POWER CONVERTER DEVICE

Abstract

A power converter device (1) comprises a first electronic component group, which includes a plurality of electronic components, and a second electronic component group, which includes a plurality of electronic components, each of which has a shorter maintenance cycle than any of the plurality of electronic components included in the first electronic component group. The first electronic component group and the second electronic component group are housed in a casing (30). At least one of the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group is located adjacent to an opening (30c) in the casing (30).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power conversion device. Technological background

[0002] A railway vehicle includes a power conversion device that converts power supplied from a power supply into power to be supplied to a load device, such as a lighting device or an air conditioning device, and supplies the resulting power to the load device. An example of such a power conversion device is described in Patent Literature 1. The power conversion device described in Patent Literature 1 is installed under the floor of a vehicle together with other on-vehicle devices, such as a brake control device and a battery. Citation listPatent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-182208 Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0004] The power conversion device installed in the railway vehicle includes electronic components with different maintenance cycles. If an electronic component with a short maintenance cycle is located near the middle section of the railway vehicle in the width direction, the electronic component has a long distance to a maintenance and inspection opening in a casing of the power conversion device. This complicates the maintenance process of the electronic component and reduces the maintainability of the power conversion device. This problem occurs in all power conversion devices that include multiple electronic components with different maintenance cycles, as well as in power conversion devices that can be installed under the floor of the vehicle.

[0005] Under such circumstances, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a power conversion device with high maintainability. Solution to the problem

[0006] To achieve the above object, a power conversion device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first electronic component group, a second electronic component group, and a housing. The first electronic component group includes a plurality of electronic components. The second electronic component group includes a plurality of electronic components, each having a shorter maintenance cycle than each of the plurality of electronic components included in the first electronic component group. The housing accommodates the first electronic component group and the second electronic component group. The housing has an opening. At least one of the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group is located adjacent to the opening. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0007] In the power conversion device according to the above aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the electronic components included in the second electronic component group, each having a shorter maintenance cycle than each of the electronic components included in the first electronic component group, is located adjacent to the opening in the housing. The power conversion device can thus have high maintainability. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a power converter device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 2 illustrates a railway vehicle provided with the power conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 3 illustrates a structure of a housing of the power conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 4 illustrates an arrangement of components of the power conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 5 illustrates heat transfer in the power conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 6 illustrates heat transfer in the power conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 7 illustrates heat transfer in the power conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Fig. 8 illustrates a structure of a housing of a power conversion device according to Embodiment 2; Fig. 9 illustrates an arrangement of components of the power conversion device according to Embodiment 2; Fig. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a power converter device according to Embodiment 3; Fig. 11 illustrates an arrangement of components of the power conversion device according to Embodiment 3; Fig. 12 illustrates heat transfer in the power conversion device according to Embodiment 3; Fig. 13 illustrates heat transfer in the power conversion device according to Embodiment 3; Fig. 14 illustrates heat transfer in the power conversion device according to Embodiment 3; and Fig. 15 illustrates an arrangement of components of a power conversion device according to a modification of the embodiments. Description of the embodiments

[0008] A power conversion device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Components that are identical or corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference numerals in the drawings. Embodiment 1

[0009] In Embodiment 1 described below, a power converter device 1 is, for example, a power converter device serving as an auxiliary power supply installed in a railway vehicle to supply power to a load device such as a lighting device or an air conditioning device. This power converter device 1, which is Fig. 1, converts power supplied from the unillustrated power supply into power to be supplied to a load device 51, and supplies the resulting power to the load device 51.

[0010] The power conversion device 1 includes an input terminal 1a connected to the power supply, specifically, a pantograph, an input terminal 1b connected to ground, and a power conversion circuit 11 that converts direct current (DC) power supplied from the power supply into alternating current (AC) power. The pantograph receives power from an electrical substation via a power line. The pantograph is, for example, a pantograph or a pantograph shoe, and the power line is an overhead line or a third rail.

[0011] The power conversion device 1 further includes a control circuit 12 that controls switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 11, and a filter capacitor FC1 connected between the primary terminals of the power conversion circuit 11, more specifically, between terminals near the power supply. The power conversion circuit 11 and the filter capacitor FC1 are collectively referred to as the power unit 13.

[0012] The power conversion device 1 further includes a contactor MC1 having one end connected to the input terminal, a filter choke coil FL1 having one end connected to the contactor MC1, a first switch SW11 having one end connected to the other end of the filter choke coil FL1 and the other end connected to the power conversion circuit 11, a charging resistor R11 connected in parallel to the first switch SW11, and a discharging circuit 14 connected in parallel to the filter capacitor FC1. The discharging circuit 14 includes a second switch SW12 and a discharging resistor R12 connected in series. The power conversion device 1 further includes a transformer 15 that transforms AC power output from the power conversion circuit 11, and an AC capacitor ACC1 connected to the secondary terminals of the transformer 15.

[0013] Contactor MC1 is located between power conversion circuit 11 and the power supply to open or close the electrical path. Contactor MC1 is an electromagnetic DC contactor that is turned on or off by a contactor control device (not shown). When turned on, contactor MC1 electrically connects input terminal 1a to filter choke coil FL1. This electrically connects power conversion circuit 11 to the power supply. When turned off, contactor MC1 electrically disconnects input terminal 1a from filter choke coil FL1. This electrically disconnects power conversion circuit 11 from the power supply.

[0014] The filter choke coil FL1 and the filter capacitor FC1 together serve as an inductor-capacitor (LC) filter for reducing harmonic components generated by a switching operation of the power conversion circuit 11. The filter choke coil FL1 also reduces, for example, a ripple voltage in an output from electronic components including a rectifier in the electrical substation.

[0015] The first switch SW11 is turned on or off by a switch control device (not shown). If the contactor MC1 is turned on while the first switch SW11 is turned on, a current flows from the input terminal 1a through the contactor MC1, the filter choke coil FL1, and the first switch SW11, and to the power conversion circuit 11 and the filter capacitor FC1. If the contactor MC1 is turned on while the first switch SW11 is turned off, a current flows from the input terminal 1a through the contactor MC1, the filter choke coil FL1, and the charging resistor R11, and to the power conversion circuit 11 and the filter capacitor FC1. The first switch SW11 is, for example, a thyristor.

[0016] The charging resistor R11 suppresses an inrush current flowing through the power conversion circuit 11 at the start of operation of the power conversion device 1. The resistance value of the charging resistor R11 is set to suppress an inrush current flowing through the power conversion circuit 11.

[0017] The filter capacitor FC1 is located between the primary terminals of the power conversion circuit 11 and is charged with a DC power supplied from the power supply.

[0018] The power conversion circuit 11 converts the DC power supplied through the primary terminals into three-phase AC power and outputs the three-phase AC power to the transformer 15. The power conversion circuit 11 outputs, for example, three-phase AC power with a fixed voltage and a fixed frequency. The power conversion circuit 11 includes a plurality of switching elements, such as insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and converts the DC power into three-phase AC power using switching operations of the IGBTs.

[0019] Upon receiving an operation command instructing the power conversion device 1 to operate or stop, the control circuit 12 generates control commands for controlling the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 11 based on the operation command and transmits the control commands to the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 11, more specifically, to the gate terminals of the IGBTs.

[0020] The second switch SW12 in the discharge circuit 14 is controlled by the switch control device. When the second switch SW12 is turned on while the contactor MC1 is turned off, the discharge resistor R12 is electrically connected to the filter capacitor FC1 to discharge the filter capacitor FC1. When the second switch SW12 is turned off, the discharge resistor R12 is electrically disconnected from the filter capacitor FC1.

[0021] The transformer 15 is, for example, a delta-star connection transformer that transforms AC power supplied from the primary terminals to the power conversion circuit 11 into a voltage suitable for the load device 51 and outputs the resulting AC power through the secondary terminals.

[0022] The AC capacitor ACC1 is connected to the secondary terminals of the transformer 15. The AC capacitor ACC1 and coils in the transformer 15 together serve as an LC filter to reduce harmonic components generated by a switching operation of the power conversion circuit 11.

[0023] The components of the power converter device 1 described above are housed in a housing 30. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the housing 30 is installed under the floor of a vehicle body 100 of the rail vehicle with mounting members 101. The power converter device 1 further includes a cooling device 40 that is thermally connected to the power unit 13 accommodated in the housing 30. The cooling device 40 dissipates heat transferred from the power unit 13 to ambient air to cool the power unit 13. In Fig. 2, an X-axis indicates the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, and a Y-axis indicates the width direction of the vehicle body 100. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and a Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The Z-axis indicates the vertical direction when the rail vehicle is positioned horizontally. The same applies to subsequent figures.

[0024] The housing 30 is formed from a material having sufficient rigidity to resist deformation due to the vibration generated by the moving rail vehicle. The housing 30 is attached to the vehicle body firmly enough to maintain the relative positional relationship between the vehicle body and the housing 30 during the vibration generated by the moving rail vehicle. The housing 30 is preferably formed from a highly thermally conductive material, e.g., a metal material. The housing 30, formed from a highly thermally conductive material, can transfer heat from the electronic components housed in the housing 30 to air outside the housing 30 to cool the electronic components. The housing 30 is formed, e.g., from aluminum.

[0025] The components of the power conversion device 1, specifically, the electronic components included in the power conversion device 1, have different maintenance cycles. In Embodiment 1, the plurality of electronic components included in the power conversion device 1 are divided into a first electronic component group consisting of a plurality of electronic components with longer maintenance cycles and a second electronic component group consisting of a plurality of electronic components with shorter maintenance cycles. In other words, the electronic components included in the second electronic component group each have a shorter maintenance cycle than each electronic component included in the first electronic component group.

[0026] The electronic components are intended to be included in the first electronic component group or the second electronic component group, based on the maintenance cycle of each electronic component. The maintenance cycle of each electronic component is, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the designed lifetime of the electronic component by 0.8. The second electronic component group includes electronic components with shorter maintenance cycles, specifically, electronic components that perform switching operations, involve mechanical operations, or have higher failure rates.

[0027] The second electronic component group includes, for example, electronic components with maintenance cycles of less than three years, and the first electronic component group includes electronic components with maintenance cycles of more than three years or equal to three years. This means in concrete terms that the components of the Fig. 1, the first electronic component group includes the filter choke coil FL1, the first switch SW11, the AC capacitor ACC1, and the transformer 15, and that the second electronic component group includes the contactor MC1, the charging resistor R11, the power unit 13, the control circuit 12, and the discharging circuit 14.

[0028] Of the electronic components included in the first electronic component group and the second electronic component group, the electronic components except the transformer 15 are housed in the casing 30. In Embodiment 1, the transformer 15 is housed in an unillustrated casing different from the casing 30.

[0029] As in Fig. 3, the housing 30 includes first partition members 32, 33, 34, and 35 and a second partition member 36 in the interior space. The first partition members 32, 33, 34, and 35 are located between adjacent electronic components of the electronic components included in the first electronic component group and the electronic components included in the second electronic component group, and partition the interior space of the housing 30. The second partition member 36 partitions the interior space of the housing 30 into a first space 30a and a second space 30b.

[0030] The first dividing members 32, 33, 34, and 35 are preferably plates with ventilation openings 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a, respectively. The second dividing member 36 is preferably a curved plate with an L-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the Z-axis direction.

[0031] The housing 30 has a plurality of openings 30c in the area located in the negative Y-axis direction, which allow maintenance of the components of the power conversion device 1. The power conversion device 1 further includes a plurality of openable covers 31, each covering the corresponding opening 30c. Similar to the housing 30, the covers 30 are formed of a material having a rigidity sufficient to withstand deformation due to the vibration generated by the traveling rail vehicle. In Embodiment 1, the structure with the plurality of openings 30c allows maintenance of the components of the power conversion device 1 through the openings 30c when the covers 31 are opened. The covers 31 preferably have the same thermal conductivity as the housing 30.This allows heat transfer from the electronic components housed in the housing 30 to the air outside the covers 31, thus cooling the electronic components housed in the housing 30. The covers 31 are made of aluminum, for example.

[0032] The opening 30c at the end of the housing 30 in the negative X-axis direction is covered with the cooling device 40, which is thermally connected to the electronic components housed in the housing 30.

[0033] The first space 30a is in contact with a surface having the openings 30c. When the openings 30c in the housing 30 are covered with the covers 31 and the cooling device 30, air from outside the housing 30, which includes, for example, dust and moisture, is less likely to flow into the first space 30a.

[0034] The surfaces of the housing 30 which are in contact with the second space 30b, that is to say, the surfaces of the housing 30 perpendicular to the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction in Fig. 3, have ventilation openings 30d in sections facing the second partition member 36. The ventilation openings 30d allow air to flow in from outside and incoming air to flow out. The surfaces of the housing 30, which are in Fig. 3 and which intersect with the Z-axis direction, also have ventilation openings 30d in portions in contact with the second space 30b. This allows air outside the housing 30 to flow into the second space 30b.

[0035] For example, when the rail vehicle travels in the positive X-axis direction, air flows into the second space 30b through the ventilation holes 30d in the surface of the housing 30 perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The air flowing into the second space 30b through the ventilation holes 30d flows in the negative X-axis direction and absorbs heat from the electrical component housed in the second space 30b. The air is then guided along the second partition member 36 to the ventilation holes 30d in the surface of the housing 30 perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and flows out of the housing 30 through the ventilation holes 30d. When the rail vehicle stops, air flows into the second space 30b through the ventilation openings 30d in the vertically lower surface of the housing 30. The air then flows vertically upward and flows out of the housing 30 through the ventilation openings 30d in the vertically upper surface of the housing 30.

[0036] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the electronic components of the power converter device 1 used in the Fig. 3 illustrated housing 30. In Fig. In Figure 4, the electronic components comprised by the second electronic component group are filled with a dot pattern. The same applies to the subsequent figures. In the first space 30a, at least one component comprised by the second electronic component group is located adjacent to at least one of the openings 30c in the housing 30. More specifically, this means that the power unit 13, the contactor MC1, the discharge circuit 14, and the control circuit 12 are each located adjacent to the corresponding opening 30c.

[0037] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the openings 30c are located in the surface at the end in the Y-axis direction in a vertically lower portion of the vehicle body 100. The electronic components included in the second electronic component group and having shorter maintenance cycles are each located adjacent to the corresponding opening 30c at the end in the Y-axis direction in the vertically lower portion of the vehicle body 100. This structure facilitates maintenance of the electronic components included in the second electronic component group through the openings 30c. The power conversion device 1 thus has high maintainability.

[0038] When the rail vehicle travels, passing air, which represents an airflow in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, flows along the surface of the housing 30 having the openings 30c and along the covers 31 covering the openings 30c, without being blocked by other on-board devices. Thus, heat generated by the electronic components included in the second electronic component group and located adjacent to the openings 30c is transferred to the housing 30 and the covers 31, and then transferred from the housing 30 and the covers 31 to the passing air flowing along the housing 30 and the covers 31. This cools the electronic components.

[0039] When energized, each electronic component included in the power conversion device 1 generates heat, but at different rates. For example, the second electronic component group includes a plurality of low-temperature electronic components that generate heat when energized and a plurality of high-temperature electronic components that generate more heat per unit time than each of the low-temperature electronic components when energized. Each electronic component is determined as a low-temperature electronic component or a high-temperature electronic component based on the maximum value of heat generated by the electronic component per unit time.For example, an electronic component with a maximum heat generation value of 100 W or more per unit time is determined as a high-temperature electronic component, and an electronic component with a maximum heat generation value of less than 100 W per unit time is determined as a low-temperature electronic component. More specifically, among the electronic components included in the second electronic component group, the power unit 13, the control circuit 12, and the charging resistor R11 are high-temperature electronic components, and the contactor MC1 and the discharge circuit 14 are low-temperature electronic components.

[0040] At least one of the low-temperature electronic components and at least one of the high-temperature electronic components are preferably located adjacent to the corresponding openings 30c and are located adjacent to each other. For example, the power unit 13 could be located adjacent to the contactor MC1 in the X-axis direction. In other words, this means that the power unit 13 and the contactor MC1 could be located adjacent to the corresponding openings 30c and adjacent to each other. For example, the control circuit 12 and the charging resistor 11 could be located adjacent to the discharging circuit 14 in the X-axis direction. In other words, this means that the control circuit 12 and the discharging circuit 14 could be located adjacent to the corresponding openings 30c and adjacent to each other.

[0041] The first space 30a includes the first dividing elements 32, 33, 34, and 35. More specifically, the first dividing element 32 separates the control circuit 12 and the charging resistor R11 from the discharging circuit 14. The first dividing element 32 has a ventilation opening 32a. The first dividing element 33 separates the first switch SW11 and the AC capacitor ACC1 from the contactor MC1 and from the discharging circuit 14. The first dividing element 33 has the ventilation openings 33a. The first dividing element 34 separates the contactor MC1 from the discharging circuit 14. The first dividing element 34 has the ventilation opening 34a. The first dividing element 35 separates the AC capacitor ACC1 and the contactor MC1 from the power unit 13. The first dividing element 35 has the ventilation openings 35a.

[0042] The first partition members 32, 33, 34, and 35 are formed from a plate-like thermally conductive material, in other words, from a highly thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. This enables heat transfer between adjacent electronic components via one of the first partition members 32, 33, 34, or 35.

[0043] The ventilation openings 32a, 33a, 34a and 35a in the respective first dividing elements 32, 33, 34 and 35 enable air convection in the first space 30a.

[0044] The second chamber 30b accommodates the filter choke coil FL1. The filter choke coil FL1 comprises, for example, a coil with an iron core. Air outside the housing 30 flows into the second chamber 30b through the ventilation openings 30d. The air flowing into the second chamber 30b flows along the coil into the filter choke coil FL1 and flows out of the housing 30 through the ventilation openings 30d. The filter choke coil FL1 transfers heat to the air flowing in from outside and is cooled.

[0045] The cooling device 40 is attached to the housing 30 and covers the opening 30c in a detachable manner. When the cooling device 30 is detached, maintenance of the power unit 30 can be performed through the opening 30c. The cooling device 40 is thermally connected to the power unit 13. The cooling device 40 includes a base 41 attached to the housing 30, a plurality of fins 42 attached to the base 41, and a cover 43 that covers the base 41 and the plurality of fins 42 and is attached to the housing 30. The base 41 is preferably formed of a highly thermally conductive material, e.g., metal. The base 41 is formed of, for example, aluminum. The cover 43 has ventilation openings 43a through which air flows from the outside into the cover 43 and through the fins 42. The plurality of fins 42 transfer heat transferred from the power unit 13 through the base 41 to ambient air.This cools the power unit 13.

[0046] The operation of the power conversion device 1 with the above structure when energized and the heat transfer between the electronic components are described below. While the power conversion device 1 is energized, electronic components that generate more heat preferentially transfer heat, at any appropriate time, to the corresponding adjacent electronic components that generate less heat. This suppresses a local temperature increase in the housing 30.

[0047] While the railway vehicle is in operation, the power conversion device 1 constantly performs power conversion to supply power to the load device 51. More specifically, this means that when the railway vehicle starts operation, the contactor MC1, which is in Fig. 1, is controlled by the contactor control device to be turned on. Immediately after the contactor MC1 is turned on, the first switch SW11 remains off. Thus, a current supplied from the power supply flows through the contactor MC1, the filter reactor FL1, and the charging resistor R11 to the power conversion circuit 11 and the filter capacitor FC1. Immediately after an operation of the railway vehicle starts, the power conversion circuit 11 and the control circuit 12 are stopped. While the railway vehicle is operating, the second switch SW12 remains off. Thus, no current flows through the discharging resistor R12 into the discharging circuit 14. While the railway vehicle is operating, the discharging circuit 14 thus does not generate heat.

[0048] When a current flows as described above, the filter choke coil FL1, the discharge resistor R11, and the filter capacitor FC1 are energized and thus generate heat. As indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. 5, the electronic components that generate more heat transfer heat to the electronic components that generate less heat. For example, heat radiation or air convection transfers heat between the electronic components. More specifically, this means that the contactor MC1 transfers heat to the adjacent AC capacitor ACC1 and to the discharge circuit 14, and the charging resistor R11 transfers heat to the adjacent discharge circuit 14 and to the control circuit 12. The filter capacitor FC1 in the power unit 13 generates heat and transfers heat to the adjacent contactor MC1. Because the power unit 13 is thermally connected to the cooling device 40, the cooling device 40 partially dissipates heat generated by the filter capacitor FC1 in the power unit 13 to outside air.

[0049] The filter choke coil FL1 is located in the second space 30b into which air flows from outside the housing 30, and is thus cooled by the air flowing from outside the housing 30 in the second space 30b.

[0050] The filter capacitor FC1 is then charged. When the filter capacitor FC1 has a sufficiently high voltage across its terminals, the switch control device turns on the first switch SW11. A filter capacitor FC1 with a sufficiently high voltage across its terminals refers to a filter capacitor FC1 with a voltage across its terminals that is sufficiently small compared to the power supply voltage—more specifically, the overhead line voltage.

[0051] When the first switch SW11 is turned on, a current supplied from the power supply flows through the contactor MC1, the filter reactor FL1, and the first switch SW11 to the power conversion circuit 11 and the filter capacitor FC1. Since the first switch SW11 is turned on, no current flows through the charging resistor R11. The charging resistor R11 thus does not generate heat. When the first switch SW11 is turned on, the control circuit 12 begins to turn the switching elements in the power conversion circuit 11 on and off. Thus, the switching elements in the power conversion circuit 11 begin switching operations to supply AC power from the power conversion circuit 11 to the transformer 15. The transformer 15 transforms the AC power supplied from the power conversion circuit 11 and supplies the resulting AC power to the load device 51 through the AC capacitor ACC1.

[0052] In this state, contactor MC1, filter reactor FL1, first switch SW11, filter capacitor FC1, power conversion circuit 11, control circuit 12, transformer 15, and AC capacitor ACC1 are energized and thus generate heat. Contactor MC1, AC capacitor ACC1, and first switch SW11 generate less heat per unit time than power unit 13 and control circuit 12. Contactor MC1 generates more heat per unit time than AC capacitor ACC1. As indicated by solid arrows in Fig. As stated in Figure 6, the electronic components that generate more heat transfer heat to the electronic components that generate less heat.

[0053] More specifically, this means that while the rail vehicle is in operation, the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group transfer heat to the low-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group. For example, the power unit 13 transfers heat to the contactor MC1, and the control circuit 12 transfers heat to the discharge circuit 14.

[0054] Heat is also transferred between the high-temperature electronic components comprised of the second electronic component group. Since the first switch is turned on, as described above, the discharge resistor R11 generates no heat and thus absorbs heat from the control circuit 12.

[0055] Heat is also transferred between the electronic components included in the first electronic component group and the electronic components included in the second electronic component group. More specifically, this means that contactor MC1 transfers heat to AC capacitor ACC1, which generates less heat than contactor MC1. Discharge circuit 14 does not generate heat while the rail vehicle is operating, as described above, and thus absorbs heat from contactor MC1 and first switch SW11.

[0056] When the rail vehicle stops operating, the control circuit 12 turns off the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 11. This stops the power supply from the power conversion circuit 11 to the load device 51. The contactor control device then turns off the contactor MC1. This electrically disconnects the power conversion circuit 11 from the power supply. Immediately after the contactor MC1 is turned off, the electronic components that have generated heat while the rail vehicle is operating have sufficiently high temperatures that heat transfer occurs as in the Fig. 6 illustrated example.

[0057] The switch control device then turns off the second switch SW12 to electrically connect the discharge resistor R12 to the filter capacitor FC1 to discharge the filter capacitor FC1.

[0058] In this state, the second switch SW12 and the discharge resistor R12 in the discharge circuit 14 are energized and thus generate heat. As indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. Thus, as indicated in Figure 7, the electronic components that generate more heat transfer heat to the electronic components that generate less heat. More specifically, this means that the discharge circuit 14 transfers heat to the first switch SW11 and the contactor MC1.

[0059] When the power unit 13 and the control circuit 12 have higher temperatures than the other electronic components, the power unit 13 transfers heat to the contactor MC1 and the control circuit 12 transfers heat to the discharge circuit 14 and to the charging resistor R11.

[0060] As described above, while the power conversion device 1 is energized, the electronic components that generate more heat each transfer heat, at any appropriate time, to the corresponding adjacent electronic component that generates less heat. More specifically, this means that heat generated by the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group is constantly transferred to the low-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group and located adjacent to the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group.

[0061] As described above, in the power conversion device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group with shorter maintenance cycles, specifically, the power unit 13, the contactor MC1, the discharge circuit 14, and the control circuit 12, are located adjacent to the openings 30c in the housing 30. The power conversion device 1 thus has higher maintainability.

[0062] The second electronic component group includes high-temperature electronic components and low-temperature electronic components located adjacent to the high-temperature electronic components. The high-temperature electronic components generate more heat per unit time than the low-temperature electronic components. Heat is transferred from the high-temperature electronic components to the low-temperature electronic components. A local temperature rise in the interior of the housing 30 is thus suppressed. This leads to a suppression of a temperature rise in a specific position in the interior of the housing 30 and a temperature rise in a component at that position.

[0063] Some of the electronic components in the power conversion device 1 are located adjacent to each other in the direction in which the openings 30c extend, that is, in the Y-axis direction. For example, the first switch SW11 and the discharge circuit 14 are located adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. This structure allows the housing 30 to have a shorter length in the X-axis direction than in a power conversion device having multiple components aligned in a row. The space below the floor of the vehicle body can thus be used efficiently. Embodiment 2

[0064] The components of the power conversion device 1 could be arranged in the housing 30 in a manner different from the above example. A power conversion device 2 including the transformer 15 housed in the housing will be described in Embodiment 2, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0065] The housing 30, which is Fig. 8, has the interior space divided into the first space 30a and the second spaces 30b and 30e by the second dividing member 36 and a heat insulating member 37. More specifically, the first space 30a is surrounded by a surface of the second partition member 36 facing the negative X-axis direction, a surface of the second partition member 36 facing the negative Y-axis direction, a surface of the heat insulating member 37 facing the positive X-axis direction, and the housing 30. The second space 30b is surrounded by a surface of the second partition member 36 facing the positive Y-axis direction, a surface of the second partition member 36 facing the positive X-axis direction, and the housing 30. The second space 30e is surrounded by a surface of the heat insulating member 37 facing the negative X-axis direction, and the housing 30.

[0066] The transformer 15 has a sufficiently longer maintenance cycle than other electronic components included in the power converter device 2 and is thus included in the first electronic component group. The transformer 15 generates more heat than the control circuit 12 and the power unit 13 and is thus positioned to receive air outside the housing 30. More specifically, this means that the transformer 15 is in the Fig. 8 or in the second space 30e surrounded by the surface of the heat insulating member 37 facing in the negative X-axis direction and the housing 30. The housing 30 has ventilation openings 30f in the surfaces that are in contact with the second space 30e, that is, more specifically, in the surfaces perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and in contact with the second space 30e, and in a surface that faces the heat insulating member 37 in Fig. 8. The ventilation openings 30f allow outside air to flow in and incoming air to flow out. The housing 30 also has ventilation openings 30f that are not in Fig. 8, in portions of the surfaces perpendicular to the X-axis direction and in contact with the second space 30e. This allows air outside the housing 30 to flow into the second space 30e.

[0067] For example, when the rail vehicle travels in the negative X-axis direction, air flows into the second space 30e through the vents 30f in the surface of the casing 30 facing the heat insulating member 37. The air flowing into the second space 30e through the vents 30f flows in the positive X-axis direction and absorbs heat from the electronic components housed in the second space 30e. The air is then guided along the heat insulating member 37 to flow in the positive Y-axis direction or in the negative Y-axis direction to the vents 30f in the surfaces perpendicular to the Y-axis direction in the casing 30, which are in contact with the second space 30e. The air then flows out of the casing 30 through the vents 30f. When the rail vehicle stops, air flows into the second space 30e through the ventilation openings 30f in the vertically lower surface of the housing 30 and flows vertically upward.The air then flows out of the housing 30 through the ventilation openings 30f in the vertical upper surface of the housing.

[0068] Fig. Figure 9 illustrates the electronic components of the power converter device 2 used in the Fig. 8. The switching operation of the power conversion circuit 11 generates harmonic components. The harmonic components generate a magnetic flux of a wiring connecting the power conversion circuit 11 and the transformer 15. In the power conversion device 2 according to Embodiment 2, the housing 30 houses the transformer 15 and thus houses the wiring connecting the power conversion circuit 11 and the transformer 15. This structure reduces the likelihood that the magnetic flux generated by the wiring connecting the power conversion circuit 11 and the transformer 15 will affect other on-vehicle devices.

[0069] The heat insulating member 37 is located between the transformer 15 and the power unit 13, which are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction, to divide the interior of the housing 30 into the second space 30e, which includes the transformer 15, and the first space 30a, which includes the power unit 13.

[0070] The heat insulating member 37 suppresses heat transfer between the electronic components adjacent to each other via the heat insulating member 37. The heat insulating member 37 is formed, for example, from a material with low conductivity, such as iron or a resin. The heat insulating member 37 suppresses heat transfer from the transformer 15, which has high heat generation, to other electronic components that have high heat generation, such as the power unit 13. This allows the housing 30 to accommodate the transformer 15 with high heat generation while suppressing an internal temperature rise of the other electronic components housed in the housing 30.

[0071] As described above, in the power conversion device 2 according to Embodiment 2, the casing 30 accommodates the transformer 15. Thus, the magnetic flux generated by the wiring connecting the power conversion circuit 11 and the transformer 15 is less likely to affect other on-vehicle devices.

[0072] Since the heat insulating member 37 is located between the electronic components that are adjacent to each other, the electronic component that has a high heat generation is less likely to transfer heat to other electronic components that have a high heat generation, so that a temperature rise in the other electronic components is suppressed. Embodiment 3

[0073] The structure of the power converter device may differ from that in the examples above. A redundant power converter device 3 will be described in Embodiment 3, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0074] In addition to the components of the power converter device 1, the power converter device 3 comprises Fig. 10, a power conversion circuit 21 that converts DC power supplied from the power supply into AC power, a control circuit that controls switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 21, and a filter capacitor FC2 connected to primary terminals of the power conversion circuit 21, more specifically, between terminals near the power supply. The power conversion circuit 21 and the filter capacitor FC2 are collectively referred to as a power unit 23.

[0075] The power conversion device 3 further includes a contactor MC2 having one end connected to the input terminal 1a, a filter choke coil FL2 having one end connected to the contactor MC2, a first switch SW21 having one end connected to the other end of the filter choke coil FL2 and the other end connected to the power conversion circuit 21, a charging resistor R21 connected in parallel to the first switch SW21, and a discharging circuit 24 connected in parallel to the filter capacitor FC2. The discharging circuit 24 includes a second switch SW22 and a discharging resistor R22 connected in series.

[0076] The power conversion device 3 further includes a switching circuit 16 that electrically connects either the power conversion circuit 11 or the power conversion circuit 21 to the transformer 15. The switching circuit 16 includes a switch 17 for opening or closing the electrical path between the power conversion circuit 11 and the transformer 15 and a switch 27 for opening or closing the electrical path between the power conversion circuit 21 and the transformer 15.

[0077] Contactor MC2 is located between power conversion circuit 21 and the power supply to open or close the electrical path. Contactor MC2 is an electromagnetic DC contactor that is turned on or off by a contactor control device. When turned on, contactor MC2 electrically connects input terminal 1a to filter choke coil FL2. This electrically connects power conversion circuit 21 to the power supply. When turned off, contactor MC2 electrically disconnects input terminal 1a from filter choke coil FL2. This electrically disconnects power conversion circuit 21 from the power supply.

[0078] The filter choke coil FL2 and the filter capacitor FC2 together serve as an LC filter to reduce harmonic components generated by the switching operation of the power conversion circuit 21.

[0079] The first switch SW21 is turned on or off by a switch control device. When contactor MC2 is turned on because the first switch SW21 is turned on, a current flows from input terminal 1a through contactor MC2, filter choke coil FL2, and first switch SW21 to power conversion circuit 21. When contactor MC2 is turned on because the first switch SW21 is turned off, a current flows from input terminal 1a through contactor MC2, filter choke coil FL2, and charging resistor R21 to power conversion circuit 21. The first switch SW21 is, for example, a thyristor.

[0080] The charging resistor R21 suppresses an inrush current flowing through the power conversion circuit 21 at the start of operation of the power conversion device 3. The resistance value of the charging resistor R21 is set to suppress an inrush current flowing through the power conversion circuit 21.

[0081] The filter capacitor FC2 is located between the primary terminals of the power conversion circuit 21 and is charged with the DC power supplied from the power supply.

[0082] The power conversion circuit 21 converts the DC power supplied through the primary terminals into three-phase AC power and outputs the three-phase AC power to the transformer 15. The power conversion circuit 21 outputs, for example, three-phase AC power with a fixed voltage and a fixed frequency. The power conversion circuit 21 includes a plurality of switching elements, such as IGBTs, and converts DC power into three-phase AC power through the switching operations of the IGBTs.

[0083] Upon receiving an operation command instructing the power conversion device 3 to operate or stop, the control circuit 12 generates control commands for controlling switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 21 in accordance with the operation command and transmits the control commands to the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 21, more specifically, to the gate terminals of the IGBTs.

[0084] The second switch SW22 in the discharge circuit 24 is controlled by the switch control device. When the second switch SW22 is turned on because the contactor MC2 is turned off, the discharge resistor R22 is electrically connected to the filter capacitor FC2 to discharge the filter capacitor FC2. When the second switch SW22 is turned off, the discharge resistor R22 is electrically disconnected from the filter capacitor FC2.

[0085] Of the components of the Fig. In the power conversion device 3 illustrated in Figure 10, the first electronic component group includes the filter reactors FL1 and FL2, the first switches SW11 and SW21, the switching circuit 16 including the switches 17 and 27, the AC capacitor ACC1, and the transformer 15, and the second electronic component group includes the contactors MC1 and MC2, the charging resistors R11 and R21, the power units 13 and 23, the control circuits 12 and 22, and the discharging circuits 14 and 24.

[0086] The components of the power converter device 3 described above are housed in the housing 30. As shown in Fig. 11, the power converter device 3 further comprises a first dividing member 38 in addition to the components of the Fig. 4 illustrated power converter device 1.

[0087] The first partition element 38 separates the switching circuit 16 from the power units 13 and 23. The first partition element 38 is formed from a thermally conductive material, in other words, a highly thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. The first partition element 38 has a ventilation opening 38a.

[0088] The components of the power conversion device 3 are arranged in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. The redundant electronic components are each located in the same corresponding position in the housing 30.

[0089] The operation of the power conversion device 3 having the above structure when energized will be described below. In the power conversion device 3, one of the power conversion circuits 11 and 12 is set as the operating system, and the other is set as the standby system. In other words, while the power conversion circuit 3 is operating, one of the power conversion circuits 11 and 12 performs power conversion, and the other stops. The power conversion device 3 with the power conversion circuit 11 set as the operating system operates in the same manner as Embodiment 1. However, after the contactor MC1 is turned on, an unillustrated switching circuit controller turns on the switch 17 in the switching circuit 16 to electrically connect the power conversion circuit 11 to the transformer 15.

[0090] When the rail vehicle starts operation, contactor MC1 is switched on, as in embodiment 1. Contactor MC1, filter choke coil FL1, charging resistor R11, and filter capacitor FC1 are energized and thus generate heat. As indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. As stated in Figure 12, the electronic components that generate more heat transfer heat to the electronic components that generate less heat.

[0091] More specifically, this means that the contactor MC1 transfers heat to the adjacent AC capacitor ACC1 and the discharge circuit 14, and the charging resistor R11 transfers heat to the adjacent discharge circuit 14 and the control circuit 12. The filter capacitor FC1 in the power unit 13 generates heat and transfers the heat to the adjacent contactor MC1 and the switching circuit 16. Since the power unit 13 is thermally connected to the cooling device 40, the cooling device 40 partially dissipates heat generated by the filter capacitor FC1 in the power unit 13 to outside air.

[0092] As in Embodiment 1, the first switch SW11 is turned on, and the control circuit 12 begins turning on and off the switching elements in the power conversion circuit 11. The switching elements in the power conversion circuit 11 then begin switching operations to supply AC power from the power conversion circuit 11 to the load device 51 through the switch 17 and the transformer 15.

[0093] In this state, the contactor MC1, the filter choke coil FL1, the first switch SW11, the filter capacitor FC1, the power conversion circuit 11, the control circuit 12, the transformer 15, the switching circuit 16, and the AC capacitor ACC1 are energized and thus generate heat. As indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. As stated in Figure 13, the electronic components that generate more heat transfer heat to the electronic components that generate less heat.

[0094] More specifically, this means that while the rail vehicle is in operation, the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group transfer heat to the low-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group. For example, the power unit 13 transfers heat to the contactor MC1 and the switching circuit 16, and the control circuit 12 transfers heat to the discharge circuit 14.

[0095] Heat is also transferred between the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group. Since the first switch SW11 is turned on, as described above, the charging resistor R11 does not generate heat and thus absorbs heat from the control circuit 12.

[0096] Furthermore, heat is transferred between the electronic components included in the first electronic component group and the electronic components included in the second electronic component group. More specifically, this means that the contactor MC1 included in the second electronic component group transfers heat to the AC capacitor ACC1, which generates less heat than the contactor MC1 and is included in the first electronic component group. The discharge circuit 14 does not generate heat while the rail vehicle is operating, as described above, and thus absorbs heat from the contactor MC1 and the first switch SW11.

[0097] When the railway vehicle stops running, the control circuit 12 turns off the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit 11, as in Embodiment 1. The switch control means then turns on the second switch SW12 to electrically connect the discharge resistor R12 to the filter capacitor FC1 to discharge the filter capacitor FC1.

[0098] In this state, the second switch SW12 and the discharge resistor R13 in the discharge circuit 14 are energized and thus generate heat. As indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. As indicated in Figure 14, the electronic components that generate more heat transfer heat to the electronic components that generate less heat. Specifically, this means that the discharge circuit 14 transfers heat to the first switch SW11 and the contactor MC1.

[0099] When the power unit 13 and the control circuit 12 have higher temperatures than the other electronic components, the power unit 13 transfers heat to the switching circuit 16 and to the contactor MC1 and the control circuit 12 transfers heat to the discharge circuit 14 and to the charging resistor R11.

[0100] The power conversion circuit 21, which is set as the operating system, operates in the same manner as the power conversion circuit 11, which is set as the operating system. However, after the contactor MC2 is turned on, the switching circuit controller turns on the switch 27 in the switching circuit 16 to electrically connect the power conversion circuit 21 to the transformer 15.

[0101] As described above, while the power conversion device 3 is energized, the electronic components that generate more heat each transfer heat, at any appropriate time, to the corresponding adjacent electronic component that generates less heat. More specifically, this means that heat generated by the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group is constantly transferred to the low-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group and located adjacent to the high-temperature electronic components included in the second electronic component group.

[0102] As described above, in the power conversion device 3 according to Embodiment 3, the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group with shorter maintenance cycles, specifically, the power units 13 and 23, the contactors MC1 and MC2, the discharge circuits 14 and 24, and the control circuits 12 and 22, are located adjacent to the openings 30c in the housing 30. The power conversion device 3 thus has higher maintainability.

[0103] The second electronic component group includes the high-temperature electronic components and the low-temperature electronic components located adjacent to the high-temperature electronic components. The high-temperature electronic components generate more heat per unit time than the low-temperature electronic components. Heat is transferred from the high-temperature electronic components to the low-temperature electronic components. A local temperature rise in the interior of the housing 30 is thus suppressed. This leads to a suppression of a temperature rise in a specific position in the interior of the housing 30 and a temperature rise in a component at the position having a higher temperature.

[0104] The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments may be combined. In one example, the transformer 15 included in the power conversion circuit 3 could be housed in the housing 30 as in the power conversion device 2.

[0105] The power conversion devices 1 to 3 could further include fans to promote air convection in the housing 30. Fig. 15 illustrates an example of a power converter device 1 including fans. The power converter device 1 includes fans 44 in the ventilation openings 32a and 35a. The fans 44 are operated when, for example, AC power is received from the power conversion circuit 11. The fans 44 efficiently transfer heat from the control circuit 12 to the discharge circuit 14 and from the power unit 13 to the contactor MC1. The fans 44 could be located in any position in the first space 30 that differs from the example in Fig. 15. Any number of fans could be included that differ from the example in Fig. 15 differs.

[0106] The circuit configurations of power converter devices 1 to 3 could differ from the examples above. In one example, each of power converter devices 1 to 3 could be a DC-DC converter. In another example, the connection of transformer 15 could be other than a delta star connection.

[0107] Power conversion devices 1 to 3 could each be installed on an AC-powered rail vehicle instead of a DC-powered rail vehicle. When power conversion devices 1, 2, or 3 are installed on an AC-powered rail vehicle, a transformer that lowers the voltage of the AC power absorbed by the pantograph and a converter that converts the resulting AC power into DC power are located between the pantograph and power conversion devices 1, 2, or 3. Power conversion devices 1 to 3 could be installed on any moving body, such as an automobile, an aircraft, or a ship, instead of a rail vehicle.

[0108] The first partition members 32, 33, 34, 35, and 38 could be located in any position between the electronic components comprised by the power converter device 1, 2, or 3 that differs from the positions in the examples above. The first partition members 32, 33, 34, 35, and 38 could have any number of ventilation openings 32a, 33a, 34a, 35a, and 38a in any position that differs from the examples above.

[0109] The housing 30 could be mounted on the roof of the vehicle body of a rail vehicle. The housing 30 could have the openings 30c in any position other than the examples above.

[0110] The foregoing describes some exemplary embodiments for illustrative purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail could be made 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. Therefore, this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the embraced claims, along with the full scope of equivalents entitled by such claims. List of reference symbols 1, 2, 3 Power converter device 1a, 1b input connection 11, 21 Power conversion circuit 12, 22 control circuit 13, 23 power unit 14, 24 discharge circuit 15 Transformer 16 switching circuit 17, 27 switches 30 housings 30a first room 30b, 30e second room 30c opening 30d, 30f, 32a, 33a, 34a, 35a, 38a, 43a ventilation opening 31 Cover 32, 33, 34, 35, 38 first division term 36 second dividing term 37 Thermal insulation element 40 Cooling device 41 Base 42 rib 43 Cover 44 blowers 51 Load device 100 vehicle bodies 101 Mounting link ACC1 AC capacitor FC1, FC2 filter capacitor FL1, FL2 filter choke coil MC1, MC2 contactor R11, R21 charging resistor R12, R22 discharge resistor SW11, SW21 first switch SW12, SW22 second switch QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2007-182208

[0003]

Claims

[1] Power conversion device comprising: a first electronic component group comprising a plurality of electronic components; a second electronic component group comprising a plurality of electronic components, each of which has a shorter maintenance cycle than each of the plurality of electronic components included in the first electronic component group; and a housing accommodating the first electronic component group and the second electronic component group, the housing having an opening, wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group is located adjacent to the opening. [2] Power converter device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group comprises a plurality of low-temperature electronic components for generating heat when energized, and a plurality of high-temperature electronic components for generating more heat per unit time when energized than each of the plurality of low-temperature electronic components, and at least one of the plurality of low-temperature electronic components and at least one of the plurality of high-temperature electronic components are located adjacent to the opening and are located adjacent to each other. [3] Power converter device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic components included in the first electronic component group is located adjacent to at least one of the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group in a direction in which the opening extends therethrough. [4] A power converter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a first partition member between adjacent electronic components of the plurality of electronic components included in the first electronic component group and the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group, wherein the first partition member is formed of a plate-like heat-conducting material and partitions an internal space of the housing. [5] The power conversion device according to claim 4, wherein the first dividing member has a ventilation opening. [6] The power converter device according to claim 5, further comprising: a fan in the ventilation opening in the first dividing element. [7] A power converter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a heat insulating member between adjacent electronic components of the plurality of electronic components included in the first electronic component group and the plurality of electronic components included in the second electronic component group, the heat insulating member dividing an internal space of the housing. [8] A power converter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a power conversion circuit for converting power supplied from a power supply into power to be supplied to a load and outputting the conversion-resulting power; a filter capacitor connected between terminals of the power conversion circuit, the terminals being located near the power supply; a control circuit for controlling a switching element included in the power conversion circuit; and a contactor between the power conversion circuit and the power supply for opening or closing an electrical path, wherein the power conversion circuit, the filter capacitor, the control circuit and the contactor are included in the second electronic component group. [9] Power converter device according to claim 8, wherein the power conversion circuit, the filter capacitor and the contactor are located adjacent to the opening, and the power conversion circuit and the filter capacitor are located adjacent to the contactor. [10] A power conversion device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a discharge circuit connected in parallel to the filter capacitor, the discharge circuit comprising a second switch and a discharge resistor connected in series, wherein the discharge circuit is comprised by the second electronic component group. [11] Power converter device according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit and the discharge circuit are located adjacent to the opening and are located adjacent to each other. [12] A power converter device according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: a first switch electrically connected to the contactor and to the power conversion circuit; and a discharge resistor connected in parallel to the first switch, wherein the first switch is included in the first electronic component group, the discharge resistor is included in the second electronic component group, the control circuit, the discharge resistor and the discharge circuit are located adjacent to the opening, and the control circuit and the discharge resistor are located adjacent to the discharge circuit, and the first switch and the discharge circuit are located adjacent to each other in a direction in which the opening extends therethrough. [13] Power converter device according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the power conversion circuit converts a DC power supplied from the power supply through the filter capacitor into an AC power to be supplied to the load, and outputs the AC power resulting from conversion, the power conversion device further comprises a transformer for transforming the AC power output by the power conversion circuit and an AC capacitor electrically connected to an output end of the transformer, and the AC capacitor and the transformer are included in the first electronic component group. [14] Power converter device according to claim 13, wherein the transformer and the power conversion circuit are located adjacent to each other, and the power conversion device further comprises a heat insulating member located between the transformer and the power conversion circuit and dividing an inner space of the housing. [15] Power converter device according to one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the power conversion device comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits, the power conversion device further comprises a switching circuit that electrically connects one of the plurality of power conversion circuits to the load, and the switching circuit is comprised by the first electronic component group. [16] A power converter device according to any one of claims 8 to 15, further comprising: a second partition member dividing an internal space of the housing into a first space and a second space, the first space being in contact with a surface having the opening, the second space being a space into which air flows from outside the housing. [17] The power converter device according to claim 16, further comprising: a choke coil electrically connected to the first switch and the power conversion circuit and housed in the second space. [18] A power converter device according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising: a transformer housed in the second space to transform an AC power output by the power conversion circuit.

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