Power converter and housing

Abstract

The present invention provides a power conversion device and enclosure that prevents water from splashing onto internally housed equipment, allows for proper cooling of the interior through natural ventilation, and suppresses an increase in width. [Solution] A power conversion device is provided, comprising a power converter that performs power conversion and a housing that houses the power converter in an internal space, wherein the housing has a main body that surrounds the sides of the power converter, a top plate that covers the opening above the main body and has an opening, a first roof that is provided on the top plate so as to cover the opening, an upper plate that is provided on the top plate and the first roof, and a second roof that has a side plate that extends downward from the outer edge of the upper plate toward the top plate, an air intake provided on the main body, and an exhaust port provided on the side plate of the second roof, wherein the first roof has an opening for air to pass through to the upper side and a water receiving part that receives water falling downward from the opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a power conversion device and a housing.

Background Art

[0002] There is a power conversion device including a converter that converts power and a housing that houses the converter in an internal space. The housing has an open box-shaped main body portion with an upper opening and a roof portion that covers the upper opening of the main body portion, and provides a space for housing the converter by the main body portion and the roof portion.

[0003] The housing has an intake port and an exhaust port. The exhaust port is disposed above the intake port. Thus, the housing discharges the internally warmed air by the converter to the outside from the upper exhaust port, takes in outside air from the lower intake port, and cools the converter housed in the internal space by natural ventilation.

[0004] The power conversion device may be installed outdoors. If water gets on devices such as the converter housed inside, it may cause a device failure. Therefore, the housing needs to have a structure that suppresses the intrusion of rainwater into the internal space from the intake port and the exhaust port, etc., and has a structure that suppresses water from getting on the internal devices.

[0005] For example, it has been proposed to make the area of the roof portion larger than the area of the main body portion, project the roof portion more laterally than the main body portion, and provide an exhaust port downward in a portion of the roof portion that projects more laterally than the main body portion. Thereby, the exhaust port can be arranged as high as possible, and while enhancing the exhaust efficiency, the intrusion of rainwater from the exhaust port can be suppressed.

[0006] Also, for example, it has been proposed to provide the intake port on the side surface of the main body portion and attach a cover that opens downward to the side surface of the main body portion so as to cover the intake port. Thereby, even when the intake port is provided on the side surface of the main body portion, the intrusion of rainwater from the intake port can be suppressed.

[0007] However, as described above, in configurations where an exhaust vent is provided in the protruding part of the roof and a cover is attached to the intake vent, the width of the enclosure increases due to the protrusion of the roof and the cover.

[0008] Power converters generate a large amount of heat for exhaust (heat produced by the converter), and to obtain appropriate intake and exhaust volumes, the size of the intake and exhaust ports must be increased. This also increases the overhang of the roof and cover from the main body, tending to increase the width of the enclosure. A larger width makes transportation of the power converter difficult. For example, it may be impossible to transport the power converter to a substation located on a narrow road.

[0009] Therefore, it is desirable that power converters and enclosures be designed to prevent water from splashing onto the internally housed equipment, while also allowing for proper cooling of the interior through natural ventilation, and to prevent the width from becoming excessively large. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-131438 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide a power conversion device and housing that prevent water from splashing onto the internally housed equipment, allow for proper internal cooling through natural ventilation, and suppress the increase in width. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention comprises a converter that performs power conversion, and a housing that houses the converter in an internal space, wherein the housing includes a main body that surrounds the sides of the converter and has an opening at the top, a top plate that is provided on the main body and covers the opening at the top of the main body and has an opening for allowing air heated by the converter inside the main body to pass upward, a first roof that is provided on the top plate so as to cover the opening of the top plate, an upper plate that is provided on the top plate and the first roof, and the outer edge of the upper plate A power conversion device is provided, which has a side plate portion extending downward toward the top plate portion, a second roof portion that houses the first roof portion in a space enclosed by the top plate portion, the side plate portion and the top plate portion, an air intake port provided in the main body portion, and an exhaust port provided in the side plate portion of the second roof portion, wherein the first roof portion is heated by the converter inside the main body portion, has an opening for allowing air passing through the opening in the top plate portion to pass above the first roof portion, and a water receiving portion for receiving water falling downward from the opening in the first roof portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention provides a power converter and enclosure that prevents water from splashing onto the internally housed equipment, allows for proper internal cooling through natural ventilation, and minimizes the increase in width. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a power conversion device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic left side view of a power conversion device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic, enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of the power conversion device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]It is a partial perspective view schematically showing a part of the first roof portion. [Figure 6] It is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the power conversion device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reference power conversion device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of the sizes between parts, etc. are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. Also, even when representing the same part, the dimensions and ratios may be represented differently in the drawings. In the present specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described above with respect to the previously shown figures, and the detailed description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a power conversion device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a left side view schematically showing a power conversion device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a power conversion device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-section taken along line A1 - A2 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, when standing facing forward, the right side is represented as the right direction and the left side is represented as the left direction. However, the front of the power conversion device 2 is defined for convenience and can be arbitrarily changed. The power conversion device 2 may use the side or back side shown in the figure as the front.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the power conversion device 2 includes a converter 4 and a housing 10. The converter 4 performs power conversion. For example, the converter 4 converts the DC power supplied from a solar panel into AC power corresponding to the power grid and supplies the converted AC power to the power grid. The power conversion by the converter 4 may be, for example, converting the AC power supplied from the power grid into another AC power with different frequency, etc., and supplying the converted AC power to another power grid. The power conversion by the converter 4 is not limited to the above, and may be any conversion that converts power into another power.

[0018] The housing 10 houses the converter 4 (electrical equipment) in the internal space. The power conversion device 2 is installed outdoors, for example. The housing 10 protects the converter 4 housed inside from wind, rain, dust, etc. when the power conversion device 2 is installed outdoors. Also, the housing 10 cools the converter 4 housed in the internal space by natural ventilation.

[0019] The housing 10 has a main body part 12, a top plate part 14, a first roof part 21, a second roof part 22, an air intake 24, and an air outlet 26.

[0020] The main body part 12 surrounds the side of the converter 4 and has an opening at the top. The main body part 12 is, for example, in the shape of an open box with an opening at the top. The main body part 12 has a plurality of side plate parts 30. For example, the main body part 12 has four side plate parts 30 arranged respectively in front of, behind, on the right side, and on the left side of the converter 4. The main body part 12 forms a rectangular space for housing the converter 4 by the four side plate parts 30. In other words, the main body part 12 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular open box. However, the number of the plurality of side plate parts 30 is not limited to four and may be any number. The shape of the main body part 12 is not limited to a rectangular shape and may be any configuration capable of surrounding the side of the converter 4.

[0021] The top plate portion 14 is provided on top of the main body portion 12 and covers the upper opening of the main body portion 12. The top plate portion 14 has an opening 14a that allows air heated by the converter 4 inside the main body portion 12 to pass above the top plate portion 14. The top plate portion 14 is, for example, an annular plate-shaped member having the opening 14a. The top plate portion 14 is, for example, a rectangular annular plate-shaped member corresponding to the substantially rectangular shape of the main body portion 12.

[0022] The top plate portion 14 is provided on top of the main body portion 12, for example, so as not to leave a gap between it and the upper end of the main body portion 12 (the upper end of the multiple side plate portions 30). As a result, when cooling the converter 4 by natural ventilation, the top plate portion 14 restricts the path of air moving upward from the main body portion 12 to a path that passes through the opening 14a. In addition, by providing the top plate portion 14 on top of the main body portion 12 so as not to leave a gap, it prevents rainwater from entering the main body portion 12 through the gap between the main body portion 12 and the top plate portion 14.

[0023] However, a small gap may be provided between the upper end of the main body 12 and the top plate 14, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances. Also, the top plate 14 is not limited to one, but may have multiple openings 14a.

[0024] The first roof section 21 is provided on top of the top plate section 14 so as to cover the opening 14a. The first roof section 21 is provided in accordance with the shape of the opening 14a. The area of ​​the first roof section 21 as seen from above is smaller than, for example, the area of ​​the top plate section 14 as seen from above. For example, if the top plate section 14 has multiple openings 14a, the housing 10 may have multiple first roof sections 21 corresponding to the multiple openings 14a. Alternatively, one first roof section 21 may cover multiple openings 14a.

[0025] The second roof section 22 is provided on top of the top plate section 14 and the first roof section 21. The second roof section 22 has an upper plate section 40 provided on top of the top plate section 14 and the first roof section 21, and a side plate section 42 extending downward from the outer edge of the upper plate section 40 toward the top plate section 14. The second roof section 22 houses the first roof section 21 in the space enclosed by the upper plate section 40, the side plate section 42 and the top plate section 14.

[0026] The second roof section 22 is provided on top of the top plate section 14, for example, so that there is no gap between the lower end of the side plate section 42 and the top plate section 14. This prevents air from flowing out through the gap between the top plate section 14 and the second roof section 22 when the converter 4 is cooled by natural ventilation, and also prevents rainwater from entering the second roof section 22 through the gap between the top plate section 14 and the second roof section 22.

[0027] The top plate portion 14 is attached to the main body portion 12. However, the top plate portion 14 may also be attached to the second roof portion 22. In this case, the first roof portion 21 is also attached to the second roof portion 22 via the top plate portion 14. For example, by attaching the top plate portion 14 and the first roof portion 21 to the second roof portion 22, the top plate portion 14, the first roof portion 21, and the second roof portion 22 may be integrated, and by attaching the second roof portion 22 to the main body portion 12, the top plate portion 14 may be provided on top of the main body portion 12. Alternatively, the top plate portion 14 may be composed of multiple members, including a member attached to the main body portion 12 and a member attached to the second roof portion 22.

[0028] The air intake port 24 is provided in the main body 12. The air intake port 24 is provided on the side (side plate 30) of the main body 12 so as to be located below the converter 4 housed in the main body 12, as shown in Figure 3. The housing 10 has, for example, a plurality of air intake ports 24. However, the number of air intake ports 24 provided in the housing 10 can be any number. The number of air intake ports 24 provided in the housing 10 may be just one.

[0029] The exhaust port 26 is provided on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22. Thus, the exhaust port 26 is provided above the intake port 24. This allows the air inside the main body portion 12, which has been heated by the converter 4, to be discharged to the outside from the upper exhaust port 26, while outside air is drawn in from the lower intake port 24, allowing the converter 4 housed inside the main body portion 12 to be cooled by natural ventilation. The housing 10 may have, for example, multiple exhaust ports 26. However, the number of exhaust ports 26 provided in the housing 10 may be any number. The number of exhaust ports 26 provided in the housing 10 may be just one.

[0030] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic, enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of the power conversion device according to the embodiment. Figure 4(a) shows a magnified view of the intake port 24, and Figure 4(b) shows a magnified view of the exhaust port 26.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4(a), the housing 10 has a rain cover member 50. The rain cover member 50 is provided on the main body portion 12 (side plate portion 30) so as to cover the air intake 24. The housing 10 has, for example, a plurality of rain cover members 50 provided corresponding to each of the plurality of air intake 24. The rain cover member 50 has an opening 50a and a plate-shaped portion 50b. The plate-shaped portion 50b has a shape that is inclined or curved so as to be directed downwards toward the outside, and is provided above the opening 50a so as to overlap at least a part of the opening 50a in the direction from the outside to the inside of the main body portion 12.

[0032] The opening 50a is, for example, a slit-shaped opening extending horizontally. The plate-like portion 50b extends horizontally, for example, according to the shape of the opening 50a. The rain-shelter member 50 has, for example, a plurality of openings 50a arranged in a vertical direction, and a plurality of plate-like portions 50b provided corresponding to each of the plurality of openings 50a.

[0033] The rain-proof member 50 allows external air to be taken in through the air intake 24 via the opening 50a, while the plate-shaped portion 50b prevents rainwater from entering the main body 12 through the opening 50a.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the housing 10 further includes a rain cover member 52. The rain cover member 52 is provided on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22 so as to cover the exhaust port 26. The housing 10 has, for example, a plurality of rain cover members 52 provided corresponding to each of the plurality of exhaust ports 26. The rain cover member 52 has an opening 52a and a plate-shaped portion 52b.

[0035] The configuration of the rain-shelter member 52 is substantially the same as that of the rain-shelter member 50. The plate-shaped portion 52b has a shape that is inclined or curved so as it goes downwards and outwards, and is provided above the opening 50a so as to overlap at least a part of the opening 50a in the direction from the outside to the inside of the main body portion 12.

[0036] The opening 52a is, for example, a slit-shaped opening extending horizontally. The plate-like portion 52b extends horizontally, for example, according to the shape of the opening 52a. The rain-shelter member 52 has, for example, a plurality of openings 52a arranged in a vertical direction, and a plurality of plate-like portions 52b provided corresponding to each of the plurality of openings 52a.

[0037] The rain-shelter member 52 allows air from inside the second roof section 22 (enclosure 10) to be discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 26 via the opening 52a, while the plate-shaped portion 52b prevents rainwater from entering the second roof section 22 through the opening 52a.

[0038] The rain-shelter members 50 and 52 are, for example, called louvers or grilles. By providing the rain-shelter members 50 and 52 in this way, even when the air intake 24 and exhaust 26 are oriented to the sides of the main body 12 and the second roof 22, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of rainwater into the main body 12 from the air intake 24 and exhaust 26. Note that in Figure 3, the rain-shelter members 50 and 52 are omitted from the illustration for convenience in order to simplify the illustration.

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic partial perspective view showing a portion of the first roof section. As shown in Figure 5, the first roof section 21 has an opening 21a and a water receiving section 21b. The opening 21a, as shown by the arrow AL1 in Figure 5, is an opening that allows air heated by the converter 4 inside the main body section 12 and passing through the opening 14a of the top plate section 14 to pass above the first roof section 21.

[0040] The water receiving section 21b, as shown by the arrow AL2 in Figure 5, is the part that receives water falling downward from the opening 21a.

[0041] The first roof section 21 has, for example, a plurality of water receiving members 60. The plurality of water receiving members 60 extend in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and are arranged at predetermined intervals in a second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction. The first direction is, for example, the front-to-back direction. The second direction is, for example, the left-to-right direction. However, the first and second directions are not limited to the above and may be any direction. Also, the direction in which the plurality of water receiving members 60 extend does not have to be strictly the first direction, but it is sufficient that they have at least a component extending in the first direction. Similarly, the direction in which the plurality of water receiving members 60 are arranged does not have to be strictly the second direction, but it is sufficient that they have at least a component arranged in the second direction.

[0042] Hereafter, in this specification, "extending in a direction" means that the component does not strictly extend in that direction, but rather has at least a component that extends in that direction. Similarly, "aligned in a direction" means that the component does not strictly align in that direction, but rather has at least a component that aligns in that direction.

[0043] The multiple water receiving members 60 include, for example, a first plate portion 61 extending in the vertical direction and a first direction (front-to-back direction), a second plate portion 62 extending from the lower end of the first plate portion 61 toward one side in a second direction (for example, to the right), a third plate portion 63 extending upward from the end of the second plate portion 62 opposite to the first plate portion 61, a fourth plate portion 64 extending from the upper end of the first plate portion 61 toward the other side in a second direction (for example, to the left), and a fifth plate portion 65 extending downward from the end of the fourth plate portion 64 opposite to the first plate portion 61.

[0044] Multiple water receiving members 60 are arranged in a second direction with predetermined intervals between them, and the end of the fourth plate portion 64 opposite to the first plate portion 61 (the fifth plate portion 65) is positioned above the second plate portion 62 of another water receiving member 60 adjacent to it on the other side of the second direction (for example, to the left).

[0045] As a result, in this example, the portion between the multiple adjacent water-receiving members 60 becomes an opening 21a, and the portion enclosed by the first plate portion 61, the second plate portion 62, and the third plate portion 63 becomes a water-receiving portion 21b. The first roof portion 21 has, for example, multiple openings 21a and multiple water-receiving portions 21b.

[0046] Multiple water receiving members 60 do not necessarily have to have a fifth plate portion 65. However, by providing a fifth plate portion 65, for example, water that falls onto the fourth plate portion 64 can be more reliably dropped onto the second plate portion 62 (water receiving portion 21b).

[0047] Figure 5 shows three water receiving members 60, but the number of water receiving members 60 is not limited to three and can be any number. The configuration of the multiple water receiving members 60 is not limited to the above and can be any configuration that appropriately configures the opening 21a and the water receiving portion 21b.

[0048] The configuration of the first roof section 21 is not limited to the above, and can be any configuration that allows air heated by the converter 4 inside the main body section 12 to pass appropriately above the first roof section 21 through the opening 21a, and that allows water falling downward from the opening 21a to be appropriately received by the water receiving section 21b.

[0049] Thus, in the housing 10, the top plate portion 14 has an opening 14a, and the first roof portion 21 has an opening 21a. As a result, in the housing 10, as shown by arrows AA1 and AA2 in Figure 3, the air taken in from the intake port 24 and heated by the converter 4 in the main body portion 12 passes through the opening 14a of the top plate portion 14 and the opening 21a of the first roof portion 21 into the second roof portion 22, passes through the second roof portion 22 and is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 26. As a result, even when the first roof portion 21 is provided so as to cover the opening 14a of the top plate portion 14 in the housing 10, the converter 4 can be properly cooled by natural ventilation.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, the downward-facing lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 of the second roof portion 22 is sloped upward in a predetermined direction. For example, in this example, the lower surface 40a is sloped upward toward the front. The upper plate portion 40 is, for example, rectangular in shape with a front end, a rear end, and both side ends. The lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 is sloped upward from the rear end side toward the front end side.

[0051] The exhaust port 26 is provided, for example, on the side plate portion 42 that surrounds the outer edge of the upper plate portion 40, on the side of the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 that slopes upward. The exhaust port 26 is provided, for example, on the front side portion of the side plate portion 42.

[0052] The side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22 has, for example, a front end portion extending downward from the front end of the upper plate portion 40, a rear end portion extending downward from the rear end of the upper plate portion 40, and side end portions extending downward from both sides of the upper plate portion 40. The exhaust port 26 is provided, for example, at the front end portion of the side plate portion 42.

[0053] By tilting the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 upward, the air inside the main body portion 12 heated by the converter 4 can easily move along the upward slope of the lower surface 40a after passing through the opening 14a of the top plate portion 14 and the opening 21a of the first roof portion 21. The air inside the main body portion 12 heated by the converter 4 can easily move forward along the upward slope of the lower surface 40a, for example. Furthermore, by providing an exhaust port 26 on the side plate portion 42 on the side of the lower surface 40a that is tilted upward, the heated air moving along the upward slope of the lower surface 40a can be easily discharged to the outside of the housing 10 from the exhaust port 26.

[0054] In this way, by tilting the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 upward and providing an exhaust port 26 in the side plate portion 42 on the side of the lower surface 40a that is tilted upward, the exhaust efficiency of the air inside the main body portion 12 heated by the converter 4 can be further improved. For example, the converter 4 can be cooled more appropriately by natural ventilation.

[0055] Furthermore, the housing 10 has, for example, a plurality of exhaust ports 26, with one of the exhaust ports 26 provided in the side plate portion 42 on the side of the lower surface 40a that slopes upward, and another exhaust port 26 provided in the side plate portion 42 on the side of the lower surface 40a that slopes in a direction different from the upward direction. The housing 10 has, for example, a plurality of exhaust ports 26 provided at the front end, rear end, and both ends of the side plate portion 42. This makes it possible to further improve the exhaust efficiency of the air inside the main body portion 12 that has been heated by the converter 4. For example, it is possible to cool the converter 4 more appropriately by natural ventilation.

[0056] Figure 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a part of a power conversion device according to an embodiment. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14, which faces upward, is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. In this example, the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 is inclined downward toward the rear. The direction of the inclination of the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 is the same as the direction of the inclination of the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 of the second roof portion 22. For example, the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 is approximately parallel to the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 of the second roof portion 22.

[0057] The direction of inclination of the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 may differ from the direction of inclination of the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 of the second roof portion 22. As described above, if the direction of inclination of the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 is substantially the same as the direction of inclination of the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 of the second roof portion 22, the configuration of the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22 can be simplified, for example. For example, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the housing 10 and the increase in manufacturing costs caused by the complexity of the configuration of the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22.

[0058] Furthermore, the top plate portion 14 protrudes laterally from the main body portion 12 in the direction in which the upper surface 14b slopes downward. The top plate portion 14 has drainage holes 14c in the portion that protrudes laterally from the main body portion 12 at the lower end of the downward-sloping upper surface 14b. The drainage holes 14c connect the space enclosed by the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22 to the outside, allowing water that enters the space enclosed by the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22 and flows along the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 to be discharged to the outside.

[0059] If the exhaust port 26 is provided on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22, even if a rain cover member 52 is provided on the exhaust port 26, there is a possibility that rainwater may seep into the second roof portion 22 through the opening 52a of the rain cover member 52 due to strong winds or the like.

[0060] As described above, the top plate portion 14 has a downward sloping upper surface 14b, and a drainage hole 14c is provided on the lower end side of the upper surface 14b. As a result, even if rainwater enters the space enclosed by the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22, as shown by arrows AW1 to AW3 in Figure 6, the infiltrated rainwater is moved to the lower end side along the slope of the upper surface 14b and can be properly discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the drainage hole 14c. In other words, the upper surface 14b has a drainage slope for discharging water that has entered the space enclosed by the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22 to the outside through the drainage hole 14c.

[0061] Furthermore, the width of the opening 14a in the left-right direction is narrower than the width of the top surface 14b in the left-right direction. Also, the width of the opening 14a in the front-to-back direction is narrower than the width of the top surface 14b in the front-to-back direction. As a result, the top plate portion 14, as shown by the arrow AW1 in Figure 6, allows water that enters from the exhaust port 26 at the upper end of the top surface 14b to pass through the lateral portion of the opening 14a on the top surface 14b and be directed towards the drain hole 14c located below the opening 14a.

[0062] Furthermore, drainage holes may be provided, for example, in the side plate portion 42. If drainage holes are provided in the side plate portion 42, the top plate portion 14 does not necessarily have to protrude laterally beyond the main body portion 12. For example, the gap provided between the top plate portion 14 and the side plate portion 42 at the lower end of the upper surface 14b may be used as a drainage hole. In this way, it is sufficient that at least one of the top plate portion 14 and the side plate portion 42 has a drainage hole that allows the space enclosed by the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22 to communicate with the outside, and allows water that enters the space enclosed by the top plate portion 14 and the second roof portion 22 and flows along the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14 to be discharged to the outside.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the water receiving portion 21b (second plate portion 62) of the first roof portion 21 is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. In this example, the water receiving portion 21b is inclined downward toward the rear. The direction of the inclination of the water receiving portion 21b is the same as the direction of the inclination of the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14. For example, the water receiving portion 21b is approximately parallel to the upper surface 14b of the top plate portion 14.

[0064] The direction of the inclination of the water receiving section 21b may differ from the direction of the inclination of the upper surface 14b of the top plate section 14. As described above, if the direction of the inclination of the water receiving section 21b is substantially the same as the direction of the inclination of the upper surface 14b of the top plate section 14, the configuration of the first roof section 21 can be simplified, for example. For example, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the housing 10 and the increase in manufacturing costs that would result from the complexity of the configuration of the first roof section 21.

[0065] As shown by the arrow AW4 in Figure 6, for example, some of the rainwater that enters the second roof section 22 from the exhaust port 26 may fall onto the first roof section 21. In this case, because the first roof section 21 has a water receiving section 21b, even if water falls onto the first roof section 21, it is possible to prevent water from entering the main body section 12 through the opening 21a of the first roof section 21 and the opening 14a of the top plate section 14.

[0066] Thus, even if an exhaust port 26 is provided on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22 of the housing 10, it is possible to prevent water from entering the main body portion 12 and getting on the converter 4 inside the main body portion 12.

[0067] The water receiving section 21b of the first roof section 21 slopes downward in a predetermined direction, allowing the water received from the opening 21a to proceed along the slope, thereby guiding the water received from the opening 21a to the upper surface 14b of the top plate section 14. For example, the water receiving section 21b allows the water received from the opening 21a to proceed along the slope and fall onto the upper surface 14b of the top plate section 14. As a result, even if water splashes onto the first roof section 21, the water splashed onto the first roof section 21 can be properly discharged to the outside of the housing 10 via the water receiving section 21b and the upper surface 14b of the top plate section 14. For example, it is possible to prevent water from accumulating in the water receiving section 21b and overflowing from the water receiving section 21b, thereby preventing water from splashing onto the converter 4.

[0068] In the housing 10, the air intake 24 is provided on the side (side plate 30) of the main body 12 so that it is located below the converter 4 housed in the main body 12. This prevents rainwater from entering the main body 12 through the air intake 24 and the opening 50a of the rain cover member 50, from reaching the converter 4 housed in the main body 12.

[0069] In this way, even if an air intake 24 is provided on the side of the main body 12, the housing 10 can prevent water from getting on the converter 4 inside the main body 12.

[0070] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the main body 12 further has a bottom plate portion 32 located below the multiple air intake ports 24. The upper surface 32a of the bottom plate portion 32, which faces upward, is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. In this example, the upper surface 32a of the bottom plate portion 32 is inclined downward toward the front.

[0071] Furthermore, the main body 12 has a drain hole 34 on the lower end side of the downward-sloping upper surface 32a. The drain hole 34 connects the space inside the main body 12 to the outside, allowing water that enters the main body 12 via the intake port 24 and flows along the upper surface 32a of the bottom plate 32 to be discharged to the outside.

[0072] As a result, even if rainwater enters the main body 12, as shown by arrows AW5 and AW6 in Figure 6, the infiltrated rainwater is moved towards the lower end along the slope of the upper surface 32a and can be properly discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the drainage holes 34. In other words, the upper surface 32a has a drainage slope for discharging water that has entered the main body 12 to the outside through the drainage holes 34.

[0073] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reference power converter. As shown in Figure 7, in the reference power converter 2ref, the housing 10ref has an open box-shaped main body 100 with an open top and a roof 102 that covers the opening at the top of the main body 100, and the main body 100 and the roof 102 provide a space for housing the converter 4.

[0074] In the reference enclosure 10ref, the area of ​​the roof section 102 is larger than the area of ​​the main body section 100, the roof section 102 is extended laterally beyond the main body section 100, and an exhaust port 104 is provided on the part of the roof section 102 that extends laterally beyond the main body section 100, so as to face downward.

[0075] Furthermore, in the reference housing 10ref, an air intake 106 is provided on the side of the main body 100 so as to be located to the side of the converter 4, and a cover 108 that opens downwards is attached to the side of the main body 100 so as to cover the air intake 106. As a result, in the reference housing 10ref, rainwater intrusion from the exhaust port 104 and the air intake 106 can be suppressed while the converter 4 housed in the internal space can be cooled by natural ventilation.

[0076] However, in the configuration of the reference housing 10ref, the protrusion of the roof portion 102 and the cover 108 increases the width dimension of the housing 10ref (for example, at least one of the front-to-back and left-to-right directions).

[0077] In the power converter 2ref, a large amount of heat is exhausted (heat generated by the converter 4), and in order to obtain appropriate intake and exhaust volumes, the size of the exhaust port 104 and intake port 106 needs to be increased. As a result, the amount of overhang of the roof section 102 and cover 108 from the main body section 100 also increases, and the width dimension of the housing 10ref tends to increase. If the width dimension of the housing 10ref increases, for example, it becomes difficult to transport the power converter 2ref. For example, it may not be possible to transport the power converter 2ref to a substation facing a narrow road.

[0078] In contrast, the housing 10 of the power converter 2 according to this embodiment has an exhaust port 26 on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22. As a result, the housing 10 can suppress the amount of protrusion of the second roof portion 22 from the main body portion 12 and suppress the width dimension, while ensuring an appropriate amount of exhaust, compared to the case in reference housing 10ref where the exhaust port 104 is provided facing downward on the portion of the roof portion 102 that protrudes laterally from the main body portion 100.

[0079] Furthermore, the housing 10 has a first roof portion 21 provided on the top plate portion 14 so as to cover the opening 14a, and the first roof portion 21 has an opening 21a and a water receiving portion 21b that receives water falling downward from the opening 21a. As a result, even if an exhaust port 26 is provided on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22, the housing 10 can prevent water from entering the main body portion 12 through the opening 21a of the first roof portion 21 and the opening 14a of the top plate portion 14, and preventing water from getting on the converter 4 inside the main body portion 12.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown by the arrows AR1 and AR2 in Figure 7, if the exhaust port 104 is positioned to face downwards, it is necessary to discharge the air heated by the converter 4 downwards from inside the main body 100.

[0081] In contrast, in the housing 10 of the power converter 2 according to this embodiment, as shown by arrows AA1 and AA2 in Figure 3, the air heated by the converter 4 can be discharged laterally inside the main body 12, allowing the heated air to be discharged in a more natural flow compared to the configuration of the reference housing 10ref. In the housing 10 of the power converter 2 according to this embodiment, for example, the exhaust efficiency of the heated air can be further improved compared to the configuration of the reference housing 10ref.

[0082] Furthermore, as described above, the lower surface 40a of the upper plate portion 40 is tilted upward, and an exhaust port 26 is provided in the side plate portion 42 on the side of the lower surface 40a that is tilted upward. This makes it possible to further improve the exhaust efficiency of the air inside the main body portion 12 that has been heated by the converter 4. For example, the converter 4 can be cooled more appropriately by natural ventilation.

[0083] Furthermore, in the housing 10 of the power converter 2 according to this embodiment, an air intake 24 is provided on the side (side plate 30) of the main body 12 so as to be located below the converter 4 housed in the main body 12. As a result, even if rainwater enters the main body 12 through the air intake 24 and the opening 50a of the rain cover member 50, the housing 10 can prevent the water that enters the main body 12 from coming into contact with the converter 4 housed in the main body 12. Therefore, the housing 10 does not require the attachment of a cover 108 or the like, as in the reference housing 10ref, and can suppress the width dimension while ensuring an appropriate amount of air intake.

[0084] Thus, the housing 10 of the power converter 2 according to this embodiment prevents water from splashing onto the converter 4 housed inside, while allowing for proper internal cooling through natural ventilation, and also prevents the dimensions in the width direction from becoming excessive. As a result, for example, the transportability of the power converter 2 (housing 10) can be improved. For example, the power converter 2 can be easily transported to substations facing narrow roads.

[0085] Furthermore, if the air intake port 24 is located below the converter 4 housed in the main body 12, the height distance between the air intake port 24 and the exhaust port 26 can be increased compared to the case where it is located to the side of the converter 4, as in the reference housing 10ref. This increases the pressure difference between the air intake port 24 and the exhaust port 26, for example, through the chimney effect, thereby improving the efficiency of air intake from the air intake port 24 and exhaust from the exhaust port 26. For example, this allows for more appropriate cooling of the converter 4 by natural ventilation.

[0086] The above embodiment shows a housing 10 having an air intake 24 located below the converter 4 housed in the main body 12, and an exhaust port 26 located on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22. The housing 10 according to this embodiment may have, for example, an air intake 106 located to the side of the converter 4, and an exhaust port 26 located on the side plate portion 42 of the second roof portion 22. Alternatively, the housing 10 according to this embodiment may have, for example, an air intake 24 located below the converter 4 housed in the main body 12, and an exhaust port 104 located on the portion of the roof portion 102 that protrudes laterally from the main body 100 and faces downward.

[0087] The housing 10 according to this embodiment may have any configuration having at least one of the configurations of an air intake port 24 and an exhaust port 26. If only the configuration of an air intake port 24 is present, the exhaust port may have any configuration provided above the air intake port 24. Also, if only the configuration of an air intake port 24 is present, the top plate portion 14 and the first roof portion 21 can be omitted. If only the configuration of an air intake port 24 is present, the roof portion may have any configuration provided on top of the main body portion 12 and covering the opening above the main body portion 12.

[0088] If the system only has an exhaust port 26, the intake port can be any configuration and located at any position on the main body 12. In other words, if the system only has an exhaust port 26, the intake port can be any configuration and located below the exhaust port.

[0089] However, as described above, by providing an air intake port 24 and an exhaust port 26, it is possible to suppress water from splashing onto the converter 4 housed inside, to allow for proper cooling of the interior by natural ventilation, and to more effectively suppress an increase in the width dimension.

[0090] The above embodiment shows an example in which the housing 10 is applied to a power converter 2. The housing 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the power converter 2, but may be applied to other devices. The electrical equipment housed in the housing 10 is not limited to the converter 4, but may be, for example, a transformer that converts AC voltage between the power system and the converter 4, or a control device that controls the converter 4. The electrical equipment housed in the housing 10 is not limited to the above, but may be any equipment that requires cooling by natural ventilation.

[0091] This embodiment includes the following aspects. (Note 1) A converter that performs power conversion, A housing that houses the aforementioned converter in an internal space, Equipped with, The aforementioned enclosure is The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned converter and has an opening at the top, A top plate portion is provided on the main body portion, covers the upper opening of the main body portion, and has an opening for allowing air heated by the converter to pass upward inside the main body portion, A first roof portion is provided on the top plate portion so as to cover the opening in the top plate portion, A second roof portion having an upper plate portion provided on the top plate portion and the first roof portion, and a side plate portion extending downward from the outer edge of the upper plate portion toward the top plate portion, and housing the first roof portion within the space enclosed by the upper plate portion, the side plate portion and the top plate portion, The main body has an air intake port, An exhaust port provided on the side plate portion of the second roof portion, It has, The aforementioned first roof section is, An opening is provided inside the main body portion that is heated by the converter and allows air passing through the opening in the top plate portion to pass above the first roof portion, A water receiving section that receives water falling downward from the opening of the first roof section, A power conversion device having the following features.

[0092] (Note 2) The power conversion device described in Appendix 1 is provided on the side of the main body such that the air intake port is located below the converter housed in the main body.

[0093] (Note 3) The lower surface of the upper plate portion of the second roof portion facing downwards is sloped upward in a predetermined direction. The exhaust port is provided in the power conversion device described in Appendix 1 or 2, which is provided in the portion of the side plate portion that surrounds the outer edge of the upper plate portion, on the side of the lower surface of the upper plate portion that slopes upward.

[0094] (Note 4) The upper surface of the aforementioned top plate, facing upward, is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. The power conversion device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the top plate portion and the side plate portion has a drainage hole that allows the space enclosed by the top plate portion and the second roof portion to communicate with the outside, and allows water that enters the space enclosed by the top plate portion and the second roof portion and flows along the upper surface of the top plate portion to be discharged to the outside.

[0095] (Note 5) The power conversion device described in Appendix 4 wherein the water receiving portion of the first roof portion is inclined downward in a predetermined direction, and the water received from the opening of the first roof portion is guided along the inclination to the upper surface of the top plate portion.

[0096] (Note 6) The main body further includes a bottom plate portion located below the air intake, The upper surface of the aforementioned bottom plate portion, facing upward, is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. The power conversion device according to Appendix 2, wherein the main body has a drain hole on the lower end side of the upper surface of the downward-sloping bottom plate, which allows the space inside the main body to communicate with the outside, and allows water that enters the main body through the air intake and flows along the upper surface of the bottom plate to be discharged to the outside.

[0097] (Note 7) A converter that performs power conversion, A housing that houses the aforementioned converter in an internal space, Equipped with, The aforementioned enclosure is The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned converter and has an opening at the top, A roof portion is provided on the main body portion and covers the opening above the main body portion, An air intake port is provided on the side of the main body so as to be located below the converter housed in the main body, An exhaust port is provided above the aforementioned intake port, A power conversion device having the following features.

[0098] (Note 8) An enclosure for housing electrical equipment in an internal space, The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned electrical equipment and has an opening at the top, A top plate portion is provided on the main body portion, covers the opening above the main body portion, and has an opening for allowing air heated by the electrical equipment inside the main body portion to pass upwards, A first roof portion is provided on the top plate portion so as to cover the opening in the top plate portion, A second roof portion having an upper plate portion provided on the top plate portion and the first roof portion, and a side plate portion extending downward from the outer edge of the upper plate portion toward the top plate portion, and housing the first roof portion within the space enclosed by the upper plate portion, the side plate portion and the top plate portion, The main body has an air intake port, An exhaust port provided on the side plate portion of the second roof portion, Equipped with, The aforementioned first roof section is, The main body is heated by the electrical equipment, and has an opening to allow air passing through the opening in the top plate to pass above the first roof section, A water receiving section that receives water falling downward from the opening of the first roof section, A casing.

[0099] (Note 9) An enclosure for housing electrical equipment in an internal space, The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned electrical equipment and has an opening at the top, A roof portion is provided on the main body portion and covers the opening above the main body portion, An air intake port is provided on the side of the main body so as to be located below the electrical equipment housed in the main body, An exhaust port is provided above the aforementioned intake port, A casing equipped with this feature.

[0100] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 2, 2ref…Power converter, 4…Converter, 10, 10ref…Housing, 12…Main body, 14…Top plate, 21…First roof, 22…Second roof, 24…Air intake, 26…Exhaust, 30…Side plate, 32…Bottom plate, 34…Drain hole, 40…Top plate, 42…Side plate, 50, 52…Rain cover, 60…Water receiving member, 61…First plate, 62…Second plate, 63…Third plate, 64…Fourth plate, 65…Fifth plate, 100…Main body, 102…Roof, 104…Exhaust, 106…Air intake, 108…Cover

Claims

1. A converter that performs power conversion, A housing that houses the aforementioned converter in an internal space, Equipped with, The aforementioned enclosure is The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned converter and has an opening at the top, A top plate portion is provided on the main body portion, covers the upper opening of the main body portion, and has an opening for allowing air heated by the converter to pass upward inside the main body portion, A first roof portion is provided on the top plate portion so as to cover the opening in the top plate portion, A second roof portion having an upper plate portion provided on the top plate portion and the first roof portion, and a side plate portion extending downward from the outer edge of the upper plate portion toward the top plate portion, and housing the first roof portion within the space enclosed by the upper plate portion, the side plate portion and the top plate portion, The main body has an air intake port, An exhaust port provided on the side plate portion of the second roof portion, It has, The first roof section is, An opening is provided inside the main body portion that is heated by the converter and allows air passing through the opening in the top plate portion to pass above the first roof portion, A water receiving section that receives water falling downward from the opening of the first roof section, A power conversion device having the following features.

2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the air intake is provided on the side of the main body so as to be located below the converter housed in the main body.

3. The lower surface of the upper plate portion of the second roof portion facing downwards is sloped upward in a predetermined direction. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust port is provided in the portion of the side plate portion that surrounds the outer edge of the upper plate portion, on the side of the lower surface of the upper plate portion that slopes upward.

4. The upper surface of the aforementioned top plate, facing upward, is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the top plate portion and the side plate portion has a drainage hole that allows the space enclosed by the top plate portion and the second roof portion to communicate with the outside, and allows water that enters the space enclosed by the top plate portion and the second roof portion and flows along the upper surface of the top plate portion to be discharged to the outside.

5. The power conversion device according to claim 4, wherein the water receiving portion of the first roof portion is inclined downward in a predetermined direction, and the water received from the opening of the first roof portion is guided along the inclination to the upper surface of the top plate portion.

6. The main body further includes a bottom plate portion located below the air intake, The upper surface of the aforementioned bottom plate portion, facing upward, is inclined downward in a predetermined direction. The power conversion device according to claim 2, wherein the main body has a drain hole on the lower end side of the upper surface of the downward-sloping bottom plate that allows the space inside the main body to communicate with the outside, and allows water that enters the main body through the air intake and flows along the upper surface of the bottom plate to be discharged to the outside.

7. A converter that performs power conversion, A housing that houses the aforementioned converter in an internal space, Equipped with, The aforementioned enclosure is The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned converter and has an opening at the top, A roof portion is provided on the main body portion and covers the opening above the main body portion, An air intake port is provided on the side of the main body so as to be located below the converter housed in the main body, An exhaust port is provided above the aforementioned intake port, A power conversion device having the following features.

8. An enclosure for housing electrical equipment in an internal space, The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned electrical equipment and has an opening at the top, A top plate portion is provided on the main body portion, covers the opening above the main body portion, and has an opening for allowing air heated by the electrical equipment inside the main body portion to pass upwards, A first roof portion is provided on the top plate portion so as to cover the opening in the top plate portion, A second roof portion having an upper plate portion provided on the top plate portion and the first roof portion, and a side plate portion extending downward from the outer edge of the upper plate portion toward the top plate portion, and housing the first roof portion within the space enclosed by the upper plate portion, the side plate portion and the top plate portion, The main body has an air intake port, An exhaust port provided on the side plate portion of the second roof portion, Equipped with, The first roof section is, The main body is heated by the electrical equipment, and there is an opening in the top plate that allows the air passing through the opening to pass above the first roof section, A water receiving section that receives water falling downward from the opening of the first roof section, A casing.

9. An enclosure for housing electrical equipment in an internal space, The main body surrounds the sides of the aforementioned electrical equipment and has an opening at the top, A roof portion is provided on the main body portion and covers the opening above the main body portion, An air intake port is provided on the side of the main body so as to be located below the electrical equipment housed in the main body, An exhaust port is provided above the aforementioned intake port, A casing equipped with this feature.

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