Power conversion apparatus and transformer device

Abstract

To provide a power conversion apparatus comprising a transformer and a PCS and including a mechanism capable of easily installing the PCS at an upper side of the transformer, and a transformer in which installation means is provided for installing a PCS.SOLUTION: A power conversion apparatus comprises a PCS 3 and a transformer 2, which changes a voltage of AC power outputted by the PCS 3, the PCS 3 is installed higher than the transformer 2, and installation means 4 for installing the PCS 3 at an upper side of the transformer 2 is mounted in the transformer 2. The installation means 4 includes a strut 5, which is mounted to a back part of the transformer 2 and erected, and a mounting plate 6 which is installed in an upper part of the strut 5. The strut 5 includes a first strut 5a, of which the upper part protrudes higher than the transformer 2, and a second strut 5b which is stored inside of the first strut 5a, guided and slid by the first strut 5a and moves up and down. The mounting plate 6 is installed in the second strut 5b and movable between a lower mounting position and an upper holding position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conversion device including a PCS that converts DC power into AC power and a transformer that changes the output voltage of the PCS, and a transformer device including a PCS mounting portion.

Background Art

[0002] When connecting the power generated by solar power generation facilities to commercial power, a power conditioner (PCS) equipped with an inverter is used to convert the DC generated power into AC power. At that time, since a transformer that steps up or steps down the output voltage of the PCS is installed together, a power conversion device integrating the PCS and the transformer is often installed. However, since both the PCS and the transformer are devices that generate heat, a space must be provided around both devices, making the entire device large.

[0003] Therefore, a power conversion device that saves space by eliminating the wall for isolation from the surroundings to improve the heat dissipation efficiency has been proposed. For example, in the distribution system (power conversion device) disclosed in Patent Document 1, by eliminating the isolation wall of the transformer and arranging the PCS above the transformer, it is possible to save space and improve the cooling efficiency of the transformer and the PCS.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the power conversion device of Patent Document 1 described above, since the PCS is arranged above the transformer, the burden on the user is large in its installation. This is because the PCS is selected by the user and installed by the user at the installation site of the power conversion device. Although the PCS is lighter than the transformer, it weighs 60 kg to 90 kg, so installation at a high place requires multiple people and is not a simple task. Therefore, a configuration in which the PCS is not arranged above the transformer but adjacent to the transformer can be considered. In this case, in order to ensure good heat dissipation for both, it is necessary to provide a wide space between the transformer and the PCS, resulting in a need for a large installation space.

[0006] Therefore, in view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a power conversion device including a transformer and a PCS, having a mechanism for easily installing the PCS above the transformer, and a transformer provided with installation means for installing the PCS.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a first configuration of the present invention includes a power conditioner that converts DC power input from the outside into AC power, and a transformer that changes the voltage of the AC power output by the power conditioner. The power conversion device is such that the power conditioner is arranged above the transformer, and installation means for installing the power conditioner above the transformer is attached to the transformer. The installation means includes a support column that is attached to and stands on the back of the transformer, and a mounting plate that is installed on the upper part of the support column. The support column has a fixed support column whose upper part protrudes above the transformer, and a movable support column that is housed inside or externally mounted outside the fixed support column, guided by the fixed support column, and slides up and down. The mounting plate is installed on the movable support column, and the mounting plate is movable between a mounting position where the power conditioner is moved downward for attachment and a holding position where the attached power conditioner is raised to a predetermined position and held. According to this configuration, the power conditioner can be attached to the mounting plate with the mounting plate lowered, and then the mounting plate can be raised to position the power conditioner at a predetermined position. Therefore, there is no need to lift and fix the power conditioner to a predetermined position above the transformer, and the power conditioner can be installed with a simple operation.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the mounting position is a position that enables the power conditioner to be mounted on the mounting plate with the power conditioner placed on the top surface of the transformer. According to this configuration, the power conditioner can be attached to the mounting plate with the power conditioner placed on the top surface of the transformer, and the power conditioner can be attached with a simple operation.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the mounting position is a position that enables the power conditioner to be mounted on the mounting plate with the power conditioner arranged on the back of the transformer. According to this configuration, the power conditioner can be attached to the mounting plate with the power conditioner arranged on the back of the transformer, and the power conditioner can be attached with a simple operation.

[0010] A second configuration of the present invention is a transformer device provided with installation means for installing a power conditioner above, the installation means having a support column attached to and standing on the back of the transformer, and a mounting plate installed on the upper part of the support column. The support column has a fixed support column whose upper part protrudes above the transformer and is fixed to the transformer, and a movable support column that is housed inside or externally mounted on the outside of the fixed support column, guided by the fixed support column, slides, and moves up and down. The mounting plate is installed on the movable support column and is movable between a mounting position where it is moved downward to attach the power conditioner and a holding position where the attached power conditioner is raised to a predetermined position and held. According to this configuration, the power conditioner can be attached to the mounting plate at the mounting position where the moving support column is lowered, and then the mounting plate can be raised to place the power conditioner at a predetermined position. Therefore, there is no need to lift and fix the power conditioner to a predetermined position above the transformer, and the power conditioner can be installed with a simple operation.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, by attaching the power conditioner to the mounting plate at the mounting position where the moving support column is lowered and then moving the moving support column to the holding position, a certain space can be provided between the power conditioner and the transformer. Therefore, the power conditioner can be installed at a predetermined position above with a simple operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first form of the power conversion device according to the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 are external views, FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the rear. The power conversion device 1 has a transformer 2 and a power conditioner (PCS) 3. As shown in the figure, the PCS 3 is arranged above the transformer 2. The PCS 3 has a function of converting, for example, DC power generated by a solar panel (not shown) into 3-phase 400V AC power and outputting it. The transformer 2 converts the three-phase power output by the PCS 3 into, for example, 3-phase 210V equal to the voltage output by the high-voltage power receiving facility.

[0014] Note that the transformer 2 is housed in the transformer housing box 2a and is not exposed, and the PCS 3 is also housed in the PCS housing box 3a and is not exposed. Here, the transformer 2 and the PCS 3 including their respective housing boxes 2a and 3a will be described.

[0015] Installation means 4 for installing the PCS 3 is attached to the back of the transformer 2, and the PCS 3 is installed above the transformer 2 by this installation means 4. The installation means 4 has two left and right struts 5 and a mounting plate 6 for mounting the PCS 3 attached to the upper part of the two struts 5. The strut 5 is composed of a first strut 5a as a fixed strut connected to the transformer 2 and a second strut 5b as a movable strut arranged inside the first strut 5a and movable up and down. And the mounting plate 6 is attached to the upper part of the second strut 5b. The two struts 5 have a U-shaped cross section, are erected with the open surface facing forward, and are arranged in parallel. The first strut 5a is connected to the base 21 of the transformer 2 by a first connector 23 and to the top plate 22 of the transformer 2 by a second connector 24, and is fixed at two locations.

[0016] Figure 3 shows the state where the PCS3 is removed, that is, the transformer device 10 with the installation means 4 of the PCS3 attached to the transformer 2. However, here the second support column 5b is shown separated. As shown in Figure 3, the second support column 5b housed in the first support column 5a has guide members 7 (first guide member 7a, second guide member 7b) attached at two locations, upper and lower, and slides inside the first support column 5a guided by the guide members 7. The first guide member 7a is composed of a rod body communicating with the left and right first support columns 5a, and the second guide member 7b is a screw member attached to the left and right for each second support column 5b.

[0017] In the second support column 5b, a first guide hole 52 for inserting the first guide member 7a is drilled at the lower part, and second guide holes 53 for screwing in the second guide member 7b are provided on the left and right at the upper part. In addition, after the first guide member 7a and the second guide member 7b are mounted, a retaining member (not shown) is attached to prevent them from coming off.

[0018] On the other hand, in the first support column 5a, two long holes 51 (first long hole 51a, second long hole 51b) for guiding the guide member 7 are formed on the left and right side surfaces. The first long hole 51a for guiding the first guide member 7a and the second long hole 51b for guiding the second guide member 7b are arranged in a straight line.

[0019] Also, at the upper ends of both long holes 51, hook-shaped notches 55 for holding the second support column 5b moved upward are formed. By dropping the guide member 7 into this notch 55, the PCS3 can be held at a predetermined upper position (holding position).

[0020] And the state arranged at this predetermined position is fixed by screwing in the bolt 11 (shown in Figure 2). Specifically, the bolt 11 is inserted through the through hole 56 of the first support column 5a and screwed into the screw hole 57 of the second support column 5b inside to be fixed.

[0021] Figs. 4 and 5 show the state in which the second support column 5b is slid downward to lower the position of the PCS 3, that is, the state in which the PCS 3 is arranged at the mounting position described later. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the PCS 3 in a perspective manner, and Fig. 5 is a side view. By lowering the second support column 5b and moving the guide member 7 to the lowermost position of the long hole 51, the PCS 3 can be lowered to a position close to the top surface of the transformer 2 as shown in this figure. This state is the mounting position of the PCS 3, and the long hole 51 is formed such that the second support column 5b can be lowered to such a position.

[0022] The mounting of the PCS 3 to the transformer device 10 configured as described above, that is, the assembly of the PCS 3 constituting the power conversion device 1, is performed as follows. As shown in Fig. 5, when the second support column 5b is lowered to the lower end, the PCS 3 is lowered to a position close to the state of being placed on the transformer 2. This becomes the mounting position of the PCS 3, and if the PCS 3 is placed on the transformer 2, it becomes possible to connect to the mounting plate 6. For example, a mounting table for raising the PCS 3 by a certain amount is placed on the top plate 22 of the transformer 2, and the PCS 3 is placed thereon, so that it can be easily connected to the mounting plate 6. The connection is performed by screwing or the like.

[0023] After connecting the PCS 3 to the mounting plate 6 in this way, the PCS 3 is lifted (raised) and the second support column 5b is slid upward to extend the support column 5 to the uppermost position which is the holding position. Thus, when the second support column 5b is extended to the holding position, the guide member 7 can be dropped into the notch 55 and its position is held. Incidentally, this extension / dropping operation can be easily performed compared to the operation of lifting the PCS 3 without guiding it by the support column 5. Then, in order to fix it at this position, a bolt 11 is inserted into the through hole 56 of the first support column 5a and screwed in. By this operation, the bolt 11 is screwed into the screw hole 57 formed in the second support column 5b, and the second support column 5b is fixed to the first support column 5a in an extended state. Thus, the arrangement of the PCS 3 at the predetermined position is completed. After that, electrical system connections such as connection of cables (not shown) will be performed.

[0024] Further, in this configuration, the lower end of the elongated hole 51 is set so that when it is lowered, the PCS 3 does not contact the transformer 2 and malfunction, but if it is formed longer below the elongated hole 51, it is possible to connect the PCS 3 to the mounting plate 6 without raising it while it is placed on the transformer 2. Also, the work of placing the PCS 3 on the transformer 2 will be carried out by lifting it with two to four people because of the weight of the PCS 3, but it can be more easily carried out than lifting the PCS 3 from the beginning to the predetermined position.

[0025] In this way, by lowering the mounting plate 6 and attaching the PCS 3 placed on the transformer 2 to the mounting plate 6, and then sliding the second support column 5b upward, the PCS 3 can be raised to the holding position and installed at the predetermined position. Therefore, there is no need to lift and fix the PCS 3 to the predetermined position above the transformer 2, and the PCS can be installed with a simple operation. In addition, it is only necessary to attach the PCS 3 to the mounting plate 6 while it is placed on the top plate 22 of the transformer 2, and the PCS 3 can be attached with a simple operation.

[0026] Next, a second configuration of the power conversion device 1 will be described. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the second configuration of the power conversion device 1, FIG. 6 is a perspective view, and FIG. 7 is a side view seen from the right side in the front view. This configuration is different from the above configuration in the mounting position and orientation of the PCS 3. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the PCS 3 is arranged above the transformer 2 but at the rear, and is arranged in the opposite direction to the transformer 2.

[0027] The support column 5 is composed of a third support column 5c as a fixed support column fixed to the transformer 2 and a fourth support column 5d as a moving support column that slides inside it. The third support column 5c and the fourth support column 5d have a U-shaped cross section and are arranged with the open surface facing backward. The fourth support column 5d has guide members 7 (rod-shaped first guide member 7a, screw-shaped second guide member 7b) attached to two locations, upper and lower, in the same manner as in the above configuration, and is guided by the third support column 5c to move up and down. The mounting plate 6 is attached to the fourth support column 5d facing backward.

[0028] In the third support column 5c, one long hole 51 (the third long hole 51c) for guiding both the first guide member 7a and the second guide member 7b is formed vertically in the left and right side portions. Hook-shaped notches 55, 55 are respectively formed at the upper end of the third long hole 51c and at a lower portion thereof provided with a certain interval. By dropping the guide member 7 into the notch 55, as shown in FIG. 7, the PCS 3 can be held at a predetermined upper position (holding position). This holding state is achieved by screwing a bolt 11 (shown in FIG. 7) into a predetermined portion of the support column 5, so that the third support column 5c and the fourth support column 5d are fixed and firmly fixed to each other. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the transformer device 10 with the PCS 3 removed from the power conversion device 1 as viewed from the rear, showing a state in which the fourth support column 5d is separated. As shown in FIG. 8, the third support column 5c is connected to the base 21 of the transformer 2 by the third coupler 25 and to the top plate 22 of the transformer 2 by the fourth coupler 26. Further, the fourth support column 5d slides up and down within the third support column 5c.

[0030] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the power conversion device 1 with the PCS 3 moved downward. This state in which the fourth support column 5d is slid downward and the mounting plate 6 is lowered is the attachment / detachment position of the PCS 3, and the PCS 3 is attached at this position. By lowering the mounting plate 6, for example, a pedestal of a predetermined height is placed on the floor where the transformer 2 is installed, and the PCS 3 is placed thereon, so that it can be easily fixed to the mounting plate 6 by screwing or the like. After that, the fourth support column 5d is slid upward, the guide member 7 is dropped into the notch 55 at the upper end of the long hole, and the predetermined portion of the support column 5 is bolted, then the installation of the PCS 3 is completed.

[0031] Even in the configuration where the PCS 3 is arranged above the transformer 2, by setting it not directly above but at the upper part behind the transformer 2, if the fourth support column 5d is slid downward, the PCS 3 can be lowered to a position close to the floor at the back of the transformer 2. Therefore, it is possible to attach the PCS 3 to the mounting plate 6 in the state where the PCS 3 is arranged at the back of the transformer 2, and the PCS 3 can be attached by a simple operation without lifting it up greatly.

[0032] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first support column 5a or the third support column 5c is attached to the transformer 2 and erected, and the second support column 5b or the fourth support column 5d is arranged inside thereof so as to be vertically movable. Conversely, the second support column 5b or the fourth support column 5d may be arranged so as to be vertically movable by covering the first support column 5a or the third support column 5c fixed to the transformer 2. Also, although two support columns 5 are arranged on the left and right to hold the PCS 3, if there is sufficient strength, it may be a single one at the center of the transformer 2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1... Power conversion device, 2... Transformer, 3... Power conditioner (PCS), 4... Installation means, 5... Support column, 5a... First support column (fixed support column), 5b... Second support column (movable support column), 5c... Third support column (fixed support column), 5d... Fourth support column (movable support column), 6... Mounting plate, 10... Transformer device.

Claims

1. A power conversion device comprising a power conditioner that converts externally input DC power into AC power, and a transformer that changes the voltage of the AC power output by the power conditioner, wherein the power conditioner is disposed above the transformer, the transformer is provided with installation means for installing the power conditioner above the transformer, the installation means includes a support column that is attached to and stands on the back of the transformer, and a mounting plate that is installed on the support column and is movable up and down, the support column has a fixed support column whose upper part protrudes above the transformer and is fixed to the transformer, and a movable support column that is accommodated inside or externally mounted on the fixed support column, guided by the fixed support column, slides, and moves up and down, and the mounting plate is installed on the movable support column, the mounting plate is movable between a mounting position where it is moved downward to mount the power conditioner and a holding position where the mounted power conditioner is raised to a predetermined position and held. A power conversion device characterized by this.

2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting position is a position that enables the power conditioner to be mounted on the mounting plate in a state where the power conditioner is placed on the top surface of the transformer.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting position is a position that enables the power conditioner to be mounted on the mounting plate in a state where the power conditioner is disposed on the back of the transformer.

4. A transformer device having a transformer provided with installation means for installing a power conditioner above it, the installation means includes a support column that is attached to and stands on the back of the transformer, and a mounting plate that is installed on the upper part of the support column, the support column has a fixed support column whose upper part protrudes above the transformer and is fixed to the transformer, and a movable support column that is accommodated inside or externally mounted on the fixed support column, guided by the fixed support column, slides, and moves up and down, and the mounting plate is installed on the movable support column, the mounting plate is movable between a mounting position where it is moved downward to mount the power conditioner and a holding position where the mounted power conditioner is raised to a predetermined position and held. A transformer device characterized by this.

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