On-board charging device and cooling means for a power module of this on-board charging device

Abstract

Title: On-board charging device and cooling means for a power module of this on-board charging device. Device comprising at least one housing (2), electronic components housed in said housing and among which at least one power module (20), the housing further housing a cooling device for at least one power module, the cooling device comprising a receptacle (6) which includes at least one coolant channel and a closing wall (8) configured to rest against the receptacle (6) to form with said channel a coolant circuit (10), said power module (20) being secured to the closing wall (8) in a positioning zone (Z1, Z2, Z3) of the power module,The cooling device is characterized in that the closing wall (8) comprises at least one opening (18) provided in said positioning zone and in that the cooling device comprises at least one insert (30) configured to be disposed in the opening (18) and to be interposed between the closing wall and the power module. (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: On-board charging device and cooling means for a power module of this on-board charging device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of on-board chargers for electric vehicles.

[0002] On-board chargers include various electronic components such as power modules, coils, or capacitors, without this list being exhaustive. These electronic components generate heat during the operation of the on-board charger.

[0003] However, electric vehicles require ever-increasing charging power to reduce charging times. This increase in charging power is accompanied by a growing heat generation during charger operation, necessitating the development of solutions to reduce thermal stress on charger components.

[0004] In particular, power modules are the electronic components that produce the most heat and it is necessary to cool them efficiently so as not to damage them, while power modules can have an operating temperature of 150°C.

[0005] The power module is increasingly used in electronic systems because it allows a plurality of electronic chips to be packed into a small space on a printed circuit board. More specifically, the power module comprises a housing in which electronic chips are arranged side by side. The housing includes a base for supporting the electronic chips and a cover plate that encloses the chips and, together with the base, forms an internal volume in which the chips are housed. The chips are connected to electrical connection pins that extend outside the power module, notably to allow the electrical connection of the electronic chips, housed inside the casing, to an electrical network via a printed circuit board.

[0006] The power module has a rectangular shape, defined by the rectangular shape of the housing. In other words, the power module comprises two opposing edges, each with a greater elongation dimension than the other two edges. The pins protrude from the housing on one or both edges with the greater elongation dimension.

[0007] It is known to cool a power module by placing the power module in contact with a wall of a cooling circuit through which a coolant circulates. The power module is brought into contact with this wall at the level of an upper wall of the power module housing, and the connection pins are configured so that they can be connected to a printed circuit board without interfering with the wall of the cooling circuit.

[0008] More specifically, an on-board charging device includes a cooling device formed by a receptacle and a closing wall that define a coolant circuit. This circuit is supplied by a coolant that recovers, through the closing wall, the heat generated by the operation of the power module attached to the wall. The shape of the coolant circuit is defined by a circulation channel formed by reliefs in the receptacle, this shape being designed to allow the coolant to pass under each of the power modules. It is known to place the power modules along the circulation channel, with these power modules arranged parallel to the direction of fluid flow in the area where the power module in question is attached.In other words, the two largest edges of a power module are parallel to the direction of flow of the coolant in the area of ​​the power module.

[0009] This cooling solution is simple to implement but can be improved insofar as the inventors have observed that the cooling of the electronic chips within the power module housing may not be homogeneous from one chip to another, and may not be sufficient in cases of high temperature rise.

[0010] The present invention falls within this context and aims to provide an on-board charging device in which the power module is cooled more efficiently.

[0011] The present invention provides an on-board charging device comprising at least one housing, electronic components housed within said housing and including at least one power module, the housing further housing a cooling device for at least one power module, the cooling device comprising a receptacle which includes at least one coolant channel and a closing wall configured to rest against the receptacle to form a coolant circuit with said channel, said power module being secured to the closing wall in a power module positioning zone, the cooling device being characterized in that the closing wall includes at least one opening arranged in said positioning area and in that the cooling device includes at least one insert configured to be placed in the opening and to be interposed between the closing wall and the power module.

[0012] The on-board charging device according to the invention, suitable for equipping an electric motor vehicle, has as its function, in particular, to enable the transformation of alternating current supplied by a home charging station into direct current usable by the electrical components of the electric vehicle, and in particular the drive components of the electric vehicle. This on-board charging device is characterized herein by the presence of a cooling circuit associated with the cooling of a power module, with the cooling circuit comprising an insert forming a means of improving heat exchange between the coolant, which may circulate in the cooling circuit, and the power module.

[0013] The closing wall and the receptacle are made to form the coolant circuit, the receptacle being stamped to form the meanders of a circulation channel which the closing wall is intended to seal to ensure the tightness of the coolant circulation.

[0014] The closing wall and the receptacle can, in particular, be joined together by friction stir welding. This assembly method, similar to welding, permanently bonds the two parts and prevents coolant leaks.

[0015] The receptacle and the closing wall can be made of the same material, which in particular makes it easier to weld by friction stir.

[0016] In the power module positioning areas, the seal is made by the presence of the insert which closes the cooling circuit by covering the opening intentionally made in the closing wall.

[0017] The power module is an electronic component comprising a plurality of chips and is therefore likely to generate significant heat during operation. According to the invention, an insert is interposed between the closing wall that helps to delimit the cooling circuit and the power module in order to optimize heat exchange between this power module and the coolant circulating in the circuit.

[0018] More particularly, the insert has a shape similar to that of the opening made in the closing wall, the dimensions of the insert and the opening being designed to allow a peripheral overlap area in which the insert is made integral with the closing wall around the perimeter of the opening.

[0019] The presence of an insert offers the possibility of optimizing the heat exchange performance of the insert, since it is simpler to configure the insert to give it high thermal performance is achieved rather than having to configure the closing wall. In this context, it is possible to use a different material, particularly one with higher thermal conductivity, for the insert, and it is easier to form heat exchange pins on one face of the insert, designed to fit into the duct through the passage of the coolant.

[0020] The insert can be made of a material such as copper or an aluminum alloy, the closing wall is made of an aluminum alloy having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the material chosen to make the insert.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert includes at least one power module mounting barrel.

[0022] The barrel(s) are intended to secure a power module to the closing wall via an insert interposed between the closing wall and the power module. In particular, the barrels may have a threaded hole allowing the power module to be screwed onto the insert.

[0023] It is understood that the presence of the insert here makes it easy to implement the production of screw barrels which are used for fixing the power module by screwing.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert comprises a plate whose thickness is defined between two opposite faces, a first face of the two opposite faces being turned towards the inside of the cooling circuit and capable of being in contact with the coolant, a second face of the two opposite faces being turned away from the cooling circuit and in contact with the power module, the insert having a peripheral portion, intended to be in contact on the first face with an area of ​​the closing wall delimiting the opening, and a central portion disposed in the opening and intended to be in contact with the coolant on the first face and to be in contact with the power module on the second face.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert is joined to the closing wall by friction stir welding. In this context, the material of the insert and the material of the closing wall must have compatible melting temperatures. The friction stir welding is performed at the peripheral portion of the insert.

[0026] According to an optional feature of the invention, the barrel(s) project from the first face of the insert, with a free end of the barrel that is closed and extends at a distance from said first face, each barrel being open and unobstructed on the second side of the insert. In this way, the power module can be attached to the second side of the insert without the drums interfering.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert includes pins arranged on the first face of the insert.

[0028] According to an optional feature of the invention, the pins arranged on the first face of the insert are arranged in the central portion of the insert.

[0029] The pins facilitate heat exchange by increasing the contact surface area of ​​the coolant with the insert. Furthermore, the presence of the pins across the coolant flow creates a turbulent zone that enhances heat exchange between the insert and the coolant. The central portion of the insert thus acts as a heat exchange sector, with pins arranged across the cooling circuit on one face and designed to be in contact with the power module on the other.

[0030] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert and the power module are in direct contact with each other. It is understood that here no intermediate conductive part or layer is placed between the insert and the power module. A heat exchange surface is formed at the contact between one wall of the power module and the other face of the insert.

[0031] According to an optional feature of the invention, a thermal paste is placed between the insert and the power module.

[0032] The thermal paste increases the thermal conductivity between the insert and the power module and ensures contact between the power module and the insert without air intervening, in order to prevent the heat to be dissipated from the power module from being poorly transferred to the insert and the latter from overheating.

[0033] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert includes at least one guide configured to direct the flow of the coolant onto the pins. This at least one guide is formed on the first face of the insert, i.e., the face bearing the pins and intended to be in contact with the coolant.

[0034] The insert comprises, for example, two guides forming a channel. The pins are arranged between the guides so that the flow of coolant is directed towards the pins of the insert. Guiding the flow ensures that a large quantity of coolant is in contact with the pins in order to exchange heat with them.

[0035] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one guide is made in one piece with the insert.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the pins are made in one piece with the insert.

[0037] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert is made of a different material than the closing wall. In particular, the material used for the insert can be chosen to have better thermal conductivity than the material of the receptacle and the closing wall.

[0038] When the insert and the closing wall are welded together, in particular by friction stir welding, it is necessary to use a material for the production of the insert which has a melting temperature similar to that of the material used for the production of the closing wall.

[0039] According to an optional feature of the invention, the opening in the closing wall and the insert are configured so that a main extension axis of the insert is secant to a flow direction of the coolant in a positioning area of ​​the power module.

[0040] More specifically, the main extension axis of the insert can be perpendicular to the direction of flow of the coolant. The main extension axis of the insert is defined as the axis associated with the largest dimension of the insert. Equivalently, since the shape of the insert is similar to the shape of the opening it is to cover, an elongated shape of the opening can be defined with a main extension axis of the opening, the opening being oriented according to this aspect of the invention such that the main extension axis intersects, and where appropriate is perpendicular to, the direction of flow of the coolant.

[0041] According to an optional feature of the invention, the insert comprises two shafts arranged on either side of the central portion of the insert, the main extension axis of the insert being defined by a straight line passing through the two shafts.

[0042] As mentioned above, the barrels are designed to secure a power module to the enclosure wall via an insert interposed between the enclosure wall and the power module. Specifically, the barrels may have threaded holes for screwing the insert into place. The barrels may be positioned at two opposite ends of the insert. The main extension axis of the insert may, in particular, be defined by a straight line intersecting the axis of revolution of each of the two barrels of the insert.

[0043] This arrangement has the advantage of placing the drums, when the insert is positioned on the opening, in lateral portions of the coolant circuit, so that these drums, necessary for fixing the power module to the closing wall, do not obstruct the flow of the coolant, which can thus circulate freely in an exchange zone formed at a central portion of the insert. Now, it is at this central portion of the insert that the electronic chips present in the module are located. power and it is important that the flow conditions of the coolant in this area are optimal.

[0044] This particular arrangement of an element of the on-board charging device across a direction of coolant flow, here defined by the orientation of the insert, can be defined equivalently by the orientation of the power module, whether by the orientation of the electronic chips present in the power module or by the orientation of the electrical connection pins of this power module.

[0045] According to an optional feature of the invention, the power module comprises a housing in which electronic chips are arranged side by side, and from which protrude electrical connection pins, connected to the chips inside the housing and intended to be linked to a printed circuit board of the on-board charging device, the arrangement of said electrical connection pins relative to each other on at least one edge of the housing and / or the arrangement of the electronic chips relative to each other defining a main elongation axis of the power module, the power module being disposed in its positioning zone so that the main elongation axis of the power module is intersecting the flow direction of the coolant circuit in said positioning zone of the power module.

[0046] More specifically, the main elongation axis of the power module can be perpendicular to the flow direction of the coolant circuit.

[0047] A first definition of the main elongation axis can be based on the arrangement of the electrical connection pins. In particular, said electrical connection pins extend along at least one edge of the power module housing, aligned along the main elongation axis of the power module. The power module has, in particular, a rectangular shape, and the edge(s) of the power module containing the electrical pins are the longer sides of this rectangular shape.

[0048] A second definition of the main elongation axis may be a function of the arrangement of the electronic chips. In particular, the electronic chips may be arranged within the power module in at least one row according to an alignment defining the main elongation axis of the power module.

[0049] This arrangement has the advantage of being able to uniformly cool the electronic chips present in the power module. Considering the direction of flow of the coolant in the positioning area of ​​the power module, the liquid arriving in the positioning area is found simultaneously in relation to each of the chips in the row and therefore is able to recover calories from each of the chips in a homogeneous manner.

[0050] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0051] [Fig-1] is a partial schematic representation of a charging device embedded in a motor vehicle, notably making visible a crankcase, a power module and an associated cooling device;

[0052] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation viewed from above of an area of positioning of a power module, said power module being fixed to the cooling device with an interposed insert, a housing of the power module being shown in transparency to reveal an alignment of electronic chips within the power module; and

[0053] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the positioning area illustrated in [Fig.2], making the interposition of the insert between a closing wall of the cooling device and the power module particularly visible;

[0054] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the insert; and

[0055] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the insert.

[0056] Figure 1 is representative of a housing 2 of an on-board charging device 4. casing 2 is dimensioned to receive a plurality of electronic components among which we can find coils, transistors or even, without limitation, at least one printed circuit board, and among which we have in particular one or more power modules 20. All these components are arranged in an internal volume defined by casing 2 and a cover not shown here to make the inside of the casing visible.

[0057] The casing 2 is equipped with a cooling device using circulating coolant, specifically designed for thermal management of the power modules, which are particularly prone to overheating during their operation.

[0058] The cooling device comprises a receptacle 6 and a sealing wall 8, which together define a cooling fluid circuit 10. The receptacle 6 of the housing 2 includes a flat portion 16 describing the perimeter of the cooling fluid circuit 10. The receptacle is a stamped part disposed within the housing and configured to form the meanders of a cooling fluid circulation channel. The sealing wall 8 is configured to seal the cooling fluid circuit 10 of the receptacle 6 by resting against the flat portion 16 of the receptacle 6.

[0059] The closing wall 8 and the receptacle 6 are here welded by friction stir. This welding method is simple to implement and helps limit the risk of leaks in the cooling circuit 10. In this context, it is advantageous for the material of the receptacle 6 to be the same as that of the closing wall 8.

[0060] The cooling circuit 10 is particularly designed to cool the power module(s) 20, and each power module 20 is thus positioned against a wall of this cooling circuit, being made integral with the closing wall, by means of an insert according to the invention as will be described below.

[0061] Each power module 20 is secured to the closing wall in its own specific positioning zone. In the on-board charging device illustrated here, three power modules are provided, only one of which is shown in [Fig. 1]. More specifically, [Fig. 1] illustrates three positioning zones whose configuration has been intentionally made different from one another to make the interaction between the closing wall 8, the insert, and the power module more visible.

[0062] The closing wall 8 includes openings 18 arranged opposite a portion of the coolant circuit 10, each opening 18 defining a positioning zone for a power module. Figure 1 shows one of these openings 18 in a first positioning zone Z1 for a power module, in which neither the insert nor the power module is shown so as not to obscure the opening. The openings 18 of the closing wall 8 are oblong in shape. It is noteworthy that these openings are oriented such that the longer dimension of the oblong shape intersects, here perpendicularly, the direction of flow of the coolant within the circuit 10 at the level of the corresponding positioning zone.

[0063] Inserts 30 are attached to the closing wall 8 to cover the openings 18 and ensure the closure of the coolant circuit in the corresponding power module positioning zone. Each insert 30 is intended to be interposed between the closing wall 8 and a power module in one of the positioning zones. Figure 1 shows one of these inserts 30 visible in a second positioning zone Z2, with the associated power module 20 removed. The insert 30 has an elongated, oblong shape. The insert 30 is sized to completely cover the opening 18 in the closing wall 8 to which the insert is attached.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the insert 30 is positioned in the opening 18 so as to be oriented transversely, substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the coolant in the positioning zone associated with this insert 30. This orientation of the insert can in particular be defined by the orientation of a main extension axis 31 of the insert, which corresponds to the largest dimension of the insert, and which here corresponds to a straight line passing through two fixing shafts formed on the insert and presented in more detail [Fig.3].

[0065] The insert 30 comprises a peripheral portion configured to be in contact with a flat peripheral area 32 of the closing wall 8, this peripheral area defining the opening 18. Such positioning of the insert 30 on a flat wall around the opening 18 allows the insert 30 and the closing wall 8 to be joined by friction stir welding. The insert has a first face, not visible here, which is turned towards the inside of the coolant circuit 10, this first face being intended to be in contact with the coolant. The insert 30 has a second, opposite face 302, notably visible in [Fig. 1] for the insert present in the second positioning area Z2 and not yet covered by a power module, and it is this second face 302 that is intended to be in contact with the power module 20.

[0066] The closing wall 8 here includes a third positioning zone Z3 in which a power module 20 is represented. It is understood that the power module 20 is here mounted on an insert 30 similar to that just described, and that the power module 20 is fixed within the on-board charging device such that one of its walls is in contact with the insert 30. A heat exchange surface 34 is thus defined in the contact area of ​​the insert 30 with the power module, and this heat exchange surface 34 forms a thermal channel capable of transmitting the heat released by the operation of the power module 20 to the coolant flowing against the insert 30.

[0067] Thus, in the positioning zone, the heat exchange surface 34 forming the interface between the coolant and the power module 20 is not formed directly on the closing wall 8 but on an insert 30 subsequently attached to the closing wall, before the insert is mounted. This is advantageous because it allows for the use of a standard closing wall, without requiring that this interface have optimal thermal conductivity properties, and for optimizing the thermal conductivity properties only on the insert, which is easier to modify due to its size.As will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4 in particular, in this context it is easier to manufacture heat exchange inserts for insertion into the coolant circuit to increase the exchange surface area, to provide means for guiding the coolant to the exchange surface, and it is also easier and less expensive to ensure that the exchange surface is made of a material with optimal thermal conductivity properties. It is therefore advantageous for the insert 30 to be made of a material... exhibiting a thermal conductivity higher than the material used for the construction of the closing wall.

[0068] The power module 20 has a rectangular shape, with a housing 22 containing electronic chips and from which electrical connection pins 26 extend to allow the electrical connection of the electronic chips to an electronic component such as a printed circuit board (not shown here). A first wall of the housing is designed to be pressed against the insert 30 as previously mentioned. The electrical connection pins 26 extend along the two long edges 28 of the housing of the power module 20, these two long edges 28 being perpendicular extensions of the first wall of the housing pressed against the insert.

[0069] A main elongation axis 27 of the power module 20, which defines its orientation relative to the cooling device and the insert 30, is defined as an axis parallel to the two large edges 28 of the power module. The power module 20 is oriented within the onboard charging device such that it is positioned transversely, and more specifically perpendicularly, to the direction of flow of the coolant at the positioning area corresponding to said power module.

[0070] It should be noted that the orientation of the power module can also be defined by considering the alignment of the electrical connection pins 26 along an edge of the power module housing, since this alignment is parallel to the main elongation axis, or by considering the alignment of two fixing notches 24 located respectively at one end of the power module 20 and allowing the power module to be fixed by screwing onto the insert and / or onto the closing wall 8

[0071] Thermal paste can be placed on the heat exchange surface 34 between the insert 30 and the power module 20. The thermal paste has, in particular, the function of ensuring that the insert 30 and the power module are in contact with each other without any air pockets trapped between them and it is thus configured to improve the thermal conductivity of the heat exchange surface 34 between the insert 30 and the power module 20.

[0072] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a portion of the circuit 10 at a positioning zone, the portion of the circuit being thus equipped with a power module 20 fixed on an insert 30. In the schematic representation of Fig. 2, the direction of flow of the coolant is defined according to a direction represented by the arrow F, the coolant flowing from an inlet 12 to an outlet 14, between the receptacle 6 and the closing wall shown here in transparency to make visible the shape of the channel defined by the receptacle.

[0073] The power module is shown partially in transparency, in particular to show the orientation of electronic chips in the arrangement specific to the power module in relation to the direction of coolant flow.

[0074] The power module 20 thus comprises a housing 22, shown here in transparency, to make visible electronic chips 42 arranged on a support 43 from which extend the previously mentioned electrical connection pins 26. The electronic chips 42 are arranged on the support 43 in such a way that they can contribute to defining an orientation of the power module. More specifically, the electronic chips 42 are arranged along an alignment axis that is parallel to the main elongation axis 27 of the previously mentioned power module 20. The orientation of the power module 20, transverse and perpendicular as appropriate, with respect to the direction of flow of the coolant can thus be defined by the alignment of the pins 26 along an edge 28 of the power module housing, but also, and advantageously, by the alignment of the electronic chips.In the illustrated example, the 42 electronic chips are said to be aligned along an alignment axis insofar as they form a straight row, parallel to this alignment axis.

[0075] The coolant circulating in the cooling device is thus able to flow directly over the electronic chips, passing substantially simultaneously over each of these chips. The coolant therefore has a similar temperature at the point of contact with each of the electronic chips 42 of the power module 20, and the cooling of these chips via heat exchange through the insert is homogeneous. Consequently, the chips 42 do not exhibit any temperature differences, and the thermal management of the power module is simplified.

[0076] The cross-sectional view of [Fig.3], taken in a cutting plane perpendicular to the direction of flow of the coolant, makes visible this alignment of the electronic chips parallel to the main elongation axis 27. Moreover, this [Fig.3] makes particularly visible the feature of the invention according to which the insert 30 is interposed between the closing wall 8 and the power module 20.

[0077] The insert 30 comprises a peripheral portion 304 which is dimensioned to fit within the previously mentioned peripheral zone 32 formed in the closing wall 8, around the opening 18. The insert 30 also comprises a central portion 306 intended to be positioned directly above the opening and to cover it. The insert further has a first face 301 facing towards the cooling fluid circuit, this first face 301 being shown in [Fig. 4], and a second face 302 facing outwards from the cooling device, this second face 302 being visible in the second positioning zone Z2 in [Fig. 1].

[0078] The central portion 306 is thus designed, on the first face of the insert, to be in contact with the coolant, and on the second face of the insert, to form the heat exchange surface 34 in contact with the power module 20. The central portion 306 is smooth on the second face to allow this contact with the power module, and it may, if necessary, be coated with thermal paste. The central portion 306 has, on the first face of the insert, pins and guides configured for optimal interaction with the coolant, as well as mounting bushings 44, which extend into the defined volume between the closing wall 8 and the receptacle 6, and which are designed to cooperate with the screws for mounting the power module.

[0079] Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective the insert of Fig. 3, in view from below to make visible the first face 301 and the different means carried by the central portion of the insert 30 on this first face 301.

[0080] The insert 30 thus has a plate-like shape from which protrude a plurality of means intended both for the heat exchange function and for the function of securing the power module. The insert 30 notably includes pins 38 that extend outwards, perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the first face 301 of the insert 30. The pins 38 are designed to extend through the flow of coolant. The pins 38 increase the contact surface between the coolant and the inserts 30. The more pins 38 there are on the insert 30, the better the heat exchange between the insert 30 and the coolant. The pins 38 also help to create turbulence in the coolant, which promotes more efficient heat transfer.

[0081] The insert 30, as mentioned, comprises two barrels 44 in which a threaded opening extends to cooperate with the screws passing through the two notches 24 for mounting the power module 20. The barrels 44 project from the first face 301 of the insert 30, so as to extend into the coolant circuit. The barrels are located here only on the side of the second face of the insert.

[0082] Figure 4 shows a fixing sector for the insert, formed by the presence of the barrels 44, and an exchange sector for the insert 30, formed by the presence of the pins 38, the fixing sector extending around the exchange sector of the insert 30. The specific orientation of the insert, as previously mentioned, namely an orientation that is secant and, where applicable, perpendicular to the main extension axis of the insert with respect to the direction of flow of the coolant in the corresponding positioning zone, allows the fixing sector of the insert to be arranged such that the barrels 44 are positioned in the circuit on the sides of the coolant flow. In other words, the barrels 44 are not part of an exchange zone due to the perpendicular orientation of the power module 20 and of the insert 30, the flow of the coolant onto the pins 38 is not disturbed beforehand by the presence of a drum 44 of the insert 30.

[0083] Between the mounting shafts and the pins, the insert 30 comprises two guides 46, formed respectively in the form of a wall projecting from the first face of the insert and oriented in the direction of the coolant flow, i.e., perpendicular to the main extension axis of the insert. These guides 46 are configured to direct the flow of the coolant towards the pins 38, so as to prevent the coolant from escaping on the sides of the pins 38, in an area not provided with pins 38. The two guides 46 improve heat dissipation since, on the one hand, they ensure that the coolant comes into contact with the pins and, on the other hand, by centering the coolant, its velocity is increased by reducing its cross-sectional area.

[0084] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the insert 30, which differs from what has been previously described and illustrated by the number and arrangement of the pins on the first face 301. In this alternative, the insert 30 includes pins 38 arranged in the center of the central portion 306, in the same way as the insert shown in Fig. 4, and it also includes additional pins 39, to increase the exchange surface between the insert 30 and the coolant.

[0085] In this variant, the pins 38 and the additional pins 39, all arranged on the first face 301, are distinguished, insofar as the pins 38 extend in a central band along the main extension axis 31, which encompasses the fixing shafts 44, and the additional pins 39 are arranged on either side of the pins 38 along a transverse extension axis 33, perpendicular to the main extension axis 31, and which illustrates the small size of the insert. This increases the number of elements that can be located between the two guides 46 in the central portion 306 of the insert 30 and are therefore capable of coming into contact with the fluid passage without it being deflected by the fixing shafts 44.

[0086] The invention, as described above, achieves its intended purpose and makes it possible to propose an on-board charging device with optimized thermal performance. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they include an insert capable of improving the cooling capacity of a power module according to the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Device, in particular an on-board charging device for an electric vehicle, comprising at least one housing (2), electronic components housed in said housing and among which at least one power module (20), the housing further housing a cooling device for at least one power module, the cooling device comprising a receptacle (6) which includes at least one coolant channel and a closing wall (8) configured to rest against the receptacle (6) to form with said channel a coolant circuit (10), said power module (20) being secured to the closing wall (8) in a positioning zone (Z1, Z2, Z3) of the power module,the cooling device being characterized in that the closing wall (8) comprises at least one opening (18) provided in said positioning zone and in that the cooling device comprises at least one insert (30) configured to be disposed in the opening (18) and to be interposed between the closing wall and the power module.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the insert (30) includes at least one barrel (44) for fixing the power module (20).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert (30) comprises a plate whose thickness is defined between two opposite faces, a first face (301) of the two opposite faces being turned towards the interior of the cooling circuit (10) and capable of being in contact with the coolant, a second face (302) of the two opposite faces being turned away from the cooling circuit (10) and in contact with the power module (20), the insert (30) having a peripheral portion (304), intended to be in contact on the first face (301) with an area (32) of the closing wall (8) delimiting the opening (18), and a central portion (306) disposed in the opening (18) and intended to be in contact with the coolant on the first face (301) and to be in contact with the power module (20) on the second face (302).

4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the barrel(s) (44) extend in projection from the first face (301) of the insert (30), with a free end of the barrel (44) which is closed and which extends at a distance from said first face (301), each barrel (44) being open and leading to the second face (302) of the insert (30).

5. Device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the insert (30) comprises pins (38) arranged on the first face (301) of the insert (30).

6. Device according to claim, wherein the insert (30) includes at least one guide (46) configured to direct the flow of coolant onto the pins (38).

7. Device according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein at least one guide and / or the pins are made in one piece with the insert.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the insert (30) is made of a different material from that of the closing wall (8).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the opening (18) in the closing wall (8) and the insert (30) are configured such that a main extension axis of the insert (30) is secant to a flow direction of the coolant in a positioning zone (Z1, Z2, Z3) of the power module (20).

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the power module (20) comprises a housing within which electronic chips (42) are arranged side by side, and from which project electrical connection pins (26) connected to the chips inside the housing and intended to be connected to a printed circuit board of the device, the arrangement of said electrical connection pins (26) relative to each other on at least one edge of the housing and / or the arrangement of the electronic chips (42) relative to each other defining a main elongation axis (27) of the power module, the power module (20) being disposed in its positioning zone (Z1, Z2, Z3) such that the main elongation axis (27) of the power module intersects the flow direction of the coolant circuit in said positioning zone of the power module.

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