Power conversion device

Abstract

To improve the heat dissipation performance of a capacitor unit in a power conversion device equipped with a capacitor unit.SOLUTION: A power conversion device 1 comprises: a power module 20 having a plurality of power devices; a cooling jacket 40 for cooling the power module 20; a capacitor unit 12 connected to the power module 20; and a heat dissipation terminal block 16 for transferring heat from the capacitor unit 12 to the cooling jacket 40. The capacitor unit 12 comprises: a conductive terminal connected to the power module 20; and a heat dissipation terminal connected to the heat dissipation terminal block 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power conversion device in which a heat conductor is provided between a switching semiconductor element and a capacitor. In the power conversion device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bus bar connected to the switching semiconductor element and a bus bar connected to the capacitor are connected via the heat conductor. In such a power conversion device as Patent Document 1, heat from the switching semiconductor element is transferred to a cooler via the heat conductor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5714077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The power conversion device includes a power module such as the switching semiconductor device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The size of this power module varies depending on the drive system of the vehicle (two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive). Therefore, if the capacitor unit is larger than the power module, a portion of the capacitor unit will not be positioned opposite the power module. Such a portion will not be provided with a conductive terminal (bus bar) that connects to the power module. Heat from the capacitor unit is discharged to the outside of the capacitor unit via the bus bar that connects to the power module. Therefore, if there is a large portion that does not have a conductive terminal that connects the capacitor unit to the power module, as described above, the heat dissipation performance of the capacitor unit will be reduced.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to make it possible to improve the heat dissipation performance of a capacitor unit in a power conversion device including the capacitor unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention employs a configuration comprising a power module having a plurality of power devices, a cooler that cools the power module, a capacitor unit connected to the power module, and a heat dissipation base that transfers heat from the capacitor unit to the cooler, wherein the capacitor unit comprises a conductive terminal connected to the power module and a heat dissipation terminal connected to the heat dissipation base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the present invention, the capacitor unit includes heat dissipation terminals in addition to the conductive terminals connected to the power module. Furthermore, in the present invention, the heat dissipation terminals are thermally connected to a cooler via a heat dissipation base. Therefore, the capacitor unit can dissipate heat through the heat dissipation terminals in addition to the conductive terminals. Therefore, in a power conversion device including a capacitor unit, the present invention can improve the heat dissipation performance of the capacitor unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle equipped with a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a step-up / step-down converter and an inverter included in a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structural configuration of a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view including a center plate provided in a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a capacitor unit included in the power conversion device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a heat dissipation terminal block included in a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a power conversion device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle 100 equipped with a power conversion device 1 according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 100 includes, for example, a high-voltage battery HB, a low-voltage battery LB, a motor M, a generator G, and the power conversion device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0012] The high-voltage battery HB is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, and outputs relatively high-voltage DC power of, for example, several hundred volts. This high-voltage battery HB is a battery that outputs driving power to be supplied to the motor M, and is a so-called driving battery. The low-voltage battery LB is a secondary battery such as a lead-acid battery, and outputs relatively low-voltage DC power of, for example, about 12 V. This low-voltage battery LB is a battery that outputs auxiliary power to be supplied to auxiliary devices (not shown), and is a so-called auxiliary device battery.

[0013] The motor M generates rotational power by receiving drive power from the high-voltage battery HB via the power conversion device 1. The rotational power generated by the motor M is transmitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle 100 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). The generator G generates electric power by receiving power from, for example, an external source. The electric power generated by the generator G is supplied to, for example, the high-voltage battery HB.

[0014] The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment is a device that performs power conversion. For example, the power conversion device 1 converts DC power to AC power, AC power to DC power, and voltage. Specifically, the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment boosts and converts drive power output from a high-voltage battery HB to AC and supplies the power to a motor M. The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment also converts regenerative power output from the motor M to DC, reduces the voltage, and supplies the DC to the high-voltage battery HB. The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment also converts power output from a generator G to DC and supplies the DC to the high-voltage battery HB. The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment also reduces the voltage of drive power output from the high-voltage battery HB to generate power for auxiliary devices and supplies the power to a low-voltage battery LB.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment includes a buck-boost converter 2, an inverter 3, and a DC-DC converter 4. The buck-boost converter 2, inverter 3, and DC-DC converter 4 constitute a power conversion circuit H that performs power conversion. The buck-boost converter 2 boosts or lowers the voltage of power. For example, the buck-boost converter 2 boosts the drive power supplied from a high-voltage battery HB and outputs the boosted power to the inverter 3. The buck-boost converter 2 also lowers the regenerative power supplied from the inverter 3 and outputs the power to the high-voltage battery HB.

[0016] The inverter 3 converts DC power to AC power or AC power to DC power. For example, the inverter 3 converts DC driving power supplied from the step-up / step-down converter 2 into three-phase AC power and outputs it to the motor M. The inverter 3 also converts AC regenerative power supplied from the motor M into DC power and outputs it to the high-voltage battery HB. The inverter 3 also converts AC regenerative power supplied from the generator G into DC power and outputs it to the high-voltage battery HB.

[0017] The DC-DC converter 4 converts the drive power output from the high-voltage battery HB into power for the auxiliary devices by stepping down the voltage. The DC-DC converter 4 converts the drive power, which is DC, into power for the auxiliary devices.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the step-up / step-down converter 2 and the inverter 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment includes the step-up / step-down converter 2 and the inverter 3, which are connected to each other.

[0019] The buck-boost converter 2 includes one power device D, two capacitors C, and a reactor L. One of the two capacitors C (hereinafter referred to as the first capacitor C1) stores power before boosting when power is supplied from the high-voltage battery HB to the motor M. The other of the two capacitors C (hereinafter referred to as the second capacitor C2) stores power after boosting when power is supplied from the high-voltage battery HB to the motor M. Note that the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are not limited to being formed with a single element. The first capacitor C1 may be formed using a plurality of elements, and the second capacitor C2 may be formed using a plurality of elements. Note that the buck-boost converter 2 may be an interleaved buck-boost converter.

[0020] The inverter 3 also includes six power devices D. Each power device D includes a power transistor. These power transistors have semiconductor elements and are mounted on an insulated circuit board. In this embodiment, one power device D includes two power transistors. However, a power device having a single power transistor may also be included. In this case, four power devices are provided in the step-up / step-down converter 2, and 12 power devices are provided in the inverter 3. For example, each power transistor includes a plurality of semiconductor elements formed of, for example, SiC (silicon carbide). The power transistors may also include semiconductor elements formed of other materials, such as Si (silicon) or GaN (gallium nitride).

[0021] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structural configuration of the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment includes an intelligent power module 10, a main body case 11, a capacitor unit 12, a reactor unit 13, a DC-DC converter unit 14, a connector unit 15, and a heat dissipation terminal block 16 (heat dissipation block).

[0022] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the DC-DC converter unit 14 and the like are positioned relative to a partition wall 31a of a center plate 31 (described later) of the main body case 11 is referred to as "upward," and the direction in which the intelligent power module 10 is positioned relative to a partition wall 31a of a center plate 31 (described later) of the main body case 11 is referred to as "downward." However, the installation posture of the power conversion device 1 is not particularly limited.

[0023] The intelligent power module 10 includes a power module 20, a gate driver board 21, an ECU board 22, etc. The power module 20 includes a plurality of power devices D having semiconductor elements, a resin power module case that houses these power devices D, etc.

[0024] The gate driver board 21 is a board on which a gate driver that generates drive signals for the step-up / step-down converter 2 and the inverter 3 formed by the power devices D is provided. Such a gate driver board 21 is stacked on the power module 20. The ECU board 22 is a board on which an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the gate driver board 21 is provided. This ECU board 22 is stacked on the gate driver board 21. Note that the gate driver board 21 and ECU board 22 may be integrated.

[0025] Such an intelligent power module 10 includes a power device D that forms the step-up / step-down converter 2 and the inverter 3. In other words, the intelligent power module 10 forms at least a part of the step-up / step-down converter 2 and the inverter 3.

[0026] The main body case 11 is a case that houses the intelligent power module 10, the capacitor unit 12, the reactor unit 13, the DC-DC converter unit 14, the connector unit 15, etc. The main body case 11 includes an upper cover 30, a center plate 31, and a lower cover 32. The upper cover 30, the center plate 31, and the lower cover 32 are formed so as to be separable in the vertical direction.

[0027] The upper cover 30 is a part that covers from above the DC-DC converter unit 14 and the reactor unit 13, which are fixed from above to the center plate 31. In other words, the upper cover 30 is fastened to the center plate 31 via bolts or the like (not shown).

[0028] The central plate 31 is a support plate located between the upper cover 30 and the lower cover 32. The central plate 31 includes a flat partition wall portion 31a and a surrounding wall portion 31b that is provided so as to surround the partition wall portion 31a from the side.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view including the center plate 31. As shown in Fig. 4, the partition wall portion 31a is arranged so that one surface (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface 31a1) faces upward and the other surface (hereinafter referred to as the lower surface 31a2) faces downward. Such a partition wall portion 31a supports, for example, the intelligent power module 10, the capacitor unit 12, the reactor unit 13, the DC-DC converter unit 14, and the heat dissipation terminal block 16.

[0030] In this embodiment, the reactor unit 13 and the DC-DC converter unit 14 are arranged above the partition wall 31a. That is, the reactor unit 13 and the DC-DC converter unit 14 are arranged to face the upper surface 31a1 of the partition wall 31a from above. Also, in this embodiment, the intelligent power module 10 is arranged below the partition wall 31a. That is, the intelligent power module 10 is arranged to face the lower surface 31a2 of the partition wall 31a from below. Also, in this embodiment, the capacitor unit 12 is provided so as to penetrate the partition wall 31a in the vertical direction. Therefore, the partition wall 31a is provided with an insertion opening 31c through which the capacitor unit 12 is inserted.

[0031] The intelligent power module 10, capacitor unit 12, reactor unit 13, DC-DC converter unit 14, connector unit 15, and heat dissipation terminal block 16 are fastened to bosses or the like provided on the partition wall portion 31a by bolts or the like (not shown).

[0032] 4, a cooling flow path 41 that guides the coolant X is provided inside the partition wall 31a. By flowing the coolant through this cooling flow path 41, the partition wall 31a functions as a cooling jacket 40 (cooler), and the intelligent power module 10, the capacitor unit 12, the reactor unit 13, the DC-DC converter unit 14, and the connector unit 15 are cooled.

[0033] The cooling flow path 41 includes an upper flow path 41a provided in the upper part of the partition wall portion 31a, a lower flow path 41b provided in the lower part of the partition wall portion 31a, and a connecting flow path 41c connecting the upper flow path 41a and the lower flow path 41b.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the upper flow path 41a is a flow path that guides the coolant X in a direction along the arrangement direction of the DC-DC converter unit 14 and the reactor unit 13. The center plate 31 has a supply port 31d to which the upstream end of the upper flow path 41a is connected. The lower flow path 41b is a flow path that guides the coolant X in the opposite direction to the upper flow path 41a. The center plate 31 has a discharge port 31e to which the downstream end of the lower flow path 41b is connected. The connecting flow path 41c connects the downstream end of the upper flow path 41a and the upstream end of the lower flow path 41b.

[0035] 4, the power module 20 is attached to the lower surface (lower surface 31a2 of the partition wall portion 31a) of the cooling jacket 40. In addition, a heat dissipation terminal block 16 is disposed upstream of the power module 20 in the flow direction of the lower flow path 41b.

[0036] Returning to Fig. 3, the surrounding wall portion 31b is provided so as to surround the intelligent power module 10, the capacitor unit 12, the reactor unit 13, the DC-DC converter unit 14, the connector unit 15, and the heat dissipation terminal block 16 from the sides. The surrounding wall portion 31b is connected to the edge of the partition wall portion 31a and is provided so as to protrude upward and downward from the partition wall portion 31a. The upper end of the surrounding wall portion 31b is abutted by the upper cover 30. The lower end of the surrounding wall portion 31b is abutted by the lower cover 32.

[0037] The lower cover 32 is a part that covers from below the intelligent power module 10, connector unit 15, and heat dissipation terminal block 16 that are fixed to the central plate 31 from below. The lower cover 32 also covers the capacitor unit 12 from below. The lower cover 32 is fastened to the central plate 31 via bolts or the like (not shown). The lower cover 32 also has an opening 32a for exposing the connector unit 15.

[0038] The capacitor unit 12 is connected to the intelligent power module 10 and is disposed to the side of the power module 20. The capacitor unit 12 is a unit including a capacitor C provided in the step-up / step-down converter 2. The capacitor unit 12 includes elements that form the capacitor C and a housing that covers these elements.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the capacitor unit 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the capacitor unit 12 includes a plurality of capacitor elements 50. The capacitor unit 12 includes a low-voltage capacitor element 51, which is the capacitor element 50 that forms the above-described first capacitor C1 of the buck-boost converter 2, and a plurality of high-voltage capacitor elements 52, which are the capacitor elements 50 that form the above-described second capacitor C2 of the buck-boost converter 2.

[0040] The low-voltage capacitor element 51 is a capacitor element 50 that stores power before boosting, and is located at the top of the capacitor unit 12. The high-voltage capacitor element 52 is a capacitor element 50 that stores power after boosting, and is located at the bottom of the capacitor unit 12.

[0041] In this embodiment, the length dimension D1 in the front-rear direction of the capacitor unit 12 is smaller than the length dimension of the power module 20. Furthermore, the capacitor unit 12 is arranged to be alongside the power module 20 on the side of the power module 20. The multiple high-voltage capacitor elements 52 are arranged in the length direction of the capacitor unit 12, some of which are arranged facing the power module 20 with a capacitor unit case 53 (described later) sandwiched therebetween, and the remainder of which are not arranged facing the power module 20.

[0042] In the following description, of the multiple high-voltage capacitor elements 52, the high-voltage capacitor elements 52 arranged opposite the power module 20 will be referred to as module-facing elements 52a. Furthermore, of the multiple high-voltage capacitor elements 52, the high-voltage capacitor elements 52 that are not arranged opposite the power module 20 are arranged opposite the heat dissipation terminal block 16 and will be referred to as heat dissipation block-facing elements 52b. In this embodiment, five high-voltage capacitor elements 52 are provided, four of which are module-facing elements 52a and the remaining one is a heat dissipation block-facing element 52b. However, the numbers of module-facing elements 52a and heat dissipation block-facing elements 52b can be changed.

[0043] Furthermore, the capacitor unit 12 includes a capacitor unit case 53, a positive bus bar 54, and a negative bus bar 56. The capacitor unit case 53 houses the plurality of capacitor elements 50, the positive bus bar 54, and the negative bus bar 56.

[0044] The positive bus bar 54 is a conductor connected to one end of all of the high-voltage capacitor elements 52, and connects one end of these high-voltage capacitor elements 52 to the positive electrode of the high-voltage battery HB. In this embodiment, one end of the high-voltage capacitor element 52 is connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage battery HB via the reactor unit 13.

[0045] The positive bus bar 54 has a plurality of conductive terminals (positive conductive terminals 54a) that protrude from the capacitor unit case 53 toward the power module 20. Each positive conductive terminal 54a is connected to one end of each high-voltage capacitor element 52 and a terminal of the power module 20. These positive conductive terminals 54a are formed as part of the single positive bus bar 54 and are integrated together.

[0046] The negative bus bar 56 is a conductor connected to the other ends of all of the capacitor elements 50, and connects the other ends of these capacitor elements 50 to the negative electrode of the high-voltage battery HB. That is, in this embodiment, the negative bus bar 56 is connected not only to the other ends of the high-voltage capacitor elements 52 but also to the other ends of the low-voltage capacitor elements 51.

[0047] The negative bus bar 56 has a plurality of conductive terminals (negative conductive terminals 56a) that protrude from the capacitor unit case 53 toward the power module 20. Each negative conductive terminal 56a is connected to the other end of the module facing element 52a and a terminal of the power module 20.

[0048] Furthermore, the negative bus bar 56 has a heat dissipation terminal 56c. The heat dissipation terminal 56c is provided so as to protrude from the capacitor unit case 53 toward the power module 20. The heat dissipation terminal 56c connects the other end of the heat dissipation base facing element 52b and the heat dissipation terminal base 16.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the negative bus bar 56 has the negative conductive terminal 56a and the heat dissipation terminal 56c. In other words, the negative conductive terminal 56a and the heat dissipation terminal 56c are formed as part of the single negative bus bar 56 and are integrated together.

[0050] 5, the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a is located above the positive electrode conductive terminal 54a and is located farther from the cooling jacket 40 than the positive electrode conductive terminal 54a. The heat dissipation terminal 56c is a terminal that transfers heat from the capacitor unit 12 to the cooling jacket 40 via the heat dissipation terminal block 16. Such a heat dissipation terminal 56c is formed on the negative electrode bus bar 56 on which the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a, which is located farther from the cooling jacket 40 than the positive electrode conductive terminal 54a, is provided.

[0051] The horizontal width of the heat dissipation terminal 56c is larger than the horizontal width of the negative conductive terminal 56a. The vertical thickness of the heat dissipation terminal 56c is the same as the vertical thickness of the negative conductive terminal 56a. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the heat dissipation terminal 56c in a plane perpendicular to the direction of current flow is larger than the cross-sectional area of the negative conductive terminal 56a.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 3 , the reactor unit 13 is fixed to the center plate 31. This reactor unit 13 is connected to the intelligent power module 10 via a bus bar (not shown), and in this embodiment, is disposed above the center plate 31. The reactor unit 13 is a unit that includes a reactor L provided in the step-up / step-down converter 2.

[0053] The DC-DC converter unit 14 is fixed to the center plate 31. This DC-DC converter unit 14 is connected to the intelligent power module 10 via a bus bar (not shown), and in this embodiment, is disposed above the center plate 31. The DC-DC converter unit 14 is a unit that forms the DC-DC converter 4 shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] The connector unit 15 is a unit to which the motor-side connector of the motor unit is connected. In this embodiment, the connector unit 15 is disposed below the partition wall portion 31a of the center plate 31. The connector unit 15 is also disposed further below the intelligent power module 10.

[0055] The heat dissipation terminal block 16 is a part that transfers heat from the capacitor unit 12 to the cooling jacket 40. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the heat dissipation terminal block 16 as viewed from below. As shown in this figure, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 includes a heat conductor 16a and a support body 16b. The heat conductor 16a is connected to the heat dissipation terminal 56c and transfers heat received from the heat dissipation terminal 56c to the cooling jacket 40. For example, the heat conductor 16a is formed from a bent copper plate.

[0056] The support 16b is an insulating part that supports the heat conductor 16a. For example, the support 16b is made of resin. The support 16b is fixed to the cooling jacket 40 using screws or the like (not shown).

[0057] The support 16b is formed to mold the heat conductor 16a, locally exposing a portion of the heat conductor 16a. In this embodiment, the support 16b exposes a portion of the heat conductor 16a that is connected to the heat dissipation terminal 56c. The support 16b also exposes a portion of the lower surface 16c of the heat conductor 16a that faces the cooling jacket 40 (the surface opposite the cooling jacket 40). Exposing the lower surface 16c of the cooling jacket 40 of the heat conductor 16a can prevent heat from being trapped inside the support 16b. The surface of the heat conductor 16a that faces the cooling jacket 40 may also be exposed. However, to ensure insulation between the heat conductor 16a and the cooling jacket 40, the surface of the heat conductor 16a that faces the cooling jacket 40 may be covered by the support 16b.

[0058] 4, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 is bonded to the cooling jacket 40 via an insulating, thermally conductive resin material 17. The thermally conductive resin material 17 is applied to the cooling jacket 40 using, for example, a jig, and then the heat dissipation terminal block 16 is attached to the cooling jacket 40, thereby being interposed between the heat dissipation terminal block 16 and the cooling jacket 40.

[0059] 4, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 is disposed upstream of the power module 20 in the flow direction of the coolant X in the lower flow path 41b. Therefore, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 is cooled by the coolant X before the power module 20.

[0060] In the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the coolant X is supplied into the cooling jacket 40 from the supply port 31d of the center plate 31. The coolant X supplied to the cooling jacket 40 flows through the upper flow path 41a and into the connecting flow path 41c at the downstream end of the upper flow path 41a. The coolant X that has flowed into the connecting flow path 41c is supplied to the lower flow path 41b, and flows in the opposite direction to the flow direction in the upper flow path 41a. The coolant X is discharged to the outside of the cooling jacket 40 through the discharge port 31e at the downstream end of the lower flow path 41b.

[0061] The reactor unit 13 and the DC-DC converter unit 14 are cooled mainly by the coolant X flowing through the upper flow path 41a. The power module 20 and the connector unit 15 are cooled by the coolant X flowing through the lower flow path 41b.

[0062] Furthermore, the capacitor unit 12 transfers heat to the power module 20 via the positive bus bar 54 and the negative bus bar 56. That is, the capacitor unit 12 is cooled by the cooling jacket 40 via the power module 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, heat is transferred to the heat dissipation terminal block 16 via the heat dissipation terminal 56c of the negative bus bar 56. That is, the capacitor unit 12 is cooled by the cooling jacket 40 via the heat dissipation terminal block 16. Because the heat dissipation terminal 56c is connected to one end of the heat dissipation base facing element 52b among the multiple high-voltage capacitor elements 52, heat from the heat dissipation base facing element 52b is more easily transferred to the cooling jacket 40 than in a case where the heat dissipation terminal 56c is not provided. The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment has high performance in cooling the heat dissipation base facing element 52b.

[0063] The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment as described above includes a power module 20, a cooling jacket 40, a capacitor unit 12, and a heat dissipation terminal block 16. The power module 20 has a plurality of power devices D. The cooling jacket 40 cools the power module 20. The capacitor unit 12 is connected to the power module 20. The heat dissipation terminal block 16 transfers heat from the capacitor unit 12 to the cooling jacket 40. The capacitor unit 12 also includes conductive terminals (a positive conductive terminal 54a and a negative conductive terminal 56a) connected to the power module 20. The capacitor unit 12 also includes a heat dissipation terminal 56c connected to the heat dissipation terminal block 16.

[0064] In the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the capacitor unit 12 includes a heat dissipation terminal 56c in addition to the conductive terminals (positive conductive terminal 54a and negative conductive terminal 56a) connected to the power module 20. Furthermore, in the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal 56c is thermally connected to the cooling jacket 40 via the heat dissipation terminal block 16. Therefore, the capacitor unit 12 can dissipate heat through the heat dissipation terminal 56c in addition to the conductive terminals. Therefore, the power converter 1 of this embodiment can improve the heat dissipation performance of the capacitor unit 12.

[0065] In the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 includes a heat conductor 16a connected to the heat dissipation terminal 56c. The heat dissipation terminal block 16 also includes an insulating support 16b that holds the heat conductor 16a and is fixed to the cooling jacket 40.

[0066] According to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 is stabilized by fixing the support 16b to the cooling jacket 40. Therefore, according to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to release heat to the cooling jacket 40 through the heat dissipation terminal 56c during a stable period.

[0067] Furthermore, in the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 is bonded to the cooling jacket 40 via an insulating thermally conductive resin material 17. According to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, heat can be transferred from the heat dissipation terminal block 16 to the cooling jacket 40 via the thermally conductive resin material 17. This makes it easier for heat to be transferred from the heat dissipation terminal block 16 to the cooling jacket 40, and makes it possible to efficiently cool the capacitor unit 12.

[0068] In the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the power module 20 and the heat dissipation terminal block 16 are arranged adjacent to each other. The capacitor unit 12 includes a module-facing element 52a and a heat dissipation base-facing element 52b. The module-facing element 52a is a capacitor element 50 arranged opposite the power module 20. The heat dissipation base-facing element 52b is a capacitor element 50 arranged opposite the heat dissipation terminal block 16. The heat dissipation terminal 56c is connected to the heat dissipation base-facing element 52b.

[0069] According to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, heat can be transferred from the heat sink facing element 52b, which tends to be trapped in the heat, to the cooling jacket 40 via the heat sink terminal 56c. Therefore, according to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the heat sink facing element 52b can be efficiently cooled, and the cooling performance of the capacitor unit 12 is improved.

[0070] Furthermore, in the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the capacitor unit 12 includes a capacitor element 50, a positive electrode conductive terminal 54a, and a negative electrode conductive terminal 56a. One end of the capacitor element 50 is connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage battery HB, and the other end is connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage battery HB. The positive electrode conductive terminal 54a is a conductive terminal connected to one end of the capacitor element 50. The negative electrode conductive terminal 56a is a conductive terminal connected to the other end of the capacitor element 50, and is located farther from the cooling jacket 40 than the positive electrode conductive terminal 54a. Furthermore, the heat dissipation terminal 56c is integrated with the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a.

[0071] According to the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, a portion of the heat from the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a, which is located farther from the cooling jacket 40 than the positive electrode conductive terminal 54a, can be transferred to the cooling jacket 40 via the heat dissipation terminal 56c. Therefore, the amount of heat dissipated from the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a to the cooling jacket 40 can be increased.

[0072] Furthermore, in the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the capacitor unit 12 includes a high-voltage capacitor element 52 and a low-voltage capacitor element 51. The high-voltage capacitor element 52 is a capacitor element 50 that stores power after boosting. The low-voltage capacitor element 51 is a capacitor element 50 that stores power before boosting. Furthermore, in the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal 56c, the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a connected to the high-voltage capacitor element 52, and the negative electrode conductive terminal 56a connected to the low-voltage capacitor element 51 are integrated.

[0073] According to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the low-voltage capacitor element 51 is thermally connected to the heat dissipation terminal 56c. Therefore, a portion of the heat of the low-voltage capacitor element 51 can be transferred from the heat dissipation terminal block 16 to the cooling jacket 40 through the heat dissipation terminal 56c. Therefore, according to the power converter 1 of this embodiment, it is also possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the low-voltage capacitor element 51.

[0074] Furthermore, in the power converter 1 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the heat dissipation terminal 56c is larger than the cross-sectional area of the conductive terminal, which reduces the thermal resistance from the heat dissipation terminal 56c to the cooling jacket 40 and increases the amount of heat dissipated from the heat dissipation terminal 56c to the cooling jacket 40.

[0075] In the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the cooling jacket 40 has a cooling flow path 41 through which the coolant X flows. The heat dissipation terminal block 16 is connected to the cooling jacket 40 upstream of the power module 20 in the flow direction of the coolant X.

[0076] According to the power conversion device 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal block 16 can be cooled before the temperature of the coolant X rises due to the power module 20 that generates a large amount of heat. Therefore, the capacitor unit 12 can be cooled more reliably.

[0077] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0078] For example, in the above embodiment, the heat dissipation terminal 56c is provided on the negative bus bar 56. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a heat dissipation terminal is provided on the positive bus bar 54, or a configuration in which a heat dissipation terminal is provided on each of the negative bus bar 56 and the positive bus bar 54.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the power module 20 and the heat dissipation terminal block 16 are located below the partition wall 31a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the power module 20 and the heat dissipation terminal block 16 are located above the partition wall 31a.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the power device D forming the buck-boost converter 2 is provided in the power module 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a buck-boost converter unit forming the buck-boost converter 2 is provided separately from the power module 20.

[0081] The above embodiment can also be described as follows, for example:

[0082] (Appendix 1) a power module having a plurality of power devices; a cooler that cools the power module; a capacitor unit connected to the power module; a heat dissipation base that transfers heat from the condenser unit to the cooler; Equipped with The capacitor unit comprises: a conductive terminal connected to the power module; a heat dissipation terminal connected to the heat dissipation stand; Equipped with A power conversion device characterized by:

[0083] (Appendix 2) The heat dissipation table is a heat conductor connected to the heat dissipation terminal; an insulating support that holds the heat conductor and is fixed to the cooler; 2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, comprising:

[0084] (Appendix 3) 3. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation base is bonded to the cooler via an insulating, thermally conductive resin material.

[0085] (Appendix 4) The power module and the heat dissipation base are disposed adjacent to each other, The capacitor unit comprises: a module opposing element which is a capacitor element arranged opposite to the power module; a heat sink facing element which is a capacitor element arranged facing the heat sink; Equipped with The heat dissipation terminal is connected to the heat dissipation base facing element. 4. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0086] (Appendix 5) The capacitor unit comprises: a capacitor element having one end connected to the positive electrode of a battery and the other end connected to the negative electrode of the battery; a positive conductive terminal connected to the one end of the capacitor element; a negative electrode conductive terminal connected to the other end of the capacitor element and positioned farther from the cooler than the positive electrode conductive terminal; Equipped with The heat dissipation terminal is integrated with the negative electrode conductive terminal. 5. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0087] (Appendix 6) The capacitor unit comprises: a high-voltage capacitor element that stores the boosted power; a low-voltage capacitor element that stores power before boosting; Equipped with The heat dissipation terminal, the negative electrode conductive terminal connected to the high-voltage capacitor element, and the negative electrode conductive terminal connected to the low-voltage capacitor element are integrated together. 6. The power conversion device according to claim 5,

[0088] (Appendix 7) 7. The power converter according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the heat dissipation terminal is larger than the cross-sectional area of the conductive terminal.

[0089] (Appendix 8) The cooler has a flow path through which a cooling liquid flows, The heat dissipation base is connected to the cooler on the upstream side of the power module in the direction of flow of the cooling liquid. 8. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1...power conversion device, 2...step-up / down converter, 3...inverter, 4...DCDC converter, 10...intelligent power module, 11...main body case, 12...capacitor unit, 13...reactor unit, 14...DCDC converter unit, 15...connector unit, 16...heat dissipation terminal block (heat dissipation block), 16a...heat conductor, 16b...support, 16c...underside, 17...thermally conductive resin material, 20...power module, 40...cooling jacket, 41...cooling flow path ( flow path), 41a...upper flow path, 41b...lower flow path, 41c...connecting flow path, 50...capacitor element, 51...low-voltage capacitor element, 52...high-voltage capacitor element, 52a...module facing element, 52b...heat sink facing element, 53...capacitor unit case, 54...positive bus bar, 54a...positive conductive terminal (conductive terminal), 56...negative bus bar, 56a...negative conductive terminal (conductive terminal), 56c...heat sink terminal, D...power device, HB...high-voltage battery (battery), X...coolant

Claims

1. a power module having a plurality of power devices; a cooler that cools the power module; a capacitor unit connected to the power module; a heat dissipation base that transfers heat from the condenser unit to the cooler; Equipped with The capacitor unit comprises: a conductive terminal connected to the power module; a heat dissipation terminal connected to the heat dissipation stand; Equipped with A power conversion device characterized by:

2. The heat dissipation table is a heat conductor connected to the heat dissipation terminal; an insulating support that holds the heat conductor and is fixed to the cooler; 2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The power converter according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink is bonded to the cooler via an insulating, thermally conductive resin material.

4. The power module and the heat dissipation base are disposed adjacent to each other, The capacitor unit comprises: a module opposing element which is a capacitor element arranged opposite to the power module; a heat sink facing element which is a capacitor element arranged facing the heat sink; Equipped with The heat dissipation terminal is connected to the heat dissipation base facing element.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The capacitor unit comprises: a capacitor element having one end connected to the positive electrode of a battery and the other end connected to the negative electrode of the battery; a positive conductive terminal connected to the one end of the capacitor element; a negative electrode conductive terminal connected to the other end of the capacitor element and positioned farther from the cooler than the positive electrode conductive terminal; Equipped with The heat dissipation terminal is integrated with the negative electrode conductive terminal.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The capacitor unit comprises: a high-voltage capacitor element that stores the boosted power; a low-voltage capacitor element that stores power before boosting; Equipped with The heat dissipation terminal, the negative electrode conductive terminal connected to the high-voltage capacitor element, and the negative electrode conductive terminal connected to the low-voltage capacitor element are integrated together.

6. The power conversion device according to claim 5.

7. 3. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the heat dissipation terminal is larger than the cross-sectional area of the conductive terminal.

8. The cooler has a flow path through which a cooling liquid flows, The heat dissipation base is connected to the cooler on the upstream side of the power module in the direction of flow of the cooling liquid.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images