Electric power steering apparatus

• US 8,339,801 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2008
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Tominaga, Tsutomu, Kimata, Masahiro, Fujimoto, Tadayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tuan T
• Application Number:
  US12/864,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20100295498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 180/44, 180/444, 361752-753, 361/775, 361807-810, 439 761- 762
• US Class Current: 361/775
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0406 including housing for electronic control unit
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1166 comprising worm and worm-wheel structural association with bearings specially adapted for worm gear drives H02K7/081

Abstract

Provided is an electric power steering apparatus which allows a reduction in apparatus size as well as in noise. A controller (20) includes: a metal board (22), on which a bridge circuit including a plurality of semiconductor switching elements (Q1 to Q6) for switching a current of an electric motor (1) is mounted; capacitors (31) for absorbing a ripple of the current; a control board (29), on which a microcomputer (33) for generating a drive signal for controlling the bridge circuit is mounted; and a connection member formed by insert molding high-current conductive plates (24 and 25), through which a high current flows, and signal conductive plates (26), to/from which a low-current signal is input/output, with a frame (23a) made of an insulating resin provided in proximity to an outer periphery of the metal board (22), in which the capacitors (31) are arranged in a row along an end surface of one side of the metal board (22) and are electrically connected to the high-current conductive plates (24).

Claims

1. An electric power steering apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor for outputting an assist torque to a handle of a vehicle; and

a controller for controlling drive of the electric motor,

wherein the controller comprises;

a power board, on which a bridge circuit including a plurality of semiconductor switching elements for switching a current of the electric motor according to the assist torque is mounted;

capacitors for absorbing a ripple of the current switched by the plurality of semiconductor switching elements;

a control board, on which a microcomputer for generating a drive signal for controlling the bridge circuit based on a steering torque of the handle is mounted; and

a connection member formed by insert molding high-current conductive plates, through which a high current flows, and signal conductive plates, to/from which a low-current signal is input/output, with a frame-like insulating resin provided in proximity to an outer periphery of the power board,

wherein the capacitors are arranged in a row along an end surface of one side of the power board and are electrically connected to the high-current conductive plates, and wherein the signal conductive plates are located on a side which is opposed to a side along which the capacitors are arranged and each of the signal conductive plates has one end electrically connected to a wiring pattern formed on the power board and another end electrically connected to the control board,

wherein each of the signal conductive plates has a first path passing from the frame-like insulating resin to the power board and a second path passing from the frame-like insulating resin to the control board, and

wherein a gap for absorbing deflection is formed in an area in which the first path and the second path are opposed to each other.

3. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal conductive plates are pressed against the power board by an elastic force due to deflection of the first paths.

2. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim

wherein portions where electrical connection to the power board and the control board is made are located inside the frame-like insulating resin,

wherein each of the signal conductive plates has a first path passing from the frame-like insulating resin to the power board and a second path passing from the frame-like insulating resin to the control board, and

wherein a gap for absorbing deflection is formed in an area in which the first path and the second path are opposed to each other.

4. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the signal conductive plates are pressed against the power board by an elastic force due to deflection of the first paths.

5. An electric power steering apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor for outputting an assist torque to a handle of a vehicle; and

a controller for controlling drive of the electric motor,

wherein the controller comprises;

a power board, on which a bridge circuit including a plurality of semiconductor switching elements for switching a current of the electric motor according to the assist torque is mounted;

capacitors for absorbing a ripple of the current switched by the plurality of semiconductor switching elements;

a control board, on which a microcomputer for generating a drive signal for controlling the bridge circuit based on a steering torque of the handle is mounted; and

a connection member formed by insert molding high-current conductive plates, through which a high current flows, and signal conductive plates, to/from which a low-current signal is input/output, with a frame-like insulating resin provided in proximity to an outer periphery of the power board,

wherein the capacitors are arranged in a row along an end surface of one side of the power board and are electrically connected to the high-current conductive plates, and wherein the signal conductive plates are located on a side which is opposed to a side along which the capacitors are arranged and each of the signal conductive plates has one end electrically connected to a wiring pattern formed on the power board and another end electrically connected to the control board,

the apparatus further comprising a housing into which conductive plates are formed by insert molding with an insulating resin,

wherein a vertical portion is formed on an end of each of the conductive plates, which is exposed from the insulating resin inside the housing to reach the control board, and

wherein the vertical portion is inserted into each of through holes of the control board so as to be electrically connected to the wiring pattern of the control board, while a part of a horizontal portion in connection with the vertical portion is covered with the insulating resin.

6. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein portions where electrical connection to the power board and the control board is made are located inside the frame-like insulating resin,

the apparatus further comprising a housing into which conductive plates are formed by insert molding with an insulating resin

wherein a vertical portion is formed on an end of each of the conductive plates, which is exposed from the insulating resin inside the housing to reach the control board, and

wherein the vertical portion is inserted into each of through holes of the control board so as to be electrically connected to the wiring pattern of the control board, while a part of a horizontal portion in connection with the vertical portion is covered with the insulating resin.

7. An electric power steering apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor for outputting an assist torque to a handle of a vehicle; and

a controller for controlling drive of the electric motor,

wherein the controller comprises;

a power board, on which a bridge circuit including a plurality of semiconductor switching elements for switching a current of the electric motor according to the assist torque is mounted;

capacitors for absorbing a ripple of the current switched by the plurality of semiconductor switching elements;

a control board, on which a microcomputer for generating a drive signal for controlling the bridge circuit based on a steering torque of the handle is mounted; and

a connection member formed by insert molding high-current conductive plates, through which a high current flows, and signal conductive plates, to/from which a low-current signal is input/output, with a frame-like insulating resin provided in proximity to an outer periphery of the power board,

wherein the capacitors are arranged in a row along an end surface of one side of the power board and are electrically connected to the high-current conductive plates, and wherein the signal conductive plates are located on a side which is opposed to a side along which the capacitors are arranged and each of the signal conductive plates has one end electrically connected to a wiring pattern formed on the power board and another end electrically connected to the control board,

the apparatus further comprising a heat sink to which the power board is fixed,

wherein a highly thermally conductive heat releaser is mounted between the heat sink and the capacitors.

8. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein portions where electrical connection to the power board and the control board is made are located inside the frame-like insulating resin,

the apparatus further comprising a heat sink to which the power board is fixed,

wherein a highly thermally conductive heat releaser is mounted between the heat sink and the capacitors.

9. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the highly thermally conductive heat releaser comprises a highly thermally conductive adhesive mounted between the heat sink and side surfaces and head portions of the capacitors.

10. An electric power steering apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the highly thermally conductive heat releaser comprises a highly thermally conductive adhesive mounted between the heat sink and side surfaces and head portions of the capacitors.