Inverter and assembly comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to an inverter and to an assembly comprising same. The inverter is in particular configured to be on-board a motor vehicle, comprising: an electric power assembly configured to convert DC electric energy into AC electric energy in order to supply an electric motor, in particular configured to drive the vehicle; a housing containing the assemblies of the inverter and comprising: a first portion forming a first enclosure containing the electric power assembly; and a second portion forming a second enclosure containing a filtering assembly configured to filter the DC electric energy in particular supplied from a battery of the vehicle to the electric power assembly; the second housing portion being formed at least partially by an indentation of an outer surface of the housing comprised in the first portion with respect to the first portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an inverter, in particular configured to be on-board of a motor vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising said inverter and an electric motor, in particular configured to drive a wheel of a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, technologies related to electric or hybrid vehicles have been rapidly developed. Typically, an electric or hybrid vehicle comprises an electric motor generating a rotational force, an inverter to control said electric motor, a battery to supply said inverter, and a gearbox to transfer a torque from the electric motor to a wheel of the vehicle. The aim is to place these components in the vehicle in a way that limits the volume of the components in the vehicle. For this purpose, it is known to provide an integrated assembly in which these components are mounted to each other in order to optimize the space in the vehicle and avoid that cables cover distances in the vehicle. However, the mere mounting of one component on another component does not ensure that enough space is saved in the vehicle. The internal arrangement of each component, in particular of the inverter, also influences the volume of the assembly.

[0003] Therefore, there is a search for an inverter having an internal arrangement that facilitates its mounting with other components of an assembly forming in particular a drive system of a vehicle. SUMMARY

[0004] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an inverter, in particular configured to be on-board of a motor vehicle, comprising:

[0005] a power component configured to convert DC electrical energy into AC electrical energy in order to supply an electric motor, in particular configured to drive the vehicle,

[0006] a housing accommodating the components of the inverter and comprising:

[0007] a first portion forming a first enclosure accommodating said power component, and

[0008] a second portion forming a second enclosure accommodating a filter component and configured to filter DC electrical energy, in particular supplied from a battery of the vehicle to the power component,

[0009] said second housing portion being at least partially formed by an indentation of an outer surface of the housing comprised in the first portion with respect to said first portion.

[0010] said second portion extends from the first portion along a transversal direction, in particular perpendicular. Thus, when the inverter is mounted in the vehicle, the space formed between the first and second housing portions can accommodate another component of the vehicle, in particular an electric motor supplied by the inverter, which improves the integration of the components in the vehicle.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the indentation forms an outer surface of the housing comprised in the second part and extends in a transversal direction, in particular perpendicular, with respect to an outer surface of the housing comprised in the first part.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the outer surface of the second housing part comprises a first external connector of the inverter, said first external connector being configured to connect the inverter to a DC electrical energy source, in particular a battery of the vehicle.

[0013] According to an alternative, said first connector is located at a position distal from the first housing part, said filtering assembly being disposed between this distal position and the indentation point, said indentation point being located between the first part and the second part.

[0014] According to an alternative, said connector is mounted on an outer surface of the second part, said outer surface forming an indentation from an outer surface of the first part.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the second housing part further comprises a second external connector, said second external connector being configured to connect the inverter with a charger, said charger being in particular an electrical charger configured to charge a battery of the vehicle.

[0016] According to an embodiment, a passage inside the housing enables a communication between the first housing and the second housing.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the second part comprises an opening configured to receive a drive shaft of the vehicle, in particular an axle for driving wheels of the vehicle, when the inverter is mounted in the vehicle.

[0018] According to an alternative, said opening is formed in said indentation.

[0019] According to an alternative, said opening is formed in a portion of the second housing part that is external to the second housing, said second housing housing the filtering assembly.

[0020] The invention further relates to a combination comprising an inverter according to the invention and an electric motor configured to be driven by said inverter.

[0021] According to an embodiment, said electric motor is at least partially housed in a space formed between the first housing part and the second housing part, in particular in a space formed between an outer surface of the first part and the indentation.

[0022] According to an alternative, an opening of the electric motor and an opening of the inverter are in abutment with each other in a space formed between the first housing part and the second housing part, so as to enable a sealed passage for an electrical connection between the inverter and the electric motor.

[0023] According to a particular alternative, the opening of the housing of the electric motor containing the stator and the opening of the housing of the inverter are in abutment with each other in the space formed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, so as to realize a sealed passage for the electrical connection between the inverter and the electric motor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The present application will be better understood, and other details, characteristics and advantages thereof will become more apparent, on reading the following description, given as a non-restrictive example, the present application being illustrated in the attached drawings in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An example of an inverter is represented, according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 A partial view of the inverter is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 An example of a filtering assembly of the inverter is shown.

[0028] Figure 4 Another view of the inverter is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 An example of an assembly comprising an inverter is represented.

[0030] Figure 6 Another view of the inverter is shown.

[0031] Figure 7 An alternative of the inverter is represented.

[0032] It is noted that the attached drawings represent the application in a detailed manner for implementing it, which can obviously be used to better define the application, if necessary. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] REFERENCE Figures 1 to 4The exemplary inverter 200 comprises a housing 100 in which the components of the inverter 200 are housed. The housing 100 comprises a first portion 110 forming a first enclosure housing the power components of the inverter 200 and a second portion 120 forming a second enclosure 122 housing the filtering components 125 of the inverter 200. The second portion 120 of the housing 100 is at least partially formed by an indentation 124 from an outer surface 114 of the housing 100 comprised in the first portion 110. Thus, the second portion 120 extends from the first portion 110 in a transverse (or even perpendicular) direction with respect to the first portion 110. Thus, the housing 100 delimits a space between the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 that can receive other components of the vehicle when the inverter is installed therein or other components of the assembly configured to drive the vehicle. In particular, the indentation 124 forms an outer surface of the housing 100 that is comprised in the second portion 120 of the housing 100.

[0034] In particular, the housing 100 comprises outer walls 102 defining an enclosure housing the components. The edges of these outer walls 102 define, among others, openings making it possible to introduce the components into the enclosure. These openings can then be closed by a cover 104 abutting the edges of the walls 102. In particular, the outer walls 102 of the first portion 110 define a first enclosure housing the power components of the inverter 200. The cover 104 then closes the first enclosure. In particular, the outer walls 102 extend from the indentation 124 to define a second enclosure 122 housing the filtering components 125 of the inverter 100. The cover 124 abuts the edges of these outer walls 102 of the second portion 120 to close the enclosure 122 of the second portion 120.

[0035] The power components are housed in the first enclosure of the inverter 200.

[0036] The power components are configured to convert DC electrical energy into AC electrical energy to supply the electric motor supplied by the inverter 200. These power components comprise, among others, semiconductor components, such as diodes and / or transistors, via which the electrical energy supplying the electric motor is transmitted. The first enclosure can comprise other components, such as a control unit configured to control the electronic power components. Such a control unit is, for example, an electronic board on which control circuits are mounted or a DC link capacitor connected to the input of the power components housing the DC electrical energy.

[0037] The filtering assembly 125 is configured to filter the DC electrical energy supplied to the power assembly. The filtering assembly 125 comprises in particular one or more electrical connection bars 126 configured to conduct electrical current between an input of the inverter 200 connected to a DC source and an input of the power assembly. The electrical connection bars 126 comprise for example electrically conductive bars provided with an electrically insulating covering except at the level of the electrical terminals of the electrical connection bars 126. The filtering assembly 125 can further comprise a core 127 and a capacitor 128.

[0038] The recess 124 comprises a first connector 123 to connect the inverter 200 to a DC electrical energy source, in particular to a battery of a vehicle. This connector 123 can be located on another outer surface of the second part 120, for example on the outer wall 102 or on the cover 104 of the second part 120. In particular, the first connector 123 is located at a position distal from the first housing part 110. The filtering assembly 125 extends between this distal position and a recess point located between the first housing part 110 and the second housing part 120. Thus, the first connector 123 is distal from the first housing part 110. Thus, the connection to the battery is little affected by the volume of the first housing part 110.

[0039] The second housing part 120 can further comprise a second external connector 129 configured to connect the inverter 200 with an electrical power charger. Such an electrical power charger is in particular a vehicle on-board charger configured to charge the battery of the vehicle from an electrical network external to the vehicle. Moreover, the electric battery is configured to supply the inverter 200 via the first connector 123 and the filtering assembly 125. The second connector 129 forms an electrical connection between the electrical connection bars 126 of the filtering assembly 125 and the charger. By means of the second connector 129, the charger is connected to the battery via the second connector 129, the electrical connection bars 126 and the first connector 123.

[0040] Figure 2 The channel 115 visible in the figure is arranged inside the housing 100 to form a passage between the first and second housings 122. Thus, the connection between the filtering assembly 125 and the power assembly is formed inside the housing 100. In particular, this channel 115 is arranged in an inner wall of the housing 100, which inner wall is common to the first and second housings 122.

[0041] The recess 124 comprises notably an opening 121 configured to receive a drive shaft of the vehicle when the inverter 200 is installed in the vehicle. For example, the opening 121 receives a drive shaft coming from a gearbox. Thus, the inverter 200 can be integrated in the drive system of the vehicle, which improves the compactness of the vehicle. Moreover, the housing 100 of the inverter 200 contributes to support the drive shaft. The opening 121 can be located elsewhere in the second portion 120, for example in an excrescence of the cover 104 of the second portion 120 or in an excrescence extending from the recess 124. In particular, the opening 121 is external to the second enclosure 122. The opening 121 is not formed in the second enclosure 122, which avoids the problem of sealing the second enclosure 122.

[0042] The inverter 200 can be associated with an electric motor 250 to form a combination 300 schematically illustrated in Figure 5 The electric motor 250 is housed in a space formed between the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 of the housing 100 of the inverter 200.

[0043] In particular, as illustrated in Figure 6 In the space formed between the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120, the inverter 200 comprises an opening 112 which opposes a corresponding opening of the electric motor 250, thus forming a passage for the electrical connection between the inverter 200 and the electric motor 250. In particular, the opening 112 of the inverter 200 is comprised in the first housing portion 110, more particularly in the outer surface 114 of the first housing portion 110 from which the recess 124 extends. Thus, the integration of the inverter 200 and the electric motor 250 in the combination 300 is improved. In particular, the corresponding opening of the electric motor 250 is comprised in an outer wall of the housing 255 of the electric motor 250. Such a housing 255 comprises the stator and the rotor of the electric motor 250.

[0044] In an alternative, the inverter 200 comprises a cooling circuit for cooling the electric power assembly. For this purpose, the cooling circuit is notably comprised in the first housing portion 110. For example, as illustrated in Figure 7 The duct 130 can then extend opposite the second housing portion 120 to exchange a cooling fluid with a channel of the cooling circuit. In particular, the duct 130 extends opposite an outer surface of the second housing portion 120, which is opposite the recess 124. Notably, the duct 130 comprises a first end 131 connected to the cooling circuit and a second end 132 positioned opposite an edge of the second housing portion 120. Notably, the second end 132 of the duct 130, the first connector 123 and the second connector 129 are positioned on or opposite the periphery of the second housing portion 120 to facilitate their connection to other elements of the inverter 200.

[0045] The assembly 300 is especially vehicle on-board, so as to drive the vehicle, in particular by a battery of the vehicle connected to the first connector 123 of the inverter 200. Especially, the assembly 300 can be mounted with a gearbox of the vehicle, a drive shaft of the gearbox entering in the opening 121 of the second portion 120 of the housing 100 of the inverter 200.

Claims

1. An inverter configured for onboard use in a motor vehicle, comprising: Electrical components configured to convert DC electrical energy into AC electrical energy to supply an electric motor to drive the vehicle, and A housing that accommodates components of the inverter, and the housing includes: The first housing portion forms a first outer casing that houses the electrical components, and The second housing portion forms a second outer casing that houses a filter assembly configured to filter DC electrical energy supplied from the vehicle's battery to the power assembly. The second housing portion is formed at least partially by an indentation of the outer surface of the housing included in the first housing portion relative to the first housing portion. The indentation forms the outer surface of the housing included in the second housing portion and extends laterally relative to the outer surface of the housing included in the first housing portion. The outer surface of the second housing portion includes a first external connector for the inverter, configured to connect the inverter to a DC power source, which is the vehicle's battery. The first external connector is located away from the first housing portion, and the filter assembly is positioned between this location and the recess, which is located between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The second housing portion includes an opening configured to receive a vehicle drive shaft when the inverter is installed in a vehicle, wherein the drive shaft is an axle for driving the wheels of the vehicle. The opening is formed in the recess.

2. The inverter according to claim 1, wherein The second housing portion further includes a second external connector configured to connect the inverter to a power charger.

3. The inverter according to claim 1, wherein the channel inside the housing enables communication between the first housing and the second housing.

4. The inverter of claim 1, wherein the opening is formed in a portion of the second housing portion outside the second housing, the second housing accommodating the filter assembly.

5. An assembly comprising an inverter as claimed in claim 1 and an electric motor configured to be driven by the inverter.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the motor is at least partially housed in a space formed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, wherein the space is the space between the outer surface of the first housing portion and the recess.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the opening of the motor and the opening of the inverter abut against each other in the space formed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion to form a sealed channel for electrical connection between the inverter and the motor.

Images