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EP-3477824-B1 - INTERCONNECTION DEVICE

EP3477824B1EP 3477824 B1EP3477824 B1EP 3477824B1EP-3477824-B1

Inventors

  • FUNK, ERIC
  • Harmelink, Gregory

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20181030

Claims (11)

  1. An interconnection device (100) for providing an electrical connection between a motor (190) and an inverter, the interconnection device (100) comprising: a base member (120) comprising a first receiving aperture (122) arranged relative to a second receiving aperture (124), and a mounting interface that allows for direct coupling of the base member (120) to the motor (190); a substrate (104) coupled to the base member (120); the substrate (104) comprising a first connector assembly (142), a second connector assembly (144), and an electronic circuitry (152) arranged thereon; wherein the first connector assembly (142) comprises a plurality of first connection elements (143) configured to transmit and receive power and communication signals for powering and controlling the motor (190), and wherein the second connector assembly (144) comprises a plurality of second connection elements (145) each comprising a cylindrical body having an inner annular surface defining a conductive channel sized to receive one motor pin connector (192) of a plurality of motor pin connectors (192), wherein the plurality of second connection elements (145) are aligned with the second receiving aperture (124) of the base member (120).
  2. The interconnection device (100) of claim 1, wherein the first receiving aperture (122) is centrally arranged within the base member (120).
  3. The interconnection device (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises one or more integrated circuit chips mounted to a surface of the substrate (104) via at least one of the following bonding techniques: soldering, wire bonding, adhesive bonding, flip chip bonding, bumping, or tape automated bonding.
  4. The interconnection device (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the interconnection device (100) comprises one or more sensors arranged on a first or second surface of the substrate (104).
  5. The interconnection device (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the substrate (104) is sized and dimensioned for removable insertion into a grooved channel formed in the base member (120).
  6. The interconnection device (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising a cover apparatus that is sized to enclose the substrate (104) and the base member (120), and for removable coupling to the motor (190).
  7. The interconnection device (100) of claim 6, wherein the cover apparatus comprises a heat dissipation element integrally or removably coupled to the cover apparatus, wherein the heat dissipation element is arranged such that excess heat generated by the interconnection device (100) is dissipated through the cover apparatus.
  8. The interconnection device (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the first connector assembly (142) and the second connector assembly (144) are arranged in offset relation to one another.
  9. The interconnection device (100) of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of connection elements (143, 145) associated with a respective one of the first connector assembly (142) and the second connector assembly (144) are arranged to extend in a direction generally orthogonal to a planar surface of the substrate (104).
  10. The interconnection device (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising an inverter circuit arranged on the substrate (104), wherein the inverter circuit is configured to provide a power input to the second connector asembly to establish an electrical connection between the inverter circuit and the motor (190).
  11. The interconnection device (100) of claim 10, wherein the power input comprises an alternating current power input.

Description

Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates generally to connector assemblies, and more particularly, to an interconnection device having integrated electronics for providing an electrical connection between a motor and an inverter. Background of the Disclosure In high performance electronic systems, electrical connectors are used to provide conductive paths between circuit components. As systems become more complex and smaller, there is a growing need for optimized electrical connector designs that are scalable in size and which provide increased reliability. For example, issues such as signal degradation, noise interference, or overheating can result due to poor connector designs. To address such concerns, some conventional systems employ the use of magnet wire to secure terminal connections. Termination of magnet wire, however, can be time consuming and difficult. Other drawbacks include increased costs, noise interference, unreliable connections, and poor insulation. As such, there is a need in the art for a robust, cost effective, and scalable electrical connector that overcomes the limitations of conventional systems. US 2013/0249335 discloses an electric actuator including a first electric circuit having a first connecting terminal, and a second electric circuit having a second connecting terminal electrically connected with the first connecting terminal, the first connecting terminal including a tip end portion having a rectangular flat plate shape, the second connecting terminal including a pair of elastic contact flaps opposed to each other. EP 2 824 014 discloses an electric drive device for an electric power steering system, comprising an electric motor comprising a motor shaft and an electronic control unit arranged coaxially with the motor shaft. US 2016/0181885 discloses a drive device including a control unit with a substrate. The control unit is disposed on an opposite side of a motor relative to an output shaft of the motor. A partition wall separates the shaft and the control unit. Connectors are electrically connected to the substrate. US 2017/0282967 discloses an electronic control unit including a casing and a cover. A drive circuit board which drives a motor unit is fixed to the cover and, on the other hand, a control circuit board which controls the drive circuit board is fixed to the casing. An electrical connector which supplies an electric power to each board and a motor unit is attached on an opening section of the casing. US 2016/036305 discloses a driver unit having a rotating electric machine and a frame member that is disposed on one axial end of the rotating electric machine. A substrate is fixed onto one surface of the frame member which faces away from the rotating electric machine. Switching elements constituting inverters for switching power supply to winding groups are mounted on a first surface for enabling heat dissipation toward the frame member. An integrated circuit is mounted on the first surface for enabling heat dissipation toward the frame member. An electronic component is mounted on a second surface at an overlapping position that at least partially overlaps a mounting position of the integrated circuit. US2016/036306 discloses a drive unit in which a connection between the substrate and the terminal is made and secured with ease, i.e., without requiring highly accurate assembly work. Summary of the Disclosure According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an interconnection device for providing an electrical connection between a motor and an inverter is disclosed. The interconnection device comprises: a base member comprising a first receiving aperture arranged relative to a second receiving aperture, and a mounting interface that allows for direct coupling of the base member to the motor; a substrate coupled to the base member; the substrate comprising a first connector assembly, a second connector assembly, and an electronic circuitry arranged thereon. The first connector assembly comprises a plurality of first connection elements configured to transmit and receive power and communication signals for powering and controlling the motor, and wherein the second connector assembly comprises a plurality of second connection elements each comprising a cylindrical body having an inner annular surface defining a conductive channel sized to receive one motor pin connector of a plurality of motor pin connectors, wherein the plurality of second connection elements are aligned with the second receiving aperture of the base member.Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of an interconnection device according to an embodiment;FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the interconnection device of FIG. 1A according to an embod