Electronic modules and drive units

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic module (1), comprising a first carrier element (10) and a second carrier element (20) and a plurality of components (40), wherein the components are arranged on the first carrier element (10) and the second carrier element (20), wherein the first carrier element (10) and the second carrier element (20) are electrically connected, and the second carrier element (20) forms an intermediate space, and the first carrier element (10) is arranged or positioned in the intermediate space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic module, in particular a power electronic circuit and a drive device or a drive device module. Background Art

[0002] Circuit carriers, in particular power electronic circuit carriers, are basically known from the prior art. They include circuit boards or conductor plates in various different embodiments. EP2327121B1, for example, shows a receiving unit for a circuit carrier, which includes a power electronic circuit carrier and a control or drive board. Such circuit carriers are used, for example, in electronic controls in the automotive field, for example for hybrid drives. The circuit carrier described above is characterized in that it includes a plurality of circuit boards, on which corresponding components are provided. In addition to the many advantages provided by this arrangement, there is, however, a requirement to electrically connect different circuit boards to each other. For this purpose, separate plugs, contacts and the like are usually required. This makes the structure expensive and complicated. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to specify an electronic module and an operating device which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and further optimize the known electronic modules, in particular the circuit carrier.

[0004] The object is achieved by an electronic module, which includes a first supporting element and a second supporting element and a plurality of components, wherein the first supporting element and the second supporting element are conductively connected, and the second supporting element forms an intermediate space, and the first supporting element is arranged or positioned in the intermediate space, wherein the second supporting element is configured to be at least partially deformable or at least partially flexible, and the second supporting element is shaped so as to form the intermediate space, wherein the second supporting element has a U-shape, wherein the second supporting element includes two main sections that are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other and a connecting section that connects the main sections, and the first supporting element is arranged or positioned between the main sections.

[0005] This object is achieved by a drive device comprising a traction motor and at least one electronic module according to the invention as a control module for the traction motor.

[0006] According to the present invention, an electronic module, in particular a circuit carrier, for example, for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle comprises a first carrier element and a second carrier element and a plurality of components, wherein the first carrier element and the second carrier element are electrically conductively connected, and the second carrier element forms an intermediate space in which the first carrier element is arranged or positioned. The carrier element is in particular a carrier for electronic or electrical components / elements, in particular a conductor plate or a circuit board. Advantageously, the second carrier element is designed or formed so that the second carrier element forms or forms an intermediate space or an arrangement space in which the first carrier element is at least partially or partially arranged or positioned. In other words, the second carrier element at least partially surrounds the first carrier element. Since the second carrier element surrounds the first carrier element, or the second carrier element is at least partially or completely arranged around the first carrier element, the electronic module can be realized with an extremely compact structure, which requires only very few components.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the second support element is designed to be at least partially deformable or at least partially flexible, and the second support element is shaped so that the intermediate space is formed. In particular, the second support element is a flexible, particularly preferably partially flexible conductor plate. This makes it possible in particular that the above-mentioned electrical contact between the first support element and the second support element is established when the second support element is shaped or turned over or folded. The above-mentioned flexibility can be designed permanently or for a limited time.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the support element has a U-shape. It is expedient for the second support element to have, for example, two flexible regions, whereby the second support element can be U-shaped, in particular by a corresponding folding or folding process along the flexible regions. It is expedient for this to implicitly establish electrical contact with the first support element. According to a preferred embodiment, a contact pin, for example a press-fit contact pin, is provided as a means for producing electrical contact. The electrical contact advantageously takes place in a positive and non-positive manner.

[0009] Alternatively, the second carrier element itself is already made in such a way that it forms the intermediate space or the arrangement space. The first carrier element is then, for example, correspondingly moved into the intermediate space or the arrangement space. Depending on the position of the electrical contacting, in particular the contact pins, the electrical contacting can also be realized implicitly.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the second load-bearing element comprises two main sections which are parallel and spaced apart from each other and a connecting section which connects the main sections, and the first load-bearing element is arranged or positioned between the main sections. The two main sections which are parallel and spaced apart from each other and the connecting section are advantageously formed in the above-mentioned U-shape. The connecting section is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main sections and therefore also perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first load-bearing element. In particular, the connecting section is arranged at the end side of the first load-bearing element.

[0011] It is expedient for the main section and / or the connecting section to be electrically connected to the first carrier element. Advantageously, the main section and the connecting section are electrically connected to the carrier element. It is expedient for electrical contact elements, such as contact pins, to be arranged not only between the main section and the first carrier element, but also between the connecting section and the first carrier element. It is expedient for the second carrier element to be used completely as a circuit carrier, in particular also on the end side, with reference to the connecting section. The above-mentioned contact elements are accordingly not only arranged on the end side of the first carrier element, but also perpendicularly to the first carrier element. All connections between the components arranged on the second carrier element are arranged directly on the second carrier element, so that no further plugs or the like are required. It is understandable that all wires, conductor tracks, contacts, etc. are also formed on the above-mentioned flexible area.

[0012] Advantageously, the second support element comprises a plurality of segments, for example more than three segments, for example four segments, which are oriented relative to one another in such a way that an intermediate space / arrangement space for the first support element is formed or shaped.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the first carrier element comprises a cooling device, wherein the component to be cooled is preferably arranged on the first carrier element. Advantageously, very efficient cooling can be achieved, in particular for the component that actually needs cooling. The cooling surface is not "wasted", so to speak.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the first carrier element comprises power electronic components, wherein the second carrier element comprises logic and / or control components. Such logic and / or control components do not require cooling. As a result, this configuration not only enables a very compact structure, but also enables efficient cooling of the relevant components.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first support element is designed to be stiffer than the second support element. According to one embodiment, the first support element comprises additional reinforcements, for example suitable plates, wherein the plates, for example, comprise components, in particular components to be cooled, on the top and bottom and expediently have cooling devices. It should be mentioned at this point that components can also be arranged on one and / or both sides of the second support element.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the electronic module comprises a support structure which is designed to provide a mechanical connection between the first support element and the second support element. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the support structure is, for example, fixedly connected to the first support element.

[0017] In principle, it is expedient if the support structure can be fixedly connected to the first support element and / or the second support element.

[0018] It is expedient for the support structure to have fixing means which allow the second and / or first support element to be arranged and fixed in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting, preferably also releasable manner. Advantageously, the support structure comprises a closure for press-fitting or snap-fitting another support structure, particularly preferably the second support element.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the supporting structure is designed to form a frame for an electrically insulating potting compound, preferably on a component to be cooled. According to one embodiment, the supporting structure is made of plastic.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first carrier element has means for electrical contact. These means are provided for electrical contact, in particular, and for contact with another component in a form-locking and force-locking manner. Insertion-pressing contacts are preferably provided for the connection. It is particularly advantageous here that the first carrier element is harder than the second carrier element. According to a preferred embodiment, the means for electrical contact include conductor tracks, positive and negative electrical connection poles, phase connections, etc. The second carrier element may also include means for electrical contact or signal transmission.

[0021] Advantageously, the first carrier element comprises at least one connecting element for supplying and / or discharging a coolant or cooling fluid.

[0022] The electronic module according to the invention enables better design possibilities for designing logic circuits. Connecting elements such as cable harnesses and plugs between individual carrier elements or circuit carriers are omitted because the second carrier element forms a unit. The production of power electronic components or power electronic circuits is simplified, with reference to the first carrier element. The end-side segment or connecting segment of the second carrier element has a connecting function between two parallel (main) segments. The entire second carrier element (also the end-side connecting segment) is provided for the logic circuit.

[0023] The invention further relates to a drive device or drive module, for example a hybrid or electric drive device of a motor vehicle, comprising a traction motor and at least one electronic module according to the invention, in particular as a control module for the traction motor, in particular the traction motor being an electric motor, for example an electric motor of a hybrid vehicle or a fully electric vehicle.

[0024] At this point it should be mentioned that the application of electronic modules is not limited to drives, in particular electric drives, but rather has a wide range of uses and can be used not only in the motor vehicle sector.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the traction motor is an electric motor, wherein the first support element is connected to the connection area or phase connection of the electric motor in a form-locking and force-locking manner. It is expedient if plug-in contacts are provided for electrically connecting the connection area to the first support element. According to one embodiment, the drive device also includes a plurality of electronic modules. In particular, the traction motor can be connected to a plurality of first support elements. According to one embodiment, the electronic module is a component of an integrated electric drive device having a stator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages and features result from the following description of embodiments of the electronics module and the arrangement of the electronics module on the stator with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] in:

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing one embodiment of an electronic module;

[0029] Figure 2 A stator is shown which includes two embodiments of an electronic module for control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electronic module 1 is shown, which comprises a first carrier element 10 and a second carrier element 20. The second carrier element 20 is arranged around the first carrier element 10. For this purpose, the second carrier element 20 has two main sections 22 arranged essentially parallel to one another, which are connected by a connecting section 24, which is arranged, as it were, at the end of the first carrier element 10. The connecting section 24 is connected to the respective main section 22 via a flexible region 16. The first carrier element 10 is connected to the second carrier element 20 by means of schematically shown contact elements, in particular contact pins 50, wherein the contact elements are both perpendicular to the first carrier element 10 and parallel (for reasons of clarity, only one contact element is provided with a reference number). Advantageously, the entire area of ​​the second carrier element 20 is "used". A component 40 is schematically shown as a black surface, which component is arranged in the present case, in particular on both sides, on the first carrier element 10 and on the second carrier element 20. Advantageously, a component 42, in particular to be cooled, is arranged on the first carrier element 10. Preferably, a power electronic component is arranged here, which needs to be cooled. The first support element 10 advantageously has a cooling device, which is however not shown here. Figure 2The connections for the cooling device are shown only schematically. The components 40 arranged on the second carrier element 20 are, in particular, logic and / or control components which do not require cooling. In the embodiment shown here, the second carrier element 20 has, in particular, a U-shape or is formed in such a U-shape. The first carrier element 10 is expediently arranged in the intermediate space or arrangement space 26 formed in this way, thereby achieving a very compact structure which reduces the number of required plugs and the like to a minimum. Reference numeral 14 also indicates that conductor track contacts can be arranged on the first carrier element 10, said conductor track contacts being used for electrical contact-connection of the first carrier element 10, in this respect see in particular Figure 2 .

[0031] Figure 2 At least part of a drive device is shown in a schematic diagram, which comprises an electric motor with a stator 70. The stator 70 comprises a connection area 72 and a phase connection 74, wherein the connection area and the phase connection are respectively connected to two electronic modules 1, for which purpose plug-in pressure contacts 60 are provided. For cooling the electronic modules 1, the plug-in pressure contacts advantageously comprise a connection for a cooling device 76. In particular, the right-hand electronic module 1 is also connected to the control connection 62 via a signaling contact 64. The two electronic modules 1 comprise a protective element 2, which in this respect in particular surrounds a second carrier element, in this respect also see Figure 1 Preferably, this is a suitable casting compound.

[0032] Reference numerals list

[0033] 1 Electronic module

[0034] 2 Protection components

[0035] 10 first load-bearing element

[0036] 12 The Space Between

[0037] 14-conductor track contacts

[0038] 16 Flexible Area

[0039] 20 second load-bearing element

[0040] 22 main paragraph

[0041] 24 connection segments

[0042] 26Intermediate space, layout space

[0043] 40 components

[0044] 42Components to be cooled

[0045] 50 contact pins

[0046] 60 plug-in pressure contacts

[0047] 62 control connection

[0048] 64 signal contacts

[0049] 70 stator

[0050] 72 Connection Zone

[0051] 74 Phase Connection

[0052] 76 Cooling mechanism connection

Claims

1. An electronic module (1), comprising a first carrier element (10) and a second carrier element (20) and a plurality of components (40, 42), wherein the components are arranged on the first carrier element (10) and the second carrier element (20), wherein: The first supporting element (10) and the second supporting element (20) are electrically conductively connected by means of an electrical contact element, and the second supporting element (20) forms an intermediate space (26), in which the first supporting element (10) is arranged or positioned, wherein the second supporting element (20) is configured to be at least partially deformable or at least partially flexible, and the second supporting element is shaped so as to form the intermediate space (26), wherein the second supporting element (20) has a U-shape, wherein the second supporting element (20) includes two main sections (22) parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, and a connecting section (24) connecting the main sections (22), wherein the connecting section (24) is connected to the main sections (22). The connecting section (24) is connected to the corresponding main section (22) via a flexible area (16), and a first supporting element (10) is provided or positioned between the main sections (22), wherein the second supporting element (20) itself is manufactured in such a way that it forms the intermediate space and the first supporting element (10) is then correspondingly moved into the intermediate space, wherein the main section (22) and the connecting section (24) are electrically connected to the first supporting element (10), and the electrical contact element is provided not only between the main section (22) and the first supporting element (10), but also between the connecting section (24) and the first supporting element (10).

2. The electronic module (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The first carrier element (10) comprises a cooling device, and the component to be cooled is arranged on the first carrier element (10).

3. The electronic module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first carrier element (10) comprises power electronic components and the second carrier element (20) comprises logic and / or control components.

4. The electronic module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first support element (10) is designed to be harder than the second support element (20).

5. The electronic module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a support structure, which is designed to provide a mechanical connection between the first support element (10) and the second support element (20).

6. The electronic module (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The supporting structure is fixedly connected to the first supporting element (10) or the second supporting element (20).

7. The electronic module (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The support structure has fastening means which enable a positive-locking and / or non-positive-locking arrangement and fastening of the second and / or first support element.

8. The electronic module (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The supporting structure is designed to form a framework for the potting compound for electrical insulation on the component.

9. The electronic module (1) according to claim 8, wherein: The component is a component to be cooled.

10. The electronic module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first carrier element (10) has means for electrical contact-making.

11. A drive device comprising a traction motor and at least one electronic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which serves as a control module for the traction motor.

12. The driving device according to claim 11, wherein: The traction motor is an electric machine, and the first support element (10) is connected to a connection region (72) or a phase connection (74) of the electric machine in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

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