Vehicle power converter device

Abstract

Vehicle power converter device (2), comprising: a housing (3) designed to accommodate an electronic component (6) and to be fixed to a vehicle (100), and which has an opening (7); a base (10) that is a plate-shaped element, (i) having a first main surface (11) to which the electronic component (6) is attached, and a second main surface (12) wherein the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other, (ii) having a groove (15) therein, wherein the groove (15) with enclosed refrigerant (14) extends along the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12), (iii) covering the opening (7) through the first main surface (11) which faces an interior of the housing (3), and (iv) being attached to the housing (3); and Heat sinks (20) which are joined at intervals to the second main surface (12), wherein the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other in a horizontal direction, wherein the groove (15) is a plurality of grooves (15) each extending in a vertical direction, wherein the grooves (15) are arranged in the horizontal direction, and wherein the base (10) internally has a bypass (16) which connects vertically directed lower ends of at least some of the grooves (15) together.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle power converter device with a cooling device. State of the art

[0002] Semiconductor elements contained in a power converter device generate heat during the switching process. To dissipate the heat generated by the semiconductor elements, the power converter device is equipped with a cooling device. Patent reference 1 discloses heat sinks with embedded heat pipes extending substantially along the entire length of a base plate. The heat pipes are first inserted into embedding grooves formed in the base plate and then covered by soldering. Patent reference 2 discloses a power converter device arranged under the floor of a rail vehicle. The power converter device comprises a power semiconductor module on one surface of a heat-receiving element and heat pipes embedded in the other surface of the heat-receiving element. The heat pipes are thermally connected to the heat-receiving element by soldering.A power converter device for a vehicle is known from patent literature 3. A power converter device is known from patent literature 4. Citation list of patent literature Patent literature 1: Japanese patent no. JP 4 491 209 B2 Patent literature 2: Japanese patent no. JP 5 560 182 B2 Patent literature 3: JP 2012 - 75 251 A Patent literature 4: JP 2017 - 46 529 A Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0003] The heat sinks disclosed in patent literature 1 exhibit increased thermal resistance due to a perpendicular connection between the base plate and the heat tubes. The power converter device disclosed in patent literature 2 exhibits increased thermal resistance due to a perpendicular connection between the heat-receiving element and the heat tubes. Such increased thermal resistance reduces the cooling efficiency of the cooling device.

[0004] The present disclosure is made in consideration of such a situation, and one objective of the present disclosure is to improve the cooling performance of a vehicle power converter device. Solution to the problem

[0005] To solve the aforementioned problem, a vehicle power converter device is provided in accordance with the independent claims. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device can be improved by providing heat sinks with spacing on a surface of the base which internally has the groove with enclosed refrigerant. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of a cooling device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 1; Fig. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device according to embodiment 1; Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a power converter device according to embodiment 1; Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the power converter device according to embodiment 1; Fig. Figure 6 is a drawing that shows an example of the installation of the power converter device in a vehicle according to embodiment 1; Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device according to embodiment 2; Fig. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 2; Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. Description of embodiments

[0007] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. Design 1

[0008] Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a cooling device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. A cooling device 1 is provided with a base 10, which is a plate-shaped element, and heat sinks 20, which are attached to the base 10. The number of heat sinks 20 is freely selectable. In the example of Fig. The heat sinks 20 are fins. The base 10 has a first main surface 11, to which an electronic component is to be attached, and a second main surface 12 facing the first main surface 11. The heat sinks 20 are attached to the second main surface 12. The cooling device 1 cools the electronic component to be attached to the first main surface 11.

[0009] Fig. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device according to embodiment 1. A groove 13, extending along the first main surface 11 and the second main surface 12, is formed in the interior of the base 10. Refrigerant 14 is enclosed in the grooves 13. The refrigerant 14 is in a gaseous-liquid biphase state, in which both gaseous and liquid refrigerant 14 exist. The refrigerant is, for example, pure water, ethanol, acetone, or the like.

[0010] Fig. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Fig. 2. In embodiment 1, the grooves 13, which extend horizontally along the first main surface 11 and the second main surface 12, are arranged vertically. Although the heat sinks 20 in embodiment 1 are fins extending vertically, they can be arranged in any direction. The heat sinks 20 can be fins extending horizontally. Since the fins serve as heat sinks 20 extending in the same direction as the grooves 13, the cooling performance of a vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved. Furthermore, by aligning the direction in which the fins extend with the direction of travel of a vehicle, the headwind can be brought into contact with the heat sinks 20. This can improve the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2. Fig. 3 is a section surrounded by a dashed line, a section facing the section of the first principal surface 11 to which the electronic component is attached, as described below. In particular, the section enclosed by dashed lines in Fig. 3 surrounded section where the temperature rises due to the heat generated by the electronic component. Convection of the refrigerant 14 enclosed in each of the grooves 13 causes the temperature of the refrigerant 14 to be uniform in the horizontal direction, thereby achieving horizontally directed temperature equalization of the electronic component described below, which is attached to the first main surface 11.

[0011] Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a power converter device according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the power converter device according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a drawing illustrating an example of the installation of the power converter device in a vehicle according to embodiment 1. The vehicle power converter device 2 is provided with a housing 3 and the cooling device 1. The housing 3 contains an electronic component 6. The housing 3 has an opening 7. The housing 3 of the vehicle power converter device 2 is to be arranged under the floor of a vehicle 100. The cooling device 1 is attached to the housing 3. The base 10 of the cooling device 1 covers the opening 7. The first main surface 11 of the base 10 faces the interior of the housing 3. The electronic component 6 is attached to the first main surface 11. Since the base 10 has the grooves 13, the thickness of the base 10 in the direction in which the first main surface 11 and the second main surface 12 face each other is greater than the thickness of the housing 3. In the example of Fig. The cooling device 1 is covered by a cover 4. The cover 4 has air channels 5. Air flowing in from the air channels 5 passes through the heat sinks 20. Heat is transferred from the heat sinks 20 to the air, thereby cooling the electronic component 6.

[0012] The process of cooling the electronic component 6 by the cooling device 1 is described. The heat generated by the electronic component 6 is transferred to the refrigerant 14 via the first main surface 11 of the base 10. The temperature of the liquid refrigerant 14 rises due to the heat transferred from the electronic component 6, and thus the refrigerant 14 transitions into a gaseous state. The evaporated refrigerant 14 flows to the section with a lower temperature within the slots 13. Heat is transferred from the refrigerant 14 to the heat sinks 20 via the second main surface 12 as the refrigerant 14 flows to the section with a lower temperature within the slots 13. The temperature of the refrigerant 14 decreases after transferring its heat to the heat sinks 20, so that the refrigerant 14 transitions back into a liquid state.The heat sinks 20, which receive heat from the refrigerant 14, transfer heat to the air flowing through them as it comes into contact. This heat transfer to the air cools the heat sinks 20. As described above, the heat generated by the electronic component 6 is transferred to the air via the refrigerant 14 and the heat sinks 20, thereby cooling the electronic component 6.

[0013] Each inner surface of the grooves 13 has a structure, such as a wick, a groove, or a mesh, that creates a capillary action to promote the flow of the refrigerant 14. The material of the base 10 and the heat sinks 20 is, for example, aluminum. The heat sinks 20 are joined on the second main surface 12 by, for example, brazing, friction stir welding, or the like. The base 10 can be obtained by bending the grooves 13 into the surface of a plate-shaped element and filling the grooves 13 with the refrigerant 14, followed by joining another plate-shaped element onto the base to seal the grooves 13. Alternatively, the base 10 can be obtained by milling the grooves 13 into a side surface of a plate-shaped element with the first main surface 11 and the second main surface 12, filling the refrigerant 14 into the grooves 13, and then sealing the side surface.

[0014] In embodiment 1, heat is transferred from the electronic component 6 to the refrigerant 14 through the first main surface 11 of the base 10 and further transferred from the refrigerant 14 to the heat sinks 20 through the second main surface 12. The thermal resistance between the electronic component 6 and the refrigerant 14 and the thermal resistance between the refrigerant 14 and the heat sinks 20 are lower than in a heat-tube cooler where a tube is soldered to a base plate. Accordingly, the cooling device 1 according to embodiment 1 has a higher cooling capacity than this heat-tube cooler.

[0015] The electronic component 6 is a power conversion device, such as an inverter. The electronic component 6 comprises an electronic element, for example, a wide-bandgap semiconductor with a wider bandgap than silicon. Examples of the electronic element include a switching element and a diode, or the like. The wide-bandgap semiconductor is, for example, silicon carbide, gallium nitride-based material, diamond, or the like. Using the switching element made of the wide-bandgap semiconductor increases the switching speed and thus causes an increase in the amount of heat generated by the electronic component 6. The electronic component 6, which comprises the electronic element made of the wide-bandgap semiconductor, can be adequately cooled by providing the cooling device 1 according to embodiment 1.

[0016] As described above, according to the vehicle power converter device 2 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved by connecting the heat sinks 20 at intervals to the second main surface 12 of the base 10, which integrally has the grooves 13 with enclosed refrigerant 14. Furthermore, the base 10, which has the horizontally extending grooves 13 inside, can uniformly distribute the temperature of the electronic component 6 in the horizontal direction. The cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved by the fins, which serve as heat sinks 20 and extend in the same direction as the grooves 13. The base 10 has the horizontally extending grooves 13 inside.The vehicle power converter device 2 according to embodiment 1 is suitable for a cooling method in which a temperature can vary in the horizontal direction, such as a cooling method using a headwind flowing in the horizontal direction. Design 2

[0017] Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device according to embodiment 2. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line CC in Fig. 7. In contrast to embodiment 1, the base 10 of the cooling device 1 according to embodiment 2 has grooves 15, each extending in the vertical direction and arranged in the horizontal direction. As in embodiment 1, the heat sinks 20 are connected to the second main surface 12.

[0018] As in embodiment 1, the cooling device 1 cools the electronic component 6. In the example of Fig. 7 The evaporated refrigerant 14 flows to the section with a lower temperature within the grooves 15. A movement of the refrigerant 14 in the vertical direction makes the temperature of the electronic component 6 attached to the first main surface 11 uniform in the vertical direction.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 2. The cooling device 1, which is in Fig. Figure 9 shows a bypass 16 that connects the vertically oriented lower ends of at least some of the slots 15 below the slots 15. The use of the bypass 16 causes convection of the refrigerant 14 within the bypass 16, thus equalizing the temperature of the refrigerant 14 in the horizontal direction. This equalizes the temperature of the electronic component 6, which is attached to a section of the first main surface 11 facing the bypass 16, in the horizontal direction.

[0020] As described above, according to the vehicle power converter device 2 of embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved by connecting the heat sinks 20 with gaps on the second main surface 12 of the base 10, which internally has grooves 15 with enclosed refrigerant 14. Furthermore, the formation of the vertically extending grooves 15 inside the base 10 enables temperature equalization of the electronic component 6 in the vertical direction. The cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved by means of fins that serve as heat sinks 20 and extend in the same direction as the grooves 15.Since the base 10 has the grooves 15 extending in the vertical direction inside it, the vehicle power converter device 2 according to embodiment 2 is suitable for a cooling method in which temperature fluctuations occur in the vertical direction, for example a cooling method using natural convection. embodiment 3

[0021] Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. In contrast to embodiment 1, the base 10 of the cooling device 1 according to embodiment 3 has annular grooves 17, each having a central axis extending in the direction in which the first main surface 11 and the second main surface 12 are opposite each other. As in embodiment 1, the heat sinks 20 are connected to the second main surface 12.

[0022] As in embodiment 1, the cooling device 1 cools the electronic component 6. As indicated by the dashed line in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the electronic component 6 is attached to a section of the first main surface 11, which faces sections of the grooves 17, thereby causing convection of the refrigerant 14, as indicated by the solid arrows in Figure 10. Fig. 10 is displayed. The convection of the refrigerant 14 causes a temperature equalization of the electronic component 6, which is attached to the first main surface 11.

[0023] As described above, according to a vehicle power converter device 2 of embodiment 3 of the present disclosure, the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved by connecting the heat sinks 20 with gaps on the second main surface 12 of the base 10, which internally has the grooves 17 with enclosed refrigerant 14. Furthermore, the base 10, which has the annular grooves 17, enables the temperature equalization of the electronic component 6. Design 4

[0024] Fig. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. In contrast to embodiment 1, the base 10 of the cooling device 1 according to embodiment 4 has a groove 18 with at least one branch.

[0025] As if through a dotted line in Fig.As shown in Figure 11, the electronic component 6 is attached to a section of the first main surface 11, which faces a section of the groove 18, thereby causing convection of the refrigerant 14 in the groove 18 with at least one branch. The convection of the refrigerant 14 enables temperature equalization of the electronic component 6. The groove 18 with the branch can transfer heat to the entire heat sinks 20. This can improve the cooling capacity of a vehicle power converter device 2.

[0026] As described above, according to the vehicle power converter device 2 as described in embodiment 4 of the present disclosure, the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2 can be improved by connecting the heat sinks 20 with gaps on the second main surface 12 of the base 10, which internally has the grooves 18 with the enclosed refrigerant 14. The base 10, which has the groove 18 with at least one branch, enables temperature equalization of the electronic component 6. Furthermore, the heat transfer to the entire heat sinks 20 can improve the cooling performance of the vehicle power converter device 2.

[0027] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above, and any embodiment can be combined. The shape of the heat sinks 20 is not limited to fins and can be any shape, such as a pinholder or accordion shape. The cooling device 1 can be oriented in any direction when attached to the vehicle power converter device 2. For example, the cooling device 1, which has the first main surface 11 and the second main surface 12 vertically opposite each other, can be attached to the vehicle power converter device 2 while covering an opening 7 formed vertically on an upper surface of the vehicle power converter device 2. In the preceding example, the base 10 covers the opening 7 from outside the housing 3.Alternatively, the base 10 can be arranged in the housing 3 and cover the opening 7 from the inside of the housing 3, with the heat sinks 20 protruding from the opening 7 outside the housing 3.

[0028] Some exemplary embodiments are described for illustrative purposes in the foregoing. Although the preceding discussion has presented specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail are possible without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description is therefore not to be understood in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims contained therein and the entire range of equivalents to which those claims relate. Reference symbol list 1 cooling device 2 Vehicle power converter device 3 cases 4 Cover 5 air duct 6 Electronic Component 7 Opening 10 Base 11 first main area 12 Second main area 13, 15, 17, 18 Nut 14 Refrigerants 16 Bypass 20 heat sinks 100 vehicles

Claims

[1] Vehicle power converter device (2) comprising: a housing (3) designed to accommodate an electronic component (6) and to be fixed to a vehicle (100), and which has an opening (7); a base (10) that is a plate-shaped element, (i) having a first main surface (11) to which the electronic component (6) is attached, and a second main surface (12) wherein the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other, (ii) having a groove (15) therein, wherein the groove (15) with enclosed refrigerant (14) extends along the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12), (iii) covering the opening (7) through the first main surface (11) which faces an interior of the housing (3), and (iv) being attached to the housing (3); and Heat sinks (20) which are joined at intervals to the second main surface (12), wherein the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other in a horizontal direction, wherein the groove (15) is a plurality of grooves (15) each extending in a vertical direction, wherein the grooves (15) are arranged in the horizontal direction, and wherein the base (10) internally has a bypass (16) which connects vertically directed lower ends of at least some of the grooves (15) together. [2] Vehicle power converter device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the heat sinks (20) are fins extending in the vertical direction. [3] Vehicle power converter device (2) comprising: a housing (3) designed to accommodate an electronic component (6) and to be fixed to a vehicle (100), and which has an opening (7); a base (10) that is a plate-shaped element, (i) having a first main surface (11) to which the electronic component (6) is attached, and a second main surface (12) wherein the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other, (ii) having a groove (17) therein, wherein the groove (17) with enclosed refrigerant (14) extends along the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12), (iii) covering the opening (7) through the first main surface (11) which faces an interior of the housing (3), and (iv) being attached to the housing (3); and Heat sinks (20) which are joined at intervals to the second main surface (12), wherein the groove (17) is a plurality of grooves (17), each having a ring-shaped form with a central axis extending in a direction in which the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other, the grooves (17) are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the electronic component (6) is attached to a section of the first main surface (11) which faces part of one of the adjacent slots (17) and part of another of the adjacent slots (17). [4] Vehicle power converter device (2) comprising: a housing (3) designed to accommodate an electronic component (6) and to be fixed to a vehicle (100), and which has an opening (7); a base (10) that is a plate-shaped element, (i) having a first main surface (11) to which the electronic component (6) is attached, and a second main surface (12) wherein the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12) are opposite each other, (ii) having a groove (18) therein, the groove (18) with enclosed refrigerant (14) extending along the first main surface (11) and the second main surface (12), (iii) covering the opening (7) through the first main surface (11) which faces an interior of the housing (3), and (iv) being attached to the housing (3); and Heat sinks (20) which are joined at intervals to the second main surface (12), wherein the groove (18) has at least one branch, and the electronic component (6) is arranged on a section of a first main surface (11) which faces at least a part of a vertically directed lower end of the groove (18) which has at least one branch. [5] Vehicle power converter device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material of the base (10) and the heat sinks (20) is aluminium. [6] Vehicle power converter device (2) according to claim 5, wherein the heat sinks (20) are soldered onto the second main surface (12). [7] Vehicle power converter device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic component (6) comprises an electronic element made of a wide bandgap semiconductor using silicon carbide, a gallium nitride-based material, or diamond.

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