Power module with detachable function

Abstract

The invention discloses a power module with a detachable function. The power module comprises a shell box part, a power element circuit, a shell cover part and a sensing element, the power element circuit is arranged in the shell box part. The shell cover part is installed on the shell box part and comprises a cover part combination structure. The sensing element is used for measuring parameters of the power element circuit and comprises an element combination structure, and the element combination structure is detachably combined with the cover part combination structure so that the sensing element can be detachably installed on the shell cover part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power module, and more particularly to a power module with a detachable function. Background Art

[0002] At present, for the inverters of electric vehicles, the sensors are arranged outside the power module, and the response time is too long, which easily causes problems such as current overload and short circuit in the system. Especially when the power module integrates a current sensor to sense the current amount and current change, problems of current overload and short circuit protection occur. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above, the present invention provides a power module with a detachable function.

[0004] A power module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing box part; a power element circuit arranged in the housing box part; a housing cover part mounted on the housing box part, the housing cover part including a cover part coupling structure; and a sensing element for measuring parameters of the power element circuit, the sensing element including an element coupling structure, and the element coupling structure is detachably combined with the cover part coupling structure so that the sensing element is detachably mounted on the housing cover part.

[0005] A power module according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing box part including a box part coupling structure; a power element circuit arranged in the housing box part; a housing cover part mounted on the housing box part; and a sensing element for measuring parameters of the power element circuit; wherein, when the housing cover part is mounted on the housing box part, the sensing element is inserted into the box part coupling structure so that the sensing element is detachably mounted on the housing box part.

[0006] The power module with a detachable function disclosed by the present invention provides a detachable coupling method, so that the sensing element is detachably and tightly fitted, locked and / or adhered to the power module, which is convenient for replacement when the sensing element is abnormal or a sensing element with a different measurement range, sensitivity or for measuring voltage is needed. In addition, in order to prevent current overload and short circuit of the power module, this sensing element can actuate the power module to stop operating according to the sensed current value and / or voltage value.

[0007] The above description of the content of the present invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the spirit and principle of the present invention, and provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a power module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the exploded view of the power module in

[0010] Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the housing cover part and the sensing element;

[0011] Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present invention, it is the partial top view of the power module after removing the housing cover part;

[0012] Figure 5 is Figure 1 In , it is the cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention along the A-A direction;

[0013] Figure 6 In another embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the power module;

[0014] Figure 7A In yet another embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the power module;

[0015] Figure 7B In still another embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the power module;

[0016] Figure 8A and Figure 8B In one embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the installation steps of the power module;

[0017] Figure 9A In another embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the housing cover part and the sensing element;

[0018] Figure 9B In yet another embodiment of the present invention, it is the schematic diagram of the housing cover part and the sensing element;

[0019] Figure 10 In one embodiment of the present invention, it is the flowchart of the use steps of the power module.

[0020] Symbol Description

[0021] 100: Housing box part

[0022] 110: Box part coupling structure

[0023] 200: Housing cover part

[0024] 210: Cover part coupling structure

[0025] 300: Power element circuit

[0026] 400: Sensing element

[0027] 410: Element coupling structure

[0028] 500: Metal terminal

[0029] 510: Metal groove

[0030] 520: Hollow hole

[0031] 600: Screw

[0032] 700: Adhesive layer

[0033] G: Gap

[0034] S1~S6: Steps

[0035] P: Power module

[0036] W: Distance Detailed implementation manners

[0037] In the following implementation manners, the detailed features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail. The content is sufficient for any person skilled in the relevant art to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. And according to the content disclosed in this specification, the claims and the drawings, any person skilled in the relevant art can easily understand the relevant purposes and advantages of the present invention. The following embodiments further illustrate the viewpoints of the present invention in detail, but do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 which shows a schematic structural diagram of the power module P of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows Figure 1 the exploded view of the power module P in Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the power module P of this embodiment may include a housing box portion 100, a housing cover portion 200, a power element circuit 300, and a sensing element 400. The housing cover portion 200 is mounted on the housing box portion 100. The power element circuit 300 is disposed within the housing box portion 100. The sensing element 400 is used to measure the parameters of the power element circuit 300. Further, the power module P may include a metal terminal, and the metal terminal 500 is disposed on the housing box portion 100, and the metal terminal 500 is coupled to the power element circuit 300. More specifically, the sensing element 400 can be coupled to the metal terminal 500 in a direct contact or indirect contact manner. In some embodiments, the power element circuit 300 can be a switch, a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, a diode, a power diode, an amplifier, and / or a driver IC (Driver IC), or any combination of the above. More specifically, the switch may include Si MOSFET, SiC MOSFET, GaN MOSFET, and insulated gate bipolar transistor (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, IGBT), etc., and the power diode may include Schottky barrier diode (Schottky barrierdiode, SBD), fast recovery diode (Fast Recovery Epitaxial Diodes, FRED), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the sensing element 400 can be a Hall effect sensor (Hall Effect Sensors), a current clamp (Current Clamp), a thermocouple sensor (Thermocouple Sensors), an optical sensor (OpticalSensors), a resistor-based sensor (Resistor-based Sensors), a micro-electro-mechanical systems MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) coil sensor, an AMR (Anisotropic Magneto-Resistance) sensor, a GMR (Giant Magneto-Resistance) sensor, a TMR (Tunnel Magneto-Resistance) sensor, a magnetic flux sensor, and a current transducer (Current Transducer), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the metal terminal 500 can be copper, aluminum, silver, copper alloy, or aluminum alloy, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 which shows a schematic diagram of the housing cover portion and the sensing element in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 3As shown, the housing cover portion 200 may include a cover portion coupling structure 210. The sensing element 400 may include an element coupling structure 410. The element coupling structure 410 is detachably combined with the above-mentioned cover portion coupling structure 210, so that the sensing element 400 is detachably mounted on the housing cover portion 200. Further, the element coupling structure 410 being detachably combined with the cover portion coupling structure 210 can provide a resistance between the element coupling structure 410 and the cover portion coupling structure 210 to achieve a tight fit design. This tight fit design can restrict the movement of the sensing element 400 in a first axial direction and a second axial direction, where the first axial direction is perpendicular to the second axial direction. More specifically, the first axial direction is a first direction along the X-axis, and the second axial direction is a second direction along the Z-axis.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cover portion coupling structure 210 may be a pair of alignment bumps, and the element coupling structure 410 may be a pair of alignment grooves. More specifically, the alignment bumps can be tightly fitted into the alignment grooves. For example, the size of the alignment bumps can be larger than the size of the alignment grooves, or be recessed inward compared to the size of the alignment grooves, so that the sensing element 400 is tightly fitted to the housing cover portion 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The cover portion coupling structure 210 and the element coupling structure 410 can be any one or more sets / pairs of mechanism configurations, so that the cover portion coupling structure 210 and the element coupling structure 410 can be detachably engaged, snapped, or / and combined with each other to achieve a tight fit design, making the sensing element 400 tightly fitted to the housing cover portion 200, and at the same time, the sensing element 400 can be detached or recombined from the housing cover portion 200 at any time in a detachable manner.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 4 which shows a partial top view of the power module after removing the housing cover portion 200 in an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A direction in Figure 6 , and Figure 4As shown, the outer shell box portion 100 may include a box portion coupling structure 110. Further, when the outer shell cover portion 200 is mounted on the outer shell box portion 100, the sensing element 400 may be inserted into the box portion coupling structure 110, so that the sensing element 400 is detachably mounted on the outer shell box portion 100. Further, the groove wall restriction of the box portion coupling structure 110 may provide a resistance between the box portion coupling structure 110 and the sensing element 400, achieving a tight fit design. This tight fit design may prevent the sensing element 400 from detaching from the outer shell cover portion 200 along an insertion direction. More specifically, the above insertion direction is a third direction perpendicular to the above first axial direction and second axial direction and along the Y axis. In some embodiments, the box portion coupling structure 110 may be a fixed groove, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The box portion coupling structure 110 may be any mechanism configuration designed according to the shape of the sensing element 400, not limited to any specific shape, for placing the sensing element 400. In some embodiments, the box portion coupling structure 110 and the sensing element 400 are detachably engaged, latched, or / and combined with each other to achieve a tight fit design, so that the sensing element 400 is tightly fitted in the outer shell box portion 100, and at the same time, the sensing element 400 can be detachably disassembled or recombined from the outer shell box portion 100 at any time.

[0042] As Figure 5 shown, in some embodiments, the sensing element 400 may be coupled to the metal terminal 500 in an indirect contact manner for sensing the current value of the metal terminal 500. For example, the sensing element 400 is separated from the metal terminal 500 by a gap G, and the sensing element 400 senses the current value of the metal terminal 500. In some embodiments, the gap G may be greater than 0.5 mm to avoid circuit damage, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0043] As Figure 6 shown, in some embodiments, the sensing element 400 may be coupled to the metal terminal 500 in a direct contact manner, and the sensing element 400 senses the voltage value of the metal terminal 500. In addition, the sensing element 400 may also be coupled to the metal terminal 500 in a direct contact or indirect contact manner to sense data such as the voltage value, current value, humidity, temperature, light sense, pressure, and / or magnetic field of the metal terminal 500 or the above combination, for measuring the parameters of the power element circuit 300, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 7A and Figure 7B , Figure 7A which is a schematic diagram of a power module P showing another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7B which is a schematic diagram of a power module P showing still another embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 7AAs shown, in some embodiments, the box portion coupling structure 110 may include a metal groove 510 on the metal terminal 500. When the outer shell cover portion 200 is mounted on the outer shell box portion 100, the sensing element 400 is inserted into the box portion coupling structure 110 and the metal groove 510, so as to realize that the sensing element 400 is coupled to the metal terminal 500 in a direct contact or indirect contact manner, and the groove walls of the box portion coupling structure 110 and / or the metal groove 510 can limit the sensing element 400 from detaching from the outer shell box portion 100 along the insertion direction, so that the sensing element 400 is tightly fitted in the outer shell box portion 100. In some embodiments, the depth of the metal groove 510 is less than 0.5 mm, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As Figure 7B As shown, in some embodiments, the metal terminal 500 may include a hollow hole 520. When the outer shell cover portion 200 is mounted on the outer shell box portion 100, the sensing element 400 can pass through the hollow hole 520 and be inserted into the box portion coupling structure 110, so as to realize that the sensing element 400 is coupled to the metal terminal 500 in a direct contact or indirect contact manner, and the groove walls of the box portion coupling structure 110 and / or the hollow hole 520 can limit the sensing element 400 from detaching from the outer shell box portion 100 along the insertion direction, so that the sensing element 400 is tightly fitted in the outer shell box portion 100.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 8A and Figure 8B , Figure 8A and Figure 8B are schematic diagrams showing the installation steps of a power module according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, as Figure 8A shown, the sensing element 400 can be mounted on the outer shell cover portion 200 in a detachable manner along a direction perpendicular or parallel to the outer shell cover portion 200. More specifically, the element coupling structure 410 of the sensing element 400 can be along a direction perpendicular or parallel to the cover portion coupling structure 210 of the outer shell cover portion 200, so that the cover portion coupling structure 210 and the element coupling structure 410 are detachably combined, providing a resistance between the element coupling structure 410 and the cover portion coupling structure 210 to achieve a tight fit design. This tight fit design can limit the movement of the sensing element 400 along a first axial direction perpendicular or parallel to the outer shell cover portion 200 and a second axial direction. More specifically, the first axial direction can be a first direction along the X axis and parallel to the outer shell cover portion 200, and the second axial direction can be a second direction along the Z axis and perpendicular to the outer shell cover portion 200.

[0046] Next, as Figure 8BAs shown, when the outer shell cover part 200 is installed on the outer shell box part 100, the sensing element 400 can be inserted into the outer shell box part 100. More specifically, when the outer shell cover part 200 is installed on the outer shell box part 100, the sensing element 400 can be inserted into the box part coupling structure 110 of the outer shell box part 100, so that the sensing element 400 is installed on the outer shell box part 100 in a detachable manner. Further, at this time, the sensing element 400 can be installed on the outer shell box part 100 and the outer shell cover part 200 in a detachable manner, achieving a tight fit design.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 9A and Figure 9B , Figure 9A which shows a schematic diagram of the outer shell cover part 200 and the sensing element 400 in another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9B which shows a schematic diagram of the outer shell cover part 200 and the sensing element 400 in yet another embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 9A shown, in some embodiments, the sensing element 400 can be installed on the outer shell cover part 200 in a locking manner. More specifically, the cover part coupling structure 210 can be a screw post (not shown), and the element coupling structure 410 can be an assembly through hole (not marked). Further, the power module may further include a screw 600, and this screw 600 is used to pass through the assembly through hole and lock onto the screw post, achieving a tight fit design, and at the same time, the sensing element 400 can be disassembled or recombined from the outer shell cover part 200 at any time.

[0048] As Figure 9B shown, in some embodiments, the sensing element 400 can be installed on the outer shell cover part 200 in an adhesive manner. More specifically, at least one of the cover part coupling structure 210 and the element coupling structure 310 can have an adhesive layer 700, and this adhesive layer 700 can be used to bond the cover part coupling structure 210 and the element coupling structure 310, achieving a tight fit design, and at the same time, the sensing element 400 can be disassembled or recombined from the outer shell cover part 200 at any time. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 700 can be an adhesive. For example, the adhesive layer 700 can be UV curable adhesives, conductive adhesives, hot melt adhesives, acrylic adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and adhesive films, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 which shows a flowchart of the usage steps of the power module P in an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, as Figure 10As shown, the power module according to an embodiment of the present invention may also be coupled to a gate driver (not shown). In step S1, the power module is actuated. In some embodiments, this power module may be coupled to other instruments or / and devices, and when the above-mentioned instruments or / and devices are turned on, this power module will be actuated.

[0050] In step S2, the gate driver is turned on. In some embodiments, the gate driver may be disposed inside or outside the power module to enable the power module to maintain operation or stop operation. Then, in step S3, the sensing element in the power module may sense the current value and / or voltage value of the metal terminal, and at the same time, it may determine whether the current value and / or voltage value of the metal terminal falls within a normal range.

[0051] If the current value and / or voltage value of the metal terminal falls within a normal range, step S4 is connected, so that the gate driver is not turned off, so that the power module maintains operation. At the same time, it can return to step S3 again, and continue to sense the current value and / or voltage value of the metal terminal by the sensing element, and continuously determine whether the current value and / or voltage value of the metal terminal falls within a normal range. If the current value and / or voltage value of the metal terminal does not fall within a normal range, steps S5 and S6 are connected, so that the gate driver is turned off, so that the power module stops operating, effectively preventing problems such as current overload and short circuit of the power module.

[0052] In summary, according to the power module with a detachable function disclosed in the present invention, a detachable combination method is provided, so that the sensing element is tightly fitted, locked and / or adhered to the power module in a detachable manner, which is convenient for replacement when the sensing element is abnormal or a sensing element with a different measurement range, sensitivity or changed to measure voltage is required. In addition, in order to prevent current overload and short circuit of the power module, this sensing element can actuate the power module to stop operating according to the sensed current value and / or voltage value.

[0053] Although the present invention has been disclosed in combination with the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, any changes and modifications made are within the scope of the patent protection of the present invention. For the scope of protection defined by the present invention, please refer to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power module with a detachable function, comprising: Shell box part; A shell cover is mounted on the shell box, and the shell cover includes a cover combination structure; A power element circuit is disposed in the housing box; and The sensing element is used to measure the parameters of the power element circuit. The sensing element comprises an element combining structure. The element combining structure is detachably combined with the cover combining structure, so that the sensing element is detachably mounted on the housing cover.

2. The power module according to claim 1, further comprising: A metal terminal is arranged on the housing box portion, the metal terminal is coupled to the power element circuit, and the sensing element is coupled to the metal terminal in a direct contact or indirect contact manner. 3 . The power module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the sensing element senses the current value of the metal terminal in an indirect contact manner. 4 . The power module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the sensing element senses the voltage value of the metal terminal in a direct contact manner.

5. The power module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover coupling structure is a positioning protrusion; and the component coupling structure is a positioning groove, the size of the positioning protrusion is larger than the size of the positioning groove, so that the positioning protrusion is tightly fitted in the positioning groove. 6 . The power module as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the tight fit design of the alignment protrusion and the alignment groove limits the movement of the sensing element in a first axial direction and a second axial direction, and the first axial direction is perpendicular to the second axial direction.

7. The power module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover combining structure is a screw column, and the component combining structure is an assembly through hole, wherein the power module further comprises a screw for passing through the assembly through hole and being locked to the screw column. 8 . The power module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cover combining structure and the component combining structure comprises an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer is used to bond the cover combining structure and the component combining structure. 9 . The power module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the housing box portion comprises a box portion coupling structure, and when the housing cover portion is mounted on the housing box portion, the sensing element is inserted into the box portion coupling structure.

10. The power module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the box portion coupling structure is a fixing groove, when the outer shell cover is installed on the outer shell box portion, the sensing element is inserted into the fixing groove, and the groove wall of the fixing groove restricts the sensing element from detaching from the outer shell cover along the insertion direction.

11. The power module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the box portion coupling structure comprises a metal groove on the metal terminal, and when the housing cover is installed on the housing box portion, the sensing element is inserted into the box portion coupling structure and the metal groove. 12 . The power module as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the metal terminal comprises a hollow hole, and when the housing cover is installed on the housing box, the sensing element passes through the hollow hole and is inserted into the box combination structure.

13. A power module with a detachable function, comprising: The outer shell box part includes a box part combining structure; A housing cover portion, mounted on the housing box portion; A power element circuit is disposed in the housing box; and A sensing element for measuring parameters of the power element circuit; in, When the housing cover is installed on the housing box, the sensing element is inserted into the box combination structure, so that the sensing element is installed on the housing box in a detachable manner.

14. The power module according to claim 13, further comprising: A metal terminal is arranged on the housing box portion, the metal terminal is coupled to the power element circuit, and the sensing element is coupled to the metal terminal in a direct contact or indirect contact manner. 15 . The power module as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the sensing element senses the current value of the metal terminal in an indirect contact manner. 16 . The power module as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the sensing element senses the voltage value of the metal terminal in a direct contact manner.

17. The power module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the box portion combining structure is a fixing groove, when the outer shell cover is installed on the outer shell box portion, the sensing element is inserted into the fixing groove, and the groove wall of the fixing groove restricts the sensing element from detaching from the outer shell cover along the insertion direction. 18 . The power module as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the box portion coupling structure is a metal groove on the metal terminal, and when the housing cover is installed on the housing box portion, the sensing element is inserted into the metal groove. 19 . The power module as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the metal terminal comprises a hollow hole, and when the housing cover is installed on the housing box, the sensing element passes through the hollow hole and is inserted into the box combination structure.

Images