JP4025173B2 - Power cable cooling system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power cable cooling apparatus, and more particularly to a power cable cooling apparatus in an electric motor including the cooling apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a current is passed through the power cable, heat is generated by the electrical resistance, and the amount of heat generated per unit time increases in proportion to the current flowing through the power cable. For this reason, the power cable through which a high voltage and a large current flows easily generates heat, and the allowable current density is reduced and the current capacity is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the power cable.
[0003]
As a conventional technique, there has been proposed an apparatus that cools an electric power cable by arranging cooling pipes on both sides of the cable and flowing cooling water through the cooling pipe to remove heat from the electric power cable. For example, in an electric wire cooling apparatus for cooling an electric wire generated by power transmission, the refrigerant conduit is arranged so as to be in contact with the electric wire, and a refrigerant supply device that supplies the refrigerant into the refrigerant conduit. An electric wire cooling device (refer to Patent Document 1), or a cooling device that cools the power cable by circulating a refrigerant through a cooling pipe installed close to the installed power cable (refer to Patent Document 2) )
[0004]
Further, as a device for cooling the power cable by covering the power cable with a cooling jacket, for example, in the power cable connection cooling device for cooling the power cable connection, the surface of the power cable connection is deformed according to the irregularities. A flexible cooling jacket is detachably covered on the surface of the power cable connecting portion, and a split type protective case for protecting the outer surface of the cooling jacket is attached to the power cable connecting portion. The electric power cable connection part cooling device (refer patent document 3) to do is proposed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-321055 A (page 2-3, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-092674 A (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP 9-46882 A (page 2-3, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the power cable cooling apparatus as in the prior art, a cooling pipe or a cooling jacket must be disposed around the power cable, and it is impossible to wire the power cable in a narrow space. There is. Further, when complicated wiring is performed, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to maintain close contact between the power cable and the cooling pipe or the cooling jacket.
[0007]
Furthermore, since electromagnetic noise generated from the power cable is reduced by shielding the power cable, there is a problem that the diameter of the power cable cannot be reduced, and space saving and complicated wiring become more difficult. .
[0008]
Furthermore, since a separate cooling tower for the cooling pipe or the cooling jacket is required, there are problems that the installation space is increased and the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are increased.
[0009]
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to reduce the diameter of the power cable by efficiently cooling even in a place where the wiring space is small and the thermal environment is bad. Moreover, it is possible to realize space saving and complicated wiring by removing electromagnetic noise. It is another object of the present invention to provide a power cable cooling device that can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembling steps by using the cooling device used for cooling the electric motor for cooling the power cable.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a power cable cooling device according to the present invention includes a power cable that electrically connects an electric motor and a power supply source, a cooling device that cools the electric motor, and a cooling device that cools the electric power cable. A cooling fluid supply means for supplying a fluid, and a housing for storing the power cable at a location where the power cable and the cooling device are close to each other, and the cooling device forms a cooling groove at a location in contact with the housing; A part of the housing forms a cover of the cooling groove, and a cooling path is formed by joining the cooling groove and the cover, and the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply means is supplied to the cooling path, so that the motor and the housing The power cable housed in the housing is commonly cooled.
[0011]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing is formed so that a part thereof is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the power cable, and the cooling efficiency is improved by ensuring a large contact area between the power cable and the housing. Features.
[0012]
Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, the cooling efficiency is increased by filling a space between the housing and the power cable with a heat conductive material.
[0013]
Furthermore, the power cable cooling device according to the present invention includes a power cable that electrically connects the motor and a power supply source, a cooling device that cools the motor, and a cooling fluid supply means that supplies a cooling fluid to the cooling device. The power cable and the electric motor are arranged close to each other, and the housing is configured to house the electric power cable.The housing is attached to the electric motor, and the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply means is branched and supplied into the housing. The electric motor and the power cable accommodated in the housing are commonly cooled.
[0014]
Also, in one aspect of the present invention, the housing to which the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply means is branched and supplied is connected to the inside of the housing, and includes a hollow electric conduit that houses the power cable and leads out of the housing. It is characterized by providing.
[0015]
Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, the housing is made of a conductive material and has a structure for removing electromagnetic noise generated from a power cable.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
A power cable cooling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this Embodiment 1, the cooling device of the electric power cable in the case of equip | installing in a hybrid vehicle is illustrated.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a hybrid vehicle. Generally, the energy efficiency of an automobile driven only by a gasoline engine can obtain the highest efficiency in a region where the output is large, but the energy efficiency is extremely lowered during idling or low-speed driving. A hybrid vehicle has two types of power sources with different characteristics: a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and travels in an optimal combination of drive sources according to the situation to improve total fuel efficiency. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a general FF vehicle among such hybrid vehicles. The engine 1, inverter 2, converter 3, hybrid transmission assembly 4 and the like are mounted on the front side. A hybrid battery 5 and the like are mounted on the rear side. Although not shown in the figure, the hybrid transmission assembly 4 includes an electric motor, a generator, a power split mechanism, and a speed reducer. The number of devices that must be increased.
[0018]
In order to accommodate the above-described devices in the front space, the hybrid vehicle employs a cooling structure as illustrated in FIG. In particular, the cooling device 6 is provided in the electric motor 4 (a) and the generator 4 (b) which are heat sources. Cooling water is supplied to the cooling device 6 from the radiator 7 by using the pump 8 as a drive source, and this cooling water circulates taking heat from the electric motor 4 (a) and the generator 4 (b).
[0019]
Here, in order to ensure consumer preferences and safety in recent years, and to give consideration to the environment, compact exteriors and large indoor spaces, good boarding / exiting, and improved fuel efficiency are required. There is a need to make it easier. In order to further reduce the size of the drive equipment, a power cable that has not been required to be cooled until now is complicated in the vicinity of a heat source such as the electric motor 4 (a), the generator 4 (b), and an exhaust pipe (not shown). Need to wire. Furthermore, it is also required to reduce the diameter while removing electromagnetic noise generated from the power cable.
[0020]
However, the above-described cooling device 6 cannot sufficiently cool the complicatedly wired power cable. In addition, providing a new cooling mechanism described in the prior art increases the number of devices and parts to be mounted, which is against the demand for downsizing.
[0021]
In view of the above requirements, Embodiment 1 of the present invention provides an efficient cooling device while enabling complex wiring, diameter reduction, and electromagnetic noise removal for power cables that had not previously been required to be cooled. is there. Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power cable cooling device according to the present invention. A power cable 21 that electrically connects the electric motor 4 (a) and a power supply source (not shown) is housed in a housing 22. A cooling device 6 is installed between the housing 22 and the electric motor 4 (a). The cooling device 6 forms a cooling groove 23 at a location in contact with the housing 22. The housing 22 is joined to the cooling device 6 so as to close the cooling groove 23 and serves as a lid. In this way, cooling water is supplied from the radiator 7 into the cooling path 24 formed by the cooling device 6 and the housing 22. The supplied cooling water can take both heat from the electric motor 4 (a) and the power cable 21 in the housing 22. That is, according to the first embodiment, since the power cable 21 can be cooled by diverting the cooling device 6 of the existing electric motor 4 (a), it is not necessary to add a new cooling device.
[0023]
The housing 22 that houses the power cable 21 preferably has, for example, the shape shown in FIG. The shape of the housing 22 shown in FIG. 4 is formed so that the inner side of the housing surface 22 (b) constituting the lid of the cooling path 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the power cable 21 are in close contact with each other. By setting it as such a shape, the contact area between the power cable 21 and the housing 22 can be ensured largely, and the cooling efficiency of the power cable 21 can be improved.
[0024]
In addition, the housing 22 can increase the cooling efficiency by filling the space between the power cable 21 and the heat conductive material. Examples of the thermally conductive material include silicone rubber, silicone grease, and graphite. However, any material having high thermal conductivity may be used.
[0025]
The housing 22 is desirably made of a material having a high heat transfer coefficient and conductivity. This is because the power cable 21 can be efficiently cooled if the material has a high heat transfer coefficient. In addition, if the conductive material is used, the housing 22 is connected to the ground to cause electrostatic coupling with the power cable 21, and electromagnetic noise generated from the power cable 21 can be removed. Thus, by selecting the optimum material, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency and reduce the diameter of the power cable 21. Specific examples of the material include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, and iron. However, any material may be used as long as it has a high heat transfer coefficient and conductivity. Further, due to cost problems, it is possible to employ aluminum for the cover portion 22 (b) of the housing and iron for the other cover portion 22 (a). Of course, there is no problem even if a material other than the above or a combination of different materials is used.
[0026]
Embodiment 2
In the first embodiment, the housing 22 for storing the power cable 21 is provided, the cooling path 24 is configured by the housing 22 and the cooling device 6, and the motor 4 (a) and the power cable 21 are cooled in common. Made possible. In addition, it has been described that the cooling efficiency can be improved and the diameter of the power cable 21 can be reduced by selecting an optimal shape and material for the housing 22. Next, a power cable cooling apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
In the second embodiment, the housing 22 is directly attached to the electric motor 4 (a). The attached housing 22 itself forms a cooling path 24. The power cable 21 is conducted through the cooling path 24. Cooling water is supplied to the cooling path 24 from the cooling device 6, and the supplied cooling water can take heat of the electric motor 4 (a) and the power cable 21 together. That is, according to the second embodiment, since the power cable 21 can be cooled by diverting the cooling water supplied from the cooling device 6 of the existing electric motor 4 (a), a new cooling device is added. There is no need.
[0028]
In addition, the housing 22 in Embodiment 2 can take the structure shown by FIG. 6, for example. The housing 22 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a conduit 25 that communicates with the inside of the housing 22, accommodates the power cable 21, and leads out of the housing 22. This conduit 25 can prevent the cooling water from coming into direct contact with the power cable 21, thereby reducing the diameter and extending the life of the power cable. Further, the case where the cooling liquid is water has been described by taking the case of a hybrid vehicle as an example. However, when a cooling liquid other than water, such as oil, is used, a conduit tube is used to protect the power cable 21. It is preferable to adopt 25.
[0029]
As for the material of the conduit 25, it is desirable to adopt a material having a high heat transfer coefficient. This is because the power cable 21 can be efficiently cooled if the material has a high heat transfer coefficient as in the case of the housing 22 described above.
[0030]
The present invention is not limited to the power cable installed in the hybrid vehicle, but can be applied to any power cable used to supply power to a drive source such as an electric motor.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the power cable can be efficiently cooled even in a place where the wiring space is small and the thermal environment is bad, and the diameter of the power cable is reduced by removing electromagnetic noise. Planning, space saving, and complicated wiring can be realized. Furthermore, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced by using the cooling device used for cooling the electric motor for cooling the power cable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a hybrid vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a motor cooling structure in a hybrid vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power cable cooling device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an embodiment of a housing according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power cable cooling device according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an embodiment of a housing according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Engine, 2 Inverter, 3 Converter, 4 Hybrid transmission assembly, 4 (a) Electric motor, 4 (b) Generator, 5 Hybrid battery, 6 Cooling device, 7 Radiator, 8 Pump, 21 Power cable, 22 Housing, 22 (a) Housing cover part, 22 (b) Housing lid part, 23 cooling groove, 24 cooling path, 25 conduit.

Claims (6)

A power cable electrically connecting the electric motor and the power supply source;
A cooling device for cooling the electric motor;
Cooling fluid supply means for supplying a cooling fluid to the cooling device;
In a location where the power cable and the cooling device are close to each other, the housing is configured to store the power cable.
The cooling device forms a cooling groove at a location in contact with the housing,
Part of the housing constitutes a cooling groove lid,
A cooling path is constructed by joining the cooling groove and the lid,
By supplying the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply means to the cooling path,
A cooling device for a power cable, wherein the motor and a power cable housed in the housing are cooled in common. The power cable cooling device according to claim 1,
A part of the housing is formed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the power cable,
A cooling device for a power cable, wherein cooling efficiency is enhanced by ensuring a large contact area between the power cable and the housing. The power cable cooling device according to claim 1 or 2,
A cooling device for a power cable, wherein a cooling efficiency is enhanced by filling a space between the housing and the power cable with a heat conductive material. A power cable electrically connecting the electric motor and the power supply source;
A cooling device for cooling the electric motor;
Cooling fluid supply means for supplying a cooling fluid to the cooling device;
In a location where the power cable and the motor are close to each other, the housing is configured to store the power cable.
The housing is attached to an electric motor;
By branching and supplying the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply means into the housing,
A cooling device for a power cable, wherein the motor and a power cable housed in the housing are cooled in common. The power cable cooling device according to claim 4,
A cooling device for a power cable, comprising: a hollow electric conduit that communicates with the inside of the housing, accommodates the power cable, and leads out of the housing. In the cooling device of the power cable according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The power cable cooling apparatus, wherein the housing is made of a conductive material and has a structure for removing electromagnetic noise generated from the power cable.

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