JP2021103927A - Inverter device - Google Patents

Abstract

To miniaturize an inverter device and also enable an appropriate joining of joint parts of members that form a channel chamber for circulating a cooling medium.SOLUTION: An inverter device 1 comprises: a heat sink 10 having a main body part 101 having a first face F1 with a switching element unit 3 fixed thereon, and a plurality of radiation fins 102 projecting from a second face F2 facing the side opposite to the first face F1; and a channel formation member 20 forming a channel chamber Pr between the second face F2 and an opposite face Fx1. The channel formation member 20 comprises: a first wall part 21 having a mounting face Fx2 which is arranged at a position surrounding the channel chamber Pr and on which the main body part 101 is mounted so that the second face F2 faces a first side X1 in a target direction; and a second wall part 22 arranged at a position surrounding the circumference of the main body part 101. The second wall part 22 comprises a bent part 221 which is bent to the side of the main body part 101 and makes contact with the first face F1 from the first side X1 in the target direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an inverter device.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inverter device fixed to a case of a rotary electric machine. In such a field, an inverter device is required to have a function for cooling a switching element which is a heating element. Hereinafter, the reference numerals shown in parentheses in the description of the background technology are those of Patent Document 1.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the element mounting surface (11a) on which the switching element (14) is mounted and the flow path chamber for the refrigerant to flow on the opposite side of the element mounting surface (11a) are provided. The switching element (14) is cooled by using the heat sink (11) provided with the protruding heat radiation fins (11b). As shown in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1, the flow path chamber is formed between the heat sink (11) and the flow path forming member formed of a member different from the heat sink (11). Therefore, in order to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the flow path chamber, the heat sink (11) and the flow path forming member are bolted so that the joint portion is joined with the seal member arranged at the joint portion. It was common that they were fixed to each other by fastening members such as.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-099214

However, when the members arranged so as to sandwich the flow path chamber are fixed to each other by the fastening member, it is necessary to provide a space for arranging the fastening member around the sealing member, so that the inverter device tends to be large.

In view of the above situation, it is required to realize a technique capable of appropriately joining the joint portions of the members forming the flow path chamber for the flow of the refrigerant and reducing the size of the inverter device.

In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the inverter device is
The switching element unit that constitutes the inverter circuit and
A main body having a first surface to which the switching element unit is fixed, and a heat sink having a plurality of heat radiating fins protruding from a second surface of the main body facing opposite to the first surface.
A flow having a facing surface arranged to face the second surface with a plurality of the heat radiating fins interposed therebetween, and forming a flow path chamber for the refrigerant to flow between the second surface and the facing surface. With a road forming member,
The direction in which the first surface and the second surface are aligned is the target direction, the side in the target direction facing the first surface is the target direction first side, and the side in the target direction facing the second surface is the target. As the second side of the direction
The flow path forming member is
The bottom having the facing surface and
A first wall portion which is arranged at a position surrounding the flow path chamber and has a mounting surface on which the main body portion is mounted so that the second surface faces from the first side in the target direction.
It is provided with a second wall portion that protrudes from the above-mentioned mounting surface toward the first side in the target direction and is arranged at a position that surrounds the main body portion.
The second wall portion is provided with a bent portion that is bent toward the main body portion and abuts on the first surface from the first side in the target direction.

According to this configuration, the bent portion formed on the second wall portion of the flow path forming member abuts on the first surface of the main body portion of the heat sink from the first side in the target direction, so that the main body portion is first. It can be sandwiched and fixed between the mounting surface of the wall portion and the bent portion of the second wall portion. As a result, the heat sink can be fixed to the flow path forming member. Therefore, the joint portion between the flow path forming member and the heat sink can be appropriately joined, and it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion. Further, since the flow path forming member and the heat sink are fixed by the bent portion obtained by bending the second wall portion, it is not necessary to use a fastening member such as a bolt. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need for such a space for arranging the fastening members, and it is easy to reduce the size of the inverter device.

Further features and advantages of the techniques according to the present disclosure will be further clarified by the following illustration of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the drawings.

Circuit diagram of the drive device in which the inverter device is used The figure which shows the arrangement position of the bending part in a target direction view The figure which shows the arrangement position of a conductive member and a bent part in a target direction view. IV-IV cross-sectional view in FIG. VV cross-sectional view in FIG. Flow chart showing a part of the manufacturing process of the inverter device The figure which shows a part of the manufacturing process of an inverter device schematically. Enlarged view showing the structure around the second wall in the assembly process Perspective view showing the main part of the inverter device

An inverter device is a device that converts electric power between direct current and alternating current. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the inverter device will be described by exemplifying a case where such an inverter device is applied to a drive device of a rotary electric machine.

[Circuit configuration of drive device]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic circuit block of a drive device DD. The drive device DD includes a rotary electric machine unit 5 and an inverter device 1 for driving the rotary electric machine unit 5. The rotary electric machine unit 5 includes an alternating current rotary electric machine driven by alternating current of a plurality of phases (for example, three phases consisting of U phase, V phase, and W phase). For example, in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, a vehicle (wheel) It is the driving force source of. The inverter device 1 is connected to a DC power supply DC and a rotary electric machine unit 5 to convert electric power between DC and a plurality of phases of AC. The inverter device 1 includes a switching element unit 3 including a plurality of switching elements 30, and a capacitor unit 4 including a capacitor element. The capacitor unit 4 is electrically provided between the DC power supply DC and the switching element unit 3, and is a DC link capacitor (smoothing capacitor) that smoothes the voltage (DC link voltage) on the DC side of the switching element unit 3. ).

The switching element unit 3 includes a plurality of switching elements 30. The switching element 30 is preferably a power semiconductor element capable of operating at a high frequency. For example, as the switching element 30, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), a power MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), a SiC-MOSFET (Silicon Carbide --Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET), and a SiC-SIT (SiC --Static Induction Transistor) , GaN-MOSFET (Gallium Nitride-MOSFET) and the like can be used. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the IGBT is illustrated as the switching element 30. Further, a freewheel diode 34 is connected in parallel to each switching element 30.

The switching element unit 3 includes a plurality of semiconductor modules M. In the present embodiment, the switching element 30 and the freewheel diode 34 are integrated in one semiconductor chip and configured as one semiconductor module M. The two terminals (collector terminal Co, emitter terminal Em) shown by squares in the enlarged view of FIG. 1 are terminals through which a large current flows, and are connected to a conductive member B or the like described later.

As described above, each switching element 30 is configured as a part of the semiconductor module M. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of semiconductor modules M constituting the switching element unit 3 include an upper semiconductor module 31 connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply DC and a lower semiconductor module 31 connected to the negative electrode of the DC power supply DC. The module 32 and the like are included. In each phase (U phase, V phase, W phase), the upper semiconductor module 31 and the lower semiconductor module 32 are connected in series to form one arm, and the intermediate point of each arm is a rotating electric machine. It is connected to the stator coil of each phase of the unit 5. The switching element unit 3 includes a plurality of upper-stage side semiconductor modules 31 and a plurality of lower-stage side semiconductor modules 32 corresponding to each phase. In the illustrated example, three upper semiconductor modules 31 and three lower semiconductor modules 32 are provided corresponding to each of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switching element unit 3 and the capacitor unit 4 are electrically connected by a first conductive member B1 and a second conductive member B2 as the conductive member B. In the illustrated example, the first conductive member B1 is connected to the terminal on the positive electrode side of the capacitor unit 4 and is connected to the collector terminal Co included in each upper semiconductor module 31 of the switching element unit 3. Further, the first conductive member B1 is further connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply DC. The second conductive member B2 is connected to the terminal on the negative electrode side of the capacitor unit 4 and is connected to the emitter terminal Em included in each lower stage side semiconductor module 32 of the switching element unit 3. Further, the second conductive member B2 is further connected to the negative electrode of the DC power supply DC.

Further, the upper semiconductor module 31 and the lower semiconductor module 32 of each phase and the stator coil of the rotary electric machine unit 5 are electrically connected by a plurality of output conductive members Bt. When the rotary electric machine unit 5 is driven by three-phase alternating current as in the present embodiment, three output conductive members Bt corresponding to the three phases are provided. In the illustrated example, each of the three output conductive members Bt is connected to an end portion opposite to the neutral point of each phase coil constituting the stator coil.

The inverter control device 7 performs current feedback control using the vector control method, for example, based on the target torque of the rotary electric machine unit 5 provided by the higher-level vehicle control device (VHL-CTRL) 8. The actual current flowing through the stator coils of each phase of the rotary electric machine unit 5 is detected by the AC current sensor 51, and the magnetic pole positions of the rotor of the rotary electric machine unit 5 at each time point are detected by the rotation sensor 52 such as a resolver. The inverter control device 7 executes current feedback control using the detection results of the AC current sensor 51 and the rotation sensor 52, and generates a control signal for switching control of each switching element 30 individually. The generated control signal is provided to each switching element 30 as a switching control signal via the drive circuit 6 that amplifies the voltage and current to increase the drive capability.

[Mechanical configuration of inverter device]
Next, the mechanical configuration of the inverter device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The inverter device 1 includes a switching element unit 3 that constitutes an inverter circuit. As described above, the switching element unit 3 includes a plurality of switching elements 30, and the switching element 30 and the freewheel diode 34 are integrated on one semiconductor chip to form one semiconductor module M (FIG. 6). See also 1). Here, the switching element 30 is a heating element that generates heat when the inverter device 1 is driven. Therefore, the inverter device 1 is required to have a function for cooling the switching element 30 (switching element unit 3). As shown in the figure, the inverter device 1 includes a flow path P through which the refrigerant flows. The switching element 30 (switching element unit 3) is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the flow path P.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inverter device 1 has a main body 101 having a first surface F1 to which a switching element unit 3 (semiconductor module M in this example) is fixed, and a first surface of the main body 101. A heat sink 10 is provided with a plurality of heat radiating fins 102 projecting from a second surface F2 facing the opposite side of F1. The heat sink 10 is made of, for example, a member having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, copper, and a copper alloy.

In the following description, the direction in which the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 are aligned is defined as the target direction X. That is, the target direction X is equal to the thickness direction of the main body 101. Then, the side facing the first surface F1 in the target direction X is designated as the target direction first side X1, and the side facing the second surface F2 in the target direction X is designated as the target direction second side X2. Further, the direction along the outer edge of the main body 101 in the target direction X along the target direction X is defined as the outer edge direction E, and the direction orthogonal to the outer edge direction E in the target direction X is defined as the orthogonal direction Y. Then, the side in the orthogonal direction Y near the center (for example, the center of gravity) of the main body 101 in the target direction X is referred to as "inside of the orthogonal direction Y", and the opposite side is referred to as "outside of the orthogonal direction Y". The "inside of the orthogonal direction Y" may be simply referred to as "inside", and the "outside of the orthogonal direction Y" may be simply referred to as "outside".

In the present embodiment, the main body 101 is formed in a plate shape extending along a virtual surface orthogonal to the target direction X. In the illustrated example, the main body 101 is formed in a rectangular shape, more specifically, in a rectangular shape in the target direction X-view. Further, the main body 101 includes a flange 101A formed so as to project outward in the orthogonal direction Y from the region where the heat radiation fins 102 are provided. The flange portion 101A is formed on the outer edge portion of the main body portion 101. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this example, the flange portion 101A is formed over the entire outer edge of the main body portion 101 (the entire outer edge direction E).

The heat radiating fin 102 is arranged in the flow path chamber Pr, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the heat radiation fins 102 are arranged in a region inside the flange portion 101A, which is an outer edge portion of the main body portion 101 in the target direction X view. The heat radiating fin 102 is shaped so that the surface area in contact with the refrigerant flowing through the flow path chamber Pr is large. The heat radiation fin 102 has, for example, a plate shape, a columnar shape, a cone shape, or the like. In the illustrated example, the heat radiation fins 102 are formed in a columnar shape. Then, a plurality of columnar heat radiation fins 102 are regularly arranged side by side along the second surface F2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat radiation fin 102 may be formed in a plate shape extending along the target direction X, for example.

The inverter device 1 includes a flow path forming member 20 that forms a flow path chamber Pr for the flow of the refrigerant. The flow path chamber Pr constitutes a part of the flow path P. The portion of the flow path P that overlaps with the main body 101 of the heat sink 10 in the target direction X is referred to as a flow path chamber Pr (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow path forming member 20 has a facing surface Fx1 arranged to face the second surface F2 with a plurality of heat radiation fins 102 interposed therebetween, and has a facing surface Fx1 facing the second surface F2. The above-mentioned flow path chamber Pr is formed between the Fx1 and the Fx1. In the present embodiment, the facing surface Fx1 faces the first side X1 in the target direction, and the heat radiation fin 102 formed so as to project from the second surface F2 of the main body 101 toward the second side X2 in the target direction. I'm in contact. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the facing surface Fx1 and the heat radiating fin 102 may not be in contact with each other.

The flow path forming member 20 is arranged at a position surrounding the flow path chamber Pr with the bottom portion 201 having the facing surface Fx1, and the main body portion 101 faces the second surface F2 from the first side X1 in the target direction. A first wall portion 21 having a mounting surface Fx2 to be mounted, and a second wall portion that protrudes from the mounting surface Fx2 to the first side X1 in the target direction and is arranged at a position surrounding the main body 101. 22 and.

As a result, the flow path chamber Pr is a space surrounded by the bottom portion 201 and the first wall portion 21 of the flow path forming member 20, and the main body portion 101 of the heat sink 10. Further, in the present embodiment, the flow path P includes an external flow path Po that communicates with the flow path chamber Pr. The external flow path Po is formed outside the space (flow path chamber Pr) surrounded by the first wall portion 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this example, the external flow path Po is provided with a plate-shaped rectifying wall Pw extending along the orthogonal direction Y. The rectifying wall Pw has a function of guiding the flow of the refrigerant in the external flow path Po in a specified direction. In other words, the rectifying wall Pw rectifies the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the external flow path Po. In the present embodiment, a plurality of rectifying walls Pw are arranged side by side along the outer edge direction E. In the illustrated example, three rectifying walls Pw are arranged. The flow direction of the refrigerant in the external flow path Po is not particularly limited. That is, the refrigerant may flow in the direction of flowing into the flow path chamber Pr in the external flow path Po, or may flow in the direction of flowing out from the flow path chamber Pr.

The bottom portion 201 is arranged so as to cover the flow path chamber Pr from the second side X2 in the target direction. In the present embodiment, the bottom portion 201 is arranged over the flow path chamber Pr and the external flow path Po, and is arranged so as to cover the flow path chamber Pr and the external flow path Po from the second side X2 in the target direction. Has been done. Further, in the present embodiment, the flow path forming member 20 includes a ceiling portion 202 arranged so as to face the target direction X with respect to the bottom portion 201 in the region where the external flow path Po is formed. As a result, the external flow path Po is covered by the ceiling portion 202 on the first side X1 in the target direction and is covered by the bottom portion 201 on the second side X2 in the target direction. The above-mentioned rectifying wall Pw is provided so as to connect the bottom portion 201 and the ceiling portion 202.

The first wall portion 21 is arranged along the outer edge direction E, and is arranged so as to surround the flow path chamber Pr from the outside in the orthogonal direction Y. In the present embodiment, the first wall portion 21 is arranged in the entire area in the outer edge direction E surrounding the flow path chamber Pr. However, in this example, the first wall portion 21 is provided with an opening 212 for communicating the flow path chamber Pr and the external flow path Po. The opening 212 is open to both the flow path chamber Pr and the external flow path Po. In the present embodiment, the plurality of openings 212 are arranged side by side along the width direction of the external flow path Po. In this example, each of the openings 212 is formed between a pair of adjacent rectifying walls Pw.

In the present embodiment, the first wall portion 21 includes a connecting portion 211 that connects the bottom portion 201 and the mounting surface Fx2. Here, a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) connecting portions 211 are arranged side by side along the outer edge direction E. Each of the plurality of connecting portions 211 is formed in a plate shape along the target direction X and the orthogonal direction Y. In this example, the connecting portion 211 and the rectifying wall Pw are integrally formed. Therefore, in the communication portion between the flow path chamber Pr and the external flow path Po in the first wall portion 21, a plurality of connecting portions 211 are arranged so as to sandwich the opening 212 in the width direction of the external flow path Po. .. In other words, an opening 212 is formed between a pair of adjacent connecting portions 211. The portion of the first wall portion 21 where the opening 212 is not provided also corresponds to the connecting portion 211 that connects the bottom portion 201 and the mounting surface Fx2.

The mounting surface Fx2 is formed so as to face the main body 101 of the heat sink 10. In other words, the mounting surface Fx2 is formed so as to face the first side X1 in the target direction. In the present embodiment, the mounting surface Fx2 is formed on the end surface of the first wall portion 21 on the first side X1 in the target direction.

As described above, the main body 101 of the heat sink 10 is mounted on the mounting surface Fx2. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 101A of the main body portion 101 is mounted on the mounting surface Fx2. In this example, the mounting surface Fx2 is provided corresponding to the entire outer edge direction E of the flange portion 101A formed over the entire outer edge of the main body portion 101. As a result, the flange portion 101A is placed on the mounting surface Fx2 over the entire area in the outer edge direction E. In this state, the second surface F2 of the main body 101 faces the mounting surface Fx2 over the entire area in the outer edge direction E.

The second wall portion 22 is integrally formed with the first wall portion 21 so as to project from the mounting surface Fx2 of the first wall portion 21 toward the first side X1 in the target direction. Further, the second wall portion 22 is arranged at a position surrounding the main body portion 101 of the heat sink 10. In the present embodiment, the second wall portion 22 is arranged so as to surround the entire outer edge direction E of the main body portion 101.

Here, at the outer edge portion of the main body 101 of the heat sink 10, it is necessary that the heat sink 10 and the flow path forming member 20 are properly joined so that the refrigerant does not leak from the flow path chamber Pr.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the second wall portion 22 of the flow path forming member 20 is bent toward the main body portion 101 of the heat sink 10 to move from the first side X1 in the target direction to the first surface F1. It is provided with a bent portion 221 that abuts. With such a configuration, the main body 101 can be sandwiched and fixed between the mounting surface Fx2 of the first wall 21 and the bent portion 221 of the second wall 22. Therefore, the heat sink 10 can be fixed to the flow path forming member 20. Further, by pressing the main body 101 of the heat sink 10 against the mounting surface Fx2 side of the flow path forming member 20, the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10 can be appropriately joined, and the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10 can be appropriately joined from the joining portion. It is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking. Further, according to this configuration, since the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10 are fixed by the bent portion 221 in which the second wall portion 22 is bent, it is necessary to use a fastening member such as a bolt for fixing these. There is no. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for a space for arranging fastening members such as bolts, and it is easy to reduce the size of the inverter device 1.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of bent portions 221 are dispersedly arranged at a plurality of locations in the outer edge direction E of the second wall portion 22. As a result, the outer edge portion (flange portion 101A) of the main body portion 101 can be fixed at a plurality of places, and the heat sink 10 can be fixed to the flow path forming member 20 over the entire outer edge direction E. it can.

In the present embodiment, the second wall portion 22 includes the above-mentioned bent portion 221 and a flat plate-shaped extending portion 222 extending along the target direction X and the outer edge direction E. A flat plate-shaped extending portion 222 is formed at a portion of the second wall portion 22 where the bent portion 221 is not formed. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bent portion 221 is arranged closer to the main body portion 101 than the flat plate-shaped extending portion 222. That is, the bent portion 221 is arranged inside the orthogonal direction Y and on the second side X2 in the target direction as compared with the flat plate extending portion 222. Although the details will be described later, in the bending portion forming step S3 (see FIG. 6) for forming the bending portion 221, the component facing the second side X2 in the target direction and the inside in the orthogonal direction Y with respect to the flat plate-shaped extending portion 222. By applying an external force having a suitable component, the second wall portion 22 is bent to form the bent portion 221. In this case, it is preferable that the periphery of the portion of the flow path forming member 20 to which the external force is applied can withstand the external force so as not to be deformed or the like. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first wall portion 21 of the flow path forming member 20 connects the bottom portion 201 and the mounting surface Fx2 at a position overlapping the bent portion 221 in the target direction X along the target direction X. The connecting portion 211 is provided. As a result, when the bent portion 221 is formed, the deformation of the first wall portion 21 can be suppressed, and the bent portion 221 can be easily formed appropriately.

Further, as described above, the inverter device 1 includes a conductive member B that electrically connects the switching element unit 3 and another unit (see FIG. 1). In this example, each of the capacitor unit 4 and the rotary electric machine unit 5 corresponds to "another unit" that is electrically connected to the switching element unit 3. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the conductive member B with respect to the second wall portion 22 so as to intersect the second wall portion 22 in the target direction X view along the target direction X. It is arranged on the first side X1 in the target direction, and the bent portion 221 is formed at least in a region of the second wall portion 22 that overlaps with the conductive member B in the target direction X view. As described above, the bent portion 221 is arranged on the second side X2 in the target direction, which is the side of the main body portion 101, as compared with the flat plate extending portion 222. Therefore, as in the above configuration, the bent portion 221 is formed at least in the region overlapping the conductive member B in the target direction X view, so that the portion corresponding to the bent portion 221 and the conductive member in the second wall portion 22 are formed. It is easy to secure a relatively long separation distance from B in the target direction X. Therefore, it is easy to secure the insulation distance between the conductive member B and the second wall portion 22. In the present embodiment, the width of the bent portion 221 is formed to be larger than the width of the conductive member B in the direction along the outer edge direction E. As a result, the distance between the conductive member B and the second wall portion 22 can be further secured.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the surface of the second wall portion 22 facing inward in the orthogonal direction Y is configured to be in contact with the surface of the main body 101 (flange portion 101A) facing outward in the orthogonal direction Y. There is. Here, these surfaces are configured to touch over the entire outer edge direction E. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second wall portion 22 includes a contact portion 223 that abuts on the main body portion 101 in the orthogonal direction Y. The contact portion 223 is composed of the entire surface of the second wall portion 22 facing inward in the orthogonal direction Y. Therefore, the contact portion 223 is arranged over the entire area of the outer edge direction E of the main body portion 101. In this example, the facing distance between the surfaces of the second wall portion 22 facing inward in the orthogonal direction Y, that is, the surfaces forming the contact portion 223, is the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the main body portion 101 sandwiched between them. It is set small. As a result, the main body portion 101 is fitted to the contact portion 223 in a tightly fitted state. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the contact portion 223 includes a pressing wall portion 223a that presses the main body portion 101 in the orthogonal direction Y in a state where the heat sink 10 is assembled to the flow path forming member 20, and a pressing wall. It is provided outside the portion 223a in the orthogonal direction Y and is provided with a guide wall portion 223b that guides the main body portion 101 to the pressing wall portion 223a. The contact portion 223 is arranged in each portion in the outer edge direction E so as to face the flange portion 101A in the main body portion 101 in the orthogonal direction Y, and the pressing wall portion 223a presses the flange portion 101A from the outside in the orthogonal direction Y. doing. The guide wall portion 223b functions as a guide portion when the outer edge of the main body portion 101 is inserted at a position where it abuts on the pressing wall portion 223a in the assembly step S2 described later. While the main body 101 is being guided by the guide wall 223b, the main body 101 and the guide wall 223b are in a clearance-fitted state having a slight gap in the orthogonal direction Y. On the other hand, the main body portion 101 and the pressing wall portion 223a are in a tightly fitted state in which the dimensional tolerance in the orthogonal direction Y is negative. When the contact portion 223 has such a configuration, the heat sink 10 can be appropriately assembled to the flow path forming member 20. As described above, in this example, the heat sink 10 is assembled to the flow path forming member 20 by being press-fitted into the region of the flow path forming member 20 surrounded by the second wall portion 22. As a result, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion between the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting surface Fx2 and the second surface F2 face each other with the sealing member S interposed therebetween. The sealing member S is arranged in the gap between the second surface F2 of the flange portion 101A and the mounting surface Fx2 so as to be continuous over the entire outer edge direction E. As a result, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion between the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10. In this embodiment, the liquid gasket G is used as the sealing member S. As a result, the space between the mounting surface Fx2 and the second surface F2 can be appropriately sealed, and refrigerant leakage from the joint portion can be suitably suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 9, in the present embodiment, the inverter device 1 has a third wall arranged on the side opposite to the side of the main body 101 with the second wall 22 interposed therebetween. The unit 23 is provided. In this example, the third wall portion 23 is arranged outside the second wall portion 22 in the orthogonal direction Y, and faces the second wall portion 22 in the orthogonal direction Y. Further, although detailed illustration is omitted, the third wall portion 23 is arranged so as to surround the second wall portion 22 in the entire area in the outer edge direction E. The second wall portion 22 is arranged outside the orthogonal direction Y with respect to the inner surface of the first wall portion 21 in the orthogonal direction Y. That is, the inner surfaces of these wall portions in the orthogonal direction Y are arranged side by side in the order of the first wall portion 21, the second wall portion 22, and the third wall portion 23 from the inside to the outside in the orthogonal direction Y. ing.

The third wall portion 23 is formed so as to extend along the target direction X and the outer edge direction E. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the end of the target direction first side X1 in the third wall portion 23 is the target direction first side X1 than the end of the target direction first side X1 in the second wall portion 22. Is located in. The third wall portion 23 has a shape longer than that of the second wall portion 22 in the target direction X. In the present embodiment, the third wall portion 23 forms a part of the flow path forming member 20, and is integrally formed with the second wall portion 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the third wall portion 23 may be formed of a member different from the flow path forming member 20. For example, the third wall portion 23 may be configured as a part of a case (not shown) for accommodating the rotary electric machine unit 5 (see FIG. 1).

In the present embodiment, the jig 9 (see FIG. 7) for forming the bent portion 221 is moved to a position corresponding to the bent portion 221 on the surface of the third wall portion 23 facing the second wall portion 22. A guide unit 231 for guiding the user is provided. Here, the guide portion 231 is provided on the inner side surface Fi, which is a surface of the third wall portion 23 facing inward in the orthogonal direction Y. Further, the guide portion 231 is formed so as to extend along the target direction X. As a result, the jig 9 (see FIG. 7) can be guided along the target direction X. In this example, the guide portion 231 is formed in a groove shape that is recessed outward with respect to the general portion of the inner side surface Fi and extends along the target direction X.

As shown in FIG. 7, the jig 9 includes a pressing portion 90 that presses the second wall portion 22 (flat plate-shaped extending portion 222) when forming the bent portion 221 and a driving portion (driving portion 90) that drives the pressing portion 90. (Not shown) and. In the present embodiment, the jig 9 moves the pressing portion 90 from the first side X1 in the target direction toward the second side X2 in the target direction, and the pressing portion 90 causes the second wall portion 22 to be the first in the target direction. The bent portion 221 is formed by pressing from the side X1. In this example, the pressing portion 90 is formed in a columnar shape, and is configured to press the second wall portion 22 by the curved surface thereof. Further, the pressing portion 90 is in an inclined posture with respect to the target direction X, and more specifically, the inner portion of the pressing portion 90 in the orthogonal direction Y is arranged on the first side X1 in the target direction rather than the outer portion. In the posture, it is moved along the target direction X. As a result, the second wall portion 22 can be pressed toward the second side X2 in the target direction and also inside the orthogonal direction Y. Therefore, the second wall portion 22 can be appropriately bent toward the side (inside) of the main body portion 101 to form the bent portion 221. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the pressing portion 90 may have a shape capable of pressing the second wall portion 22. May be formed in a columnar shape other than a circular cross section such as an ellipse, or in another shape such as a pyramid or a sphere.

Here, when the second wall portion 22 is pressed to form the bent portion 221 by moving the pressing portion 90 along the guide portion 231, the third wall portion 23 provided with the guide portion 231 is used. A reaction force is received from the second wall portion 22 via the pressing portion 90. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing rib 232 is provided on the surface of the third wall portion 23 facing the side opposite to the side of the second wall portion 22. Here, the reinforcing rib 232 is provided on the outer surface Fо which is a surface of the third wall portion 23 facing the outside in the orthogonal direction Y. With such a configuration, the reaction force received from the second wall portion 22 via the pressing portion 90 to the third wall portion 23 can be supported by the reinforcing rib 232, and when the bending portion 221 is formed, the guide portion 231 can be supported. Deformation (including both elastic deformation and plastic deformation) of the third wall portion 23 on which the is formed can be suppressed to a small extent. As a result, the accuracy of the processing position and shape of the bent portion 221 by the pressing portion 90 can be improved. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing rib 232 is arranged at a position corresponding to the guide portion 231, more specifically, at a position overlapping the guide portion 231 in the orthogonal direction Y view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reinforcing rib 232 may be arranged at a position that does not overlap with the guide portion 231 in the orthogonal direction Y view.

[Manufacturing process of inverter device]
Next, a step of assembling the heat sink 10 and the flow path forming member 20 will be described in more detail with respect to a part of the manufacturing process (manufacturing method) of the inverter device 1.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the method of manufacturing the inverter device 1 includes a preparation step S1 for preparing the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10 integrated with the switching element unit 3, and the heat sink 10 and the flow path forming. The assembly step S2 for assembling the member 20 and the bending portion forming step S3 for forming the bending portion 221 on the second wall portion 22 are provided. Each step of the preparation step S1, the assembly step S2, and the bending portion forming step S3 is performed in the order described.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, in the preparation step S1, the second surface F2 of the main body 101 of the heat sink 10 and the facing surface Fx1 of the flow path forming member 20 face each other in the target direction X. As described above, an arrangement step of arranging the heat sink 10 and the flow path forming member 20 side by side along the target direction X is included.

As shown in the central view of FIG. 7, in the assembling step S2, the heat sink 10 and the flow path forming member 20 are assembled. At this time, the sealing member S is arranged between the second surface F2 of the flange portion 101A and the mounting surface Fx2. Then, in the present embodiment, the heat sink 10 is press-fitted into the region of the flow path forming member 20 surrounded by the second wall portion 22. As a result, the flange portion 101A of the main body portion 101 and the contact portion 223 formed of the surface of the second wall portion 22 facing inward in the orthogonal direction Y come into contact with each other. In the assembly step S2 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when the heat sink 10 is assembled to the flow path forming member 20, the guide wall portion 223b guides the movement of the heat sink 10 to the second side X2 in the target direction. To do. Specifically, the guide wall portion 223b faces the outer edge portion of the main body portion 101 (flange portion 101A) which is the outer surface in the orthogonal direction Y with a slight gap, so that the main body in the orthogonal direction Y While restricting the position of the unit 101, the movement to the second side X2 in the target direction is guided. Then, by moving the main body 101 to the position where the outer edge of the main body 101 faces the pressing wall 223a in the orthogonal direction Y to the second side X2 in the target direction, the main body 101 and the pressing wall 223a are orthogonal to each other. Contact Y. As a result, the pressing wall portion 223a presses the main body portion 101 from the outside in the orthogonal direction Y.

As shown in the lower figure of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, in the bending portion forming step S3, the bending portion 221 is formed on the second wall portion 22 by using the jig 9. In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 90 is moved from the target direction first side X1 to the target direction second side X2 along the guide portion 231 provided on the inner side surface Fi of the third wall portion 23, and the pressing portion 90 By pressing the second wall portion 22 (flat plate-shaped extending portion 222) from the first side X1 in the target direction, the bent portion 221 is formed. As a result, the heat sink 10 can be fixed to the flow path forming member 20 by sandwiching the main body 101 between the mounting surface Fx2 of the first wall 21 and the bent portion 221 of the second wall 22. Further, the joint portion between the flow path forming member 20 and the heat sink 10 can be appropriately joined.

[Other Embodiments]
Next, other embodiments of the inverter device will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of bent portions 221 are dispersedly arranged at a plurality of locations in the outer edge direction E of the second wall portion 22 has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the bent portion 221 may be formed continuously over the entire outer edge direction E of the second wall portion 22 or in a part of the region.

(2) In the above embodiment, an example in which the liquid gasket G is used as the sealing member S arranged between the mounting surface Fx2 and the second surface F2 has been described. However, the sealing member S is not limited to such an example, and other members such as a soft (non-metal) gasket, a semi-metallic gasket, and a metal gasket may be used as the sealing member S.

(3) In the above embodiment, an example in which the bent portion 221 is formed at least in a region of the second wall portion 22 that overlaps with the conductive member B in the target direction X-view has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the bent portion 221 may be formed only in the region of the second wall portion 22 that does not overlap with the conductive member B in the target direction X.

(4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the inverter device 1 includes a third wall portion 23 arranged on the side opposite to the side of the main body portion 101 with the second wall portion 22 interposed therebetween. However, the inverter device 1 does not have to include such a third wall portion 23. Further, when the third wall portion 23 is provided, at least one of the guide portion 231 and the reinforcing rib 232 may not be provided on the third wall portion 23.

(5) In the above embodiment, as an example, the first wall portion 21 is provided with an opening 212, and the opening 212 is provided with a connecting portion 211 for connecting the bottom portion 201 and the mounting surface Fx2. explained. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. The first wall portion 21 may not be provided with the opening 212 and may be formed so as to be continuous without a break in the entire outer edge direction E surrounding the flow path chamber Pr. In this case, the entire area of the first wall portion 21 corresponds to the connecting portion 211.

(6) The configurations disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. With respect to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[Outline of the above-described embodiment]
Hereinafter, the inverter device described above will be described.

The inverter device (1) is
The switching element unit (3) that constitutes the inverter circuit and
A main body (101) having a first surface (F1) to which the switching element unit (3) is fixed, and a second surface of the main body (101) facing the opposite side of the first surface (F1). A heat sink (10) having a plurality of heat radiation fins (102) protruding from (F2), and a heat sink (10).
It has a facing surface (Fx1) arranged to face the second surface (F2) with a plurality of the heat radiating fins (102) sandwiched between the second surface (F2) and the facing surface (Fx1). A flow path forming member (20) for forming a flow path chamber (Pr) for the refrigerant to flow between them is provided.
The direction in which the first surface (F1) and the second surface (F2) are lined up is the target direction (X), and the side in the target direction (X) to which the first surface (F1) faces is the first side in the target direction. (X1), and the side facing the second surface (F2) in the target direction (X) is defined as the second side (X2) in the target direction.
The flow path forming member (20) is
The bottom portion (201) having the facing surface (Fx1) and
The main body (101) is placed so that the second surface (F2) faces the first side (X1) in the target direction while being arranged at a position surrounding the flow path chamber (Pr). The first wall portion (21) having a mounting surface (Fx2) and
It is provided with a second wall portion (22) that protrudes from the above-mentioned mounting surface (Fx2) toward the first side (X1) in the target direction and is arranged at a position surrounding the main body portion (101).
The second wall portion (22) includes a bent portion (221) that is bent toward the main body portion (101) and abuts on the first surface (F1) from the first side (X1) in the target direction. ing.

According to this configuration, the bent portion (221) formed on the second wall portion (22) of the flow path forming member (20) is formed on the first surface (F1) of the main body portion (101) of the heat sink (10). On the other hand, since the main body portion (101) is brought into contact with the first side (X1) in the target direction, the mounting surface (Fx2) of the first wall portion (21) and the bent portion (221) of the second wall portion (22) are brought into contact with each other. It can be fixed by sandwiching it between. As a result, the heat sink (10) can be fixed to the flow path forming member (20). Therefore, the joint portion between the flow path forming member (20) and the heat sink (10) can be appropriately joined, and it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion. Further, since the flow path forming member (20) and the heat sink (10) are fixed by the bent portion (221) in which the second wall portion (22) is bent, it is not necessary to use a fastening member such as a bolt. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need for such a space for arranging the fastening members, and it is easy to reduce the size of the inverter device (1).

here,
It is preferable that the above-mentioned mounting surface (Fx2) and the second surface (F2) face each other with the sealing member (S) interposed therebetween.

According to this configuration, the space between the mounting surface (Fx2) and the second surface (F2) can be appropriately sealed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion between the flow path forming member (20) and the heat sink (10).

Also,
The first wall portion (21) is located at a position overlapping the bent portion (221) in the target direction (X) along the target direction (X), and the bottom portion (201) and the above-mentioned mounting surface (Fx2). It is preferable to have a connecting portion (211) for connecting the above.

According to this configuration, for example, when an external force having a component along the target direction (X) is applied to the second wall portion (22) to form a bent portion (221), the load due to this external force is connected. It can be supported by the part (211). Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to suppress deformation of an unintended portion when forming the bent portion (221), and it is easy to appropriately form the bent portion (221).

Also,
A conductive member (B) for electrically connecting the switching element unit (3) and another unit is provided.
The conductive member (B) is in the target direction with respect to the second wall portion (22) so as to intersect the second wall portion (22) in the target direction (X) along the target direction (X). Located on the first side (X1),
It is preferable that the bent portion (221) is formed at least in a region of the second wall portion (22) that overlaps with the conductive member (B) when viewed in the target direction (X).

Since the bent portion (221) is arranged on the second side (X2) in the target direction, which is the side of the main body portion (101), as compared with the other portions of the second wall portion (22), according to this configuration. , It is easy to secure a relatively long separation distance between the portion corresponding to the bent portion (221) in the second wall portion (22) and the conductive member (B) in the target direction (X). Therefore, it is easy to secure the insulation distance between the conductive member (B) and the second wall portion (22).

Also,
A third wall portion (23) arranged on the side opposite to the side of the main body portion (101) with the second wall portion (22) interposed therebetween is provided.
A jig (221) for forming the bent portion (221) at a position corresponding to the bent portion (221) on the surface of the third wall portion (23) facing the second wall portion (22). It is preferable that a guide unit (231) for guiding the movement of 9) is provided.

According to this configuration, when the second wall portion (22) is deformed by the jig (9) to form the bent portion (221), the jig (9) is provided on the third wall portion (23). It can be moved along the provided guide portion (231). Therefore, for example, it becomes easy to form the bent portion (221) with high accuracy, for example, the accuracy of the position where the bent portion (221) is formed can be improved.

Further, in a configuration in which a guide portion (231) for guiding the movement of the jig (9) for forming the bent portion (221) is provided on the third wall portion (23).
It is preferable that the reinforcing rib (232) is provided on the surface of the third wall portion (23) facing the side opposite to the side of the second wall portion (22).

According to this configuration, when the jig (9) is moved along the guide portion (231) provided on the third wall portion (23), the jig (9) is particularly moved along the guide portion (231). When the bent portion (221) is formed by pressing the second wall portion (22) with the jig (9) while moving the second wall portion (22) via the jig (9). The reaction force received by the third wall portion (23) can be supported by the reinforcing rib (232). Therefore, according to this configuration, when the bent portion (221) is formed, the deformation of the third wall portion (23) on which the guide portion (231) is formed can be suppressed.

The technology according to the present disclosure can be used for an inverter device.

1: Inverter device 3: Switching element unit 9: Jig 10: Heat sink 20: Flow path forming member 21: First wall part 22: Second wall part 23: Third wall part 30: Switching element 101: Main body part 102: Heat radiating fin 201: Bottom portion 211: Connecting portion 221: Bending portion 231: Guide portion 232: Reinforcing rib B: Conductive member F1: First surface F2: Second surface Fx1: Facing surface Fx2: Mounting surface S: Sealing member P : Flow path Pr: Flow path chamber X: Target direction X1: Target direction 1st side X2: Target direction 2nd side

Claims (6)

The switching element unit that constitutes the inverter circuit and
A main body having a first surface to which the switching element unit is fixed, and a heat sink having a plurality of heat radiating fins protruding from a second surface of the main body facing opposite to the first surface.
A flow having a facing surface arranged to face the second surface with a plurality of the heat radiating fins interposed therebetween, and forming a flow path chamber for the refrigerant to flow between the second surface and the facing surface. With a road forming member,
The direction in which the first surface and the second surface are aligned is the target direction, the side in the target direction facing the first surface is the target direction first side, and the side in the target direction facing the second surface is the target. As the second side of the direction
The flow path forming member is
The bottom having the facing surface and
A first wall portion which is arranged at a position surrounding the flow path chamber and has a mounting surface on which the main body portion is mounted so that the second surface faces from the first side in the target direction.
It is provided with a second wall portion that protrudes from the above-mentioned mounting surface toward the first side in the target direction and is arranged at a position that surrounds the main body portion.
An inverter device in which the second wall portion is bent toward the main body portion and includes a bent portion that abuts on the first surface from the first side in the target direction. The inverter device according to claim 1, wherein the above-mentioned mounting surface and the second surface face each other with a sealing member interposed therebetween. The first wall portion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first wall portion includes a connecting portion for connecting the bottom portion and the above-mentioned mounting surface at a position overlapping the bent portion in a target direction view along the target direction. Inverter device. A conductive member for electrically connecting the switching element unit and another unit is provided.
The conductive member is arranged on the first side in the target direction with respect to the second wall portion so as to intersect the second wall portion in a target direction view along the target direction.
The inverter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bent portion is formed at least in a region of the second wall portion that overlaps with the conductive member in the target direction view. It is provided with a third wall portion arranged on the side opposite to the side of the main body portion with the second wall portion interposed therebetween.
A guide portion for guiding the movement of the jig for forming the bent portion is provided at a position corresponding to the bent portion on the surface of the third wall portion facing the side of the second wall portion. The inverter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The inverter device according to claim 5, wherein a reinforcing rib is provided on a surface of the third wall portion that faces the side opposite to the side of the second wall portion.

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