JP2005143151A - Annular power module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the space efficiency of the portion in which a power module and a motor are installed and to enable easy change in the number of phases of the motor. <P>SOLUTION: In an annular power module, a first annular conductor 21 of a power source side and a second annular conductor 22 of an installation side are, for example, disposed on a concentric circle, power element parts 23a-23f having a high arm side switching element of an inverter and a low side switching element are connected between the first annular conductor 21 and the second annular conductor 22, and the connecting points of both the switching elements 31, 32 are connected by a metal member, etc., directly to the connecting terminals 9 of the motor coils 12a-12f in every phase. Wiring between the motor and the inverter can be omitted, and these cooling devices can be shared. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an annular power module including a power element unit for driving a motor.

  Conventionally, for example, an inverter device 1 as shown in FIG. 21 has been used as a power module to drive an engine motor of a hybrid car. This inverter device 1 is a three-phase inverter that drives a motor 2 that is a three-phase AC motor for vehicle travel, and each high-arm side switching element 3a in each of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the motor 2. , 3b, 3c include wide band gap devices capable of operating at high temperatures such as SiC, GaN, and C, N-channel power MOSFETs, etc., and low arm side switching elements 4a, 4b, and 4c in each phase include, for example, SiC , GaN, C, and other wide bandgap devices capable of operating at high temperatures, N-channel power MOSFETs, and the like.

  The drains of the high arm side switching elements 3a, 3b, 3c are connected together to the plus (+) side power supply P, and their sources are connected to the drains of the in-phase low arm side switching elements 4a, 4b, 4c, respectively. The sources of the low arm side switching elements 4a, 4b, and 4c are all connected to the negative (−) side N. Furthermore, each of the switching elements 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, and 4c has free wheel diodes 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, and 6c that flow current in the direction opposite to the direction in which the current flows. Connected in parallel. The voltage at the connection point between the sources of the high arm side switching elements 3a, 3b, 3c and the drains of the low arm side switching elements 4a, 4b, 4c becomes the U phase, V phase, and W phase of the motor 2, respectively. Connected.

  Here, reference numerals 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, and 8c in FIG. 21 indicate gate terminals that are control input terminals of the respective switching elements 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, and 4c. Each switching element 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c is turned on / off at a timing according to a control signal given from the control unit to the gate terminals 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c.

  Each switching element 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c is not limited to the power MOSFET as shown in FIG. 21 as long as it is used in a general inverter, but is not limited to a power junction transistor or IGBT. Other switching elements may be used.

  Here, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 22, the inverter device 1 and the motor 2 are individually configured as separate and independent units, and the output terminals 9 a, 9 b, 9 c of each phase of the inverter device 1 are connected to the motor 2. Power cables 10a, 10b, and 10c were wired between them.

  In general, since both the inverter device 1 and the motor 2 generate heat, a cooling device (not shown) is provided for each.

  Conventionally, as described above, as shown in FIG. 22, the inverter device 1 and the motor 2 as the power modules are individually configured as separate and independent units, and therefore, the output terminals 9 a and 9 b of the respective phases of the inverter device 1. , 9c and the motor 2 need to be wired with power cables 10a, 10b, 10c. For this reason, a large wiring space is required.

  Conventionally, since it is necessary to install a cooling device in each of the inverter device 1 and the motor 2 as power modules, the space efficiency is poor. For example, when a coolant such as water or oil is supplied through a pipe, an installation space for the pipe is required, and the layout of the arrangement is complicated.

  Alternatively, when the inverter device (power module) 1 and the motor 2 are cooled by air cooling, a large air cooling space is required.

  Furthermore, conventionally, control of three phases of U phase, V phase, and W phase is usually performed by the inverter device 1, but when making a change in circuit design such as increasing the number of phases, Accordingly, the power cables 10a, 10b, and 10c have to be newly wired, which is inconvenient.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an annular power module that can improve the space efficiency of a portion where the power module and the motor are installed and can easily change the number of phases of the motor.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an annular power module including a power element unit for driving a motor, and an annular conductor formed in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the motor; The same number as the motor coils in the motor, the number obtained by dividing the number by an integer or a multiple of the integer, connected to the annular conductor, arranged at a position near the motor coil and connected to the motor coil, respectively The power element unit is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the annular conductor is annularly formed along the outer periphery of the motor and is set to a first potential, and is disconnected from the first annular conductor. And a second annular conductor that is annularly formed along the outer periphery of the motor and is set to a second potential, and each power element portion includes a first annular conductor and a second annular conductor. It is connected between them.

  Invention of Claim 3 is an annular power module of Claim 2, Comprising: Each said power element part switches connection and interruption | blocking with the said 1st annular conductor and the motor coil in the said motor A first switching element and a second switching element for switching between connection and disconnection between the second annular conductor and the motor coil in the motor are provided.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the annular power module according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the annular power module is incorporated in the exterior of the motor.

  Invention of Claim 5 is the cyclic | annular power module of Claim 2 or Claim 3, Comprising: The said motor is a bus ring type motor, Comprising: At least of the said 1st annular conductor and the said 2nd annular conductor One is the bus ring of the motor.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the annular power module according to the second, third, or fifth aspect, wherein the power element portion is disposed between the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor. It further includes another electrical component connected to a part other than the region where the is installed.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the annular power module according to the second aspect, wherein the second potential is a ground potential, and the second annular conductor is arranged on the outermost periphery.

  Invention of Claim 8 is the cyclic | annular power module in any one of Claim 1-7, Comprising: The said several power element part is provided in parallel for every phase with respect to the said motor, The plurality of power element portions in the phase are spaced apart at an equal distance along the ring shape of the annular conductor.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a separation distance between the phases of the power element portion is along the annular shape of the annular conductor. Are set evenly.

  Invention of Claim 10 is the cyclic | annular power module in any one of Claim 1-7, Comprising: The said several power element part is provided in parallel for every each phase with respect to the said motor, The plurality of power element portions in the phase are spaced apart at equal distances along the ring shape of the annular conductor, and the distance between the phases of the power element portion is the plurality of power element portions in each phase The distance is equal to the distance between them and is set evenly along the ring shape of the annular conductor.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the annular conductor and the power element portion are held, and a coolant channel is formed therein. The holding body is further provided.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the annular power module according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein a refrigerant flow path is formed inside the annular conductor.

  In the specification and claims, the terms “equal” and “equal” do not necessarily mean “perfectly equal” strictly, but are equivalent in a broad sense while allowing some variation. Or equal. Variations allowed in this case include both variations due to manufacturing dimensional errors and intentional dimensional variations in design. Therefore, in this specification and claims, the terms “equal distance” and “equal distance” not only mean distances set with strictly equal dimensions, but also allow for some dimensional variation. However, it includes distances that are set evenly in a rough sense.

  The annular power module according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is formed by connecting a power element portion to an annular conductor (the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor in claim 2) to form an annular shape. Since each part is connected to each motor coil at a position near each motor coil in the motor, the power cable for connecting from the power element part to the motor coil can be omitted. Can be improved.

  Moreover, since the motor and the power element unit are arranged close to each other, the cooling device for the motor and the cooling device for the annular power module can be shared. For example, the installation space for piping when cooling a coolant such as water or oil through the piping is small, or the air cooling space is small when cooling with air. Therefore, the space efficiency for the cooling device can also be improved.

  Furthermore, since the annular conductors (the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor in claim 2) are formed in an annular shape, the air contact area can be increased as a cooling member for the power element portion, which is convenient.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to install the power element portion at any position of the annular conductor in the annular power module, changes in circuit design such as changing the number of motor coils (changing the number of motor phases) are performed. In this case, not only can the design change be easily dealt with in the manufacturing process, but there is no need to newly wire the power cable as in the conventional case, which is convenient.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the annular power module, the annular conductor is annularly formed along the outer periphery of the motor and is set to the first potential, and the first annular conductor is not And a second annular conductor that is annularly formed along the outer periphery of the motor and is set to the second potential, so that there is a gap between the two annular conductors and between the motor and the annular conductor. There is an advantage that the gap between them can be used as an air cooling space.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the annular power module, wherein each power element section includes a first switching element that switches between connection and disconnection between the first annular conductor and a motor coil in the motor, a second annular conductor, and a motor. Since it is comprised so that it may each be provided with the 2nd switching element which switches connection and interruption | blocking with an inner motor coil, it is possible to utilize this cyclic | annular power module as an inverter apparatus. In this case, the space efficiency can be improved by eliminating the wiring between the inverter device and the motor, and the heat generation of the inverter device and the heat generation of the motor can be cooled by a single cooling device.

  In the invention according to claim 4, since the annular power module is incorporated in the exterior of the motor, not only the space efficiency is improved, but also the handling as a motor integrated with the annular power module is convenient. This is particularly effective when the annular power module is an inverter device as in claim 3.

  In the annular power module according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the motor is a bus ring type motor, and at least one of the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor is shared by the bus ring of the motor. And the space efficiency can be further improved.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the annular power module between the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor when there is another electrical component connected between the first potential and the second potential. In this region, other electrical components can be grounded in a surplus space other than the grounding of the power element portion, so that the space efficiency can be further improved. In particular, when the annular power module is an inverter device as in claim 3, a diode, a capacitor, or the like is provided between the P (+) terminal on the DC power supply side and the N terminal on the ground side of the low arm side switching element. Since other electrical components are usually connected, this electrical component can be easily connected to the extra area between the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor instead of being externally attached. is there.

  In the annular power module according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the second potential is the ground potential, and the second annular conductor is arranged on the outermost periphery. Wiring efficiency is improved by easily connecting and sharing the negative (−) side N with the ground.

  In the annular power module according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the power element portions operating simultaneously in each phase are separated from each other at equal intervals, so that the heat generation distribution can be dispersed. Therefore, the heat radiation efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where the power element units operating simultaneously in each phase are separated from each other at unequal intervals.

  In the annular power module according to the ninth aspect of the invention, the spacing between the phases is made uniform, so that the heat generation distribution can be dispersed. Therefore, compared with the case where the space | interval of each phase is set unevenly, heat dissipation efficiency can be improved.

  In the annular power module according to the tenth aspect, all the power element portions can be arranged at equal intervals across the entire annular power module, and the heat generation distribution can be evenly distributed. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency can be greatly improved.

  An annular power module according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention forms a refrigerant flow path in the holding body, and an annular power module according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention forms a refrigerant flow path inside the annular conductor. Therefore, the cooling effect can be improved by flowing the refrigerant through the refrigerant flow path.

{First embodiment}
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an annular power module 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an automobile to which the annular power module 11 is applied, and FIG. It is a partially expanded fracture perspective view. In this embodiment, an example in which the annular power module 11 is configured separately from the motor 12 for the sake of convenience for easy understanding will be described.

  The annular power module 11 is installed over the entire circumference of a motor 12 which is a three-phase AC motor, for example, formed in a circular cross section as shown in FIG. 1. For example, as shown in FIG. The present invention is applied as an inverter device that drives 13 traveling motors (engine motors) 12. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 14 denotes a tire, reference numeral 15 denotes a gasoline engine, reference numeral 16 denotes a generator, reference numeral 17 denotes a battery, reference numeral 18 denotes a high voltage relay, and reference numeral 19 denotes a boost converter. Further, as an example of the motor 12, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a motor having a total of six motor coils 12a to 12f, two for each of the three phases of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase is applied. doing.

  The annular power module 11 includes a pair of annular conductors 21 and 22 that are arranged close to each other so as to supply DC power, and a plurality (six motors) connected between the annular conductors 21 and 22. In the case of the motor 12 including the coils 12a to 12f, six power element portions 23a to 23f are provided.

  Each of the annular conductors 21 and 22 is a bus bar formed in an annular shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the motor 12 using a conductive material such as copper or a copper alloy. Both the annular conductors 21 and 22 are arranged concentrically in a double manner and are installed in a state of being separated from each other.

  One annular conductor (first annular conductor) 21 is connected to connect the drains of the high arm side switching elements 3a, 3b, 3c in FIG. 21 to the potential (first potential) of the plus (+) side power supply P in common. The other annular conductor (second annular conductor) 22 is a negative (−) side potential (second potential) common to the sources of the low arm side switching elements 4a, 4b, and 4c in FIG. This is a bus bar corresponding to wiring. And the 2nd annular conductor 22 is arrange | positioned at the outer peripheral side on the concentric circle of the 1st annular conductor 21 like FIG.

  Each power element part 23a-23f is provided with at least 1 set of switching elements 31 and 32, respectively. As an example of each power element part 23a-23f, one power element part 23a is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the power element portion 23a includes a high arm side switching element (first switching element) 31 corresponding to reference numerals 3a, 3b, and 3c in FIG. 21, and a low arm corresponding to reference numerals 4a, 4b, and 4c. The side switching elements (second switching elements) 32 are paired, and each of the power element portions 23a to 23f including the pair of switching elements 31 and 32 includes the six motors of the motor 12. Corresponding to the coils 12a to 12f on a one-to-one basis, the coils 12a to 12f are respectively installed at positions near the connection terminals 9 of the motor coils 12a to 12f. Further, the other power element portions 23b to 23f have the same configuration as the power element portion 23a shown in FIG. As each switching element 31 and 32 of each power element part 23a-23f, the wide band gap device etc. which can be operated at high temperature, such as N channel power MOSFET, JFET, IGBT or SiC, GaN, C, etc. are used, for example.

  These switching elements 31 and 32 may be bare chips, but an assembly structure package is used in consideration of assembly. By adopting the package structure in this way, there is an advantage that the space between the packages can be used as an air cooling space.

  The pair of switching elements 31 and 32 in each of the power element units 23a to 23f have the same element structure except that the relationship between the source and the drain is reversed. Specifically, the high arm side switching element 31 of the power element unit 23a shown in FIG. 4 has a drain electrode 33 formed on the bottom surface, a source electrode 34 formed on one side surface, and a gate electrode 35 formed on the other side surface. The low arm side switching element 32 has a source electrode 36 formed on the upper surface, a drain electrode 37 formed on one side surface, and a gate electrode 38 formed on the other side surface. It is configured as a box-shaped member. However, the drain electrode 33 of the high arm side switching element 31 and the source electrode 36 of the low arm side switching element 32 are actually the same configuration, and the source electrode 34 of the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching element 32 are the same. The drain electrode 37 actually has the same configuration. That is, the switching elements 31 and 32 are simply installed with components having the same structure so that the top and the bottom are reversed, and the switching elements 31 and 32 are formed as a high arm side switching element 31 and a low arm side switching element 32, respectively. It functions. In this regard, the other power element portions 23b to 23f are the same as the power element portion 23a shown in FIG.

  The source electrode 34 of the high arm side switching element 31 and the drain electrode 37 of the low arm side switching element 32 are juxtaposed so as to face in the same direction, and the source electrode 34 of the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching element 32 The drain electrode 37 is connected to the output terminal 39 shown in FIG.

  The output terminal 39 is connected, for example, by directly engaging the connection terminal 9 of the motor coils 12a to 12f (FIG. 1) arranged closest to the six motor coils 12a to 12f of the motor 12. The

  Further, the drain electrode 37 of the high arm side switching element 31 is surface-connected to the first annular conductor 21 by solder or conductive adhesive, and the source electrode 34 of the low arm side switching element 32 is connected to the second annular conductor by solder or conductive adhesive. 22 is surface-connected.

  Furthermore, the gates 35 and 38 of the switching elements 31 and 32 are individually connected through the connection members 41 (FIG. 3) corresponding to the gate terminals 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, and 8c, which are control input terminals in FIG. Are individually connected to any one of a plurality of control lines 42 a to 42 f (FIG. 4) bundled as a wire bundle 42 such as a flat cable.

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration example in which the motor 12 of the annular power module 11 has six motor coils 12a to 12f. In addition, although the code | symbol of the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching element 32 displays only one power element part 23a, the code | symbols 31 and 32 are abbreviate | omitted about the other power element parts 23b-23f, Similarly, the power element portions 23b to 23f also include the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching element 32.

  In FIG. 5, the first power element unit 23 a and the fourth power element unit 23 d switch the U phase of the motor 12, and the second power element unit 23 b and the fifth power element unit 23 e The V-phase switch is switched, and the third power element unit 23c and the sixth power element unit 23f are arranged close to the motor coils 12a to 12f of the respective phases so that the W-phase switch switching of the motor 12 is performed. ing.

  In all the power element units 23a to 23f, the drain electrode 33 of the high arm side switching element 31 is connected in common to the first annular conductor 21, and in all the power element units 23a to 23f, the low arm side switching element 32 is connected. Source electrodes 36 are connected to the second annular conductor 22 in common. The first annular conductor 21 is connected to the P (+) terminal 45 (see FIG. 6) on the DC power supply side, and the second annular conductor 22 is connected to the N (−) terminal 46 (see FIG. 6) on the ground side. Connected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the U-phase first and fourth power element portions 23a and 23d, the gate electrodes 35 of the high arm side switching element 31 are both connected to the first control line 42a. Both gate electrodes 38 of the side switching element 32 are connected to the second control line 42b. In the V-phase second and fifth power element portions 23b and 23e, the gate electrodes 35 of the high arm side switching element 31 are both connected to the third control line 42c. Both gate electrodes 38 are connected to the fourth control line 42d. Further, in the W-phase third and sixth power element portions 23c and 23f, each gate electrode 35 of the high arm side switching element 31 is connected to the fifth control line 42e, and each of the low arm side switching element 32 is also connected. Both gate electrodes 38 are connected to the sixth control line 42f. With this configuration, in the annular power module 11 as the inverter device, the high arm side switching element 31 is turned on / off for each of the three phases of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase by signals from the control lines 42a to 42f. The low arm side switching element 32 can be turned on and off. In FIG. 5, symbol UH is a control signal for turning on / off the U-phase high-arm side switching element 31, symbol UL is a control signal for turning on / off the U-phase low-arm side switching device 32, and symbol VH is V-phase. A control signal for turning on / off the high-arm side switching element 31, VL is a control signal for turning on / off the V-phase low-arm side switching element 32, and WH is a control signal for turning on / off the W-phase high-arm side switching element 31. Symbol WL denotes a control signal for turning on / off the W-phase low arm side switching element 32. These control signals UH, UL, VH, VL, WH and WL are given as PWM control signals.

  The annular power module 11 includes a pair of annular conductors 21 and 22 arranged concentrically, six power element portions 23a to 23f, and a wire bundle 42 for control lines 42a to 42f, for example, as shown in FIG. It is sealed by a sealing protector 47 made of an insulating resin as shown in FIG. In addition, the code | symbol 49a in FIG. 6 has the control signal input terminal 48 for inputting control signal UH, UL, VH, VL, WH, WL to each control line 42a-42f of the wire bundle 42 shown in FIG. A control signal input connector to be installed. And only the connector part 49a provided with the P (+) terminal 45, N (-) terminal 46 and control signal input terminal 48 for external connection shown in FIG. Configured to be connectably exposed.

  Preferably, a unit of an external control unit (not shown) for inputting the control signals UH, UL, VH, VL, WH, WL is directly fitted and connected to the connector 49a of the control signal input terminal 48. The Thereby, wiring between the annular power module 11 and the control unit is omitted, and further space saving can be realized.

<How to use>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the annular power module 11 having the above configuration is installed on the outer periphery of the motor 12, and the output terminals 39 (FIG. 3) of the power element portions 23 a to 23 f are the six motor coils of the motor 12. The motor coils 12a to 12f (FIG. 1) arranged closest to the terminals 12a to 12f are connected by direct engagement or the like.

  When control signals UH, UL, VH, VL, WH, WL from a predetermined control unit (not shown) are supplied to the control signal input terminal 48, the control signals UH, UL, VH, VL, WH, WL Are gate-input to the switching elements 31 and 32 of the power element portions 23a to 23f through the control lines 42a to 42f (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the wire bundle 42, and the control signals UH, UL, VH, VL, WH. , WL, the switching elements 31, 32 of the power element units 23a-23f are turned on and off.

  And this annular power module 11 is arrange | positioned over the perimeter of the motor 12, and also the output terminal 39 (FIG. 3) of each power element part 23a-23f is six motor coils 12a-12f of the motor 12. 22 are directly connected to the connection terminals 9 of the motor coils 12a to 12f (FIG. 1) arranged closest to each other, so that the inverter device 1 and the motor 2 are individually configured as separate and independent units as shown in FIG. Compared to the conventional example, the power cables 10a, 10b, and 10c need not be wired. Therefore, the space efficiency can be greatly improved by omitting the power cables 10a, 10b, and 10c.

  Conventionally, it has been necessary to install a cooling device in each of the inverter device 1 and the motor 2. However, in this embodiment, the annular power module 11 is disposed close to the outer periphery of the motor 12. The cooling device and the cooling device for the annular power module 11 can be shared. For example, the installation space for piping when cooling a coolant such as water or oil through the piping is small, or the air cooling space is small when cooling with air. Therefore, the space efficiency for the cooling device can also be improved.

  There is also an advantage that the gap between the two annular conductors 21 and 22 and the gap between the motor 12 and the first annular conductor 21 can be used as an air cooling space.

  Furthermore, since both the annular conductors 21 and 22 are formed over the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the motor 12, a large air contact area can be conveniently used as a cooling member for the power element portions 23a to 23f.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to install the power element portions 23a to 23f at arbitrary positions of the annular conductors 21 and 22 in the annular power module 11, a change in circuit design such as increasing the number of phases is performed. In addition, not only can the design change be easily accommodated in the manufacturing process, but it is also convenient because it is not necessary to newly wire the power cable as in the prior art.

  As a result, the space efficiency of the part where the power module 11 and the motor 12 are installed can be improved, and the number of phases of the motor 12 can be easily changed.

  Further, since the second annular conductor 22 on the ground side is arranged on the outer peripheral side from the first annular conductor 21, the second annular conductor 22 can be easily connected to a grounding part such as a body of an automobile, and the wiring efficiency is improved. To do.

  Further, when a unit of an external control unit (not shown) for inputting control signals UH, UL, VH, VL, WH, WL is directly fitted and connected to the connector portion 49a of the control signal input terminal 48. The wiring between the annular power module 11 and the control unit is omitted, and further space saving can be realized.

  Furthermore, there is an advantage that the space between the packages of the switching elements 31 and 32 can be used as an air cooling space.

  In this embodiment, the arrangements of the switching elements 31 and 32 of the power element units 23a to 23f are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. Alternatively, they may be stacked in the vertical direction. Also in this case, the source electrode 34 of the high arm side switching element 31 and the drain electrode 37 of the low arm side switching element 32 are stacked so as to face in the same direction, and the source electrode 34 of the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching are stacked. The drain electrode 37 of the element 32 is connected together to the output terminal 39 shown in FIG. Further, the drain electrode 37 of the high arm side switching element 31 is surface-connected to the first annular conductor 21 by solder or conductive adhesive, and the source electrode 34 of the low arm side switching element 32 is connected to the second annular conductor by solder or conductive adhesive. 22 is surface-connected.

  Even if the configuration of FIG. 7 is adopted, the same effect as that of the configuration of FIG. 4 can be obtained.

{Second Embodiment}
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing one (23a) of the plurality of power element portions 23a to 23f of the annular power module 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. In this embodiment, elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the power element portion 23a has a package structure of an assembly structure, and is a first switching element (power MOSFET, JFET, IGBT or SiC, GaN, C, etc.) which is a high arm side switching element. The drain electrode formed on the lower surface of the first conductive plate 52 is mounted and connected to the upper surface of the first conductive plate 52 using solder or a conductive adhesive, and is a low arm side switching element. The drain electrode formed on the lower surface of the second switching element 53 (power MOSFET, JFET, IGBT or wide band gap device such as SiC, GaN, C or the like capable of operating at high temperature) 53 is formed on the upper surface of the second conductive plate 54. The mount connection is made using solder or conductive adhesive. The first conductive plate 52 and the second conductive plate 54 are juxtaposed without being connected.

  The source electrode formed on the upper surface of the first switching element 51 is connected to the second conductive plate 54 through a connection member 55 such as a metal piece. Thereby, the source of the high arm side switching element (power MOSFET, JFET, IGBT or wide band gap device capable of high temperature operation such as SiC, GaN, C, etc.) 51 and the low arm side switching element (power MOSFET, JFET, IGBT or SiC, The drain of 53 (such as a wide band gap device capable of high temperature operation such as GaN and C) is connected through the second conductive plate 54.

  An output terminal 56 for connecting to the motor 12 is integrally extended on the second conductive plate 54 in one direction (right direction in FIG. 9).

  Further, the power element portion 23a is provided with a third conductive plate 57 juxtaposed in a non-connected manner to either the first conductive plate 52 or the second conductive plate 54. The third conductive plate 57 is connected to the source electrode of the second switching element 53 through a connection member 58 such as a metal piece. In addition, a grounding metal member 59 for grounding the source electrode of the second switching element 53 extends integrally with the third conductive plate 57 in the other direction (upward in FIG. 9). The ground metal member 59 is bent into a valley fold when viewed from above at two folding lines 61 and 62, so that a part 63 of the ground metal member 59 has the first conductive property as shown in FIG. It is arranged in parallel with the plate 52 and upside down.

  Further, the gate electrode of the first switching element 51 is connected to one gate input terminal 66 by a wire 65 such as a lead wire, and the gate electrode of the second switching element 53 is connected by a wire 67 such as a lead wire. It is connected to one gate input terminal 68.

  In this state, for example, an insulating resin such as an epoxy resin is molded into a substantially rectangular shape so that the lower surface of the first conductive plate 52, the upper surface of the part 63 of the ground metal member 59, and the output terminal 56 are exposed to the outside. Thus, the power element portion 23a shown in FIG. 8 is completed. 8 and 9, only one power element unit 23a is illustrated as an example, but the other power element units 23b to 23f have the same configuration.

  Here, the first conductive plate 52 to which the drain electrode of the first switching element 51 which is a high arm side switching element is connected is exposed on the lower surfaces of the power element portions 23a to 23f of this embodiment. The first conductive plate 52 corresponds to the reference numeral 33 (high arm side switching element 31 drain electrode) of the power element portion 23a shown in FIG.

  Further, the ground metal member 59 to which the source electrode of the second switching element 53 which is the low arm side switching element is connected is exposed on the upper surfaces of the power element portions 23a to 23f of this embodiment. The metal member 59 corresponds to the reference numeral 36 (the source electrode of the low arm side switching element 32) of the power element portion 23a shown in FIG.

  Further, the output terminals 56 of the power element units 23a to 23f of this embodiment correspond to the output terminal 39 of the power element unit 23a shown in FIG.

  As in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first conductive connected to the drain of the first switching element 51 which is the high arm side switching element of each power element portion 23a to 23f. The plate 52 is ground-connected to the first annular conductor 21 and connected to the P (+) terminal 45 on the DC power supply side, and connected to the source of the second switching element 53 that is the low arm side switching element. A metal member 59 is connected to the N (−) terminal 46 on the ground side.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment having such a configuration, a circuit structure similar to that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and thus the same effect can be obtained. Further, in this embodiment, the first switching element 51 and the second switching element 53 are integrally configured as the same package, which is convenient for handling as the power element portions 23a to 23f.

  In this embodiment, the resin is molded with an insulating resin or the like. However, any configuration may be used as long as both switching elements 51 and 53 can be handled as a package integrally.

{Third embodiment}
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged side view of the annular power module 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The annular power module 11 of this embodiment includes a high arm side switching element (first switching element) 31 and a low arm side switching element (second switching element) 32 in each of the power element units 23a to 23f. 71 is interposed in the vertical direction. In FIG. 10, only one power element unit 23a is illustrated as an example, but the other power element units 23b to 23f have the same configuration.

  A drain electrode D is formed on the lower surface of the high arm side switching element 31, and the drain electrode D is surface-connected to the outer peripheral surface of the first annular conductor 21 by solder or a conductive adhesive.

  Further, a source electrode S is formed on the upper surface of the high arm side switching element 31, and the source electrode S is surface-connected to the lower surface of the output terminal 71 by solder or conductive adhesive.

  Further, a source electrode S is formed on the upper surface of the low arm side switching element 32, and the source electrode S is surface-connected to the inner peripheral surface of the second annular conductor 22 by solder or a conductive adhesive.

  Furthermore, a drain electrode D is formed on the lower surface of the low arm side switching element 32, and this drain electrode D is surface-connected to the upper surface of the output terminal 71 by solder or a conductive adhesive or the like.

  The gate electrodes of the switching elements 31 and 32 are formed on the respective side surfaces, and as in the first embodiment, these gate electrodes are controlled by an external control unit through a bundle of wires such as a flat cable. Configured to receive. However, the gate electrodes, wire bundles, and external control units of the switching elements 31 and 32 are not shown in FIG.

  The output terminal 71 is composed of a metal piece having a shape as shown in FIG. 11, and a base 72 for surface connection to both switching elements 31 and 32 on both sides thereof, and projects from the center of the base to the side. And a connecting portion 73 for connecting to a lead wire or the like. The connection part 73 is connected to each phase of the motor 12 through a lead wire or the like.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Also in this embodiment, the same circuit structure as that of the first embodiment can be taken, and thus the same effect can be obtained. Furthermore, this embodiment has an advantage that an extremely simple configuration can be realized.

  In this embodiment, each of the power element portions 23a to 23f has a configuration in which the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching element 32 are stacked in the vertical direction with the output terminal 71 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 12, the high arm side switching element 31 and the low arm side switching element 32 may be shifted in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 72 of the output terminal 71. In this case, even if a dimensional error in the outer diameter of each switching element 31, 32 or a dimensional error in the arrangement of the two annular conductors 21, 22 occurs, the dimensional error is slightly reduced by the arrangement angle of the output terminal 71. It is convenient because it can be absorbed just by changing to.

{Fourth embodiment}
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an annular power module 11 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment and the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The annular power module 11 of this embodiment has a U-shaped conduction between the drain electrode D on the lower surface of the high arm side switching element (first switching element) 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the first annular conductor 21. A similar buffer member 75 is provided between the drain electrode D on the lower surface of the low arm side switching element (second switching element) 32 and the upper surface of the output terminal 71. As the buffer members 75 and 76, for example, one metal piece bent so as to have a U-shape in a side view is applied. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment.

  According to such a configuration, when the annular power module 11 is mounted on an automobile, the shock-absorbing members 75 and 76 absorb vibrations generated during traveling, so that the annular power module 11 having excellent durability can be provided.

  Moreover, when the height dimension of each switching element 31 and 32 is too low with respect to the gap | interval of the 1st cyclic | annular conductor 21 and the 2nd cyclic | annular conductor 22, both switching elements 31 and 32 do not have trouble in these gaps. Functions as a relay terminal for connection. For this reason, both the annular conductors 21 and 22 can be arranged without worrying about the height dimension of the switching elements 31 and 32, and the design becomes easy.

  In this embodiment, one high arm side switching element 31 and one low arm side switching element 32 are used as the power element units 23a to 23f. However, as shown in FIG. The side switching elements 31a and 31b and the plurality of low arm side switching elements 32a and 32b may be connected in parallel. Even in this case, the vibration can be absorbed by using the buffer members 75 and 76 and the height can be easily adjusted.

  In this embodiment, the buffer members 75 and 76 are connected to the drain electrode D side of the switching elements 31 and 32. However, the buffer members 75 and 76 may be connected to the source electrode S side of the switching elements 31 and 32. It goes without saying that there is nothing.

{Fifth embodiment}
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an annular power module 11 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram thereof. In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, elements having the same functions as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The annular power module 11 of this embodiment is the same as the first to fourth embodiments described above in that it is installed over the entire circumference of the motor 12 that is a three-phase AC motor. However, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the first annular conductor 21 that is a bus bar connected to the potential (first potential) of the plus (+) side power supply P and the potential of the minus (−) side power supply N ( The second annular conductor 22, which is a bus bar connected to the second potential), is formed in parallel with each other and arranged in parallel, and a plurality of power element portions 231 a are arranged between the annular conductors 21 and 22 arranged in parallel. ˜231d, 232a˜232d, 233a˜233d are connected in parallel in the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase.

  For example, in the U phase 231, four power element portions 231 a to 231 d each having a high arm side switching element (first switching element) 31 and a low arm side switching element (second switching element) 32 are first annular. The four power element portions 231a to 231d are connected in parallel between the conductor 21 and the second annular conductor 22, and the high arm side switching element (first switching element) 31 and the low arm side switching element (second Of the switching element) 32 is connected to the output terminal 9 through the output wiring 71a for the U-phase 231.

  The same applies to the V-phase 232 and the W-phase 233, and each of the four power element portions 232 a to 232 d and 233 a to 233 d is connected in parallel between the first annular conductor 21 and the second annular conductor 22. The connection points between the high arm side switching element (first switching element) 31 and the low arm side switching element (second switching element) 32 of the power element units 232a to 232d, 233a to 233d are the V phase 232 and the W phase 233. Connected to the output wiring 71a.

  Here, each of the power element units 231a to 231d, 232a to 232d, and 233a to 233d has any one of the configurations shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 14. There is no problem.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in each phase 231, 232, and 233, the power element portions 231 a to 231 d, 232 a to 232 d, and 233 a to 233 d are separated by an equal distance La along the circumferential direction of the annular power module 11. Are arranged in a row.

  Further, the separation distance Lb between the phases 231, 232, 233 is also made equal.

  In this manner, in the annular annular power module 11, the phases 231, 232, 233 are spaced apart by an equal distance Lb, and the power element portions 231 a-231 d, 232 a-232 d inside the phases 231, 232, 233 are further separated. , 233a to 233d are also spaced apart from each other by the equal distance La, so that the heat generation of the entire annular power module 11 is evenly distributed in the circumferential direction as compared to the case where they are separated from each other instead of the equal distances La and Lb. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, as a structure for heat dissipation, as shown in FIG. 18, a holding body made of an insulating resin for sealing both the annular conductors 21 and 22 and the power element portions 231a to 231d, 232a to 232d, and 233a to 233d ( In the inside of the (sealing protector) 47, a hollow refrigerant flow path 81 is formed that is isolated from both the annular conductors 21 and 22 and the power element portions 231a to 231d, 232a to 232d, and 233a to 233d in an airtight and watertight manner. Then, the refrigerant may be supplied from the refrigerant supply hole 82 at one end of the refrigerant flow path 81 and discharged from the refrigerant discharge hole 83 at the other end of the refrigerant flow path 81. In this case, the refrigerant may be liquid or gas.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, a hollow refrigerant channel 85 that is isolated in an airtight and watertight manner is formed inside one or both of the first annular conductor 21 and the second annular conductor 22. The refrigerant may be supplied from the refrigerant supply hole 86 at one end of the refrigerant flow path 85 and may be discharged from the refrigerant discharge hole 87 at the other end of the refrigerant flow path 85 (in FIG. 19, the second annular conductor 22). An example in which the refrigerant flow path 85 is formed only inside is shown). In this case, the refrigerant may be liquid or gas.

  In this way, the cooling effect of the annular power module 11 can be greatly improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the annular power module 11 is configured separately from the motor 12 has been described for the convenience of easy understanding. However, the annular power module 11 is provided inside the exterior of the motor 12. Of course, they may be integrally formed. In this case, when the motor 12 is a bus ring type motor, if the bus ring in the motor 12 is used as the first annular conductor 21 and / or the second annular conductor 22 as it is, the cost can be reduced by sharing the members. In addition, the space efficiency is greatly improved, and the inverter 12 (annular power module 11) is incorporated into the motor 12 as a single unit, so that the handling becomes extremely convenient.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the diameter of the 1st annular conductor 21 was set smaller than the 2nd annular conductor 22, and the 2nd annular conductor 22 was arrange | positioned on the outer periphery of the 1st annular conductor 21, conversely, Alternatively, the diameter of the first annular conductor 21 may be set larger than that of the second annular conductor 22, and the second annular conductor 22 may be arranged concentrically on the inner periphery of the first annular conductor 21.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the 1st annular conductor 21 and the 2nd annular conductor 22 were arrange | positioned concentrically, the 1st annular conductor 21 and the 2nd annular conductor 22 are formed in the same diameter, These May be arranged side by side and connected so that the power element portions 23a to 23f are interposed in the gap portion therebetween.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a three-phase AC motor has been described as an example of the motor 12. However, other N-phase (two or more phases) AC motors may be used.

  When the annular power module 11 is applied as an inverter device, a P (+) terminal 45 on the DC power supply side of the high arm side switching element 31 and an N (−) terminal 46 on the ground side of the low arm side switching element 32. Usually, other parts such as a capacitor are connected between them. However, the gap between the first annular conductor 21 and the second annular conductor 22 is used, and other parts such as a capacitor can be easily connected to the gap. Can be formed or installed. In this case, although the first annular conductor 21 and the second annular conductor 22 are arranged over the entire circumference of the motor 12, the power element portions 23a to 23f are installed in the entire circumference. Therefore, it is possible to easily install other components such as a diode or to form a capacitor in a surplus area of the entire circumference.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the power element parts 23a-23f were provided in the same number as the motor coils 12a-12f in the motor 12, it is provided in the number which divided the number by the integer, or the integer multiple number. Also good.

  Furthermore, the refrigerant flow path 81 in the holding body (sealing protector) 47 shown in FIG. 18 and the refrigerant flow path 85 in the annular conductors 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 19 are limited to those in the fifth embodiment. However, it may be formed in the configuration of the first to fourth embodiments.

  Further, in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the separation distance between the power element portions 231a to 231d, 232a to 232d, and 233a to 233d in each phase 231, 232, 233 is defined as an equal distance La. Although the separation distance between 231, 232, and 233 is also the equal distance Lb, the state where La and Lb are not set equal has been illustrated in FIG. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, the separation distance La between the power element portions 231 a to 231 d, 232 a to 232 d, 233 a to 233 d in each phase 231, 232, 233 and the separation distance Lb between each phase 231, 232, 233. May all be set equal. By doing so, all the power element portions 231a to 231d, 232a to 232d, and 233a to 233d in the annular power module 11 are arranged at an equal pitch, and heat generation of the entire annular power module 11 is performed. There is an advantage that it can be evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and the heat dissipation efficiency can be greatly improved.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a motor. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the motor vehicle in which the inverter apparatus as a cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention was installed. It is a partially expanded fracture perspective view which shows the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a pair of switching element of the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a connection wiring diagram showing an annular power module and a motor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a pair of switching element of the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded view which shows the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the output terminal of the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | sequence state of the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the refrigerant | coolant flow path of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the refrigerant | coolant flow path of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the arrangement state of the power element part of the cyclic | annular power module which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the inverter apparatus as a power module of a general motor. It is a figure which shows the connection relation of the inverter and motor as a conventional power module.

Explanation of symbols

11 annular power module 12 motor 12a-12f motor coil 21, 22 annular conductor 23a-23f power element 31 high arm side switching element 32 low arm side switching element 33, 37 drain electrode 34, 36 source electrode 35, 38 gate electrode 39 output terminal 41 connection member 42 wire bundle 42a-42f control line 42b control line 42c control line 42d control line 42e control line 47 sealing protector 48 control signal input terminal 49a connector part 231, 232, 233 each phase 231a-231d, 232a-232d , 233a to 233d Power element portion 81 Refrigerant flow path 82 Refrigerant supply hole 83 Refrigerant discharge hole 85 Refrigerant flow path 86 Refrigerant supply hole 87 Refrigerant discharge hole

Claims (12)

An annular power module including a power element unit for driving a motor,
An annular conductor formed in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the motor;
The same number as the motor coils in the motor, the number obtained by dividing the number by an integer or a multiple of the integer, connected to the annular conductor, arranged at a position near the motor coil and connected to the motor coil, respectively An annular power module comprising the power element unit. The annular conductor is
A first annular conductor formed in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the motor and set at a first potential;
A second annular conductor that is disconnected from the first annular conductor and is annularly formed along the outer periphery of the motor and set at a second potential,
Each said power element part is connected between the said 1st annular conductor and the said 2nd annular conductor, The annular power module characterized by the above-mentioned. The annular power module according to claim 2,
Each of the power element units is
A first switching element for switching between connection and disconnection between the first annular conductor and a motor coil in the motor;
An annular power module comprising: a second switching element that switches between connection and disconnection between the second annular conductor and a motor coil in the motor. An annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An annular power module, which is incorporated in the exterior of the motor. An annular power module according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
The motor is a bus ring type motor,
An annular power module, wherein at least one of the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor is a bus ring of the motor. An annular power module according to claim 2, claim 3 or claim 5, wherein
An annular power module, further comprising another electrical component connected between the first annular conductor and the second annular conductor other than a region where the power element portion is installed. The annular power module according to claim 2,
The second potential is a ground potential;
An annular power module, wherein the second annular conductor is disposed on the outermost periphery. An annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
For each phase with respect to the motor, a plurality of the power element units are provided in parallel,
The annular power module, wherein the plurality of power element portions in each phase are spaced apart at an equal distance along the annular shape of the annular conductor. The annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The annular power module, wherein the distance between the phases of the power element portion is set uniformly along the annular shape of the annular conductor. An annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
For each phase with respect to the motor, a plurality of the power element units are provided in parallel,
The plurality of power element portions in each phase are spaced apart at equal distances along the ring shape of the annular conductor, and the distance between the phases of the power element portion is the plurality of power elements in each phase. An annular power module, wherein the annular power module is set equally along the annular shape of the annular conductor at a distance equal to the distance between the parts. An annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An annular power module, further comprising a holder that holds the annular conductor and the power element portion and in which a coolant channel is formed. The annular power module according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An annular power module, wherein a coolant channel is formed inside the annular conductor.

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