Rotating electrical equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a rotating electric machine that can cool high-temperature components of a power converter even when it is not possible to secure flow path space for the cooling device. [Solution] The rotating electric machine 2 is a mechatronic integrated rotating electric machine 2 mounted on a vehicle 1, comprising: a rotating electric machine 3; a power converter 10 connected to the rotating electric machine 3; a housing 4 that integrally houses the rotating electric machine 3 and the power converter 10; a cooling device 20 having a cooling passage 21 that overlaps with the power converter 10 (first part 13) in at least a portion when viewed from above on the vehicle 1 and is installed below the power converter 10; and a heat pipe 30 installed below the power converter 10 in a location where the cooling passage 21 is not located and that overlaps with a high-temperature area of ​​the power converter 10 (i.e., second part 14) when viewed from above on the vehicle 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rotating electrical machine device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for cooling a power conversion device such as an inverter by arranging a cooling device so that it overlaps a high-temperature member in a top view in an electromechanical integrated cooling device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional configurations disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like, depending on the arrangement of the high-temperature members in the power conversion device, there may be no flow path space in the cooling flow path of the cooling device that can ensure a sufficient flow rate.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a rotating electrical machine device that can cool the high-temperature members of a power conversion device even when a flow path space for a cooling device cannot be secured.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A rotating electric machine according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is a mechatronically integrated rotating electric machine mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a rotating electric machine; a power converter connected to the rotating electric machine; a housing integrally housing the rotating electric machine and the power converter; a cooling device having a cooling channel installed below the power converter, with at least a portion overlapping the power converter in a top view of the vehicle; and a heat pipe installed below the power converter in a location where the cooling channel is not located, and which overlaps with a high-temperature location of the power converter in a top view of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a rotating electric machine that can cool high-temperature components of a power converter even when it is not possible to secure flow path space for the cooling device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the schematic configuration of a rotating electric machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of the housing shown in Figure 1, viewed in magnification. [Figure 3] Diagram showing a modified arrangement of heat pipes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. To facilitate understanding of the explanation, the same reference numerals are used for identical components in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] In the following explanation, the X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to each other. The X and Y directions are horizontal, and the Z direction is vertical. Also, for convenience of explanation, the positive Z direction may be referred to as the upper side, and the negative Z direction as the lower side.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of a rotating electric machine 2 according to an embodiment. The rotating electric machine 2 is a mechatronic integrated rotating electric machine mounted on a vehicle 1, and is, for example, a transmission mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the rotating electric machine 2 comprises a rotating electric machine 3, a power converter 10, a cooling device 20, and a heat pipe 30.

[0013] The rotating electric machine 3 is, for example, a device such as an electric motor included in a transmission.

[0014] The power converter 10 is connected to the rotating electric machine 3 and is a device that transmits, receives, and converts power between itself and the rotating electric machine 3.

[0015] The cooling device 20 is a device for cooling the power converter 10. The cooling device 20 includes a cooling channel 21, a channel housing 22, an inlet pipe 23, an outlet pipe 24, a radiator 25, and a fluid lubrication pump 26.

[0016] In the example shown in Figure 1, the fluid lubrication pump 26 is located on the inlet pipe 23. In this case, during operation, the cooling device 20 repeatedly circulates the fluid discharged from the fluid lubrication pump 26 through the inlet pipe 23, cooling channel 21, outlet pipe 24, and radiator 25, and then returns it to the fluid lubrication pump 26 via the inlet pipe 23.

[0017] When viewed from above the vehicle, i.e., from the positive Z direction, the cooling channel 21 overlaps with the power converter 10 in at least a portion of its length and is installed below the power converter 10. As a result, the fluid flowing through the cooling channel 21 cools the area of ​​the power converter 10 that includes the cooling channel 21 and the surrounding area. In Figure 1, the cooling channel 21 is shown as rectangular, but the cooling channel 21 only needs to be configured such that the fluid flows within at least the rectangular area shown. The cooling channel 21 can be configured as a channel arranged in any shape within the rectangular area, such as a meander shape.

[0018] In addition, the fluid that has absorbed heat from the power conversion device 10 in the cooling channel 21 is radiated by the radiator 25 and then introduced into the cooling channel 21 again through the inflow pipe 23.

[0019] Note that the cooling channel 21 is formed inside the channel housing 22.

[0020] The heat pipe 30 is installed at a location where the cooling channel 21 is not arranged under the power conversion device 10 and overlaps with the high-temperature location of the power conversion device 10 in the top view of the vehicle. The heat pipe 30 is a device for cooling a part of the power conversion device 10, specifically, an area that cannot be cooled by the cooling channel 21 of the cooling device 20.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 1, the transmission including the rotating electric machine 3 and the power conversion device 10 are integrally accommodated inside the box-shaped housing 4. As a result, the cooling channel 21 arranged below the power conversion device 10, a part of the inflow pipe 23 and the outflow pipe 24 near the connection part with the cooling channel 21, the channel housing 22, and the heat pipe 30 are also accommodated inside the housing 4.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an enlarged view of the housing 4 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(A) is a plan view of the housing 4 viewed from above the vehicle (the Z positive direction side). FIG. 2(B) is a side view of the housing 4 viewed from the side of the vehicle (the Y negative direction side). Note that in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), the housing 4 is illustrated only by a frame line on the outer shape, and the inside of the housing 4 is illustrated by a solid line.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), the power conversion device 10 is composed of a semiconductor switching element or the like and is arranged on a substrate on which an electronic circuit is mounted. The substrate of the power conversion device 10 is attached in contact with a plate-like member 15 formed to be approximately the same size as this substrate. The plate-like member 15 is formed of a material with high thermal conductivity such as metal, for example.

[0024] The flow path housing 22 of the cooling device 20 is attached to the lower surface of the plate-shaped member 15 in a state where its upper end surface is in surface contact with it. The cooling flow path 21 is composed of both the plate-shaped member 15 and the flow path housing 22, or either one of them. For example, if the cooling flow path 21 is formed inside the flow path housing 22 so as to open to the upper end surface of the flow path housing 22, the cooling flow path 21 can be configured by sealing the opening portion at the upper end of the cooling flow path 21 with the lower surface of the plate-shaped member 15.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2(A), in this embodiment, the shape of the power converter 10 in plan view is a relatively large rectangular first part 13 and a smaller rectangular second part 14 that is formed projecting in the positive X direction from one side of the rectangular first part 13 on the positive X direction side.

[0026] Furthermore, the cooling channel 21 of the cooling device 20 is positioned directly below the first portion 13, thereby enabling cooling of the area of ​​the first portion 13 of the power converter 10. Heat exchange occurs between the first portion 13 and the cooling channel 21 via the first portion 11 of the plate-shaped member 15, which is interposed between the first portion 13 of the power converter 10 and the cooling channel 21 of the cooling device 20, allowing the fluid in the cooling channel 21 to absorb heat from the first portion 13 of the power converter 10. As a result, in this embodiment, the cooling device 20 can suppress the temperature rise of the first portion 13 of the power converter 10.

[0027] Here, as shown in Figure 2(A), the second part 14 of the power converter 10 is positioned such that one of its long sides, located on the positive Y-direction side, is flush with one of its long sides, located on the positive Y-direction side of the first part 13. On the other hand, one of its long sides, located on the positive Y-direction side, is positioned on the positive Y-direction side relative to the corresponding long side of the first part 13. In other words, the width dimension of the second part 14 in the Y-direction is smaller than the width dimension of the first part 13. As a result, when considering the shape of the power converter 10 in plan view, it can be said that, focusing on the X-direction, the region including the second part 14 has a notch that is recessed in the negative X-direction and positive Y-direction relative to the first part 13. Reasons for providing such a notch include, for example, as shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), one of the rotating electric machines 3 in the transmission is positioned to protrude on the positive Z-direction side, and the notch is provided in the part of the power converter 10 that overlaps with the rotating electric machine 3 in plan view to avoid contact between the power converter 10 and the rotating electric machine 3.

[0028] For the reasons mentioned above, the width of the second part 14 of the power converter 10 is smaller than that of the first part 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not possible to secure space for the flow path of the cooling device 20 directly below the second part 14, and the cooling flow path 21 of the cooling device 20 cannot be placed there. In this embodiment, a heat pipe 30 is applied to enable cooling of the power converter 10 even in the area where the cooling flow path 21 cannot be placed.

[0029] The heat pipe 30 is located below the power converter 10 in a location where the cooling channel 21 is not present, that is, directly below the second part 14 of the power converter 10 shown in Figure 2. The heat pipe 30 encloses a liquid inside, absorbs thermal energy in one part (evaporation section 31) to evaporate the liquid, and cools the evaporated gas in another part (condensation section 32) to re-liquefy it, thus creating a circulation. The temperature at which the liquid inside the heat pipe 30 evaporates can be adjusted by the internal sealing pressure, so the temperature at which heat can be absorbed can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the shape of the heat pipe 30 is rectangular with the X direction as its longitudinal direction, similar to the second part 14 of the power converter 10, and the evaporation section 31 is located at the end on the positive X direction side.

[0030] Furthermore, the X-negative end of the heat pipe 30 extends further in the X-negative direction than the X-negative end of the second part 14 of the power converter 10, and is positioned to contact the first part 13 of the power converter 10 and the flow path housing 22 of the cooling device 20. In this embodiment, the X-negative end of the heat pipe 30, positioned in this manner, functions as a condensation section 32.

[0031] Of the plate-shaped member 15, the heat generated by the second part 14 is transferred to the evaporation section 31 of the heat pipe 30 via the second part 12 interposed between the second part 14 of the power converter 10 and the heat pipe 30, causing the liquid inside the heat pipe 30 to evaporate. Thermal energy can also be absorbed during evaporation. The gas evaporated inside the heat pipe 30 moves freely within the heat pipe 30, so the thermal energy is instantly transferred to the condensation section 32 at the end opposite the evaporation section 31. Since the condensation section 32 is adjacent to the first part 11 of the plate-shaped member 15, heat exchange can occur between the condensation section 32 and the first part 11 of the plate-shaped member 15. In other words, the condensation section 32 is cooled by the first part 11. When the condensation section 32 is cooled, the gas in the heat pipe 30 turns back into liquid and returns to the evaporation section 31 by capillary action through a part usually called the wick. Through the repeated operation of the heat pipe 30, the second part 14 of the power converter 10 also exchanges heat with the heat pipe 30 via the second part 12 of the plate-shaped member 15, allowing the liquid in the evaporation section 31 of the heat pipe 30 to absorb heat from the second part 14 of the power converter 10. As a result, in this embodiment, the heat pipe 30 can suppress the temperature rise of the second part 14 of the power converter 10.

[0032] As described above, the rotating electric machine 2 according to this embodiment is a mechatronic integrated rotating electric machine 2 mounted on a vehicle 1, comprising: a rotating electric machine 3; a power converter 10 connected to the rotating electric machine 3; a housing 4 that integrally houses the rotating electric machine 3 and the power converter 10; a cooling device 20 having a cooling channel 21 that overlaps with the power converter 10 (first part 13) in at least a portion when viewed from above on the vehicle 1 and is installed below the power converter 10; and a heat pipe 30 installed below the power converter 10 in a location where the cooling channel 21 is not located and that overlaps with a high-temperature location of the power converter 10 (i.e., second part 14) when viewed from above on the vehicle 1.

[0033] With this configuration, in areas below the power converter 10 where the cooling channel 21 is not located, the heat pipe 30 can be used to cool the power converter 10 instead of the cooling device 20. Therefore, even if space for the cooling device 20 cannot be secured, the high-temperature components of the power converter 10 can be cooled.

[0034] In other words, in the rotating electric machine 2 of this embodiment, even if there is a part in the power converter 10, which is the heat source, where heat exchange by the fluid of the cooling device 20 cannot be directly performed (for example, the second part 14 described above), by connecting the heat pipe 30 to the high-temperature part (i.e., the second part 14 of the power converter 10) and the low-temperature part (i.e., the first part 11 of the plate-shaped member 15 or the flow path housing 22), the temperature rise of the high-temperature part where heat exchange by the fluid of the cooling device 20 cannot be directly performed can be suppressed. Since the heat pipe 30 is literally pipe-shaped, it is possible to freely create a heat transfer path by bending the pipe, and it can be installed in an elongated part of the cooling device 20 where a flow path cannot be formed, such as the second part 14 of the power converter 10 in this embodiment. That is, with the configuration of this embodiment, even if it is necessary to place a heat-generating element in a part of the cooling device 20 where a flow path cannot be formed, an efficient cooling structure can be set up and the space of the components can be reduced.

[0035] In particular, hybrid transmissions require the close placement of an electric motor and the drive circuit that drives it, in addition to the conventional gear transmission mechanism. This increased freedom in component placement leads to smaller transmissions, improving the freedom of vehicle mounting and design.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a modified arrangement of the heat pipes. The layout of Figure 3 is the same as that of Figure 2(B).

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the heat-generating and radiating parts within the transmission may be connected to the cooling parts (for example, the first part 11 of the plate-shaped member 15 or the flow path housing 22) by an additional heat pipe 33. Examples of such heat-generating and radiating parts include the housing 3B supporting the stator of the electric motor 3A, as illustrated in Figure 3. This configuration lowers the radiant temperature on the transmission side, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the power converter 10 due to the influence of radiant temperature.

[0038] Furthermore, while the heat exchange medium (corresponding to the fluid mentioned above) of the cooling device 20 is usually water, it is also possible to use oil or the like. Additionally, a gas may be used as the fluid in the cooling device 20.

[0039] The power conversion device 10 in the above embodiment is mainly intended to be an inverter drive circuit for driving an electric motor, or a so-called DC-DC converter that converts the high voltage (several hundred volts) for the drive motor to a battery (12 volts) for the vehicle's auxiliary equipment. Alternatively, the power conversion device 10 could also be, for example, a charger that receives power from an external source to charge the battery inside the vehicle 1, or conversely, an AC inverter that supplies power from the battery inside the vehicle 1 to the outside of the vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, the cooling structure of this embodiment, which uses the cooling device 20 and the heat pipe 30 in combination, can also be applied to systems containing heat-generating components such as batteries in a vehicle 1, or the FC stack and FC boost converter of an FCEV.

[0041] Furthermore, there may be multiple heat exchange channels in the heat pipe 30 and the fluid-type heat conversion device (i.e., the cooling device 20 mentioned above). If the amount of heat exchange is to be increased, the pipes can be arranged in parallel. Multiple pipes can also be bundled together and integrated with a material that has high thermal conductivity (such as aluminum) to improve ease of installation.

[0042] A vapor chamber can be used instead of the heat pipe 30.

[0043] The embodiments have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, this disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Modifications made to these specific examples by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of this disclosure, as long as they retain the features of this disclosure. The elements, their arrangement, conditions, shapes, etc., of each of the aforementioned specific examples are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the aforementioned specific examples can be combined in different ways as appropriate, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 vehicle 2. Rotating Electrical Machine 3. Rotating Electric Machines 4 Housing 10 Power converter 20 Cooling device 21 Cooling channel 30 Heat Pipes

Claims

[Claim 1] A mechatronics-integrated rotating electric machine mounted on a vehicle, Rotating electric machines and, A power converter connected to the aforementioned rotating electric machine, A housing that integrally houses the rotating electric machine and the power conversion device, A cooling device having a cooling channel that overlaps with the power converter in at least a portion of the vehicle when viewed from above, and is installed below the power converter, A heat pipe is installed below the power converter in a location where the cooling passage is not located, and which overlaps with a high-temperature area of ​​the power converter when viewed from above the vehicle. Equipped with, Rotating electrical machinery.

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