Fixing component for an inductive power transfer pad

Abstract

A fixing component (1) for an inductive power transfer pad (34), comprising an electronic part (2) which includes an electronic housing (10), a receiving part (3) for a movable component (33) of the inductive power transfer pad (34), a cooling channel (4) which mainly or solely passes through the receiving part (3) and has a first end (11) and a second end (12), both the first end (11) and the second end (12) being connected to the interior of the electronic housing (10), a first fan (19) which is placed inside the cooling channel (4) or at the first or second end (12) of the cooling channel (4), or below the first or second end (12), wherein, when the fan (19) operates, air from the interior of the electronic housing (10) is transferred through the cooling channel (4), heat is transferred from the air to the structural member (5) of the receiving part (3) to cool the air, and the cooled air is conveyed back to the interior of the housing.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing component for an inductive power transfer pad and a method for dissipating heat from an electronic part of the fixing component of the inductive power transfer pad.

[0002] Electric vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, and / or road vehicles, can operate by electric energy, wherein the electric energy is transmitted by inductive power transfer. Such vehicles may include a circuit arrangement, which may be a traction system of the vehicle or a part of the traction system, including receiving means adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to generate an alternating current by electromagnetic induction. In addition, such vehicles may include a rectifier adapted to convert alternating current (AC) electricity into direct current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity can be used to charge a traction battery or to operate an electric motor. In the latter case, the DC electricity can be converted into AC electricity by an inverter.

[0003] Inductive power transfer is carried out using two sets of windings, for example three-phase windings. The first set is installed on the ground (primary winding or primary winding structure) and can be powered by a roadside power converter (WPC). The second set of windings (secondary winding structure) is installed on the vehicle. For example, for a tram under some trucks, the second set of windings can be connected under the vehicle. The second set of windings or the secondary side in general is usually referred to as a pick-up device or a receiver. The first set of windings and the second set of windings form a high-frequency transformer for transmitting electric energy to the vehicle. This can be done in a static state (when the vehicle is not moving) and in a dynamic state (when the vehicle is moving).

[0004] In particular, in the case of road vehicles, the fixed primary unit includes a plurality of elements that are usually spatially separated.

[0005] For inductive power transfer, an inductive power transfer pad including a fixed component and a movable component is known from the prior art. WO 2015128450 A1 discloses an inductive power transfer pad, which includes a fixed component and a movable component, wherein the movable component includes a primary winding structure, and wherein the movable component can move between a retracted state and an extended state.

[0006] The fixing component of such a power pad usually includes an electronic housing in which electronic components, such as MOSFETs, are placed. The heat generated by these electronic components must be removed from the electronic part and the electronic housing to avoid damaging the components.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a fixing component for an inductive power transfer pad, wherein heat from the electronic components can be effectively removed and dissipated from these components.

[0008] According to the basic concept of the present invention, the hot air from the electronic housing within the fixed component is transported in the channel, passes through another component or part of the fixed component, and is transferred to the said another component or part. Thus, the heat that was previously concentrated in the electronic housing is distributed over a larger area of the fixed component. Subsequently, the heat can be at least partially dissipated into the environment. The air removed from the electronic housing can return to the electronic housing after being cooled. Therefore, the present invention also describes a circulating cooling system based on the air convection within the fixed component of the inductive power transfer pad.

[0009] In particular, the present invention provides a fixed component for an inductive power transfer pad according to claim 1, and an inductive power transfer pad of other independent claims, as well as a method for dissipating heat from the electronic part of the fixed component of the inductive power transfer pad. The technical solutions with the features of the dependent claims provide further advantageous embodiments.

[0010] The present invention provides a fixed component for an inductive power transfer pad, comprising

[0011] - an electronic part, which includes an electronic housing,

[0012] - a receiving part for a movable component of the inductive power transfer pad,

[0013] - a cooling channel that mainly or solely passes through the said receiving part and has a first end and a second end, both of which are connected to the interior of the electronic housing,

[0014] - a first fan, which is placed

[0015] i) within the said cooling channel or

[0016] ii) at or below the first end or the second end of the said cooling channel, or

[0017] iii) inside the electronic housing, where the electronic housing is divided into two compartments by a wall, and the first fan is placed in such a way that when the first fan operates, air is transported from one of the said compartments into the other compartment,

[0018] wherein, when the fan operates, the air from the interior of the electronic housing is transported through the cooling channel, heat is transferred from the air to the structural members of the receiving part to cool the air, and the cooled air is transported back to the interior of the housing.

[0019] The length of the cooling channel (hereinafter also simply referred to as "channel") can be selected to be as long as possible to achieve as high heat transfer as possible, taking into account the structural conditions and limitations. It is beneficial for the channel length to pass through the receiving part as long as possible. First, most of the receiving part is far from the electronic part. In addition, the receiving part is larger than the electronic part.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling channels extend along the outer edge of the receiving portion, with a part thereof passing through the receiving portion. Thus, a long channel length can be achieved. In addition, the position below the edge improves heat dissipation, and the channels do not collide with other components within the receiving portion.

[0021] In the above case iii), the first fan is placed inside the electronic housing, which is divided into two compartments by a wall. The first fan is placed in such a way that when the first fan operates, air is conveyed from one compartment into the other compartment. The first fan can be placed close to the wall serving as the partition wall. The wall can have an opening and the first fan is connected to the opening, either the inlet side or the outlet side of the fan. The first fan can be mainly or solely placed in one of the compartments. Air from one compartment is conveyed to the other compartment by the first fan. When the fan operates, a pressure difference is generated between the two compartments. Thus, the compartment on the inlet side is the low-pressure compartment, while the other compartment located on the outlet side of the fan is the pressure compartment. Air enters the cooling channels from the pressure compartment and, after flowing through the cooling channels, the air flows into the low-pressure compartment.

[0022] When, according to ii), the first fan is placed at or below the first end or the second end of the cooling channel, the following embodiments can be advantageously applied, but are not limited thereto. The fixing member can include a second fan, which can be placed inside the cooling channel or at the first end of the cooling channel (especially if the first fan is placed at the second end) or at the second end of the cooling channel (especially if the first fan is placed at the first end), or below the first end (especially if the first fan is placed below the second end) or below the second end (especially if the first fan is placed below the first end).

[0023] The inlet side of the first fan can face the interior of the electronic housing, and the pressure side of the second fan can face the interior of the electronic housing, and vice versa. The inlet side and the pressure side can be selected or set by the operating mode of the fan, i.e., by choosing the rotational direction of the fan impeller. Or a fan with a fixed inlet side and pressure side can be placed in the correct direction. This embodiment provides an even more efficient device for conveying air through the cooling channels over a large distance, preferably without or with a reduced reduction in the flow rate.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cooling channel includes a first compression portion adjacent to the first fan (if the first fan is placed at or below one end of the cooling channel), and / or a second compression portion adjacent to the second fan (if there is a second fan and the second fan is placed below the other end of the cooling channel). By one or more compression portions, a laminar flow of air can be generated or improved within the cooling channel. The compression portion can be designed as a separate portion, which can be connected to another portion of the channel.

[0025] In another embodiment, the cooling channel includes cooling fins inside the cooling channel, which extend parallel to the cooling channel. This allows for more efficient cooling.

[0026] In another embodiment, the cooling channel includes a channel portion with cooling fins at the first and / or second end, where the portion is located in the electronic part and contacts the wall of the electronic part. The cooling fins in this portion can be relatively dense to provide efficient heat transfer.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the electronic part includes cooling fins on the outer side, which are adjacent to the cooling channel. These cooling fins are preferably located adjacent to the wall that contacts the channel portion of the cooling channel located in the electronic part.

[0028] In another embodiment, the receiving part includes cooling fins on the outer side, which are adjacent to the cooling channel.

[0029] In one embodiment, a part of the cooling channel passing through the receiving part is integrally formed within the structural member of the receiving part. For example, the receiving part can be a cast metal, preferably cast aluminum. The cooling channel can be integrally formed wholly or partially. When formed wholly, the entire sidewall or all sidewalls of the channel are formed, thus forming a closed structure. If the receiving part can be a cast metal, casting techniques known to those skilled in the art can be used. When formed partially, one side of the channel within the receiving part, for example, within the structural member of the receiving part, remains open, i.e., a sidewall or a part of the sidewall is missing. The channel can be closed by one or more additional components, such as a cover or covering member, such as a plate or sheet.

[0030] In one embodiment, a part of the cooling channel passing through the electronic part is integrally formed wholly or partially within the structural member of the electronic part. The same principle as mentioned previously for integrally forming the channel within the receiving part can be applied.

[0031] On the other hand, the present invention relates to an inductive power transfer pad, particularly a transfer pad for a system for inductively transferring power to a vehicle, including a fixed part and a movable part as described herein. The movable part can include a winding structure for generating a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field when current flows through the windings of the winding structure. The movable part can move in the Z direction, i.e., move up and down by an actuator, which is another part of the power transfer pad.

[0032] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a method for dissipating heat from the electronic part of the fixed part of an inductive power transfer pad, the method comprising:

[0033] - providing a fixed part or an inductive power transfer pad as described herein,

[0034] - Run the fan inside the fixed component to convey the air from the interior of the electronic housing through the cooling channels. Heat is transferred from the air from the electronic housing to the structural members of the receiving portion, cooling the air. The cooled air is conveyed back to the interior of the housing, and the heat is further dissipated from the structural members to the environment.

[0035] The features of similar methods that can be used in this method are disclosed above. The structural features that can be used in this method are also disclosed above.

[0036] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached working examples and drawings, but is not limited to these examples and drawings. The drawings show:

[0037] Figure 1 is a top view of the fixed component of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the fixed component of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the fixed component of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 4 is a detailed view of the top perspective of the electronic part and the electronic housing.

[0041] Figure 5 is a detailed view of the bottom perspective of the electronic part and the electronic housing.

[0042] Figure 6 is a further detailed view of the bottom perspective of the electronic part and the electronic housing.

[0043] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling channel in the transition from the electronic part to the receiving part.

[0044] Figures 8a - 8c is a cross-sectional view of cooling channels of different sizes;

[0045] Figure 9 is a power transmission pad including the fixed component;

[0046] Figure 10 is another embodiment of the present invention, including an electronic part divided into two compartments;

[0047] Figure 11 is Figure 10 details of the embodiment of.

[0048] Figure 1 Shows the fixed component 1, including the electronic part 2 and the receiving part 3. The dashed line indicates the boundary between the electronic part 2 and the receiving part 3.

[0049] The cooling channel 4 passes through the receiving part 3. The receiving part 3 includes a frame-like structure 5 having edges 6, 7, 8. The frame-like structure 5 is a structural member 5 of the receiving part.

[0050] The edges 6, 7, 8 form the outer edge of the receiving part 3. Cooling fins 9 are placed along the edges 6, 7, 8 on the outside of the receiving part, adjacent to the cooling channel 4. The cooling channel 4 passes through the interior of the frame-like structure 5 along the outer edges 6, 7, 8.

[0051] Figure 2 The fixing part 1 is shown from the bottom side, while Figure 1 a top view is shown. Figure 2 The electronic housing 10 within the electronic part 2 is shown. The electronic housing 10 is a hollow part of the electronic part 2 and can be covered from the bottom side by a lid (not shown).

[0052] Figure 2 It is shown that the cooling channel 4 also extends into the electronic part. The first end 11 and the second end 12 connected to the interior of the electronic housing are shown. In other words, the cooling channel 4 starts / ends in the electronic housing 10.

[0053] Furthermore, Figure 2 some of the cooling fins 9 that can only be seen from the bottom side are shown.

[0054] Figure 3 An upward perspective view of the fixing part 1 is shown. Contrary to the Figure 1 and Figure 2 empty fixing part 1 shown therein, the electronic component 13 is placed in the housing 10 and is connected to a circuit board that is also placed in the housing 10 below the electronic component 13.

[0055] The receiving part 3 is also filled with components such as an actuator for a movable part and electrical connections (not shown by reference numerals).

[0056] The drawings show a plug 14 that is connected to the electronic part 2.

[0057] The part of the cooling channel 4 passing through the receiving part 3 is covered by two cover plates 15, 16. The reference numeral "4" in the receiving part 3 is only used to indicate that the cooling channel 4 extends below the cover plates 15, 16 in this view.

[0058] In the electronic part 2, two channel parts 17, 18 which are part of the cooling channel 4 are provided. The channel parts 17, 18 are end parts which are not integrally formed within the electronic part 2 but are separate parts, fixed in the housing 10 and connected to the cooling channel part passing through the receiving part 3. An airtight seal, such as a foam seal, is placed between the channel parts 17, 18 and the cooling channel part of the channel 4 passing through the receiving part 3. Further seals can be placed transversely between each of the channel parts 17, 18 and the housing. The channel parts 17, 18 serve as cooling elements compared to the part of the channel 4 passing through the receiving part. The parts 17, 18 are independent elements which are different from the other parts of the channel 4 passing through the receiving part. The part of the channel 4 in the receiving part can be a casting. Since air is also guided through the parts 17 and 18, they are considered to be part of the channel 4. The parts 17, 18 include fins 24 inside. Figure 4 Part 17 is shown in detail.

[0059] The first fan 19 is placed at the first end 11 of the cooling channel 4. The compression part 21 is placed adjacent to the first fan 19. The compression part 21 causes the air delivered into the cooling channel 4 through the first fan 19 to be compressed. In addition, the compression part causes laminar flow of the air.

[0060] The second fan 20 is placed before the channel part 18. Another compression part 22 is placed adjacent to the second fan 20.

[0061] The first fan 19 can operate in such a way that it sucks in air from the interior of the housing 10, which is heated air heated by the electronic components 13. Then the air is delivered through the channel part 17 which has been formed as a heat exchanger for transferring heat to the electronic housing 10 (i.e., the walls and exterior of the electronic housing 10). Then, the air is transmitted through the U-shaped part of the cooling channel 4 passing through the receiving part 3. The second fan 20 operates in such a way that it sucks in air from the interior of the cooling channel 4 passing through the receiving part 3. The air is delivered from the second fan 20 into the channel part 18 and blown out through the second end 12 of the cooling channel 4. Thus, the air is delivered back to the housing 10. On its way through the entire channel 4, heat is mainly transferred to the frame-like structure 5 through the cooling fins 9 and then dissipated outward.

[0062] Figure 4 A more detailed view taken from the top side is shown Figure 3 of Figure 5Shows a view of the same cross-section taken from the bottom side. Both figures show a circuit board 23 with electronic components 13. Both figures show a channel portion 17, a compression portion 21, and a first fan 11 within an electronic housing 10. The channel portion 17 includes internal air guiding fins 24 to provide effective air guiding in the channel. Heat is transferred from the air to the side surface 25 of the channel portion 17 (as Figure 5 shown) and from the side surface 25 to the electronic housing 10, i.e., to the wall of the electronic housing 10 adjacent to the channel portion 17.

[0063] In addition, Figure 4 and Figure 5 show a heat dissipation device 26 having cooling ribs 27 oriented towards the interior of the electronic housing 10. Heat from the interior of the electronic housing 10 is transferred via the cooling ribs 27 to the side surface 28 of the heat dissipation device 26. Heat can be transferred from the side surface 28 to the wall of the electronic housing 10 in contact with the side surface 28. Another function of the cooling ribs 27 is to guide air to the fan at the entrance of the cooling channel.

[0064] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 how the components shown are placed inside the electronic housing 10. Figure 6 Also shows the connection of the channel portion 17 to the receiving portion 3.

[0065] Figure 7 Shows a cross-section from the channel portion 17 of the cooling channel 4 to the portion of the cooling channel 4 passing through the receiving portion 3. It can be seen that the portion of the cooling channel 4 passing through the receiving portion 3 is integrally formed within the receiving portion. In addition, the drawings show cooling fins 9 on the outside of the electronic housing 10. In addition, Figure 7 shows the wall 36 of the electronic part in contact with the channel portion 17.

[0066] Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8c show different types of cooling channels 4 passing through the receiving portion 3. In Figure 8a , the cooling channel 4 is a closed channel within the casting structure of the structural member 5. In Figure 8b and Figure 8c , the channel 4 is not closed from the bottom side and is closed from the bottom side by plates or covers 30, 31, such as Figure 3 the cover plates 15, 16 in. The cover plates 30, 31 are placed diagonally on the bottom side of the channel 4 to achieve a larger channel cross-section. In Figure 8c , the channel 4 is larger than in Figure 8bThe channel 4 is wide. A bellows 32 is shown adjacent to the channel 4 and adjacent to the outer edges 6, 7, or 8, which encloses the interior of the inductive power transfer pad when the movable part of the power transfer pad moves upward. In addition, Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8c show the movable part 33 in a stationary position placed on the fixed part 1.

[0067] Figure 9 A cross-section of the entire power transfer pad 34 is shown, including the fixed part 1 and the movable part 33. The power transfer pad 34 includes an actuator 35 located at the fixed part 1 for moving the movable part 33 upward and downward. In Figure 9 , the movable part 33 moves upward.

[0068] Figure 10 Another embodiment is shown (compared with the embodiment of Figure 3 ), in which the first fan 37 is a radial fan placed inside the electronic enclosure 10. The electronic enclosure 10 is separated by a wall 38 acting as a partition wall into two compartments - a first compartment 39 on the inlet side of the fan 37 and a second compartment 40 on the outlet side of the fan 37. The radial fan 37 is placed in the first compartment 39, and its outlet is connected to an opening in the wall 38. When the fan 37 operates, it conveys air from the compartment 39 to the compartment 40, thereby increasing the pressure in the compartment 40. The air absorbs heat from the components in the compartment 40 and is forced through the second end 12 of the cooling channel 4 into a channel portion 41 with air guiding fins (see Figure 11 ), and passes through the portion 41 into another part of the cooling channel 4.

[0069] The channel portions 41, 42 are functionally similar to Figure 3 the channel portions 17, 18 in

[0070] and serve as cooling elements compared to the other parts of the channel 4 in the receiving part 3. The structural details can be the same as or similar to the above-mentioned parts 17, 18.

[0071] Figure 11 A more detailed view of the channel portion 42 and the electronic components 43 and the bottom plate 44 is shown, and additional electronic components are placed in the second compartment 39. The fan 37 is not shown here and will be fixed at the mounting holes 45.

[0072] The channel portion 42 has air guiding fins 49 which, when the channel portion is correctly positioned, contact the outer wall of the compartment, thus forming a closed channel portion. A suitable seal can be provided between the portion 42 and the wall. Then, a closed channel portion is formed. Even in embodiments where the channel portion 42 is not closed in this way, it is still referred to as the "channel portion" because air flows along the air guiding fins 43 in the longitudinal direction of the component 42.

[0073] The drawing shows a heat dissipating semiconductor 46. The semiconductor 46 contacts the side wall 47 of the channel portion 42 on one side. On the other side of the semiconductor 46, a plate 48 is pressed by a clamp 50 to make the semiconductor 46 contact the side wall 47. The plate 48 is electrically insulating and has heat conducting properties.

[0074] List of reference marks

[0075] 1 Fixed component

[0076] 2 Electronic part

[0077] 3 Receiving part

[0078] 4 Cooling channel

[0079] 5 Frame-like structure

[0080] 6 Edge

[0081] 7 Edge

[0082] 8 Edge

[0083] 9 Cooling fin

[0084] 10 Electronic housing

[0085] 11 First end

[0086] 12 Second end

[0087] 13 Electronic component

[0088] 14 Plug

[0089] 15 Cover plate

[0090] 16 Cover plate

[0091] 17 Channel portion

[0092] 18 Channel portion

[0093] 19 First fan

[0094] 20 Second fan

[0095] 21 Compression portion

[0096] 22 Another compression part

[0097] 23 Circuit board

[0098] 24 Air guiding fin

[0099] 25 Side surface

[0100] 26 Heat dissipation device

[0101] 27 Cooling rib

[0102] 28 Side surface

[0103] 30 Cover plate

[0104] 31 Cover plate

[0105] 32 Bellows

[0106] 33 Movable part

[0107] 34 Transfer pad

[0108] 35 Actuator

[0109] 36 Wall

[0110] 37 First fan

[0111] 38 Wall

[0112] 39 First compartment of the electronic enclosure

[0113] 40 Second compartment of the electronic enclosure

[0114] 41 Channel part

[0115] 42 Channel part

[0116] 43 Electronic component

[0117] 44 Bottom plate

[0118] 45 Mounting hole

[0119] 46 Semiconductor

[0120] 47 Side wall of the channel part

[0121] 48 Plate

[0122] 49 Air guiding fin

[0123] 50 Clamp

Claims

1. A fixing component for an inductive power transfer pad, the inductive power transfer pad including a movable component, the movable component including a winding structure for generating an electromagnetic field, and when using the inductive power transfer pad, the movable component is movable between a protruding position and a retracted position. The fixing component comprises: an electronic part, which includes an electronic housing having an internal space, a receiving part, when the movable component is installed, the component filled in the receiving part supports the movable component to move between the protruding position and the retracted position during use, and the receiving part has a structural member; a cooling channel, which mainly or solely passes through the receiving part and extends to the electronic part, the cooling channel extends along the outer edge of the receiving part within the receiving part and passes through the interior of the structural member, the cooling channel includes a first channel part and a second channel part fixed in the electronic housing, the first channel part and the second channel part are connected to both ends of the cooling channel passing through the receiving part, the first channel part includes a first end, the second channel part includes a second end, and the first end and the second end are the ends away from the receiving part. a first fan, which is placed i) inside the cooling channel or ii) at the first end of the cooling channel, or below the first end of the cooling channel, or iii) inside the electronic housing, wherein the electronic housing is divided into two compartments by a wall, and the first fan is placed in such a way that when the first fan operates, air is conveyed from one of the compartments into the other compartment. Wherein, when the fan operates, air from the interior of the electronic housing is transmitted through the first end through the cooling channel, heat is transferred from the air to the structural member of the receiving part to cool the air, and the cooled air is conveyed back into the interior of the electronic housing through the second end.

2. The fixing component according to claim 1, including a second fan, which is placed inside the cooling channel or at the second end of the cooling channel, or below the second end of the cooling channel, wherein the inlet side of the first fan faces the interior of the electronic housing, and the pressure side of the second fan faces the interior of the electronic housing.

3. The fixing component according to claim 2, wherein, the cooling channel includes a second compression part adjacent to the second fan.

4. The fixing component according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein, the cooling channel includes a first compression part adjacent to the first fan.

5. The fixing component according to claim 1, wherein, the cooling channel includes air guiding fins inside the cooling channel, which are parallel to the extending direction of the cooling channel.

6. The fixing component according to claim 1, wherein, the first channel part and the second channel part have air guiding fins, and the first channel and the second channel part are in contact with the wall of the electronic part.

7. The fixing component according to claim 1, wherein, the receiving part includes cooling fins on the outer side, which are adjacent to the cooling channel.

8. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein a part of the cooling channel passing through the receiving portion is integrally or partially formed within a structural member of the receiving portion.

9. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein a part of the cooling channel passing through the electronic portion is integrally formed within a structural member of the electronic portion.

10. The fixing member according to claim 8, wherein the structural member of the receiving portion is a frame-like structure having an edge.

11. The fixing member according to claim 10, wherein cooling fins are provided along the edge of the frame-like structure.

12. An inductive power transfer pad for transferring inductive power to a transfer pad of a system of a vehicle, comprising the fixing member and a movable member according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. A method for dissipating heat from an electronic portion of a fixing member of an inductive power transfer pad, the method comprising: providing the fixing member according to any one of claims 1-11, or the inductive power transfer pad according to claim 12, operating a fan within the fixing member such that air from the interior of the electronic housing is transferred through the first end through the cooling channel, heat is transferred from the air from the electronic housing to the structural member of the receiving portion to cool the air, and the cooled air is conveyed back into the interior of the electronic housing through the second end, and heat is further dissipated from the structural member to the environment.

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