WO2013054699A1

WO2013054699A1 - Inverter cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2013054699A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/075537
Authority: WO
Inventors: 山室　毅; 晋吾伊藤; 久保　賢明
Original assignee: 日産自動車株式会社
Priority date: 2011-10-12
Filing date: 2012-10-02
Publication date: 2013-04-18
Also published as: JP5842525B2; JP2013085415A

Abstract

Provided is an inverter cooling device capable of ensuring sufficient cooling of the inverter regardless of the outside air temperature. An inverter cooling device according to the present invention has a plurality of inverter elements (41) and is provided with an inverter (4) for alternately switching between DC power and AC power, and an air conditioner system (6) for air conditioning inside a vehicle interior (R) by circulating air conditioning refrigerant (21). An air conditioning refrigerant passage (22) through which the air conditioning refrigerant (21) circulates and a cooling water passage (12) through which cooling water (11) cooled by air circulates are provided inside the inverter (4), and thus the inverter elements (41) are cooled by the circulation of the air conditioning refrigerant (21) and the cooling water (11).

Description

Inverter cooling system

The present invention relates to an inverter cooling device that cools a plurality of inverter elements included in an inverter that exchanges DC power and AC power with each other.

Conventionally, there has been known an inverter cooling device in which a cooling water path through which cooling water circulates is provided between a plurality of inverter elements stacked in a predetermined direction, and the cooling water is circulated in the cooling water path to cool the inverter elements. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-203138 A

However, in the conventional inverter cooling apparatus, the temperature of the cooling water which is a cooling refrigerant is lowered by air cooling using outside air. For this reason, there has been a problem that the inverter element cannot be sufficiently cooled when the cooling performance is influenced by the outside air temperature and the outside air temperature is high and the cooling effect by the cooling water is small.
That is, when the temperature of the cooling water that has cooled the inverter is lowered using an air-cooled radiator or the like, it is difficult to sufficiently lower the cooling water temperature if the outside air temperature is high. Therefore, the cooling water temperature rises and the cooling effect of the inverter is reduced. That is, the cooling performance varies depending on the outside air temperature.

The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inverter cooling device capable of ensuring a sufficient inverter cooling effect regardless of the outside air temperature.

In order to achieve the above object, the inverter cooling apparatus of the present invention includes an inverter, an air conditioning system, and inverter cooling means.
The inverter has a plurality of inverter elements and exchanges DC power and AC power with each other.
The air conditioning system performs indoor air conditioning by circulating an air conditioning refrigerant.
The inverter cooling means includes an air conditioning refrigerant path through which the air conditioning refrigerant circulates and a cooling water path through which cooling water to be air-cooled circulates in the inverter, and each circulates the air conditioning refrigerant and the cooling water. Thus, the inverter element is cooled.

In the inverter cooling device of the present invention, an air conditioning refrigerant path through which the air conditioning refrigerant circulates in the inverter and a cooling water path through which the cooling water to be air-cooled circulates are provided.
That is, for cooling the inverter element, an air-conditioning refrigerant and air-cooled cooling water are used.
Therefore, even if the outside air temperature is high and the temperature of the cooling water cannot be sufficiently lowered by air cooling, the inverter element can be cooled by the cooling effect of the air conditioning refrigerant even when the cooling effect of the cooling water is small.
As a result, a sufficient inverter cooling effect can be ensured regardless of the outside air temperature.

It is a system block diagram which shows the inverter cooling device of Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric vehicle to which the inverter cooling device of Example 1 was applied. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the inverter with which the inverter cooling device of Example 1 was applied. It is a perspective view which shows the inverter with which the inverter cooling device of Example 1 was applied. It is a top view which shows the inverter with which the inverter cooling device of Example 1 was applied. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the inverter cooling process by the inverter cooling device of Example 1. FIG. It is a time chart which shows the inverter cooling effect | action in the inverter cooling device of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circulation direction in the inverter of a cooling water. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circulation direction in the inverter of an air-conditioner refrigerant | coolant. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow direction of the cooling water in the 1st heat exchanger provided in the cooling water path | route. The perspective view in the general | schematic external view which shows the other example of the inverter to which the inverter cooling device of this invention was applied is shown. The top view in the schematic external view which shows the other example of the inverter to which the inverter cooling device of this invention was applied is shown.

Hereinafter, the form for implementing the inverter cooling device of this invention is demonstrated based on Example 1 shown in drawing.

First, the configuration of the inverter cooling apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described by dividing it into “entire system configuration”, “inverter configuration”, and “inverter cooling process”.

[Overall system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating the inverter cooling device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric vehicle to which the inverter cooling device according to the first embodiment is applied. Hereinafter, based on FIG.1 and FIG.2, the whole system configuration | structure of the inverter cooling device of Example 1 is demonstrated.

An inverter cooling device (inverter cooling means) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle (an example of an electric vehicle) 2 that uses an electric motor 3 as a travel drive source, and outputs a three-phase AC voltage to the electric motor 3. The inverter element 41 (see FIG. 3A) included in the inverter 4 that is an inverter for cooling is cooled.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the electric vehicle 2 is equipped with an electric motor 3, an inverter 4, a battery 5, and an air conditioning system 6. The electric motor 3 is a three-phase AC synchronous motor in which a permanent magnet is embedded in a rotor and a stator coil is wound around a stator, and is controlled by applying a three-phase AC generated by an inverter 4. The battery 5 is a direct current power source, and is formed of a secondary battery such as nickel hydride or lithium ion. The electric power from the battery 5 is output to the inverter 4, converted into a three-phase alternating current, and output to the electric motor 3. The air conditioning system 6 includes an air conditioner refrigerant circuit 20 and is a vehicle air conditioning system that performs air conditioning in the passenger compartment R of the electric vehicle.

The inverter cooling device (inverter cooling means) 1 includes a high-power system cooling circuit 10, an air conditioner refrigerant circuit 20, and a cooling controller (cooling control means) 30.

The strong electric system cooling circuit 10 is a cooling circuit that cools the electric motor 3 mounted on the electric vehicle 2. The strong electric system cooling circuit 10 includes a cooling water path 12 through which cooling water 11 as a refrigerant circulates, an electric water pump 13 that circulates the cooling water 11 in the cooling water path 12, and a radiator that cools the cooling water 11 by air cooling. 14.

Here, the cooling water 11 is an antifreeze liquid called LLC (Long Life Coolant).

The cooling water path 12 has a first cooling water path 12A and a second cooling water path 12B. The cooling water 11 discharged from the electric water pump 13 and flowing into the radiator 14 flows through the first cooling water path 12A. The cooling water 11 that flows out of the radiator 14 and is sucked into the electric water pump 13 flows through the second cooling water path 12B. A first heat exchanging portion 15A and a second heat exchanging portion 15B are formed at an intermediate portion of the first cooling water passage 12A. The first heat exchange unit 15 A is located upstream of the second heat exchange unit 15 B in the flow of the cooling water 11 and is disposed inside the inverter 4. The second heat exchange unit 15 B is disposed inside the electric motor 3.
Thereby, in this strong electric system cooling circuit 10, the cooling water 11 discharged from the electric water pump 13 passes through the first cooling water path 12A, and exchanges heat with the inverter 4 in the first heat exchanging portion 15A. Cool down. Thereafter, the second heat exchange unit 15B exchanges heat with the electric motor 3 to cool the electric motor 3. And after being air-cooled in the radiator 14, it passes along the 2nd cooling water path 12B, is suck | inhaled by the electric water pump 13, and circulates.
Here, the radiator 14 is disposed on the front side of the motor room MR (see FIG. 2) in which the electric motor 3 is disposed, and cools the cooling water by exchanging heat with the outside air by exposing the cooling water 11 to traveling wind. .

The air conditioner refrigerant circuit 20 is a cooling circuit for cooling the indoor air of the passenger compartment R. The air conditioner refrigerant circuit 20 cools the air conditioner refrigerant 21 by air cooling, an air conditioner refrigerant path (air conditioner refrigerant path) 22 through which the air conditioner refrigerant (air conditioner refrigerant) 21 circulates, an electric compressor 23 that compresses and discharges the air conditioner refrigerant 21. And a condenser 24 for cooling the air in the passenger compartment R.

Here, the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is an alternative chlorofluorocarbon gas such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The air conditioner refrigerant path 22 includes a first air conditioner refrigerant path 22A, a second air conditioner refrigerant path 22B, and a third air conditioner refrigerant path 22C. In the first air conditioner refrigerant path 22A, the air conditioner refrigerant 21 which is pumped from the electric compressor 23 and flows into the condenser 24 flows. In the second air conditioner refrigerant path 22B, the air conditioner refrigerant 21 flowing out of the condenser 24 and flowing into the evaporator 25 flows. The air conditioner refrigerant 21 that flows out of the evaporator 25 and flows into the electric compressor 23 flows through the third air conditioner refrigerant path 22C. A heat exchanging portion 26 is formed in the middle portion of the third air conditioner refrigerant path 22C. The heat exchange unit 26 is arranged inside the inverter 4.
As a result, in the air conditioner refrigerant circuit 20, the air conditioner refrigerant 21 pumped from the electric compressor 23 flows to the condenser 24 through the first air conditioner refrigerant path 22 A, and is air-cooled in the condenser 24. Then, it flows to the evaporator 25 through the 2nd air-conditioner refrigerant path 22B, heat-exchanges with the air in the vehicle interior R, and cools indoor air. Further, after passing through the third air conditioner refrigerant path 22C, the heat exchange unit 26 exchanges heat with the inverter 4 to cool the inverter 4 and flows into the electric compressor 23 for circulation.
Here, the condenser 24 is disposed on the front side of the motor room MR and behind the radiator 14, and exposes the air conditioner refrigerant 21 to traveling wind to release heat of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 by heat exchange with the outside air. The evaporator 25 exchanges heat between the air conditioner refrigerant 21 and the air in the passenger compartment R, and causes the air conditioner refrigerant 21 to absorb heat.

The cooling controller 30 includes an electric water pump 13 and an electric compressor according to a detected temperature from an inverter temperature sensor (element temperature detecting means) 31 that detects the temperature of an inverter element 41 (see FIG. 3A) of the inverter 4. Inverter cooling processing for controlling 23 is executed.
That is, the detected temperature signal is input to the cooling controller 30 from the inverter temperature sensor 31. Further, an ON / OFF signal is appropriately output to the electric water pump 13 and the electric compressor 23.

[Inverter configuration]
FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view illustrating an inverter to which the inverter cooling device according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating an inverter to which the inverter cooling apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 3C is a plan view illustrating an inverter to which the inverter cooling device according to the first embodiment is applied.

The inverter 4 includes a plurality of inverter elements 41 and exchanges DC power and AC power with each other.
The inverter element 41 is a so-called switching element, and includes a pair of power transistors such as IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) for each of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase, and from the emitter side to the collector side in the power transistor. And a diode for passing a current to. The inverter element 41 is modularized for each phase, and here has a total of 12 thin rectangular housing shapes. Furthermore, the case-shaped inverter elements 41 are arranged in two rows along the width direction and are stacked along the thickness direction.

And between the some inverter elements 41 arranged along the thickness direction, the 1st heat exchange part 15A of 12 A of 1st cooling water paths, and the heat exchange part 26 of 22 C of 3rd air-conditioner refrigerant | coolant paths are alternately carried out. Arranged.

Here, the first heat exchanging portion 15 A has a plurality of rectangular thin plate portions 16 that cover the side surfaces of the inverter element 41. The thin plate portion 16 contacts the side surface of the inverter element 41, and heat exchange is performed between the cooling water 11 flowing in the thin plate portion 16 and the inverter element 41. The first heat exchanging portion 15A is also located outside the

inverter elements

41A and 41B located at both ends of the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged in the thickness direction.

On the other hand, the heat exchanging portion 26 has a plurality of rectangular thin plate portions 27 that cover the side surfaces of the inverter element 41. The thin plate portion 27 comes into contact with the side surface of the inverter element 41, and heat exchange is performed between the air conditioner refrigerant 21 flowing in the thin plate portion 27 and the inverter element 41. Here, the thin plate portion 27 of the heat exchanging portion 26 is inserted inside a plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along the thickness direction.

Further, in the first heat exchanging part 15A, the first cooling water path 12Aa on the inflow side of the cooling water 11 is connected to the side surface upper part 16a of the thin plate part 16, and the first cooling water path 12Ab on the outflow side of the cooling water 11 is The thin plate portion 16 is connected to the lower side surface 16b. In the heat exchanging unit 26, the third air conditioner refrigerant path 22Ca on the inflow side of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is connected to the lower side surface 27a of the thin plate part 27, and the third air conditioner refrigerant path 22Cb on the outflow side of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is connected to the thin plate part 27. Is connected to the side surface upper portion 27b.

[Inverter cooling]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the inverter cooling process performed by the inverter cooling device according to the first embodiment.

Next, the flow of the inverter cooling process executed by the cooling controller 30 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S1, it is determined whether or not there is an air conditioning request (air conditioner request) in the passenger compartment R. If YES (requested), the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO (no request), the process proceeds to step S3. To do.

In step S2, following the determination that there is an air conditioner request in step S1, the electric compressor 23 is ON-controlled, and the process proceeds to step S13.
Here, when the electric compressor 23 is ON-controlled, the air conditioner refrigerant 21 circulates in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22.

In step S3, following the determination that there is no air conditioner request in step S1, the inverter temperature sensor 31 detects the temperature of the inverter element 41 (hereinafter referred to as element temperature T_INV), and the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the element temperature T_INV detected in step S3 exceeds the water cooling start criteria Cr1 (first threshold). If YES (Cr1> T_INV), the process proceeds to step S6, and NO (Cr1 If ≦ T_INV), the process proceeds to step S5.
Here, the water cooling start criterion Cr1 is a temperature lower than the heat-resistant upper limit temperature that the inverter element 41 can withstand, and is set to an arbitrary temperature.

In step S5, following the determination of Cr1 ≦ T_INV in step S4, the electric water pump 13 is turned off, and the process returns to step S3.
Here, the circulation of the cooling water 11 in the cooling water passage 12 is stopped by the OFF control of the electric water pump 13.

In step S6, following the determination of Cr1> T_INV in step S4, the electric water pump 13 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S7.
Here, when the electric water pump 13 is ON-controlled, the cooling water 11 circulates in the cooling water passage 12.

In step S7, following the ON control of the electric water pump 13 in step S6, the element temperature T_INV is detected by the inverter temperature sensor 31, and the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, it is determined whether or not the element temperature T_INV detected in step S7 exceeds the air conditioner cooling start criterion Cr2 (second threshold). If YES (Cr2> T_INV), the process proceeds to step S9, and NO (Cr2 If ≦ T_INV), the process returns to step S3.
Here, the air conditioner cooling start criterion Cr2 is set to an arbitrary temperature within a temperature range lower than the heat resistant upper limit temperature that the inverter element 41 can withstand and higher than the water cooling start criterion Cr1.

In step S9, following the determination of Cr2> T_INV in step S8, the electric compressor 23 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S10.
Here, when the electric compressor 23 is ON-controlled, the air conditioner refrigerant 21 circulates in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22.

In step S10, following the ON control of the electric compressor 23 in step S9, the element temperature T_INV is detected by the inverter temperature sensor 31, and the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the element temperature T_INV detected in step S10 exceeds the air conditioner cooling start criteria Cr2. If YES (Cr2> T_INV), the process proceeds to step S13, and if NO (Cr2 ≦ T_INV) Moves to step S12.

In step S12, following the determination of Cr2 ≦ T_INV in step S11, the electric compressor 23 is controlled to be OFF, and the process returns to step S3.
Here, when the electric compressor 23 is OFF-controlled, the circulation of the air-conditioner refrigerant 21 in the air-conditioner refrigerant path 22 is stopped.

In step S13, following the determination of Cr2> T_INV in step S11, it is determined whether or not the ignition key is OFF-controlled. If YES (ignition OFF), the process proceeds to step S14, and NO (ignition ON) is set. If so, the process returns to step S1.

In step S14, following the determination that the ignition is turned off in step S13, the electric water pump 13 and the electric compressor 23 are both turned off, and the process proceeds to the end to end the inverter cooling process.

Next, the operation of the inverter cooling device of the first embodiment will be described by dividing it into [inverter cooling operation] and [uniform cooling operation].

[Inverter cooling]
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the inverter cooling operation in the inverter cooling apparatus of the first embodiment.
To drive the electric motor 3 in the electric vehicle 2 according to the first embodiment, DC power output from the battery 5 is converted into three-phase AC by the inverter 4. And the electric power converted into three-phase alternating current from the inverter 4 is output to the electric motor 3, and the electric motor 3 is driven.

At this time, the temperature of the inverter element 41 of the inverter 4 (element temperature T_INV) gradually increases, and if the element temperature T_INV exceeds the heat-resistant upper limit temperature, a problem may occur in the inverter 4. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the inverter element 41 by the inverter cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment and suppress the increase in the element temperature T_INV.

In order to cool the inverter 4 in the inverter cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment, first, the process proceeds to step S1 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 to determine whether or not there is an air conditioning request (air conditioner request) in the passenger compartment R. If there is no air conditioning request, the process proceeds to step S2 to detect the element temperature T_INV. If the element temperature T_INV is equal to or lower than the water cooling start criteria Cr1, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S5, and the electric water pump 13 remains in the OFF control.

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 5, when the element temperature T_INV exceeds the water cooling start criteria Cr1 at time t1, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4 to step S6, and the electric water pump 13 is ON-controlled. Thereby, the electric water pump 13 is switched from the OFF control to the ON control, and the cooling water 11 starts to circulate in the cooling water path 12.
Due to the circulation of the cooling water 11, the cooling water 11 is air-cooled in the radiator 14 to be a low temperature, and heat exchange is performed between the air-cooled cooling water 11 and the inverter 4 in the first heat exchange unit 15A. The heat of the inverter 4 moves to the cooling water 11 and the inverter 4 is cooled.
In addition, the cooling water 11 heat-exchanged with the inverter 4 in the 1st heat exchange part 15A passes 1st cooling water path | route 12Ab of the outflow side of the cooling water 11, and heats with the electric motor 3 in the 2nd heat exchange part 15B. The electric motor 3 is cooled by replacement.

Thereafter, until the element temperature T_INV exceeds the air conditioner cooling start criterion Cr2, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S7 to step S8 to step S3, and cooling of the inverter 4 by the high-power system cooling circuit 10 is executed.

When the element temperature T_INV exceeds the air conditioner cooling start criteria Cr2 at time t2, the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8 to step S9, and the electric compressor 23 is ON-controlled. Thereby, the electric compressor 23 is switched from the OFF control to the ON control, and the air conditioner refrigerant 21 starts to circulate in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22 in addition to the circulation of the cooling water 11 in the cooling water path 12.
Due to the circulation of the air conditioner refrigerant 21, heat exchange is performed between the air conditioner refrigerant 21 that has passed through the evaporator 25 and the inverter 4 in the heat exchanging unit 26, and the heat of the inverter 4 moves to the air conditioner refrigerant 21. To be cooled.
That is, in the inverter 4, heat exchange with the cooling water 11 and the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is performed.

When the element temperature T_INV becomes equal to or lower than the air conditioner cooling start criterion Cr2 at time t3, the process proceeds to step S10 → step S11 → step S12 → step S3, and the electric compressor 23 is controlled to be OFF. As a result, the electric compressor 23 is switched from ON control to OFF control, and the circulation of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22 is stopped. At this time, since the electric water pump 13 remains ON-controlled, the cooling of the inverter 4 by heat exchange with the cooling water 11 continues to be executed.

Furthermore, when the element temperature T_INV becomes equal to or lower than the water cooling start criterion Cr1 at time t4, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4 to step S5, and the electric water pump 13 is controlled to be OFF. Thereby, the electric water pump 13 is switched from ON control to OFF control, and the circulation of the cooling water 11 in the cooling water path 12 is stopped.

Thus, in the inverter cooling device 1 of the first embodiment, both the cooling water 11 and the air conditioner refrigerant 21 are used for cooling the inverter 4. Thereby, even when the outside air temperature is high and the temperature of the cooling water 11 cannot be sufficiently lowered by the air cooling in the radiator 14, and the cooling effect by the cooling water 11 is small, the cooling effect by the air conditioner refrigerant 21 causes the inverter 4. Can be sufficiently cooled. That is, a sufficient cooling effect of the inverter 4 can be ensured regardless of the outside temperature. And even in heat-resistant conditions, the temperature rise of the inverter element 41 can be suppressed and the output of the electric motor 3 can be improved.

Further, in the inverter control device 1 according to the first embodiment, when the element temperature T_INV exceeds the water cooling start criteria Cr1, the electric water pump 13 is turned on to circulate the cooling water 11 through the cooling water path 12. When the element temperature T_INV exceeds the air conditioner cooling start criterion Cr2 set to a value higher than the water cooling start criterion Cr1, the electric compressor 23 is turned on to circulate the air conditioner refrigerant 21 in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22.
Thereby, the operating condition of the electric compressor 23 is limited, and the electric compressor 23 is ON-controlled only when the element temperature T_INV becomes higher, and the inverter cooling by the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is performed. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed.

[Uniform cooling]
FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a circulation direction in the inverter of the cooling water. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation direction of the air-conditioner refrigerant in the inverter. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow direction of the cooling water in the first heat exchanger provided in the cooling water path.

In the inverter cooling device 1 of the first embodiment, a plurality of inverter elements 41 are arranged along the thickness direction. And between the several inverter elements 41 arranged along this thickness direction, the 1st heat exchange part 15A of 12 A of 1st cooling water paths, and the heat exchange part 26 of 22 C of 3rd air-conditioner refrigerant | coolant paths are alternately carried out. It is arranged.

Thereby, the cooling effect of the inverter 4 by the cooling water 11 and the cooling effect of the inverter 4 by the air conditioner refrigerant 21 can be made uniform, and the occurrence of uneven cooling can be suppressed.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, among the side surfaces of the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along the thickness direction, the surface in contact with the thin plate portion 16 of the first heat exchange unit 15 A is cooled by the cooling water 11. Is done. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, among the side surfaces of the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along the thickness direction, the surface in contact with the thin plate portion 27 of the heat exchange unit 23 is cooled by the air conditioner refrigerant 21. .
Therefore, the cooling of the inverter 4 can be performed by dispersing the whole of the plurality of inverter elements 41, and the whole of the plurality of inverter elements 41 can be uniformly cooled.

Furthermore, in the inverter cooling device 1 of the first embodiment, the cooling water path 12 is interposed between the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along the thickness direction, and the inverter elements 41A located at both ends of the plurality of inverter elements 41. , 41B (see FIG. 3A).
Therefore, the cooling area by the cooling water 11 can be increased, and the cooling capacity by the cooling water 11 can be increased.

And in the inverter cooling device 1 of Example 1, in the 1st heat exchange part 15A, the 1st cooling water path 12Aa of the inflow side of the cooling water 11 is connected to the side surface upper part 16a of the thin plate part 16, and the outflow of the cooling water 11 The first cooling water passage 12 Ab on the side is connected to the lower side surface 16 b of the thin plate portion 16.

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the flow of the cooling water 11 is dispersed in the thin plate portion 16, and the entire temperature of the thin plate portion 16 becomes uniform. For this reason, heat exchange is performed uniformly over the entire side surface of the inverter element 41 in contact with the thin plate portion 16, and the entire inverter element 41 can be cooled uniformly.

7 shows only the first heat exchanging portion 15A, the same applies to the heat exchanging portion 26 provided in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22. The third air conditioner refrigerant path 22Ca on the inflow side of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is connected to the lower side surface 27a of the thin plate portion 27, and the third air conditioner refrigerant path 22Cb on the outflow side of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is connected to the upper side surface 27b of the thin plate portion 27. Therefore, the flow of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 is dispersed in the thin plate portion 27.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the inverter cooling device of Embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) an inverter 4 having a plurality of inverter elements 41 for exchanging DC power and AC power;
An air conditioning system 6 that circulates an air conditioning refrigerant (air conditioner refrigerant) 21 to perform air conditioning in the passenger compartment R;
An air-conditioning refrigerant path (air-conditioner refrigerant path) 22 through which the air-conditioning refrigerant 21 circulates and a cooling water path 12 through which air-cooled cooling water 11 circulates are provided in the inverter 4, and the air-conditioning refrigerant 21 and the cooling Inverter cooling means (inverter cooling device) 1 for cooling the inverter element 41 by circulating water 11 respectively;
It was set as the structure provided with.
Therefore, a sufficient inverter cooling effect can be ensured regardless of the outside air temperature.

(2) comprising element temperature detecting means (inverter temperature sensor) 31 for detecting the temperature of the inverter element 41;
When the temperature detected by the element temperature detecting means 31 exceeds a first threshold value (water cooling start criteria) Cr1, the inverter cooling means 1 circulates the cooling water 11 through the inverter cooling means 1, and the element temperature detecting means When the detected temperature of 31 exceeds a second threshold value (air conditioner cooling start criteria) Cr2 set to a value higher than the first threshold value Cr1, a cooling control means for circulating the air conditioning refrigerant 21 in the inverter cooling means 1 ( The cooling controller 30 is used.
For this reason, the operating conditions of the electric compressor 23 that circulates the air-conditioning refrigerant 21 are limited, and power consumption can be suppressed.

(3) The plurality of inverter elements 41 are arranged along a predetermined direction (thickness direction),
The inverter cooling means 1 is configured such that the cooling water passage 12 and the air conditioning refrigerant passage 22 are alternately arranged between the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along a predetermined direction.
For this reason, the cooling of the inverter 4 can be performed by dispersing the whole of the plurality of inverter elements 41, and the whole of the plurality of inverter elements 41 can be uniformly cooled.

(4) The inverter cooling means 1 includes the plurality of inverters arranged in the cooling water path 12 between the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along a predetermined direction and along the predetermined direction. The element 41 is disposed outside each of the

inverter elements

41A and 41B located at both ends,
The air conditioning refrigerant path 22 is configured to be disposed between the plurality of inverter elements 41 arranged along a predetermined direction.
For this reason, the cooling area by the cooling water 11 can be increased, and the cooling capacity by the cooling water 11 can be increased.

As mentioned above, although the inverter cooling device of this invention has been demonstrated based on Example 1, about a concrete structure, it is not restricted to this Example, The summary of the invention which concerns on each claim of a claim Unless it deviates, design changes and additions are allowed.

In the inverter 4 of the first embodiment, a plurality of inverter elements 41 are arranged in two rows along the width direction and are arranged so as to be stacked along the thickness direction. However, the arrangement state of the plurality of inverter elements 41 is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a plurality of inverter elements 41 may be arranged in two rows along the width direction, and may be arranged in a flat state on the same plane. In this case, the upper side surface of each inverter element 41 is covered with the first heat exchange unit 15 A provided in the cooling water path 12. Further, the lower surface of each inverter element 41 is covered with a heat exchanging portion 26 provided in the air conditioner refrigerant path 22.

Further, at this time, in the inverter 4, the flow direction of the cooling water 11 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 8B) flowing through the first heat exchanging portion 15 A of the cooling water passage 12 and the heat exchanging portion 26 of the air conditioning refrigerant passage 22. The flow direction of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 8B) is set in the opposite direction. Thereby, the whole several inverter element 41 can be cooled equally.

That is, the cooling water 11 that has flowed into the first heat exchanging section 15A exchanges heat with the inverter 4 while flowing from the first cooling water path 12Aa on the inflow side to the first cooling water path 12Ab on the outflow side.
For this reason, the temperature of the cooling water 11 gradually rises from the first cooling water path 12Aa on the inflow side toward the first cooling water path 12Ab on the outflow side. Accordingly, the cooling effect is lower on the downstream side (first cooling water passage 12Ab side) than the upstream side (first cooling water passage 12Aa side), and the temperature in the first heat exchange section 15A is lower. The distribution is uneven.

On the other hand, the same applies to the air conditioner refrigerant 21 that has flowed into the heat exchange section 26. As the heat exchange unit 26 moves from the inlet side toward the outlet side, the temperature of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 gradually increases, and the temperature distribution in the heat exchange unit 26 becomes uneven.

Here, by setting the flow direction of the cooling water 11 flowing through the first heat exchange unit 15A and the flow direction of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 flowing through the heat exchange unit 26 of the air conditioning refrigerant path 22 to the opposite directions, the cooling water 11 is set. The upstream side of the cooling water 11 faces the downstream side of the air conditioner refrigerant 21, and the downstream side of the cooling water 11 faces the upstream side of the air conditioner refrigerant 21. Therefore, the cooling effect can be made uniform regardless of the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that uneven temperature distribution in the first heat exchanging portion 15A and the heat exchanging portion 26 can be suppressed, and the entire plurality of inverter elements 41 can be uniformly cooled. can do.

In the inverter cooling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flow direction of the cooling water 11 and the flow direction of the air conditioner refrigerant 21 in the inverter 4 may be set in opposite directions.

Moreover, although the inverter cooling device 1 of Example 1 cools the vehicle-mounted inverter which outputs a voltage to the electric motor 3 for drive mounted in the electric vehicle 2, it is not restricted to this. You may cool the inverter which outputs a voltage to high frequency generators, such as an uninterruptible power supply and an electromagnetic cooker.
Furthermore, the air conditioning system 6 is not limited to the vehicle air conditioning system as shown in the first embodiment, and any air conditioning system having a so-called refrigeration cycle that circulates an air conditioning refrigerant to perform indoor air conditioning can be applied to the present invention. Can do.

And the substance used for the cooling water 11 and the air-conditioner refrigerant 21 is not limited to the above-mentioned substances, and an optimum material can be adopted as appropriate.

Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-224627 filed with the Japan Patent Office on October 12, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

An inverter having a plurality of inverter elements and exchanging DC power and AC power with each other;
An air conditioning system that circulates an air conditioning refrigerant to perform indoor air conditioning;
An air conditioning refrigerant path through which the air-conditioning refrigerant circulates and a cooling water path through which air-cooled cooling water circulates are provided in the inverter, and the air-conditioning refrigerant and the cooling water are circulated, thereby the inverter element being circulated. Inverter cooling means for cooling;
An inverter cooling device comprising:
In the inverter cooling device according to claim 1,
Comprising element temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inverter element;
The inverter cooling means circulates the cooling water to the inverter cooling means when the detected temperature of the element temperature detecting means exceeds a first threshold value, and the detected temperature of the element temperature detecting means is higher than the first threshold value. An inverter cooling device comprising cooling control means for circulating the air-conditioning refrigerant in the inverter cooling means when a second threshold value set in the value is exceeded.
In the inverter cooling device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of inverter elements are arranged along a predetermined direction,
The inverter cooling device is characterized in that the cooling water path and the air conditioning refrigerant path are alternately arranged between the plurality of inverter elements arranged along a predetermined direction.
In the inverter cooling device according to claim 3,
The inverter cooling means is configured to position the cooling water path between the plurality of inverter elements arranged along a predetermined direction and at both ends of the plurality of inverter elements arranged along a predetermined direction. Arranged on the outside of each inverter element to be
The inverter cooling apparatus, wherein the air conditioning refrigerant path is disposed between the plurality of inverter elements arranged along a predetermined direction.
In the inverter cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The inverter cooling means sets, in the inverter, a flow direction of the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage and a flow direction of the air-conditioning refrigerant flowing through the air-conditioning refrigerant passage in opposite directions. Inverter cooling device.