KR20120114602A - Apparatus for cooling of electrical parts for electric automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for cooling electrical components for an electric vehicle is provided to reduce the weight of a vehicle and energy consumption of a battery. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for cooling electrical components for an electric vehicle comprises an air pump(10), a vortex forming part, a hot air discharge part, a cold air discharge part, a motor controller(30), and an electric motor(40). The vortex forming part forms first vortex by using compressed air supplied form the air pump. The hot air discharge part forms a second discharge part by receiving the first vortex. The hot air discharge part discharges the heat in the first vortex. The cold air discharge part discharges the cold air in the second vortex. The motor controller heat exchanges cold air discharged from the cold air discharge part. The electric motor is connected to a first air flow passage and heat exchanges the air discharged from the first air flow passage. [Reference numerals] (20) Air cooler; (30) Motor controller; (40) Electric motor

Description

Electronic component cooling device for electric vehicles {APPARATUS FOR COOLING OF ELECTRICAL PARTS FOR ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric component cooling device for an electric vehicle, and more particularly, to an electric component cooling device for an electric vehicle that is simple in structure, reduced in weight, and capable of rapid cooling.

In general, an electric vehicle is a vehicle that is driven by the driving force by the rotation of the electric motor.

The electric vehicle is equipped with a driving battery for supplying a current to the electric motor so that the electric motor can be rotated, the motor controller controls the rotation of the electric motor.

The electric vehicle is equipped with a DC voltage converter (DC-DC converter) and a charger for charging the driving battery to convert the input voltage of the driving battery to supply power to the 12V electric part of the electric vehicle. .

The electric vehicle generates heat from the DC-DC converter, the charger, the electric motor, and the motor controller while driving.

Therefore, the electric vehicle requires a cooling device for cooling the heat generated by the DC-DC converter, the charger, the electric motor and the motor controller.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle electric component cooling device that can simplify the configuration to reduce the weight of the vehicle, and further increase the running time of the vehicle by reducing the power consumption of the battery.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of the vehicle by using the compressed air lighter than the cooling water as a refrigerant, and furthermore, the electric component of the electric vehicle that can increase the running time of the vehicle by reducing the power consumption of the battery It is to provide a cooling device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle component cooling device of an electric vehicle capable of rapidly cooling an electric motor, a motor controller, a DC voltage converter, and a charger through cold air having a subzero temperature.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, an air pump, and a vortex generating unit for generating a first vortex (vortex) from the compressed air supplied from the air pump, A warm air discharging unit receiving the first vortex to generate a second vortex inside the first vortex and discharging the warmth of the first vortex, a cold air discharging unit discharging the cold air of the second vortex, and the cold air discharge A motor controller that is connected to the unit and heat exchanges with the cold discharged from the cold air discharge unit, a first air channel through which air connected to the motor controller and heat exchanged by the motor controller flows, and connected to the first air channel; An electric motor is heat-exchanged with the air discharged from the first air passage.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to the present invention has a simpler structure than that of the cooling water circulation system, thereby reducing weight and further increasing the running time of the vehicle.

In addition, the electric motor, motor controller, DC voltage converter, and charger are cooled by using compressed air that is lighter than the coolant as a refrigerant, so that the weight can be reduced compared to the circulation of the coolant, and the power consumption of the battery is minimized. It also has the effect of increasing the operating time.

In addition, there is an effect that can rapidly cool the electric motor, motor controller, DC voltage converter and charger through the cold air having a sub-zero temperature.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a view showing an electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a detailed view of the air cooler shown in FIG.
3 is a perspective view of the generator shown in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electric motor shown in FIG. 1;
5 is a view showing an electric component cooling device for an electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a control block diagram illustrating a temperature sensor, a valve controller, and a valve in the electric component cooling device of the electric vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and how to accomplish them, will become apparent by reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, the electric component cooling apparatus of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a view showing an electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an automobile to which an electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, an electric motor 40 and an electric motor that are rotated to drive a vehicle and generate a driving force, And a motor controller 30 for controlling the rotational torque of 40.

The electric motor 40 is rotationally driven by using a current of a battery (not shown).

When driving the vehicle, heat is generated in the motor controller 30 and the electric motor 40.

In the electric component cooling apparatus of an electric vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in order to cool the heat generated by the electric motor 40 and the motor controller 30, the air pump 10 and the air cooler 20 are used. Include.

The air pump 10 and the air cooler 20 are connected to each other through a conduit 15. In addition, the motor controller 30 and the electric motor 40 are connected to each other through the first air passage 50, the air cooler 20 and the motor controller 30 is connected to each other through the second air passage 60. do. Here, the conduit 15, the second air passage 60 and the first air passage 50 is formed in a hollow pipe-like structure. Therefore, the air discharged from the air pump 10 is the conduit 15, the air cooler 20, the second air passage 60, the motor controller 30, the first air passage 50 and the electric motor 40. Pass in turn.

The air pump 10 supplies the compressed air to the air cooler 20 through the conduit 15.

The air cooler 20 converts the compressed air supplied from the air pump 10 into cold and warm air, and discharges the warm air to external air, and sends the cold air to the motor controller 30 through the second air flow path 60. Cool the motor controller 30. A detailed description of the air cooler 20 converting the compressed air into cold and warm air will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Cold air discharged from the air cooler 20 flows through the second air passage 60. The motor controller 30 is cooled by heat exchange with cold air discharged from the second air flow path 60.

Air heat-exchanged by the motor controller 30 flows through the first air passage 50. The electric motor 40 is cooled by heat exchange with air discharged from the first air flow path 60.

Heat generated in the motor controller 30 of the present embodiment is generated up to about 90 degrees, and heat generated in the electric motor 40 is generated up to about 120 degrees. That is, since the heat generated from the motor controller 30 is lower than the heat generated from the electric motor 40, the motor controller 30 is heat-exchanged with the cold discharged from the air cooler 20 to be cooled first, and the electric motor ( 40 is heat exchanged with the heat exchanged air in the motor controller 30 to be cooled later.

The air heat-exchanged in the electric motor 40 is not circulated back to the air pump 10, but is discharged to the outside air from the electric motor 40. Therefore, since the flow path connecting the electric motor 40 and the air pump 10 is not necessary to cool the electric motor 40 and circulate the heated air back to the air pump 10, the number of parts of the vehicle is reduced. This reduces, further minimizing the power consumption of the battery can increase the running time of the vehicle.

In addition, since light air is used as the refrigerant rather than the conventional cooling water circulation method, the weight of the vehicle is reduced, and further, the driving time of the vehicle can be increased by minimizing the power consumption of the battery.

2 is a detailed view of the air cooler 20 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the generator 22b shown in FIG. 2.

2 and 3, the air cooler 20 generates a vortex with compressed air supplied from the air pump 10 to convert compressed air into cold and warm air, and thus cools the motor controller 30. The warm air is composed of vortex tubes that discharge to the outside air.

That is, the air cooler 20 receives the vortex generating unit 22 that generates the first vortex 27 with the compressed air supplied from the air pump 10, and the first vortex 27 receiving the first vortex 27. The warm air discharge part 24 which produces | generates the 2nd vortex 28 inside the inside, and discharges the warmth of the 1st vortex 27 to external air, and the cold air discharge part 26 which discharges cold air of the 2nd vortex 28 ).

The vortex generating portion 22 is formed with a compressed air inlet 22a for receiving compressed air from the air pump 10. In this embodiment, since the air pump 10 and the air cooler 20 are connected to each other through the conduit 15, the compressed air inlet 22a is connected to the conduit 15, and compressed from the air pump 10 Air is supplied into the vortex generator 22 through the conduit 15.

In addition, a generator 22b is disposed inside the vortex generating unit 22 to generate the first vortex 27 by rotating the compressed air supplied from the air pump 10 at high speed.

The warm air discharging part 24 is disposed on one side (right side in the drawing) of the vortex generating unit 22, and the cold air discharging part 26 is located on the other side (left side in the drawing) of the vortex generating unit 22. ) Is arranged in the opposite direction.

The warm air exhaust portion 24 and the cold air exhaust portion 26 are formed in a hollow pipe-like structure in communication with the internal space of the vortex generating portion 22.

The generator 22b is disposed on the warm air discharging part 24 side, and has a vortex supply part 22c which rotates the compressed air at high speed and sends it to the inner wall tangential direction of the warm air discharging part 24 to generate the first vortex 27, And an insertion portion 22d inserted into the inner wall of the cold air discharge portion 26. The hollow 22e is formed inside the vortex supply part 22c and the insertion part 22d. The hollow 22e communicates with the internal space of the warm air discharge part 24 and the internal space of the cold air discharge part 26, so that the second vortex 28 generated in the warm air discharge part 24 receives the hollow 22e. Through the cold air discharge unit 26 to be moved.

At the end of the warm air discharge part 24, a warm air outlet 24a through which a part of the first vortex 27 is discharged is formed. In addition, the warmer discharge part 24 is provided with a control valve 24b for adjusting the amount of the first vortex 27 discharged through the warmer outlet 24a.

The first vortex 27 generated by the vortex generator 22 flows along the inner wall of the warmer outlet 24 and is partially discharged through the warmer outlet 24a, and the rest is vortexed by the control valve 24b. It is returned to the part 22. At this time, the returned second vortex 28 is generated inside the first vortex 27 which is a low pressure region.

By the way, although the rotational speed of the 1st vortex 27 and the 2nd vortex 28 is the same, mutually, the 1st vortex 27 is faster than the 2nd vortex 28. This means that the kinetic energy is reduced while the second vortex 28 passes inside the first vortex 27. Therefore, according to the law of energy conservation, the vortex energy of the second vortex 28 is converted into thermal energy while the second vortex 28 passes through the inside of the first vortex 27 which is a low pressure region. ) And the second vortex 28 is cooled. The second vortex 28 cooled in this way is sent from the vortex generating portion 22 to the internal space of the cold air discharge portion 26 through a hollow 22e formed in the generator 22b, and then opens the cold air outlet 26a. And the remainder is again generated by the first vortex 27 in the generator 22b and sent to the warm air discharge unit 24. This process is repeated as compressed air is supplied from the air pump 10 to the air cooler 20 so that the first vortex 27 gradually turns to warmth, and the second vortex 28 gradually turns to cold. .

The warm air discharging unit 24 discharges the warm air of the first vortex 27 to the outside air through the hot air outlet 24a, and the cold air discharging unit 26 of the second vortex 28 through the cold air outlet 24a. Cool air is sent to the motor controller 30 to cool the motor controller 30. The cold air discharge unit 26 and the motor controller 30 may be directly connected, but in this embodiment, the second air flow path 60 is disposed between the cold air discharge unit 26 and the motor controller 30. That is, one end of the second air passage 60 is coupled to the cold air discharge unit 26, and the other end is coupled to the motor controller 30 so that the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge unit 26 is transferred to the motor controller 30. By supplying, the motor controller 30 can be cooled.

On the other hand, by adjusting the control valve 24b to adjust the amount of the first vortex 27 discharged through the warm air outlet (24a), it is possible to adjust the temperature of the cold air discharged through the cold air outlet (26a).

That is, as the amount of the first vortex (warm) discharged to the warm air outlet 24b increases, the amount of the second vortex (cold air) discharged through the cold air outlet 24a from the cold air discharge unit 26 decreases, but the second The temperature of the vortex (cold air) becomes cold.

On the contrary, as the amount of the first vortex (warm) discharged to the hot air outlet 24b by adjusting the control valve 24b is reduced, the second vortex (the vortex discharged through the cold air outlet 24a from the cold air discharge unit 26 ( The amount of cold air increases, but the temperature of the second vortex (cold air) becomes less cold.

The temperature of the cold air discharged through the cold air outlet 26a from the cold air discharge unit 26 has a temperature of minus zero. Therefore, rapid cooling becomes possible compared with a cooling water circulation system. That is, in the cooling water circulation system, the cooling water flowing in the radiator is cooled while the cooling fan is rotated and blown to the radiator, so that the cooling water is not cooled below the room temperature while passing through the radiator. However, in the present embodiment, since the temperature of the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge unit 26 is very low, such as a maximum of minus 40 degrees Celsius, the motor controller 30 and the electric motor 40 can be cooled rapidly. Of course, it is also possible to rapidly cool the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 of the second embodiment to be described later.

As described above, the electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a vortex tube, which is much lighter in weight than the radiator of the cooling water circulation method, as the air cooler 20, and thus the coolant mounted in the internal combustion engine vehicle. The weight of the vehicle can be reduced compared to the circulation cooling system. In particular, in the cooling system of the cooling water circulation method, a cooling fan for blowing external air to the radiator is required to cool the radiator. However, the electric component cooling device of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment does not require the cooling fan. The weight can be reduced. In the electric vehicle, weight reduction is not only a problem to improve the mileage of the vehicle, but also the electric cooler 20 because the electric vehicle is equipped with an electric motor 40 which generates less heat than the internal combustion engine. Cooling device using will be called a cooling device suitable for electric vehicles.

On the other hand, in the electric component cooling device of the electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the rotor 44 inside the electric motor 40 is cooled by supplying air into the electric motor 40, the cooling efficiency is low. Is improved. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electric motor 40 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electric motor 40 includes a motor case 42, a rotor 44 disposed and rotated inside the motor case 42, and a coil 46 disposed around the rotor 44. ).

Here, since the rotor 44 is disposed surrounded by the coil 46, it is difficult to cool by the external air. Therefore, the first air passage 50 is connected to the inside of the motor case 42 so that the rotor 44 may also be cooled, and supplies the heat exchanged air from the motor controller 30 to the inside of the motor case 42. do.

The first air passage 50 is a direction of the shaft 45 of the rotor inside the motor case 42 so that the air heat exchanged in the motor controller 30 flows in the direction of the shaft 45 of the rotor 44. It is preferable to be connected to.

As described above, the electric component cooling apparatus of the electric vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention is surrounded by the coil 46 because the electric motor 40 is cooled by supplying air into the electric motor 40. The rotor 44 is also cooled, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

5 is a view showing an electric component cooling apparatus for an electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a temperature sensor, a valve controller and a valve in the electric component cooling apparatus of the electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention A control block diagram showing Here, the same reference numerals are given to the same as the above embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

5 and 6, it can be seen that the electric component cooling apparatus of the electric vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the above-described embodiment.

That is, the electric vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the DC voltage converter (DC-DC converter) for converting the input voltage of the battery into the voltage required by the electric motor 40 and the electric parts of the vehicle (80) And a charger 82 for charging the battery.

The DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 are disposed adjacent to each other.

The DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 are connected to the air cooler 20. The air cooler 20 is made of a vortex tube as in the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 are connected to the cold air discharge unit 26 of the air cooler 20, and are cooled by heat exchange with the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge unit 26.

Air cooled by the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 and heat-exchanged is discharged to outside air without being circulated to the air pump 10 again.

The cold air discharge unit 26 of the air cooler 20 may be directly connected to the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82, but in the present embodiment, the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 and the air cooler ( The third air passage 70 is connected between the cold air discharge portions 26 of the 20.

One end of the third air passage 70 is connected to the cold air discharge unit 26 of the air cooler 20, and the other end is connected to the DC voltage converter 80 to direct the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge unit 26. The DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 may be cooled by supplying the voltage converter 80 and the charger 82. Here, since the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 are disposed adjacent to each other, the third air flow path 70 does not necessarily need to be connected to the DC voltage converter 80 at the other end thereof, and the DC voltage converter 80 It may be connected to the charger 82 disposed adjacent to, or may be connected to both the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82.

As described above, one end of the third air flow path 70 may be connected to the cold air discharge portion 26 of the air cooler 20 separately from the second air flow path 60, but in this embodiment, the third air flow path 70. One end of is connected to the second air passage (60).

The valve 92 for opening and closing the second air passage 60 and the third air passage 70 is further disposed at portions connected to the second air passage 60 and the third air passage 70.

The valve 92 selects and supplies the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge unit 26 of the air cooler 20 to the DC voltage converter 80, the charger 82, and the motor controller 30.

The DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 generate less heat than the motor controller 30 and the electric motor 40.

Therefore, the valve 92 basically opens the second air flow path 60 and closes the third air flow path 70, and the temperature of the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 requires cooling. The third air passage 70 is opened at the temperature.

In the DC voltage converter 80, a temperature sensor 84 for sensing the temperature of the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 is disposed. Here, the temperature sensor 84 is not necessarily disposed in the DC voltage converter 80, but may be disposed in the charger 82. Of course, if the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 are disposed together in a case (not shown), the temperature sensor 84 may be disposed in the case. That is, the temperature sensor 84 may be disposed at a suitable position capable of detecting the temperatures of the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 disposed adjacent to each other.

In the electric component cooling device of an electric vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the valve 92 is controlled by controlling the valve 92 according to the temperatures of the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 detected by the temperature sensor 84. A valve controller 90 for controlling the opening and closing of the 92 is further included.

The valve controller 90 controls the valve 92 when the temperatures of the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 sensed by the temperature sensor 84 do not require cooling, thereby controlling the second air flow path 60. ) Is opened and the third air passage 70 is closed. In this state, since only the second air passage 60 is opened, the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge portion 26 of the air cooler 20 is supplied only to the second air passage 60 so that the motor controller 30 is cooled. Then, the heat exchanged air from the motor controller 30 is supplied to the electric motor 40 through the first air flow path 50 to cool the electric motor 40.

In addition, the valve controller 90 controls the valve 92 when the temperatures of the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 sensed by the temperature sensor 84 require cooling, thereby controlling the second air. Both the flow path 60 and the third air flow path 70 are controlled to be opened. In such a state, the cool air discharged from the cold air discharge portion 26 of the air cooler 20 flows through the second air flow path 60 and the third air flow path 70, so that the motor controller 30 and the electric motor ( In addition to 40, the DC voltage converter 80 and the charger 82 are also cooled.

As described above, the electric component cooling device of the electric vehicle according to the present invention, the electric equipment (motor controller 30, electric motor 40, DC voltage converter 80, charger 82) to cool the hot air Since it is discharged to the outside air without circulating, the configuration and cooling fan corresponding to the flow path for circulating the coolant are eliminated in the existing cooling water circulation method, thereby reducing the weight of the vehicle and further reducing the power consumption of the battery. You can increase the running time of your car.

In addition, since the compressed air lighter than the cooling water is used as the refrigerant, the weight of the vehicle can be reduced, and further, the running time of the vehicle can be increased by reducing the power consumption of the battery.

In addition, since the electric motor 40, the motor controller 30, the DC voltage converter 80, and the charger 82 are cooled by cold air having a subzero temperature, cooling can be performed more rapidly than the cooling water circulation method.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof are included in the scope of the present invention Should be interpreted.

10: air pump 20: air cooler
22: vortex generation unit 24: warmth discharge unit
26: cold air discharge part 27: the first vortex
28: second vortex 30: motor controller
40: electric motor 42: motor case
44: rotor 46: coil
50: first air passage 60: second air passage
70: third air flow path 80: DC voltage converter
82: charger 84: temperature sensor
90: valve controller 92: valve

Claims (7)

Air pump;
A vortex generating unit for generating a first vortex with compressed air supplied from the air pump;
A warmth discharging unit receiving the first vortex to generate a second vortex inside the first vortex and discharging the warmth of the first vortex;
A cold air discharge unit configured to discharge cold air of the second vortex;
A motor controller connected to the cold air discharge part and heat-exchanged with the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge part;
A first air passage connected to the motor controller and through which heat exchanged by the motor controller flows; And
And an electric motor connected to the first air passage and heat-exchanged with the air discharged from the first air passage. The method according to claim 1,
The electric motor includes a motor case, a rotor disposed inside the motor case and rotated, and a coil disposed around the rotor,
The first air flow path electric component cooling device for an electric vehicle for supplying the heat exchanged air from the motor controller to the inside of the motor case so that the rotor is also cooled. The method according to claim 1,
And a second air passage connected between the cold air discharge unit and the motor controller to supply the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge unit to the motor controller. The method according to claim 1,
And a DC voltage converter and a charger connected to the cold air discharge part and heat-exchanged with the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge part. The method of claim 4,
And a third air flow path connected between the DC voltage converter and the charger and the cold air discharge part to supply the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge part to the DC voltage converter and the charger. Device. The method of claim 4,
And a valve configured to supply the cool air discharged from the cold air discharge unit to the DC voltage converter, the charger, and the motor controller. The method of claim 6,
And a valve controller for controlling the opening and closing of the valve according to the temperature of the DC voltage converter and the charger.

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