# US 11,440,581 B2 · Electric power steering device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,581 B2 - Document ID: US11440581B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/642,733 - Filed: 2017-10-16 - Published: 2021-03-11 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-16 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation - Applicants: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation - Inventors: Takanori Ichikawa; Akihiko Mori - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440581B2 ## CPC - B62D 5/0406: {including housing for electronic control unit} - H02K 11/33: Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics (H02K11/38 takes precedence) - B62D 5/046: {Controlling the motor} - H02K 5/225: {Terminal boxes or connection arrangements (specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract In an electric power steering device, a control unit includes: a power module including a plurality of switching elements configured to supply current to motor windings of a motor; a control board configured to output a control signal to each of the plurality of switching elements; a housing forming an outer case of the control unit; a power supply connector; and a signal connector. The control board is provided in parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft of the motor, and a projection is formed at a bottom portion on the non-output side of the housing so as to protrude to the non-output side. A non-output side end portion of the control board is inserted into the projection, and the power supply connector and the signal connector are provided in a region other than the projection of an outer wall surface of the bottom portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electric power steering device, comprising: a motor; and a control unit provided on a non-output side in an axial direction of an output shaft of the motor to be integrated with the motor, the control unit including: a power module including a plurality of switching elements configured to supply current to motor windings of the motor; a control board configured to output a control signal to each of the plurality of switching elements; a heat sink, to which the power module is mounted, and is configured to release heat generated in the plurality of switching elements; a housing forming an outer case of the control unit; a power supply connector; and a signal connector, wherein the control board is provided in parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft, wherein a projection is formed at a bottom portion on the non-output side of the housing so as to protrude to the non-output side, wherein a non-output side end portion of the control board is inserted into the projection, wherein the power supply connector and the signal connector are provided in a region of an outer wall surface of the bottom portion spaced from the projection, wherein a hole is formed to pass through the bottom portion, and wherein an extension terminal extending from a contact pin of at least one connector out of the power supply connector and the signal connector, and each of a plurality of relay terminals to be connected to the extension terminal, which extend from the control board and the power module, are led out to the non-output side through the hole and connected to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric power steering device according to claim 1, wherein the projection, the hole, and the at least one connector are each formed linearly, and arranged in this order in parallel to one another in a direction orthogonal to a length direction of the projection. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electric power steering device according to claim 2, wherein the hole is formed linearly, and connection portions between the extension terminals and the relay terminals are arranged in a row in the hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electric power steering device according to claim 3, further comprising a cover configured to close the hole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The electric power steering device according to claim 2, further comprising a cover configured to close the hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electric power steering device according to claim 1, wherein the hole is formed linearly, and connection portions between the extension terminals and the relay terminals are arranged in a row in the hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electric power steering device according to claim 6, further comprising a cover configured to close the hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electric power steering device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to close the hole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electric power steering device according to claim 1, wherein at least one connector out of the power supply connector and the signal connector is provided on a radially outer side of the projection at the outer wall surface of the bottom portion, and wherein an extension terminal extending from a contact pin of the at least one connector is directly connected to the control board.