Power conversion device

Abstract

To provide a power conversion device which prevents a packing from rolling up when an inserting part is inserted, does not increase in size, and is free from the risk of a decrease in waterproofing.SOLUTION: By providing a guide surface and a sealing surface at the opening of the housing of the power conversion device, and by providing a guide rib and multiple parallel ribs on the gasket, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the inserted part when it is inserted, reduce insertion resistance in the initial stage of insertion, and ensure waterproofing when insertion is complete.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When an insertion part such as a connector is attached from the outside to an opening in a housing that constitutes a power conversion device, a packing attached to the connector is known to ensure waterproofing.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 shows that in order to prevent the packing from rolling up when an insert part is inserted, the tops of multiple ribs on the packing are configured to hit the internal inclined surface of the housing inclined portion at almost the same time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2012-186075 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, even when the gasket is inserted to a position where the tops of the multiple ribs almost simultaneously hit the internal inclined surface of the housing inclined portion, i.e., to a position where the gasket is almost completely contained in the housing, the gasket is not yet compressed, and it is necessary to further press the insertion part in the insertion direction to compress the gasket and achieve waterproofing. In order to effectively obtain this compressive force, the angle of the inclined portion of the housing must be closer to perpendicular to the insertion direction, which results in an increase in the size of the packing and the surrounding waterproof structure. Furthermore, when a connector has a detachable structure and is used in an environment where vibrations are present, such as a connector for a power conversion device installed in an automobile, there is a concern that insufficient tightening of fasteners such as screws or loosening of fasteners due to vibrations will directly lead to a decrease in waterproofing due to insufficient compression of the packing.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a power conversion device that prevents the gasket from rolling up when inserting an insert part, does not become larger, and does not have to worry about a decrease in waterproofness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The power conversion device according to the present disclosure comprises: a housing having a housing space for housing electrical components; an opening provided in a wall portion of the housing, the opening communicating the outside with the storage space; a guide surface, which is a portion on the inner circumferential surface of the opening, where the inner diameter of the opening decreases as it approaches the storage space from the outer end; a sealing surface that is a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the opening, the sealing surface being continuous with the guide surface and having an inner diameter that decreases as the opening approaches the accommodation space from the guide surface side; an insertion part having an insertion portion inserted into the opening from the outside; a packing having a plurality of ring-shaped ribs on its outer periphery, the packing being attached to the outer periphery of the insertion part and inserted into the opening, and sealing between the sealing surface and the outer periphery of the insertion part; When the direction in which the insert part is inserted is defined as the axial direction, and in a cross section parallel to the axial direction, the outer end of the guide surface is defined as point A0, the accommodating space side end of the guide surface and the guide surface side end of the seal surface is defined as point A1, and the accommodating space side end of the seal surface is defined as point A2, The gradient of the guide surface connecting the point A0 and the point A1 is inclined more inwardly than the gradient of the seal surface connecting the point A1 and the point A2. The multiple ribs are composed of a guide rib arranged on the storage space side and multiple parallel ribs arranged on the outer side of this guide rib, and when the insertion part with the gasket attached is removed from the opening and the orientation of the insertion part is aligned with the axial direction, which is the insertion direction, a connection line connecting each top of the multiple parallel ribs extends along the slope of the sealing surface, and the top of the guide rib is located on the inner side of the extension line of the connection line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the power conversion device according to the present disclosure, the guide surface of the housing and the guide rib of the packing prevent misalignment during the initial stage of insertion. Also, because the inner diameter of the sealing surface of the housing decreases as it approaches the housing space from the guide surface, the radial compressive force acting on the guide rib during the initial stage of insertion is smaller than the radial compressive force at the end of insertion. This makes it possible to design the gasket so that it is less likely to roll up when the insert part is inserted, and sufficient radial compression force is obtained at the end of the insertion stage in both the guide ribs and the parallel ribs, so that the size does not increase and there is no concern about a decrease in waterproofness. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a power conversion device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of a power conversion device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an insert part according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the power conversion device according to the first embodiment at the position of the DD line in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged view of the area around the packing indicated by the dashed line E in FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]1(a) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which an insert part equipped with a packing according to embodiment 1 has been removed from an opening, and FIG. 1(b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the packing according to embodiment 1 has been removed from the insert part and the opening. [Figure 8] 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams showing partial cross sections for comparatively explaining the states before and after the insertion part to which the packing according to the first embodiment is attached is inserted. [Figure 9] 1(a) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which an insert part equipped with a packing according to embodiment 2 has been removed from an opening, and FIG. 1(b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the packing according to embodiment 2 has been removed from the insert part and the opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Embodiment 1 A power conversion device according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the power conversion device is targeted at an inverter or the like mounted on an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0011] <Overall structure> 1 and 2, the power conversion device 1 has a housing 2, a connector 3 which is an insert component, and a base member 6, and further, as shown in Fig. 5, a packing 5 is provided between the connector 3 and the housing 2. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, a substrate 7 attached to a seat 6a of the base member 6 is housed in the housing space 2b of the housing 2. The base member 6 is fixed to the housing 2 with screws or adhesive (not shown), and the gap between the base member 6 and the housing 2 is waterproofed by a sealing material (not shown). A connector 8 that mates with the connector 3 and electrical components (not shown) are mounted on the board 7 to form a power conversion circuit. The connector 3 is mated with a cable (not shown) outside the housing 2, and is connected to an external power source and a motor to be controlled, etc.

[0012] <Case> As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 2 is provided with an opening 2a and a screw hole 2c. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, the inner peripheral surface of the opening 2a is provided with a guide surface 2d in which the inner diameter of the opening 2a decreases from the outer end toward the housing space 2b, and a seal surface 2e that is continuous with the guide surface and in which the inner diameter of the opening 2a decreases from the guide surface 2d side toward the housing space 2b. Point A0 is the outer end of the guide surface 2d, point A1 is the housing space side end of the guide surface 2d and the guide surface side end of the seal surface 2e, and point A2 is the housing space side end of the seal surface 2e. 6, the gradient of the sealing surface 2e is constant, i.e., linear, while the gradient of the guide surface 2d varies, i.e., curved. Even in this case, the gradient of the guide surface 2d is always inclined more inward than the gradient of the sealing surface 2e with respect to the axial direction O along which the insert part is inserted.

[0013] <Connector> 3 and 5, the connector 3 has an insertion portion 3a that is inserted into the opening 2a of the housing 2, and this insertion portion 3a is provided with a plurality of pins 3b. These pins 3b are used to electrically connect electrical components (not shown) inside the housing 2 with an external power source and a motor to be controlled, etc. A ring-shaped packing 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a. The packing 5 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is inserted into the opening 2a of the housing 2 together with the insertion portion 3a of the connector 3.

[0014] <Packing> 5 and 6, the packing 5 is shown in a state where it is compressed radially and elastically deformed between the insertion portion 3a of the connector 3 and the seal surface 2e of the opening 2a. In this state, the packing 5 ensures waterproofing between the insertion portion 3a and the opening 2a. 7(a) shows a state in which the connector 3 with the packing 5 attached has been removed from the opening 2a, and the orientation of the connector 3 is aligned with the axial direction O, which is the direction in which the connector 3 is inserted. FIG. 7(b) shows a state in which the packing 5 has been removed from the connector 3 and the opening 2a, and the orientation of the packing 5 is aligned with the direction in which the packing 5 is attached to the connector 3. In this embodiment, the direction in which the packing 5 is attached to the connector 3 is parallel to the axial direction O.

[0015] In FIG. 7(b), the packing 5 is shown in a state where it has been removed from the connector 3 and the opening 2a and is not elastically deformed. The packing 5 has one guide rib 5a provided in a ring shape on the outer periphery facing the accommodation space 2b, and two parallel ribs 5b provided in a ring shape on the outer side (opposite the accommodation space 2b) of the guide rib 5a. The packing 5 also has three ribs 5c provided in a ring shape on the inner periphery.

[0016] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the connecting line L1 connecting the apexes of the two parallel ribs 5b extends along the gradient of the sealing surface 2e. In this embodiment, the connecting line L1 and the gradient of the sealing surface 2e are configured to be parallel, but this is not limited to this. For example, it has been confirmed that even if the angle difference between the connecting line L1 and the sealing surface 2e is within the range of 2°±1°, there is no impact on waterproofing, etc. The apex of the guide rib 5a is located on the inner circumferential side of the extension of the connecting line L1. 7(b), the gradient of the connecting line L2 connecting the apexes of the three ribs 5c extends along the gradient of the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a. In this embodiment, the connecting line L2 and the gradient of the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a are configured to be parallel, but this is not limited to this. For example, it has been confirmed that even if the angle difference between the connecting line L2 and the gradient of the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a is within the range of 2°±1°, there is no effect on waterproofness, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the diameter R1 of the top of the guide rib 5a is smaller than the diameter R2 at the point A0 and larger than the diameter R3 at the point A1.

[0018] The state of the packing 5 before and after insertion into the opening 2a will be described with reference to the schematic diagram in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the outline of the packing 5 when not elastically deformed is shown by a virtual line. Furthermore, the outlines of the guide rib 5a, parallel rib 5b, and rib 5c are shown by virtual lines connecting their respective apexes. These virtual lines coincide with the connection lines L1 and L2 in the ranges marked L1 and L2 in the figure, respectively.

[0019] 8(a) shows the state before the connector 3 and packing 5 are inserted into the opening 2a of the housing 2, with the packing 5 abutting against the housing 2. This figure shows the state in which the central axis of the connector 3 and the central axis of the opening 2a are aligned, but even if insertion of the connector 3 and packing 5 is started when the central axes of the two are not aligned, the guide rib 5a of the packing 5 will be guided to the position shown in the figure while sliding against the guide surface 2d. This prevents misalignment in the initial stage of insertion.

[0020] 8(a), the radial dimension of the gap between point A1 at the guide surface side end of the sealing surface 2e where one end of the packing 5 is located and the insertion portion 3a of the connector 3 is w1. This means that in the initial stage of insertion, the packing 5 is compressed until its radial dimension reaches w1. 8(b) shows a state in which the connector 3 and packing 5 have been completely inserted into the opening 2a of the housing 2. In this state, the radial dimension of the gap between the seal surface 2e, where one end of the packing 5 is located, and the insertion portion 3a of the connector 3 is w2. This means that the radial dimension of the packing 5 is compressed to w2 at the completion of insertion.

[0021] As shown in the figure, the radial dimension w2 is smaller than the radial dimension w1. This is because at the completion of insertion, the amount of radial compression of the packing 5 is large, resulting in high waterproofing, and at the initial stage of insertion, the amount of radial compression of the packing 5 is small, resulting in low insertion resistance and making the packing less likely to curl up. This reduces concerns about poor waterproofing caused by the packing curling up.

[0022] In addition, in Figure 8(b), the radial dimension where the imaginary line of the packing 5 overlaps the connector 3, or the imaginary line of the packing 5 overlaps the housing 2, corresponds to the radial compression amount of the guide rib 5a, parallel rib 5b, and rib 5c. The range of the imaginary line L1 is parallel to the gradient of the seal surface 2e, and the range of the imaginary line L2 is parallel to the gradient of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 3a. Therefore, the two parallel ribs 5b have the same compression amount, and the three ribs 5c have the same compression amount. This ensures that the multiple ribs each have the same waterproofing properties, resulting in stable waterproofing performance. Furthermore, the guide rib 5a is also compressed radially, which not only prevents misalignment but also contributes to improved waterproofing. Furthermore, if the radial dimension of the guide rib 5a is larger than the outer diameter w2, it contributes to improving waterproofness, but as shown in Figure 7(a), it is desirable that the diameter R1 of the top of the guide rib 5a is smaller than the diameter R2 at point A0 and larger than the diameter R3 at point A1.

[0023] Furthermore, as described above, since the packing 5 is compressed radially, there is little concern that insufficient tightening of the screw 4 or loosening of the screw 4 due to vibration will directly lead to insufficient compression of the packing, and there is also little concern that this will directly lead to a decrease in waterproofness.

[0024] Embodiment 2 A power converter according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the configuration other than the packing 9 is the same as or equivalent to the configuration of the power converter according to embodiment 1.

[0025] 9(a) shows a state in which the connector 3 with the packing 9 attached has been removed from the opening 2a, and the orientation of the connector 3 is aligned with the axial direction O, which is the direction in which the connector 3 is inserted. FIG. 9(b) shows a state in which the packing 9 has been removed from the connector 3 and the opening 2a, and the orientation of the packing 9 is aligned with the direction in which the packing 9 is attached to the connector 3. In this embodiment, the direction in which the packing 9 is attached to the connector 3 is parallel to the axial direction O.

[0026] In FIG. 9(b), the packing 9 is shown in a state where it has been removed from the connector 3 and the opening 2a and is not elastically deformed. The packing 9 has a guide portion 9a whose outer diameter increases as it approaches the exterior side (the opposite side of the storage space 2b) from the end on the storage space 2b side, and a parallel portion 9b that is continuous with the guide portion 9a and whose outer diameter increases as it approaches the exterior side (the opposite side of the storage space 2b) from the guide portion 9a side. Point B0 indicates the end of the guide portion 9a on the storage space 2b side, point B1 indicates the exterior side (the opposite side of the storage space 2b) end of the guide portion 9a and the end of the parallel portion 9b on the storage space 2b side, and point B2 indicates the exterior side (the opposite side of the storage space 2b) end of the parallel portion 9b. 9c is the inner circumference of the packing 9.

[0027] As shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), the parallel portion 9b extends along the gradient of the sealing surface 2e. In this embodiment, the parallel portion 9b and the gradient of the sealing surface 2e are configured to be parallel, but this is not limited to this. For example, it has been confirmed that even if the angle difference between the parallel portion 9b and the sealing surface 2e is within the range of 2°±1°, there is no effect on waterproofing, etc. Furthermore, the gradient of the guide portion 9a is inclined more inward than the gradient of the parallel portion 9b. 7(b), the gradient of the inner periphery 9c extends along the gradient of the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a. In this embodiment, the inner periphery 9c and the gradient of the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a are configured to be parallel, but this is not limited to this. For example, it has been confirmed that even if the angle difference between the inner periphery 9c and the gradient of the outer periphery of the insertion portion 3a is within a range of 2°±1°, there is no effect on waterproofness, etc.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the diameter R4 at the point B0 is smaller than the diameter R2 at the point A0 and larger than the diameter R3 at the point A1.

[0029] Generally, in such a packing 9, the outer peripheral surface of the packing 9 and the sealing surface 2e, and the inner peripheral surface of the packing 9 and the insertion portion 3a are in full contact with each other, so high waterproofing is easily achieved. On the other hand, since the packing 9 is difficult to compress in the radial direction, insertion resistance is large and it is easy for it to curl up during insertion.

[0030] However, in this embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained, and even when such a gasket 9 is used, it is possible to achieve both high waterproofness and reduced concerns about reduced waterproofness due to the gasket rolling up during insertion.

[0031] Although the first and second embodiments have been described with reference to connectors as insertion parts, this is not limiting. For example, it goes without saying that the base member shown in the first embodiment, or even a cover for covering an opening of a housing, which is not shown in the embodiments, can be configured as an insertion part.

[0032] Although exemplary embodiments and examples are described in this disclosure, the features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless variations not illustrated are contemplated within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure specification. For example, this includes cases where at least one component is modified, added, or omitted, and even cases where at least one component is extracted and combined with components of other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1: power conversion device, 2: housing, 2a: opening, 2b: accommodation space, 2d: guide surface, 2e: seal surface, 3: connector, 6: base member, 3a: insertion portion, 5: packing, 5a: guide rib, 5b: parallel rib, 5c: rib, L1: connection line, L2: connection line, 7: board, 8: connector, 9: packing, 9a: guide portion, 9b: parallel portion, 9c: inner circumference

Claims

1. a housing having a housing space for housing electrical components; an opening provided in a wall portion of the housing, the opening communicating the outside with the storage space; a guide surface, which is a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the opening, where the inner diameter of the opening decreases from the outer end toward the accommodation space; a sealing surface that is a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the opening, the sealing surface being continuous with the guide surface and having an inner diameter that decreases as the opening approaches the accommodation space from the guide surface side; an insertion part having an insertion portion inserted into the opening from the outside; a packing having a plurality of ring-shaped ribs on its outer periphery, the packing being attached to the outer periphery of the insertion part and inserted into the opening, and sealing between the sealing surface and the outer periphery of the insertion part; When the direction in which the insert part is inserted is defined as the axial direction, and in a cross section parallel to the axial direction, the outer end of the guide surface is defined as point A0, the accommodating space side end of the guide surface and the guide surface side end of the seal surface is defined as point A1, and the accommodating space side end of the seal surface is defined as point A2, a gradient of the guide surface connecting the point A0 and the point A1 is inclined more inwardly than a gradient of the seal surface connecting the point A1 and the point A2; The plurality of ribs are composed of a guide rib arranged on the storage space side and a plurality of parallel ribs arranged on the outer side of the guide rib, and when the insert part with the gasket attached is removed from the opening and the orientation of the insert part is aligned with the axial direction, a connection line connecting each apex of the plurality of parallel ribs extends along the slope of the sealing surface, and the apex of the guide rib is located on the inner side of the extension line of the connection line.

2. 2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein in the cross-sectional shape, a diameter R1 of the top of the guide rib is smaller than a diameter R2 at the point A0 and larger than a diameter R3 at the point A1.

3. a housing having a housing space for housing electrical components; an opening provided in a wall portion of the housing, the opening communicating the outside with the storage space; a guide surface, which is a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the opening, where the inner diameter of the opening decreases from the outer end toward the accommodation space; a sealing surface that is a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the opening, the sealing surface being continuous with the guide surface and having an inner diameter that decreases as the opening approaches the accommodation space from the guide surface side; an insertion part having an insertion portion inserted into the opening from the outside; a packing attached to the outer periphery of the insertion part and inserted into the opening, sealing between the sealing surface and the outer periphery of the insertion part; a guide portion in the packing, the guide portion having an outer diameter that increases from an end portion on the housing space side toward the outside; The packing includes a parallel portion that is continuous with the guide portion and has an outer diameter that increases from the guide portion side toward the outside, When the direction in which the insert part is inserted is defined as the axial direction, and in a cross section parallel to the axial direction, the outer end of the guide surface is defined as point A0, the accommodating space side end of the guide surface and the guide surface side end of the seal surface is defined as point A1, and the accommodating space side end of the seal surface is defined as point A2, a gradient of the guide surface connecting the point A0 and the point A1 is inclined more inwardly than a gradient of the seal surface connecting the point A1 and the point A2; In the cross-sectional shape, when the end of the guide portion on the storage space side is defined as point B0, the outer end of the guide portion and the end of the parallel portion on the storage space side is defined as point B1, and the outer end of the parallel portion is defined as point B2, when the insertion part with the gasket attached is removed from the opening and the orientation of the insertion part is aligned with the axial direction, the gradient of the parallel portion connecting point B1 and point B2 extends along the gradient of the seal surface, and the gradient of the guide portion connecting point B0 and point B1 is inclined more toward the inner circumference than the gradient of the parallel portion.

4. 4. The power conversion device according to claim 3, wherein in the cross-sectional shape, a diameter R4 at the point B0 is smaller than a diameter R1 at the point A0 and larger than a diameter R3 at the point A1.

5. A power conversion device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of ring-shaped ribs are provided on the inner circumference of the gasket, and when the gasket is removed from the insert part and the opening and the orientation of the gasket is aligned with the direction in which it is attached to the insert part, the gradient of the connecting lines connecting the tops of the plurality of ribs extends along the gradient of the outer circumference of the insert part.

6. A power conversion device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the gasket is removed from the insert part and the opening and the orientation of the gasket is aligned with the direction in which it is attached to the insert part, the slope of the inner circumference of the gasket extends along the slope of the outer circumference of the insert part.

7. 5. The power conversion device according to claim 1, which is mounted on an automobile.

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