Converter modules

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a converter module includes: a plate-shaped heat dissipation member having a flow path therein; a first module arranged on one surface of the heat dissipation member; and a second module arranged on the other surface of the heat dissipation member, wherein the heat dissipation member is formed integrally with the flow path inserted in the heat dissipation member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a converter, and more particularly to a converter module integrally formed with a flow path inserted therein. Background Art

[0002] As electrical equipment of a car, engine electrical equipment (starting equipment, ignition equipment, and charging equipment) and lighting equipment are common, but recently, as vehicles become more electronically controlled, most systems including chassis electrical equipment are becoming electrified and electronic.

[0003] Various electrical components installed in a car (such as lights, audio, heater, and air conditioner) receive power from the battery when the car is stopped and from the generator when running, at which time the power generation capacity of the 14V power system is used as a typical power supply voltage.

[0004] Recently, with the development of the information technology industry, various new technologies (such as electric power steering and the Internet) aimed at improving automobile convenience are being incorporated into vehicles. In the future, it is expected that the development of new technologies that can fully utilize current automobile systems will continue.

[0005] Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), whether soft or hard, are equipped with a DC-DC converter (low-voltage DC-DC converter) to supply power to electrical loads (12V). In addition, the DC-DC converter used as a generator (alternator) in ordinary gasoline vehicles supplies 12V to electrical loads by stepping down the high voltage of the main battery (typically a high-voltage battery with a voltage of 144V or higher).

[0006] A DC-DC converter refers to an electronic circuit device that converts DC power of a certain voltage into DC power of another voltage, and is used in various fields such as televisions and automotive electronics.

[0007] Existing DC-DC converters are formed by assembling various parts (such as heat sinks, pipes, gaskets, covers, and screws) to form a flow path for heat dissipation. Since the flow path is formed in an assembled manner, material costs increase and it is difficult to ensure space for arranging packaged parts. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Topics

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a converter module which is formed integrally with a flow path inserted therein.

[0010] The subject matter of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned subject matter, and other subject matters that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] In order to solve the above technical problems, a converter module according to an embodiment of a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a plate-shaped heat dissipation member having a flow path formed in the plate-shaped heat dissipation member; a first module, which is arranged on one surface of the heat dissipation member; and a second module, which is arranged on the other surface of the heat dissipation member, wherein the heat dissipation member is formed integrally with the flow path inserted therein.

[0013] In addition, the flow path may be formed by a cooling tube through which the refrigerant flows.

[0014] In addition, the flow path may include an inlet and an outlet communicating the outside and the inside of the heat dissipating member, and the flow path may be formed as a single line from the inlet to the outlet.

[0015] In addition, a refrigerant inlet is arranged at the inlet, through which refrigerant is introduced from the outside, and a refrigerant outlet is arranged at the outlet, which is used to discharge the refrigerant circulating in the flow path to the outside, and the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet can be formed integrally with the flow path.

[0016] Additionally, the flow path may be arranged within a predetermined distance from the location of the heating element of the first module or the heating element of the second module.

[0017] Additionally, the first module and the second module may have no overlapping driving time (during which driving overlaps), or the overlapping driving time may be less than or equal to a predetermined ratio or a predetermined time.

[0018] In addition, in the first module and the second module, positions of the heating elements arranged on each module may not correspond to each other.

[0019] In addition, the heat dissipation member may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins on at least one of the one surface and the other surface.

[0020] In addition, the heat dissipation fins may be formed on an outer surface of the first module or the second module.

[0021] In addition, the heat dissipating member may be formed by insert molding a cooling pipe forming the flow path.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the cost for manufacturing the heat dissipation member can be reduced. In addition, by arranging the package modules on both sides of the heat dissipation member, the space can be effectively utilized.

[0024] The effects according to the present invention are not limited to the above-exemplified contents, and more various effects are included in this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A converter module according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a heat dissipation process in a converter module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a view showing a flow path of a converter module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a view showing a heat dissipation member formed integrally with a flow path of a converter module inserted therein according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 are views for explaining each configuration of the converter module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a view showing a converter module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 are views for explaining each configuration of a converter module according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to certain embodiments to be described, but can be implemented in various forms, and one or more of the constituent elements can be selectively combined or replaced between embodiments within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0034] In addition, the terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as meanings that are generally understood by those skilled in the art unless explicitly defined and described otherwise, and commonly used terms (such as terms defined in dictionaries) may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0035] In addition, the terms used in this specification are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0036] In this specification, the singular form may include the plural form unless otherwise stated in the phrase, and when described as "at least one (or more than one) of A and B and C", it may include one or more combinations of all combinations that can be combined with A, B and C.

[0037] In addition, when describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish a component from other components, and these terms do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of these components.

[0038] Furthermore, when a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “interconnected” to another component, the component is not only directly connected, coupled, or interconnected to the other components, but may also include a situation where the component is “connected,” “coupled,” or “interconnected” due to another member between the other components.

[0039] In addition, when it is described that each component is formed or arranged "on (above)" or "under (below)", "on (above)" or "under (below)" means that it includes not only a case where the two components are in direct contact, but also a case where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. In addition, when expressed as "on (above)" or "under (below)", it can include the meaning of not only an upward direction but also a downward direction based on one component.

[0040] Figure 1 A converter module according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0041] The converter module 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a heat dissipation member 120 formed with a flow path 110 , a first module 130 , and a second module 140 .

[0042] The flow path 110 is formed in the heat dissipation member 120 , and the heat dissipation member 120 is integrally formed with the flow path inserted therein.

[0043] More specifically, heat dissipation member 120 is formed in a plate shape and is used to dissipate heat from converter module 100 by radiating the heat generated in converter module 100 to the outside. Heat dissipation member 120 may be a heat sink. First modules 130 and second modules 140 for heat dissipation are arranged on both sides of heat dissipation member 120. First modules 130 and second modules 140 are formed in a plate shape and arranged on both surfaces. Heat dissipation member 120 radiates heat generated in first modules 130 and second modules 140 arranged on both surfaces toward the outside.

[0044] The heat dissipation member 120 dissipates heat using a refrigerant. To dissipate heat using the refrigerant, a flow path 110 is formed in the heat dissipation member 120 through which the refrigerant can flow. Heat generated in the first module 130 and the second module 140 is transferred (conducted) to the flow path 110 through the heat dissipation member 120, and the heat transferred to the flow path 110 is discharged to the outside along the flow path.

[0045] Heat dissipation member 120 is integrally formed by inserting flow path 110 into heat dissipation member 120. Flow path 110 is formed in the desired shape, and when heat dissipation member 120 is injection molded, it is injection molded while flow path 110 is being inserted into heat dissipation member 120, thereby enabling heat dissipation member 120 to be formed with flow path 110 integrally formed therein. Forming heat dissipation member 120 by injection molding with flow path 110 inserted therein can reduce the number of required parts compared to forming a heat dissipation member of a flow path insertion type as an assembled type.

[0046] The first module 130 is disposed on one surface of the heat dissipation member 120 , and the second module 140 is disposed on the other surface of the heat dissipation member 120 .

[0047] More specifically, the first module 130 and the second module 140 are modules included in the converter module 100. For example, the first module 130 may be a DC-DC converter, and the second module 140 may be an on-board charger (OBC).

[0048] A DC-DC converter is a device that converts a DC signal into a DC signal of different amplitude. For example, a DC-DC converter used in a vehicle is used to supply voltage to a load by reducing the high voltage of the battery. For example, a DC-DC converter can convert a high voltage of 144V to a low voltage of 12V. The DC-DC converter includes a transformer coil, an inductor, a switch, etc. for voltage conversion. In the process of converting the voltage, a large amount of heat is generated in devices such as switches implemented with FETs. The heat dissipation member 120 dissipates the heat generated in the heating element to the outside, thereby solving the problem of errors or low efficiency that may occur due to increased temperature.

[0049] An onboard charger (OBC) is a device that increases the voltage of AC power and converts it into DC power to charge the battery, and is used to charge the vehicle battery. In particular, it is used as an essential component for charging the battery of an electric vehicle. The OBC also requires many components (such as coils, inductors, and switches) to perform voltage increase and conversion, and these components (such as switches) generate a large amount of heat. The heat dissipation member 120 dissipates the heat generated in the heating element that constitutes the OBC to the outside.

[0050] Of course, in addition to the DC-DC converter or the OBC, various modules to be applied to the converter module 100 may be included.

[0051] The first module 130 and the second module 140 can be mounted on both surfaces of the heat dissipation member 120 to be arranged. They can be arranged in close contact with each other, so that the heat generated in the first module 130 and the second module 140 can be well transferred to the heat dissipation member 120. By arranging multiple modules on both sides of the heat dissipation member 120, heat dissipation of the multiple modules can be performed by one heat dissipation member 120, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect and enhancing space utilization.

[0052] The first module 130 and the second module 140 may have no overlapping driving time, or the overlapping driving time may be less than or equal to a predetermined ratio or a predetermined time. Since the first module 130 and the second module 140 use a single heat dissipation member 120, for efficient heat dissipation, the first module 130 and the second module 140 can be controlled so that there is no overlapping driving time. When the first module 130 and the second module 140 are driven simultaneously and generate a large amount of heat, the heat dissipation performance of the heat dissipation member 120 alone may not be able to dissipate heat smoothly from both modules. As a result, a temperature rise may occur, which may cause a malfunction. Therefore, when driving the first module 130 and the second module 140, the first module 130 and the second module 140 can be controlled so that there is no overlapping driving time. Alternatively, even if there is overlapping driving time, it can be limited to a predetermined ratio or less than a predetermined time. By limiting the overlapping driving time, the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation member 120 can be improved.

[0053] Here, the ratio of the overlapping driving time refers to the ratio of the overlapping driving time per unit time. For example, if the threshold for limiting the ratio of the overlapping driving time is 10%, the overlapping driving time can be limited to 6 minutes or less within 1 hour.

[0054] Alternatively, the time during which the overlapping drive continues may be limited. For example, if the threshold value of the overlapping drive time is 10 minutes, the overlapping drive time may be limited to 10 minutes or less.

[0055] The threshold ratio or threshold time for limiting the overlapping driving time may be set by a user, or may be changed depending on the heat dissipation performance of the heat dissipation member 120 or the current module temperature or external temperature, etc.

[0056] The first module 130 and the second module 140 can be formed so that the positions of the heating elements arranged on each module do not correspond to each other. The first module 130 and the second module 140 can each include one or more heating elements. When the heating elements of each module are arranged together in a specific area, the heat in the corresponding area is greater than the heat in other areas, resulting in a decrease in heat dissipation efficiency. Therefore, by distributing the heating elements by arranging them in different positions from the heating elements of the second module 140, heat dissipation efficiency can be improved.

[0057] When the first module 130 and the second module 140 are arranged in the heat dissipation member 120, the module generating a large amount of heat can be arranged on the lower surface of the heat dissipation member 120. Since heat has a tendency to be transferred from the bottom to the top, the module generating a large amount of heat can be arranged on the lower surface to efficiently dissipate heat through the heat dissipation member 120.

[0058] In such Figure 2 In the converter module 100 shown, heat generated in the first module 130 and the second module 140 is transferred to the heat dissipation member 120 and discharged to the outside along the refrigerant flowing along the flow path 110 formed inside the heat dissipation member 120, thereby achieving heat dissipation. The two surfaces of the heat dissipation member 120 on which the modules are arranged are formed in a plate shape, but a plurality of grooves may be formed for efficient heat transfer.

[0059] The flow path 110 formed in the heat dissipation member 120 may be formed as a cooling pipe through which the refrigerant flows. Figure 3 As shown in , the flow path 110 formed by the cooling pipe may include a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of curved portions connecting the straight portions. The flow path 110 may be formed by bending a pipe having a constant diameter according to a designed shape.

[0060] The flow path 110 may be arranged within a predetermined distance from the location of the heating element of the first module 130 or the heating element of the second module 140. When forming the flow path 110, in order to efficiently dissipate heat, the flow path 110 may be formed so that the flow path 110 passes within a predetermined interval from the heating element of the module. Figure 3 , although the flow path 110 is shown only in a zigzag form, the flow path 110 may be formed in various forms depending on the position of the heating element.

[0061] The flow path 110 may include an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 communicating the outside and the inside of the heat dissipating member, and the flow path 110 may be formed as a single line from the inlet 111 to the outlet 112. Figure 3As shown, the flow path 110 is formed as a single line from the inlet 111 to the outlet 112 , and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet 111 passes through the flow path 110 until the outlet 112 and circulates, thereby discharging the transferred heat toward the outside.

[0062] A refrigerant inlet is arranged at the inlet 111, through which refrigerant is introduced from the outside, and a refrigerant outlet is arranged at the outlet 112, which is used to discharge the refrigerant circulating through the flow path 110 to the outside. The refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet can be formed integrally with the flow path 110. When the refrigerant flows into the inlet 111 from the outside, it is necessary to seal so that the refrigerant does not leak to the outside. At this time, when a sealing member is used for sealing, a separate part is required, and accurate sealing may be difficult due to the step difference between the products. In addition, if the materials of the cooling pipe forming the flow path 110 and the parts used for sealing are different, when the temperature rises due to the dissipation of heat, the expansion rate is different according to the temperature, so that foreign matter or gaps may appear, which may cause the problem of sealing failure.

[0063] To address this, the refrigerant inlet of the inlet 111 can be formed integrally with the flow path 110. In order to seal, it is necessary to have a snap block, through which a contact part made of rubber or the like formed on the external cooling hose can be in close contact. Sealing can be achieved by manufacturing the tube of the inlet 111 portion to be formed with a snap block for sealing by an expansion and reduction process. The refrigerant outlet can also be formed by a piping process and arranged at the outlet 112 to correspond to the inlet 111. By using a single tube to form the refrigerant inlet and the cold outlet, costs can be reduced due to the reduction in the number of parts, and by using the same material, the problem of foreign matter due to temperature differences can be prevented.

[0064] The heat dissipation member 120 can be formed by insert molding the cooling pipe forming the flow path. The heat dissipation member 120 is formed by molding, but by performing injection molding while the flow path 110 is inserted in the heat dissipation member 120, an integral heat dissipation member 120 in which the flow path 110 is formed can be formed. Insert molding is a process in which a raw material is melted and injected into a mold while an object to be inserted is still inserted into the mold to produce a part, and when it is made of metal, it is also called die casting. After the flow path 110 is formed with the cooling pipe, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in , the heat dissipation member 120 can be formed as a whole by insert molding while the cooling pipe is inserted into the mold. Thus, the heat dissipation member 120 can be formed as a whole without a separate assembly process, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, the first module 130 and the second module 140 can be arranged as in Figure 4 , the heat dissipation member 120 is formed on both surfaces thereof. The first module 130 may be a DC-DC converter, and the second module 140 may be an OBC. Each module may be a packaged module formed by mounting components on a substrate. The first module 130, forming the DC-DC converter, is arranged above the heat dissipation member 120, and the second module 140, forming the OBC, is mounted below the heat dissipation member 120, thereby forming a single converter module 100. Each module may be coupled to the heat dissipation member using bolts and nuts.

[0066] Figure 6 1 is a view showing a converter module 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and may include a heat dissipation member 120 formed with a flow path 110, a first module 130 and heat dissipation fins 210, and a second module 140. Figure 6 The detailed description of the flow path 110, the heat dissipating member 120, the first module 130 and the second module 140 shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 5 Each configuration of the converter module 100 is described above, and thus repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0067] The heat dissipation fins 210 may be formed on at least one of one surface or the other surface of the heat dissipation member 120. In the heat dissipation member 120 formed with the flow path 110, since these modules are formed on both sides, the heat dissipation efficiency may be reduced compared to the case where the modules are formed only on one side. To compensate for this, the heat dissipation efficiency can be improved by using a plurality of heat dissipation fins 210. The heat dissipation fins 210 may be formed on one or both surfaces of the one surface or the other surface of the heat dissipation member. When the heat dissipation member is formed on one surface, since heat has a tendency to be transferred from the bottom to the top, by forming the heat dissipation fins 210 on the upper surface of the heat dissipation member 120, the heat transferred upward can be radiated to the outside through the heat dissipation fins 210.

[0068] At this time, the heat dissipation fins 210 may be formed on the outer surface of the first module 130 or the second module 140. The surfaces of the first module 130 and the second module 140 that are in contact with the heat dissipation member 120 dissipate heat through the heat dissipation member 120, and by forming the heat dissipation fins 210 on the outer surfaces that are not in contact with the heat dissipation member 120, heat dissipation can be achieved in two directions for the modules in which the heat dissipation fins 210 are formed.

[0069] As described above, heat tends to be transferred from the bottom to the top, and the heat dissipation efficiency of the second module 140 formed on the lower surface is higher than that of the first module 130 formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation member 120. Therefore, by forming the heat dissipation fins 210 on the upper portion of the first module 130 having low heat dissipation efficiency, the heat dissipation efficiency of the first module 130 having low heat dissipation efficiency can be improved, and the heat dissipation efficiency radiated to the outside through the heat dissipation fins 210 can also be improved.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the heat dissipation fins 210 may be formed in the form of a cover of the first module 130. The first module 130 is contact-coupled to cover the area in which the heating element is arranged, so as to transfer heat generated from the heating element of the first module 130 to the upper portion of the heat dissipation fins 210 and radiate it to the outside, thereby performing heat dissipation.

[0071] As described above, in the present invention, specific contents (such as specific components, etc.) and limited embodiments and figures have been described, but these are only provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and for ordinary technicians in the field to which the present invention belongs, various modifications and variations are possible based on these descriptions.

[0072] Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and not only the claims described later but also all those having modifications equivalent to or equivalent to the claims will be deemed to belong to the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A converter module, comprising: a heat dissipation member formed in a plate shape and having a flow path formed therein; a first module arranged on one surface of the heat dissipation member; and a second module, the second module being arranged on another surface of the heat dissipation member, wherein the heat dissipation member is formed integrally with the flow path inserted in the heat dissipation member, and There is no overlapping driving time between the first module and the second module, or the overlapping driving time is less than or equal to a predetermined ratio or a predetermined time, wherein the first module and the second module are driven independently of each other, The first module is a DC-DC converter, and the second module is an on-board charger (OBC). Wherein, the one surface and the other surface of the heat dissipation member each include a plurality of grooves, wherein the first module and the second module each include one or more heating elements, and Wherein, positions of the one or more heating elements included in the first module and positions of the one or more heating elements included in the second module do not correspond to each other.

2. The converter module according to claim 1, in, The flow path is formed by a cooling tube through which a refrigerant flows.

3. The converter module according to claim 1, in, The flow path includes an inlet and an outlet communicating the outside and the inside of the heat dissipating member, and the flow path is formed as a single line from the inlet to the outlet.

4. The converter module according to claim 3, in, A refrigerant inlet is arranged at the inlet, and refrigerant is introduced from the outside through the refrigerant inlet, wherein a refrigerant outlet is arranged at the outlet, the refrigerant outlet being used to discharge the refrigerant circulating in the flow path to the outside, and The refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are integrally formed with the flow path.

5. The converter module according to claim 1, in, The flow path is arranged within a predetermined distance from a location of the heating element of the first module or the heating element of the second module.

6. The converter module according to claim 1, in, In the first module and the second module, positions of the heating elements arranged on each module do not correspond to each other.

7. The converter module according to claim 1, in, The heat dissipation member includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins on at least one of the one surface and the other surface.

8. The converter module according to claim 7, in, The heat dissipation fins are formed on an outer surface of the first module or the second module.

9. The converter module according to claim 1, in, The heat dissipating member is formed by insert-molding a cooling pipe forming the flow path.

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