Power conversion device

Abstract

To expand a geometric allowable range of a fitting unit for electrically connecting components.SOLUTION: A power conversion device includes first and second components and male and female fitting members. The male fitting member has an insertion portion. The female fitting member has first and second clamping portions disposed opposite to each other. The male fitting member is disposed on one of the first and second components, the female fitting member is disposed on the other thereof. The first and second components are coupled with the female fitting member clamping the inserting portion inserted between first and second clamping portions. The first and second clamping portions are bent toward their opposing surfaces, and a gap is provided at the tip portions. First and second elastic portions divided by the gap of the first clamping portion are extended from a first connection portion on a rear end side of the female fitting member. The third and fourth elastic portions divided by the gap of the second clamping portion are extended from a second connection portion on the rear end side of the female fitting member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power conversion device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, power conversion devices mounted on electric vehicles and the like are provided with multiple circuit boards on which circuit configurations such as DC / DC converters and inverters are mounted. For such power conversion devices, there is a demand for miniaturization from the viewpoint of, for example, mountability in a vehicle.

[0003] In this situation, a technology is known in which a power converter is miniaturized while maintaining the mounting area on the multiple circuit boards by stacking multiple circuit boards. In such a power converter, electrical connection between components may be achieved by fitting fittings such as connectors provided on the components such as the circuit boards. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-14128 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the mounting accuracy of the fitting portions to the respective components is reduced, there is a risk that the fitting portions will not fit properly during the assembly process of the power conversion device, resulting in poor electrical connections between the components.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a power conversion device that can expand the geometric tolerance of fitting portions that electrically connect components together. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The power conversion device according to the present disclosure includes a first part, a second part, a male fitting member, and a female fitting member. The male fitting member has an insertion portion. The female fitting member has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion that are arranged opposite to each other. The male fitting member is arranged on one of the first part and the second part, and the female fitting member is arranged on the other of the first part and the second part. The first part and the second part are coupled by the female fitting member clamping the insertion portion of the male fitting member inserted between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are bent toward the surfaces facing each other. A gap is provided at the tip of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. The first clamping portion includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion divided by the gap. The second clamping portion includes a third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion divided by the gap. The first elastic portion and the second elastic portion extend from a first connection portion which is a connection portion to a component provided on the rear end side of the female fitting member. The third elastic portion and the fourth elastic portion extend from a second connection portion which is a connection portion to a component provided on the rear end side of the female fitting member. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the power conversion device according to the present disclosure, it is possible to expand the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion that electrically connects the components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a layered structure of a plurality of circuit boards in a power converter according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the male fitting member of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the male fitting member of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the male fitting member of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the female fitting member of FIG. 5 mounted on a circuit board. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a mated state between the male fitting member of FIG. 2 or 3 and the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a mated state between the male fitting member of FIG. 4 and the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining mounting of the male fitting member according to the first embodiment on a circuit board. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an expansion of the geometric tolerance range in the fitting between the male fitting member and the female fitting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the insulating section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an expansion of the geometric tolerance range in the fitting between the male fitting member and the female fitting member when the covering member of FIG. 12 is attached. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of inter-board connection according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a male fitting member according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an electronic component on which a male fitting member according to the seventh embodiment is mounted. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter according to the seventh embodiment. [Diagram 31]FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining an expansion of the geometric tolerance in fitting between a male fitting member and a female fitting member according to the eighth embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a power conversion device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (First embodiment) The power conversion device according to the embodiment is, for example, an on-board charger mounted on an electric vehicle or the like, which converts AC power supplied from a power source (external power source) into DC power of a predetermined voltage and outputs the converted DC power to a battery such as a lithium-ion battery. Such a power conversion device is equipped with a plurality of circuit boards on which circuit configurations such as a DC / DC converter and an inverter are implemented.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a layered structure of a plurality of circuit boards in a power conversion device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 illustrates a first board PCB1, a second board PCB2, and a third board PCB3 among the plurality of circuit boards included in the power conversion device 1.

[0013] The first substrate PCB1, the second substrate PCB2, the third substrate PCB3, and the fourth substrate PCB4 are each a printed circuit board (PCB). As an example, the printed circuit board is a glass epoxy board formed with an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy as a base material. By bringing a part of the aluminum alloy or copper alloy of the printed circuit board into contact with a water-cooled stand so as to be able to exchange heat, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board. By using a printed circuit board with a metal base material, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency more than when a printed circuit board with a resin base material is used.

[0014] The first substrate PCB1 is coupled to the second substrate PCB2 by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. In the following description, the plurality of pairs of fitting members B may be referred to as a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. The pair of fitting members B may also be referred to as a fitting portion. The first substrate PCB1 is electrically connected to the second substrate PCB2, and outputs power to a battery or the like according to the power supplied from the second substrate PCB2. The first substrate PCB1 is electrically connected to the fourth substrate PCB4, and constitutes a substrate unit X. The main surface of the first substrate PCB1 on the second substrate PCB2 side is equipped with a plurality of male fitting members Bm. As an example, the first substrate PCB1 is equipped with 24 male fitting members Bm.

[0015] The first substrate PCB1 is also coupled to a transformer unit (not shown) by a pair of fitting members B. As an example, the first substrate PCB1 is equipped with twelve male fitting members Bm or female fitting members Bf for electrical connection with the transformer unit. The first substrate PCB1 and the fourth substrate PCB4 of the substrate unit X can also be coupled by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B according to the embodiment. That is, the substrate-to-substrate connection structure according to the embodiment may be applied to coupling between substrates within a substrate unit such as the substrate unit X, or may be applied to coupling between substrate units, or may be applied to coupling between a substrate unit and a substrate outside the substrate unit.

[0016] The second substrate PCB2 is coupled to each of the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3 by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. The second substrate PCB2 is electrically connected to each of the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3, and outputs power to the first substrate PCB1 according to the power supplied from the third substrate PCB3. A plurality of female fitting members Bf are mounted on a main surface of the second substrate PCB2 facing the first substrate PCB1 and a main surface of the second substrate PCB2 facing the third substrate PCB3.

[0017] The third substrate PCB3 is coupled to the second substrate PCB2 by a plurality of pairs of mating members B. The third substrate PCB3 is electrically connected to, for example, an external power source and receives power from the external power source. The main surface of the third substrate PCB3 facing the second substrate PCB2 is provided with a plurality of male mating members Bm. As an example, the third substrate PCB3 is provided with six male mating members Bm.

[0018] It is also possible that only some of the multiple circuit boards in the power conversion device 1 are printed circuit boards. For example, at least one of the first board PCB1, the second board PCB2, and the third board PCB3 can be a printed circuit board. Also, the connection between the circuit boards by a pair of fitting members B does not necessarily have to be an electrical connection. However, the embodiment mainly illustrates a case where two circuit boards are electrically coupled by multiple pairs of fitting members B.

[0019] In the embodiment, a case where multiple male fitting members Bm are arranged on the first board PCB1 and the third board PCB3, and multiple female fitting members Bf are arranged on both main surfaces of the second board PCB2 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple female fitting members Bf may be arranged on the first board PCB1 and the third board PCB3, and multiple male fitting members Bm may be arranged on both main surfaces of the second board PCB2.

[0020] Also, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of male fitting members Bm are arranged on one main surface of the second substrate PCB2, and a plurality of female fitting members Bf are arranged on the other main surface of the second substrate PCB2. In other words, when a plurality of circuit substrates of the power converter 1 form a layered structure of three or more layers, the substrate forming the intermediate layer has male fitting members Bm or female fitting members Bf arranged on both main surfaces.

[0021] Also, for example, each of the first substrate PCB1, the second substrate PCB2, and the third substrate PCB3 can be configured to have a plurality of male fitting members Bm and a plurality of female fitting members Bf arranged on one main surface.

[0022] In this manner, in the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment, two circuit boards among at least two stacked circuit boards are coupled by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. Each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B includes a male fitting member Bm and a female fitting member Bf. That is, the plurality of pairs of fitting members B are a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. Also, each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B, that is, a pair of fitting members B, is a set of a male fitting member Bm and a female fitting member Bf. Here, one of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B is disposed on each of the mutually opposing main surfaces of the two stacked circuit boards. Specifically, as described above, in each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B, the male fitting member Bm is disposed on one of the two stacked circuit boards, and the female fitting member Bf is disposed on the other of the two stacked circuit boards. As described above, as an example, only one of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is disposed on each of the two circuit boards coupled together by engaging the multiple pairs of fitting members B. As another example, at least one male fitting member Bm and at least one female fitting member Bf are disposed on each of the two circuit boards coupled together by engaging the multiple pairs of fitting members B. The male fitting member Bm is a blade-shaped connector (Plug) that is inserted. The male fitting member Bm can also be expressed as a flat plug blade. The female fitting member Bf is a connector (Receptacle) that is inserted. The female fitting member Bf can also be expressed as a blade receiving spring.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the male fitting member Bm of Fig. 1. The male fitting member Bm1 of Fig. 2 is an example of the male fitting member Bm according to the embodiment.

[0024] The plug portion 11 of the male fitting Bm1 has a generally flat plate shape. The tip 13 of the plug portion 11 is chamfered, and the thickness decreases toward the tip. This makes it easier to insert the plug portion 11 into the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting Bf. The connection portion 15 of the plug portion 11 is each of the rear ends of the plug portion 11 divided into two by the gap 17. The connection portion 15, i.e., each of the rear ends of the divided plug portion 11, is bent generally perpendicularly to the plug portion 11. The connection portion 15 is soldered to a predetermined position on the PCB board, and electrically connects between the plug portion 11 and the wiring on the PCB board. The plug portion 11 and the connection portion 15 can be formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the male fitting member Bm in Fig. 1. The male fitting member Bm2 in Fig. 3 is an example of the male fitting member Bm according to the embodiment. Here, differences from the male fitting member Bm1 will be mainly described.

[0026] The length from the tip 13 to the connection portion 15 of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting Bm2 is greater than that of the male fitting Bm1. On the other hand, the width and thickness of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting Bm2 are approximately the same as those of the male fitting Bm1. The connection portions 15 of the insertion portion 11 are each of the rear end portions of the insertion portion 11 divided into three by gaps 17.

[0027] The number of divisions on the rear end side of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting members Bm1, Bm2 can be designed to be any number equal to or greater than 2. As an example, the number of divisions is increased as the length of the insertion portion 11 increases.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the male fitting member Bm of Fig. 1. The male fitting member Bm3 of Fig. 4 is an example of the male fitting member Bm according to the embodiment. Here, differences from the male fitting members Bm1 and Bm2 will be mainly described.

[0029] The connection portion 15 of the plug portion 11 is located at the rear end of the plug portion 11, similar to the male fitting members Bm1 and Bm2. On the other hand, the rear end of the plug portion 11 is not divided, unlike the male fitting members Bm1 and Bm2. A support member 19 that supports the plug portion 11 is provided on the tip side of the connection portion 15 of the plug portion 11. The support member 19 is formed of, for example, PPA (polyphthalamide resin), but may be formed of any non-conductive material, such as PA (polyamide). The support member 19 has an insertion portion 19a. The insertion portion 19a is inserted into a hole provided at a predetermined position on the PCB board. This allows the position on the PCB board where the male fitting member Bm3 is mounted to be specified, thereby improving the mounting accuracy of the male fitting member Bm3. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates the support member 19 with two insertion portions 19a formed thereon, but is not limited thereto. The support member 19 may have three or more insert portions 19a.

[0030] 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the female fitting member Bf in FIG. 1. The female fitting member Bf1 in FIG. 5 is an example of the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment. The female fitting member Bf1 holds the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted into the receiving portion 20. The female fitting member Bf1 is formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate. The female fitting member Bf1 has a generally Y-shaped shape with an open tip side when viewed from the side, i.e., the first base portion 26a or the second base portion 26b side.

[0031] Specifically, the female fitting member Bf has a first clamping portion 21 and a second clamping portion 22. The first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 are disposed opposite to each other. The surface of the first clamping portion 21 facing the second clamping portion 22 and the surface of the second clamping portion 22 facing the first clamping portion 21 form the receiving portion 20. That is, the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 face each other through the receiving portion 20. The female fitting member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted into the receiving portion 20 between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. The first clamping portion 21 is bent at the first bending portion 23a into a shape that is convex toward the opposing second clamping portion 22. Similarly, the second clamping portion 22 is bent at the first bent portion 23a into a shape that is convex toward the opposing first clamping portion 21. In other words, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is bent at the first bent portion 23a so as to form a convex portion toward the opposing surface of each other. The first bent portion 23a of the first clamping portion 21 and the first bent portion 23a of the second clamping portion 22 are separated from each other via the receiving portion 20. The distance between the first bent portion 23a of the first clamping portion 21 and the first bent portion 23a of the second clamping portion 22 is smaller than the thickness of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm.

[0032] Each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 has a gap 27 from the front end side to the rear end side. That is, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is divided into two by the gap 27. In other words, the front end portion of the female fitting member Bf1 is divided into four by the gap 27. Specifically, the first clamping portion 21 includes a first elastic portion 21a and a second elastic portion 21b divided by the gap 27. Similarly, the second clamping portion 22 includes a third elastic portion 22a and a fourth elastic portion 22b divided by the gap 27. Here, the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b can also be expressed as being separated by the gap 27. Similarly, the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b can also be expressed as being separated by the gap 27.

[0033] 5 illustrates a female fitting member Bf divided into four by the gap 27, but the number of divisions by the gap 27 may be five or more. However, it is preferable that the number of divisions of the first clamping portion 21 and the number of divisions of the second clamping portion 22 are equal, and the number of divisions by the gap 27 is, for example, an even number of six or more. A relative rotational position shift between a pair of fitting members B, which will be described later, may occur in either direction. Therefore, by making the number of divisions of the first clamping portion 21 and the number of divisions of the second clamping portion 22 equal, the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion can be expanded regardless of the direction of the rotational position shift.

[0034] Each of the first elastic portion 21a and the third elastic portion 22a extends from the first base portion 26a. In other words, each of the first elastic portion 21a and the third elastic portion 22a is connected to the first base portion 26a in a continuous and integral manner via the second bent portion 23b. In addition, each of the second elastic portion 21b and the fourth elastic portion 22b extends from the second base portion 26b. In other words, each of the second elastic portion 21b and the fourth elastic portion 22b is connected to the second base portion 26b in a continuous and integral manner via the second bent portion 23b. In addition, each of the first base portion 26a and the second base portion 26b extends from the connection portion 25 to the printed circuit board. In other words, each of the first base portion 26a and the second base portion 26b is continuously and integrally connected to the connecting portion 25 via the third bent portion 23c.

[0035] Therefore, each of the first elastic portion 21a, the second elastic portion 21b, the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b corresponds to a divided shape of the first clamping portion 21 or the second clamping portion 22, and can deform independently depending on the contact state with the insertion portion 11.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the female fitting member Bf in Fig. 1. The female fitting member Bf2 in Fig. 6 is an example of the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment. Here, differences from the female fitting member Bf1 will be mainly described. The female fitting member Bf2 has a roughly M-shape when viewed from the side.

[0037] A gap 27 is provided at the tip of each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. The gap 27 is provided only at the tip, unlike the female fitting member Bf1. However, the tip of each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is divided into two by the gap 27, similar to the female fitting member Bf1. In other words, the tip of the female fitting member Bf2 is also divided into four by the gap 27. Here, the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b can also be expressed as being at least partially separated by the gap 27. Similarly, the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b can also be expressed as being at least partially separated by the gap 27.

[0038] Each of the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b extends from a first base portion 26a. The first base portion 26a extends from a first connection portion 25a to the printed circuit board. That is, each of the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b extends from the first connection portion 25a. In other words, each of the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b is continuously and integrally connected to the first connection portion 25a via the first base portion 26a.

[0039] Moreover, each of the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b extends from the second base portion 26b. The second base portion 26b extends from the second connection portion 25b to the printed circuit board. That is, each of the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b extends from the second connection portion 25b. In other words, each of the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b is continuously and integrally connected to the second connection portion 25b via the second base portion 26b.

[0040] Unlike the female fitting member Bf1, the first connecting portion 25a and the second connecting portion 25b are spaced apart. Meanwhile, the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 are integrally connected to each other via the fourth bent portion 23d.

[0041] Even with this configuration, each of the first elastic portion 21a, the second elastic portion 21b, the third elastic portion 22a, and the fourth elastic portion 22b can independently deform depending on the contact state with the insertion portion 11.

[0042] The male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf are each made of a metal material, such as copper, a copper alloy including brass, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0043] In addition, a part or the whole of the surface area of ​​the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is plated with a conductor, for example, tin plating, silver plating, or gold plating.

[0044] Here, tin has a property of being easily alloyed with nickel used as the base of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. When the ambient temperature becomes high, the alloying of tin and nickel progresses, and the resistance value becomes 1 [mΩ] or more. On the other hand, silver and gold do not easily alloy with nickel, but are expensive to use. If the contact resistance between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is large, a temperature rise occurs at the contact portion between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. Therefore, in the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment, the contact resistance at the contact portion between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is set to 1 [mΩ] or less. In other words, the contact resistance between the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm and the convex portion of the first clamping portion 21 or the second clamping portion 22 in the state in which the pair of fitting members B are fitted is set to 1 [mΩ] or less.

[0045] The magnitude of the contact resistance is determined by the "contact pressure," "material (such as tin on the surface)," and "contact area." In the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment, the contact resistance is adjusted to 1 [mΩ] or less by adjusting the elastic forces of the four elastic parts of the female fitting member Bf, for example. In other words, the elastic forces of the four elastic parts of the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment are designed so that the contact resistance is 1 [mΩ] or less. The elastic forces of the four elastic parts depend on, for example, the material (base material) of the female fitting member Bf and its shape.

[0046] The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm according to the embodiment has a substantially flat plate shape. The female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment is configured to fit with the male fitting member Bm by clamping the inserted substantially flat plate-shaped insertion portion 11. As a result, the board-to-board connection structure according to the embodiment can increase the contact area between the pair of fitting members B compared to a board-to-board connection structure realized using a male fitting member having a pin-shaped insertion portion, for example, and can reduce the contact resistance. The reduction in contact resistance between the pair of fitting members B contributes to suppression of heat generation and power loss in the pair of fitting members B, improvement of the degree of freedom regarding the shape and material of the female fitting member Bf, and simplification of the determination of the connection state described below.

[0047] For example, when the diameter of the pin shape and the thickness of the flat plate shape are the same, the width of the flat plate shape can be set arbitrarily, so that the flat plate-shaped male fitting member Bm can have a larger contact area with the female fitting member Bf than a pin-shaped male fitting member of the same length. Also, when the cross-sectional areas of the pin shape and the flat plate shape in a cross section parallel to the substrate are the same, the area of ​​the main surface of the flat plate shape can be made larger than the surface area of ​​a pin shape of the same length by appropriately setting the thickness and width of the flat plate shape. In other words, the flat plate-shaped male fitting member Bm can have a larger contact area with the female fitting member Bf than a pin-shaped male fitting member of the same length.

[0048] Here, the thickness of the insertion portion 11 refers to the size of the insertion portion 11 in the left-right direction in the state shown in Fig. 1. The length of the insertion portion 11 refers to the size of the insertion portion 11 in the up-down direction in the state shown in Fig. 1. The width of the insertion portion 11 refers to the size of the insertion portion 11 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in the state shown in Fig. 1.

[0049] An insulating portion is provided on the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf. As an example, the insulating portion is a layer 31 of an insulator formed on the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf (see FIG. 11). The layer 31 of the insulator may be formed by applying an insulator to the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf, or may be formed by attaching an insulating film made of an insulator to the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf. As an example, the insulator is a resin. Here, the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf refers to the surface area of ​​the female fitting member Bf excluding the area of ​​the first clamping portion 21 facing the second clamping portion 22, the area of ​​the second clamping portion 22 facing the first clamping portion 21, and the area of ​​the connecting portion 25 contacting the printed circuit board (see FIG. 11). This makes it possible to detect poor connection by electrical testing when a problem occurs in the fitting of the pair of male fitting members Bm and female fitting members Bf due to misalignment between the insertion portion 11 and the receiving portion 20. Here, electrical testing refers to measuring the resistance value through the contact portion between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf.

[0050] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the female fitting member Bf1 of Fig. 5 mounted on a circuit board. As shown in Fig. 7, the female fitting member Bf1 is surface-mounted on a printed circuit board. Specifically, the connection portion 25 of the female fitting member Bf1 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board by soldering via solder SL. Note that Fig. 7 illustrates the female fitting member Bf1, but the same applies to the male fitting members Bm1 and Bm2.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a mated state between the male fitting member Bm of FIG. 2 or 3 and the female fitting member Bf of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 8, the female fitting member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22, thereby coupling the board PCB on which the female fitting member Bf is arranged and the board PCB on which the male fitting member Bm is arranged. (a1) of FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a combination of the male fitting member Bm1 of FIG. 2 and the female fitting member Bf1 of FIG. 5. (a2) of FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a combination of the male fitting member Bm2 of FIG. 3 and the female fitting member Bf1 of FIG. 5. The male fitting member Bm1 and the male fitting member Bm2 are different in the length of the insertion portion 11, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In this way, the male fitting members Bm1, Bm2 and the female fitting member Bf1 can be combined appropriately depending on the distance between the substrates to be joined, etc. Also, Fig. 8(b1) illustrates a state where the tip of the plug-in portion 11 is inserted to a position where it contacts the bottom of the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf1. Fig. 8(b2) illustrates a state where the tip of the plug-in portion 11 is inserted to an arbitrary position just before it contacts the bottom of the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf1. In this way, the length by which the male fitting members Bm1, Bm2 are inserted into the female fitting member Bf1, i.e., the insertion height, can be set appropriately depending on the distance between the substrates to be joined, etc.

[0052] In addition, when the combination illustrated in FIG. 8 is selected as the combination of a pair of fitting members B constituting the board-to-board connection structure of the power conversion device 1, the number of steps in assembling the power conversion device 1 can be reduced due to the ease of surface mounting.

[0053] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a mated state between the male fitting member Bm3 of FIG. 4 and the female fitting member Bf2 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 9, the female fitting member Bf2 clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm3 inserted between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22, thereby coupling the board PCB on which the female fitting member Bf2 is arranged and the board PCB on which the male fitting member Bm3 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 9, the male fitting member Bm3 is mounted on the printed circuit board in a state in which the connection portion 15 is inserted into the hole portion H3 provided at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board and the insertion portion 19a is inserted into the holes H4 and H5. Specifically, the connection portion 15 inserted so as to penetrate the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the printed circuit board by dip soldering. The female fitting member Bf2 is mounted on the printed circuit board with the first connecting portion 25a inserted into a hole H1 provided at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board and the second connecting portion 25b inserted into a hole H2. Specifically, the first connecting portion 25a and the second connecting portion 25b inserted to penetrate the printed circuit board are electrically connected to the printed circuit board by dip soldering.

[0054] In addition, when the combination illustrated in Figure 9 is selected as the combination of a pair of engaging members B that constitute the inter-board connection structure of the power conversion device 1, a power conversion device 1 that can handle large currents can be realized due to the high robustness of DIP mounting.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining mounting of the male fitting member Bm to a circuit board according to the embodiment. FIG. 10(a) illustrates the male fitting member Bm in a state where it is mounted in a predetermined position. FIG. 10(b) illustrates the male fitting member Bm in a state where it is rotated by an angle θ from a predetermined position. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an expansion of a geometric tolerance range in the fitting between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fitting portion according to the embodiment. The AA′ portion of FIG. 11 shows a contact portion where the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf contact each other in the fitting portion. The view of the AA′ portion of FIG. 11 viewed from above illustrates a cross-sectional view of the AA′ portion. Here, the base corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 10(a). Moreover, the rotation corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 10(b).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the male fitting member Bm mounted on the printer circuit board is inserted into the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf. Specifically, the insertion portion 11 is inserted so as to push the gap between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 while contacting the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. However, when mounting the male fitting member Bm on the printer circuit board, the arrangement of the male fitting member Bm may be shifted from the intended position, as shown in FIG. 10, for example. Similarly, when mounting the female fitting member Bf on the printer circuit board, the arrangement may be shifted. In such a case, the pair of fitting members B may not be properly fitted together, and a connection failure may occur between the boards. Even if the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf are mounted in a predetermined arrangement, depending on the positional accuracy during assembly, the pair of fitting members B may not be properly fitted together, and a connection failure may occur between the boards.

[0057] In the power converter 1 according to the embodiment, the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 are each bent in a convex shape toward the receiving portion 20. That is, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, the tip portion of the female fitting member Bf is formed in a shape that opens toward the male fitting member Bm. This allows the tip portion of the female fitting member Bf to guide the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm to the receiving portion 20. Specifically, even if the insertion portion 11 is in the state shown in FIG. 10(b), the tip portion 13 of the insertion portion 11 can be inserted into the receiving portion 20 along the inner wall of the tip portion of the female fitting member Bf. Therefore, the fitting portion according to the embodiment can expand the range of relative rotational positional deviation between a pair of fitting members B that can be properly fitted together.

[0058] In addition, in the power converter 1 according to the embodiment, a gap 27 is provided at each of the tip portions of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. In other words, the tip portion of each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is divided into at least two by the gap 27. That is, the tip portion of the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment is divided into at least four. The rotation diagram of FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the third elastic portion 22a is displaced in the direction of the arrow D by receiving a force from the insertion portion 11 whose rotational position is shifted. The rotation diagram of FIG. 11 also illustrates a direction in which the first elastic portion 21a can be deformed by receiving a force from the insertion portion 11 whose rotational position is shifted. In this way, the first elastic portion 21a, the second elastic portion 21b, the third elastic portion 22a, and the fourth elastic portion 22b, i.e., the four divided tip portions, can be displaced and / or deformed independently by receiving a force from the insertion portion 11. Therefore, even if the insertion portion 11 is in the state shown in Fig. 10(b), the four divided tip portions can properly contact the insertion portion 11, as shown by the open circles in the rotation diagram of Fig. 11. Therefore, according to the fitting portion according to the embodiment, it is possible to expand the range of relative rotational positional deviation between the pair of fitting members B that can achieve a good connection.

[0059] In this way, the board-to-board connection structure realized by the pair of fitting members B according to this embodiment can expand the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion.

[0060] 11, an insulating layer 31 is formed as an insulating portion on the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf. This allows the state of connection between boards to be determined in the flow of connecting boards according to the embodiment described below.

[0061] The insulating portion is not limited to the layer 31 of the insulator, and may be realized by other configurations. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the insulating portion according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the expansion of the geometric tolerance range in the fitting between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf when the covering member 32 of FIG. 12 is attached. As shown in FIG. 12, the insulating portion may be formed by the covering member 32 attached to the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf. The covering member 32 has flexibility. The covering member 32 may have elasticity. The covering member 32 is formed by an insulator. As an example, the insulator is an insulating material such as silicone resin. The covering member 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upper end side of the covering member 32, that is, the dimension L1, is smaller than the dimension L2 of the lower end side. Accordingly, the dimension of the upper end side of the inner periphery 321 of the covering member 32 is also smaller than the dimension of the lower end side. This is a dimension determined in accordance with the shape of the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf becoming smaller from the lower end side to the upper end side, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. As shown in Fig. 13, when the covering member 32 is attached to the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf, the inner periphery 321 of the covering member 32 is circumscribed by the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. Also, as shown in Fig. 13, a gap G exists at both ends in the width direction of the insertion portion 11. As shown in the rotation diagram of Fig. 13, due to the flexibility of the covering member 32 and the degree of freedom of deformation caused by the gap G, the covering member 32 can deform following each of the four divided tip portions that are independently displaced and / or deformed by the insertion portion 11 that is misaligned in rotation. Even with this configuration, the inter-board connection state can be determined in the flow of inter-board connection according to the embodiment described below. In addition, due to its flexibility, the covering member 32 can realize an insulating portion by simply attaching it to the female fitting member Bf, fitting almost without any gaps to the outer periphery of the female fitting member Bf.

[0062] Hereinafter, an example of a flow of inter-board connection according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of inter-board connection according to the embodiment.

[0063] First, a male fitting member Bm is placed on the main surface of the first substrate PCB1 facing the second substrate PCB2 (S201). A female fitting member Bf is placed on the main surface of the second substrate PCB2 facing the first substrate PCB1 (S202). After each of the pair of fitting members B is placed on the printed circuit board, the mounting state of each of the pair of fitting members B on the printed circuit board is inspected using, for example, an automated optical inspection (AOI) device. If a defect is detected in the mounting state of each of the pair of fitting members B on the printed circuit board by this inspection, the subsequent flow is not carried out for the printed circuit board in which the defect is detected.

[0064] Thereafter, the first board PCB1 and the second board PCB2 are joined by engaging the pair of engaging members B (S203). In this step, after the contact between the male engaging member Bm and the female engaging member Bf is detected by a sensor, one printed circuit board is pushed into the other printed circuit board to form a fixed state of the layered structure. The female engaging member Bf has an elastic force (spring force) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the insertion portion 11 of the male engaging member Bm. Therefore, if multiple male engaging members Bm are simultaneously pushed into multiple female engaging members Bf, some of the male engaging members Bm may come off from the receiving portion 20 of the female engaging member Bf. Therefore, in this step, after a reliable engagement state is created once, one printed circuit board is further pushed into the other printed circuit board to achieve good engagement. Here, the reliable engagement state refers to a stationary state in which the insertion portion 11 is pushed into the receiving portion 20 by, for example, about 1 mm.

[0065] Thereafter, the electrical resistance is measured through the mating portion (S204). The measurement of the electrical resistance through the mating portion is, for example, the measurement of the electrical resistance between an arbitrary position of the circuit configuration on the first substrate PCB1 electrically connected to the male mating member Bm and an arbitrary position of the circuit configuration on the second substrate PCB2 electrically connected to the female mating member Bf.

[0066] When the electrical resistance through the fitting portion indicates an insulated state (S205: Yes), the fitting portion is determined to have a poor connection (S206). On the other hand, when the electrical resistance through the fitting portion does not indicate an insulated state (S205: No), the fitting portion is determined to have a good connection (S207). After S206 or S207, the flow in FIG. 14 ends.

[0067] In this way, according to the method for connecting boards that uses a pair of fitting members B according to this embodiment, it is possible to expand the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion.

[0068] As described above, the power conversion device 1 according to the first embodiment can expand the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion that electrically connects the circuit boards. This allows a plurality of circuit boards to be appropriately stacked, thereby achieving miniaturization of the power conversion device 1.

[0069] Second embodiment Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the component connection structure according to the present disclosure has been described taking board-to-board connection as an example, but is not limited thereto. The component connection structure according to the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, connection between a circuit board and an electronic component. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the component connection structure in the power conversion device 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 illustrates a first board PCB1, a plurality of pairs of fitting members B, and an electronic component 51.

[0071] The electronic component 51 is mounted on the first substrate PCB1. The electronic component 51 has a second substrate PCB2 and a third substrate PCB3. The electronic component 51 is mounted on the first substrate PCB1 by coupling the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3 by engaging a plurality of pairs of engaging members B.

[0072] FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which a female fitting member is provided on the first board PCB1 and a male fitting member is provided on the third board PCB3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A male fitting member may be provided on the first board PCB1 and a female fitting member may be provided on the third board PCB3. The number of boards included in the electronic component 51 may be one or more than two. For example, the electronic component 51 illustrated in FIG. 15 is a magnetic component such as a transformer, a transformer, a reactor, or a choke. In the board included in the electronic component 51, for example, a conductor pattern forms a winding. Furthermore, the electronic component 51 functions as a magnetic component by penetrating a magnetic core on the inside and outside of the winding formed on the board to form a closed magnetic circuit. In this case, the electronic component 51 can be expressed as a printed circuit board transformer or a transformer-integrated printed circuit board.

[0073] In this manner, the inter-component connection structure according to the present disclosure can also be applied to electrical connection between a circuit board and an electronic component 51. This makes it possible to improve the mounting density of components such as electronic components, circuit boards, and board units in the power conversion device 1, and to improve the freedom of component placement. The improvement in the mounting density and the improvement in the freedom of placement of components each contribute to the miniaturization of the power conversion device 1.

[0074] (Third embodiment) Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0075] Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power conversion device 1 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 16 illustrates a first substrate PCB1, a second substrate PCB2, a third substrate PCB3, and a plurality of pairs of fitting members B.

[0076] The first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3 are coupled together by engaging a plurality of pairs of engaging members B. The second substrate PCB2 is provided between the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3. The second substrate PCB2 is provided with, for example, a plurality of holes H. Each of the plurality of male engaging members provided on the first substrate PCB1 or the third substrate PCB3 passes through each of the plurality of holes H in an assembled state.

[0077] In this way, according to the component connection structure of the present disclosure, a board that is not the target of connection can be interposed between boards that are the target of connection. Of course, according to the component connection structure of the present disclosure, electronic components and board units that are not the target of connection can also be interposed between boards that are the target of connection. This makes it possible to improve the mounting density of components such as electronic components, circuit boards, and board units in the power conversion device 1, and to improve the freedom of component placement. The improvement in the mounting density and the improvement in the freedom of placement of components each contributes to the miniaturization of the power conversion device 1.

[0078] 16 illustrates an example in which the second substrate PCB2, which is not a target for connection, is interposed between the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3, which are targets for connection, but the present invention is not limited to this. An electronic component or a substrate unit, which is not a target for connection, may be interposed between the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3, which are targets for connection.

[0079] (Fourth embodiment) Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the pair of circuit boards is coupled approximately parallel to each other by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pair of circuit boards can also be coupled approximately vertically to each other by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power conversion device 1 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 illustrates a connection between the first substrate PCB1 and the second substrate PCB2, and a connection between the first substrate PCB1 and the third substrate PCB3.

[0081] FIG. 17(a) illustrates a case where a female fitting member Bf is provided on the first substrate PCB1, and a male fitting member Bm is provided on the second substrate PCB2. As shown in FIG. 17, the male fitting member Bm is provided on an end of the second substrate PCB2. A support member 40 is provided on the end of the second substrate PCB2 and holds the end of the second substrate PCB2. The support member 40 defines the angle of the male fitting member Bm relative to the second substrate PCB2. The connection portion 15 of the male fitting member Bm is joined to the support member 40. The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm is approximately parallel to the main surface of the second substrate PCB2.

[0082] In the configuration of FIG. 17(a), the male fitting member Bm and the second board PCB2 may be electrically connected via a support member 40.

[0083] FIG. 17(b) illustrates a case where the male fitting member Bm is provided on the first board PCB1 and the female fitting member Bf is provided on the third board PCB3. In this case, the support member 40 is provided on the end of the third board PCB3 and holds the end of the third board PCB3. The support member 40 defines the angle of the female fitting member Bf with respect to the third board PCB3. Unlike FIG. 17(a), the connection portion 25 of the female fitting member Bf is joined to the support member 40. The receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf is approximately parallel to the main surface of the third board PCB3. In other words, the main surface of the third board PCB3 on which the female fitting member Bf is provided and the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm that fits with the female fitting member Bf are approximately parallel to each other.

[0084] In the configuration of FIG. 17(b), the female fitting member Bf and the third board PCB3 may be electrically connected via a support member 40.

[0085] Thus, according to the component connection structure of this embodiment, the pair of components can be connected approximately vertically by at least a pair of fitting members B. In other words, according to the component connection structure of this embodiment, the pair of components can be connected at an angle defined by the support member 40 by at least a pair of fitting members B. This makes it possible to improve the mounting density of components such as electronic components, circuit boards, and board units in the power conversion device 1, and to improve the freedom of component placement. The improvement in the mounting density and the improvement in the freedom of placement of components each contributes to the miniaturization of the power conversion device 1.

[0086] In addition, the support member 40 may be formed integrally with any one of the male mating member Bm, the female mating member Bf, and the second substrate PCB2, or may be formed as a separate part from the male mating member Bm, the female mating member Bf, and the second substrate PCB2.

[0087] In the configuration of FIG. 17, the first board PCB1 provided with at least one of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf can be replaced with an electronic component 51 provided with at least one of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf.

[0088] Fifth embodiment Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0089] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a component-to-component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 18 illustrates a connection between a first board PCB1 provided with a male fitting member Bm and a second board PCB2 provided with a female fitting member Bf. A support member 41 is provided on the first board PCB1. The support member 41 defines the angle of the male fitting member Bm with respect to the first board PCB1. The support member 41 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A bottom surface 411 of the support member 41 is fixed to the first board PCB1. A connection portion 15 of the male fitting member Bm is joined to a side surface 412 of the support member 41. An insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm is approximately parallel to the main surface of the first board PCB1.

[0090] Fig. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 19, the first board PCB1 provided with the male fitting member Bm in Fig. 18 can also be electrically connected to an electronic component 51 provided with a female fitting member Bf.

[0091] In the configuration of FIG. 18, the support member 41 of the first board PCB1 may be joined not only to the male fitting member Bm but also to the female fitting member Bf. FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power conversion device 1 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 illustrates a connection between the first board PCB1 provided with the female fitting member Bf and the second board PCB2 provided with the male fitting member Bm. In the configuration of FIG. 20, the support member 41 defines the angle of the male fitting member Bm with respect to the first board PCB1. The connection portion 25 of the female fitting member Bf is joined to the side surface 412 of the support member 41. The receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf is approximately parallel to the main surface of the first substrate PCB1 on which the female fitting member Bf is provided, and the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm provided on the second substrate PCB2 which fits with the female fitting member Bf is approximately parallel to the main surface of the first substrate PCB1.

[0092] Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 21, the first board PCB1 provided with the female fitting member Bf in Fig. 20 can also be electrically connected to an electronic component 51 provided with a male fitting member Bm. The male fitting member Bm may be formed integrally with the electronic component 51. In this case, the connection portion 15 may be provided inside the electronic component 51 as shown in Fig. 21.

[0093] In the configuration of FIG. 20, the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf may be approximately perpendicular to the main surface of the first board PCB1. FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power conversion device 1 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 22 illustrates a connection between the first board PCB1 provided with the female fitting member Bf and the second board PCB2 provided with the male fitting member Bm. The receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf is approximately perpendicular to the main surface of the first board PCB1, unlike the configurations of FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. That is, in the configuration of FIG. 22, the support member 41 defines the angle of the female fitting member Bf with respect to the first board PCB1. The main surface of the first board PCB1 on which the female fitting member Bf is provided and the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm provided on the second board PCB2 that fits with the female fitting member Bf are approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0094] Fig. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 23, the first board PCB1 provided with the female fitting member Bf in Fig. 22 can also be electrically connected to an electronic component 51 provided with a male fitting member Bm. The male fitting member Bm may be formed integrally with the electronic component 51, similar to the configuration in Fig. 21.

[0095] In the configurations of FIGS. 18 and 19, similarly to the configurations of FIGS. 22 and 23, the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm may be approximately perpendicular to the main surface of the first board PCB1.

[0096] In the configurations of Figs. 18 and 19, the male fitting member Bm and the first board PCB1 may be electrically connected via the support member 41 or may not be connected via the support member 41. Similarly, in the configurations of Figs. 20 to 23, the female fitting member Bf and the first board PCB1 may be electrically connected via the support member 41 or may not be connected via the support member 41. In the configurations of Figs. 20 to 23, when the female fitting member Bf and the first board PCB1 are electrically connected without the support member 41, any position on the rear end side of the female fitting member Bf, such as the first base 26a or the second base 26b on the rear end side of the female fitting member Bf1, or the side of the connection portion 25 on the rear end side of the female fitting member Bf2, may be electrically connected to the first board PCB1.

[0097] In the configurations of Figures 18 to 23, the first board PCB1 and the support member 41 may be formed integrally or as separate parts. In the configurations of Figures 18 and 19, the male fitting member Bm and the support member 41 may be formed integrally or as separate parts. In the configurations of Figures 20 to 23, the female fitting member Bf and the support member 41 may be formed integrally or as separate parts.

[0098] Thus, according to the component connection structure of this embodiment, the pair of components can be joined approximately perpendicularly by at least a pair of fitting members B. In other words, according to the component connection structure of this embodiment, the pair of components can be joined by at least a pair of fitting members B at an angle defined by the support member 41.

[0099] Sixth embodiment Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0100] In the first embodiment, the pair of circuit boards is connected substantially parallel to each other by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pair of circuit boards can also be connected at any angle by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an inter-component connection structure in a power converter according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 24 illustrates a connection between a first board PCB1 provided with a female fitting member Bf and a second board PCB2 provided with a male fitting member Bm.

[0101] The second substrate PCB2 is provided with a support member 44. The support member 44 is provided on the main surface of the second substrate PCB2. The support member 44 determines the angle of the male fitting member Bm with respect to the second substrate PCB2. The support member 44 has, for example, a triangular prism shape. A rectangular first side surface 441 of the support member 44 is fixed to the second substrate PCB2. The connection portion 15 of the male fitting member Bm is joined to a rectangular second side surface 442 of the support member 44. The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm is approximately parallel to the main surface of the first substrate PCB1, and has an arbitrary angle between the main surface of the second substrate PCB2 and the triangular shape of the bottom surface of the support member 44, i.e., the angle formed by the side surfaces 441 and 442.

[0102] Thus, according to the component connection structure of this embodiment, at least one pair of fitting members B can couple a pair of components at any angle defined by the support member 44. This makes it possible to improve the mounting density of components such as electronic components, circuit boards, and board units in the power conversion device 1, and to improve the freedom of component placement. The improved mounting density and freedom of placement of components each contribute to the miniaturization of the power conversion device 1.

[0103] 24, the support member 44 may be provided between the first board PCB1 and the female fitting member Bf. In other words, the support member 44 may be a member that defines the angle of the female fitting member Bf relative to the first board PCB1. The support member 44 may also be provided on both the first board PCB1 and the second board PCB2.

[0104] In the configuration of FIG. 24, the support member 44 may be formed integrally with either the male fitting member Bm or the second substrate PCB2, or may be formed as a separate part from the male fitting member Bm and the second substrate PCB2.

[0105] In the configuration of FIG. 24, at least one of the first substrate PCB1 and the second substrate PCB2 can be replaced with an electronic component 51.

[0106] Seventh embodiment Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0107] Fig. 25 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a male fitting member Bm according to the seventh embodiment. The male fitting member Bm4 in Fig. 25 is an example of a male fitting member Bm according to an embodiment. The side portion 14 of the male fitting member Bm4 is chamfered like the tip portion 13 of the male fitting member Bm according to the first embodiment, and the thickness decreases toward the tip side. This makes it easier to insert the insertion portion 11 into the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf from the side.

[0108] Fig. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 26 illustrates a connection between a first board PCB1 provided with a male fitting member Bm4 and a second board PCB2 provided with a female fitting member Bf. The male fitting member Bm4 is joined to the first board PCB1 at a connection portion 15. The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm4 is approximately perpendicular to both main surfaces of the first board PCB1 and the second board PCB2.

[0109] Fig. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the seventh embodiment. As shown in Fig. 27, the second board PCB2 provided with the male fitting member Bm4 in Fig. 26 can also be electrically connected to an electronic component 51 provided with a female fitting member Bf.

[0110] Fig. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the inter-component connection structure in the power converter 1 according to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 28 illustrates a connection between a first substrate PCB1 provided with a female fitting member Bf and a second substrate PCB2 provided with a male fitting member Bm4. The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm4 is approximately perpendicular to both main surfaces of the first substrate PCB1 and the second substrate PCB2. In the configuration of Fig. 28, the movement direction of the second substrate PCB2 when the second substrate PCB2 is attached to the first substrate PCB1 is different from that of Fig. 26.

[0111] The first substrate PCB1 provided with the female fitting member Bf in FIG. 28 can also be electrically connected to an electronic component 51 provided with a male fitting member Bm4. FIG. 29 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an electronic component 51 mounted with a male fitting member Bm4 according to the seventh embodiment. In the configuration of FIG. 29, the male fitting member Bm4 is integrally formed with the electronic component 51. FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of an inter-component connection structure in the power conversion device 1 according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 30 illustrates a connection between the first substrate PCB1 provided with the female fitting member Bf and the electronic component 51 formed with the male fitting member Bm4.

[0112] In this way, according to the component connection structure of this embodiment, a pair of components can be connected substantially vertically by at least a pair of fitting members B. In addition, by changing which side between the components to be connected on which the male fitting member Bm4 is provided, the assembly direction of the components can be changed. This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the components in the power conversion device 1.

[0113] Eighth embodiment Hereinafter, a power conversion device, a component connection structure, and a component connection method according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0114] FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the expansion of the geometric tolerance range in the fitting between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf according to the eighth embodiment. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 31 is a schematic example of a cross-section of the fitting portion according to the embodiment. Part AA' in FIG. 31 shows a contact portion where the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf come into contact in the fitting portion. A top view of part AA' in FIG. 31 illustrates a cross-sectional view of part AA'. Here, the base corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 10(a) as in FIG. 11. Moreover, the rotation corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 10(b) as in FIG. 11.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 31, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 of the female fitting member Bf according to this embodiment has a substantially hemispherical convex portion 33a that bulges toward the receiving portion 20 in a fitting portion that is bent in a convex shape toward the receiving portion 20. Each convex portion 33a can be formed by, for example, press working. In this case, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 has a hemispherically recessed concave portion 33b on the opposite side of each convex portion 33a.

[0116] According to this configuration, even if the four divided tip portions of the female fitting member Bf are subjected to a force from the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm and are displaced and / or deformed independently, the approximately hemispherical convex portion 33a can continue to contact the insertion portion 11. In other words, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the contact state between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf can be maintained in a point contact mode. This makes it possible to stabilize the electrical contact between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf.

[0117] (Examples) FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 32 illustrates the first board PCB1, the second board PCB2, the third board PCB3, the fourth board PCB4, and the cooling plate WJ. Various electronic components 51 can be mounted on these boards by the inter-component connection structure according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments. In FIG. 32, in order to show each component in a schematic manner while ensuring ease of viewing, there may be a gap between components that are in contact with each other by fastening or fixing. As an example, the cooling plate WJ is a metal plate-like member having a refrigerant flow path formed therein. The cooling plate WJ is not limited to a metal plate having a refrigerant flow path therein, but may be a heat sink, a heat pipe, a non-metallic heat diffusion plate, a metal housing, or a combination of these, as appropriate. Here, using a metal housing is not limited to the case of using a metal plate-like member that does not have a refrigerant flow path therein as the cooling plate WJ, but also includes the case of forming the housing of the power conversion device 1 from metal and using a part of the housing as the cooling plate WJ.

[0118] For example, the electronic component 51 includes at least one of a semiconductor element, a semiconductor module, a magnetic body, a capacitor, and a circuit breaker. The semiconductor module is composed of, for example, a plurality of semiconductor elements. Here, the magnetic body is a transformer, a transformer-integrated printed circuit board, a transformer, a reactor, and a choke. The circuit breaker is a relay or a fuse. FIG. 32 illustrates a transformer TR and a coil Coil as examples of the magnetic body. FIG. 32 also illustrates transistors MOSFET1 and MOSFET2 and diodes D1 and D2 as examples of the semiconductor module or semiconductor element. FIG. 32 also illustrates a plurality of capacitors Cap. FIG. 32 also illustrates a relay RL.

[0119] In the power conversion device 1, the semiconductor elements, semiconductor modules, magnetic bodies, capacitors, and circuit breakers exemplified as the electronic components 51 have large losses during operation and tend to have high component temperatures. For this reason, in order to efficiently cool the electronic components 51, it is preferable to mount each electronic component 51 close to the cooling plate WJ.

[0120] Conventionally, when assembling a power conversion device 1 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 32, it was customary to first fasten electronic components 51 to a water-cooling plate WJ with screws or the like, or to fix them to the water-cooling plate WJ with a TIM (thermal interface material), and then mount each of the boards PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4 by soldering them to the electronic components 51. In this case, there were problems with assembly and quality, such as the need for large soldering equipment and the risk of contamination with solder balls, etc.

[0121] In this situation, the connection structure according to the present disclosure allows free component placement that achieves both ease of assembly and component cooling. Specifically, after fastening the electronic component 51 to the water-cooling plate WJ with screws or the like or fixing the electronic component 51 to the water-cooling plate WJ with TIM, the electronic component 51 and each of the boards PCB2, PCB3, PCB4 are joined with the fitting member B, so that the electronic component 51 and each of the boards PCB2, PCB3, PCB4 can be easily and reliably connected.

[0122] The electronic component 51 may be disposed on the board via a support member 45, for example, in the fifth embodiment where the male fitting member Bm or the female fitting member Bf is provided on the board via a support member 41, or in the sixth embodiment where the male fitting member Bm or the female fitting member Bf is provided on the board via a support member 44. That is, the fastening of the electronic component 51 to the water-cooled plate WJ with a screw or the like, or the fixing of the electronic component 51 to the water-cooled plate WJ with a TIM may each be performed via a connection via the support member 45.

[0123] Here, the support member 45 is a member that thermally connects the electronic component 51 and the cooling plate WJ. Therefore, the shape and material of the support member 45 can be appropriately selected so that the amount of heat transfer from the electronic component 51 to the cooling plate WJ is increased. As an example, the support member 45 can be made of metal when the electronic component 51 and the cooling plate WJ are electrically insulated from each other. Of course, materials other than metal may be used as the support member 45. In addition, the support member 45 may be formed integrally with the cooling plate WJ, and a coolant flow path may be provided inside the support member 45. In addition, the shape and material of the support members 19, 40, 41, and 44 according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be appropriately selected so that the amount of heat transfer from the electronic component 51 to each of the boards PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4 via the pair of fitting members B is increased. In this case, the heat generated by the electronic component 51 can be diffused or dissipated using the board.

[0124] As described above, according to the power conversion device 1 of the present disclosure, it is possible to expand the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion that electrically connects components together.

[0125] As described above, the inter-component connection structure according to the present disclosure is a structure for connecting any of the components to be connected, among electronic components, circuit boards, and board units. As one example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between circuit boards. As another example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between an electronic component and a circuit board or board unit. As another example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between a circuit board and a board unit.

[0126] The techniques according to the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, in a plurality of pairs of fitting members B that connect a pair of circuit boards, a different inter-component connection structure may be applied to each pair of fitting members B. Also, for example, two or more circuit boards that are coupled to an arbitrary circuit board may have different angles with respect to the arbitrary circuit board.

[0127] In the description of the present disclosure, components having the same or substantially the same functions as those described above with respect to the previously-mentioned drawings may be given the same reference numerals, and the description may be omitted as appropriate. In addition, even when the same or substantially the same parts are shown, the dimensions and ratios of the components may be different depending on the drawing. In addition, for example, from the viewpoint of ensuring the visibility of the drawings, reference numerals may be given only to the main components in the description of each drawing, and reference numerals may not be given to components having the same or substantially the same functions as those described above with respect to the previously-mentioned drawings.

[0128] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1 Power conversion device 11 Insertion part 13 Tip 14 Side part 15 Connection 17 Gap 19 Support member 19a Insertion part 20 Reception Department 21 First clamping part 21a First elastic portion 21b Second elastic portion 22 Second clamping part 22a Third elastic part 22b Fourth elastic part 23a First bend 23b Second bend 23c Third bend 23d Fourth bend 26a First base 26b Second base 25 Connection 25a First connection part 25b Second connection part 27 Gap 31 Insulating layer 32 Covering material 33a Convex 33b Recess 40, 41, 44 Support member 51 Electronic Components Bf Female fitting Bm Male Mating Part PCB1 First board PCB2 Second board PCB3 Third board

Claims

1. A first part; A second part; and A male fitting member having a plug portion; a female fitting member having a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion disposed opposite to each other; Equipped with the male mating member is disposed on one of the first component and the second component; the female fitting member is disposed on the other of the first part and the second part; the first part and the second part are coupled together by the female fitting member clamping the insertion portion of the male fitting member that is inserted between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are bent toward each other's opposing surfaces, A gap is provided at the tip end of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, the first clamping portion includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion separated by the gap, the second clamping portion includes a third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion separated by the gap, the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion are extended from a first connecting portion which is a connecting portion to a component provided on a rear end side of the female fitting member, The third elastic portion and the fourth elastic portion are extended from a second connecting portion which is a connecting portion to a component provided on a rear end side of the female fitting member. Power conversion equipment.

2. 2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising a support member provided between a connection portion to a part provided on a rear end side of the male fitting member or the female fitting member and the part, the support member defining an angle of the male fitting member or the female fitting member relative to the part.

3. the first component and the second component are each a substrate; the first component is coupled to the second component at an angle defined by the support member; The power conversion device according to claim 2 .

4. the first component and the second component are each a substrate; The first component is coupled to the second component substantially perpendicularly. The power conversion device according to claim 1 .

5. a third part coupled to the second part; the male fitting and the female fitting are further disposed between the second part and the third part; The male fitting and the female fitting disposed between the second part and the third part, the male mating member is disposed on one of the second component and the third component; the female fitting member is disposed on the other of the second part and the third part; The power conversion device according to claim 1 .

6. the first component, the second component, and the third component are each a substrate; the first part, the second part, and the third part form a three-layered structure; The second part forming an intermediate layer of the layered structure has at least one of the male fitting member and the female fitting member disposed on both sides thereof. The power conversion device according to claim 5 .

7. The power conversion apparatus of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first component, the second component, and the third component is a printed circuit board.

8. The power converter of claim 7 , wherein the male mating member and the female mating member are electrically connected to the printed circuit board by a solder joint.

9. The power conversion device according to claim 5 , wherein the first component, the second component, and the third component are each any one of an electronic component, a board, and a board unit.

10. The power conversion device according to claim 9 , wherein the electronic component includes at least one of a semiconductor element, a semiconductor module, a magnetic body, a capacitor, and a circuit breaker.

11. The power conversion device according to claim 1 , wherein the male fitting member and the female fitting member are each formed of a metallic material.

12. The power conversion device according to claim 11 , wherein a part or all of the surface area of ​​the metal material is plated with a conductor.

13. The power conversion device according to claim 1 , wherein an insulating layer is formed on an outer periphery of the female fitting member.

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