JP2015180118A - power converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably reduce thermal influence caused by the heat evolution from a plurality of reactors, while the plurality of (e.g., two) reactors are provided.SOLUTION: A power converter (33) includes: a power module (PM); a plurality of reactors (L1, L2); capacitors (C, C1, and C2); and a cooling component (332). One reactor (L2) whose heat evolution amount becomes the largest is disposed upstream of the other reactor (L1) along the supplying direction of coolant. Between the one reactor and at least either the power module or the capacitors, at least either the cooling component or the other reactor is disposed. The plurality of reactors are disposed on a lower side of the power module along a vertical direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a power converter that performs power conversion with a power storage device, for example.

  There is known a power converter that performs power conversion with a power storage device such as a secondary battery or a capacitor. In order to perform power conversion, the power converter generally includes a switching element and a reactor. In this case, the switching element and the reactor can be a heat source accompanying power conversion. Therefore, in order to realize a stable operation of the power converter, it is preferable to cool the switching element and the reactor.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 3 disclose power converters that can cool the switching element and the reactor. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power converter that secures a gap between a power module and a reactor so that a heat radiation path of a power module in which a switching element is accommodated and a heat radiation path of a reactor are separated as much as possible. ing. Patent Document 2 discloses a power converter that arranges a reactor at a position adjacent to a stacked cooler in which a cooling pipe and an electronic component are stacked. Patent Document 3 discloses an air-cooled power converter including two reactors arranged in series from the windward side toward the leeward side.

JP 2013-051848 A JP 2010-225723 A JP2012-210115A

  In recent years, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, a power converter that accommodates a plurality of (for example, two) reactors in one housing has been proposed. In this case, compared with a power converter provided with one reactor, a heat source will increase. Therefore, not only the thermal influence on the plurality of reactors itself due to the heat generation of the plurality of reactors, but also the thermal influence on other circuit elements (for example, power modules containing switching elements) due to the heat generation of the plurality of reactors is more. There is a risk that it cannot be ignored. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 does not consider any thermal effects on other circuit elements due to the heat generated by the two reactors.

  On the other hand, by simply applying the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 to ensure air gaps between the plurality of reactors and the power module, the heat generation of the plurality of reactors is caused by the increase in the number of reactors. There is a possibility that the thermal influence on the power module caused by the above cannot be ignored. Further, by simply applying the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 to make a plurality of reactors and power modules adjacent to each other, the power module caused by the heat generation of the plurality of reactors is caused by the increase in the number of reactors. There is a risk that the thermal effect on the can not be ignored.

  Examples of problems to be solved by the present invention include the above. This invention makes it a subject to provide the power converter which can reduce suitably the thermal influence resulting from the heat_generation | fever of a some reactor, providing a some (for example, two) reactor.

  The power converter of the present invention is a power converter that performs power conversion with a power storage device, and includes a power module in which a switching element is accommodated, a plurality of reactors, a capacitor, the power module, and the plurality of power modules. A reactor and a cooling member to which a refrigerant for cooling the condenser is supplied, and the one reactor that generates the largest amount of heat among the plurality of reactors is other than the one reactor among the plurality of reactors. It is arrange | positioned upstream from the reactor of the said refrigerant | coolant along the supply direction of said refrigerant | coolant, Between said one reactor and at least one of said power module and said capacitor | condenser, at least one of said cooling member and said other reactor The plurality of reactors are arranged on the lower side of the power module along the vertical direction. It is.

  The power converter of the present invention can perform power conversion with a power storage device. The power converter includes at least a power module, a plurality of reactors, a capacitor, and a cooling member in order to perform power conversion with the power storage device.

  In the present invention, in particular, one of the plurality of reactors that generates the largest amount of heat (for example, the amount of heat generated by power conversion) is disposed upstream of the other reactors along the refrigerant supply direction. . For example, one reactor is disposed so as to be adjacent to or close to a cooling member located on the relatively upstream side in the refrigerant supply direction as compared with the other reactors. Here, if it is considered that the cooling effect of the cooling member located on the upstream side along the refrigerant supply direction is higher than the cooling effect of the cooling member located on the downstream side along the refrigerant supply direction, the heat generation amount One reactor having the largest value is preferably cooled. On the other hand, although the other reactors are arranged downstream of the one reactor in the refrigerant supply direction (that is, on the cooling member side where the cooling effect is relatively low), the heat generation amount of the other reactors is relatively Because of their small size, the other reactors are also suitably or appropriately cooled. Therefore, the plurality of reactors are suitably cooled by disposing the one reactor having the largest amount of heat generation on the upstream side in the refrigerant supply direction with respect to the other reactors. As a result, the thermal influence (for example, the thermal influence with respect to several reactor itself, and the thermal influence with respect to a power module and a capacitor | condenser) resulting from the heat_generation | fever of several reactors is suppressed suitably.

  In addition, in the present invention, at least one of the cooling member and the other reactor is disposed between one reactor and at least one of the power module and the capacitor. For this reason, compared with the case where at least one of the cooling member and the other reactor is not disposed between the one reactor and at least one of the power module and the capacitor, the thermal influence caused by the heat generation of the one reactor It becomes difficult to be transmitted to at least one of the module and the capacitor. As a result, the thermal influence caused by the heat generation of the plurality of reactors (particularly, the thermal influence on the power module and the capacitor caused by the heat generation of one reactor) is suitably suppressed.

  In addition, in the present invention, the plurality of reactors are arranged on the lower side of the power module along the vertical direction. That is, the space where the plurality of reactors are arranged and the space where the power module is arranged are physically divided (or divided or separated) along the vertical direction. Therefore, the space where the plurality of reactors are arranged and the space where the power modules are arranged are not physically separated along the vertical direction (for example, the space where the plurality of reactors are arranged and the space where the power modules are arranged) Compared with the case where the two are present at the same position along the vertical direction), the thermal influence caused by the heat generated by the plurality of reactors is less likely to be directly transmitted to the power module. Therefore, the thermal influence (especially the thermal influence with respect to a power module) resulting from the heat_generation | fever of several reactors is suppressed suitably.

  As described above, according to the power converter of the present invention, it is possible to suitably reduce the thermal influence caused by the heat generation of the plurality of reactors while including a plurality of (for example, two) reactors.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing demonstrated below.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle of this embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of a power converter. It is the side view and top view which show typically the external appearance structure of a power converter. It is a top view which shows typically the external appearance structure of the upper hierarchy space where a power module is mainly arrange | positioned among power converters. It is a top view which shows typically the external appearance structure of the lower hierarchical space where a reactor is mainly arrange | positioned among power converters. It is the side view and top view which show typically the external appearance structure of the power converter of a modification. It is a top view which shows typically the external appearance structure of the lower hierarchical space where a magnetic coupling type reactor is mainly arrange | positioned among the power converters of a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the power converter of the present invention will be described. In the following description, an embodiment in which the power converter of the present invention is applied to a vehicle (in particular, a vehicle that travels using electric power output from a power storage device) will be described as an example. However, the power converter may be applied to any device other than the vehicle.

(1) Configuration of Vehicle First, the configuration of the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a motor generator 10, an axle 21, wheels 22, a power supply system 30, and an ECU 40.

  The motor generator 10 functions as an electric motor that supplies power (that is, power necessary for traveling of the vehicle 1) to the axle 21 by being driven mainly by using electric power output from the power supply system 30 during power running. The power transmitted to the axle 21 becomes power for driving the vehicle 1 via the wheels 22. Furthermore, the motor generator 10 mainly functions as a generator for charging the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32 included in the power supply system 30 during regeneration.

  Note that the vehicle 1 may include two or more motor generators 10. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 may further include an engine in addition to the motor generator 10.

  The power supply system 30 outputs power necessary for the motor generator 10 to function as an electric motor to the motor generator 10 during power running. Furthermore, the electric power generated by the motor generator 10 that functions as a generator is input from the motor generator 10 to the power supply system 30 during regeneration.

  Such a power supply system 30 includes a first power supply 31 that is a specific example of “power storage device”, a second power supply 32 that is a specific example of “power storage device”, a power converter 33, and an inverter 35. I have.

  Each of the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32 is a power supply capable of outputting power (that is, discharging). Each of the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32 may be a power supply capable of inputting power (that is, charging) in addition to outputting power. At least one of the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32 may be, for example, a lead storage battery, a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a fuel cell, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like.

  Under the control of the ECU 40, the power converter 33 uses the power output from the first power supply 31 and the power output from the second power supply 32 as required power required by the power supply system 30 (typically, the power supply system 30. In accordance with the power to be output to the motor generator 10). The power converter 33 outputs the converted power to the inverter 35. Further, the power converter 33 converts the power input from the inverter 35 under the control of the ECU 40 (that is, the power generated by the regeneration of the motor generator 10) to the required power (typically, required for the power supply system 30). Is a power to be input to the power supply system 30 and is substantially converted in accordance with a power to be input to the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32). The power converter 33 outputs the converted power to at least one of the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32. By such power conversion, the power converter 33 substantially distributes power between the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32 and the inverter 35 and between the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32. Power distribution in can be performed.

  The inverter 35 converts power (DC power) output from the power converter 33 into AC power during powering. Thereafter, the inverter 35 supplies the electric power converted into AC power to the motor generator 10. Furthermore, the inverter 35 converts the electric power (AC power) generated by the motor generator 10 into DC power during regeneration. Thereafter, the inverter 35 supplies the power converted to DC power to the power converter 33.

  The ECU 40 is an electronic control unit configured to be able to control the entire operation of the vehicle 1.

(2) Circuit Configuration of Power Converter Next , the circuit configuration of the power converter 33 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the power converter 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power converter 33 includes a switching element S1, a switching element S2, a switching element S3, a switching element S4, a diode D1, a diode D2, a diode D3, a diode D4, and a reactor. L1, a reactor L2, a smoothing capacitor C, a filter capacitor C1, and a filter capacitor C2.

  The switching element S1 can be switched in accordance with a control signal output from the ECU 40. That is, the switching element S1 can switch the switching state from the on state to the off state or from the off state to the on state in accordance with a control signal output from the ECU 40. As such a switching element S1, for example, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), a power MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor, or a power bipolar transistor is used. The switching element S2, the switching element S3, and the switching element S4 are the same as the switching element S1.

  Switching element S1, switching element S2, switching element S3, and switching element S4 are electrically connected in series between power supply line PL and ground line GL. Specifically, switching element S1 is electrically connected between power supply line PL and node N1. Switching element S2 is electrically connected between nodes N1 and N2. Switching element S3 is electrically connected between nodes N2 and N3. Switching element S4 is electrically connected between node N3 and ground line GL.

  The diode D1 is electrically connected in parallel to the switching element S1. The diode D2 is electrically connected in parallel to the switching element S2. The diode D3 is electrically connected in parallel to the switching element S3. The diode D4 is electrically connected in parallel to the switching element S4. The diode D1 is connected in a direction having an antiparallel relationship with the switching element S1. The same applies to the diodes D2 to D4.

  Reactor L1 is electrically connected between the positive terminal of first power supply 31 and node N2. Reactor L2 is electrically connected between the positive terminal of second power supply 32 and node N1. Smoothing capacitor C is electrically connected between power supply line PL and ground line GL. The filter capacitor C1 is electrically connected in parallel to the first power supply 31 on the first power supply 31 side of the reactor L1. The filter capacitor C2 is electrically connected in parallel to the second power supply 32 on the second power supply 32 side of the reactor L2. The negative terminal of the first power supply 31 is electrically connected to the ground line GL. The negative terminal of the second power supply 32 is electrically connected to the node N3. Inverter 35 is electrically connected to each of power supply line PL and ground line GL.

  The power converter 33 includes a boost chopper circuit corresponding to each of the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32. As a result, the power converter 33 can perform power conversion with both the first power supply 31 and the second power supply 32.

  Specifically, for the first power supply 31, a first chopper circuit is formed in which the switching elements S1 and S2 are upper arm elements while the switching elements S3 and S4 are lower arm elements. When the vehicle 1 is powering, the first chopper circuit may function as a boost chopper circuit for the first power supply 31. In this case, the electric power output from the first power supply 31 is accumulated in the reactor L1 during the period in which the switching elements S3 and S4 are in the on state. The electric power stored in reactor L1 is discharged to power supply line PL through switching elements S1 and S2 and at least part of diodes D1 and D2 during a period in which at least one of switching elements S3 and S4 is in an off state. . On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is regenerating, the first chopper circuit may function as a step-down chopper circuit for the first power supply 31. In this case, the electric power generated by the regeneration is accumulated in the reactor L1 during the period in which the switching elements S1 and S2 are in the on state. The electric power stored in the reactor L1 is discharged to the ground line GL through the switching elements S3 and S4 and at least a part of the diodes D3 and D4 during a period in which at least one of the switching elements S1 and S2 is in the off state. .

  On the other hand, for the second power source 32, a second chopper circuit is formed in which the switching elements S4 and S1 are upper arm elements while the switching elements S2 and S3 are lower arm elements. When the vehicle 1 is powering, the second chopper circuit may function as a boost chopper circuit for the second power supply 32. In this case, the power output from the second power supply 32 is accumulated in the reactor L2 during the period in which the switching elements S2 and S3 are in the on state. The electric power stored in reactor L2 is discharged to power supply line PL through switching elements S4 and S1 and at least part of diodes D4 and D1 during a period in which at least one of switching elements S2 and S3 is in an off state. . On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is regenerating, the second chopper circuit may function as a step-down chopper circuit for the second power supply 32. In this case, the electric power generated by the regeneration is accumulated in the reactor L2 during the period in which the switching elements S4 and S1 are in the on state. The electric power accumulated in the reactor L2 is supplied to the negative electrode of the second power supply 32 via at least a part of the switching elements S2 and S3 and the diodes D2 and D3 during a period in which at least one of the switching elements S4 and S1 is in an off state. Released to the line to which the terminal is connected.

  Note that the smoothing capacitor C suppresses fluctuations in the voltage between the terminals between the power supply line PL and the ground line GL due to switching of the switching state of the switching elements S1 to S4. The fluctuation of the voltage between the terminals of the first power supply 31 due to the switching of the switching state of the switching element S1 to the switching element S4 is suppressed by the filter capacitor C1. The fluctuation of the voltage between the terminals of the second power supply 32 due to the switching of the switching state of the switching element S1 to the switching element S4 is suppressed by the filter capacitor C1.

(3) Appearance of Power Converter Next, an appearance configuration of the power converter 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the external configuration of the power converter 33. However, in FIG. 3, in order to make the drawing easy to see, only the housing 330 is drawn as a sectional view, while members other than the housing 330 are drawn as side views. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing an external configuration of the upper hierarchical space 330U in which the power module PM is mainly arranged in the power converter 33. However, in FIG. 4, the cover on the upper side of the housing 330, the control board CB and the bracket 331 a to be described later are omitted for easy viewing of the drawing. FIG. 5 is a top view schematically showing an external configuration of the lower hierarchical space 330L in which the reactors L1 and L2 are mainly arranged in the power converter 33. However, in FIG. 5, in order to make the drawing easier to see, various circuits (specifically, the power module PM, which are disposed in the upper cover of the housing 330, a control board CB and a bracket 331a described later, and the upper hierarchical space 330U). And the smoothing capacitor C) is omitted. 3 to 5, the external configuration of the power converter 33 is drawn in a three-dimensional coordinate space defined by the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the power converter 33 includes a box-shaped housing 330. Inside the housing 330 are housed a power module PM that houses a plurality of plate-like semiconductor modules 333, reactors L1 and L2, a smoothing capacitor C, and filter capacitors C1 and C2. Further, a control board CB is accommodated in the housing 330. Note that other circuit elements may be accommodated in the housing 330.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the space inside the housing 330 is relatively lower in the vertical direction along the Z axis and the upper hierarchical space 330 </ b> U positioned relatively upward in the vertical direction. Is divided into a lower hierarchical space 330L located at The upper hierarchical space 330U mainly accommodates a plurality of semiconductor modules 333, a part of the filter capacitors C1 and C2, a smoothing capacitor C, and a control board CB. The lower hierarchical space 330L mainly accommodates the reactors L1 and L2 and other parts of the filter capacitors C1 and C2. An isolation wall 335 such as an aluminum plate is disposed between the upper hierarchical space 330 and the lower hierarchical space 330L (more specifically, between the power module PM and the reactors L1 and L2). However, an isolation wall 335 such as an aluminum plate may not be disposed between the upper hierarchical space 330 and the lower hierarchical space 330L.

  Each of the plurality of semiconductor modules 333 is sealed with at least one of the switching elements S1 to S4 and the diodes D1 to D4 described above. The plurality of semiconductor modules 333 are integrated with the cooling mechanism 332. Hereinafter, the structure in which the plurality of semiconductor modules 333 and the cooling mechanism 332 are integrated is referred to as a power module PM.

  The cooling mechanism 332 includes an introduction pipeline 332a, a lead-out pipeline 332b, a lower hierarchy cooling pipeline 332-1c, an upper hierarchy cooling pipeline 332-2c, and a plurality of cooling plates 332d.

  The introduction pipe 332a is supplied with a refrigerant (for example, cooling water) for cooling at least one of the plurality of semiconductor modules 333, the reactors L1 and L2, the smoothing capacitor C, and the filter capacitors C1 and C2. As a result, the refrigerant is introduced into the power converter 33 via the introduction conduit 332a.

  The introduction pipe line 332a is connected to the lower hierarchy cooling pipe line 332-1c. For this reason, the refrigerant introduced into the introduction conduit 332a is supplied to the lower hierarchy cooling conduit 332-1c. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower level cooling pipe 332-1c surrounds the outer edge of the reactors L1 and L2 on the upper surface of the isolation wall 335, or extends along the outer edge or along the upper surface. Accordingly, the reactors L1 and L2 are cooled by the lower hierarchy cooling pipes 332-1c adjacent to the reactors L1 and L2 via the isolation wall 335.

  The lower hierarchy cooling pipe 332-1c is connected to the upper hierarchy cooling pipe 332-2c. For this reason, the refrigerant that has passed through the lower-tier cooling pipeline 332-1c is supplied to the upper-tier cooling pipeline 332-2c. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper level cooling pipe 332-2c passes through each of the plurality of cooling plates 332d to support the plurality of cooling plates 332d so that the plurality of cooling plates 332d are arranged in parallel. Yes. The internal space of the upper level cooling pipe 332-2c communicates with the internal space of each of the cooling plates 332d.

  The upper hierarchy cooling pipe 332-2c is connected to the outlet pipe 332b. For this reason, the refrigerant that has passed through the upper hierarchy cooling pipe 332-2c is led out (discharged) out of the power converter 33 via the lead-out pipe 332b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the semiconductor module 333 is accommodated in the slit 332e between two adjacent cooling plates 332d. That is, in the power module PM, a plurality of plate-like semiconductor modules 333 and a plurality of cooling plates 332d are alternately stacked. As a result, since the semiconductor module 333 is cooled from both surfaces (both surfaces along the X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 and 4), the semiconductor module 333 is efficiently cooled.

  The smoothing capacitor C is disposed on the side of the power module PM (in the example shown in FIG. 4, the side located in the −Y axis direction). Each of the filter capacitors C1 and C2 is disposed on the side of the power module PM (in the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side is located in the + Y-axis direction).

  On the other hand, each of reactors L1 and L2 is arranged below power module PM (in the example shown in FIG. 3, below the −Z axis direction). In particular, each of the reactors L1 and L2 is disposed below the power module PM such that the lower-tier cooling pipe 332-1c and the isolation wall 335 are disposed between the reactor L1 and L2.

  In addition, the reactors L1 and L2 are arranged in consideration of the heat generation amounts of the reactors L1 and L2 (for example, the heat generation amount accompanying power conversion). Specifically, in the reactors L1 and L2, the reactor having the larger calorific value is upstream of the lower-tier cooling pipe 332-1c (that is, the introduction pipe 332a side) than the reactor having the smaller calorific value. It arrange | positions so that it may be located in. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the arrangement of the reactors L <b> 1 and L <b> 2 when the heat generation amount of the reactor L <b> 2 is larger than the heat generation amount of the reactor L <b> 1 is shown. In this case, the reactor L1 having a small heat generation amount is arranged between the reactor L2 having a large heat generation amount and the filter capacitors C1 and C2 partially entering the lower hierarchical space 330U. However, the reactors L1 and L2 may be arranged without considering the heat generation amount of the reactors L1 and L2.

  The power module PM is fixed to a bracket 331a positioned above the power module PM via a stay 331c extending upward (in the + Z-axis direction in the example shown in FIG. 3). Each of the filter capacitors C1 and C2 is fixed to the bracket 331a via a stay 331d extending upward. The smoothing capacitor C is fixed to a bracket 331a positioned above the smoothing capacitor C via a stay 331e extending upward. The reactor L1 and the reactor L2 are fixed to the lower surface inside the housing 330 via a stay 331f extending downward (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the −Z axis direction). The bracket 331a is disposed in the housing 330 so that the edge thereof is fixed to a flange protruding from the inside of the housing 330.

  Further, a plate-like control board CB is fixed to the bracket 331a via a stay 331b extending upward (in the example shown in FIG. 3, + Z-axis direction). A lead wire 333a extends from the semiconductor module 333 toward the control board CB. As a result, the switching elements S1 to S4 accommodated in the semiconductor module 333 switch the switching state via a control signal output from the control board CB via the lead wire 333a. The electrical continuity between the plurality of semiconductor modules 333, the smoothing capacitor C, the filter capacitors C1 and C2, and the reactor L1 and the reactor L2 is realized by a bus bar (not shown).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the lower hierarchical space 330L in which the reactors L1 and L2 are mainly disposed, and the upper hierarchical space 330U in which the power module PM, the smoothing capacitor C, and the filter capacitors C1 and C2 are mainly disposed are provided. Physically divided. Therefore, although the reactors L1 and L2 are arranged, the space where the reactors L1 and L2 are arranged and the space where the power module PM is arranged are not physically separated along the vertical direction (for example, the reactors L1 and L2, the power module PM, the smoothing capacitor). C and filter capacitors C1 and C2 are both arranged in the upper hierarchical space 330U), the thermal effects due to the heat generated by the reactors L1 and L2 are the power module PM, smoothing capacitor C, filter capacitor C1 and It becomes difficult to transmit directly to C2. Therefore, the thermal influence (particularly the thermal influence on the power module PM, the smoothing capacitor C, and the filter capacitors C1 and C2) due to the heat generation of the reactors L1 and L2 is suitably suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the reactors L1 and L2 are disposed in the lower hierarchical space 330L that is physically separated from the upper hierarchical space 330U, and thus the reactors L1 and L2 are disposed on the side of the power module PM. You do n’t have to. For this reason, the design freedom of reactor L1 and L2 improves compared with the case where reactor L1 and L2 are arrange | positioned at the side of power module PM. For this reason, for example, as the shapes of the reactors L1 and L2, a so-called flat shape (for example, a shape in which the vertical size is relatively smaller than the horizontal size along the XY plane) can be easily adopted. When the reactors L1 and L2 have a flat shape (that is, the size along the XY plane becomes relatively large), the areas of the reactors L1 and L2 facing the lower hierarchy cooling pipe 332-1c are relatively Become bigger. As a result, reactors L1 and L2 are more suitably cooled. Also from such a viewpoint, the thermal influence resulting from the heat generation of reactors L1 and L2 is suitably suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the reactor L2 having a relatively large amount of heat generation is arranged so as to be positioned on the upstream side of the lower hierarchy cooling pipe 332-1c than the reactor L1 having a relatively small amount of heat generation. Here, the cooling effect of the lower hierarchy cooling pipe 332-1c located on the upstream side along the refrigerant supply direction is the lower hierarchy cooling pipe 332-1c located on the downstream side along the refrigerant supply direction. Considering that the cooling effect is higher than that of the reactor L2, the reactor L2 having a relatively large calorific value is suitably cooled. On the other hand, the reactor L1 having a relatively small calorific value is downstream of the reactor L2 having a relatively large calorific value in the refrigerant supply direction (that is, the lower-tier cooling pipe having a relatively low cooling effect). However, since the amount of heat generated by the reactor L1 is relatively small, the reactor L1 is also suitably or appropriately cooled. Therefore, both reactors L1 and L2 are suitably cooled. As a result, the thermal influence resulting from the heat generation of reactors L1 and L2 is suitably suppressed.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the lower-tier cooling pipe 332-1c is disposed between the reactors L1 and L2 and the power module PM. For this reason, compared with the case where the cooling pipe 332-1c for lower tiers is not arrange | positioned between reactor L1 and L2 and power module PM, the thermal influence resulting from the heat_generation | fever of reactor L1 and L2 is power module PM. It becomes difficult to be transmitted to. In other words, compared to the case where the reactors L1 and L2 and the power module PM are directly adjacent to each other, the thermal effect caused by the heat generated by the reactors L1 and L2 is less likely to be transmitted to the power module PM. As a result, the thermal influence (particularly the thermal influence on the power module PM) resulting from the heat generation of the reactors L1 and L2 is suitably suppressed.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the reactor L1 having a small heat generation amount is disposed between the reactor L2 having a large heat generation amount and the filter capacitors C1 and C2. In this case, the presence of the reactor L1 makes it difficult for the thermal influence caused by the heat generated by the reactor L2 to be directly transmitted to the filter capacitors C1 and C2. Furthermore, compared with the thermal influence with respect to the filter capacitor C1 and C2 resulting from the heat_generation | fever of the reactor L2 in case the reactor L2 and the filter capacitors C1 and C2 adjoin directly, it originated in the heat_generation | fever of the reactor L1 The thermal effect on the filter capacitors C1 and C2 is reduced. Therefore, the thermal influence caused by the heat generation of reactors L1 and L2 (particularly, the thermal influence on filter capacitors C1 and C2 caused by the heat generation of reactor L2) is suitably suppressed.

(4) Modified Example of Power Converter Next, the external configuration of a modified power converter 33Z will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing an external configuration of a power converter 33Z according to a modification. However, in FIG. 6, in order to make the drawing easy to see, only the housing 330 is drawn as a cross-sectional view, while members other than the housing 330 are drawn as side views. FIG. 7 is a top view schematically showing the external configuration of the lower hierarchical space 330L in which the magnetically coupled reactor LC is arranged in the power converter 33. However, in FIG. 5, in order to make the drawing easier to see, various circuits (specifically, the power module PM, which are disposed in the upper cover of the housing 330, a control board CB and a bracket 331a described later, and the upper hierarchical space 330U). And the smoothing capacitor C) is omitted. 6 to 7, as in FIGS. 3 to 5, the external configuration of the power converter 33 is drawn in a three-dimensional coordinate space defined by the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. Also, among the components appearing in FIGS. 6 to 7, the same components as those appearing in FIGS. 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the power converter 33 </ b> Z according to the modification includes a magnetically coupled reactor (composite reactor) LC instead of the reactors L <b> 1 and L <b> 2 as compared with the power converter 33 described above. It is different in that it is.

  The magnetically coupled reactor LC is a reactor configured by winding a coil functioning as the reactor L1 and a coil functioning as the reactor L2 around an integrated core. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an example is shown in which two coils functioning as the reactor L1 and one coil functioning as the reactor L2 are wound around the integrated core. In this case, the size of the magnetically coupled reactor LC is smaller than the overall size of the reactors L1 and L2. Therefore, the power converter 33Z can be reduced in size.

  Also in the modified example, like the power converter 33 described above, the coil that functions as a reactor having a large calorific value is located upstream of the coil that functions as a reactor having a small calorific value 332-1c upstream of the lower level cooling pipe 332-1c. It is preferable to arrange so as to be positioned. In addition, in the modification, the magnetically coupled reactor LC is preferably arranged as close as possible to the upstream side (that is, the introduction pipe line 332a side) of the lower hierarchy cooling pipe line 332-1c.

  Similarly to the power conversion device 33 described above, the power conversion device 33Z of such a modification can also suitably enjoy various effects that can be received by the power conversion device 33 described above.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a power converter with such a change. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 30 Power supply system 31 1st power supply 32 2nd power supply 33 Power converter 330U Upper hierarchy space 330L Lower hierarchy space 332 Cooling mechanism 335 Isolation wall C Smoothing capacitor C1, C2 Filter capacitor L1, L2 Reactor PM Power module

Claims (1)

A power converter that performs power conversion with a power storage device,
A power module that houses the switching element;
Multiple reactors,
A capacitor,
A cooling member to which a refrigerant for cooling the power module, the plurality of reactors, and the condenser is supplied,
One reactor that generates the largest amount of heat among the plurality of reactors is arranged on the upstream side in the refrigerant supply direction from the other reactors other than the one reactor among the plurality of reactors,
Between the one reactor and at least one of the power module and the capacitor, at least one of the cooling member and the other reactor is disposed,
The plurality of reactors are arranged on a lower side of the power module along a vertical direction.

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