substantially the same position for each terminal connection portion with respect to the direction in which the second current-carrying terminal enters toward the shaft portion,
The pair of sandwiching portions of the second energization terminals are arranged at different positions for each of the terminal connection portions with respect to the direction in which the second energization terminals enter toward the shaft portion.

The invention according to claim 4 comprises a motor unit that houses an electric motor, and a control unit that houses control means for controlling the motor,
The control means is arranged such that the motor drive circuit unit and the filter circuit unit are opposed to each other in the axial direction of the electric motor,
An electric actuator electrically connected between the motor drive circuit unit and the filter circuit unit or between the motor drive circuit unit or the filter circuit unit and the electric motor;
In a terminal connection portion group in which a terminal connection portion is constituted by a first current supply terminal having a shaft portion and a second current supply terminal provided with a pair of holding portions for holding the shaft portion, and a plurality of the terminal connection portions are provided. When connecting the first energization terminal and the second energization terminal, the shaft portion relatively enters between the pair of sandwiching portions, and between the shaft portion and the pair of sandwiching portions. A terminal connection portion group configured so that the pressure contact start timing at which the pressure contact force starts to act is different for each terminal connection portion,
The terminal connection portion group electrically connects the motor drive circuit portion and the filter circuit portion or between the motor drive circuit portion or the filter circuit portion and the electric motor.

  According to the terminal connection portion group according to claim 1, the timing of the press contact start at which the press contact force starts to act between the shaft portion and the pair of sandwiching portions is sequentially shifted for each terminal connection portion. Compared with the prior art in which the parts simultaneously start pressure welding, it is possible to suppress a large load from acting suddenly on the structure that provides the insertion force. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the structure so as to withstand the reaction force generated when the insertion force is applied, and to suppress an increase in cost.

  According to the terminal connection part group which concerns on Claim 2, the axial part of the 1st electricity supply terminal was arrange | positioned in the position which is different for every terminal connection part with respect to the direction into which a 2nd electricity supply terminal approachs toward a shaft part. Therefore, it is only necessary to increase the length of the portion where the first energization terminal is disposed in the terminal connection portion in the direction in which the second energization terminal enters, and the increase in the size of the terminal connection end group is suppressed.

  According to the terminal connection part group which concerns on Claim 3, it arrange | positions a pair of clamping part of a 2nd electricity supply terminal in a position which is different for every terminal connection part with respect to the direction into which a 2nd electricity supply terminal approachs toward an axial part. Therefore, the second energizing terminal can be manufactured by press-molding one member, and the manufacturing cost of the terminal connecting portion group can be reduced.

  According to the electric actuator of the fourth aspect, since the connection is made via the terminal connection portion group according to the first aspect, conventionally, a structure in which a plurality of terminal connection portions apply an insertion force so as to start press contact simultaneously. A large load is acting on the body suddenly, but such a large load is avoided. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size of the structure so as to withstand the reaction force generated when the insertion force is applied, and the cost increase can be suppressed.

(A) is a block diagram of an intermittent state, (b) is a block diagram of a connection state (embodiment 1). 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric power steering device (Embodiment 1). FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an electric power steering device (Embodiment 1). FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of an electric power steering device with a part broken away (Embodiment 1). (A) is a block diagram of an intermittent state, (b) is a block diagram of a connection state (embodiment 2). (A) is a block diagram of an intermittent state, (b) is a block diagram of a connection state (embodiment 3). (A) is a block diagram of an intermittent state, (b) is a block diagram of a connection state (embodiment 4). (A) is a block diagram of an intermittent state, (b) is a block diagram of a connection state (embodiment 5).

Hereinafter, embodiments of a terminal connecting portion and an electric actuator according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the electric actuator according to the present invention is applied to an electric power steering device that assists the torque when the steering wheel is turned.
(A) Embodiment 1
First, the first embodiment will be described.
(Configuration of Embodiment 1)
An electric power steering device is provided in the vehicle in order to assist the torque when the driver rotates the steering wheel. The electric power steering apparatus includes a torque sensor that detects a rotation direction and a rotation torque of a steering shaft, and drives the electric motor based on a detection value of the torque sensor. The electric motor and the electric motor And control means for controlling.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric power steering apparatus includes a motor unit 1 and a control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 2. The motor unit 1 houses an electric motor such as a three-phase brushless motor. The control unit 2 accommodates control means. Three boss portions 1b are formed on the output shaft side located in the upper right of the motor housing 1a constituting the motor unit 1, and a bolt (not shown) is inserted into a mounting hole 1c provided in the boss portion 1b. The motor unit 1 is coupled to a gear (not shown) of the vehicle. An exterior part 1d having a large outer dimension is formed in the lower left in the drawing on the side opposite to the output shaft of the motor housing 1a, and the control unit 2 is coupled to the exterior part 1d via a bolt (not shown).

  The control unit 2 includes a bottomed cylindrical ECU housing 3 whose bottom is coupled to the motor unit 1, a lid 4 coupled to the ECU housing 3 through three bolts (not shown), and an ECU housing. The motor drive circuit unit 5, the control circuit unit 6, and the filter circuit unit 7 housed in the housing space formed by the cover 3 and the lid body 4.

  The motor drive circuit unit 5 drives and controls a MOSFET (not shown) by a control signal sent from the control circuit 6, and drives the electric motor by supplying alternating current to the three-phase motor side energization terminals of the electric motor by the MOSFET. A MOSFET (not shown) is mounted on the metal substrate 8. The control circuit unit 6 controls the MOSFET and the like as described above, and is configured by mounting a microcomputer (not shown) on the printed circuit board 9. The filter circuit unit 7 has a function of absorbing noise inside and outside the control unit 2, absorbs noise mixed into the power supply line from inside and outside of the control unit 2 and MOSFET switching noise (radio noise), and outputs to the outside. It suppresses propagation and is configured by mounting a capacitor, a coil, a relay, and the like (not shown) on the resin substrate 10.

  A connector 4a is integrally formed on the outer surface of the lid body 4, and the motor drive circuit unit 5, the control circuit unit 6, the filter circuit unit 7 and the motor unit 1 are connected to the battery 4 (not shown) via the connector 4a. Electric power is supplied to the electric motor. A configuration for supplying power will be described in detail below.

  One end of the lid side power terminals 11 a and 11 b penetrating the lid 4 faces the inside of the connector 4 a, and the other end projects toward the inside of the lid 4. On the other hand, the filter circuit side power terminals 12a and 12b are provided in the filter circuit portion 7 so as to penetrate the resin substrate 10, and the lid body side power terminals 11a and 11b are inserted into the filter circuit side power terminals 12a and 12b. Are welded and joined.

  The filter circuit unit 7 is provided with filter circuit side energization terminals 13a and 13b penetrating the resin substrate 10, while the metal substrate 8 is provided with drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b protruding. The drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b are connected to the filter circuit side energization terminals 13a and 13b through notches 9a formed in the printed circuit board 9.

  The metal substrate 8 is provided with drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c for three phases, while the motor unit 1 has motor phase energization terminals 16a to 16c for three phases connected to an electric motor. The motor side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c for the three phases are connected to the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15 a to 15 c through the long holes 3 a formed in the ECU housing 3.

  The drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b and the three-phase motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c are attached to the metal substrate 8 as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, the block 17 is made of resin, and the projections 17 a and 17 b formed on the block 17 are fitted into the through holes of the metal substrate 8, so that the block 17 is coupled to the metal substrate 8. ing. The block 17 is molded with the shaft 24 at the upper end of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c for three phases and the vicinity of the base end part 26 of the drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b. .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, three concave portions 17c are formed on one surface of the block 17, and the shaft portions 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c for three phases enter the concave portion 17c. Then, the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c are molded, and the base end portions 27 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c protrude toward the wiring circuit of the metal substrate 8 and are connected to the wiring circuit. Yes. The upper end portions of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15 a to 15 c are supported in a state where the vertical position of the shaft portion 24 is embedded in the inner wall of the concave portion 17 c of the block 17. In addition, you may employ | adopt the structure which penetrates the axial part 24 inside the recessed part 17c, without molding. On the other hand, the drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b are molded in the vicinity of the base end portion 26, the tip end portion 28 extends toward the filter circuit 7, and the base end portion 26 extends from the block 17 to the metal substrate 8. Projecting toward the wiring circuit and connected to the wiring circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a resolver 18 for detecting the rotation speed of the output shaft of the electric motor is provided in the exterior portion 1d. The resolver 18 is composed of a rotor (not shown) fixed to the output shaft and a stator 18a surrounding the rotor. In order to send the rotational speed of the output shaft detected by the resolver 18 to the control circuit unit 6, six resolver terminals 18 b arranged along the axial direction are provided, and the resolver terminals 18 b are connected to the long holes of the ECU housing 3. The resolver 18 and the control circuit unit 6 are connected by being inserted into 3b and the notch 8a of the metal substrate 8 and coupled to the connector 19.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c for three phases are the first energization terminals, and the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c for the three phases are the second energization terminals. Will be described in detail.

  As described above, the shaft portion 24 having a square cross section is formed to protrude upward at the upper end portions of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c in FIG. 3, and the upper and lower ends of the shaft portion 24 are inserted through the upper end portion. Molded on the upper and lower inner walls of the hole 7c. The state seen from the upper part of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the motor-side energizing terminals 16 a to 16 c are formed in the plate-like member with a concave portion 25 from the upper portion in the drawing, which is the tip portion of the plate-like member, toward the lower base end portion 29. In order to hold the shaft portion 24 by advancing the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c from the lower side to the upper side in the drawing, which is a direction substantially perpendicular to the shaft portion 24, sandwiching portions 37 are provided on both sides of the recess 25, respectively. ing. The interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 37 is set to a value slightly smaller than the width dimension of the shaft portion 24. In order to facilitate the insertion of the shaft portion 24, a guide surface 38 that is inclined with respect to the inner surface of each of the sandwiching portions 37 is formed inside the distal ends of the pair of sandwiching portions 37. Further, notches 39 are formed on the left and right outer sides with respect to the pair of sandwiching portions 37. This is for reducing the width dimension of the pair of sandwiching portions 37 so that the pair of sandwiching portions 37 can be easily bent and deformed in the opening direction.

  When the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c and the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c are connected, the shaft portion 24 relatively enters between the pair of sandwiching portions 37, and the shaft portion 24 is inserted. The timing of the press-contact start at which the press-contact force starts to act between the pair of sandwiching portions 37 is configured to be different for each terminal connection portion. In other words, the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c and the pair of clamping portions 37 of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c have the same configuration for each terminal connection portion. The pair of sandwiching portions 37 of the terminals 16a to 16c are arranged at substantially the same position for each terminal connecting portion with respect to the direction in which the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24, and the second side on the driving circuit side. The shaft portions 24 of the energization terminals 15 a to 15 c are arranged at different positions for each terminal connection portion with respect to the direction in which the motor side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c enter toward the shaft portion 24. In this embodiment, the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15c, 15a, and 15b are arranged in the order closer to the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c. The shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15c, 15a and 15b and the pair of clamping portions 37 of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c are both formed by punching a plate-like member with a press. ing.

  The drive circuit side second energization terminal 15a and the motor side energization terminal 16a have been described, but the other drive circuit side second energization terminals 15b and 15c and the motor side energization terminals 16b and 16c have the same configuration, and thus the description thereof is omitted. To do.

Since the drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b and the filter circuit side energization terminals 13a and 13b have the same configuration, description thereof is omitted. The filter circuit side energization terminals 13a and 13b correspond to first energization terminals, and the drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b correspond to second energization terminals.
(Operation of Embodiment 1)
Next, the operation of the terminal connecting portion group and the electric power steering device will be described.

  According to this embodiment, in FIG. 1A, the motor side for three phases arranged at the same position in the vertical direction of the paper surface, which is the direction in which the motor side energizing terminals 16 a to 16 c enter toward the shaft portion 24. When the pair of holding portions 37 of the energization terminals 16a to 16c are simultaneously entered toward the shaft portions 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c for three phases arranged at different positions in the entry direction, the entry direction The drive circuit side second energization terminals 15c, 15a and 15b in the positions close to the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c of the shaft portions 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c arranged at different positions of The shaft portion 24 enters between the pair of clamping portions 37 of the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c and starts joining, and is inserted between the three-phase terminal connecting portions with the timing of the press contact start shifted, as shown in FIG. b) To become.

  According to this terminal connection portion group, the timing of the press contact start at which the press contact force starts to act between the shaft portion 24 and the pair of sandwiching portions 37 is shifted in order for each terminal connection portion. Compared to the prior art that starts pressure welding at the same time, it is possible to suppress a large load from acting suddenly on the structure that provides the insertion force. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the structure so as to withstand the reaction force generated when the insertion force is applied, and to suppress an increase in cost.

  According to this terminal connection portion group, the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15 a to 15 c is connected to the terminal connection portion with respect to the direction in which the motor side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c enter toward the shaft portion 24. Since the motor-side energizing terminals 16a to 16c are inserted into the portions where the drive circuit-side second energizing terminals 15a to 15c are arranged in the terminal connection portion, the length in the direction in which the motor-side energizing terminals 16a to 16c enter is determined. It is only necessary to increase the length in the length direction of ˜16c, and the increase in the size of the terminal connection portion group is suppressed.

In addition, since the shaft portions 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c are conventionally at the same distance from the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c, if the pressure contact force per one terminal connection portion is F. Since a pressure contact force for three phases is required at the same time, a load of 3F acts on the structure suddenly. On the other hand, in the terminal connection group in this embodiment, a load of 1F acts first. Next, the load of 2F acts, then the load of 3F acts, and the load increases in three stages sequentially. The shaft 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminal 15c is in the first stage, the shaft 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminal 15a is in the second stage, and the drive circuit side second energization terminal 15b is in the third stage. Since it is known that the shaft portion 24 of the first and second shafts 24 starts to be pressed, the shaft portions of the second energization terminals 15a to 15c on the drive circuit side are detected by detecting the magnitude of the load that increases in three stages over time It is possible to indirectly detect the magnitude of the pressure contact force generated at 24 and know which terminal connection portion of the three phases is abnormal.
(B) Embodiment 2
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, contrary to the first embodiment, the positions of the shaft portions 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c with respect to the direction in which the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c enter are the same, and the motor side By changing the position of the pair of holding portions 37 with respect to the direction in which the energization terminals 16a to 16c enter, the connection start timing of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c and the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c is changed for each terminal connection portion. Therefore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described.

  As can be seen by comparing FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c and the pair of clamping portions 37 of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c have the same configuration for each terminal connection portion. The shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energizing terminals 15a to 15c is arranged at substantially the same position for each terminal connecting portion with respect to the direction in which the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c enter. Has been. On the other hand, the positions of the pair of holding portions 37 of the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c are arranged at different positions for each terminal connecting portion with respect to the direction in which the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c enter. That is, the positions of the pair of sandwiching portions 37 are arranged in order from the side closer to the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c so that the insertion order is the same as in the first embodiment. The current-carrying terminals 16c, 16a, and 16b are provided.

  According to this embodiment, the pair of sandwiching portions 37 of the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c for three phases arranged at different positions in the direction in which the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24, When simultaneously approaching toward the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energizing terminals 15a to 15c arranged at the same position in the approach direction, the drive circuit side second energizing terminals 15a to 15c arranged at the same position in the approach direction The shaft portion 24 enters and is joined to the shaft portion 24 in the order of the motor-side energization terminals 16c, 16a, and 16b located at positions close to the shaft portion 24 of the pair of clamping portions 37 of the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c. Start.

According to this terminal connecting portion group, the pair of holding portions 37 of the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c are arranged for each terminal connecting portion with respect to the direction in which the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24. Since the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c can be manufactured by press-molding one member, the manufacturing cost of the terminal connection portion group can be reduced.
(C) Embodiment 3
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. Since this embodiment is obtained by changing a part of the second embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described.

  As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, this embodiment is obtained by changing the shapes of the motor side energizing terminals 16 a to 16 c in the terminal connection portion group of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the motor-side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c form a recess 40 in the plate-like member from the front end portion to the base end portion of the plate-like member, and advance in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shaft portion 24. Thus, a pair of clamping parts 30 for clamping the shaft part 24 is provided. The interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 30 is set to a value slightly smaller than the width dimension of the shaft portion 24. In order to facilitate the insertion of the shaft portion 24, a first guide surface 31 and a second guide surface 32 having different inclination angles are formed inside the distal end portions of the pair of sandwiching portions 30.

  And the position of a pair of clamping part 37 is drive circuit side 2nd electricity supply terminal 15a-15c so that the order by which the shaft part 24 is inserted in a pair of clamping part 30 turns into motor side electricity supply terminal 16b, 16a, 16c. The motor side energization terminals 16b, 16a, and 16c are arranged in order from the side closer to the shaft portion 24 of the motor.

According to this embodiment, the pair of sandwiching portions 30 of the three-phase motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c arranged at different positions in the direction in which the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24, When simultaneously approaching toward the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energizing terminals 15a to 15c arranged at the same position in the approach direction, the drive circuit side second energizing terminals 15a to 15c arranged at the same position in the approach direction With respect to the shaft portion 24, the shaft portion 24 is arranged in the order of 16 b, 16 a, and 16 c in the positions close to the shaft portion 24 of the pair of clamping portions 30 of the motor side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c, and the shaft portion 24 is the first guide surface 31 It is guided by the guide surface 32 and enters the recess 40 to start joining.
(D) Embodiment 4
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Since this embodiment is obtained by changing a part of the third embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described.

  As can be seen by comparing FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the shapes of the shaft portions of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15 a to 15 c and the pair of clamping portions of the motor side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c are different. Similarly, the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c are connected to the shaft portion 33 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c in the order of the motor side energization terminals 16b, 16a, and 16c.

  For the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c, a shaft portion 33 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape whose lateral length is smaller than that of the shaft portion 24 of the third embodiment is used. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the motor-side energizing terminals 16 a to 16 c are formed in the plate-like member with a concave portion 34 from the distal end portion of the plate-like member toward the proximal end portion 29, and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shaft portion 33. A pair of clamping parts 35 that move forward and clamp the shaft part 33 are provided. On the mutually opposing surfaces of the pair of sandwiching portions 35, rectangular parallelepiped convex portions 36 are formed in the axial direction. The interval between the convex portions 36 facing each other is set to a value slightly smaller than the width dimension of the shaft portion 33. The corners of the tip portions of the pair of sandwiching portions 35 are formed in rounded shapes, and the corners of the convex portions 36 are also formed in rounded shapes that also serve as guide surfaces in order to facilitate the insertion of the shaft portion 33. Yes. The position of the upper portion of the convex portion 36 in FIG. 7A is different for each of the three-phase terminal connection portions.

According to this embodiment, the pair of clamping portions 35 of the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c for three phases arranged at different positions in the direction in which the motor-side energization terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24, When simultaneously approaching toward the shaft portion 33 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c arranged at the same position in the approach direction, the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c arranged at the same position in the approach direction. With respect to the shaft portion 33, the shaft portion 33 enters between the convex portions 36 in the order of 16 b, 16 a, and 16 c located at a position close to the shaft portion 33 of the pair of sandwiching portions 35 of the motor side energization terminals 16 a to 16 c. Start joining.
(E) Embodiment 5
Finally, Embodiment 5 will be described. Since this embodiment is obtained by changing a part of the third embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described.

  In this embodiment, as the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c, the same configuration is used for each terminal connection portion, and as the pair of sandwiching portions 30 of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c, Different terminal shapes are used for each terminal connecting portion, and the shaft portions 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c are directed from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion of the pair of clamping portions 30 of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c. When the two members relatively enter, the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of sandwiching portions 30 becomes smaller, and the press-contact start position at which the shaft portion 24 starts to be pressed against the inner surfaces is made different for each terminal connecting portion. .

  As the motor-side energization terminals 16a, 16b, and 16c, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a pair of clamping portions 30 having the same shape are arranged at different positions in the approach direction, so that the motor-side energization terminals 16b, 16a , 16c in this order, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, from the distal end portion of the pair of clamping portions 30 of the motor side energizing terminals 16a to 16c toward the proximal end portion. When the shaft portion 24 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a to 15c relatively enters, the press-contact start position where the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of sandwiching portions 30 becomes smaller and the shaft portion 24 starts to press-contact with the inner surfaces. (H1), (H2), and (H3) are different for each terminal connecting portion, and a pair of sandwiching portions 30 having different shapes are used so that the motor-side energizing terminals 16b, 16a, and 16c are pressed in order. Is There.

  Specifically, in FIG. 8, the press contact start positions (H1), (H2), and (H3) that are the upper ends of the recesses 40 formed in the motor side energizing terminals 16b, 16a, and 16c are the motor side energizing terminals 16b, Since the positions of the upper end portions of the motor side energizing terminals 16b, 16a and 16c themselves are the same, the lengths at which the first guide surface 31 and the second guide surface 32 are formed are on the motor side. The energization terminals 16b, 16a, and 16c become longer in this order.

  According to this embodiment, the pair of clamping portions 30 of the motor-side energization terminals 16b, 16a, and 16c for three phases having the press contact start positions (H1), (H2), and (H3) at different positions in the approach direction. At the same time, when the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a, 15b, and 15c are made to approach toward the shaft portion 24, the drive circuit side disposed at the same position in the direction in which the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24. The motor-side energization terminal having a pair of clamping portions 30 in which the press contact start positions (H1), (H2), and (H3) are close to the shaft portion 24 with respect to the shaft portion 24 of the second energization terminals 15a, 15b, and 15c. In order from 16b, 16a, and 16c, the shaft portion 24 enters between the pair of sandwiching portions 30 and starts joining.

  According to this terminal connection portion group, the press contact start positions (H1), (H2), and (H3) of the pair of sandwiching portions 30 in the direction in which the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c enter toward the shaft portion 24, Since the terminal connection portions are different, it is necessary to provide a plurality of types of motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c having different shapes as the pair of clamping portions 30 of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c. It is possible to prevent the terminal connection portion group from becoming large in the length direction of the motor side energization terminals 16a to 16c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric power steering apparatus includes a motor unit 1 that houses an electric motor, and a control unit 2 that houses a control unit that controls the motor. The control unit includes a motor drive circuit unit. 5 and the filter circuit unit 7 are arranged to face each other in the axial direction of the electric motor. The motor drive circuit unit 5 and the filter circuit unit 7 and the motor drive circuit unit 5 and the electric motor are electrically connected via a terminal connection unit group.

  This terminal connection portion group is composed of a first energizing terminal 15a having shaft portions 24 and 33 and a second energizing terminal 16a having a pair of sandwiching portions 37, 30 and 35 that sandwich the shaft portions 24 and 33. When connecting the first energization terminals 15a, 15b, and 15c and the second energization terminals 16a, 16b, and 16c in the terminal connection portion group that constitutes a connection portion and that has a plurality of the terminal connection portions, the shaft The parts 24 and 33 relatively enter between the pair of sandwiching parts 37, 30, and 35, and a pressure contact force acts between the shaft parts 24 and 33 and the pair of sandwiching parts 37, 30, and 35. The timing of the press contact start to start is configured to be different for each terminal connecting portion. By this terminal connection part group, the motor drive circuit part 5 and the filter circuit part 7 and the motor drive circuit part 5 and the electric motor are electrically connected.

  According to this embodiment, when the pair of sandwiching portions 37, 30, 35 of the motor side energization terminals 16a-16c are moved toward the shaft portions 24, 33 of the drive circuit side second energization terminals 15a-15c, In each of the motor-side energizing terminals 16a to 16c, the shaft portions 24 and 33 enter between the pair of sandwiching portions 37, 30, and 35 so that the pressing force acts, and the pressing start of the plurality of terminal connecting portions is performed at different timings. . The drive circuit side first energization terminals 14a and 14b and the filter circuit side energization terminals 13a and 13b are similarly connected.

According to this electric power steering apparatus, since the connection is made via the terminal connection portion group of FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 6, and 8, conventionally, a plurality of terminal connection portions simultaneously start press contact. Although a large load has acted abruptly on the structure to which the insertion force is applied, such a large load is avoided. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size of the structure so as to withstand the reaction force generated when the insertion force is applied, and the cost increase can be suppressed.
(I)
In the terminal connection part group according to claim 1,
The shaft portion of the first energization terminal uses the same configuration for each terminal connection portion,
The pair of sandwiching portions of the second energization terminal uses different shapes for each of the terminal connection portions,
When the shaft portion of the first energization terminal relatively enters from the distal end portion to the base end portion of the pair of sandwiching portions of the second energization terminal, the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of sandwiching portions is small. The terminal connection portion group is characterized in that the press contact start position at which the shaft portion starts to press contact with the inner surface is different for each terminal connection portion.

  According to the terminal connecting portion group according to (a), since the pressing start positions of the pair of clamping portions in the direction in which the second energizing terminal enters the shaft portion are made different for each terminal connecting portion, the second Although it is necessary to provide a plurality of types having different shapes as a pair of sandwiching portions of the energizing terminals, the tip portions of the second energizing terminals can be assembled and assembled so that the terminal connection portion group extends in the length direction of the second energizing terminals. It is possible to suppress the increase.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Motor unit 2 ... Control unit 15a, 15b, 15c ... Drive circuit side 2nd electricity supply terminal (1st electricity supply terminal)
16a, 16b, 16c ... Motor side energization terminal (second energization terminal)
24, 33 ... Shaft part 25, 34, 40 ... Recessed part 30, 35, 37 ... A pair of clamping parts

Claims (4)

In a terminal connection portion group in which a terminal connection portion is constituted by a first current supply terminal having a shaft portion and a second current supply terminal provided with a pair of holding portions for holding the shaft portion, and a plurality of the terminal connection portions are provided.
When connecting the first energization terminal and the second energization terminal, the shaft portion relatively enters between the pair of sandwiching portions, and between the shaft portion and the pair of sandwiching portions. The terminal connection portion group, wherein the pressure contact start timing at which the pressure contact force starts to be applied is different for each terminal connection portion. In the terminal connection part group according to claim 1,
The shaft portion of the first current-carrying terminal is disposed at a different position for each of the terminal connection portions with respect to the direction in which the second current-carrying terminal enters toward the shaft portion,
The pair of sandwiching portions of the second energization terminals are arranged at substantially the same position for each of the terminal connection portions with respect to the direction in which the second energization terminals enter toward the shaft portion. Connection section group. In the terminal connection part group according to claim 1,
The shaft portion of the first current-carrying terminal is disposed at substantially the same position for each terminal connection portion with respect to the direction in which the second current-carrying terminal enters toward the shaft portion,
The pair of sandwiching portions of the second energization terminals are arranged at different positions for each of the terminal connection portions with respect to the direction in which the second energization terminals enter toward the shaft portion. Connection section group. A motor unit containing an electric motor, and a control unit containing a control means for controlling the motor;
The control means is arranged such that the motor drive circuit unit and the filter circuit unit are opposed to each other in the axial direction of the electric motor,
An electric actuator electrically connected between the motor drive circuit unit and the filter circuit unit or between the motor drive circuit unit or the filter circuit unit and the electric motor;
In a terminal connection portion group in which a terminal connection portion is constituted by a first current supply terminal having a shaft portion and a second current supply terminal provided with a pair of holding portions for holding the shaft portion, and a plurality of the terminal connection portions are provided. When connecting the first energization terminal and the second energization terminal, the shaft portion relatively enters between the pair of sandwiching portions, and between the shaft portion and the pair of sandwiching portions. A terminal connection portion group configured so that the pressure contact start timing at which the pressure contact force starts to act is different for each terminal connection portion,
Electricity characterized in that the terminal connection section group electrically connects the motor drive circuit section and the filter circuit section or between the motor drive circuit section or the filter circuit section and the electric motor. Actuator.

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