JP2013138120A - Power conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent, in a power conversion device where a semiconductor device for power conversion and a cooler are accommodated in a container, a cooling liquid from leaking into the container.SOLUTION: A lead-in pipe and a lead-out pipe for a cooling liquid extend between the inside and outside of a container while passing through a wall of the container. A lead-in pipe restraint part and a lead-out pipe restraint part are provided, with the lead-in pipe restrain part restraining a part of an outer peripheral surface in a longitudinal direction of the lead-in pipe from the periphery in the container and the lead-out pipe restraint part restraining a part of an outer peripheral surface in a longitudinal direction of the lead-out pipe from the periphery in the container. As a distance of a restraint surface of the lead-in pipe restraint part from a pass-through wall decreases, a distance of the restrain surface from the outer peripheral surface of the lead-in pipe increases. Similarly, as a distance of a restraint surface of the lead-out pipe restraint part from the pass-through wall decreases, a distance of the restrain surface from the outer peripheral surface of the lead-out pipe increases. When an external force is exerted between the lead-in pipe or the lead-out pipe and the container, neither the lead-in pipe nor the lead-out pipe has a stress concentration part.

Description

  This specification discloses the technique regarding the power converter device which has accommodated the semiconductor device which converts electric power, and the cooler which cools a semiconductor device in the container.

  For example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and a fuel cell vehicle use a power conversion semiconductor device that converts a direct current supplied from a battery or the like into an alternating current and supplies power to a traveling motor. The semiconductor device for power conversion generates heat when it operates. In view of this, a technique for utilizing a semiconductor device in combination with a cooler for cooling the semiconductor device has been developed. That is, a technique for cooling the semiconductor device with the coolant by using the semiconductor device and the cooler in contact with each other and passing the coolant through the cooler is used. A technology has been developed in which a semiconductor device and a cooler are accommodated in the same container to form one combined component.

  The introduction pipe for sending the coolant from the outside of the container to the cooler and the lead-out pipe for sending the coolant from the cooler to the outside of the container extend through the walls constituting the container and extend inside and outside the container. If an excessive external force acts on the introduction pipe and / or the lead-out pipe extending outside the container, the introduction pipe and / or the lead-out pipe may be damaged in the container. If the inlet tube and / or outlet tube is damaged in the container, there is a possibility that the coolant leaks into the space outside the cooler and inside the container. A power conversion semiconductor device is disposed outside the cooler and inside the container, and a voltage is applied to the power conversion semiconductor device. When the introduction pipe and / or the lead-out pipe are damaged in the container, the voltage applied to the semiconductor device for power conversion is transmitted to the container through the coolant and further transmitted to other metal parts through the container. There is.

  Therefore, the technique of Patent Document 1 has been developed. In the technique of Patent Document 1, a rigid member is provided outside a wall (hereinafter referred to as a through wall) through which an introduction pipe and a lead-out pipe penetrate. The protruding length of the rigid member from the through wall is set to be longer than the protruding length of the introducing pipe and the outlet pipe from the through wall. In this case, when a large external force acts and the relative position of the container and the member adjacent to the container (the engine in the embodiment of Patent Document 1) is displaced and the two approach each other, the introduction pipe and / or the lead-out pipe The relationship in which the external force acts on the rigid member can be obtained before the external force acts on the rigid member. According to the technique of Patent Literature 1, as a result of the external force acting on the rigid member first, energy is absorbed at that stage, and the external force acting on the introduction pipe and / or the lead-out pipe is reduced.

JP 2009-153264 A

The technique of Patent Document 1 is a very effective technique, but is not perfect. If a very large external force is applied, the rigid member cannot absorb energy, and the introduction tube and / or the discharge tube may be damaged in the container.
The present specification proposes a technique for preventing the introduction tube and / or the discharge tube from being damaged in the container.

The power conversion device disclosed in this specification includes a container, a semiconductor device for power conversion, a cooler, an introduction pipe, a lead-out pipe, a lead-in pipe restraint section, and a lead-out pipe restraint section.
The semiconductor device for power conversion is accommodated in the container. The cooler is also housed in the container, is in contact with the semiconductor device, and the coolant passes through the inside. The introduction pipe extends through the wall constituting the container and extends inside and outside the container. The introduction pipe is connected to the cooler in the container and feeds the coolant from the outside to the cooler. The lead-out pipe extends through the wall constituting the container and extends inside and outside the container, and is conducted to the cooler inside the container and sends out the coolant from the cooler to the outside of the container. The introduction pipe restraining portion is fixed to the container in the container, and restrains a part of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe from the periphery. The outlet pipe restraining portion is also fixed to the container in the container, and restrains a part of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction of the outlet pipe from the periphery.
The closer to the wall through which the introduction pipe passes, the farther the restraint surface of the introduction pipe restraint portion is from the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe. Moreover, the constraining surface of the outlet pipe restraining portion is farther from the outer peripheral surface of the outlet pipe as it approaches the wall through which the outlet pipe passes.

In the above case, the introduction pipe on the cooler side with respect to the introduction pipe restraint part, the lead-out pipe on the cooler side with respect to the lead-out pipe restraint part, and the cooler are positioned relative to the container by the introduction pipe restraint part and the lead-out pipe restraint part. The relationship is constrained. Even if an external force that relatively displaces the container and the introduction tube acts on the part where the introduction pipe extends outside the container, or an external force that relatively displaces the container and the introduction pipe acts on the part where the extraction pipe extends outside the container. However, the introduction pipe on the cooler side with respect to the introduction pipe restraint portion, the lead-out pipe on the cooler side with respect to the lead-out pipe restraint portion, and the cooler are not damaged.
In this case, when an external force that relatively displaces the container and the introduction pipe is applied to the introduction pipe that extends outside the container, stress concentration occurs between the introduction pipe and the introduction pipe restraint on the through wall side from the introduction pipe restraint. May occur, and the introduction pipe closer to the through wall than the introduction pipe restraint portion may be damaged. Similarly, when an external force that relatively displaces the container and the lead-out pipe is applied to the lead-out pipe that extends outside the container, stress concentration occurs between the lead-out pipe and the lead-out pipe restraint on the through wall side from the lead-out pipe restraint. May occur, and the lead-out pipe may be damaged on the side of the penetrating wall from the lead-out pipe restraining portion.
In the case of the power conversion device described in the present specification, the restraint surface of the introduction pipe restraint portion is farther from the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe as it approaches the through wall. For this reason, when an external force that relatively displaces the container and the introduction pipe acts on the introduction pipe in a range extending outside the container and the introduction pipe is deformed, the introduction pipe and the restraint surface are locally in contact with each other and are excessive. No stress concentration occurs. Similarly, the constraining surface of the outlet pipe restraining portion is farther from the outer peripheral surface of the outlet pipe as it approaches the through wall. For this reason, when an external force that relatively displaces the container and the lead-out pipe acts on the lead-out pipe in a range extending out of the container and the lead-out pipe deforms, the lead-out pipe and the restraint surface are in contact with each other and are excessively large. No stress concentration occurs.
Since the above phenomenon can be obtained, in the case of the power conversion device described in the present specification, even if an external force acts on the introduction pipe in the range extending outside the container and / or the lead-out pipe in the range extending outside the container. In the container, the introduction pipe and / or the lead-out pipe are not damaged, and the coolant does not leak into the space inside the container outside the cooler.

  In the case of the power conversion device described in the present specification, even if a large external force acts between the introduction pipe in the range extending outside the container and / or the lead-out pipe in the range extending outside the container and the container, the power conversion device is introduced. The pipe and / or the outlet pipe are not damaged in the container, and the coolant does not leak into the space inside the container outside the cooler. High voltage is not leaked outside the container through the coolant, and safety is high.

The figure which decomposed | disassembled and perspectiveized the container, the semiconductor device for power conversion, a cooler, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube. The figure which decomposed | disassembled and perspectiveized the fixing part for restraint which comprises a pipe | tube restraint part, and a clamp member.

The main features of the embodiments described below are listed. Each of the following features has technical usefulness, and exhibits technical usefulness without being combined with other features.
Feature 1: A container for housing a power conversion semiconductor device and a cooler is mounted on a vehicle. In the event of a collision, a large external force may act between the inlet pipe extending outside the container and / or the outlet pipe extending outside the container and the container. There is a need to prevent the coolant from leaking into the space inside the container.
Feature 2: The semiconductor device is a switching element that turns on and off the power applied to the traveling motor, and is applied with a high voltage leading to an electric shock accident. There is a need to prevent the high voltage from leaking out of the container.
Feature 3: The introduction pipe restraining portion includes an introduction pipe restraining fixing portion formed integrally with the container, and an introduction pipe clamping member fixed to the introduction pipe restraining fixing portion. When the introduction pipe clamp member is fixed to the introduction pipe restraint fixing portion, the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe is restrained from all directions.
Feature 4: The lead-out pipe restraining portion is composed of a lead-out pipe restraining fixing portion integrally formed with the container and a lead-out pipe clamping member fixed to the lead-out pipe restraining fixing portion. When the outlet pipe clamping member is fixed to the outlet pipe restraining fixing portion, the outer peripheral surface of the outlet pipe is restrained from all directions.
Feature 5: The through hole for the introduction pipe formed in the through wall is larger in diameter than the diameter of the introduction pipe. If the introduction tube extends straight, the introduction tube surrounds the through hole when the introduction tube is bent along a restraint surface that is in a relationship of separating from the outer peripheral surface of the introduction tube as it approaches the through wall. Touch the wall.
Feature 6: The through hole for the outlet pipe formed in the through wall is larger in diameter than the diameter of the outlet pipe. If the derivation pipe extends straight, the derivation pipe surrounds the through hole when the derivation pipe is bent along a constraining surface that is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the derivation pipe as it approaches the through wall. Touch the wall.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a container 21, a power conversion semiconductor device 36, a cooler 31, an introduction pipe 32, and a lead-out pipe 33 that constitute the power conversion apparatus of the embodiment. .
The container 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a through wall 21a through which the introduction pipe 32 and the outlet pipe 33 pass. After housing the power conversion semiconductor device 36 and the cooler 31 in the container 21, a lid (not shown) is fixed and the container 21 is closed.

The cooler 31 includes a plurality of cooling plates 34 through which the cooling liquid passes, and the plurality of cooling plates 34 are arranged in the X direction with a space therebetween.
The introduction pipe 32 extends to the outside of the container 21. When observed from the end side outside the container, the introduction pipe 32 penetrates the through wall 21 a into the container 21 and reaches the cooler 31. The introduction pipe 32 extends to the inside of the cooler 31. That is, the introduction pipe 32 penetrates the cooling plate 34 at the right end portion of the plurality of cooling plates 34. However, the last through plate is different, and the introduction pipe 32 finally reaches the cooling plate 34 and ends. The internal space of the introduction pipe 32 and the internal space of each cooling plate 34 communicate with each other.

  The outlet pipe 33 also extends to the outside of the container 21, and when viewed from the end side outside the container, penetrates the through wall 21 a into the container and reaches the cooler 31. The outlet pipe 33 also extends to the inside of the cooler 31. In other words, the outlet pipe 33 penetrates the cooling plate 34 at the left end portion of the plurality of cooling plates 34. However, the last through plate is different, and the outlet pipe 33 finally reaches the cooling plate and ends. The internal space of the outlet pipe 33 and the internal space of each cooling plate 34 communicate with each other.

  When the cooling liquid is applied from the outer end of the container of the introduction pipe 32, the fed cooling liquid is distributed from the introduction pipe 32 to a plurality of cooling plates 34. The cooling liquid distributed to each cooling plate 34 flows in the inner space of the cooling plate 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow Y and flows into the outlet pipe 33. The coolant that has passed through each cooling plate 34 is collected in the outlet pipe 33 and sent out to the outer end of the outlet pipe 33. A hose is connected to the container outer end of the introduction pipe 32 and the container outer end of the outlet pipe 33. The coolant goes around the coolant circulation device and the coolant cooling device through the hose.

A semiconductor device 36 is inserted between the cooling plate 34 and the adjacent cooling plate 34. In the case of FIG. 1, a pair of left and right semiconductor devices 36 are inserted at one interval. Each semiconductor device 36 incorporates a switching element (IGBT in the embodiment) for turning on and off a current to be supplied to the traveling motor and a flywheel diode, and is molded into a flat plate shape with a resin. The flat surface of each semiconductor device 36 is in close contact with the cooling plate 34. This is a so-called stacked cooling device. A high voltage for driving the traveling motor is applied to the semiconductor device 36, and heat is generated when it operates. Moreover, if the voltage is leaked to the outside of the container 21, it is a high voltage that may cause an electric shock accident, and safety is required.
If the semiconductor device 36 inserted in the space between the cooling plate 34 and the cooling plate 34 is not in close contact with the cooling plates 34 on both sides, the cooling capacity of the semiconductor device 36 is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the introduction pipe 32, the outlet pipe 33, and the plurality of cooling plates 34 are integrally formed of an aluminum alloy. After inserting the semiconductor device 36 in the space between the cooling plate 34 and the cooling plate 34, the cooler 31 is compressed in the stacking direction (X direction) to bring the semiconductor device 36 into close contact with the cooling plates 34 on both sides. Therefore, the rigidity of the cooler 31 is low, and the introduction pipe 32 and the lead-out pipe 33 may be damaged in the container 21.

A through hole 22a for the introduction pipe 32 and a through hole 22b for the outlet pipe 33 are formed in the through wall 21a. The through-hole 22a for the introduction pipe 32 is larger in diameter than the introduction pipe 32, and if the introduction pipe 32 extends straight (it is straight before an external force is applied), the introduction pipe 32 surrounds the through-hole 22a. Away from the wall. In order to close the gap, a grommet 38a is arranged. The grommet 38a is flexible and closes the gap between the introduction pipe 32 and the wall surrounding the through hole 22a.
Similarly, the through-hole 22b for the lead-out pipe 33 has a larger diameter than the lead-out pipe 33, and if the lead-out pipe 33 extends straight (it is straight before an external force is applied), the lead-out pipe 33 has a through-hole. It is away from the wall surrounding 22b. A grommet 38b is arranged to close the gap. The grommet 38b has flexibility and closes the gap between the outlet pipe 33 and the wall surrounding the through hole 22b.

An introduction pipe restraining portion is disposed at a position indicated by an imaginary line IIa in FIG. 1, and a lead-out pipe restraining portion is disposed at a position indicated by an imaginary line IIb in FIG. The introduction pipe restraining portion is fixed to the container 21 in the container 21 (between the through wall 21a and the cooler 31), and restrains a part of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe 32 from the periphery. The outlet pipe restraining portion is also fixed to the container 21 in the container 21 (between the through wall 21a and the cooler 31), and restrains a part of the outer peripheral surface of the outlet pipe 33 in the longitudinal direction from the periphery.
In this embodiment, the introduction pipe 32 and the lead-out pipe 33 have the same outer shape, and the lead-in pipe restraining part and the lead-out pipe restraining part have the same shape. Below, it demonstrates without distinguishing an introductory pipe restraint part and an outlet pipe restraint part.

  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the introduction pipe restraining portion and the outlet pipe restraining portion. Both the introduction pipe restraint part and the lead-out pipe restraint part include a restraint fixing part 2 and a clamp member 8. The restraint fixing portion 2 is formed integrally with the container 21. In this embodiment, it is cast from an aluminum alloy. The restraining fixing part 2 is formed with a semicircular groove. The groove 4 a on the cooler 31 side is a constraining surface that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe 32 or the outlet pipe 33 and restrains the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe 32 or the outlet pipe 33. The diameter of the groove 4b on the side of the through wall 21a increases as it approaches the through wall 21a. If the introduction pipe 32 and the lead-out pipe 33 are straight, the groove 4b has a shape that is largely separated from the outer peripheral surface of the lead-in pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33 as it approaches the through wall 21a.

  The clamp member 8 is formed by sheet metal processing. The clamp member 8 is also formed with a groove having a semicircular cross section. The groove 10 a on the cooler 31 side is a constraining surface that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33 and restrains the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33. The diameter of the groove 10b on the side of the through wall 21a increases as it approaches the through wall 21a. If the introduction pipe 32 and the lead-out pipe 33 are straight, the groove 10b has a shape that is largely separated from the outer peripheral surface of the lead-in pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33 as it approaches the through wall 21a.

  The outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33 is brought into close contact with the groove 4a of the restraint fixing portion 2, and the clamp member 8 is covered from the upper part, and a bolt (not shown) is screwed into the screw hole 6a through the through hole 12a. Is screwed into the screw hole 6b through the through hole 12b, the clamp member 8 is fixed to the restraint fixing portion 2. At this time, the introduction pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33 is in close contact with the groove 4a and the groove 10a and is restrained from all directions. On the other hand, the groove 4b and the groove 10b are shaped so as to be largely separated from the outer peripheral surface of the introduction tube 32 or the discharge tube 33 as they approach the through wall 21a.

The shape of the groove 4b and the groove 10b in the cross section along the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe 32 or the lead-out pipe 33 is an R shape or a curved shape, and is expanded toward the outside of the container. Therefore, when the introduction pipe 32 bends due to an external force that relatively displaces the container 21 and the introduction pipe 32 on the introduction pipe 32 that extends outside the container 21, the introduction pipe 32 and the groove 4b or the groove 10b are locally located. There is no contact (in a wide range) and no stress concentration occurs. The introduction pipe 32 is not damaged in the container 21.
Similarly, when the guide tube 33 bends when an external force that relatively displaces the container 21 and the guide tube 33 acts on the guide tube 33 in a range extending outside the container 21, the guide tube 33 and the groove 4b or the groove 10b are locally disposed. There is no contact (in a wide range) and no stress concentration occurs. The outlet tube 33 is not damaged in the container 21.

  Further, the introduction pipe 32 closer to the cooler 31 than the introduction pipe restraint part, the lead-out pipe 33 closer to the cooler 31 than the lead-out pipe restraint part, and the cooler 31 have the introduction pipe 32 and the lead-out pipe 33 in the groove 4a. By being in close contact with the groove 10a, the positional relationship with respect to the container 21 is constrained, and an external force that relatively displaces the container 21 and the introduction pipe 32 acts on the introduction pipe 32 in a range extending outside the container 21, or the container 21. Even if an external force that relatively displaces the container 21 and the lead-out pipe 33 acts on the lead-out pipe 33 in the range extending outside, the lead-in pipe 32 on the cooler 21 side relative to the lead-in pipe restraint part and the lead-out pipe restraint part. The outlet pipe 33 on the cooler 31 side and the cooler 31 are not damaged.

In the present embodiment, the through hole 22 a for the introduction pipe 32 formed in the through wall 21 a is larger in diameter than the diameter of the introduction pipe 32. When the introduction tube 32 is bent along the inner surface of the groove 4b or the groove 10b, the introduction tube 32 is in contact with the wall surrounding the through hole 22a. Therefore, if the introduction pipe 32 is broken, the relationship is set such that it breaks outside the through hole 22a. If the portion of the introduction pipe 32 extending outside the container 21 is damaged before the introduction pipe 32 is bent along the inner surface of the groove 4b or the groove 10b, the introduction pipe 32 is disposed inside the container 21. Can reliably prevent damage.
Similarly, the through hole 22 b for the outlet pipe 33 formed in the through wall 21 a is larger in diameter than the diameter of the outlet pipe 33. When the outlet pipe 33 is bent along the inner surface of the groove 4b or the groove 10b, the outlet pipe 33 is in contact with the wall surrounding the through hole 22b. Therefore, if the outlet tube 33 is broken, the relationship is set such that it is bent outside the through hole 22b. If the lead-out pipe 33 extending outside the container 21 is provided with a portion that is damaged before the lead-out pipe 33 bends along the inner surface of the groove 4b or the groove 10b, the lead-out pipe 33 is disposed inside the container 21. Can reliably prevent damage.
According to the present embodiment, the cooling liquid does not leak into the space inside the container 21 outside the cooler 31, the semiconductor device 36 and the cooling liquid do not come into contact, and the voltage of the semiconductor device 36 reduces the cooling liquid. And no leakage to the outside of the container 21.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the restraint fixing portion 2 and the clamp member 8 are arranged at a distance from the through wall 21a, but the restraint fixing portion 2 and the clamp member 8 may be in contact with the through wall 21a. In addition, the end surface 2a of the restraint fixing portion 2 and the end surface 8a of the clamp member 8 may constitute a part of the outer surface of the container 21. This is also an embodiment in which a restraint portion composed of the restraint fixing portion 2 and the clamp member 8 is secured in the container 21.
In the above embodiment, the grooves 4b and 10b are evenly separated from the tubes 32 and 33 in all directions. When the direction of the external force acting on the tubes 32 and 33 is known, the direction may be separated from the tubes 32 and 33 in that direction. It is not necessary to leave evenly over the entire circumference.
The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

2: Restraining fixing portions 4a, 4b: Groove 8: Clamp member 10a, 10b: Groove 21: Container 21a: Through wall 22a, 22b: Through hole 31: Cooler 32: Introducing pipe 33: Outlet pipe 36: Semiconductor device

Claims (2)

A container,
A semiconductor device for power conversion housed in a container;
A cooler that is housed in a container and that is in contact with the semiconductor device and through which the coolant passes;
An introduction pipe that penetrates through the wall constituting the container and extends to the inside and outside of the container, is connected to the cooler in the container, and sends the coolant to the cooler from outside the container;
A lead-out pipe that extends through the wall constituting the container and extends inside and outside the container, is connected to the cooler in the container, and sends out the coolant from the cooler to the outside of the container;
An introduction pipe restraining portion which is fixed to the container in the container and restrains a part of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe from the surroundings;
A lead-out pipe restraining portion that is fixed to the container in the container and restrains a part of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction of the lead-out pipe from the surroundings;
With
The closer to the wall through which the introduction pipe penetrates the restraint surface of the introduction pipe restraint part, the farther away from the outer peripheral surface of the introduction pipe,
A power conversion device characterized in that the constraining surface of the lead-out pipe restraining portion is farther from the outer peripheral surface of the lead-out pipe as it approaches the wall through which the lead-out pipe penetrates. The container is onboard,
The semiconductor device is a switching element that turns on / off the power supplied to the motor for running,
The introduction pipe restraint part is composed of an introduction pipe restraint fixing part integrally formed with the container, and an introduction pipe clamp member fixed to the introduction pipe restraint fixing part.
The lead-out tube restraint portion is constituted by a lead-out tube restraint fixing portion integrally formed with the container, and a lead-out tube clamp member fixed to the lead-out tube restraint fixing portion. Power converter.

Images