Power module assembly and fixing device adapted thereto

Abstract

A power module assembly includes a power module, a fixing device, and at least one fixing member. The power module has a housing, and the housing has a protrusion. The fixing device is disposed on the protrusion. The fixing device includes at least one fixing part, a first engaging part and a second engaging part, and a plurality of connecting parts. The first engaging part and the second engaging part are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the at least one fixing part to engage with opposite ends of the protrusion. The plurality of connecting parts are disposed between the at least one fixing part and the first engaging part and the second engaging part. The at least one fixing member is used to fix the at least one fixing part, thereby fixing the power module to another device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to a power module assembly and a suitable mounting device thereof, and more particularly to a power module assembly that can effectively achieve good mounting and a suitable mounting device thereof. Prior Technology

[0002] Generally speaking, power modules generate a lot of heat during operation, so they need to be cooled. For example, heat can be dissipated by contacting heat dissipation elements / heat dissipation devices and / or contacting the heat dissipation module in the system, so as to improve the reliability and durability of the power module.

[0003] Therefore, the fixation between the power module and the heat dissipation component / device / module directly affects the heat dissipation efficiency of the power module, and thus its operational performance. Thus, achieving an effective and reliable fixation between the power module and the heat dissipation component / device / module to increase heat dissipation efficiency is a crucial issue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a power module assembly and a suitable mounting device thereon to address the deficiencies of prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a power module assembly, comprising a power module, a fixing device, and at least one fixing member. The power module has a housing, and the housing has a protrusion. The fixing device is disposed on the protrusion. The fixing device includes at least one fixing portion, a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, and a plurality of connecting portions. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the at least one fixing portion to engage with opposite ends of the protrusion. The plurality of connecting portions are disposed between the at least one fixing portion and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The at least one fixing member is used to fix the at least one fixing portion, thereby fixing the power module to another device.

[0006] In one embodiment, when at least one fastener secures at least one fastener, the power module of the fastening device provides a force toward another device.

[0007] In one embodiment, each of the at least one fixing portion includes a through hole, and each of the at least one fixing member passes through the through hole and is fixed to another device.

[0008] In one embodiment, the protrusion is implemented as a plurality of protrusions, the fixing device is implemented as a plurality of fixing devices, and the plurality of fixing devices are respectively disposed on the plurality of protrusions.

[0009] In one embodiment, the protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions and a space between adjacent protrusions, wherein a plurality of connecting portions are respectively disposed on the plurality of protrusions, and each of the at least one fixing portion is respectively disposed in the space.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion respectively engage the two outermost protrusions among a plurality of protrusions.

[0011] In one embodiment, the two opposite distal sides of the two oppositely outer protrusions of the plurality of protrusions respectively include a locking structure, and the first locking part and the second locking part respectively include a locking member, which engages the locking structure accordingly, so that the fixing device is combined with the two oppositely outer protrusions of the plurality of protrusions.

[0012] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of protrusions includes an extension and a stop, and each of the plurality of connecting portions is disposed on the extension of the corresponding protrusion and rests on the extension by means of the stop.

[0013] In one embodiment, the opposite ends of the protrusion respectively include a locking structure, and the first locking part and the second locking part respectively include a locking member, which engages the locking structure to make the fixing device combine with the protrusion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the protrusion includes an extension and a stop, and a plurality of connecting portions disposed on the extension and held on the extension by means of the stop.

[0015] In one embodiment, the protrusion includes at least one through portion for at least one fastener to pass through and be secured to another device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the protrusion and the housing are integrally formed.

[0017] In one embodiment, the housing of the power module includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to each other, and at least one side surface connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the lower surface faces another device, and a protrusion is provided on one of the at least one side surface.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least one fixing part is located on a first plane, a plurality of connecting parts are located on a second plane, and the distance between the first plane and the lower surface is less than or equal to the distance between the second plane and the lower surface.

[0019] In one embodiment, the power module includes a plurality of pins protruding from the upper surface.

[0020] In one embodiment, the fixing device further includes at least one support member disposed on at least one of the plurality of connecting portions.

[0021] To achieve the above objectives, this invention also provides a fixing device, which is disposed on a protrusion of a power module and fixed by at least one fixing member, thereby fixing the power module to another device. The fixing device includes at least one fixing part, a first engaging part and a second engaging part, and a plurality of connecting parts. The first engaging part and the second engaging part are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the at least one fixing part to engage with opposite ends of the protrusion. The plurality of connecting parts are disposed between the at least one fixing part and the first engaging part and the second engaging part. The at least one fixing member is used to fix the at least one fixing part, thereby fixing the power module to another device.

[0022] In one embodiment, when at least one fastener secures at least one fastening portion, the fastening device applies a force to the power module toward another device.

[0023] In the power module assembly of this case, the housing of the power module is provided with an additional protrusion for mounting a fixing device. The fixing member passes through the fixing device and is fixed to another device, such as a heat dissipation module / device, so as to achieve a more stable fixation between the power module and the other device. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0024] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the power module assembly according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 3A shows a schematic diagram of a power module according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 3B shows a top view of the power module according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 4A shows a schematic diagram of the fixing device according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 4B shows a side view of the fixing device according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of plane A-A' in Figure 1. Figure 6A shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6B shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to another embodiment of this case. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0025] Some typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention can have various variations in different forms, but none of them depart from the scope of the present invention, and the descriptions and illustrations herein are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the present invention.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power module assembly 1 of the present invention includes a power module 10, a mounting device 20, and a fastener 30. The power module 10 is combined with the mounting device 20 and fixed to another device (not shown) via the fastener 30, for example, fixed to a heat dissipation element / heat dissipation device, or fixed to a heat dissipation module in the system to achieve a heat dissipation effect. For example, the power module 10 may be a power module for an onboard charger, which is combined with the mounting device 20 and then fixed to the system housing by the fastener 30, thereby utilizing the cooling module in the system for heat dissipation. However, it is not limited to this, the power module 10 may also be a power module in other systems / devices / appliances. In other words, in the power module assembly 1 of this case, the effective and good fixation between the power module 10 and another device is achieved through the combined action of the fixing device 20 and the fixing member 30 set on the outside of the power module 10.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 through 5. Figure 3A shows a schematic diagram of a power module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3B shows a top view of a power module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4A shows a schematic diagram of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4B shows a side view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view along plane A-A' in Figure 1. The power module 10 includes a housing 101 and a connector 102. The housing 101 has an upper surface 103 and a lower surface 104 opposite to each other, and a side surface 105 connecting the upper surface 103 and the lower surface 104. The connector 102 protrudes from the upper surface 103. The lower surface 104 faces the device on which the power module 10 is to be disposed, for example, the lower surface 104 faces the heat dissipation device / heat dissipation module. In this embodiment, the housing 101 is generally implemented as a cuboid, and therefore has four side surfaces 105; in other embodiments, the housing of the power module may also be implemented in other shapes, and the number of side surfaces may vary depending on the actual implementation.

[0028] In the embodiments described in Figures 1 to 5, the housing 101 includes two protrusions 110, located on opposite side surfaces 105. The protrusions 110 can be integrally formed as part of the housing 101, or they can be attached to the housing 101; there are no limitations. The protrusions 110 are used to mount the fixing device 20, which is then fixed by the fixing member 30. Therefore, when a fixing force is formed between the fixing member 30 and the lower device, the power module 10 can also be fixed to the lower device. To achieve a balanced and evenly applied force, symmetrical arrangement of the protrusions is preferred, but this is not a limitation and can be varied according to the actual usage. For example, depending on the different systems in which the power module is applied and its location within those systems, the surrounding components and modules also differ. Therefore, the number, position, size, and / or shape of the protrusions can be varied according to changes in the actual spatial configuration to achieve effective and good fixation of the power module; there are no limitations. For ease of understanding, the following description is based on a symmetrical convex body, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. This is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of this case.

[0029] In this embodiment, the protruding body 110 includes a plurality of protrusions 120, and a space 130 is provided between each protrusion 120. Each protrusion 120 includes an extension 121 and a stop 122. A fixing device 20 is correspondingly disposed on the protruding body 110. The fixing device 20 includes a fixing part 210, a connecting part 220, and a engaging part 230. The fixing part 210 corresponds to the space 130 between the protrusions 120, and the engaging part 230 engages with the extension 121 to fix the fixing device 20 to the protruding body 110. The connecting part 220 connects the fixing part 210 and the engaging part 230 and is disposed on the extension 121. The stop 122 is used to keep the connecting part 220 on the extension 121, preventing the fixing device 20 from detaching from the protruding body 110. Furthermore, the fixing part 210 has a through hole 211 for the fixing member 30 to pass through. In this configuration, when the fastener 30 passes through the space 130 and through the through hole 211 of the fixing part 210 to form a fixing force with the device below, the fixing force can be transmitted to the power module 10 through the fixing device 20 that contacts the fastener 30, thereby achieving the effect of fixing the power module 10.

[0030] Since the two protrusions 120 on each side surface 105 are symmetrically arranged in this embodiment, the fixing device 20 also adopts a symmetrical structure. That is, the fixing part 210 is located in the center, and the engaging parts 230 are respectively provided on both sides, with the connecting part 220 disposed between the fixing part 210 and the engaging part 230. However, it is not limited to this. The number and relative position of the fixing part 210, the connecting part 220 and the engaging part 230 of the fixing device 20 can be varied according to the protrusion 110, and correspondingly, the number of fixing members 30 can also be varied accordingly.

[0031] In other words, the fixing device mainly uses the engaging parts at both ends to engage with the opposite ends of the protrusions, or the opposite far sides of multiple protrusions. The configuration of the fixing parts and connecting parts between the engaging parts can be changed according to the changes of the protrusions and protrusions. As long as it can be fixed to the device located below the power module by using fasteners, there are no restrictions, and all of them fall within the scope of this case.

[0032] In some embodiments, the fastening device 20 is made of an elastic material, such as an elastic metal sheet or an elastic plastic sheet, so that the material elasticity provides temporary deformation to allow the engaging portion 230 to engage with the extension 121. In other embodiments, the protrusion 120 is detachable from the housing 101, or the stop portion 122 of the protrusion 120 is detachable, so that the fastening device 20 can be mounted on the protrusion 120. In this case, a wider range of materials can be used for the fastening device 20.

[0033] To achieve fixation with the protrusion 120, the engaging portions 230 at both ends can extend downward to the bottom of the extension 121 of each protrusion 120. Preferably, the bottom of the extension 121 is made higher than the lower surface 104 of the housing 101 to provide space for accommodating the engaging portion 230 and prevent the engaging portion 230 from affecting the flat arrangement between the lower surface 104 and the device below. Furthermore, the extension 121 may be provided with an engaging structure 1211, and the engaging portion 230 may include an engaging member 231 to improve the fixing effect through the mutual engagement between the engaging structure 1211 and the engaging member 231. For example, the engaging structure 1211 may be implemented as forming a groove on the extension 121 with an opening facing the lower surface 104, and the engaging member 231 may be implemented as a bent section at the end of the engaging portion 230 that can be engaged into the groove.

[0034] In addition to being separately disposed on the side surface 105, the protrusions 120 in the protrusion 110 can also be connected to each other. For example, the protrusion can be disposed on the side surface 105 with an n-shaped form, and a space can be left between the protrusions.

[0035] The shape of the fixing device 20 is configured to generally conform to the undulations of the protrusion 120 and the space 130. In this embodiment, the fixing part 210 located within the space 130 is configured to be approximately close to the lower surface 104, while the portion of the connecting part 220 that adheres to the extension 121 is approximately parallel and higher than the plane where the fixing part 210 is located. In other words, if the plane where the fixing part 210 is located is a first plane and the plane where the connecting part 220 is located is a second plane, the distance between the first plane and the lower surface 104 is less than the distance between the second plane and the lower surface 104. When the fixing member 30 passes through the fixing part 210 and is fixed to the lower device, the downward fixing force generated by the fixing member 30 can be transmitted to the connecting part 220 through the fixing part 210 to apply a downward force to the extension 121. In addition, the extension 121 engages with the engaging part 230, so the power module 10 can be fixed by the fixing device 20 due to the downward force of the fixing member 30. In other embodiments, the planes on which the connecting part 220 and the fixing part 210 are located may not be parallel to each other, as long as the downward fixing force of the fixing member 30 can be transmitted to the power module 10, there are no restrictions.

[0036] In one embodiment, a gap H1 is provided between the fixing part 210 and the lower surface 104. This gap H1 provides space for the fixing part 210 to move slightly when the fixing member 30 passes through the through hole 211 and is fixed to the lower device. When the fixing member 30 applies downward force, this gap H1 allows the fixing part 210 to move downward due to the applied force, thereby increasing the force applied by the connecting part 220 on the extension 121, and increasing the overall downward pressure to fix the power module 10 to the lower device, which helps to achieve a more stable fixation. In another embodiment, the connecting part 220 is further provided with an adjustment hole 221, which can be used to adjust the structural strength of the connecting part 220 and increase the range of deformation that the connecting part 220 can produce. For example, during the downward force applied by the fixing member 30, the distance H2 between the connecting part 220 and the fixing part 210 can change slightly, which also helps the fixing part 210 to move downward, thereby achieving a more stable fixation. The spacing H1 and / or the adjustment hole 221 are designed to give the fixing device 20 greater deformation elasticity to improve the fixing effect. Therefore, the size of the spacing H1 and the shape, number and setting position of the adjustment hole 221 can be varied according to the actual implementation situation without limitation.

[0037] According to other aspects of the concept, the protrusions in the power module assembly can be implemented in other forms. Please refer to Figure 6A, which shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to another embodiment of the concept. In this embodiment, the power module assembly 1' includes a power module 10', a fixing device 20', and a fixing member 30'. Unlike the previous embodiment, the protrusions 110' provided on the housing 101' are each implemented as a single protrusion. Therefore, the fixing device 20' also changes its shape accordingly to match the single protrusion 110'. In other words, in this embodiment, the distance between the first plane where the fixing part 210' is located and the lower surface 104' is approximately equal to the distance between the second plane where the connecting part 220' is located and the lower surface 104. In this case, the protrusion 110' is further provided with a through portion (not shown) corresponding to the fastener 30', so that the fastener 30' can pass through and be fixed to the device located below; and similarly, the fixing device 20' has a through hole corresponding to the through portion, so that the fastener 30' can pass through. The downward fixing force generated by the fastener 30' can fix the power module 10' downward through the fixing device 20'.

[0038] In another embodiment, a single protrusion may also be implemented to include multiple through portions, and the corresponding fastening device may have multiple through holes for multiple fasteners to pass through, further increasing the fastening force with the device below, which is particularly helpful in providing a balanced fastening force when the area of ​​the power module is large.

[0039] In another embodiment, the protrusions on a single side surface include more than two protrusions, forming a plurality of spaced spaces. For example, it can be implemented with three protrusions and two spaced spaces, as shown in Figure 6B. The power module assembly 1” includes a power module 10”, a fixing device 20”, and a fixing member 30”, wherein the protrusions 110” disposed on the housing 101” are each implemented with three protrusions 120”, forming two spaced spaces 130”. Therefore, correspondingly, the fixing device 20” includes two fixing parts 210”, corresponding to the two spaced spaces 130”; three connecting parts 220”, respectively disposed on the three protrusions 120”; and two engaging parts 230”, respectively engaging the two opposite distal sides of the three protrusions 120”. This provides two fixing members 30” passing through the fixing parts 210”, increasing the fixing force with the device below, and also helps to provide a balanced fixing force when the area of ​​the power module is large.

[0040] In another embodiment, different implementations of a single protrusion or a protrusion with multiple protrusions on a single side surface can also be used in combination on the same power module. That is, different forms of protrusions and / or different numbers of protrusions are provided on different side surfaces. Therefore, they can all be varied according to the actual use and are not limited to the drawings.

[0041] Therefore, any device that has a protrusion on the housing, for example, is integrally formed or a combination of both, and that has a matching structure with the fixing device, and can be fixed to the lower device by a fastener to provide downward force to the protrusion and the overall power module, thereby achieving effective and good fixation between the power module and the lower device, falls within the scope of this application. Corresponding structural changes between the protrusion, the fixing device, and the fastener, as well as structural changes in the housing corresponding to the lower device, can be adapted to changes in actual application requirements without falling outside the scope of this application.

[0042] Next, please refer to Figures 4A and 7. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a power module assembly according to another embodiment of this invention. The fixing device 20 may further include a support member 40, for example, the support member 40 is fixed by providing a support hole 222 on the connecting portion 220. The support member 40 serves to maintain the space above the power module 10 to prevent the power module 10 from being squeezed; on the other hand, when necessary, the support member 40 can also provide the function of fixing objects above it, for example, providing a locking function. Therefore, the position of the support hole 222 and the form of the support member 40 can be changed according to needs to achieve the best use effect.

[0043] In summary, this invention utilizes an external fixing device to enhance the stability of the power module's connection to another device, such as a heat dissipation module / device. The fixing device is located on a protrusion on the power module's housing surface, allowing for adjustments to the number, position, shape, and size of the protrusion and fixing device to suit various usage scenarios and achieve optimal fixation.

[0044] It should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments for illustrative purposes, and the scope of this application is not limited to the described embodiments. The scope of this application is determined by the claims of the appended patent application. Furthermore, this application may be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art, but all such modifications shall not depart from the protection sought by the claims of the appended patent application.

[0045] 1, 1', 1”: Power module set 10, 10', 10”: Power Module 20, 20', 20”: Fixing device 30, 30', 30”: Fasteners 40: Support component 101, 101', 101”: Shell 102: Foot Connection 103: Upper surface 104, 104': Lower surface 105: Side surface 110, 110', 110”: Protruding body 120, 120”: protruding part 121: Extension 1211: Interlocking Structure 122: Stop section 130, 130”: Spacing 210, 210', 210”: Fixed part 211: Through hole 221: Adjustment hole 222: Support hole 220, 220', 220”: Connecting parts 230, 230”: Card-shaped section 231: Card assembly A-A': Cross-section H1: Spacing H2: Distance

Claims

1. A power module assembly, comprising: a power module having a housing and a protrusion thereon; a fixing device disposed on the protrusion, the fixing device comprising: at least one fixing portion; a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion respectively disposed on opposite sides of the at least one fixing portion to engage with opposite ends of the protrusion; and a plurality of connecting portions disposed between the at least one fixing portion and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion; and at least one fixing member for fixing the at least one fixing portion, thereby fixing the power module to another device. The housing of the power module includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to each other, and at least one side surface connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, the lower surface facing the other device, and the protrusion protruding from one of the at least one side surface; and the protrusion includes an extension and a stop, and the plurality of connecting portions are disposed on the extension and are stopped on the extension by the stop.

2. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the at least one fastener secures the at least one fastening portion, the fastening device applies a force to the power module toward the other device.

3. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one fixing portion includes a through hole, and each of the at least one fixing member passes through the through hole and is fixed to the other device.

4. The power module assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is implemented as a plurality of protrusions, the fixing device is implemented as a plurality of fixing devices, and the plurality of fixing devices are respectively disposed on the plurality of protrusions.

5. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions, and a space is formed between adjacent protrusions, wherein the plurality of connecting portions are respectively disposed on the plurality of protrusions, and each of the at least one fixing portion is respectively disposed in the space.

6. The power module assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion respectively engage the two outermost of the plurality of protrusions.

7. The power module assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the two opposite distal sides of the two oppositely outer protrusions of the plurality of protrusions each include a locking structure, the first locking portion and the second locking portion each include a locking member that engages the locking structure accordingly, so that the fixing device is combined with the two oppositely outer protrusions of the plurality of protrusions.

8. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions includes the extension and the stop, and each of the plurality of connecting portions is disposed on the extension of the corresponding protrusion and rests on the extension by the stop.

9. The power module assembly as described in claim 1, wherein each of the opposite ends of the protrusion includes a locking structure, and the first locking portion and the second locking portion each include a locking member that engages the locking structure to combine the fixing device with the protrusion.

10. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes at least one through portion for the at least one fastener to pass through and be secured to the other device.

11. The power module assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the protrusion and the housing are integrally formed.

12. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one fixing part is located on a first plane, the plurality of connecting parts are located on a second plane, and the distance between the first plane and the lower surface is less than or equal to the distance between the second plane and the lower surface.

13. The power module assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the power module includes a plurality of pins protruding from the upper surface.

14. The power module assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing device further includes at least one support member disposed on at least one of the plurality of connecting portions.

15. A fixing device, wherein the fixing device is disposed on a protrusion of a power module and fixed by at least one fixing member, thereby fixing the power module to another device, wherein the housing of the power module includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to each other, and at least one side surface connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, the lower surface facing the other device, and the protrusion protruding from one of the at least one side surface, the fixing device comprising: at least one fixing portion; a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion respectively disposed on opposite sides of the at least one fixing portion to engage with opposite ends of the protrusion; and a plurality of connecting portions disposed between the at least one fixing portion and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, wherein the protrusion includes an extension portion and a stop portion, and the plurality of connecting portions are disposed on the extension portion and are stopped on the extension portion by the stop portion.

16. The fixing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein when the at least one fixing member fixes the at least one fixing part, the fixing device provides a force to the power module toward the other device.

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