JP2005143200A - High voltage apparatus containing box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently ensure safety for an operator or a worker against a high voltage apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: An inverter unit 500 comprises an inverter unit housing 560 containing an inverter circuit receiving electric power from a high voltage power supply and performing power conversion, an upper cover 550 fixed to the inverter unit housing 560 by means of a fixing bolt 570, a connector cover 580 formed integrally with the upper cover 550 in order to prevent contact with connectors 510, 520 and 530, and an interlock switch delivering a power supply interruption command to a system main relay when the upper cover 550 is removed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a high-voltage device that safely performs maintenance and inspection of a high-voltage device mounted on a vehicle, and in particular, a high voltage that can be maintained and inspected by mechanically and electrically shutting off the high-voltage device. It relates to the structure of the equipment storage box.

  In the structure of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, the breaker device and the high-voltage device are arranged in a space isolated from the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment, covered with a maintenance lid, and accommodated in a closed space. When maintaining and inspecting high-voltage equipment, sufficient safety measures are indispensable to ensure safety against high voltages.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-127802 discloses a dustproof / waterproof case for a vehicle that can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps while maintaining dustproofness and waterproofness for electronic components housed therein. This dustproof / waterproof case for vehicles is a dustproof / waterproof case for vehicles that can store electronic components that require dustproof / waterproof in a substantially sealed state, and stores electronic components and accessories of electronic components. A case body having an opening in the case, and a cover for covering the opening of the case body, wherein an access opening that exposes a part of the opening and allows access to at least an accessory stored in the cover while the cover is attached And a sub-cover that covers the access opening and seals the case main body.

  According to the dustproof / waterproof case for a vehicle, the electronic parts and the accessory parts attached thereto can be stored in a single case inside the case body, and the whole can be covered with the main cover. As a result, only a single case is used, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the number of assembling steps for the entire dustproof / waterproof case containing electronic parts can be reduced. In addition, since the connection between the electronic component and the accessory component can be performed within the single case body without using the insertion opening, the connection work is facilitated. Furthermore, the use of a single case body can improve the reliability against dust and water.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-245542 (Patent Document 2) discloses an integrated inverter device for automobiles that is small, waterproof, easy to wear, low in cost, and high in reliability. This inverter device converts a voltage input from a battery or a generator into a pseudo alternating voltage of a positive and negative rectangular pulse train and controls and drives an electric motor. Terminals are connected to a printed wiring board and a conductor on the printed wiring board. A directly connected connector, a semiconductor power module that incorporates a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, has a heat dissipation surface and input / output terminals, and the input / output terminals are directly connected to conductors on the printed wiring board, and the printed wiring board The lower case with a part of the connector and the casing of the semiconductor power module, which is in contact with the heat radiating surface and the inner surface of the semiconductor power module and has integrally formed heat radiating fins, is printed on the lower case. A wiring board, a part of the connector, and an upper case forming a casing of the semiconductor module are provided.

According to this inverter device, a connector is used for connection to the outside, and a printed wiring board, a connector, and a semiconductor power module are directly connected without using a wire harness, so that downsizing and improvement of mounting properties can be achieved. Since the lower case is shared with the heat radiating fins, the size and cost can be reduced.
JP 2003-127802 A JP-A-6-245542

  However, when the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 is applied to Patent Document 1, there are the following problems. That is, a PCU (Power Control Unit) mounted on a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle is a unit in which an inverter, a converter, or the like, which is a high voltage device, is stored in a storage box. Such high-voltage devices such as inverters and converters are provided with a high-voltage connector to which a power cable is connected. When the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 is applied to Patent Document 1, such a high-voltage connector can be removed without opening the maintenance lid that covers the storage box. When the connector is removed, a state in which the supply of high voltage power is not stopped by the breaker device may occur. That is, the high voltage connector is removed while being energized. In such a case, it is necessary to sufficiently ensure the safety against high voltage of the driver who is a general user and the maintenance and inspection workers.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a high-voltage device storage box that sufficiently secures the safety of a driver or an operator for high-voltage devices. It is.

  The high-voltage device storage box according to the first invention stores therein high-voltage devices such as an inverter and a converter. The high voltage device storage box includes a connection means for electrically connecting a device outside the high voltage device storage box and the high voltage device, and an opening / closing means for opening and closing at least a part of the high voltage device storage box. Including. When the opening / closing means is open, the high voltage device inside the high voltage device storage box is provided so as to be exposed. When the open / close means is closed, the high voltage device inside the high voltage device storage box is provided so that it cannot be exposed. The opening / closing means includes means for making contact between the human hand and the connection means impossible when in the closed state.

  According to the first invention, the high voltage device storage box is provided with, for example, a high voltage connector as a connecting means. This connection means electrically connects the motor generator and the high voltage secondary battery, which are devices outside the high voltage device storage box, and the high voltage device inside the high voltage device storage box. The high-voltage device storage box is, for example, a box having an upper lid on the top, and in the case of such a box, the upper lid corresponds to the opening / closing means. Since the opening / closing means is an upper lid, when the upper lid is opened, the high-voltage device is in a state in which the inverter or converter, which is a high-voltage device inside the high-voltage device storage box, can be exposed. The inverter and converter inside the storage box become unexposed. At this time, the opening / closing means that is the upper lid makes the contact between the human hand and the high-voltage connector that is the connecting means impossible when the upper lid is closed. That is, for example, a connector cover that covers the high-voltage connector integrally with the upper lid is formed. As a result, when the driver or operator removes the high-voltage connector, which is the connection means, the opening / closing means such as the top cover is opened before the mechanical connection is released by pulling out the high-voltage connector. Must be. Since the upper cover has an integrally formed connector cover, an inadvertent driver or operator's hand will not touch the high voltage connector unless the upper cover is opened. As a result, it is possible to provide a high-voltage device storage box that sufficiently secures the safety of the driver and the operator with respect to the high-voltage device.

  In addition to the configuration of the first invention, the high-voltage device storage box according to the second invention includes a connection between the high-voltage device using the connecting means and the device in response to the opening / closing means being opened. It further includes changing means for changing the electrical connection state to the non-connection state.

  According to the second invention, for example, unless a connector cover that covers the high-voltage connector is integrally formed on the upper lid that is the opening / closing means and the upper lid is not opened, an inadvertent driver or operator's hand The high voltage connector can be prevented from touching. When the upper lid as the opening / closing means is opened, the changing means changes the electrical connection state between the high-voltage device using the connecting means and the device to a disconnected state. For this reason, when the upper lid is opened, the high-voltage device and the high-voltage connector can be contacted by human hands, but the high-voltage power is not supplied, and the safety of the driver and the worker can be sufficiently ensured.

  In the high-voltage equipment storage box according to the third invention, in addition to the configuration of the second invention, the changing means includes an interlock circuit attached so as to interlock with opening and closing of the opening and closing means, and the opening and closing means are opened. A circuit that changes an electrical connection state to a non-connection state when the interlock circuit is opened in response.

  According to the third invention, for example, when a connector cover that covers the high-voltage connector is formed integrally with the upper lid that is the opening / closing means, and the upper lid is opened, the interlock circuit attached so as to interlock with it is opened. Thus, the electrical connection state is changed to the non-connection state.

  In the high-voltage device storage box according to the fourth invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third inventions, the opening / closing means is connected to a human hand, the high-voltage device, and the connection when the opening / closing means is closed. It is an upper lid for making contact with the means impossible.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the connector cover that covers the high-voltage connector is formed integrally with the upper lid that is the opening / closing means, and contact between the human hand and the high-voltage device and the connecting means is prevented when the upper lid is closed. Can be possible.

  In the high-voltage equipment storage box according to the fifth invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth invention, the connecting means is a connector, and the upper lid is connected to the human hand and the connecting means in a state where the upper lid is attached. The connector cover is formed integrally with the upper lid so as to make contact with the upper cover impossible.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the connector cover that covers the high-voltage connector is integrally formed on the upper lid that is the opening / closing means, the contact between the human hand and the high-voltage connector that is the connecting means is maintained when the upper lid is closed. Can be impossible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the following, an inverter unit in which an inverter circuit is housed in a high voltage device housing box according to the present invention will be described. This inverter circuit converts DC power supplied from a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle into three-phase AC power, and supplies it to a motor generator that is a three-phase rotating electrical machine. High voltage connectors are attached to the input side and output side of the inverter unit. In the following description, the high voltage connector on the output side will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the inverter circuit and is not limited to the high voltage connector on the output side. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a case where it is mounted on a hybrid vehicle will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to a hybrid vehicle, and can be widely applied to general vehicles including electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. . Further, in the following description, the term “operators” includes general users such as vehicle drivers and passengers, and maintenance personnel at maintenance shops.

  The vehicle on which the inverter unit according to the present embodiment is mounted is a hybrid vehicle on which an engine and a motor are mounted, and the driving motor is mounted on the front side and the rear side and is supplied by a secondary battery. It is driven by the electric power.

  Referring to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, this vehicle includes a secondary battery 100 such as a nickel metal hydride battery, a front motor generator 700 and a rear motor generator 800 that are motor generators for traveling, and an engine for starting the engine. Starter generator 900, inverter unit 500 that supplies power to motor generators 700 and 800 and starter generator 900, system main relay 200 provided between secondary battery 200 and inverter unit 500, and inverter unit 500 HV_ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 300 that controls the system main relay 200 in conjunction with the interlock switch 540.

  The front motor generator 700 is connected to the front wheel drive shaft of the vehicle, and drives the front wheels with electric power supplied from the secondary battery 100 via the inverter unit 500 or is driven by the front wheels to perform regenerative power generation. Rear motor generator 800 is connected to the rear wheel drive shaft of the vehicle, and drives the rear wheels with electric power supplied from secondary battery 100 via inverter unit 500, or is driven by the rear wheels to perform regenerative power generation. The regenerated power is used to charge the secondary battery 100.

  The starter generator 900 has both a starter motor function and an alternator function. The engine is started during the intermittent operation of the engine, and power generation assistance by the front motor generator 700 is performed.

  The system main relay 200 cuts off the power supply from the secondary battery 100 to the inverter unit 500 based on a control signal from the HV_ECU 300 as will be described in detail later.

  In addition, instead of the inverter unit 500 according to the present embodiment, a PCU (Power Control Unit) may be used, and this PCU houses high-voltage devices such as an inverter and a converter.

  Secondary battery 100, inverter unit 500, front motor generator 700, rear motor generator 800, and starter generator 900 are connected by a three-phase power cable. Inverter unit 500 and front motor generator 700 are connected by a three-phase power cable 610 via connector 510 of inverter unit 500, and inverter unit 500 and rear motor generator 800 are connected via connector 520 of inverter unit 500. The inverter unit 500 and the starter generator 900 are connected by a three-phase power cable 630 via a connector 530 of the inverter unit 500.

  Thus, the three-phase power cables 610, 620, 630 connected to the inverter unit 500 are connected to the inverter unit 500 by the connectors 510, 520, 530.

  FIG. 2 shows an external view of an inverter unit 500 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the inverter unit 500 includes an inverter unit housing 560 and an upper cover 550 provided on the upper portion of the inverter unit housing 560. Further, on the side surface of the inverter unit 500, a connector 510 connected to a three-phase power cable 610 energized with three-phase power, a connector 520 connected to a three-phase power cable 620 energized with three-phase power, and 3 A connector 530 connected to a three-phase power cable 630 through which phase power is supplied is provided. Upper cover 550 is attached to inverter unit housing 560 by inserting attachment bolts 570 into a plurality of upper cover attachment holes and tightening them. On the inverter unit housing 560 side, a hole provided with a female screw corresponding to these mounting bolts 570 is provided.

  The upper cover 550 is provided with a connector cover 580 integrally with the upper cover 550. The connector cover 580 is a cover for preventing an operator's hand from touching the connectors 510, 520, and 530 when the upper cover 550 is attached to the inverter unit housing 560 with mounting bolts 570. It is.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a side portion of the inverter unit 500 of FIG. 2, and shows a state where the upper cover 550 is attached to the inverter unit housing 560 with attachment bolts 570. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a side portion of the inverter unit 500 of FIG. 2, showing a state where the upper cover 550 is removed from the inverter unit housing 560.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper cover 550 integrally formed with the connector cover 580 is provided with the upper cover mounting bolt 570 in the upper cover mounting hole and is provided in the inverter unit housing 560. It is attached to the inverter unit casing 560 by engaging with the female screw of the hole 572. As described above, when the connector cover 580 is attached to the inverter unit housing 560, the operator cannot touch the connectors 510, 520, and 530.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the inverter unit 500. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper cover 550 is formed integrally with the connector cover 580 and is attached to the inverter unit housing 560 with attachment bolts 570. When the upper cover 550 is removed from the inverter unit housing 560 by loosening and removing the mounting bolts 570, the interlock switch 540 that has been fitted is connected to the member 542 fixed to the upper cover 550 side and the inverter unit housing 560. The signal is input to the HV_ECU 300 after being separated into the member 544 fixed to the side.

  When the member 542 and the member 544 are separated in the interlock switch 540, the interlock signal that was at the Lo level is switched to the Hi level, and the HV_ECU 300 detects a change in this signal. When the HV_ECU 300 detects the interlock signal at the Hi level, it outputs a control signal to the system main relay 200 so as to cut off the high voltage supplied from the secondary battery 100 to the inverter unit 500. Specifically, the HV_ECU 300 changes the supply instruction signal to the system main relay 200 that was at the Hi level to the Lo level and outputs it. It is preferable to design the interlock signal to be at the Hi level when the control signal power is cut in consideration of fail-safe when the control power supply is unexpectedly cut off (in a state where the power supply is supplied).

  Further, in this way, when the mounting bolt 570 is loosened and removed, and the upper cover 550 is removed from the inverter unit housing 560, the operator can touch the connectors 510, 520, and 530, For example, the three-phase power cables 610, 620, 630 can be detached from the connectors 510, 520, 530.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, connectors 510, 520, and 530 include connector lock portions 512 and 522 for reliably maintaining the connection state between the connector on the inverter unit 500 side and the connector on the three-phase power cable side. , 532 are provided. When the operator connects the connector, the connector on the three-phase power cable side is inserted into the connector on the inverter unit 500 side and locked by the connector lock portions 512, 522, 532, so that the connection is ensured. On the other hand, when the operator removes the connector, before the connector on the three-phase power cable side is removed from the connector on the inverter unit 500 side, the lock by the connector lock portions 512, 522, and 532 is released.

  A control structure of a program executed by HV_ECU 300 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S) 100, HV_ECU 300 determines whether or not the interlock signal is at the Lo level. The interlock signal is input from the interlock switch 540 via the input / output interface. If the interlock signal is at the Lo level (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S300. If not (NO in S100), the process proceeds to S200.

  In S200, HV_ECU 300 outputs a high-voltage power supply cutoff instruction to system main relay 200. At this time, the HV_ECU 300 changes the supply instruction signal to the system main relay 200 that was at the Hi level to the Lo level and outputs it. Thereafter, the process returns to S100.

  In S300, HV_ECU 300 outputs a high-voltage power supply instruction to system main relay 200. At this time, the HV_ECU 300 changes the supply instruction signal to the system main relay 200 that was at the Lo level to the Hi level and outputs it. Thereafter, the process returns to S100.

  The operation of inverter unit 500 and HV_ECU 300 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  From the state of FIG. 2, when the upper cover 550 of the inverter unit 500 is not removed, the member 542 and the member 544 of the interlock switch 540 are connected. At this time, a Lo level interlock signal is output from the interlock switch 540 to the HV_ECU 300.

  HV_ECU 300 detects that the interlock signal is at the Lo level (YES in S100), and outputs a high voltage power supply instruction to system main relay 200 (S200). At this time, a high-level supply instruction signal (a signal for instructing the supply of high-voltage power) is output from the HV_ECU 300 to the system main relay 200. Upon receiving this signal, the system main relay 200 electrically connects the secondary battery 100 and the inverter unit 500.

  When the operator removes the mounting bolt 570 to which the upper cover 550 of the inverter unit 500 mounted on the vehicle is attached and removes the upper cover 550, the member 542 and the member 544 of the interlock switch 540 are separated. At this time, the interlock switch 540 is switched to the HV_ECU 300 so that the interlock signal output at the Lo level is output at the Hi level.

  HV_ECU 300 detects that the interlock signal is not at the Lo level (NO in S100), and outputs a high-voltage power supply cutoff instruction to system main relay 200 (S200). At this time, a Lo level supply instruction signal (a signal not instructing supply of high voltage power) is output from the HV_ECU 300 to the system main relay 200. Upon receiving this signal, the system main relay 200 electrically disconnects the secondary battery 100 and the inverter unit 500 and eliminates the possibility that high voltage power is supplied from the secondary battery 100 to the inverter unit 500.

  FIG. 7 shows a timing chart representing such an operation. As shown in FIG. 7, when the upper cover 550 is attached to the inverter unit housing 560, the interlock signal becomes Lo level. In this case, the HV_ECU 300 outputs a high voltage power supply instruction signal at the Hi level to the system main relay 200 via the input / output interface. In response to the high voltage power supply instruction signal being at the Hi level, the system main relay 200 is enabled to supply high voltage power, and the high voltage power is supplied from the secondary battery 100 to the inverter unit 500. The

  On the other hand, when the upper cover 550 is removed from the inverter unit housing 560, the interlock switch signal is switched from the Lo level to the Hi level. In response to the switching of the interlock signal from the Lo level to the Hi level, the HV_ECU 300 transmits the high voltage power supply instruction signal output from the Hi level to the Lo level via the input / output interface. Change to level. The system main relay 200 supplies the high voltage power supplied from the secondary battery 100 to the inverter unit 500 in response to the high voltage power supply instruction signal received from the HV_ECU 300 being switched from the Hi level to the Lo level. Shut off.

  As described above, according to the inverter unit according to the present embodiment, when the operator removes the upper cover from the inverter unit housing, the interlock switch is activated and high voltage power is not supplied to the inverter unit. . The upper cover is provided with a connector cover formed integrally with the upper cover. When the upper cover is attached to the inverter unit housing, the driver and the operator cannot touch the connector. Therefore, in order to touch the connector, the upper cover must be removed from the inverter unit housing. When the upper cover is removed, an interlock switch provided inside the inverter unit works to cut off the supply of high voltage power from the secondary battery to the inverter unit. As a result, it is possible to provide an inverter unit that sufficiently secures the safety of the operator for high-voltage equipment.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the power train of the vehicle by which the inverter unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted. 1 is an external view of an inverter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view (part 1) of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view (part 2) of FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing of the inverter unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process performed by HV_ECU. It is a timing chart of various signals in an inverter unit concerning an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

  100 Secondary battery, 200 System main relay, 300 HV_ECU, 500 Inverter unit, 510, 520, 530 Connector, 512, 522, 532 Connector lock part, 540 Interlock switch, 550 Upper cover, 560 Inverter unit housing, 570 Bolt, 580 Connector cover, 610, 620, 630 Three-phase power cable, 700 Front motor generator, 800 Rear motor generator, 900 Starter generator.

Claims (5)

A high-voltage device storage box for storing high-voltage devices therein,
Connection means for electrically connecting an external device of the high-voltage device storage box and the high-voltage device;
Opening and closing means for opening and closing at least a part of the high-voltage equipment storage box,
In the state where the opening and closing means is opened, the high voltage device inside the high voltage device storage box is provided so as to be exposed,
In a state where the opening and closing means is closed, the high voltage device inside the high voltage device storage box is provided so as not to be exposed,
The opening / closing means includes a means for making a contact between a human hand and the connection means impossible in the closed state.   In response to the opening of the opening / closing means, the high voltage device storage box changes the electrical connection state between the high voltage device and the device using the connection means to a disconnected state. The high-voltage equipment storage box according to claim 1, further comprising changing means for changing. The changing means is
An interlock circuit attached to interlock with the opening and closing of the opening and closing means;
The high-voltage device storage box according to claim 2, further comprising a circuit that changes the electrical connection state to a non-connection state when the interlock circuit is opened in response to the opening / closing means being opened.   The said opening / closing means is an upper lid for making it impossible for the human hand to contact the high voltage device and the connecting means when the opening / closing means is closed. High voltage equipment storage box. The connecting means is a connector,
The said upper cover contains the connector cover integrally formed with the said upper cover for making impossible contact of a person's hand and the said connection means in the state in which the said upper cover was attached. High voltage equipment storage box.

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