Thermal coupling device for a common mode inductance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermal coupling device (2) for a common mode inductance, configured to transfer heat to a heat sink (5), the device comprising: - an annular prismatic ferrite core (4) configured to be crossed by at least one electrical connector of an electronic component (3); - a base (6) secured to the heat sink (5), the ferrite core (4) being in contact with the base (6), the base being configured to transfer heat generated by the ferrite core (4) to the heat sink (5). The thermal coupling device (2) comprises a clamping member (8) configured to hold the ferrite core (4) and the base (6) secured together, the ferrite core (4), the base (6) and the clamping member (8) extending orthogonally to the longitudinal reference plane of the electrical connector. Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal coupling device for a common mode inductance Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the technical field of voltage converters and the cooling of electronic components forming such voltage converters. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] It is known from the state of the art an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a voltage converter, in particular an inverter, configured to convert a direct current voltage coming from a high voltage battery into an alternating current voltage in order to supply an electric motor with alternating voltage. To ensure the operation of such a voltage converter within an electromagnetic environment without generating electromagnetic disturbances that could affect other electrical systems of said vehicle, the voltage converter comprises in particular an electromagnetic compatibility filter, commonly referred to as an “EMC filter” by those skilled in the art.

[0004] To fulfill this filtering function, the EMC filter comprises a plurality of capacitors. These capacitors, during filtering, dissipate energy in the form of thermal energy. It is then known to associate with these capacitors inductances, commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as "common mode inductances", making it possible to limit heating of the capacitors of the EMC filter. However, the common mode inductances themselves need to be cooled, in particular the common mode inductance at the output of the filtering device, i.e. connected in particular to a connecting capacitor.

[0005] The invention aims to remedy any drawback of the state of the art, in particular by proposing a thermal coupling device configured to cool a common mode inductance. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] More specifically, the invention relates to a thermal coupling device for a common mode inductance, configured to transfer heat to a heat sink, the device comprising: 1. an annular prismatic ferrite core configured to be traversed by at least one electrical connector of the electronic component extending to the less partially along a longitudinal reference plane, the ferrite core being configured to generate a magnetic field induced by an electric current flowing in the electrical connector of the electronic component; 2. a base secured to the heat sink, the ferrite core being in contact with the base, the base being configured to transfer heat generated by the ferrite core to the heat sink.

[0007] The thermal coupling device is remarkable in that it comprises a clamping member configured to hold the ferrite core and the base together, the ferrite core, the base and the clamping member extending orthogonally to the longitudinal reference plane of the electrical connector. Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, the thermal coupling device allows efficient transfer of the heat generated by the ferrite core to the heat sink, via the base. In such a configuration, the cooling of the common mode inductance is then optimized.

[0008] Advantageously, the base and the clamping member have an annular prismatic structure and are coaxial with the ferrite core, the base and the clamping member being further configured to be traversed by the electrical connector. In such a configuration, the mechanical strength of the mechanical coupling device is improved, the ferrite core, the base and the clamping member having a similar geometric structure. Moreover. In addition, the compactness of such a device is improved, all of the components of the coupling device being traversed by the electrical connector.

[0009] Advantageously, the base comprises a substantially planar base extending parallel to the reference plane, said base of the base being in surface contact with the heat sink. In such a configuration, the thermal transfer of heat to the heat sink is improved, as is the fixing of the base relative to the heat sink.

[0010] Advantageously, the coupling device comprises a thermally conductive filling material, said material being interposed between the base and the heat sink. Such a material makes it possible to optimize the drainage of calories towards the heat sink.

[0011] Advantageously, the clamping member is formed by a spring blade secured to the base of the base. In such a configuration, the holding in position of the ferrite core relative to the base is improved.

[0012] Advantageously, the ferrite core is a single piece. In such a configuration, the mechanical strength of the coupling device is further improved.

[0013] Advantageously, an annular groove is provided in the base, the core of ferrite being housed in the groove of the base. In such a configuration, the heat exchange contact surface between the ferrite core and the base is significantly increased, improving the cooling of the ferrite core.

[0014] Advantageously, the thermal coupling device comprises a thermally conductive filling material, said material being interposed between the base and the ferrite core. Such a material makes it possible to optimize the drainage of calories towards the base.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to electrical equipment comprising: 1. at least one electronic component; 2. a heat sink; 3. at least one thermal coupling device as described above.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method of assembling electrical equipment as described above, comprising: 1. fixing the base of the thermal coupling device to the heat sink orthogonally to a longitudinal reference plane; 2. positioning the ferrite core of the thermal coupling device in contact with the base; 3. holding the ferrite core in position in contact with the base by means of the clamping member of the thermal coupling device; 4. passing the electrical connector of the electronic component through an opening in the ferrite core so that the electrical connector extends at least partially in the longitudinal reference plane. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which:

[0018] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of electrical equipment according to a first aspect of the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of a coupling device according to another aspect of the invention;

[0020] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation in top view of a detail of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l].

[0021] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The invention relates in particular to electrical equipment 1 such as a voltage converter, for example an inverter. The electrical equipment 1 comprises a body delimiting a housing and a cover. In [Fig.l], the electrical equipment 1 is illustrated in a configuration removed from the cover.

[0023] The electrical equipment 1 comprises in particular at least one electronic component 3 arranged in the housing which must be cooled to ensure its operation. The electronic component 3 may in particular be a capacitor, in particular a capacitor of an EMC filter. The electronic component 3 comprises at least one electrical connector extending at least partially along a longitudinal reference plane. To be cooled, the heat generated by the electronic component 3 is transmitted to a heat sink 5 of the electrical equipment 1. Here, the heat sink 5 is formed by the body of the electrical equipment 1.

[0024] The electrical equipment 1 comprises a thermal coupling device 2 configured to transfer heat. The thermal coupling device 2 is illustrated in [Fig.2]. The thermal coupling device 2 comprises a ferrite core 4. The ferrite core 4 is prismatic and annular, and is configured to be crossed by at least one electrical connector of the electronic component 3, preferably by two electrical connectors, this configuration being designated "common mode" by those skilled in the art. In other words, a through hole is provided in the ferrite core 4, the electrical connector passing through the through hole. The ferrite core 4 is configured to generate a magnetic field induced by the electrical currents flowing in the electrical connectors of the electronic component 3 passing through it, thereby generating heat by the Joule effect.

[0025] Furthermore, the thermal coupling device 2 comprises a base 6 secured to the heat sink 5, the ferrite core 4 being in contact with the base 6. The base 6 is configured to transmit by conduction the heat generated by the ferrite core 4 to the heat sink 5. To hold the ferrite core 4 in position on the base 6, the thermal coupling device 2 further comprises a clamping member 8. Thus, the base 6, the ferrite core 4 and the clamping member 8 extend orthogonally to the longitudinal reference plane of the electrical connector of the electronic component 3. Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, the thermal coupling device 2 allows an efficient transfer of the heat generated by the ferrite core 4 to the heat sink 5, via the base 6. In such a configuration, the cooling of the core 4 is maximized.Due to its channeling of the heat generated by other components of the electrical equipment 1, the ferrite core 4 is then designated “victim core”. Such a clamping member 8 makes it possible to effectively press the ferrite core 4 onto the base 6, making it possible to maximize thermal conduction and guaranteeing mechanical strength of the assembly. of the thermal coupling device 2. Finally, the “standing” arrangement of the thermal coupling device 2 makes it possible to meet different space constraints, in particular different from a “lying” configuration of the ferrite core 4. Advantageously, the thermal coupling device comprises a thermally conductive filling material, said material being intercalated between the base 10 and the heat sink 5. Such a material intercalated in this way makes it possible to optimize the drainage of calories towards the heat sink 5.

[0026] In the embodiment described in [Fig.2], the base 6 and the clamping member 8 have an annular prismatic structure and are coaxial with the ferrite core 4. Thus, the base 6 and the clamping member 8 are also configured to be crossed by the electrical connector of the electronic component 3. In addition to allowing better mechanical strength of the thermal coupling device 2, this configuration also makes it possible to maximize the heat conduction exchange surface between the ferrite core 4 and the base 6. Furthermore, the compactness of the device is improved.

[0027] The base 4 preferably comprises a base 10. The base 10, substantially planar, extends parallel to the longitudinal reference plane, as illustrated in [Fig.3]. The base 10 allows surface contact with the heat sink 5. The thermal transfer of heat to the heat sink 5 is improved. The fixing of the base 6, vertically relative to the heat sink 5 is also improved with such a base 10. Advantageously, the thermal coupling device 2 has a thermally conductive filling material, said material being interposed between the base (6) and the ferrite core 4. Such a material interposed in this way makes it possible to optimize the drainage of calories to the base 6.

[0028] More preferably, the clamping member 8 is formed by a spring blade, integral with the base 10 and the base 6. The holding in position of the ferrite core relative to the base is improved. The spring blade has the advantage of exerting a substantially uniform pressure on the ferrite core 4, adapted to the hardness and the low elastic deformability of the ferrite relative to the other components of the electrical equipment 1.

[0029] The base 6 may comprise a groove formed in said base 6. In such a configuration, the ferrite core 4 is housed in the groove of the base. The heat exchange contact surface between the ferrite core 4 and the base 6 is then further increased, further improving the cooling of the ferrite. To mount the thermal coupling device 2 in the housing of the electrical equipment 1, the base 6 is firstly fixed to the heat sink 5, orthogonally to a longitudinal reference plane. The ferrite core 4 is mounted in contact with the base 6, then the ferrite core 4 is held against the base 6 by the tightening of the member of clamping 8 on the base 6. The electrical connector of the electronic component 3 is then passed through the opening of the ferrite core 4, then connected to other components of the electrical equipment 1, for example a connecting capacitor.

[0030] It will also 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 embodiment described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0031] In the detailed presentation of the invention which is made above, the terms used must not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set out in the present description, but must be interpreted to include all equivalents whose prediction is within the reach of a person skilled in the art by applying his general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal coupling device (2) for a common mode inductance, configured to transfer heat to a heat sink (5), the device comprising:

1. an annular prismatic ferrite core (4) configured to be traversed by at least one electrical connector of the electronic component (3) extending at least partially along a longitudinal reference plane, the ferrite core (4) being configured to generate a magnetic field induced by an electric current flowing in the electrical connector of the electronic component 3; 2.a base (6) secured to the heat sink (5), the ferrite core (4) being in contact with the base (6), the base being configured to transfer heat generated by the ferrite core (4) to the heat sink (5); the thermal coupling device (2) being characterized in that it comprises a clamping member (8) configured to hold the ferrite core (4) and the base (6) secured, the ferrite core (4), the base (6) and the clamping member (8) extending orthogonally to the longitudinal reference plane of the electrical connector.

2. Thermal coupling device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the base (6) and the clamping member (8) have an annular prismatic structure and are coaxial with the ferrite core (4), the base (6) and the clamping member (8) being further configured to be crossed by the electrical connector.

3. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (6) comprises a substantially planar base (10) extending parallel to the reference plane, said base (10) of the base (6) being in surface contact with the heat sink (5).

4. A thermal coupling device (2) according to claim 3, comprising a thermally conductive filling material, said material being interposed between the base (10) and the heat sink (5).

5. Thermal coupling device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 4, in which the clamping member (8) is formed by a spring blade attached to the base (10) of the plinth (6).

6. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ferrite core (4) is in one piece.

7. A thermal coupling device (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein an annular groove is provided in the base (6), the ferrite core (4) being housed in the groove of the base (6).

8. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a thermally conductive filling material, said material being interposed between the base (6) and the ferrite core (4).

9. Electrical equipment (1) comprising:

1. at least one electronic component (3); 2. a heat sink (5); 3. at least one thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A method of assembling electrical equipment (1) according to claim 7, comprising:

1. fixing the base (6) of the thermal coupling device (2) to the heat sink (5) orthogonally to a longitudinal reference plane; 2. positioning the ferrite core (4) of the thermal coupling device (2) in contact with the base (6); 3. holding the ferrite core (4) in position in contact with the base (6) by means of the clamping member (8) of the thermal coupling device (2); 4. the passage of the electrical connector of the electronic component (3) through an orifice emerging from the ferrite core (4) so ​​that the electrical connector extends at least partially in the longitudinal reference plane.

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