JP2013027905A - Frame for power conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a frame for a power conversion device that facilitates deburring work and improves the strength.SOLUTION: The frame 1 for the power conversion device houses a plurality of electronic parts constituting a power conversion circuit. The frame 1 is formed by die casting using plural dies. A projecting rib 3 which projects from a body 2 thereof is provided on the frame 1. On a surface 100 of the frame 1, the projecting rib 3 is formed on a part which is boundary position of the dies upon forming.

Description

  The present invention relates to a frame for a power conversion device that houses a plurality of electronic components constituting a power conversion circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Conventionally, the thing of various structures is known as a power converter device mounted in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc. and performing power conversion between direct-current power and alternating current power (refer patent document 1 etc.).
As the power conversion device, for example, there is a device including a laminated body in which a semiconductor module incorporating a semiconductor element and a cooling pipe for cooling the semiconductor module are laminated, and a frame for housing the laminated body. The frame is formed, for example, by die casting using a plurality of dies.

JP 2010-232487 A

  However, when the frame is formed by die casting, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of molds 971 are used. Therefore, when the molten metal is pressed into the cavity 970 in the mold 971, the mold 971 is formed on the mating surface 972. The molten metal flows into the minute gap. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a thin film-like burr (film burr) 919 is generated on the surface 910 of the frame 91 after molding. In this case, the burr 919 is removed by cutting or the like, but since it is necessary to carefully perform the deburring operation so as not to damage the surface 910 of the frame 91, the workability is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a frame for a power converter that can easily perform a deburring operation and can further improve the strength.

One aspect of the present invention is a frame for a power conversion device that houses a plurality of electronic components constituting a power conversion circuit,
The frame is formed by die casting using a plurality of molds,
The frame is provided with a protruding rib portion protruding from the main body portion,
The protruding rib portion is formed in a frame for a power conversion device, wherein the protruding rib portion is formed at a portion that becomes a boundary position between the molds at the time of molding on the surface of the frame.

  The frame is formed by die casting using a plurality of dies. And the protrusion rib part is formed in the part which becomes a boundary position of type | molds at the time of shaping | molding on the surface of a flame | frame. That is, on the surface of the frame, a protruding rib portion protruding from the main body portion is formed at a portion that becomes a boundary position between molds where burrs are likely to occur at the time of molding so that burrs are generated on the surface of the protruding rib portion. Keep it.

  Therefore, the deburring work after molding removes burrs generated on the surface of the protruding rib portion protruding from the main body portion. Therefore, even when the deburring operation is performed by cutting or the like, the projecting rib portion is provided between the main body portion and the burr, so that the deburring operation can be performed without damaging the main body portion. Thereby, the deburring work becomes easy and the workability can be improved.

  Further, since the deburring operation is facilitated, burrs generated on the surface of the frame can be surely removed. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent a burr remaining without being removed in the deburring operation from falling into the frame for some reason and causing a malfunction of the electronic component.

  Moreover, the effect of improving the intensity | strength of a flame | frame is also acquired by providing a protrusion rib part in a flame | frame. Furthermore, the strength of the frame can be selectively and effectively improved by setting the position where the protruding rib portion is provided, that is, the position of the boundary between the molds at a location where strength is required in the frame.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a frame for a power conversion device that can easily perform a deburring operation and can further improve the strength.

Explanatory drawing which shows the power converter device in an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the flame | frame in an Example. The perspective view which shows the flame | frame in an Example. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing which shows the casting_mold | template in an Example. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line AA in FIG. 4. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which shape | molded the flame | frame in an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the burr | flash which generate | occur | produced on the surface of the flame | frame in an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which shape | molded the frame in the past. An explanatory view showing burr generated on the surface of a frame in the prior art.

  In the frame, the protruding rib portion is formed on the surface of the frame at a portion that becomes a boundary position between the molds during molding. The part that becomes the boundary position between the molds at the time of molding on the surface of the frame corresponds to the part where the surface of the frame and the mating surface of the molds contact at the time of molding.

Further, the protruding rib portion may be formed to protrude toward the outside of the frame, for example, or may be formed to protrude toward the inside of the frame.
In addition, as a material for forming the frame by die casting, for example, an aluminum alloy or the like can be used in order to ensure strength, heat dissipation, rust prevention, waterproofness, and the like.

Further, the frame includes a housing portion that houses a stacked body formed by stacking a plurality of semiconductor modules containing semiconductor elements and a plurality of coolant flow paths for circulating a coolant for cooling the semiconductor modules, The housing portion may be provided with the protruding rib portion (claim 2).
In this case, the strength of the frame can be selectively and effectively improved by providing the protruding rib portion in the housing portion that is a portion for housing the laminate in the frame and requires strength.

Moreover, the said accommodating part is a part which comprises the space which accommodates the laminated body formed by laminating | stacking several semiconductor modules and several refrigerant | coolant flow paths (for example, a cooling pipe etc.) in a flame | frame. Moreover, the said protrusion rib part can be formed so that it may protrude toward the space which accommodates a laminated body from the accommodating part of a flame | frame, for example.
Further, for example, when the laminated body is held in the housing portion of the frame in a compressed state, stress is applied to the housing portion. Therefore, it is very effective to provide a protruding rib portion in the housing portion and improve the strength of the frame.

Moreover, the height of the said protruding rib part can be 2 mm or more (Claim 3).
In this case, by setting the height of the protruding rib portion to 2 mm or more, it is possible to sufficiently prevent damage to the main body portion when removing the burr generated on the protruding rib portion by cutting.
In addition, the height of the protruding rib portion can be set to 10 mm or less in order to sufficiently secure the strength of the protruding rib portion itself.

Moreover, the width | variety of the said protrusion rib part can be 2 mm or more.
In this case, by setting the width of the protruding rib portion to 2 mm or more, the protruding rib portion can be easily manufactured, and the strength of the protruding rib portion itself can be sufficiently ensured.
Further, the width of the protruding rib portion can be set to 10 mm or less in order to ensure sufficient rigidity.

An embodiment relating to a frame for a power converter will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the frame 1 for the power conversion device of this example accommodates a plurality of electronic components that constitute a power conversion circuit. The frame 1 is formed by die casting using a plurality of dies. The frame 1 is provided with a protruding rib 3 that protrudes from the main body 2. The protruding rib portion 3 is formed on the surface 100 of the frame 1 at a portion that becomes a boundary position between the molds during molding.
This will be described in detail below.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction in which a semiconductor module 41 and a cooling pipe 42, which will be described later, are stacked is the stacking direction X, the longitudinal direction of the cooling pipe 42 is the horizontal direction Y, the stacking direction X, and the horizontal direction. A direction orthogonal to Y will be described as a height direction Z.
Further, in the stacking direction X, a side where a refrigerant introduction pipe 44 and a refrigerant discharge pipe 45 to be described later project from the frame 1 will be described as the front, and the opposite side will be described as the rear.

As shown in the figure, the power conversion device 6 is a plurality of electronic components that constitute a power conversion circuit. The laminated body 4 formed by alternately laminating the cooling pipes (refrigerant flow paths) 42 is provided.
The semiconductor module 41 is sandwiched by cooling pipes 42 from both sides in the stacking direction X, and two semiconductor modules 41 are sandwiched between adjacent cooling pipes 42. The semiconductor module 41 includes a switching element such as IGBT and a diode such as FWD (not shown).

  The plurality of cooling pipes 42 are connected at both ends in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction Y) by connecting pipes 43 that can deform adjacent cooling pipes 42. Further, a refrigerant introduction pipe 44 for introducing a refrigerant from the outside and a refrigerant discharge pipe 45 for discharging the refrigerant to the outside are connected to both ends of the cooling pipe 42 disposed at the front end in the stacking direction X. A part of the refrigerant introduction pipe 44 and the refrigerant discharge pipe 45 protrudes outside the frame 1.

  The refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant introduction pipe 44 appropriately passes through the connection pipe 43 on the refrigerant introduction pipe 44 side, is distributed to each cooling pipe 42, and flows in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction Y). The refrigerant exchanges heat with the semiconductor module 41 while flowing through the cooling pipes 42. The refrigerant whose temperature has increased due to heat exchange passes through the connecting pipe 43 on the refrigerant discharge pipe 45 side and is discharged from the refrigerant discharge pipe 45 as appropriate.

  Examples of the refrigerant that circulates in the cooling pipe 42 and the like include natural refrigerants such as water and ammonia, water mixed with ethylene glycol antifreeze, fluorocarbon refrigerants such as fluorinate, and chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants such as HCFC123 and HFC134a. A refrigerant such as alcohol refrigerant such as methanol or alcohol, or a ketone refrigerant such as acetone can be used.

As shown in the figure, the front end surface 401 of the laminated body 4 is in contact with the protruding portion 211 of the front wall portion 21 of the main body 2 in the frame 1 described later.
Further, on the rear side of the laminate 4, an elastic member 51 that is a flat plate spring, a pair of support pins 52, and an abutment disposed between the elastic member 51 and the rear end surface 402 of the laminate 4. A pressure member 5 including a plate 53 is provided. The pair of support pins 52 are disposed between both end portions of the elastic member 51 and the rear wall portion 22 of the main body portion 2 in the frame 1 described later.

  The elastic member 51 of the pressure member 5 is sandwiched between the contact plate 53 that is in contact with the rear end surface 402 of the stacked body 4 and the support pin 52 in a state of being elastically deformed in the stacking direction X. The elastic member 51 presses the rear end surface 402 of the stacked body 4 through the contact plate 53. Thereby, the laminated body 4 is held in the frame 1 in a state where the laminated body 4 is pressed (compressed) in the laminating direction X by the urging force of the elastic member 51.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the frame 1 is made of an aluminum alloy and is formed by die casting using a plurality of dies. Further, the frame 1 has a rectangular frame shape so as to surround the laminated body 4 from four sides, and accommodates the laminated body 4 and the pressure member 5 inside.
The frame 1 includes a main body 2 and a protruding rib 3 that protrudes from the main body 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 2 includes a front wall portion 21 and a rear wall portion 22, and a front wall portion 21 and a rear wall portion 22 arranged on both sides in the stacking direction X of the stacked body 4. It has a pair of side wall parts 23 and 24 connected at both ends. The front wall portion 21 is formed with a protruding portion 211 that protrudes rearward. The front end surface 401 of the stacked body 4 is in contact with the protruding portion 211.
The main body 2 includes an accommodating portion 29 that is configured by the protruding portion 211 of the front wall portion 21, the rear wall portion 22, and the side wall portions 23 and 24, and forms a space 291 that accommodates the stacked body 4.

As shown in the figure, the protruding rib portion 3 is provided at four corners of the outer peripheral surface 202 of the main body portion 2. That is, at a total of four corners between the front wall portion 21 and the side wall portions 23 and 24 of the main body portion 2 and between the rear wall portion 22 and the side wall portions 23 and 24, It is formed so as to protrude toward the surface. Further, the protruding rib portion 3 is formed in the height direction Z.
Further, the protruding rib portion 3 is also provided in the accommodating portion 29 of the main body portion 2. In other words, the inner side surfaces 231 and 241 of the side wall portions 23 and 24 constituting the accommodating portion 29 are formed so as to protrude toward the inside of the frame 1 and toward the space 291 that accommodates the stacked body 4. . Further, the protruding rib portion 3 is formed in the stacking direction X.

Further, the protruding rib portion 3 is formed on the surface 100 of the frame 1 at a portion that becomes a boundary position B (see FIG. 6) between the molds when the frame 1 is molded.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the height h of the protruding rib part 3 is 2 mm or more. The width w of the protruding rib portion 3 is 2 mm or more.

Next, a method for manufacturing the frame 1 of this example will be briefly described.
The frame 1 is formed by die casting using a plurality of dies. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a mold 7 constituted by six molds 71 a to 71 f and having a cavity 70 having the same shape as the frame 1 is used.
As shown in the figure, in the cavity 70 of the mold 7, a body part forming region 702 for forming the body part 2 of the frame 1 is formed between the six molds 71 a to 71 f.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the cavity 70 of the mold 7, the projecting rib portion 3 (the main body portion 2 of the main body portion 2) Protruding rib portion forming regions 703 for forming protruding rib portions 3) provided at four corners of the outer peripheral surface 202 are formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the cavity 70 of the mold 7, the projecting rib portion 3 (the main body portion 2 of the main body portion 2) A protruding rib portion forming region 703 for forming the protruding rib portion 3) provided on the inner side surfaces 231 and 241 of the side wall portions 23 and 24 is formed.

  In forming the frame 1 by die casting, first, as shown in FIG. 6, molten metal (dissolved aluminum alloy) is press-fitted into the cavity 70 in the mold 7 constituted by six molds 71a to 71f. Solidify. Thereby, the frame 1 is formed. At this time, on the surface 100 of the frame 1 after molding, the protruding rib portion 3 is formed at a portion that becomes the boundary position B between the molds. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the mold 7 and a part of the cavity 70 in the mold 7.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, after the mold 7 is released, the molded frame 1 is taken out. At this time, a thin film-like burr 19 is generated on the surface 300 of the protruding portion 3 along the mating surface 72 between the molds.
Next, the burrs 19 generated on the surface 100 of the frame 1 (the surface 300 of the protruding portion 3) are removed by cutting or the like (deburring operation).
Thereby, the frame 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is obtained.

Next, the effect of the frame 1 for the power conversion device of this example will be described.
The frame 1 of this example is formed by die casting using a mold 7 composed of a plurality of dies 71a to 71f. And the protrusion rib part 3 is formed in the part used as the boundary position B (refer FIG. 6) between type | molds in the surface 100 of the flame | frame 1 at the time of shaping | molding. That is, on the surface 100 of the frame 1, a protruding rib portion 3 protruding from the main body portion 2 is formed at a portion that becomes the boundary position B between the molds where burrs 19 are likely to occur during molding. A burr 19 is generated on the surface 300.

  Therefore, the deburring operation after molding removes the burrs 19 generated on the surface 300 of the protruding rib portion 3 protruding from the main body portion 2. Therefore, even when the deburring operation is performed by cutting or the like, the projecting rib portion 3 is provided between the main body portion 2 and the burr 19 so that the deburring operation can be performed without damaging the main body portion 2. Thereby, the deburring work becomes easy and the workability can be improved.

  Further, since the deburring operation is facilitated, the burrs 19 generated on the surface 100 of the frame 1 can be reliably removed. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent the burr 19 remaining without being removed in the deburring operation from falling into the frame 1 for some reason and causing a malfunction of the electronic component.

  Further, by providing the protruding rib portion 3 on the frame 1, an effect of improving the strength of the frame 1 can be obtained. Furthermore, if the position where the protruding rib portion 3 is provided, that is, the boundary position B between the molds is set at a location where strength is required in the frame 1, the strength of the frame 1 can be selectively and effectively improved.

  Further, in this example, the frame 1 is a laminated body in which a plurality of semiconductor modules 41 incorporating semiconductor elements and a plurality of cooling pipes (refrigerant flow paths) 42 through which a refrigerant for cooling the semiconductor modules 41 is circulated. 4 is provided, and the protruding portion 3 is provided in the receiving portion 29. That is, the strength of the frame 1 can be selectively and effectively improved by providing the protruding rib portion 3 in the housing portion 29 that is a portion for housing the laminate 4 in the frame 1 and requires strength. .

  In particular, in this example, the laminated body 4 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 29 of the frame 1 in a state of being pressed (compressed) in the laminating direction X by the urging force of the elastic member 51. Therefore, stress is applied to the protruding portion 211 and the rear wall portion 22 of the front wall portion 21 constituting the housing portion 29. Therefore, it is very effective to provide the protruding rib portion 3 in the accommodating portion 29 and improve the strength of the frame 1.

  As described above, according to this example, it is possible to provide the frame 1 for the power conversion device that can easily perform the deburring operation and can further improve the strength.

1 frame 100 surface (frame surface)
2 Body part 3 Protruding rib part 71a-71f Type B Boundary position

Claims (4)

A frame for a power conversion device that houses a plurality of electronic components constituting a power conversion circuit,
The frame is formed by die casting using a plurality of molds,
The frame is provided with a protruding rib portion protruding from the main body portion,
The projecting rib portion is formed on the surface of the frame at a portion that becomes a boundary position between the molds at the time of molding.   2. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame accommodates a stacked body formed by stacking a plurality of semiconductor modules each including a semiconductor element and a plurality of coolant flow paths for circulating a coolant for cooling the semiconductor modules. A frame for a power conversion device, comprising a housing portion, wherein the housing portion is provided with the protruding rib portion.   The frame for a power converter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a height of the protruding rib portion is 2 mm or more.   The frame for a power converter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding rib portion has a width of 2 mm or more.

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