Methods and systems for routing conductors in electro-mechanical machines

Abstract

An apparatus for routing conductors, such as signal carrying conductors, from within an electro-mechanical machine housing to a location outside the housing is provided. The apparatus includes a base for fitting in a first opening in the housing and securing a lower portion of the apparatus to the housing. The apparatus also includes a channel for carrying the conductors, which may be formed in a shape corresponding to a profile of a portion of the housing. The apparatus includes a fastener, such as a snap-type mechanical fastener, for securing the apparatus to the housing.

1 . An apparatus for routing conductors from within an electro-mechanical machine housing to a location outside the electro-mechanical machine housing, the apparatus comprising:
 a base portion configured to fit over a bottom portion of an opening in the housing;   a body portion including an inner face, an outer face, and a side face, wherein the inner face, the outer face, and the side face form a channel extending through the body portion that carries the conductors and corresponds in shape to a profile of a portion of the housing where the body is mounted; and   a head portion including an output portion through which the channel extends and a fastener that fastens the apparatus to the housing, wherein the fastener includes a fastening member that compresses to fit through an opening in the housing and decompresses when inserted through the opening to secure the apparatus to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner face is substantially parallel to the outer face and separated from outer face by a distance, and wherein the side face is substantially perpendicular to the inner face and outer face. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-mechanical machine includes an electrical motor. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors include low-voltage signal carrying conductors coupled to a resolver in the housing of the electro-mechanical machine. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors are coupled to a thermistor within the housing of the electro-mechanical machine. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is constructed to withstand temperatures in the range of 150-180 C. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is constructed from 13% glass-filled nylon. 
     
     
         8 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An electro-mechanical system, comprising:
 an electro-mechanical machine including a housing, wherein the housing includes a first opening;   a feedback device, coupled to the electro-mechanical machine and located within the housing, providing through at least one conductor status information related to a status of the electro-mechanical machine;   an external device for receiving from the conductor the status information; and   a routing element that attaches to the housing so as to route the conductors from the feedback device within the housing to the external device through the first opening.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the electro-mechanical machine includes an electrical motor for use in a hybrid drive vehicle. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the feedback device includes at least one of a thermistor and a resolver. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one conductor includes a ribbon-type bundle of conductors. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the routing element comprises:
 base means for fitting in the first opening of the housing;   channel means for carrying the conductors; and   fastening means for securing the routing element to the housing.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the housing of the electro-mechanical machine includes a second opening, and wherein the fastening means includes at least one moveable member for securing the routing element to the housing by way of the second opening. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the routing element is formed in a shape corresponding to a profile of a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the routing element is constructed to withstand temperatures in the range of 150-180 C. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the routing element is constructed from 13% glass-filled nylon. 
     
     
         34 . A method of routing conductors from within an electro-mechanical device to an external location, the method comprising:
 generating a routing element in a shape corresponding to a portion of a housing of the electro-mechanical device;   configuring the housing of the electro-mechanical device to accept the routing element;   inserting the conductors through the routing element such that the conductors enter, from within the housing, a bottom portion of the routing element and exit, to the external location, a top portion of the routing element; and   fastening the routing element to the housing of the electro-mechanical device.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein configuring the housing of the electro-mechanical device comprises:
 forming the housing of the electro-mechanical device to include at least one opening through which the conductors can be routed to the external location via the routing element.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the configuring comprises forming the housing of the electro-mechanical device to include at least one opening that is used to fasten the routing element to the housing; and wherein the fastening comprises fastening the routing element to the housing of the electro-mechanical device using the at least one opening.