SWITCHING CELL

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching cell (100) comprising: - at least one power module (102) comprising a housing (305), a switch (306, 308) in the housing (305), and a pin (312) for controlling the switch (306, 308), the control pin (312) protruding from the housing (305); and - an electronic card (104) for controlling the power module (102), the electronic control card (104) having a receiving hole in which the control pin (312) is inserted. The switching cell (100) further comprises a part (206) secured to the power module (102) and having a notch (1302) for positioning the control pin (312). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: SWITCHING CELL Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching cell, as well as to a method of manufacturing such a switching cell. The invention also relates to an inverter and a mobility device comprising such a switching cell. Technological background

[0002] A switching cell is known from the state of the art, comprising: - at least one power module comprising: • a case, • a switch in the housing, and • a switch control pin, the control pin extending from the housing; and - an electronic control board of the power module, the electronic control board having a receiving hole into which the control pin is inserted.

[0003] The control pins are generally fragile and can be easily bent during transport or handling of the power module. They may therefore end up offset from the receiving holes in the electronic card.

[0004] Furthermore, when the control pins have to be inserted by force into the receiving holes of the electronic card, this forced insertion risks twisting them.

[0005] It may thus be desirable to provide a switching cell which makes it possible to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems and constraints. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is proposed a switching cell comprising: - at least one power module comprising: • a case, • a switch in the housing, and • a switch control pin, the control pin extending from the housing; and - an electronic control board of the power module, the electronic control board having a receiving hole into which the control pin is inserted; characterized in that it further comprises: - a part attached to the power module and having a notch for positioning the control pin.

[0007] By means of the positioning notch, the position of the control pin can be ensured, which facilitates the connection of the control pin with the electronic board. In addition, when this connection is made by force insertion, the positioning notch reduces the risk of the pin twisting when it is forced into place.

[0008] The invention may further comprise one or more of the following optional features, in any technically possible combination.

[0009] Optionally, the positioning notch has two walls forming an angle between them of between 80° and 100°, preferably between 90° and 95°, and the control pin has a positioning part having a length of at least 5 mm and extending over its entire length at most 0.5 mm from each of the walls of the positioning notch.

[0010] Optionally, the control pin has an end segment which extends in a so-called vertical direction and is terminated by a tip of the control pin, this end segment comprising a protrusion projecting perpendicular to the vertical direction so as to extend above the part in the vertical direction.

[0011] Optionally, the switching cell (100) further comprises a force-insertion portion located between the tip and the protrusion.

[0012] Optionally, the control pin has an end segment which extends in a so-called vertical direction and is terminated by a tip of the control pin, this end segment comprising, from the tip: - a force-insertion part; and - a protrusion projecting perpendicular to the vertical direction so as to extend above the part in the vertical direction.

[0013] Thus, during the force insertion of the control pin, the protrusion comes into abutment against the support part, which makes it possible to provide the pin with a counter force. This avoids having to temporarily place a removable stop during the force insertion operation. In particular, the absence of this temporary stop makes it possible to greatly simplify the tooling used to carry out the force insertion.

[0014] Optionally, the force-insertion portion has a width greater than the receiving hole of the electronic card.

[0015] Optionally, the force-insertion part comprises two rods joining at their ends and separated in the middle by a space.

[0016] Optionally, the protrusion is located, in the vertical direction, less than 0.1 mm from the part, preferably in contact with this part.

[0017] Optionally, the power module has an external connector and the switching cell further comprises: - a magnetic core of a current sensor, extending around the external connector; - a cooling housing having a face against which the power module is pressed; and - the part being a frame carrying the magnetic core and fixed to the cooling housing.

[0018] Optionally, the frame is overmolded around the magnetic core.

[0019] Also optionally, the part has a chamfer for guiding the control pin towards the positioning notch. Thus, the chamfer facilitates the insertion of the pin into the positioning notch.

[0020] Also optionally, the switching cell further comprises a first bus bar, called the upper bus bar, and a second bus bar, called the lower bus bar, connected to the power module in order to distribute a direct voltage to the latter, the upper bus bar and the lower bus bar each comprising a first plate; and at least one capacitor with two terminals respectively welded to the first and second bus bar.

[0021] Optionally, the two terminals of the capacitor are respectively soldered to the first plate of the first and second bus bars.

[0022] Also optionally, the switching cell further comprises a support for the upper and lower bus bar having a fixing pin, in that the first plate of the upper bus bar has an opening for receiving the fixing pin, the latter being riveted to fix the first plate of the upper bus bar to the support.

[0023] Optionally also the upper bus bar and the lower bus bar are stacked on top of each other and the first plate of the lower bus bar is held between the first plate of the upper bus bar and the support.

[0024] Also optionally, the cooling housing defines a flow channel for a coolant, the cooling housing having an upper cooling face and a lower cooling face, both cooled by the flow of the coolant in the channel, the power modules being pressed against the upper cooling face to be cooled.

[0025] Also optionally, the first plate of the upper bus bar is in thermal contact with the lower cooling face.

[0026] Optionally, a first insulating layer is interposed between the first

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034] upper and lower bus bar plates. Optionally, a second insulating layer is positioned between the top of the first upper bus bar plate and the underside of the cooling housing. There is also provided according to a second aspect of the invention an inverter comprising a switching cell according to the first aspect of the invention. Optionally, the inverter further comprises a housing inside which the switching cell is positioned, the housing having two passage openings, the segment of the inlet conduit being inserted into one of the two passage openings and the segment of the outlet conduit being inserted into the other of the two passage openings. Also provided, according to a third aspect of the invention, is a mobility device comprising a switching cell according to the first aspect of the invention or an inverter according to the second aspect of the invention. A mobility device is, for example, a motorized land vehicle, a train, an aircraft or a drone. A motorized land vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, a motorized bicycle or a motorized wheelchair. Also provided, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, is a method of manufacturing a switching cell according to the invention, comprising: - obtaining at least one power module comprising a housing, a switch in the housing and at least one control pin of the switch, the control pin protruding from the housing; - obtaining an electronic control card for the power modules, the electronic control card having a hole for receiving the control pin; - fixing a part to the power module, by placing the control pin in a positioning notch provided in the part; and - an insertion of the control pin extending into the positioning notch, in the receiving hole of the electronic card. Brief description of the figures The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a sectional view of an example of a switching cell in which the invention is implemented, - [Fig.2] is a three-dimensional view of the switching cell, - [Fig.3] is a three-dimensional view of the switching cell, with a control board, cover and spring system removed, - [Fig.4] is a three-dimensional view of a capacitor of the switching cell, - [Fig.5] is a block diagram of a capacitor manufacturing process, - [Fig.6] is a three-dimensional, cross-sectional view of bus bars and of a support for the bus bars of the switching cell, - [Fig.7] is a three-dimensional view of the busbars, their support and capacitors of the switching cell, where fixing pins are visible, before they are riveted, - [Fig.8] is a view similar to [Fig.7], after the fixing pins have been riveted, - [Fig.9] is a three-dimensional view of the underside of the busbar support, - [Fig. 10] is a three-dimensional, sectional view of the bus bars, their support and the capacitors of the switching cell, showing the connection of the capacitors to the bus bars, - [Fig. 11] is a block diagram of a capacitor welding process, - [Fig. 12] is a sectional view of one of the capacitors, bus bars and their support, illustrating a step of the welding process, - [Fig. 13] is a three-dimensional view of control pins of power modules of the switching cell, and their surroundings, - [Fig. 14] is a three-dimensional view of a variant of the control pins, - [Fig. 15] is a three-dimensional view illustrating protrusions of the control pins of [Fig. 14], - [Fig. 16] is a block diagram of a manufacturing process of the switching cell, - [Fig. 17] is a three-dimensional sectional view of an electrical system, such as an inverter, receiving the switching cell, and - [Fig. 18] is a block diagram of an electrical system assembly process. Detailed description of the invention

[0035] In the description and claims which follow, the different parts and elements will be positioned relative to each other in space with reference to an orthogonal reference frame XYZ, of arbitrary orientation, comprising an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction. For the sake of clarity, the X direction will be called the left-right direction (in the figures, the arrow of the X direction is oriented towards the left), the Y direction called the front-back direction (in the figures, the Y direction arrow is pointing backward) and the Z direction called the down-up direction (in the figures, the Z direction arrow is pointing upward).

[0036] With reference to the figures, an example of a switching cell 100 in which the invention is implemented will now be described.

[0037] With reference to [Fig.l], the switching cell 100 firstly comprises several power modules 102. In the illustrated example, three power modules 102 are provided. The power modules 102 are for example placed next to each other.

[0038] The switching cell 100 further comprises an electronic card 104 for controlling the power modules 102. The electronic control card 104 extends, for example, above the power modules 102.

[0039] The switching cell 100 further comprises a circuit 106 for cooling the power modules 102.

[0040] The cooling circuit 106 comprises a cooling housing 108 defining a channel 110 for the flow of the coolant. The cooling housing 108 has an upper cooling face 112 and a lower cooling face 113, both cooled by the flow of the coolant in the channel 110. The power modules 102 are thus pressed against the upper cooling face 112 to be cooled.

[0041] To keep the power modules 102 pressed against the upper cooling face 112, the switching cell 100 comprises, for example, first of all a cover 114 extending above the power modules 102, for example between the electronic control card 104 and the power modules 102. The cover 114 is fixed to the cooling housing 108, for example by screws. The switching cell 100 further comprises a spring system interposed between the cover 114 and the power modules 102. This spring system is thus designed to bear on the cover 114 and push the power modules 102 towards the upper cooling face 112. The spring system comprises, for example, for each power module 102, a flexible blade 116, compressed between the cover 114 and the power module 102.

[0042] The cooling circuit 106 further comprises a conduit 118 for the coolant to enter the cooling housing 108 and a conduit 120 for the coolant to exit the cooling housing 108. The conduits 118, 120 are for example located respectively to the right and to the left of the cooling housing 108 and project vertically towards the bottom of the latter.

[0043] The switching cell 100 further comprises a so-called positive bus bar 128 and a so-called negative bus bar 130, stacked on top of each other. One of the two bus bars 128, 130 thus form a lower bus bar, while the other forms an upper bus bar. The so-called positive bus bar 128 and the so-called negative bus bar 130 each comprise a first plate and a second plate, the first plate being in material continuity with the second plate.

[0044] In the example described, the first plate of each of the two bus bars is a flat plate.

[0045] For example, the first plate of the positive bus bar 128 extends below the first plate of the negative bus bar 130 and the first plate of the negative bus bar 130 extends below the cooling housing 108. Thus, the positive bus bar 128 forms the lower bus bar and the negative bus bar 130 forms the upper bus bar. The reverse configuration is also possible.

[0046] Further, the second positive bus bar plate 128 and the second negative bus bar plate 130 extend along one side of the cooling housing 108.

[0047] The positive bus bar 128 is designed to have a high electrical potential, while the negative bus bar 130 is designed to have a low electrical potential, lower than the high electrical potential, so that the bus bars 128, 130 are designed to have, between them, a direct voltage UDc-

[0048] The bus bars 128, 130 are both connected, via at least one connection terminal extending from their second plate, to each of the power modules 102 in order to distribute the direct voltage UDC to the latter.

[0049] To hold the bus bars 128, 130 in place, the switching cell 100 comprises, for example, a support 132, in particular made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic. More specifically, the support 132 has a bottom 134 on which the first plates of the bus bars 128, 130 extend. The support 132 is fixed to the cooling housing 108 so that the first plates of the bus bars 128, 130 extend between the lower cooling face 113 of the cooling housing 108 and the bottom 134 of the support 132. The bus bars 128, 130 can thus be cooled through the lower cooling face 113.

[0050] The switching cell 100 further comprises capacitors 136 each comprising two terminals 138, 140 respectively connected to the bus bars 128, 130 to receive the direct voltage UDc. These capacitors 136 are designed to smooth the direct voltage UDc and are generally called in English “DC link capacitor”.

[0051] The capacitors 136 are for example placed under the bus bars 128, 130 and in particular under the bottom 134 of the support 132, their terminals 138, 140 passing through the bottom 134 of the support to reach the bus bars 128, 130, as will be described later. in detail later.

[0052] With reference to [Fig.2], each power module 102 is for example designed to perform a transformation between the direct voltage UDC and a respective alternating voltage, for example phase voltages of an electrical machine.

[0053] Each power module 102 thus has an external connector 202 designed to present this alternating voltage. The external connector 202 is for example in the form of a flat bar, preferably having a thickness of at least 0.8 mm.

[0054] The switching cell 100 further comprises, around each external connector 202, a magnetic core 204 of a current sensor. The magnetic core 204 is looped and has an air gap in which a Hall effect sensor can, for example, be placed for measuring the current.

[0055] To hold the magnetic cores 204 in place, the switching cell 100 further comprises a frame 206 carrying the magnetic cores 204. This frame 206 is for example overmolded around the magnetic cores and fixed to the cooling housing 108, for example by means of screws.

[0056] With reference to [Fig. 3], each power module 102 comprises, in addition to the alternative external connector 202, a so-called positive external connector 302 and a so-called negative external connector 304, designed to be connected respectively to the positive bus bar 128 and to the negative bus bar 130. These external connectors 302, 304 are for example in the form of flat bars, preferably having a thickness of at least 0.8 mm. In the illustrated example, two negative external connectors 304 are provided for each power module 102.

[0057] To achieve the voltage transformation, each power module 102 implements for example a switching arm and thus comprises, in a housing 305, two switches 306, 308 connected to each other at a midpoint, itself connected to the external AC connector 202 to present the AC voltage. The switching arm is connected between the external connectors 302, 304 to present the DC voltage UDC. These switches 306, 308 are illustrated in [Fig. 3] schematically for only one of the power modules 102, and not on the others for the sake of clarity.

[0058] Each switch 306, 308 is preferably a controllable semiconductor switch, such as for example a transistor switch such as a metal-oxide gate field effect transistor (also designated by the acronym MOSFET) or an insulated gate bipolar transistor (also designated by the acronym IGBT) or a gallium nitride field effect transistor (also designated by the acronym the acronym GaN FET).

[0059] Each power module 102 further has control pins 312, allowing in particular the control card 104 to control the switching of the switches 306, 308. These control pins 312 are folded so as to have a horizontal segment coming out of the housing 305 of the power module 102 and a vertical segment rising upwards to reach the control card 104.

[0060] Referring to [Fig.4], each capacitor 136 comprises a main body 402, each terminal 138, 140 comprising an internal portion 404 in the main body 402, and an external portion 406 outside the main body 402, projecting therefrom.

[0061] The main body 402 comprises for example a capacitive device 408 and an overmolding 410 covering the capacitive device 408. The capacitive device 408 is the part of the capacitor 136 where the electrical energy is stored. The overmolding 410 is for example made of resin. The internal part 404 of each terminal 138, 140 thus extends for example into the overmolding 410 to join the capacitive device 408.

[0062] The external part 406 of each of the terminals 138, 140 firstly has a support portion 412. The support portion 412 extends for example in the continuity of the internal part 404. The support portion 412 is for example flat.

[0063] The outer portion 406 of each of the terminals 138, 140 further has a connection portion 414 adapted to be welded to a respective one of the bus bars 128, 130, as will be described in more detail later. The connection portion 414 is attached to the support portion 412 by a fold and extends away from the main body 402. The connection portion 414 has an upper face intended to be pressed against the associated bus bar 128, 130, in order to be welded thereto for example by laser welding.

[0064] To prevent the heat of the soldering from passing through the connection portion 414 and reaching the main body 402, the outer part 406 of each of the terminals 138, 140 further has a protective portion 416 attached to the connection portion 414 by a fold so as to be folded between the connection portion 414 and the main body 402. For example, the fold between the connection portion 414 and the protective portion 416 is opposite the fold between the support portion 412 and the connection portion 414.

[0065] The external part 406 of each of the terminals 138, 140 further comprises, for example, at least one auxiliary support portion 418 attached to the connection portion 414 by a fold, so as to project towards the main body 402, for example vertically downwards as in the example illustrated.

[0066] The auxiliary support portion 418 has, opposite the connection portion 414, an end in contact with the main body 402, for example extending into this last. For example, this end is taken in the overmolding 410, as in the example illustrated.

[0067] Furthermore, the end preferably has a hook 420, i.e. a protrusion. This protrusion is covered by the overmolding 410 in the projection direction of the auxiliary support portion 418, i.e. vertically in the illustrated example. This hook 420 limits the risk of the auxiliary support portion 418 being torn off from the overmolding 410 and the risk of the connection portion 414 being deformed, when the auxiliary support portion 418 is pulled parallel to the projection direction.

[0068] Thus, the connection portion 414 is carried by the support portion 412 and, where appropriate, by the auxiliary support portion(s) 418.

[0069] Preferably, each terminal 138, 140, or at least its external part 406, is formed from a single folded flat plate.

[0070] With reference to [Fig.5], an example of a method 600 for manufacturing the capacitors 136 will now be described.

[0071] During a step 602, the terminals 138, 140 are obtained with, for each of them, the protection portion 416 in the continuity of the connection portion 414. For example, each terminal 138, 140 obtained is flat, for example cut from a plate. Thus, before folding this plate, the external part 406 and the internal part 404 are coplanar, in continuity with each other.

[0072] During a step 604, the external part 406 is in particular folded between the protective portion 416 and the connection portion 414, to bring the protective portion 416 under the connection portion 414. Other foldings of the external part 406 of the terminal 138, 140 can also be carried out during step 604, for example to give it the shape illustrated in [Fig. 4]. For example, after folding the protective portion 416 under the connection portion 414, the auxiliary support portion(s) 418 can be folded relative to the connection portion 414. Finally, still for example, the entire internal part 404 and the support portion 412 can be folded relative to the connection portion 414.

[0073] During a step 606, the internal parts 404 of the terminals 138, 140 are fixed to the capacitive device 408. Thus, the protection portion 416 extends between the connection portion 414 and the main body 402, which is devoid of the overmolding 410.

[0074] During a step 608, the overmolding 410 is formed around the capacitive device 408, the internal part 404 of the terminal 138, 140 and the hooks 420 if they are provided.

[0075] With reference to [Fig.6], an insulating layer 502 is for example provided above the first plate of the upper bus bar 130, to isolate it from the cooling housing 108. Similarly an insulating layer 504 is interposed between the bus bars 128, 130.

[0076] With reference to [Fig.7], the support 132 has fixing pins 702 respectively received in openings made in the first plate of the upper bus bar 130. The fixing pins 702 project for example upwards from the bottom 134 of the support 132.

[0077] The support 132 further has, for example, pins 704 for positioning the lower bus bar 128. Each positioning pin 704 enters a respective opening in the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 and makes it possible to hold the lower bus bar 128 in place. In particular, the positioning pins 704 are arranged so as to hold the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 in place perpendicular to the fixing pins 702. For example, the positioning pins 704 extend parallel to the fixing pins 702, i.e. upwards.

[0078] With reference to [Fig.8], the fixing pins 702 are each riveted, to fix the first plate of the upper bus bar 130 to the support 132. In doing so, the lower bus bar 128 is held in place since its first plate is sandwiched between the first plate of the upper bus bar 130 and the bottom 134 of the support 132. The riveting consists of deforming, for example hot, the end of each positioning pin 704 to form a stop for the first plate of the upper bus bar 130.

[0079] With reference to [Fig.9], the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 has, for each capacitor 136, an opening 902 (for example, a window or a notch) leaving a part 904 of the first plate of the upper bus bar 130 visible. This part 904 is designed to be connected to one of the terminals 138, 140 of the capacitor 136 and will be called hereinafter “connection part 904”.

[0080] The connection portion 904 of the upper bus bar 130 has, for example, a boss 906 extending into the opening 902 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128.

[0081] Still for each capacitor 136, the bottom 134 of the support 132 has an opening 908 (for example, a window or a notch) leaving a part 910 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 visible. This part 910 is designed to be connected to the other of the terminals 138, 140 of the capacitor 136 and will be called hereinafter “connection part 910”. Preferably, the connection part 910 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128, for example reduced by at least 25%. For example, the connection part 910 has a thickness of at most 0.6 mm, while the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 has, around the connection part 910, a thickness of at least 1 mm. This reduced thickness makes it easier to solder terminal 138, 140 of capacitor 136.

[0082] The opening 908 of the bottom 134 also leaves visible the opening 902 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128. Thus, the connection part 904 of the first plate of the upper bus bar 130, and in particular the boss 906, is visible through the opening 908 of the bottom 134 and the opening 902 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128.

[0083] The boss 906 has, for example, a flat lower connection wall 912. Preferably, this connection wall 912 has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the first plate of the upper bus bar 130, for example reduced by at least 25%. For example, the connection wall 912 has a thickness of at most 0.6 mm, while the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 has, around the boss 906, a thickness of at least 1 mm. This reduced thickness makes it easier to solder the terminal 138, 140 of the capacitor 136.

[0084] Furthermore, the first plate of the upper bus bar 130 has, for each connection portion 910 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128, an opening (for example, a window or a notch) leaving the connection portion 910 visible.

[0085] With reference to [Fig. 10], for each capacitor 136, one of the terminals (the negative terminal 140 in the illustrated example) is connected, for example by welding, to the connection part 904 of the upper bus bar 130, and more particularly to the connection wall 912 of the boss 906. The other of the terminals (the positive terminal 138 in the illustrated example) is connected, for example by welding, to the connection part 910 of the lower bus bar 128.

[0086] With reference to [Fig. 11], an example of a method 1100 of welding the capacitors 136 to the bus bars 128, 130 will now be described.

[0087] During a step 1102, the terminals 138, 140 of the capacitor 136 are respectively pressed against the bus bars 128, 130. For example, the connection portions 414 of the terminals 138, 140 are respectively pressed against the connection wall 912 of the boss 906 of the upper bus bar 130 and against the connection part 910 of the lower bus bar 128. Preferably, the pressing is plane on plane, for example on a plate of at least 20 mm2.

[0088] During a step 1104, to weld each terminal 138, 140 to the bus bar 128, 130 against which this terminal 138, 140 is plated, a laser beam is sent onto the bus bar 128, 130, opposite the plated terminal 138, 140.

[0089] With reference to [Fig. 12], the laser beam 1202 is sent by a laser 1204 in a direction 1206 passing successively through the bus bar 128, 130, the connection portion 414 of the plated terminal 138, 140, the protection portion 416 of the terminal 138, 140 plated and the main body 402 of the capacitor 136. The direction 1206 is thus perpendicular to the connection portion 414.

[0090] Furthermore, the existence of an opening in the first plate of the upper bus bar 130 allows the laser beam to directly reach the connection portion 910 of the first plate of the lower bus bar 128 to be able to weld this connection portion 910 to the terminal of the capacitor 136 against which it is pressed.

[0091] With reference to [Fig. 13], there is provided in the frame 206, for each control pin 312, a notch 1302 for positioning this control pin 312. For the sake of clarity, this positioning notch 1302 is only referenced in the figures for one of the control pins.

[0092] By virtue of the positioning notch, the position of the control pin 312 can be ensured, which facilitates the connection of the control pin 312 with the electronic board 104. In addition, when this connection is made by force insertion, the positioning notch 1302 reduces the risk of the control pin 312 twisting when it is forced into place.

[0093] For example, the positioning notch 1302 has two walls 1304, 1306 forming an angle between them of between 80° and 100°, preferably between 90° and 95°, more preferably 90°, so as to properly position the control pin 312. The control pin 312 thus has an end segment 1308 terminated by a point 1310. The control pin 312 is designed to be inserted into a respective receiving hole of the electronic card 104 by its point 1310. This end segment 1308 is for example straight (vertical in the illustrated example) and has a positioning portion 1312 having a length of at least 5 mm and extending over its entire length at most 0.5 mm from each of the walls 1304, 1306 of the positioning notch. 1302.

[0094] The control pin 312 illustrated in [Fig. 13] is thus, for example, designed to be inserted freely (not by force) into the receiving hole, then soldered to the electronic card 104.

[0095] With reference to [Fig. 14], another exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0096] In this other example, the control pin 312 is for example designed to be inserted by force into the receiving hole of the electronic card 104.

[0097] For this purpose, the end segment 1308 has a force-insertion portion 1402 having a width greater than the hole for receiving the electronic card. For example, the force-insertion portion 1402 comprises two rods joining at their ends and separated in the middle by a space.

[0098] Preferably, the frame 206 has at least one chamfer 1404 for guiding the control pin 312, and more particularly its elbow, towards the positioning notch. operation 1302. Thus, the chamfer 1404 facilitates the insertion, in particular vertically, of the control pin 312 into the positioning notch 1302.

[0099] With reference to [Fig. 15], the end segment 1308 further has a protrusion 1502 projecting perpendicular to the vertical direction so as to extend above the support part in the vertical direction, preferably less than 0.1 mm from the frame 206 in the vertical direction, preferably in contact with the frame 206.

[0100] Thus, during the force insertion of the control pin 312, the protrusion 1502 comes into abutment against the support part, which makes it possible to provide the pin with a counter force. This avoids having to temporarily place a removable stop during the force insertion operation. In particular, the absence of this temporary stop makes it possible to greatly simplify the tooling used to carry out the force insertion.

[0101] This protrusion 1502 is for example located between the force insertion part 1402 and the positioning part 1312.

[0102] With reference to [Fig. 16], a method 1600 for manufacturing the switching cell 100 comprises for example the following steps.

[0103] During a step 1602, the power module 102 is obtained with the control pins 312 coming out of the housing 305.

[0104] During a step 1604, the electronic card 104 is obtained, with a hole for receiving each control pin 312.

[0105] During a step 1606, the power module 102 is fixed to the cooling housing carrying the frame 206. During this fixing, the power module 102 is lowered vertically, so that the control pins 312, in particular guided by the chamfers 1502, enter respectively into the positioning notches 1302.

[0106] During a step 1608, the electronic card 104 is descended vertically towards the power modules 102, so that the control pins extending into the positioning notch are inserted respectively into the receiving holes.

[0107] With reference to [Fig. 17], the switching cell 100 is for example designed to be part of an electrical system, for example an inverter 1702.

[0108] The inverter 1702 comprises for example an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter 1704 connected between the two bus bars 128, 130 and a housing, called general housing 1706, in which the EMC filter 1704 and the switching cell 100 are placed.

[0109] The general housing 1706 comprises for example a main part 1708 having an upper opening 1710 and a cover (not shown) designed to close this upper opening 1710. The general housing 1706 further comprises by example a lower opening 1712 for the passage of capacitors 136 and a cover 1714 to close this lower opening 1712.

[0110] The inlet duct 118 and the outlet duct 120 respectively have two segments 1716, 1718 projecting substantially parallel to each other in the same direction.

[0111] The general housing 1706 then has two openings 1720, 1722 for the passage of segments 1716, 1718 respectively. Each opening 1720, 1722 has, for example, a sealing joint 1724, 1726 intended to cooperate with the inserted segment 1716, 1718.

[0112] The segments 1716, 1718 thus have, outside the general housing 1706, respective ends 1728, 1730 designed to be connected to a cooling liquid circulation system. These ends 1728, 1730 may for example have inlet chamfers. Thus, the connection of the cooling circuit is made outside the general housing 1706, so as to reduce the risks of leakage in the general housing in the event of poor sealing of this connection.

[0113] With reference to [Fig. 18], a method 1800 of assembling the electrical system 1702 will now be described.

[0114] During a step 1802, the switching cell 100 is inserted through the upper opening 1710 into the general housing 1706. On this occasion, the segments 1716, 1718 of the conduits 118, 120 are inserted respectively into the openings 1720, 1722 provided in the main part 1708 to guide the positioning of the switching cell 100 inside the main housing 1706.

[0115] During a step 1804, the switching cell 100 is fixed to the main part 1708 of the general housing 1706, for example by screwing.

[0116] During a step 1806, the upper opening 1710 of the main part 1708 is closed by the cover (not shown) of the general housing 1706.

[0117] In conclusion, it will be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0118] In particular, the order of the steps of the methods described above could be changed to any technically possible order.

[0119] In the detailed presentation of the invention which is made above, the terms used must not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiments set out in the present description, but must be interpreted to include all equivalents whose prediction is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Claims

Claims

1. Switching cell (100) comprising: - at least one power module (102) comprising: • a housing (305), • a switch (306, 308) in the housing (305), and • a pin (312) for controlling the switch (306, 308), the control pin (312) protruding from the housing (305); and - an electronic card (104) for controlling the power module (102), the electronic control card (104) having a receiving hole in which the control pin (312) is inserted; characterized in that it further comprises: - a part (206) integral with the power module (102) and having a notch (1302) for positioning the control pin (312).

2. Switching cell (100) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning notch (1302) has two walls (1304, 1306) forming an angle between them of between 80° and 100°, preferably between 90° and 95°, and wherein the control pin (312) has a positioning portion (1312) having a length of at least 5 mm and extending over its entire length at most 0.5 mm from each of the walls (1304, 1306) of the positioning notch (1302).

3. Switching cell (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control pin (312) has an end segment (1308) which extends in a so-called vertical direction and is terminated by a tip (1310) of the control pin (312), this end segment (1308) comprising a protrusion (1502) projecting perpendicular to the vertical direction so as to extend above the part (206) in the vertical direction.

4. Switching cell (100) according to the preceding claim further comprising a force-insertion portion (1402) located between the tip (1310) and the protrusion (1502).

5. A switching cell (100) according to claim 3 or 4, in in which the protrusion (1502) is located, in the vertical direction, less than 0.1 mm from the part (206), preferably in contact with this part (206).

6. Switching cell (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the power module (102) has an external connector (202) and further comprising: - a magnetic core (204) of a current sensor, extending around the external connector (202); - a cooling housing (108) having a face (112) against which the power module (102) is pressed; and - the part (206) being a frame carrying the magnetic core (204) and fixed to the cooling housing (108).

7. A switching cell (100) according to claim 6, wherein the frame (206) is overmolded around the magnetic core (204).

8. Switching cell (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the part (206) has a chamfer (1404) for guiding the control pin (312) towards the positioning notch (1302).

9. An inverter comprising a switching cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A mobility device comprising a switching cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or an inverter according to claim 9.

11. Method (1600) for manufacturing a switching cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: - obtaining (1602) at least one power module (102) comprising a housing (305), a switch (306, 308) in the housing (305) and at least one pin (312) for controlling the switch (306, 308), the control pin (312) protruding from the housing (305); - obtaining (1604) an electronic card (104) for controlling the power modules (102), the electronic control card (104) having a hole for receiving the control pin (312); - fixing (1606) a part (206) to the power module (102), by placing the control pin (312) in a notch positioning provided in the room; and an insertion (1608) of the control pin extending into the positioning notch, in the receiving hole of the electronic card (104).

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