JP5257310B2 - Power converter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power conversion device having a connector.

  Conventionally, a power converter provided with an input / output connector is known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). 9 and 10 show an example of a conventional power conversion device 90. FIG. As shown in the figure, the power conversion device 90 includes a metal main body storage portion 91, and a connector 92 is fixed to the main body storage portion 91 with a screw 920. As shown in FIG. 10, the connector 92 has a resin connector main body 99, a convex portion 94, an external connection portion 92b, a metal connector housing portion 93, a connector electrode 92a, and a waterproof seal portion 95. . Further, the power conversion device 90 includes a power terminal 90 a and a through hole 96 is formed in the main body housing portion 91.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the convex portion 94 of the connector 92 is fitted into the through hole 96, the seal portion 95 seals between the convex portion 94 and the through hole 96. Thereby, it can prevent that a water | moisture content penetrate | invades from the outside. Moreover, the electric power terminal 90a and the connector electrode 92a are fastened using the volt | bolt 98, and these are electrically connected.
On the other hand, a wiring (not shown) is connected to the external connection portion 92b. Power is supplied to the power converter 90 through this wiring.

JP 2006-81373 A JP 2006-92776 A

  However, in the conventional connector 92, a slight gap is easily formed between the connector storage portion 93 and the main body storage portion 91, and heat conduction from the connector storage portion 93 to the main body storage portion 91 is caused by the air existing in the gap. There is a problem of being obstructed. When a current is passed through the connector 92, the connector main body 99 generates heat, and the temperature of the connector main body 99 and the connector storage portion 93 rises. However, as described above, the conventional connector 92 is connected from the connector storage portion 93 to the main body storage portion. Since heat is difficult to conduct to 91, the temperature of the connector 92 tends to rise.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the power terminal 90a and the connector electrode 92a are fastened using the bolt 98, a force is applied to compress the seal portion 95 in the radial direction. There is a problem that it is easy to decrease. Since the power converter 90 is provided with components requiring waterproofness such as a circuit board (not shown) in the main body housing 91, there is a high need to prevent water from entering.
Therefore, there is a demand for a power conversion device having a connector that is unlikely to increase in temperature and in which the waterproof function of the seal portion is unlikely to decrease.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power conversion device having a connector in which the temperature does not easily rise and the waterproof function of the seal portion does not easily fall.

The present invention includes a device body having a power terminal,
A connector main body; a connector electrode protruding from the connector main body and electrically connected to the power terminal; and an external connection portion protruding from the connector main body in a direction intersecting the connector electrode and conducted to the connector electrode. A connector;
A main body housing portion for housing the apparatus main body portion, and a metal housing formed integrally with the main body housing portion and having a connector housing portion for housing the connector;
The connector storage portion stores the external connection portion, and has a connection portion storage portion that opens in a protruding direction of the external connection portion. Between the inner surface of the connection portion storage portion and the outer surface of the external connection portion. An annular seal part is provided for sealing,
The power terminal and the connector electrode are fastened in the axial direction of the seal portion by a fastening member, so that the power terminal and the connector electrode are electrically connected. (1).

Next, the effect of the present invention will be described.
In the present invention, a main body storage portion for storing the apparatus main body portion and a connector storage portion for storing the connector are integrally formed.
If it does in this way, since a clearance gap does not exist between a connector storage part and a main body storage part, it will become easy to conduct heat from a connector storage part to a main body storage part. Therefore, the heat generated from the connector main body by energization is easily conducted to the connector storage portion and the main body storage portion, and the temperature rise of the connector is easily suppressed.

In the present invention, the power terminal and the connector electrode are fastened in the axial direction of the seal portion.
In this case, even when a force is applied to the seal portion when the power terminal and the connector electrode are fastened, the force is applied in the axial direction of the seal portion. Therefore, the seal portion only moves in the axial direction, and the pressure applied by the portion of the seal portion does not change greatly. Thereby, it can suppress that the waterproof performance of a seal part falls.
That is, in the conventional power converter, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the power terminal 90a and the connector electrode 92a are fastened, a force is applied to the seal portion 95 in the radial direction. Is biased, and the waterproof performance tends to decrease. On the other hand, in this invention, since the force at the time of fastening is added to the axial direction of a seal part, the bias | biasing does not arise in the force which acts by the site | part of a seal part. For this reason, the waterproof performance of the seal portion is unlikely to deteriorate.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power conversion device having a connector in which the temperature does not easily rise and the waterproof function of the seal portion does not easily deteriorate.

The perspective view of the power converter device in Example 1. FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. The side view of the connector in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector in the first embodiment, and shows a state where a seal portion is removed. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the power conversion device according to the first embodiment, with a connector removed. Sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the power conversion device according to the first embodiment, with a connector attached. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the power conversion device according to the first embodiment, with a lid attached. The disassembled perspective view of the power converter device in a prior art example. Sectional drawing before connecting the (A) connector of a power converter device in a prior art example. (B) Sectional drawing after connecting the connector.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will be described.
In the present invention, the power terminal and the connector electrode are formed in a plate shape, and the fastening member fastens the power terminal and the connector electrode in the thickness direction, and the external connection portion and the connector electrode Are preferably orthogonal to each other (claim 2).
If it does in this way, since a power terminal and a connector electrode are formed in plate shape, a power terminal and a connector electrode can be easily fastened with fastening members, such as a volt | bolt.
Further, since the external connection portion and the connector electrode are orthogonal to each other, a force is applied in parallel to the axial direction of the seal portion when the connector electrode and the power terminal are fastened. Thereby, it becomes easy to suppress the fall of the waterproof performance of a seal part.

Further, it is preferable that a holding groove for holding the seal portion is formed on the outer surface of the external connection portion.
In this case, the seal portion can be firmly held by the holding groove. For this reason, when the external connection portion is inserted into the connection portion storage portion, the seal portion can be prevented from being displaced in the axial direction, and a problem that the waterproof performance is lowered due to the displacement of the seal portion is less likely to occur.

Moreover, it is preferable that the inner surface of the said connection part accommodating part is cut.
In this case, since the inner surface of the connection portion storage portion is smoothed by cutting and the surface roughness is reduced, the seal portion is easily adhered. Thereby, the waterproof performance of a seal part can be improved.

The housing has a housing opening for housing the connector in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the external connection portion. The housing is housed in the housing and the power terminal and the connector electrode are fastened. In this state, it is preferable that a lid is attached to the storage opening.
In this case, since the storage opening is formed, the connector can be stored in the housing from the storage opening. Further, it is possible to fasten the power terminal and the connector electrode by inserting a tool or the like from the storage opening. Furthermore, after the connector is accommodated in the housing, by attaching a lid, the accommodation opening can be sealed to prevent moisture and the like from entering.

Example 1
A power converter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The perspective view of the power converter device 1 of this example is shown in FIG. 1, and a cross-sectional view is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the power conversion device 1 of this example includes a device main body 2 having a power terminal 20.
As shown in FIG. 8, the power conversion device 1 of this example includes a connector main body 30, a connector electrode 31 protruding from the connector main body 30 and electrically connected to the power terminal 20, and a connector electrode from the connector main body 30. The connector 3 includes an external connection portion 32 that protrudes in a direction intersecting with the connector 31 and is electrically connected to the connector electrode 31.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a metal body having a body housing portion 40 for housing the apparatus body portion 2 and a connector housing portion 41 that is formed integrally with the body housing portion 40 and houses the connector 3. And a housing 4.

The connector storage portion 41 stores the external connection portion 32 and has a connection portion storage portion 42 that opens in the protruding direction of the external connection portion 32, and the inner surface 420 of the connection portion storage portion 42 and the outer surface of the external connection portion 32. An annular seal portion 5 is provided to seal the gap with 320.
Then, the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are fastened in the axial direction of the seal portion 5 by the fastening member 6, so that the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are electrically connected.
The details will be described below.

The power conversion device 1 of this example is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, and converts DC power supplied from a DC power source (not shown) into AC. Using this AC power, a three-phase AC motor or the like is driven to drive the vehicle.
The connector 3 of this example is an input connector for connecting to a DC power source. A wiring (not shown) is connected to the external connection unit 32 described above, and power is supplied from the DC power source to the power converter 1 through this wiring.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device main body 2 of the power conversion device 1 includes a semiconductor module 21 in which an IGBT element or the like is sealed with a synthetic resin, a control circuit board 22 that controls the semiconductor module 21, a reactor 23, and a capacitor 24.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the power conversion apparatus 1 is provided with a refrigerant tube 11 through which a refrigerant for cooling the semiconductor module 21 flows. Moreover, the power converter device 1 has the output connector 12 for taking out alternating current power. This output connector 12 is connected to the above-described three-phase AC motor.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the connector 3. As shown in the figure, the connector 3 has two external connection portions 32a and 32b. One external connection portion 32a is for connection to a DC power source. The other external connection portion 32b is for supplying a part of electric power to an auxiliary machine (air conditioner inverter). The seal portion 5 is attached to each of the external connection portions 32a and 32b.
In FIG. 4, the side view of the connector 3 which removed the seal | sticker part 5 is shown. As shown in the figure, a holding groove 33 for holding the seal portion 5 is formed on the outer surface 320 of the external connection portions 32a and 32b.

  On the other hand, a fuse 34 is attached to the connector 3 as shown in FIG. When a current exceeding the standard flows through the connector 3, the fuse 34 is blown to protect the power converter 1 and the auxiliary equipment.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 4 has a storage opening 7 for storing the connector 3. When manufacturing the power conversion device 1, the connector 3 is stored in the connector storage portion 41 through the storage opening 7. At the same time, the external connection part 32 is put in the connection part storage part 42 and the connector electrode 31 and the power terminal 20 are overlapped.
As shown in FIG. 5, through holes 31 a and 20 a are formed in the connector electrode 31 and the power terminal 20. After superimposing the connector electrode 31 and the power terminal 20, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the fastening member 6 (bolt) is inserted into the through holes 31a and 20a and fastened.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the lid 10 is attached to the storage opening 7.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are formed in a plate shape, and the fastening member 6 fastens the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 in the plate thickness direction. The connection part 32 and the connector electrode 31 are orthogonal to each other.

  On the other hand, when manufacturing the housing 4, the housing 4 is first molded with a mold, and then the inner surface 420 of the connection portion storage portion 42 is cut. Then, the inner surface 420 is polished. Thereby, the inner surface 420 is smoothed and the surface roughness is reduced.

Next, the effect of this example will be described.
In this example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, a main body storage portion 40 for storing the apparatus main body portion 2 and a connector storage portion 41 for storing the connector 3 are integrally formed.
In this case, since there is no gap between the connector storage portion 41 and the main body storage portion 40, heat is easily conducted from the connector storage portion 41 to the main body storage portion 40. Therefore, the heat generated from the connector main body 30 by energization is easily conducted to the connector storage portion 41 and the main body storage portion 40, and the temperature rise of the connector 3 is easily suppressed.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 8, the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are fastened in the axial direction of the seal portion 5.
In this case, even when a force is applied to the seal portion 5 when the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are fastened, the force is applied in the axial direction of the seal portion 5. Therefore, only the seal part 5 moves in the axial direction, and the pressure applied by the part of the seal part 5 does not change greatly. Thereby, it can suppress that the waterproof performance of the seal part 5 falls.
That is, in the conventional power converter 1, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the power terminal 90a and the connector electrode 92a are fastened, force is applied to the seal portion 95 in the radial direction, so the seal portion 95 is compressed. The waterproof performance is likely to deteriorate. On the other hand, in this invention, since the force at the time of fastening is added to the axial direction of the seal part 5, the force which acts by the site | part of the seal part 5 does not arise. For this reason, the waterproof performance of the seal portion 5 is unlikely to deteriorate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in this example, the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are formed in a plate shape, and the fastening member 6 fastens the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 in the plate thickness direction. The external connection portion 32 and the connector electrode 31 are orthogonal to each other.
If it does in this way, since the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are formed in plate shape, the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 can be easily fastened by the fastening members 6 such as bolts.
Further, since the external connection portion 32 and the connector electrode 31 are orthogonal to each other, when the connector electrode 31 and the power terminal 20 are fastened, a force is applied in parallel to the axial direction of the seal portion 5. Thereby, it becomes easy to suppress the fall of the waterproof performance of the seal part 5.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, a holding groove 33 for holding the seal portion 5 is formed on the outer surface 320 of the external connection portion 32.
In this way, the seal portion 5 can be securely held by the holding groove 33. Therefore, when inserting the external connection part 32 in the connection part accommodating part 42, it can prevent that the seal | sticker part 5 slip | deviates to an axial direction, and it becomes difficult to produce the malfunction which waterproof performance falls by the position shift of the seal | sticker part 5.

Further, the inner surface 420 of the connection portion storage portion 42 is cut.
If it does in this way, since the inner surface 420 of the connection part accommodating part 42 is smooth | blunted by cutting and the surface roughness is small, the seal part 5 will become easy to stick. Thereby, the waterproof performance of the seal part 5 can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 4 has a housing opening 7 for housing the connector 3 in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the external connection portion 32. The cover 10 is attached to the storage opening 7 in a state where the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 are fastened.
In this way, since the storage opening 7 is formed, the connector 3 can be stored in the housing 4 from the storage opening 7. In addition, it is possible to fasten the power terminal 20 and the connector electrode 31 by inserting a tool or the like from the storage opening 7. Furthermore, after housing the connector 3 in the housing 4, the lid 10 is attached to seal the housing opening 7 and prevent moisture and the like from entering.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the power conversion device 1 having the connector 3 in which the temperature does not easily rise and the waterproof function of the seal portion 5 is unlikely to decrease.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power converter 2 Apparatus main-body part 20 Power terminal 3 Connector 30 Connector main body 31 Connector electrode 32 External connection part 4 Housing 40 Main body accommodating part 41 Connector accommodating part 42 Connecting part accommodating part 5 Seal part 6 Fastening member

Claims (4)

An apparatus body having a power terminal;
A connector main body; a connector electrode protruding from the connector main body and electrically connected to the power terminal; and an external connection portion protruding from the connector main body in a direction intersecting the connector electrode and conducted to the connector electrode. A connector;
A main body housing portion for housing the apparatus main body portion, and a metal housing formed integrally with the main body housing portion and having a connector housing portion for housing the connector;
The connector storage portion stores the external connection portion, and has a connection portion storage portion that opens in a protruding direction of the external connection portion. Between the inner surface of the connection portion storage portion and the outer surface of the external connection portion. An annular seal part is provided for sealing,
The power terminal and the connector electrode are fastened in the axial direction of the seal portion by a fastening member, so that the power terminal and the connector electrode are electrically connected. Power converter.   2. The power terminal and the connector electrode according to claim 1, wherein the power terminal and the connector electrode are formed in a plate shape, and the fastening member fastens the power terminal and the connector electrode in a plate thickness direction, and the external connection portion and the connector The power converter characterized by being mutually orthogonally crossed with an electrode.   The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a holding groove for holding the seal portion is formed on an outer surface of the external connection portion.   4. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the connection portion storage portion is cut. 5.

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