ARRANGEMENT FOR A CAPACITIVE BLOCK WITH INTEGRATED RETAINING LINKS

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD: INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical equipment comprising in particular a capacitive block and a cover.

[0002] The present invention aims in particular to facilitate the assembly of such an assembly in electrical equipment, such as an inverter, a DC-DC voltage converter or an electric charger for example, particularly in the field of electric vehicle motorization systems.

[0003] The invention aims in particular to enable an assembly suitable for the mass production of such electrical equipment. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] As is well known, in an electric or hybrid vehicle, a high-voltage battery provides power to an electric motor system that propels the vehicle. To be charged, the high-voltage battery is connected, for example, to an external power supply, typically via a charger that includes at least one DC-DC converter.

[0005] In order to control the electric machine driving the vehicle's wheels, it is known to use an inverter to convert the current supplied by the high-voltage power supply battery into one or more alternating control currents, for example sinusoidal.

[0006] The inverter includes a capacitive block that smooths the current supplied by the battery before it is converted into alternating currents. The capacitive block comprises a housing with a cavity into which a smoothing capacitor is inserted. This capacitor eliminates residual current disturbances so that the current can be converted into alternating currents.

[0007] The inverter also includes a power module configured to perform the conversion of the current supplied by the battery into alternating control currents injected into the electric machine.

[0008] The capacitive block also includes at least two input connectors, one for the negative terminal of the capacitor and one for the positive terminal. These input connectors provide access to the negative and positive terminals of the capacitor, allowing it to be connected to the rest of the system.

[0009] In an inverter, the capacitive block also includes output connectors generally arranged in an electrical connection bar intended to be connected to phase connectors of the electrical machine.

[0010] Other electrical equipment, particularly in electric or hybrid vehicles, such as a DC-DC voltage converter or an electric charger, may also include such types of capacitive blocks.

[0011] As is known, the capacitive block must be cooled to dissipate the heat emitted by the capacitor. For this purpose, the capacitive block is placed on a cooling circuit.

[0012] In particular, the capacitive block can be placed on a cover, and together with said cover form an assembly, which can then be mounted on a chassis. Examples of such types of assemblies in the prior art can be found in documents EP 1589547 A1, WO 2017 / 191135 A2, US 2013 / 105210 and US 2009 / 061301 A1.

[0013] In particular, in the context of an assembly process in which the assembly including a capacitive block placed on a cover is brought onto a main chassis, in particular of an inverter supplying power to an electric motor, said assembly may have to be turned over without said capacitive block having been able to be screwed in at that stage.

[0014] These requirements arise, for example, from difficulties in accessing screwing points of the different elements of the assembly to each other or of the assembly to the chassis, also taking into account the required positions of third-party equipment.

[0015] The technical problem thus concerns maintaining the capacitive block in position on the lid during the phase of turning this assembly over in order to position it on the main chassis.

[0016] To this end, it is proposed to provide the housing of the capacitive block and the cover with additional retaining elements, on the housing of the capacitive block and on the cover, said additional retaining elements being active when the corresponding assembly is turned over in order to bring it onto the main casing to which said capacitive block is to be fixed, in particular so as to be in contact with a cooling circuit of said main chassis. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to an assembly of a cover and a capacitive block according to claim 1, an electrical equipment according to claim 7 and an inverter according to claim 8. The embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0018] More specifically, the invention relates to an assembly of a cover and a capacitive block, the capacitive block comprising a housing which includes at least a first retaining element, the cover comprising at least a second complementary retaining element, the at least a second retaining element having a retaining stop configured to receive a portion of said at least a first retaining element when the capacitive block is engaged in the cover, so as to retain the capacitive block when the assembly of said cover and said capacitive block is turned over, in particular during an assembly phase of said assembly on a chassis of electrical equipment.

[0019] Thanks to the invention, the capacitive block is held on the lid when the assembly it forms with said lid is turned over for assembly onto the main chassis.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least a second retaining element has a clearance allowing a degree of translational freedom of the capacitive block relative to the cover in a direction opposite to the retaining stop.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least a first retaining member includes at least one retaining clip made of material from the housing of the capacitive block and including a protrusion configured to cooperate with the stop of at least a second retaining member.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the housing of the capacitive block includes at least one barrel in which at least one guide stud engages, to participate in holding the capacitive block when the entire cover and capacitive block are turned over.

[0023] According to one embodiment, at least one second retaining device includes at least one groove provided in an internal surface of a side wall of the cover.

[0024] According to one embodiment, at least one second retaining element includes at least one shoulder formed in the mass of an internal surface of a side wall of the cover.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a spring plate positioned in the lid, the capacitive block being disposed to rest on said spring plate.

[0026] The invention also relates to electrical equipment suitable for implementation in an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising an assembly such as is briefly described above.

[0027] The invention also relates to an inverter comprising a chassis including a cooling circuit, comprising an electrical assembly as briefly described above, disposed on one side of the cooling circuit and, disposed on the other side of the cooling circuit, a power electronic module. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a capacitive block according to an example of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical device comprising a cover and a capacitive block assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a capacitive block according to an example embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lid of an assembly according to an example of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a lid and a capacitive block, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0029] It should be noted that the figures explain the invention in detail for implementing the invention, said figures being of course able to serve to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the description that will be given below, the invention will be described in the context of electrical equipment intended for a vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, without limiting the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.

[0031] With reference to the figure 1 , il A partially represented capacitive block 25 is shown according to an example of the invention. In what follows, reference is also made to the figure 5which shows a capacitive block 25 in an electrical equipment. The capacitive block 25 comprises a housing 20 and a capacitive element 300, housed in the housing 20, a substance 400 filling the space between the housing 20 and the capacitive element 300 so as to achieve a seal of the capacitive element 300, and a heat sink 500 against which the capacitive element 300 is in direct contact.

[0032] In the example shown, the heat sink 500 may include a plate 700, one face of which, opposite the capacitive element 300, forms the free face 600 of the heat sink 500. The plate 700 may have two opposite faces connected by an edge 160 extending transversely across these two faces. An electrical insulation sheet 550 may be interposed between the plate 700 and the capacitive element 300.

[0033] The filler substance 400 comes into contact with the edge 160 of the plate 700. In other words, the filler substance 400 comes against the thickness of the plate 700.

[0034] The electrical connection bar 30 allows an electrical connection of the capacitive block to other electrical elements, including a power electronic module.

[0035] The housing 20 comprises a base and side walls. These side walls may have a slight incline configured to facilitate the possible removal of the housing 20 from its mold during manufacturing. The dimensions of the housing 20 are such that it accommodates the capacitive element 300 and the filler substance 400, the filler substance 400 being able to completely enclose the capacitive element.

[0036] There figure 2This shows an exploded view of a portion of electrical equipment 100, such as part of an inverter. It should be noted that the present invention also applies to other electrical equipment comprising a capacitive block and for which the assembly process would be similar. The invention applies, for example, to an electrical charger or a DC-DC voltage converter.

[0037] The electrical equipment 100 shown includes a battery connector 2, for example, for connecting it to a high-voltage battery. The cover 10 is intended to close the top of the chassis 1 of the electrical equipment 100.

[0038] Electrical equipment 100 includes a capacitive block, for example the one illustrated in figure 1 The capacitive block 25 has an envelope, in other words a housing 20. The housing 20 is for example made of plastic, in particular molded plastic.

[0039] As depicted on the figure 2Preferably, a spring, or more precisely a spring plate 15, also referred to as "spring plate" in English, is interposed between the capacitive block 25 and the cover 10. Such a spring plate 15, once compressed by a fixing action of the assembly including said cover 10 and said capacitive block 25 on the chassis, will act by reaction so as to exert pressure on the capacitive block 25 to press it against a cooling circuit integrated into the chassis 1.

[0040] The capacitive block 25 includes an electrical connection bar 30, notably having a positive terminal and a negative terminal intended to be connected to the corresponding terminals of the high-voltage battery.

[0041] THE figures 2 to 5These figures show that, according to the invention, the housing 20 of the capacitive block 25 comprises at least one first retaining element, in this case clips 21, 22, provided, in the embodiment shown, on only one face of the housing 20. It is understood that there could be only one clip or equivalent retaining means. Furthermore, there could also be two or more clips or equivalent retaining elements 21, 22 distributed on one or more lateral faces of the housing 20.

[0042] At least one first retaining device 21, 22 is intended to cooperate with at least one additional second retaining device 11, 12 arranged on the cover 10.

[0043] In particular, as depicted on the figures 2 to 5 , the first retaining members 21, 22 are, according to one embodiment, clips 21, 22 having a branch and a terminal protrusion and having a flexibility adapted to engage with the second retaining members 11, 12.

[0044] In particular, the terminal protrusions of the clips 21, 22 are adapted to come, when said clips are engaged opposite the second retaining members arranged on the cover 10, to bear against a surface of said second retaining members 11, 12, said surface forming a stop.

[0045] For example, the second retaining elements 11, 12 are one or more grooves cut into the internal surface of the side wall of the cover 10.

[0046] The second retaining devices 11, 12 can also be shoulders provided on the internal surface of the side wall of the cover 10.

[0047] Thanks to the first 21, 22 and second 11, 12 retaining elements, the capacitive block 25 remains attached to the cover 10 and does not fall when the assembly comprising said capacitive block 25 and said cover 10 is turned over during an assembly process requiring such a turning over.

[0048] Indeed, in certain assembly line configurations, we carry out, with reference to the figure 4 , an assembly including the cover 10 in which the capacity block 20 is placed, which is engaged in the cover 10 using the guide studs 13a, 13b.

[0049] The housing 20 of the capacitive block 25 then includes shafts 23 into which the guide studs 13a, 13b engage, to help maintain the capacitive block when the assembly of said cover 10 and said capacitive block 25 is turned over. The engagement of the guide stud 13a, 13b in a shaft 23 of the capacitive block 25, together with the first 21, 22 and second 11, 12 retaining elements, helps prevent the capacitive block 25 from tipping over when the assembly comprising said capacitive block 25 and the cover 10 is turned over. In one embodiment, there may also be only one guide stud 13a.

[0050] There figure 5shows the assembly, according to a perspective view also showing the electrical connection bar 30 intended to connect the capacitive block 25 to a power module of an inverter for example, via the connectors 33.

[0051] During the assembly of the capacitive block 25 in the cover 10, the first retaining elements, in this case the clips 21, 22 are engaged in the second retaining elements, in this case the grooves 11, 12.

[0052] The second retaining devices 11, 12 include a stop against which the first retaining devices 21, 22 bear when the assembly comprising the cover 10 and the capacitive block 25 is turned over, so as to prevent the said capacitive block 25 from falling.

[0053] During the assembly process, the assembly including the cover 10 and the capacitive block 25 is thus turned over and placed on a chassis 1. The chassis 1 includes, in its upper part, a cooling circuit, against which the capacitive block 25 is placed after the assembly including the cover 10 and the capacitive block 25 has been turned over.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the spring plate 15 is provided in the cover 10 and is slightly compressed by the presence of the capacitive block 25 when the assembly comprising the cover 10 and the capacitive block 25 is made.

[0055] In this case, with reference to the figure 4Furthermore, a clearance 111, 121 is provided opposite the stop of the second retaining members 11, 12, said clearance 111, 121 allowing a degree of freedom in translation of the capacitive block 25 in a direction opposite to the side of the capacitive block 25 where the cover 10 is located. Once the assembly comprising the cover 10 and the capacitive block 25 is placed, after turning over, on the chassis 1, said assembly is fixed to said chassis 1, in particular by screwing by means of screws engaged in the fixing barrels 14 of the cover 10.

[0056] This mounting of the assembly on the chassis 1 allows the reaction of the spring plate 15 to the compression it undergoes, due in particular to the screwing. Thanks to the clearance 111, 121 existing opposite the stop of the second retaining elements 11, 12, and allowing the first retaining elements 21, 22 to disengage from the second retaining elements 11, 12, the chassis 1 presses the capacitive block 25 against said spring plate 15. The capacitive block 25 translates to further compress the spring plate 15. As a reaction, the spring plate 15 presses the capacitive block 25 even more firmly against the chassis 1 and its cooling circuit, allowing for better heat dissipation of the heat produced by said capacitive block 25 during its operation.

Claims

1. Assembly of a cover (10) and a capacitive block (25), the capacitive block (25) comprising a housing (20) which includes at least one first retaining member (21, 22), the cover (10) comprising at least one complementary second retaining member (11, 12), the at least one second retaining member (11, 12) having a retaining stop configured to receive a portion of said at least one first retaining member (21, 22) when the capacitive block (25) is engaged in the cover (10), so as to retain the capacitive block (25) during an inversion of the assembly of said cover (10) and said capacitive block (25), particularly during an assembly phase of said assembly on a chassis (1) of an electrical equipment, the at least one second retaining member (11, 12) having a clearance (111, 121) allowing a degree of freedom in translation of the capacitive block (25) with respect to the cover (10) in a direction opposite to the retaining stop.

2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one first retaining member (21, 22) comprises at least one retaining clip formed from the material of the housing (20) of the capacitive block (25) and comprising a protrusion configured to cooperate with the stop of the at least one second retaining member (11, 12).

3. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) of the capacitive block (25) comprises at least one barrel (23) in which at least one guide pin (13a, 13b) engages, to participate in maintaining the capacitive block during the inversion of the assembly of said cover (10) and said capacitive block (25).

4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second retaining member (11, 12) comprises at least one groove arranged in an internal surface of a lateral wall of the cover (10).

5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second retaining member (11, 12) comprises at least one shoulder arranged in the mass of an internal surface of a lateral wall of the cover (10).

6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a spring plate positioned in the cover (15), the capacitive block (25) being disposed in support on said spring plate (15).

7. Electrical equipment, particularly adapted to be implemented in an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising an assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Inverter comprising a chassis (1) having a cooling circuit, comprising an assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6 arranged on one side of the cooling circuit and, arranged on the other side of the cooling circuit, a power electronic module (5).