JP7167873B2 - Component system consisting of multiple types of component sets and handling equipment - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a parts system configured by a set of multiple types of parts having common functions and different shapes, and a handling device for handling the parts . A typical example of such a set of components is a current sensor of a power converter with different outputs for electric vehicles of multiple types.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a driving device that can be commonly used in electric vehicles of multiple types. The drive has a motor and an inverter in one case. In Patent Document 1, a current sensor for measuring the output current of an inverter and a terminal block are integrally formed, making it easy to secure a space for arranging the current sensor in the case. Note that the terminal block is a component that supports the output terminal of the inverter connected to the power cable of the motor.

JP 2007-166803 A

As exemplified in Patent Literature 1, parts are often used in common for a plurality of vehicle models. Costs can be reduced by sharing parts. On the other hand, there are cases in which a set of parts of a plurality of types corresponding to a plurality of vehicle models has a common function, but the shape must be changed for each vehicle model due to various circumstances. Differences in shape affect the handling equipment in the assembly process. That is, different jigs are required for different shapes. Preparing multiple types of jigs is costly. The present specification provides a technique that allows a common handling device to be used for sets of multiple types of parts that have common functions but differ in shape.

The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a parts system configured by a set of multiple types of parts having common functions and different shapes, and a handling device for handling the parts . Each component has a pair of grooves and a pair of pressure pin receiving portions. A pair of grooves are provided on the side surfaces of the part and are positioned on both sides of the center of gravity of the part when viewed from above. A pair of pressing pin receiving portions are provided on the upper surface of the component and positioned on both sides of the center of gravity of the component when viewed from above. The positional relationship between the pair of grooves and the pair of pressing pin receiving portions is common to all of the multiple types of components. The handling device has a pair of hooks and a pair of pressing pins, and grips the component by inserting the hooks into the grooves and pressing the pressing pins against the pressing pin receiving portions. Since the pair of gripping portions (the pair of hooks and the pair of pressing pins) sandwich the center of gravity, the component can be stably conveyed. Also, due to the structure described above, sets of multiple types of components disclosed herein can be handled by a common handling device.

A pair of positioning pin holes are also provided on the upper surface of the component, and are preferably located on both sides of the center of gravity of the component when viewed from above. In that case, in addition to the pair of grooves and the pair of pressing pin receiving portions, the positional relationship of the pair of positioning pin holes may be common to all of the multiple types of components. A typical set of components disclosed herein is a current sensor for power converters with different outputs for multiple types of electric vehicles.

Details and further improvements of the technique disclosed in this specification are described in the following "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention".

1 is a perspective view of a first type current sensor and laminate unit assembly; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first type current sensor and a lamination unit separated from each other; 1 is a side view of a first type current sensor; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first type current sensor held by a handling device; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first type current sensor; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second type current sensor; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second type current sensor; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third type current sensor; FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third type current sensor;

The set of parts of the example will now be described with reference to the drawings. An example set of parts is a current sensor unit incorporated into an electric vehicle power converter. A power converter is a device that converts power from a power source into drive power for a motor for running. A power converter includes a plurality of power modules containing switching elements for power conversion. There are a plurality of types of power converters according to the output of the motor of the vehicle, and each type has a different number of power modules and a different size of the case of the power converter. The power converter is equipped with a current sensor unit that measures the output current (current supplied to the motor). There are also multiple types of current sensor units, depending on the type of power converter.

The current sensor unit also has a different shape depending on its type. The current sensor unit is housed in the case of the power converter by means of a handling device. A set of parts in the embodiment is composed of three types of current sensor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. The three types of current sensor units 2a, 2b, 2c can be moved with a common handling device.

The first type current sensor unit 2a will be described. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the assembly of the current sensor unit 2a and the first type lamination unit 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a diagram in which the current sensor unit 2a and the laminated unit 50 are separated. The +Z direction of the coordinate system in the figure corresponds to "up". The +Z direction indicates "up" in all figures.

The laminated unit 50 is a unit obtained by laminating a plurality of power modules 51 described above together with a plurality of coolers 55 . In FIGS. 1 and 2, only the leftmost power module and cooler are denoted by reference numerals 51 and 55, respectively, and the remaining power modules and coolers are omitted. The plurality of power modules 51 and the plurality of coolers 55 are alternately stacked one by one. Each power module 51 accommodates two switching elements for power conversion. The two switching elements are connected in series inside the power module 51 . Terminals (positive terminal 52, negative terminal 53, middle terminal 54) electrically connected to the high potential end, the low potential end and the middle point of the series connection of the two switching elements are provided on the upper surface of the power module 51. It is

Power converters include inverters and voltage converters. As is well known, an inverter that converts DC power to AC power has a series circuit of two switching elements. An inverter comprises sets of series circuits, which are connected in parallel. Alternating current is output from the midpoint of the series circuit of the inverter. Several power modules 51 of the laminated unit 50 form a series circuit of inverters, and an alternating current is output from a midpoint terminal 54 . The alternating current output from the midpoint terminal 54 of the power module 51 used for the inverter corresponds to the drive power of the motor for running. Another power module 51 is used for voltage converters.

The current sensor unit 2a is connected to the lamination unit 50. As shown in FIG. The current sensor unit 2a has a plurality of output busbars 12. As shown in FIG. The plurality of output busbars 12 are arranged in a row on the side surface of the main body 10a of the current sensor unit 2a. The main body 10a is made of resin. As shown in FIG. 1, each output busbar 12 is connected to the midpoint terminal 54 of each power module 51 . The number of output busbars 12 is the same as the number of power modules 51 included in the power converter. Inside the main body 10a, several output busbars 12 are associated with current sensors 11. As shown in FIG. The current sensor 11 includes a magnetism-collecting core surrounding the output busbar 12 and a magnetoelectric conversion element arranged in a notch of the magnetism-collecting core. The current sensor 11, that is, the magnetic collecting core and the magnetoelectric transducer is embedded in the main body 10a made of resin.

The current sensor 11 measures the current flowing through the output busbar 12 . As mentioned above, some power modules 51 are used as inverters, and AC is output from the midpoint terminal 54 . That is, the current sensor 11 measures the output AC of the power converter. Measurement data of the current sensor 11 is sent to a control board (not shown) through a signal terminal 13a extending from the lower portion of the main body 10a.

A terminal block 20a is attached to the top of the main body 10a of the current sensor unit 2a. Although not visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal block 20a supports a plurality of terminals to which the power cables of the driving motors are connected. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the current sensor unit 2a viewed from the +Y direction of the coordinate system in the figure. Six terminals 29 are arranged on the side surface facing the +Y side of the terminal block 20a. The current sensor unit 2a is a power converter, which is a device that supplies power to two three-phase AC motors and has two sets of three-phase AC outputs, that is, six terminals 29 for AC output. there is An output busbar 12 corresponding to several power modules 51 passes through the main body 10a of the current sensor unit 2a and protrudes from the terminal block 20a, and its tip serves as a terminal 29 connected to a power cable. there is The terminal block 20a is made of resin. The terminal block 20a is made integrally with the main body 10a by resin injection molding.

Returning to FIG. 2, the description of the terminal block 20a is continued. A pair of grooves 23, a pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and a pair of positioning pin holes 25 are provided in the terminal block 20a. They are used when transporting the current sensor unit 2a. A pair of grooves 23 are provided in the side surface 21 of the terminal block 20a. A pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 and a pair of positioning pin holes 25 are provided on the upper surface 22 of the terminal block 20a. The pressing pin receiving portion 24 forms a part of the upper surface 22, and there is no boundary between the pressing pin receiving portion 24 and its surroundings. For convenience of explanation, a region of the upper surface 22 with which a pressing pin 32 (to be described later) abuts is referred to as a pressing pin receiving portion 24 . In FIG. 2, the pressing pin receiving portion 24 is indicated by a dotted line. The side surface 21 and the top surface 22 of the terminal block 20a also correspond to the side surface and the top surface of the current sensor unit 2a, respectively.

FIG. 4 shows the current sensor unit 2a held by the handling device 30. As shown in FIG. The handling device 30 has a pair of hooks 31 , a pair of pressing pins 32 and a pair of positioning pins 33 . Although they are attached to a gripper at the tip of the handling device 30, the illustration of the gripper is omitted. In other words, the pair of hooks 31, the pair of pressing pins 32, and the pair of positioning pins 33 are part of the gripping tool, but the gripping tool main body that supports them is omitted from the drawing.

A pair of hooks 31 are respectively inserted into the pair of grooves 23 , and a pair of pressing pins 32 are brought into contact with the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 of the upper surface 22 , respectively. A pair of hooks 31 and a pair of pressing pins 32 firmly grip the upper portion of the terminal block 20a. A gripper main body (not shown) is supported by a handling device 30 so as to be movable vertically and horizontally, and a terminal block 20a (that is, a current sensor unit 2a) is firmly gripped by a pair of hooks 31 and a pair of pressing pins 32. transported in good condition.

Also, the pair of positioning pins 33 are respectively fitted into the pair of positioning pin holes 25 provided in the upper surface 22 . Prior to gripping by the pair of hooks 31 and the pair of pressing pins 32, the pair of positioning pins 33 are inserted into the pair of positioning pin holes 25, respectively. The inner diameter of the positioning pin hole 25 is only slightly smaller than the diameter of the positioning pin 33. By inserting the positioning pin 33 into the positioning pin hole 25, the position of the current sensor unit 2a with respect to the gripper main body of the handling device 30 is determined. is determined accurately.

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the current sensor unit 2a. Symbol Ga in the drawing represents the center of gravity of the current sensor unit 2a. Symbol La represents the total length of the current sensor unit 2a. The pair of grooves 23 are positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Ga when the current sensor unit 2a is viewed from above. The pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 are also positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Ga when viewed from above. The current sensor unit 2a is firmly held by inserting the hooks 31 of the handling device into the pair of grooves 23, respectively, and pressing the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 with the pressing pins 32 of the handling device, respectively. Since the gripping portions (the pair of grooves 23 and the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24) are positioned so as to sandwich the center of gravity Ga when viewed from above, the handling device 30 can stably transport the current sensor unit 2a. can.

In the current sensor unit 2a, the pair of positioning pin holes 25 are also positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Ga when viewed from above. Since the pair of positioning pin holes 25 are also positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Ga when viewed from above, the handling device 30 can further stably transport the current sensor unit 2a.

As mentioned above, the set of parts of the embodiment consists of three types of current sensor units 2a, 2b, 2c. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the second type current sensor unit 2b, and FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the current sensor unit 2b. FIG. 7 corresponds to a top view of the current sensor unit 2b. The previous current sensor unit 2a is mounted on a power converter (large power converter) for an electric vehicle with a large output. The current sensor unit 2b is mounted on a medium-output electric vehicle power converter (medium-sized power converter). The large power converter has 11 power modules, and the corresponding current sensor unit 2a has 11 output busbars 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). On the other hand, the medium-sized power converter has eight power modules, and the corresponding current sensor unit 2b has eight output busbars 12 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Since the number of output busbars 12 is small, the shape of the main body 10b of the current sensor unit 2b is different from the shape of the main body 10a of the current sensor unit 2a. Further, the total length Lb of the current sensor unit 2b is shorter than the total length La of the current sensor unit 2a.

On the other hand, the current sensor unit 2b has a terminal block 20b on the top of the main body 10b, and the shape of the terminal block 20b is the same as the terminal block 20a of the current sensor unit 2a.

That is, the terminal block 20b of the current sensor unit 2b also has a pair of grooves 23, a pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and a pair of positioning pin holes 25. As shown in FIG. The pair of grooves 23 are provided on the side surface 21 of the terminal block 20b, and are provided so as to be positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Gb when viewed from above. The pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 are provided on the upper surface 22 of the terminal block 20b, and are provided so as to be positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Gb when viewed from above. A pair of positioning pin holes 25 are also provided on the upper surface 22 of the terminal block 20b, and are provided so as to be positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Gb when viewed from above. The diameter of the pair of positioning pin holes 25 is the same as the diameter of the positioning pin holes 25 of the terminal block 20a.

The positional relationship between the pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 is the same between the current sensor unit 2a and the current sensor unit 2b. Therefore, the current sensor unit 2b can also be transported by the handling device 30 previously described. The pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 of the terminal block 20b are also positioned so as to sandwich the center of gravity Gb of the current sensor unit 2b. Therefore, the current sensor unit 2b is stably transported by the handling device 30 as well.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the third type current sensor unit 2c, and FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the current sensor unit 2c. FIG. 9 corresponds to a top view of the current sensor unit 2c. The current sensor unit 2c is mounted on a power converter (small power converter) of a small-output electric vehicle. The small power converter has six power modules, and the corresponding current sensor unit 2c has six output busbars 12 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Since the number of output bus bars 12 is small, the shape of the main body 10c of the current sensor unit 2c is different from the main body 10a of the current sensor unit 2a and the main body 10b of the current sensor unit 2b. Further, the total length Lc of the current sensor unit 2c is shorter than the total length Lb of the current sensor unit 2b.

The current sensor unit 2c also has a terminal block 20c on the top of the main body 10c, and the shape of the terminal block 20c is the same as the terminal block 20a of the current sensor unit 2a and the terminal block 20b of the current sensor unit 2b. is.

A terminal block 20 c of the current sensor unit 2 c also has a pair of grooves 23 , a pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 and a pair of positioning pin holes 25 . The pair of grooves 23 are provided on the side surface 21 of the terminal block 20c and positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Gc when viewed from above. The pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24 are provided on the upper surface 22 of the terminal block 20c, and are provided so as to be positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Gc when viewed from above. A pair of positioning pin holes 25 are also provided on the upper surface 22 of the terminal block 20c, and are provided so as to be positioned on both sides of the center of gravity Gc when viewed from above. The diameter of the pair of positioning pin holes 25 is the same as the diameter of the positioning pin holes 25 of the terminal block 20c. The center of gravity Gc means the center of gravity of the entire current sensor unit 2c.

The positional relationship between the pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 is the same in the current sensor units 2a-2c. Therefore, the current sensor unit 2c can also be transported by the handling device 30 previously described. The pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 of the terminal block 20c are also positioned so as to sandwich the center of gravity Gc of the current sensor unit 2c. Therefore, the current sensor unit 2 c is also stably transported by the handling device 30 .

As described above, the three types of current sensor units 2a-2c all have the common function of current sensor, but differ in shape. However, each of the three types of current sensor units 2a-2c has a pair of grooves 23, a pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and a pair of positioning pin holes 25. As shown in FIG. The positional relationship of the pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 is the same for the three types of current sensor units 2a-2c. The pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 are portions that are gripped by a handling device 30 that transports the current sensor during transportation. Therefore, the three types of current sensor units 2a-2c can be transported by the same (common) handling device 30, although they have different overall shapes. Further, in each of the three types of current sensor units 2a-2c, the pair of grooves 23, the pair of pressing pin receiving portions 24, and the pair of positioning pin holes 25 are arranged so as to sandwich the center of gravity. Therefore, the current sensor units 2a-2c can be stably transported by the handling device 30. FIG.

Points to note regarding the technology described in the embodiment will be described. The current sensor units 2a-2c have a common function (current sensor function), but have different overall shapes. On the other hand, each of the terminal blocks 20a-20c is a portion for connecting a power cable that supplies electric power to the motor, and has a shape common to the three types. The current sensor units 2a to 2c have different overall shapes, but have the same partial shape (shape of the terminal block). By providing a portion (the groove 23 and the pressing pin receiving portion 24) to be gripped by the handling device in the portion (terminal block) having the same shape, the grip portion can be easily shared.

In the current sensor unit 2a (2b, 2c) of the embodiment, the terminal block 20a (20b, 20c) is made integral with the main body 10a (10b, 10c). The terminal block 20a (20b, 20c) may be a component separate from the main body 10a (10b, 10c) and a component connected to the main body 10a (10b, 10c).

The technology disclosed in this specification is preferably applied to a set of multiple types of current sensor units for power converters of electric vehicles. However, the technique disclosed in this specification may be used for a set of parts other than the current sensor unit. The technology disclosed in this specification may be applied to a set of two types, or four or more types of parts.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or in the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as of the filing. In addition, the techniques exemplified in this specification or drawings can simultaneously achieve a plurality of purposes, and achieving one of them has technical utility in itself.

2a-2c: current sensor units 10a, 10b, 10c: main body 11: current sensor 12: output bus bar 20a-20c: terminal block 21: side surface 22: top surface 23: groove 24: pressing pin receiving portion 25: positioning pin hole 30: Handling device 31: hook 32: pressing pin 33: positioning pin 50: lamination unit 51: power module

Claims (3)

A parts system consisting of a set of multiple types of parts with common functions and different shapes and a handling device that handles the parts ,
The handling device comprises a pair of hooks and a pair of pressing pins,
each of said parts comprising:
A pair of grooves provided on one side surface into which each of the pair of hooks is inserted, and a pair of grooves provided so as to be positioned on both sides of the center of gravity when viewed from above. When,
A pair of pressing pin receiving portions provided on an upper surface, the pressing pin receiving portions being in contact with the pressing pin receiving portions, respectively, and positioned on both sides of the center of gravity when viewed from above. a pair of pressing pin receiving portions provided to
and
A part system, wherein the positional relationship between the pair of grooves and the pair of pressing pin receiving portions is common to all of the plurality of types of the parts . 2. The component system of claim 1, wherein said function is a current sensor. The handling device comprises a pair of locating pins,
each of said parts comprising:
A pair of positioning pin holes provided on the upper surface, in which the pair of positioning pins are fitted respectively, and located on both sides of the center of gravity when viewed from above. It further comprises a pair of positioning pin holes provided as
2. The parts system according to claim 1, wherein a positional relationship among said pair of grooves, said pair of pressing pin receiving portions, and said pair of positioning pin holes is common to all of said parts of a plurality of types.

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