Thermal coupling device for a common-mode inductor
The thermal coupling device with a prismatic ferrite core and clamping member effectively transfers heat from common-mode inductors to heat sinks, addressing overheating and electromagnetic interference in voltage converters.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023014970
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-12-22
AI Technical Summary
Common-mode inductors in voltage converters of electric or hybrid vehicles generate heat that needs to be efficiently managed to prevent overheating and maintain electromagnetic compatibility.
A thermal coupling device comprising a prismatic ferrite core, a base, and a clamping member that securely attaches to a heat sink, utilizing a thermally conductive filling material to optimize heat transfer and improve mechanical strength and compactness.
Enhances heat dissipation from common-mode inductors to heat sinks, ensuring efficient cooling and maintaining mechanical integrity while minimizing electromagnetic interference.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Thermal coupling device for a common-mode inductor. 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 in the prior art that electric or hybrid vehicles include a voltage converter, in particular an inverter, configured to convert a direct current voltage from a high-voltage battery into an alternating current voltage to supply an electric motor with alternating voltage. To ensure the operation of such a voltage converter within an electromagnetic environment without generating electromagnetic interference that could affect other electrical systems of said vehicle, the voltage converter includes, in particular, an electromagnetic compatibility filter, commonly referred to as an "EMC filter" by those skilled in the art.
[0004] To perform this filtering function, the EMC filter comprises a plurality of capacitors. During filtering, these capacitors dissipate energy in the form of heat. It is therefore known to associate inductors with these capacitors, commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as "common-mode inductors," in order to limit the heating of the EMC filter capacitors. However, the common-mode inductors themselves require cooling, in particular the common-mode inductor at the output of the filtering device, i.e., connected notably to a coupling capacitor.
[0005] The invention aims to remedy any drawback of the prior 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 inductor, 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 extending electronic component at least 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 attached 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 notable in that it comprises a clamping member configured to hold the ferrite core and the base securely together, with the ferrite core, the base, and the clamping member extending orthogonally to the longitudinal reference plane of the electrical connector. Thanks to this combination of features, the thermal coupling device enables efficient transfer of the heat generated by the ferrite core to the heat sink via the base. In this configuration, the cooling of the common-mode inductor is thus 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 allow the electrical connector to pass through them. In such a configuration, the mechanical strength of the mechanical coupling device is improved, as the ferrite core, the base, and the clamping member have a similar geometric structure. Moreover, the compactness of such a device is improved, since all the components of the coupling device are traversed by the electrical connector.
[0009] Advantageously, the base comprises a substantially flat 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 heat transfer to the heat sink is improved, as is the attachment 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 optimizes the dissipation of heat to the heat sink.
[0011] Advantageously, the clamping element is formed by a spring blade integral with the base of the pedestal. In such a configuration, the retention of the ferrite core in position relative to the pedestal 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 formed in the base, with the ferrite core housed in the groove of the base. In such a configuration, the heat exchange contact surface between the ferrite core and the base is substantially 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 optimizes the drainage of heat to 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 for assembling electrical equipment as described above, comprising: 1. the fixing of the base of the thermal coupling device to the heat sink orthogonally to a longitudinal reference plane; 2. the positioning of the ferrite core of the thermal coupling device in contact with the base; 3. the holding in position of the ferrite core in contact with the base by means of the clamping element of the thermal coupling device; 4. The passage of the electrical connector of the electronic component through an opening in the ferrite core such that the electrical connector extends at least partially in the longitudinal reference plane. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES
[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which:
[0018] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of an electrical equipment according to a first aspect of the invention;
[0019] [Fig.2] is a schematic isometric perspective representation of a coupling device according to another aspect of the invention;
[0020] [Fig.3] is a schematic top view representation of a detail of the electrical equipment of [Fig.1].
[0021] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable implementation of the invention; 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. 1], the electrical equipment 1 is illustrated in a configuration with the cover removed.
[0023] The electrical equipment 1 includes, in particular, at least one electronic component 3 located in the housing that must be cooled to ensure its operation. The electronic component 3 may, in particular, be a capacitor, especially a capacitor of an EMC filter. The electronic component 3 includes 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 transferred 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 includes a thermal coupling device 2 configured to transfer heat. The thermal coupling device 2 is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The thermal coupling device 2 includes a ferrite core 4. The ferrite core 4 is prismatic and annular, and is configured to allow passage through at least one electrical connector of the electronic component 3, preferably two electrical connectors, this configuration being referred to as "common mode" by those skilled in the art. In other words, a through-hole is provided in the ferrite core 4, with the electrical connector passing through the through-hole. The ferrite core 4 is configured to generate a magnetic field induced by the electric currents flowing through the electrical connectors of the electronic component 3, thereby generating heat by Joule heating.
[0025] Furthermore, the thermal coupling device 2 comprises a base 6 integral with the heat sink 5, with the ferrite core 4 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 this combination of features, the thermal coupling device 2 enables efficient transfer of the heat generated by the ferrite core 4 to the heat sink 5, via the base 6. In this configuration, the cooling of the core 4 is maximized.Because it channels the heat generated by other components of the electrical equipment 1, the ferrite core 4 is then designated the "victim core". Such a component. The clamping device 8 effectively presses the ferrite core 4 against the base 6, maximizing thermal conduction and ensuring the mechanical strength of the entire thermal coupling device 2. Furthermore, the upright positioning of the thermal coupling device 2 addresses different space constraints, particularly those associated with a horizontal configuration of the ferrite core 4. Advantageously, the thermal coupling device includes a thermally conductive filler material, which is sandwiched between the base 10 and the heat sink 5. This interposed material optimizes heat dissipation to 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 allow passage through the electrical connector of the electronic component 3. In addition to providing better mechanical strength of the thermal coupling device 2, this configuration also maximizes 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 flat, extends parallel to the longitudinal reference plane, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The base 10 allows surface contact with the heat sink 5. The heat transfer to the heat sink 5 is improved. The vertical attachment of the base 6 to the heat sink 5 is also improved with such a base 10. Advantageously, the thermal coupling device 2 incorporates a thermally conductive filling material, said material being intercalated between the base (6) and the ferrite core 4. Such an intercalated material optimizes the dissipation of heat to the base 6.
[0028] Preferably, the clamping element 8 is formed by a spring blade, integral with the base 10 and the socket 6. This improves the positioning of the ferrite core relative to the socket. The spring blade has the advantage of exerting a substantially uniform pressure on the ferrite core 4, adapted to the hardness and low elastic deformability of the ferrite compared to the other components of the electrical equipment 1.
[0029] The base 6 may include 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 thus 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 first 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 clamping the clamping member 8 on the base 6. The electrical connector of the electronic component 3 is then passed through the opening of the ferrite core 4, and then connected to other components of the electrical equipment 1, for example a coupling capacitor.
[0030] It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the information just disclosed to them.
[0031] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used shall not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set forth in this description, but shall be interpreted as including all equivalents which can be foreseen by a person skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.
Claims
Demands
1. Thermal coupling device (2) for a common-mode inductor, configured to transfer heat to a heat sink (5), the device comprising:
1. a core (4) of ring prismatic ferrite 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) integral with 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) together, the ferrite core (4), the base (6) and the clamping member (8) extending orthogonally to the longitudinal reference plane of the electrical connector, the ferrite core (4) being monobloc.
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 traversed by the electrical connector.
3. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (6) comprises a substantially flat 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. Thermal coupling device (2) according to claim 3, comprising a thermally conductive filling material, said material being intercalated between the base (10) and the heat sink (5).
5. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the clamping member (8) is formed by a spring blade integral with the base (10) of the pedestal (6).
6. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an annular groove is provided in the base (6), the ferrite core (4) being housed in the groove of the base (6).
7. Thermal coupling device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a thermally conductive filling material, said material being intercalated between the base (6) and the ferrite core (4).
8. 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 5.
9. Method of assembling an electrical equipment (1) according to claim 6, 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. maintaining the ferrite core (4) in contact with the base (6) by means of the clamping member (8) of the thermal coupling device (2); 4. passing the electrical connector of the electronic component (3) through an opening in the ferrite core (4) such that the electrical connector extends at least partially in the longitudinal reference plane.