Current-carrying member and electric wire

Abstract

To provide a current-carrying member and an electric wire capable of suppressing an increase in conductor temperature by making use of heat emitted by the conductor itself.SOLUTION: A current-carrying member includes: a bus bar 1; a thermoelectric element 3, which is mounted on a conductor 1 such that a heat-absorbing surface 3A is in contact with a heat-generating surface of the bus bar and a heat-radiating surface 3B faces the outside air, and which produces electric power using the temperature difference between the heat-absorbing surface and the heat-radiating surface; and a cooling fan 4, which is driven by the electric power produced by the thermoelectric element and cools the bus bar by allowing cooling air S to flow through a flow path secured between the bus bar and an exterior member 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a current-carrying member and an electric wire capable of mitigating a temperature rise in a conductor when a large current flows. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric wires and bus bars used as wiring materials for passing current in the drive system of an electric vehicle need to pass a larger current through the conductor than when they are used as wiring materials for distributing current from a low-voltage power source to auxiliary equipment on the vehicle, and the conductor generates more heat. For bus bars and electric wires through which such large currents pass, measures are desired to prevent the heat generation of the conductor itself, which is a current-carrying material.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been known to utilize the temperature difference power generation function (Seebeck effect) of a thermoelectric element (for example, a Peltier element) to drive a cooling fan and cool a space to be cooled (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-28878 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, the cooling target is not vehicle wiring materials such as bus bars and electric wires, and it is difficult to say that a configuration for cooling bus bars and electric wires has been sufficiently considered.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an electrically conductive member and an electric wire that can suppress a rise in temperature of a conductor by utilizing the heat generated by the conductor itself, without using external electric power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the current-carrying member and the electric wire according to the present invention have the following features.

[0008] A conductor; a thermoelectric element that is placed on the conductor with its heat absorbing surface in contact with the heat generating surface of the conductor and its heat dissipating surface exposed to the outside air, and that generates electricity due to a temperature difference between the heat absorbing surface and the heat dissipating surface; a coolant flow means driven by the electric power generated by the thermoelectric element to flow a coolant and cool the conductor by the flow of the coolant; A current-carrying member comprising:

[0009] An electric wire constructed using the above-mentioned conductive member. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a current-carrying member and an electric wire capable of suppressing a rise in the temperature of a conductor without requiring external power for cooling.

[0011] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view and a horizontal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a current-carrying member M1 in the first embodiment. 1 is arranged in, for example, a vehicle. When the busbar 1 is used as a conductive material that passes a large current between two points A and B, such as between a high-voltage battery and a drive unit of an electric vehicle, heat generation due to its own electrical resistance increases more than when a current is passed between a low-voltage battery and an auxiliary device.

[0015] Therefore, a thermoelectric element 3 having a temperature difference power generation function by the Seebeck effect is placed on the heat generating surface of the busbar 1. The thermoelectric element 3 is, for example, a Peltier element. The thermoelectric element 3 is arranged so that its heat absorbing surface 3A is in close contact with the heat generating surface of the busbar 1 and its heat dissipating surface 3B faces the outside air. A heat sink 7 is placed on the heat dissipating surface 3B of the thermoelectric element 3 with its heat absorbing surface in close contact with the heat dissipating surface 3B. This promotes heat dissipation from the heat dissipating surface 3B of the thermoelectric element 3. By placing the thermoelectric element 3 on the heat generating surface of the busbar 1 in this way, the thermoelectric element 3 generates power due to the temperature difference between the heat absorbing surface 3A and the heat dissipating surface 3B, and supplies the generated power to the outside via the wiring 5.

[0016] An end of the wiring 5 is connected to a motor of the cooling fan 4. Electricity generated by the thermoelectric element is supplied to the motor of the cooling fan 4 via the wiring 5. The cooling fan 4 generates cooling air S to cool the busbar 1.

[0017] The busbar 1 is provided with an exterior material 2 that covers the outer periphery of the busbar 1, and cooling air S flows through a flow path 6 secured between the exterior material 2 and the busbar 1, thereby cooling the busbar 1. The flow path 6 between the exterior material 2 and the busbar 1 is basically closed except for an inlet 6B and an outlet 6A, and outside air (air) that becomes the cooling air S is taken into the flow path 6 from the inlet 6B where the cooling fan 4 is arranged, and flows from the inlet 6B side toward the outlet 6A. The outlet 6A is an exhaust port for the cooling air that has absorbed heat, and is preferably provided at an end of the busbar 1, but the installation location is not particularly limited. Examples of the exterior material 2 include a corrugated tube, a cylindrical cover, and a covering material.

[0018] Due to the flow of the cooling air S, the temperature of the busbar 1 becomes low at the end 1B on the inlet 6B side and high at the end 1A on the outlet 6A side. For this reason, the thermoelectric element 3 is disposed at a position close to the end 1A on the high temperature side and away from the cooling fan 4. Note that the busbar 1 is not limited to a linear shape and can adopt various shapes, but it is desirable that the position where the thermoelectric element 3 is disposed is as far away as possible from the position where the cooling fan 4 takes in outside air (the inlet 6B of the flow path 6). In this embodiment, the refrigerant is air and the refrigerant flow means is the cooling fan 4.

[0019] According to the above configuration, heat generated by the busbar 1 itself, which is the main body of the conductive material, is utilized to cause the thermoelectric element 3 to generate electricity, and the generated electricity is used to drive the cooling fan 4 to cool the busbar 1. Therefore, an increase in temperature of the busbar 1 can be suppressed without requiring external power for cooling. In addition, since the cooling capacity is automatically controlled according to the amount of heat generated by the busbar 1, there is no need to provide a complicated control device.

[0020] By providing such a cooling function, it is possible to use a busbar 1 with a smaller cross-sectional area than if the busbar did not have this cooling function, thereby achieving weight reduction, cost reduction, and reduced environmental impact.

[0021] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the heat sink 7 is disposed on the heat dissipation surface 3B of the thermoelectric element 3, the temperature difference between the heat absorption surface 3A and the heat dissipation surface 3B of the thermoelectric element 3 can be made large, and the power generation capacity of the thermoelectric element 3 can be increased. Furthermore, since the cooling fan 4 is driven using the power generated by the thermoelectric element 3 to air-cool the busbar 1, a temperature rise in the busbar 1 can be suppressed with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the cooling air S is caused to flow through the flow path 6 secured between the exterior material 2 and the busbar 1, the busbar 1 can be cooled efficiently.

[0022] <Second embodiment> FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a current-carrying member M2 in the second embodiment. In a current-carrying member M2 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a groove 11a is provided in the outer surface of a busbar (conductor) 11, and a flow path 6 for the flow of cooling air S is secured between this groove 11a and a covering material (exterior material) 12 covering the outer periphery of the busbar 11. The presence of groove 11a in the outer surface of the busbar 11 allows covering material 12 to be provided in close contact with the outer surface of the busbar 11. The other configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] In this current-carrying member M2, the cooling air S generated by the cooling fan 4 flows from the inlet 6B side to the outlet 6A (exhaust port) side of the flow path 6 to cool the busbar 11. Therefore, the end 11B on the inlet 6B side of the busbar 11 becomes the low temperature side, and the end 11A on the outlet 6A side of the busbar 11 becomes the high temperature side. Other functions and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0024] <Third embodiment> FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a current-carrying member M3 in the third embodiment. In the current-carrying member M3 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, instead of securing a flow path along the busbar 21 through which the cooling air S flows, a cooling fan 4 is disposed at a position away from the thermoelectric element 3 to air-cool the busbar 21 at a position away from the thermoelectric element 3. The cooling fan 4 is disposed so as to locally cool a part of the busbar 21, like the cooling structure of a CPU of a computer. That is, a heat sink 27 that absorbs heat of the busbar 21 and releases it to the outside air is disposed between the busbar 21 and the cooling fan 4, and the cooling fan 4 is provided so as to circulate the cooling air S through the cooling fins of the heat sink 27. The arrangement of the thermoelectric element 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Since the exterior material 22 does not secure a flow path between the busbar 21 and the exterior material 22, any exterior material may be used.

[0025] In this current-carrying member M3, like the cooling structure of a computer CPU, a part of the busbar 21 can be efficiently cooled by blowing air from the cooling fan 4 against the cooling fins of the heat sink 27. By locally cooling a part of the busbar 21, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise in other parts of the busbar 21 by utilizing thermal conduction. In addition, since the thermoelectric element 3 and the cooling fan 4 are positioned apart, it is possible to obtain a cooling effect for the busbar 21 while maximizing the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric element 3. Therefore, one end 21B of the busbar 21 where the cooling fan 4 is arranged is the low temperature side, and the other end 21A of the busbar 21 where the thermoelectric element 3 is arranged is the high temperature side.

[0026] <Fourth embodiment> FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view and a horizontal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a current-carrying member M4 in the fourth embodiment. 4, a liquid such as water is used as a coolant. For this reason, a water-cooled jacket 33 is provided along the outer periphery of the bus bar 31. A coolant circulation path 36 including the water-cooled jacket 33 is provided with a heat dissipation heat exchanger 35 that dissipates heat absorbed by the cooling water flowing through the water-cooled jacket 33 to the outside, and a circulation pump 34 that circulates the cooling water.

[0027] In addition, the power generated by the thermoelectric element 3 is used to drive the circulation pump 34. Since the low temperature side 31B and the high temperature side 31A of the busbar 31 are determined by the arrangement of the water-cooling jacket 33, the thermoelectric element 3 is arranged in a position close to the high temperature side 31A. In this case, the exterior material 32 should be arranged so as not to interfere with the installation of the water-cooling jacket 33.

[0028] According to the fourth embodiment, the bus bar 31 is water-cooled using the electric power generated by the thermoelectric element 3, so that a high cooling effect can be achieved.

[0029] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0030] For example, in the above first and second embodiments, by arranging an electric wire using the conductive member M1 or the conductive member M2 in the vehicle so that the outlet 6A, which serves as an exhaust port, is positioned higher than the inlet 6B, the cooling air S that has absorbed the heat of the busbar 1 within the flow path 6 and is heated tends to flow naturally toward the outlet 6A.

[0031] Moreover, the current-carrying member in each of the above-described embodiments may, for example, constitute a part of an electric wire having connectors on both ends.

[0032] Here, the features of the current-carrying members and electric wires according to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [8]. [1] Conductors (1, 11, 21, 31) and a thermoelectric element (3) that is placed on the conductor with its heat absorbing surface (3A) in contact with the heat generating surface of the conductor and its heat dissipating surface (3B) exposed to the outside air, and that generates electricity due to the temperature difference between the heat absorbing surface and the heat dissipating surface; a coolant flow means (4, 34) driven by the electric power generated by the thermoelectric element to flow a coolant and cool the conductor by the flow of the coolant; Equipped with Current carrying parts (M1, M2, M3, M4).

[0033] According to the current-carrying member having the configuration [1] above, the heat generated by the conductor (1, 11, 21, 31) itself, which is the main body of the current-carrying material, is used to generate electricity in the thermoelectric element (3), and the generated electricity is used to flow the refrigerant and cool the conductor. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the conductor without requiring external electricity for cooling. In addition, since the cooling capacity is automatically controlled according to the amount of heat generated by the conductor, there is no need to provide complex control parts.

[0034] [2] A heat sink (7) is disposed on the heat dissipation surface (3B) of the thermoelectric element. The conductive member (M1, M2, M3, M4) described in [1] above.

[0035] According to the electrically conductive member having the configuration [2] above, a heat sink (7) is arranged on the heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric element, so that the temperature difference between the heat absorption surface and the heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric element can be made large, thereby increasing the power generation capacity of the thermoelectric element.

[0036] [3] The refrigerant is air, and the refrigerant flow means is a cooling fan (4) that circulates cooling air. The conductive member (M1, M2, M3) described in [1] above.

[0037] According to the current-carrying member having the configuration [3] above, the power generated by the thermoelectric element is used to drive the cooling fan (4) to air-cool the conductor, so that a temperature rise in the conductor can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0038] [4] An exterior material (2, 12) is provided to cover the conductor, and a flow path (6) through which the cooling air flows is formed between the conductor and the exterior material. The conductive member (M1, M2) described in [3] above.

[0039] According to the current-carrying member having the configuration [4] above, cooling air is caused to flow through the flow path (6) secured between the exterior material and the conductor, so that the conductor can be cooled efficiently.

[0040] [5] A cooling fan (4) is disposed at a position away from the thermoelectric element (3) to air-cool the conductor (21) at a position away from the thermoelectric element. The conductive member (M3) described in [3] above.

[0041] According to the current-carrying member having the configuration [5] above, by locally cooling a part of the conductor with the cooling fan (4), like the cooling structure of a computer CPU, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of other parts of the conductor by utilizing thermal conduction. Here, since the thermoelectric element and the cooling fan are positioned apart, it is possible to obtain the cooling effect of the conductor while maximizing the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric element.

[0042] [6] A heat sink (27) that absorbs heat from the conductor (21) and releases it to the outside air is disposed between the conductor (21) and the cooling fan (4), and the cooling fan (4) is provided to circulate cooling air through the cooling fins of the heat sink. The conductive member (M3) described in [5] above.

[0043] According to the current-carrying member having the configuration [6] above, the wind from the cooling fan (4) is directed onto the cooling fins of the heat sink (27), like the cooling structure for a computer CPU, so that the conductor can be cooled efficiently.

[0044] [7] The conductor (31) is provided with a water-cooled jacket (33) for cooling the conductor, A refrigerant circulation path (36) of the water-cooling jacket, a heat dissipation heat exchanger (35) that dissipates heat absorbed by the cooling water flowing through the water-cooling jacket to the outside, and a circulation pump (34) that circulates the cooling water, The circulation pump (34) constitutes the refrigerant flow means, and the cooling water constitutes the refrigerant. The conductive member (M4) described in [1] above.

[0045] According to the current-carrying member having the configuration [7] above, the conductor is water-cooled using the electric power generated by the thermoelectric element, so that a high cooling effect can be achieved.

[0046] [8] An electric wire constructed using the conductive member described in any one of [1] to [7] above.

[0047] According to the electric wire having the configuration [8] above, even when the electric wire is arranged in a vehicle and a large current flows through the drive system, the temperature rise of the conductive members constituting the electric wire can be suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] M1, M2, M3, M4 Current carrying parts 1, 11, 21, 31 Busbar (conductor) 2, 12, 22, 32 Exterior materials (covering materials) 3 Thermoelectric elements 3A Endothermic surface 3B Heat radiation surface 4 Cooling fan (refrigerant flow means) 7, 27 Heat sink 34 Circulation pump (refrigerant flow means) 35 Radiation heat exchanger 36 Refrigerant circulation path S Cooling air (refrigerant)

Claims

1. A conductor; a thermoelectric element that is placed on the conductor with its heat absorbing surface in contact with the heat generating surface of the conductor and its heat dissipating surface exposed to the outside air, and that generates electricity due to a temperature difference between the heat absorbing surface and the heat dissipating surface; a coolant flow means driven by the electric power generated by the thermoelectric element to flow a coolant and cool the conductor by the flow of the coolant; Equipped with Electrically conductive material.

2. A heat sink is disposed on the heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric element. The current-carrying member according to claim 1 .

3. The refrigerant is air, and the refrigerant flow means is a cooling fan that circulates cooling air. The current-carrying member according to claim 1 .

4. An exterior material is provided to cover the conductor, and a flow path for the cooling air is formed between the conductor and the exterior material. The current-carrying member according to claim 3 .

5. A cooling fan is disposed at a position away from the thermoelectric element to air-cool the conductor at a position away from the thermoelectric element. The current-carrying member according to claim 3 .

6. A heat sink that absorbs heat from the conductor and releases it to the outside air is disposed between the conductor and the cooling fan, and the cooling fan is provided to circulate cooling air through the cooling fins of the heat sink. The current-carrying member according to claim 5 .

7. The conductor is provided with a water-cooled jacket for cooling the conductor; The refrigerant circulation path of the water-cooled jacket includes: a heat dissipation heat exchanger that dissipates heat absorbed by the cooling water flowing through the water-cooled jacket to the outside, and a circulation pump that circulates the cooling water; The circulation pump constitutes the refrigerant flow means, and the cooling water constitutes the refrigerant. The current-carrying member according to claim 1 .

8. An electric wire formed using the current-carrying member according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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