Cooling device with a fan and housing with such a cooling device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (14) for cooling power electronic components arranged in a housing (15). The cooling device (14) comprises a radiator (16) and a fan (1). The fan (1) has an electric motor (2), the motor (2) having a rotor (3) and rotor blades (3') connected to the rotor (3) for co-rotation. Wherein, the motor (2) is arranged in a motor housing (4) and connected to a cable (5). The radiator (16) has a plurality of fins (17) and a cavity (18) for receiving the fan (1). A recess (19) for receiving the motor housing (4) of the fan (1) is arranged in the cavity (18) of the radiator (16). According to the invention, the motor housing (4) of the fan (1) has a peripheral seal (6). The cable (5) and the fastening element (7) are arranged on a side of the motor housing (4) remote from the rotor blades (3'). A receiving portion (20) for the fastening element (7) and a feed-through portion (21) for the cable (5) are arranged in the recess (19).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling power electronic components arranged in a housing, the cooling device comprising a radiator and a fan, the fan having an electric motor with a rotor and rotor blades connected to the rotor in a torsion-proof manner, wherein the motor is arranged in a motor housing and connected to a cable for supplying electrical energy, the radiator having a plurality of fins and a cavity for receiving the fan, wherein a recess is arranged in the cavity of the radiator, the recess being designed to receive the motor housing of the fan.

[0002] Finally, the present invention relates to a housing for receiving power electronic components, in particular an inverter housing, having a housing front and at least one housing rear. Background Art

[0003] In particular, power electronic components of various electronic devices dissipate heat. Examples of such devices are: inverters for photovoltaic systems, welding power supplies, and even battery chargers. To ensure the trouble-free operation and long service life of these devices, the dissipated heat must be effectively removed. This is usually achieved by combining a radiator with a fan.

[0004] For example, AT 515 828B1 describes a cooling device for cooling power electronic components arranged in a housing, and an inverter housing with such a cooling device, which can improve the cooling effect, save space and be compactly designed due to a specially arranged axial fan and specially arranged fins in the cavity of the radiator.

[0005] US2018 / 0103559A1 also describes a cooling device of the said type.

[0006] Generally, the fan (optionally together with an air guide ring for guiding the cooling air) is fixed to the radiator or a housing component by means of a plurality of crossbars using screws. In addition, the cable for supplying electrical energy to the motor of the fan is usually laid along one of the crossbars. For example, such a configuration is shown in US2010 / 0051232A1. In addition to the large assembly work, when the fan rotates, the crossbars and possibly also the cable generate acoustic emissions. Similar to the typical helicopter noise generated when a helicopter rotor passes over the helicopter tail structure, a conventional fan also generates so-called sweep noise when passing over the crossbars. To avoid or at least reduce the interference of these noise emissions, additional sound insulation measures are required, which in turn have a negative impact on the cooling of the power electronic components. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device with a fan as described above and a housing with such a cooling device, whereby the acoustic emission from the fan can be reduced. At the same time, the assembly work of the fan should be as small as possible. The disadvantages of known cooling devices should be avoided or at least reduced.

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by a cooling device of the above type, wherein the motor housing of the fan has a peripheral seal, and the cable and fastening elements are arranged on the side of the motor housing facing away from the rotor blades, and the receiving portion for the fastening elements and the feed-through portion for the cable are arranged in a recess. Thus, the radiator of the cooling device has a recess in the cavity for the fan, and the motor housing is assembled in this recess. The fastening elements located on the motor housing are arranged in the receiving portions in the recess and ensure the corresponding fixation of the fan in the radiator. Finally, the cable for supplying electrical energy to the fan motor, which is also arranged on the bottom side of the motor housing, can pass through the feed-through portion provided in the recess of the radiator, so that the cable is away from the rotor blades, because noise may be generated when the rotor blades pass over the cable. Therefore, the fan can be quickly and easily attached to the radiator of the cooling device without crossbars or other elements that may cause sweep noise. When the motor housing is arranged in the recess of the cavity of the radiator, it is automatically sealed relative to the radiator by the seal provided on the motor housing. Therefore, the assembly and disassembly work can be reduced. Therefore, the above-mentioned acoustic emission caused by the rotor blades passing over the crossbar or the cable can be effectively prevented or reduced, and the total noise emission from the fan can be reduced. In addition, the cable of the fan does not need to be routed and sealed through its own seal through other components (especially the radiator) and reach the corresponding electronic components, but is routed and sealed on the side of the motor housing facing away from the rotor blades. Through the peripheral seal arranged in the motor housing, the sealing of the power electronic components to be cooled from the surrounding environment is further achieved or promoted, and such sealing is usually necessary according to the required protection level. The cooling device with a fan according to the present invention is simple to manufacture and low in cost.

[0009] Preferably, the motor housing of the fan is generally cylindrical in design. This is conducive to achieving a seal relative to the element (such as the radiator) on which the fan is assembled, and is also conducive to arranging the fan in a recess designed correspondingly in the cavity of the element (such as the radiator), because the orientation of the fan or the motor housing relative to the recess in the radiator is largely arbitrary. Of course, in addition to this cylindrical design, other asymmetrical shapes of the motor housing of the fan can also be envisaged.

[0010] The seal of the motor housing of the fan can be formed by at least one O-ring, which is arranged in a corresponding groove on the preferably cylindrical motor housing. The O-ring is formed of a suitable elastic material, such as silicone resin. When assembling the fan, especially when assembling on the radiator of a cooling device, the seal ensures the sealing of the electronic components from the surrounding environment.

[0011] Similarly, the seal of the motor housing of the fan can be formed by at least one sheet seal on the cylindrical motor housing. The sheet seal is made of a suitable elastic plastic. If the motor housing of the fan is made of plastic, the sheet seal can also be integrated in a particularly suitable manner during the manufacturing process of the motor housing and, for example, manufactured in a single-component or multi-component injection molding process.

[0012] The fastening element on the motor housing of the fan is preferably formed by a latching element, which is preferably an elastic latching pin. Thus, tool-free assembly of the fan can be achieved, preferably the disassembly of the fan from the element to be connected (preferably the radiator). The fastening element is preferably formed by an elastic latching pin with corresponding barbs. By pulling the latching pin arranged on the motor housing through a hole until the barbs latch correspondingly, the latching pin can be easily and quickly arranged and anchored in the hole provided for this purpose, thereby ensuring the firm holding of the fan in the corresponding element (preferably the radiator). By pressing the latching pin in the direction of the motor housing, the release of the fan from the radiator can preferably be achieved without using tools.

[0013] Similarly, the fastening element can be formed by a fastening screw. Compared with the above-mentioned latching element, this increases the workload required for assembling and disassembling the fan, because corresponding tools, such as a screwdriver, are also required. However, compared with the traditional assembly using several fastening screws, the workload is reduced because only one fastening screw needs to be attached or disassembled. By arranging the fastening screw on the motor housing, it is ensured that the assembly of the fan does not generate any acoustic emissions during the rotation of the rotor blades.

[0014] When the cable is arranged next to the fastening element, the cable can be simply arranged adjacent to the fastening element by means of a suitably designed receiving portion for the fastening element on the element (especially the radiator) to which the fan is attached. In the case where the receiving portion for the fastening element (especially the latching pin) is a hole, an additional channel for the cable can be provided next to the hole, thereby forming a receiving portion for the fastening element and the cable in the recess of the radiator in the form of a keyhole.

[0015] Preferably, an air guide ring is arranged around the rotor blades. Through this generally cylindrical air guide ring, the cooling air inhaled by the fan (especially an axial fan) can be guided in a targeted manner and directed to the areas on the radiator that require significant cooling.

[0016] Preferably, the receiving portion for the fastening element is formed by a hole. Such a hole can be manufactured particularly quickly and easily, and the hole is used to conveniently receive the fastening element on the motor housing, and the fastening element is formed by a latch element or also a fastening screw.

[0017] The feed-through portion for the cable is also preferably formed by a hole, which can be manufactured particularly quickly and easily. The feed-through portion for the cable and the receiving portion for the fastening element can also be manufactured together, so as to obtain an opening in the form of a keyhole for the fastening element and the cable (see above).

[0018] Finally, the object according to the invention can also be achieved by a housing (in particular an inverter housing) for receiving power electronic components as described above, wherein the above-mentioned cooling device is arranged behind the front part of the housing, and the opening for sucking ambient air is arranged in the front part of the housing. Please refer to the above description of the fan and the cooling device to understand the resulting advantages.

[0019] A grille or other protection device to prevent contact with the fan can be arranged in the opening of the front part of the housing. Instead of a grille or the like, the cooling air can also be supplied at an appropriate position of the housing, so that a grille or other protection device to prevent contact may not be required at all.

[0020] When the air guiding ring of the fan is arranged or integrated in the front part of the housing, simple and rapid assembly of the air guiding ring can be automatically achieved during the assembly of the housing. Of course, the air guiding ring can also be formed by a specific component, and the specific component is arranged around the fan accordingly so as to be able to guide the cooling air accordingly. Description of the Drawings

[0021] The present invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a housing for receiving power electronic components is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A view of a cooling device with a fan for cooling power electronic components arranged in a housing according to the prior art is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A view of the radiator of the cooling device, which is designed to receive the fan, is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the cooling device according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 Detailed views of the motor housing of the fan of the cooling device in the seal area are shown in two different embodiment variants;

[0027] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a cooling device according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 a side view showing a fan of the cooling device; and

[0029] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 Bottom view of the fan in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic view of a housing 15 for receiving power electronic components is shown, for example, the housing 15 is an inverter housing for an inverter of a photovoltaic system. The housing 15 consists of a front part, namely a housing front part 24, and a housing rear part 25. Figure 5 ) of the cooling device 14 (see Figure 2 ) is arranged behind the housing front part 24. An opening 26 for sucking in ambient air is arranged in the housing front part 24. Preferably, a grille 27 or other protection against contact is provided in the opening 26. The position of the opening 26 is adapted to the cooling device 14 arranged behind the housing front part 24. In particular, the fan 1 of the cooling device 14 is arranged behind the opening 26. In the example shown, the opening 26 is arranged centrally on the housing front part 24. Instead of the opening 26 arranged above the fan 1 of the cooling device 14 in this way, a slot or the like for sucking in ambient air (not shown) can also be provided at other positions of the housing front part 24. The power electronic components to be cooled are arranged behind the radiator 16 of the cooling device 14 (not shown or only indicated by dashed lines). The cooling air is discharged via a slot or the like (not shown) appropriately arranged in the housing front part 24 or the housing rear part 25. Of course, the housing 15 can also be composed of a plurality of housing parts and can have a cubic shape different from that shown in the figure.

[0031] Figure 2 A view showing a cooling device 14 according to the prior art for cooling a power electronic component arranged in a housing 15 (see FIG. Figure 1) Among them. The cooling device 14 includes a combination of a radiator 16 and an integrated fan 1. The fan 1 is arranged in a cavity 18 in the radiator 16. The radiator 16 includes a row of fins 17, and the fins are arranged substantially radially around the cavity 18 of the fan 1 here. In addition to increasing the surface area, this arrangement can also generate a diversion of the cooling air flow, and thus bring an improved cooling effect. The fan 1 is preferably arranged at the central position of the radiator 16 to achieve a uniform distribution of the inhaled ambient air over the entire surface of the radiator 16. Generally, an air guiding ring 13 also surrounds the fan, forming an intermediate space between its lower edge and the bottom surface of the radiator 16. This intermediate space enables the air flow inhaled from above to be discharged laterally between the fins 17. Generally, the fan 1 is fastened to the radiator 16 by means of a cross beam and corresponding fastening screws. If the rotor blades 3 of the fan 1 pass by the cross beam during the operation of the fan, disturbing acoustic emissions, i.e., so-called sweep noise, will be generated. According to the present invention, the sweep noise will be avoided or at least reduced.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a view of the radiator 16 of the cooling device 14 designed to receive the fan 1 (see Figure 7 ). The radiator 16 has a plurality of fins 17 and a cavity 18 for receiving the fan 1 (see Figure 2 ). A recess 19 is arranged in the cavity 18 of the radiator 16, and the recess 19 is designed to receive the motor housing 4 of the fan 1. In the case where the motor housing 4 is cylindrical, the recess 19 is also correspondingly designed to be cylindrical, so that the motor housing 4 of the fan 1 can be received and fastened therein. In order to fasten the fan 1 in the radiator 16, a receiving portion 20 for the fastening element 7 of the fan 1 is provided in the recess 19, and a feed-through portion 21 for the cable 5 of the fan 1 is also arranged. Preferably, the receiving portion 20 for the fastening element 7 is formed by a cylindrical depression 22, and the feed-through portion 21 for the cable 5 is formed by a hole 23. If the cylindrical depression 22 and the hole 23 are arranged adjacent to each other directly or in a transitional manner, an opening in the form of a keyhole will be formed for both the fastening element 7 of the fan 1 and the cable 5. Since both the attachment of the fan 1 and the routing of the cable 5 are carried out downward through the radiator 16, no additional fastening elements are required to fasten the fan 1 to the radiator 16, and the cable 5 also does not travel near the rotor blades 3 of the fan 1. Therefore, the sweep noise during the operation of the fan 1 can be avoided, and the acoustic emission of the fan can be reduced. In addition, the design of the fan 1 and the radiator 16 enables the assembly and disassembly of the fan 1 on the radiator 16 to be quick and simple, preferably without using tools.

[0033] Figure 4A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the cooling device 14 according to the present invention is provided. The motor housing 4 of the fan 1 has two peripheral seals 6 in the form of O-rings 9, which extend in a groove 8 on the motor housing 4 (see Figure 5 left-hand image). On the side of the motor housing 4 facing away from the rotor blades 3', a fastening element 7 and a cable 5 for supplying electrical energy to the motor 2 of the fan 1 are provided. The cable 5 passes through a feedthrough 21 in a recess 19 in the radiator 16. The feedthrough 21 is preferably formed by a hole 23 in the radiator 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the motor housing 4 has a cylindrical design. Accordingly, the recess 19 in the cavity 18 of the radiator 16 of the cooling device 14 also has a cylindrical design. Thus, when the motor housing 4 of the fan 1 is inserted into the recess 19, the fan 1 is automatically centered. In this exemplary embodiment of the fan, the fastening element 7 is realized by a fastening element 7 in the form of a latching element 10, preferably an elastic latching pin 11. In the recess 19 of the radiator 16, a receiving portion 20 for the fastening element 7 is provided in the form of a cylindrical depression 22, and the elastic latching pin 11 is pulled through the cylindrical depression 22 to fix the fan 1 to the radiator 16. This enables the fan 1 to be simply, quickly and tool-free attached to the radiator 16. When disassembling, the elastic latching pin 11 is moved in the direction of the motor housing 4 of the fan 1 through the cylindrical depression 22, thereby releasing the fan 1 from the radiator 16.

[0034] An air guide ring 13 surrounding the rotor blades 3' of the fan 1 is used to guide the cooling air flow. The air guide ring 13 can be designed as a separate component and can be fastened to the radiator 16 in a suitable manner (e.g., snap-fit), or can be connected to the housing front 24 of the housing 15, or can be integrated with or co-manufactured with the housing front 24. In the latter case, when the housing 15 is closed, the air guide ring 13 will automatically be arranged around the fan 1, so that the cooling air flow can be guided accordingly.

[0035] Figure 5 Two different embodiments are shown of a detailed view of the motor housing 4 of the fan 1 in the region of the seal 6 corresponding to region V in Figure 4 In the left-hand view, the seal 6 of the motor housing 4 of the fan is formed by an O-ring 9 extending in a peripheral groove 8 of the motor housing 4. It is also possible that a plurality of O-rings 9 are arranged adjacent to each other or one above the other in a plurality of grooves 8 on the motor housing 4 of the fan 1. In Figure 5 the embodiment shown on the right, the seal 6 is formed by at least one sheet seal 9' on the motor housing 4. The sheet seal 9' can be arranged in a groove 8 or the like in the motor housing 4, or can also be directly manufactured together with the motor housing, for example in a single-component or multi-component injection molding process.

[0036] Finally,Figure 6 Shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the cooling device 14 according to the present invention. Different from Figure 4 the embodiment of, in this case, the fastening element 7 for fastening the motor housing 4 of the fan 1 to the radiator 16 is formed by a fastening screw 12, which is screwed in through the cylindrical recess 22 of the radiator 16. Different from Figure 4 the variant in, here a tool is required to fix the fan 1 to the radiator 16 or remove it from the radiator 16.

[0037] Figure 7 Shows a side view of the fan 1 of the cooling device 14. The fan 1 has an electric motor 2 (not shown), a rotor 3, and rotor blades 3' connected to the rotor 3 in a torsion-proof manner. The fan 1 also has a preferably cylindrical motor housing 4 and a cable 5 for supplying electrical energy to the motor 2. The motor housing 4 has a peripheral seal 6, which is formed by two O-rings 9 here. On the side of the motor housing 4 facing away from the rotor blades 3', the cable 5 and the fastening element 7 are provided. In the exemplary embodiment of the fan 1 shown, the fastening element 7 is formed by an elastic latch pin 11.

[0038] Figure 8 Shows a view of the fan 1 from Figure 7 the bottom. Here, the cylindrical motor housing 4 can be seen, and the cable 5 arranged on the bottom side or on the side away from the rotor blades 3' and the fastening element 7 formed as an elastic latch element 11 are shown.

[0039] In the cooling device 14 designed according to the present invention (see Figure 4 ), the fan 1 can be assembled on the corresponding radiator 16 particularly simply and quickly, and the sweep noise caused by the fastening element or the like is avoided or at least reduced.

Claims

1. A cooling device (14) for cooling power electronic components arranged in a housing (15), the cooling device (14) comprising a radiator (16) and a fan (1), the fan (1) having an electric motor (2), the motor (2) having a rotor (3) and rotor blades (3') connected to the rotor (3) in a torsion-proof manner, wherein, The motor (2) is arranged in a motor housing (4) and connected to a cable (5) for supplying electrical energy. The radiator (16) has a plurality of fins (17) and a cavity (18) for receiving a fan (1). Among them, a recess (19) is arranged in the cavity (18) of the radiator (16), and the recess (19) is designed to receive the motor housing (4) of the fan (1). It is characterized in that the motor housing (4) of the fan (1) has a peripheral seal (6), and the cable (5) and a fastening element (7) are arranged on a side of the motor housing (4) facing away from the rotor blade (3'). Among them, a receiving portion (20) for the fastening element (7) and a feed-through portion (21) for the cable (5) are arranged in the recess (19).

2. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor housing (4) of the fan (1) is generally of a cylindrical design.

3. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The seal (6) of the motor housing (4) of the fan (1) is formed by at least one O-ring (9), and the O-ring (9) is arranged in a corresponding groove (8) on the motor housing (4).

4. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The seal (6) of the motor housing (4) of the fan (1) is formed by at least one sheet seal (9') on the motor housing (4).

5. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fastening element (7) is formed by a latch element (10).

6. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fastening element (7) is formed by a fastening screw (12).

7. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cable (5) is arranged beside the fastening element (7).

8. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, An air guide ring (13) surrounding the rotor blade (3') is provided.

9. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The receiving portion (20) for the fastening element (7) is formed by a cylindrical depression (22).

10. The cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The feed-through portion (21) for the cable (5) is formed by a hole (23).

11. The cooling device (14) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fastening element (7) is formed by an elastic latch pin (11).

12. A housing (15) for receiving power electronic components, having a housing front part (24) and at least one housing rear part (25), characterized in that, A cooling device (14) according to any one of claims 1-11 is provided behind the front part (24) of the housing, and an opening (26) for sucking ambient air is arranged in the front part (24) of the housing.

13. The housing (15) according to claim 12, characterized in that, A grille (27) is arranged in the opening (26) of the front part (24) of the housing.

14. The housing (15) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The air guide ring (13) of the fan (1) is arranged in the front part (24) of the housing.

15. The housing (15) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The housing (15) is an inverter housing.

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