JP2010284033A - Power supply device for railroad vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply device that achieves improved reliability while achieving a long service lifetime of each electric component by suppressing a temperature rise inside a casing and improving efficiency of cooling by efficiently utilizing running wind. <P>SOLUTION: The power supply device includes a casing 12 having side faces, semiconductor devices arranged inside the casing, a control unit arranged inside the casing so as to supply signals to the semiconductor devices, a cooling device that is arranged inside the casing so as to cool the semiconductor devices and has a heat sink 32 located projectingly from the side face of the casing toward the outside, and a tubular heat-shielding plate 50 that is provided so as to be juxtaposed with the heat sink while covering the side face of the casing and forms a ventilation duct 51 guiding cooling air to the heat sink. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device for a railway vehicle including a plurality of electronic components such as a power conversion device and an auxiliary power supply, and more particularly to a power supply device including a cooling device.

  Generally, a railway vehicle is provided with a power conversion device that performs conversion from direct current to alternating current or alternating current to direct current as a power supply device. The power conversion device has a box-shaped casing and is arranged in a state of being suspended under the floor of the vehicle. The power conversion device includes a plurality of semiconductor elements, converters, detectors, relays, a plurality of control boards that transmit and receive switching signals to these, a power supply that is provided around the control boards and supplies power to the control boards, etc. Peripheral devices, a plurality of semiconductor elements, and a cooling device for cooling these semiconductor elements, which are arranged in a casing. Electronic components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors are electrically and mechanically connected to each substrate by solder. The allowable temperature of solder as a connection point is generally 70 ° C., which is a low allowable value among the components installed in the power converter.

  The cooling device includes a plate-shaped heat receiving block, a heat pipe extending from the heat receiving block, and a plurality of radiating fins attached around the heat pipe (for example, Patent Document 1). The semiconductor element is mounted on the surface of the heat receiving block. The heat generated in the semiconductor element is transferred to the heat receiving block, and by this heat, the refrigerant in the heat pipe is heated and evaporated, and the heat is dissipated to the atmosphere and condensed on the side of the radiation fin. Thereby, the semiconductor element is efficiently cooled. In order to improve cooling, the driving wind of the vehicle is used as cooling air to reduce the size of the cooling section. In order to efficiently use the traveling wind, the heat radiating fins are projected from the side surface of the housing to the outside of the vehicle as much as possible to increase the area where the traveling wind hits.

  Further, as a countermeasure for suppressing the temperature rise of the logic unit, a heat shield plate for blocking direct sunlight hitting the outer surface of the housing is provided on the outer surface of the housing. The heat shield plate is composed of a flat plate, and is disposed to face the outer surface of the housing with a gap of about 50 mm from a plurality of bosses, and an air layer is provided between the outer surface of the housing.

JP 2006-121847 A

  In the power converter, in order to efficiently use the traveling wind by the cooling device, it is desirable not to configure obstacles that block the traveling wind before and after the traveling direction of the cooling device. However, when a heat shield is installed with a gap with respect to the outer surface of the housing as in the power conversion device described above, traveling wind is blocked by the heat shield or turbulence is generated by the heat shield. Therefore, the flow of traveling wind to the heat radiating fins is reduced, and the cooling efficiency by the cooling device is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the temperature rise in the housing and to extend the life of the electrical components, and to improve the cooling efficiency by efficiently using the traveling wind. Thus, an object is to provide a power supply device with improved reliability.

  A railcar power supply apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a housing having a side surface, a semiconductor element disposed in the housing, and a control board disposed in the housing and supplying a signal to the semiconductor element. A cooling device that is disposed in the housing and cools the semiconductor element, the cooling device having a heat radiation portion that protrudes outward from a side surface of the housing, and a side surface of the housing along with the heat radiation portion. And a cylindrical heat shield plate that forms a ventilation duct that guides cooling air to the heat radiating portion.

  According to the above configuration, a power supply device with improved reliability is provided by suppressing the temperature rise in the housing and extending the life of the electrical components and improving the cooling efficiency by efficiently using the traveling wind. can do.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a power converter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the power converter. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the power converter. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the power conversion device attached to a railway vehicle. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the power conversion device along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a cooling device in the power converter. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a power converter according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the power converter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a power converter according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the power conversion apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the power conversion apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a power converter according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a front view of the power conversion apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the power converter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side view showing the power conversion apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1, 2, and 3 are a perspective view, a front view, and a plan view showing the power conversion device according to the first embodiment as a power supply device. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the power conversion device 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 12, and various electronic components and a cooling device described later are disposed in the housing.

  The housing 12 has an upper wall 12a, a pair of side walls 12b and 12, a bottom wall 12d, and a pair of end walls 122e. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 12 is attached under the floor with the upper wall 12 a facing the floor of the railway vehicle 14. The casing 12 is arranged with its longitudinal direction extending parallel to the traveling direction B of the railway vehicle, and with one side wall 12b facing the outside of the railway vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the power conversion device 10 includes an inverter circuit 16 that converts DC power into AC power and supplies the power to an electric motor, an air conditioner, and the like, and a cooling device 18 that cools a power semiconductor element of the inverter circuit 16. A control unit 20 that transmits and receives a switching signal to and from the power semiconductor element of the inverter circuit 16, a detector, a power supply unit, and the like are provided in the housing 12.

  The inverter circuit 16 is provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing 12. The inverter circuit 16 includes a plurality of power semiconductor elements 22, for example, an IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor), a diode (not shown), a capacitor 24 for suppressing a surge voltage of the power semiconductor element, and on / off of the power semiconductor element. A plurality of gate amplifiers 26 that output signals are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the cooling device 18 includes a plurality of cooling blocks 30 and a heat radiating unit 32 that radiates heat from the cooling blocks. Each cooling block 30 is formed in a rectangular plate shape with a material having high heat conductivity such as aluminum and has installation surfaces 30a and 30b facing each other. On the installation surfaces 30a, 30b of each cooling block 30, the power semiconductor element 22 of the inverter circuit 16 is attached via thermal conductive grease or the like.

  The heat radiating section 32 of the cooling device 18 includes a plurality of heat pipes 34 extending from each cooling block 30 and a plurality of heat radiating fins 36 attached to the heat pipes 34. The end of each heat pipe 34 is embedded in the cooling block 30. The extending portion of each heat pipe 34 extends outward from the cooling block 30 and inclined upward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction. The plurality of heat pipes 34 are provided in parallel, for example, with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. Each heat pipe 34 is filled with a refrigerant, for example, pure water. Heat is transported by changes in boiling (vaporization) and condensation (liquefaction) of the refrigerant.

  A plurality of heat radiating fins 36 are fitted to the plurality of heat pipes 34 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. Each radiating fin 36 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, for example, and extends along the vertical direction.

  The cooling device 18 configured in this manner is fixed to a support frame 38 provided in the housing 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The plurality of cooling blocks 30 are arranged in the horizontal direction in the housing 12, and the heat pipe 34 and the heat radiating fins 36 protrude outside the housing through openings formed in the side walls 12 b of the housing 12.

  When the power semiconductor element 22 generates heat by the operation of the inverter circuit 16, this heat is transmitted to the cooling block 30, and the refrigerant enclosed in the heat pipe 34 is heated and evaporated by the heat, and is condensed on the side of the radiation fin 36. To dissipate heat to the atmosphere. The condensed refrigerant returns to the cooling block 30 side by gravity inside the heat pipe 34, is heated again, and repeats this cycle. In dissipating heat, the heat radiating portion 32 is projected to the maximum in the lateral direction of the vehicle 14 so as to increase the efficiency, so that the area on which the traveling wind hits is expanded.

  In addition, a protective cover 40 that covers the radiation fins 36 is attached to the side wall 12b of the housing 12 in order to prevent the radiation fins 36 from being damaged by flying stones or the like. The protective cover 40 is provided with a large number of blow-through holes in order to improve the air permeability and heat dissipation of the traveling wind.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 20 that transmits and receives control signals to and from the inverter circuit 16 includes a plurality of circuit boards 21, and a plurality of electronic components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors are mounted on each circuit board. Yes. The control unit 20 is arranged in the housing 12 along with the inverter circuit 16 and on the upstream side of the inverter circuit 16 in the traveling direction B of the railway vehicle 14. The control unit 20 is provided to face the side wall 12b of the housing 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, inspection windows (not shown) are formed on both sides of the protective cover 40 on the side wall 12 b of the housing 12, and these inspection windows are formed by inspection covers 42 a and 42 b that are detachable from the housing 12. Covered. The inspection covers 42 a and 42 b are each formed in a rectangular plate shape and constitute the side wall 12 b of the housing 12. Each inspection cover 42 a, 42 b is attached and locked to the housing 12 by a pair of lock levers 44. A handle 45 for holding the inspection cover is attached to the surface of one inspection cover 42b. And the inside of the housing 12 can be inspected by removing the inspection covers 42a and 42b and opening the inspection window.

  The protective cover 42a constituting the side wall 12b of the housing 12 is opposed to the control unit 20 in the housing 12. Since the circuit board 21 of the control unit 20 has a lower allowable temperature than other components disposed in the housing 12, it is desirable to suppress the temperature rise of the control unit 20. Therefore, for the purpose of blocking the radiant heat to the inspection cover 42a due to direct sunlight and suppressing the temperature rise of the side wall 12b of the housing 12 and the control unit 20, the heat shield plate 50 covers the inspection cover 42a, that is, the side surface of the housing 12 It is provided to cover.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the heat shield plate 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape and constitutes a ventilation duct 51 that guides cooling air to the heat radiating portion 32 of the cooling device 18. Here, the upper and lower edges of the heat shield plate 50 are fixed to the inspection cover 42a, and the intermediate portion faces the surface of the inspection cover with a large space therebetween. The heat shield 50 is positioned alongside the heat radiation part 32 along the traveling direction B of the railway vehicle 14, and the ventilation duct 51 extends along the traveling direction B. The ventilation duct 51 has an outlet (first circulation port) 52 a facing the heat radiating part 32 and an inlet 52 b (second circulation port) located on the opposite side of the heat radiating part 32. The cross-sectional shape of the ventilation duct 51 in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction B matches the cross-sectional shape of the protective cover 40. As a result, the ventilation duct 51 continuously extends flush with the protective cover 40.
A pair of handles 54 are attached to the outer surface of the heat shield plate 50, and the heat shield plate 50 and the inspection cover 42 a can be removed from the housing 12 together by gripping the handles. The heat shield 50 configured in this manner can block direct sunlight on the inspection cover 42a facing the control unit 20, and can prevent reflection from the track surface. Further, along with the traveling of the railway vehicle 41, the traveling wind passes through the ventilation duct 51 formed by the heat shield plate 50 and flows into the heat radiating portion 32 of the cooling device 18. Thereby, traveling wind can efficiently hit the heat radiating portion 32 and heat can be diffused efficiently.

  According to the power conversion device 10 configured as described above, the direct sunlight and the reflection from the line surface side are shielded by the heat shield plate 50, and an increase in the degree inside the housing 12, particularly in the vicinity of the control unit 20, is suppressed. In addition, it is possible to extend the life of the electrical components. Further, the traveling wind supplied to the heat radiating section 32 is rectified by passing through the ventilation duct 51 formed by the heat shield plate 50, and the rectified wind can flow between the radiating fins. Since an effect equivalent to that of the wind tunnel can be obtained, the heat dissipation efficiency is improved, the performance of the heat pipe cooler is improved, the temperature rise of the power semiconductor element 22 is reduced, and the reliability of the power conversion device 10 can be improved. .

  Next, a power converter according to a second embodiment of this invention will be described. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, according to the second embodiment, the power conversion device 10 includes a heat shield 50 attached to cover the inspection cover 42 a, and the heat shield 50 is cylindrical. The ventilation duct 51 is formed. The heat shield plate 50 has the same cross-sectional shape as the outline of the protective cover 40 that covers the heat radiating portion of the cooling device, and forms a ventilation path that communicates with the heat radiating portion.

  The power conversion apparatus 10 includes a plurality of heating elements, for example, resistance elements 54. A large number of fins for heat dissipation (not shown) are provided around each resistance element 54. These resistance elements 54 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 12, and are provided side by side in the ventilation duct 51. Each resistance element 54 is electrically connected to the circuit board 21 of the control unit 20.

  According to the power conversion device 10 configured as described above, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment. Further, by providing the heating element in the ventilation duct 51 outside the power conversion device, it is possible to reduce the heat source in the housing 12, leading to a reduction in temperature rise in the device, and a long life of the electrical components in the device. Can be achieved. At the same time, the heating element can be efficiently cooled by the traveling wind.

  Next, a power converter according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, according to the third embodiment, the power conversion device 10 includes two heat shield plates provided on both sides of the heat radiating portion 32 on the side wall 12 b of the housing 12. 50, 60. In other words, the power conversion device 10 includes a heat shield plate 50 attached so as to cover the inspection cover 42 a, and the heat shield plate 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape to form a ventilation duct 51. The heat shield plate 50 has the same cross-sectional shape as the outline of the protective cover 40 that covers the heat radiating portion of the cooling device, and forms a ventilation path that communicates with the heat radiating portion 32.

  Moreover, the power converter device 10 is provided with the 2nd heat shield 60 attached so that the other inspection cover 42b was covered. The second heat shield plate 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape and forms a ventilation duct (second ventilation duct) 61. The second heat shield plate 50 has the same cross-sectional shape as the outline of the protective cover 40, and forms a ventilation path communicating with the heat radiating unit 32. As a result, ventilation ducts 51 and 61 are formed on both sides of the heat radiating section 32 with respect to the traveling direction B of the railway vehicle 14, and these ventilation ducts extend continuously with the heat radiating section 32 along the traveling direction B. Yes.

  According to the power conversion device 10 having the above-described configuration, the heat shield plates 50 and 60 are provided on both sides of the heat radiating portion 32 of the cooling device 18 to form a ventilation duct, so that the vehicle travels in any traveling direction of the railway vehicle 14. The wind passes through the ventilation duct and flows into the heat radiating fins. Moreover, the temperature rise by direct sunlight from the inspection covers 42a and 42b and the reflection from the track surface can be suppressed, and the effect of suppressing the temperature rise in the entire power conversion device 10 can be further improved. Thereby, the lifetime of an electrical product can be extended. Furthermore, it becomes possible to supply the rectified traveling wind to the heat radiating section 32 in any traveling direction, leading to a decrease in the temperature rise of the power semiconductor element 22 and improving the reliability of the power conversion device.

  Next, a power converter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first and third embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15, according to the fourth embodiment, the power converter 10 includes two side walls 12 b of the housing 12 that are provided on both sides of the heat radiating unit 32. Heat shield plates 50 and 60 are provided. In other words, the power conversion device 10 includes a heat shield plate 50 attached so as to cover the inspection cover 42 a, and the heat shield plate 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape to form a ventilation duct 51. The heat shield plate 50 has the same cross-sectional shape as the outline of the protective cover 40 that covers the heat radiating portion of the cooling device, and forms a ventilation path that communicates with the heat radiating portion 32.

  Moreover, the power converter device 10 is provided with the 2nd heat shield 60 attached so that the other inspection cover 42b was covered. The second heat shield plate 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape and forms a ventilation duct 61. The second heat shield plate 50 has the same cross-sectional shape as the outline of the protective cover 40, and forms a ventilation path communicating with the heat radiating unit 32. As a result, ventilation ducts 51 and 61 are formed on both sides of the heat radiating section 32 with respect to the traveling direction B of the railway vehicle 14, and these ventilation ducts extend continuously with the heat radiating section 32 along the traveling direction B. Yes.

  In the ventilation duct 51, a plurality of partition plates 54 extending in parallel with the traveling direction B are provided, and a plurality of small wind tunnels are formed by these partition plates 54. Similarly, a plurality of partition plates 64 each extending in parallel with the traveling direction B are provided in the ventilation duct 61, and a plurality of small wind tunnels are formed by these partition plates 64.

  In the ventilation duct 51, an inflow guide 56 that spreads in a trumpet shape is attached to an end portion on the inflow port 52 b side that is located on the side opposite to the heat radiating portion 32, and is inclined outward with an angle of 45 ° or less with respect to the traveling direction B. It expands and the diameter increases toward the inflow side. In the ventilation duct 61, an inflow guide 66 that spreads in a trumpet shape is attached to an end portion on the side of the inflow port 62b that is located on the side opposite to the heat radiating portion 32, and outwards at an angle of 45 ° or less with respect to the traveling direction B. It expands and the diameter increases toward the inflow side.

  Thus, since the inflow port 52b is widened to the inflow side with respect to the diameter of the ventilation duct 51, a large amount of traveling air can be taken into the ventilation duct 51 and is partitioned by the partition plate 54. Further, a rectifying effect can be obtained by passing through a plurality of wind tunnels. Similarly, when the traveling direction of the railway vehicle 14 is opposite, the inflow port 62b of the ventilation duct 61 extends to the inflow side with respect to the diameter of the ventilation duct 61. In addition, by passing through a plurality of wind tunnels partitioned by the partition plate 64, a more rectifying effect can be obtained. Thereby, running wind can be efficiently supplied to the heat radiating part 32 of the cooling device, and the heat dissipation can be improved. Therefore, the temperature rise of the power semiconductor element can be reduced and the reliability of the device can be improved.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the IGBT is used as the semiconductor element, but another type of transistor, thyristor, or the like may be used. The power supply device according to the present invention is not limited to the power conversion device, and can be applied to other power supply devices such as an auxiliary power supply device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Power converter device, 12 ... Housing, 12b ... Side wall, 14 ... Railway vehicle,
16 ... inverter circuit, 18 ... cooling device, 20 ... control unit, 22 ... power semiconductor element,
24 ... Condenser, 30 ... Cooling block, 32 ... Heat dissipation part, 34 ... Heat pipe,
36 ... Radiating fins, 40 ... Protective cover, 42a, 42b ... Inspection cover,
50, 60 ... heat shield, 51, 61 ... ventilation duct, 52b, 62b ... inflow port

Claims (10)

A housing having a side surface;
A semiconductor element disposed in the housing;
A control unit disposed in the housing and supplying a signal to the semiconductor element;
A cooling device that is disposed in the housing and cools the semiconductor element, the cooling device having a heat dissipating part positioned to protrude outward from a side surface of the housing;
A cylindrical heat shield plate that is provided so as to cover the side surface of the housing side by side with the heat radiating portion, and forms a ventilation duct that guides cooling air to the heat radiating portion;
A power supply device for a railway vehicle.   2. The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the heat radiating portion and the heat shield plate are arranged side by side along a traveling direction of the railway vehicle, and the ventilation duct extends along the traveling direction.   A protective cover is provided on a side surface of the housing to cover the heat radiating portion and has a large number of air holes. A cross-sectional shape of the ventilation duct in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction coincides with a cross-sectional shape of the protective cover. The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to claim 2.   The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of partition plates extending along the traveling direction in the ventilation duct.   The ventilation duct has a first circulation port facing the heat radiating portion and a second circulation port located on the opposite side of the heat radiating portion, and the second circulation port is inclined with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the diameter is increased outward.   The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply device protrudes from a side surface of the casing into the ventilation duct and has a plurality of resistors connected to the control unit.   It is located on the opposite side to the heat shield plate with respect to the heat radiating portion, and is provided so as to cover the side surface of the housing along with the heat radiating portion, and forms a second ventilation duct that guides cooling air to the heat radiating portion. The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a second heat shield.   The heat radiation portion, the heat shield plate, and the second heat shield plate are arranged side by side along a traveling direction of the railway vehicle, and the ventilation duct and the second ventilation duct extend along the traveling direction. The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to 7.   The power supply device for a railway vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control board is provided to face a side surface on which the heat shield plate is provided in the housing.   The cooling device includes a heat receiving block attached to the semiconductor element, a heat pipe extending from the cooling block, and a plurality of radiating fins attached to the heat pipe and constituting the heat radiating unit. The power supply device according to any one of 1 to 9.

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