Rotating electric machine unit

Abstract

To provide a rotating electric machine unit capable of dissipating heat from a heat-generating element. [Solution] The electric motor unit comprises a motor section, an electrical circuit section, and a cover 14. The motor section has multiple phase motor windings. The electrical circuit section has a substrate 31 and power elements. The substrate 31 is positioned so that its mounting surface aligns with the flow of the coolant. The power elements are connected to the motor windings and mounted on the substrate 31. The cover 14 has a power element mounted on one side so that it can dissipate heat, and multiple rows of heat dissipation fins 141 are formed on the other side so that heat can be dissipated by the airflow. If the regions where multiple power elements corresponding to each phase of the motor windings 21 and 22 are mounted are called element mounting regions 51 to 56, then different heat dissipation fins 141 are provided corresponding to each element mounting region 51 to 56.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary electric machine unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric motor including a power converter is known. For example, Patent Document 1 is provided with a plurality of convex fins for efficiently dissipating heat transferred from a semiconductor device to a base member to the outside.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a plurality of semiconductor elements are provided for one fin. Therefore, for example, when a coolant flows along the fins, there is a risk that heat dissipation performance becomes non-uniform between the upstream side and the downstream side of the coolant.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a rotary electric machine unit capable of reducing variation in heat dissipation performance of heating elements.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The rotating electric machine unit of the present invention comprises a rotating electric machine section (20), an electrical circuit section (30), and a heat sink (14-19, 400, 401). The rotating electric machine section has multiple phase windings (21, 22). The electrical circuit section has a substrate (31) whose mounting surfaces (311, 312) are arranged to follow the flow of a coolant, and heating elements (511-516, 521-526) connected to the windings and mounted on the substrate. The heat sink has heating elements provided on one side to dissipate heat, and multiple rows of heat dissipation fins formed on the other side to dissipate heat using a coolant.

[0007] If the region where multiple heat-generating elements corresponding to each phase of a single heat-generating element or winding are mounted is defined as the element mounting region (51-56), then each element mounting region is provided with corresponding heat dissipation fins or fin grooves (151, 152) which are recesses between heat dissipation fins. This reduces variations in the heat dissipation performance of the heat-generating elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing an electric motor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a circuit diagram showing the control circuit and power circuit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a circuit diagram showing a power element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the circuit board arrangement in the electric motor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a view from the direction of arrow VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a view from the direction of arrow VIII in Figure 6. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the element mounting area, heat dissipation fins, and protrusions according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of an element mounting region, a heat radiation fin, and a protrusion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of an element mounting region, a heat radiation fin, and a protrusion according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of an element mounting region, a heat radiation fin, and a protrusion according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of an element mounting region, a heat radiation fin, and a protrusion according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of traveling wind according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of an element mounting region, a heat radiation fin, and a protrusion according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a side view of a cover according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 17] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of an element mounting region, a heat radiation fin, and a protrusion according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 22] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 24] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of an element mounting region according to a sixteenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the rotating electrical machine unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in a plurality of embodiments, substantially identical configurations are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment is shown in Figs. 1 to 9. As shown in Fig. 1, a motor unit 10 serving as a rotating electrical machine unit is applied to, for example, an electric vehicle 90. The electric vehicle 90 is an electric two-wheeled vehicle having a front wheel 91 and a rear wheel 92, and is configured to allow a driver D to ride thereon. A battery 95 (see Fig. 3) is mounted on the electric vehicle 90.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2, the motor unit 10 includes a housing 11, a motor section 20, an electric circuit section 30, and the like. The motor unit 10 is a so-called "mechanical-electrical integrated type" in which the electric circuit section 30 is provided on one axial side of the motor section 20, and is housed in a common housing 11.

[0012] The housing 11 includes a housing main body 12, a frame member 13, and a cover 14. The housing main body 12 has a cylindrical portion 121 and a substrate holding portion 125, and is integrally formed of, for example, metal. The cylindrical portion 121 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that opens on a side opposite to the electric circuit section 30.

[0013] The substrate holding portion 125 is provided on the electric circuit section 30 side of the cylindrical portion 121. The substrate holding portion 125 is formed to protrude in a substantially rectangular shape on one radial side of the cylindrical portion 121. A connector 48 is provided at a portion of the substrate holding portion 125 that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 121.

[0014] The frame member 13 is provided at the end of the cylindrical portion 121 opposite to the substrate holding portion 125, so as to close the opening. The cover 14 is provided so as to cover the substrate holding portion 125 and the substrate 31. As shown in Figures 1, 6 to 8, heat dissipation fins 141 are erected on the outer surface of the cover 14 opposite to the motor portion 20. The heat dissipation fins 141 are formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when mounted on the electric vehicle 90 (see Figure 1). By providing the heat dissipation fins 141, the cooling efficiency of the electrical circuit portion 30 by the airflow during driving can be increased. Details of the arrangement of the heat dissipation fins 141 will be described later.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the motor section 20 is, for example, a three-phase brushless motor and has two sets of motor windings 21 and 22, a stator 23, a rotor 24, and a shaft 25, etc., and constitutes a magnetic circuit. The stator 23 has the motor windings 21 and 22 wound around it and is fixed to the cylindrical section 121. Hereinafter, the combination of configurations provided corresponding to the motor winding 21 will be referred to as the first system, and the combination of configurations provided corresponding to the motor winding 22 will be referred to as the second system.

[0016] The rotor 24 is mounted radially inward of the stator 23 and is rotatable relative to the stator 23. The shaft 25 is fitted into the rotor 24 and rotates integrally with the rotor 24. The shaft 25 is rotatably supported in the housing 11 by bearings 251 and 252.

[0017] A magnet 26 is provided at one end of the shaft 25 and is exposed to the electrical circuit section 30 through a hole 122 formed in the housing body 12. The magnet 26 rotates integrally with the shaft 25 and is used for rotation detection.

[0018] The other end of the shaft 25 is an output end 255, which protrudes from the housing 11 through a hole 131 formed in the frame member 13. The output end 255 is connected to the rear wheel 92 (see Figure 1) via a gear or the like (not shown). As a result, the rear wheel 92, which is a drive wheel, is driven by the driving force of the motor unit 20. The drive wheel may also be the front wheel 91. The electric vehicle 90 runs on the driving force of the motor unit 20, which is a drive motor (a so-called main motor).

[0019] The electrical circuit section 30 has a circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 is fixed to the housing body 12 by fixing members such as screws (not shown). The mounting surface of the circuit board 31 on the motor section 20 side is called the motor surface 311, and the surface on the cover 14 side is called the cover surface 312. As shown in Figure 3, the electrical circuit section 30 has a control circuit section 35 and a power circuit section 40. The electronic components constituting the control circuit section 35 and the power circuit section 40 are mounted on the circuit board 31.

[0020] The control circuit unit 35 includes a microcontroller 36, a pre-driver 37, and a rotation angle sensor 39. The microcontroller 36 performs various calculations related to the drive control of the motor unit 20. The pre-driver 37 outputs drive signals that control the on / off operation of power elements 511-516 and 521-526 based on the drive command values ​​calculated by the microcontroller 36. The rotation angle sensor 39 is mounted in a location where it can detect changes in the magnetic field accompanying the rotation of the magnet 26 (see Figure 2), and detects the rotation of the rotor 24.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the power circuit section 40 includes a capacitor 41, an inductor 42, a current sensor 45, and inverter circuits 510, 520, etc. The capacitor 41 and the inductor 42 are mounted on the motor side 311 of the substrate 31 and constitute a filter circuit. The current sensor 45 is, for example, a shunt resistor and detects the current supplied to each phase of the motor windings 21 and 22. The current sensor 45 may be something other than a shunt resistor, such as a Hall IC.

[0022] The inverter circuit 510 has power elements 511 to 516 and is provided corresponding to the motor winding 21. The inverter circuit 520 has power elements 521 to 526 and is provided corresponding to the motor winding 22. The power elements 511 to 516 and 521 to 526 are mounted on the cover surface 312 of the circuit board 31.

[0023] A protrusion 156 is provided on the cover 14 at the location facing the power elements 511-516 and 521-526. A heat dissipation member 160, such as a heat dissipation gel, is provided between the power elements 511-516 and 521-526 and the protrusion 156, allowing the heat generated by the energization of the power elements 511-516 and 521-526 to be dissipated to the cover 14. In other words, the cover 14 in this embodiment also functions as a heat sink.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, power elements 511 to 513 are connected to the high-potential side, and power elements 514 to 516 are connected to the low-potential side, and are bridge-connected. Power elements 511 and 514 are connected to the U-phase winding 211 of the motor winding 21, power elements 512 and 515 are connected to the V-phase winding 212 of the motor winding 21, and power elements 513 and 516 are connected to the W-phase winding 213 of the motor winding 21.

[0025] Power elements 521-523 are connected to the high-potential side, and power elements 524-526 are connected to the low-potential side, and are bridge-connected. Power elements 521 and 524 are connected to the U-phase winding 221 of the motor winding 22, power elements 522 and 525 are connected to the V-phase winding 222 of the motor winding 22, and power elements 523 and 526 are connected to the W-phase winding 223 of the motor winding 22.

[0026] Each power element 511 may consist of a single semiconductor element, or multiple semiconductor elements (four in Figure 4) may be connected in parallel, as shown in Figure 4. The number of parallel connections is not limited to four. The same applies to power elements 512-516 and 521-526.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the electric motor unit 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle 90 such that the mounting surface of the circuit board 31 is aligned with the side of the electric vehicle 90. This allows the electrical circuit section 30 to be cooled by the airflow during operation. In this embodiment, the circuit board 31 is positioned so that its mounting surface is parallel to the vehicle's centerline, but it is acceptable as long as it can be cooled by the airflow during operation, and it may be inclined relative to the vehicle's centerline. In Figure 5, the circuit board 31 is formed in a shape combining a semicircular portion and a rectangular portion, but the shape of the circuit board 31 is arbitrary and may be circular, rectangular, or any other shape. In Figures 7 and onward, for the sake of simplicity, the explanation will be given using the example where the circuit board 31 and cover 14 are circular in plan view.

[0028] Here, for example, if the power elements are arranged side by side horizontally on the paper as shown in Figures 1 and 5, multiple power elements are arranged on a single heat dissipation fin 141. As a result, the airflow is heated by the power elements located on the front side of the vehicle, which is upstream of the airflow, and the heated airflow cools the power elements located on the rear side of the vehicle. Consequently, the cooling performance becomes uneven between the elements.

[0029] Figure 9 shows the element arrangement of this embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of element mounting areas 51-56 and heat dissipation fins 141. The left side of the paper corresponds to a plan view of the substrate 31, and the right side of the paper corresponds to a side view of the cover 14 and substrate 31. For explanatory purposes, in the side view, only the element mounting areas and protrusions visible on the front side when the substrate 31 is viewed from the right side of the paper are shown. The recesses between the heat dissipation fins 141 are referred to as fin grooves 151. The same applies to drawings such as Figure 10 of the later embodiment. In Figure 9, the explanation assumes that the airflow is from left to right in the plan view of the paper.

[0030] The region where the first system's U-phase power elements 511 and 514 are mounted is designated as element mounting region 51, the region where the V-phase power elements 512 and 515 are mounted is designated as element mounting region 52, and the region where the W-phase power elements 513 and 516 are mounted is designated as element mounting region 53. Furthermore, the region where the second system's U-phase power elements 521 and 524 are mounted is designated as element mounting region 54, the region where the V-phase power elements 522 and 525 are mounted is designated as element mounting region 55, and the region where the W-phase power elements 523 and 526 are mounted is designated as element mounting region 56. Each region 51 to 56 has 2n (where n is the number of parallel connections) semiconductor elements mounted, and for example, it is a rectangular region that defines the outermost frame of the chips constituting the semiconductor elements included in that region. The arrangement and orientation of semiconductor elements within the same system and phase element mounting region are arbitrary. The same applies to the embodiments described later.

[0031] In this embodiment, the element mounting areas 51 to 56 are offset from each other so as not to overlap with respect to the direction of airflow. In this embodiment, the element mounting areas 51 to 53 of the first system are arranged on a virtual line L1 oblique to the airflow, with a spacing of at least the width of one element mounting area. The element mounting areas 54 to 56 of the second system are arranged on a virtual line L2 parallel to the virtual line L1 oblique to the airflow, with a spacing of at least the width of one element mounting area. The virtual lines L1 and L2 can be straight lines passing through each element mounting area, but here we will explain them as passing through the center of the element mounting areas.

[0032] In this embodiment, elements related to the first system are mounted on one side of the system demarcation line Ld, and elements related to the second system are mounted on the other side. On the first system side, the elements are arranged in the order of element mounting areas 51, 52, and 53 from the power supply side, where power terminals and ground terminals (not shown) are provided. On the second system side, the elements are arranged in the order of element mounting areas 54, 55, and 56 from the power supply side. The system and phase assignments are arbitrary and may differ from those shown in Figure 9.

[0033] The element mounting regions 51-53 and element mounting regions 54-56 are arranged in an alternating manner in a direction perpendicular to the airflow so as not to overlap with the airflow while driving. In other words, in this embodiment, the regions are arranged in the order of 54, 51, 55, 52, 56, and 53 in a direction perpendicular to the airflow while driving.

[0034] In this embodiment, by arranging the element mounting areas 51 to 56 so that they do not overlap with respect to the direction of airflow, the elements mounted in the element mounting areas 51 to 56 can be cooled uniformly. Furthermore, by arranging the element mounting areas 51 to 56 in multiple linear rows (two rows in this embodiment) opposite to the direction of airflow, a relatively large distance can be secured between the element mounting areas. This suppresses the thermal influence between areas 51 to 56, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0035] The arrangement of the heat dissipation fins 141 and protrusions 156 of the cover 14 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. In this embodiment, one different heat dissipation fin 141 is provided corresponding to each of the element mounting areas 51 to 56. The centerlines F1 to F6 of the heat dissipation fins 141 are formed to pass through the centers of the corresponding element mounting areas 51 to 56. By arranging one element mounting area 51 to 56 for each heat dissipation fin 141, the cooling efficiency between the element mounting areas 51 to 56 can be made uniform. Note that the "center" of each component is not limited to being perfectly in the center, and a deviation that does not affect heat dissipation is permitted. In this specification, the part of the centerline F1 to F6 of the heat dissipation fin 141 that corresponds to the center of the element mounting area 51 to 56 will be simply referred to as the "center of the heat dissipation fin." The same applies to the "center of the fin groove" in the second embodiment, etc.

[0036] The protrusions 156 are provided corresponding to each of the element mounting regions 51 to 56. The center of each protrusion 156 is formed to lie on the centerlines F1 to F6 of the corresponding heat dissipation fins 141. In other words, in this embodiment, the centers of the corresponding element mounting regions 51 to 56 and the centers of the protrusions 156 are provided to lie on the centerlines F1 to F6 of the heat dissipation fins 141.

[0037] By providing protrusions 156 for each element mounting area 51-56, the heat transfer path is limited, thereby suppressing thermal interference with elements mounted in other areas. Furthermore, since no protrusions are formed in areas other than those corresponding to element mounting areas 51-56, space can be secured between the cover 14 and the substrate 31, increasing the degree of freedom in component placement and preventing the device from becoming larger.

[0038] As described above, the motor unit 10 comprises a motor section 20, an electrical circuit section 30, and a cover 14. The motor section 20 has multiple-phase motor windings 21 and 22. The electrical circuit section 30 has a circuit board 31 and power elements 511 to 516 and 621 to 526. The circuit board 31 is arranged so that the motor surface 311 and the cover surface 312, which are the mounting surfaces, are aligned with the flow of the coolant. In this embodiment, the circuit board 31 is provided on the side of the electric vehicle 90 so as to be aligned with the airflow of the coolant. The power elements 511 to 516 and 521 to 526 are connected to the motor windings 21 and 22 and mounted on the circuit board 31.

[0039] The cover 14 has power elements 511-516 and 521-526 arranged on one side to dissipate heat, and multiple rows of heat dissipation fins 141 formed on the other side to dissipate heat by the airflow while driving.

[0040] The regions where multiple power elements 511-516 and 521-526 corresponding to each phase of the motor windings 21 and 22 are mounted are defined as element mounting regions 51-56. The cover 14 is formed so that each element mounting region 51-56 is corresponding to a different heat dissipation fin 141. Alternatively, the mounting locations for each power element 511-516 and 521-526 may also be referred to as "element mounting regions." This reduces variations in heat dissipation performance between power elements 511-516 and 521-526, allowing the power elements 511-516 and 521-526 to dissipate heat appropriately.

[0041] The cover 14 is provided with protrusions 156 that project toward the substrate 31 side for each element mounting area 51 to 56, and the center of the protrusion 156 is formed to lie on the centerlines F1 to F6 of the corresponding heat dissipation fins 141. By forming the protrusions 156 and limiting the heat transfer path, thermal interference between elements is suppressed, and heat can be dissipated more uniformly.

[0042] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment is shown in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, in the cover 15 of the second embodiment, fin grooves 151 are provided so as to correspond to the element mounting areas 51 to 56. The centerlines G1 to G6 of the fin grooves 151 are formed to pass through the centers of the corresponding element mounting areas 51 to 56. As a result, heat from the element mounting areas 51 to 56 is mainly dissipated from the heat dissipation fins 141 adjacent to the respective fin grooves 151.

[0043] Furthermore, the protrusions 157 are spaced apart to correspond to each of the element mounting regions 51 to 56, and the centers of the protrusions 157 are formed to lie on the centerlines G1 to G6 of the corresponding fin grooves 151.

[0044] In this embodiment, corresponding fin grooves 151, which are recesses between different heat dissipation fins 141, are provided for each element mounting region 51 to 56. Furthermore, the protrusions 157 are formed so that their centers lie on the centerlines G1 to G6 of the corresponding fin grooves 151. This configuration also produces the same effects as the embodiment described above.

[0045] (Third embodiment, fourth embodiment) Figure 11 shows the third embodiment, and Figure 12 shows the fourth embodiment. In the cover 16 of the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the center of the heat dissipation fin 141 corresponds to the element mounting areas 51 to 56. In the cover 17 of the fourth embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the center of the fin groove 151 corresponds to the element mounting areas 51 to 56. In the covers 16 and 17 of the third and fourth embodiments, the surface facing the substrate 31 is formed to be substantially flat, and no protrusions 156 and 157 are formed. Even with this configuration, the same effects as in the above embodiments are achieved.

[0046] (Fifth embodiment) The fifth embodiment is shown in Figures 13 and 14. In Figure 13, the cover 18 does not have a protrusion 156, but a protrusion may be formed. The sixth embodiment is similar. The cover 18 of this embodiment has heat dissipation fins 142 and 143 formed thereon. The heat dissipation fin 142 is formed so that its centerlines F1 to F6 pass through the centers of the corresponding element mounting regions 51 to 56, similar to the heat dissipation fin 141 of the first embodiment.

[0047] On the other hand, the heat dissipation fin 143 is a non-corresponding fin that does not correspond to the element mounting areas 51 to 56. The heat dissipation fins 142 that correspond to the element mounting areas 51 to 56 and the non-corresponding heat dissipation fins 143 are provided alternately. In this embodiment, there is one heat dissipation fin 143 provided between the heat dissipation fins 142 that correspond to the element mounting areas 51 to 56, but there may be multiple non-corresponding fins provided between the heat dissipation fins 142. The same applies to the heat dissipation fin 145, which is a non-corresponding fin in the sixth embodiment.

[0048] As shown in Figure 14, by placing a heat dissipation fin 143 that does not correspond to the element mounting areas 51-56 between the heat dissipation fins 142 that correspond to the element mounting areas 51-56, the heat dissipation fin 143 functions as a shielding wall for the air heated by the heat dissipation of the power elements. This suppresses thermal interference between the element mounting areas 51-56. Figure 14 shows the heat dissipation fins 142 and 143 corresponding to the element mounting areas 51 and 55, and the textured surface illustrates the flow of air heated by the heat dissipation of the power elements.

[0049] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fins 142 provided corresponding to the element mounting areas 51 to 56 are corresponding fins, and at least one heat dissipation fin 143 other than the corresponding fins is provided as a non-corresponding fin between the heat dissipation fin 142 corresponding to one element mounting area and the heat dissipation fin 142 corresponding to another element mounting area. By providing a non-corresponding fin, the air heated upstream of the running airflow is prevented from hitting the heat dissipation fin 142 corresponding to the downstream element, allowing for more uniform heat dissipation. This also provides the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0050] (Sixth Embodiment) A sixth embodiment is shown in Figure 15. The cover 19 of this embodiment is provided with heat dissipation fins 144 and 145. If the recess between the heat dissipation fins 144 is defined as a fin groove 152, the fin groove 152 is formed such that its center lines G1 to G6 pass through the centers of the corresponding element mounting regions 51 to 56, similar to the fin groove 151 of the second embodiment.

[0051] If the element mounting areas 51 to 56 are provided corresponding to the fin grooves 152, heat from the power elements 511 to 516 and 521 to 526 is transferred to the heat dissipation fins 144 on both sides of the fin grooves 152. Therefore, the heat dissipation fins 144 on both sides of the fin grooves 152 can also be considered as heat dissipation fins corresponding to the element mounting areas 51 to 56. In this embodiment, between the heat dissipation fins 144 provided on both sides of the fin grooves 152 corresponding to one element mounting area and the heat dissipation fins 144 provided on both sides of the fin grooves 152 corresponding to other element mounting areas, a heat dissipation fin 145 that does not correspond to the element mounting areas 51 to 56 is provided as a non-corresponding fin.

[0052] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fins 144 provided on both sides of the fin grooves 152 corresponding to the element mounting areas 51 to 56 are corresponding fins, and at least one heat dissipation fin 145 other than the corresponding fins is provided as a non-corresponding fin between the heat dissipation fin 144 corresponding to one element mounting area and the heat dissipation fin 144 corresponding to another element mounting area. By providing a non-corresponding fin, the air heated upstream of the running airflow is prevented from hitting the heat dissipation fin 144 corresponding to the downstream element, allowing for more uniform heat dissipation. Furthermore, the same effects as in the above embodiment are achieved.

[0053] (Seventh Embodiment) The seventh embodiment is shown in Figure 16. The seventh and eighth embodiments differ in fin shape, so this point will be explained in detail. Here, the number of fins and their correspondence with the element mounting areas 51-56 will be explained as being the same as in the first embodiment, but they may also be as in the second to sixth embodiments. In addition, in Figure 16, as with the side views in Figure 9, only the protruding portion 156 that is visible on the front side is shown.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, if the outer shape of the area where the heat dissipation fins are formed on the cover 14 is circular, and the direction in which the heat dissipation fins extend is the x-direction, and the direction perpendicular to the x-direction is the y-direction, then the outer fins in the y-direction (the top and bottom sides of the paper in Figure 7) are shorter in the x-direction than the central fins. Therefore, if all fins are formed at the same height, the outer fins will have a smaller thermal mass than the central fins.

[0055] As shown in Figure 16, the heat dissipation fins 146 of the cover 400 are formed such that the height of fins with a relatively short length in the x-direction is higher, and the height of fins with a relatively long length in the x-direction is lower. In this embodiment, the outer fins in the y-direction, which have a relatively short length in the x-direction, are higher, while the central fins, which have a relatively long length in the x-direction, are lower. In other words, it can be seen that the height of the heat dissipation fins 146 is varied according to their position in the y-direction. By varying the height of the heat dissipation fins 146 and adjusting the volume and surface area of ​​each fin, heat can be dissipated more uniformly.

[0056] In this embodiment, the height of the heat dissipation fins 146 differs depending on the length of the heat dissipation fins 146 in the x-direction. Specifically, the height of the relatively shorter heat dissipation fins 146 is formed to be relatively larger. This reduces the difference in thermal mass and surface area of ​​the heat dissipation fins 146, allowing for more uniform heat dissipation. It also achieves the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0057] (Eighth embodiment) The eighth embodiment is shown in Figure 17. As explained in the seventh embodiment, the outer fins in the y-direction (upper and lower sides of the paper in Figure 7) are shorter in length than the central fins. Therefore, in the cover 401 of this embodiment, the fin pitch of the heat dissipation fins 147 is formed to be larger on the outer side than on the central side in the y-direction. If the fin pitch on the central side is P1, the fin pitch in the middle is P2, and the fin pitch on the outermost side is P3, then P1 <P2<P3である。

[0058] Furthermore, to correspond with the heat dissipation fins 147, the distance between element mounting areas 52 and 53 is greater than the distance between element mounting areas 51 and 52, and the distance between element mounting areas 54 and 55 is greater than the distance between element mounting areas 55 and 56. This allows for more uniform heat dissipation.

[0059] In this embodiment, the pitch between the heat dissipation fins 147 differs depending on the length of the heat dissipation fins 147. Specifically, the pitch between fins is formed to be relatively larger in areas where the heat dissipation fins 147 are relatively short. This improves heat dissipation efficiency and allows for more uniform heat dissipation by ensuring a wider pitch in areas with relatively small thermal mass and surface area. It also achieves the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0060] (Ninth Embodiment) Figure 18 shows the ninth embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, element mounting regions 51 to 53 are arranged on a virtual line L1 perpendicular to the airflow, and element mounting regions 54 to 56 are arranged on a virtual line L2 that is different from the virtual line L1 perpendicular to the airflow.

[0061] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fins (not shown in Figure 18) are not parallel to the airflow, and their centerlines F1 to F6 are arranged so that they pass through the centers of the element mounting areas 51 to 56, respectively. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment, the center of the fin groove may pass through the centers of the element mounting areas 51 to 56. By forming the heat dissipation fins at an angle to the airflow, the adhesion and clogging of water droplets and dirt on the fins can be reduced. This also provides the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0062] (Embodiment 10 to Embodiment 16) The 10th to 16th embodiments are shown in Figures 19 to 25. In Figures 19 to 25, the airflow is assumed to flow in the left-right direction of the paper, and its description has been omitted. The 10th to 16th embodiments are mainly variations in the arrangement of the element mounting areas 51 to 56, and in each embodiment, the element mounting areas 51 to 56 are provided to correspond to different heat dissipation fins. This produces the same effects as the above embodiments.

[0063] Figures 19 to 25 show an example in which the centerlines F1 to F6 of the heat dissipation fins (not shown) are arranged to pass through the centers of the element mounting areas 51 to 56, respectively, as in the first embodiment. However, the arrangement of the heat dissipation fins and the element mounting areas 51 to 56 may be as shown in any of the second to ninth embodiments. Also, in Figure 19, etc., the element mounting areas 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 are arranged in the order of 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 from one side (here, the top of the paper) in a direction perpendicular to the airflow, but the assignment of each element mounting area 51 to 56 may be different and is arbitrary.

[0064] In the tenth embodiment shown in Figure 19, the element mounting regions 51 to 56 are arranged on the same imaginary line L perpendicular to the airflow. This allows the mounting area in the width direction to be relatively reduced, if the direction of airflow (i.e., the left-right direction of the paper) is defined as the width direction.

[0065] In the 11th embodiment shown in Figure 20, element mounting regions 51 to 53 are arranged on a virtual line L1 perpendicular to the direction of airflow, and element mounting regions 54 to 56 are arranged on a virtual line L2 that is different from the virtual line L1 perpendicular to the direction of airflow. Element mounting regions 51 to 53 are located on one side of a virtual line L3 parallel to the airflow, and element mounting regions 54 to 56 are located on the other side of the virtual line L3 parallel to the airflow.

[0066] In the twelfth embodiment shown in Figure 21, element mounting regions 51, 53, 54, and 56 are arranged on a virtual line L1 perpendicular to the direction of airflow, and element mounting regions 52 and 55 are arranged on a virtual line L2 perpendicular to the direction of airflow. This allows for relatively wide spacing between element mounting regions while keeping the width down, thereby reducing the thermal effects between elements and enabling highly efficient heat dissipation.

[0067] In the 13th embodiment shown in Figure 22, element mounting regions 51, 53, 54, and 56 are arranged on a virtual line L perpendicular to the airflow, with element mounting region 52 on one side of the virtual line L and region 55 on the other side. Even with this configuration, similar to the 12th embodiment, a relatively wide gap can be secured between the element mounting regions, allowing for highly efficient heat dissipation.

[0068] In the 14th embodiment shown in Figure 23, the element mounting regions 51 to 56 are arranged on a virtual line L oblique to the airflow. In this embodiment, the element mounting regions 51 to 56 are also offset so as not to overlap in the direction perpendicular to the airflow. This suppresses the thermal influence between regions 51 to 56, allowing for highly efficient heat dissipation.

[0069] In the 15th embodiment shown in Figure 24, the element mounting regions 52 to 55 are arranged on a virtual line L oblique to the airflow. Element mounting region 51 is located on one side of the virtual line L and overlaps with element mounting region 53 in a direction perpendicular to the airflow. Element mounting region 56 is located on the other side of the virtual line L and overlaps with element mounting region 54 in a direction perpendicular to the airflow. Even with this configuration, the thermal influence between regions 51 to 56 is suppressed, and heat can be dissipated with high efficiency.

[0070] In the 16th embodiment shown in Figure 25, element mounting regions 51-53 are arranged on a virtual line L1 oblique to the airflow, and element mounting regions 54-56 are arranged on a virtual line L2 oblique to the airflow. Element mounting regions 51-53 are located on one side of a virtual line L3 parallel to the airflow, and element mounting regions 54-56 are located on the other side of the virtual line L3 parallel to the airflow. Even with this configuration, the thermal influence between regions 51-56 is suppressed, and heat can be dissipated with high efficiency.

[0071] In this embodiment, the electric motor unit 10 corresponds to the "rotating electric unit," the covers 14-19, 400, and 401 correspond to the "heat sink," the motor section 20 corresponds to the "rotating electric section," the motor windings 21 and 22 correspond to the "windings," the motor surface 301 and cover surface 302 of the circuit board 31 correspond to the "mounting surface," the power elements 511-516 and 521-526 correspond to the "heat-generating elements," and the running air corresponds to the "refrigerant." Additionally, the heat dissipation fins 142 and 144 correspond to the "compatible fins," and the heat dissipation fins 143 and 145 correspond to the "incompatible fins."

[0072] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the examples mainly described were those in which the power elements are arranged in the same line or in two rows. In other embodiments, for example, when there are many power elements, such as in the case of three or more systems, they may be arranged in three or more rows. In the above embodiment, the power elements are mounted on the cover surface of the substrate. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the power elements may be mounted on the motor side. Also, the heating element may be something other than the power elements that constitute the inverter circuit.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the heat sink is a cover that constitutes the housing of the electric motor unit. In other embodiments, the heat sink may be a different component from the cover. In the above embodiment, the electric motor unit is applied to the main motor of an electric motorcycle and uses the airflow as a coolant. In other embodiments, the coolant is not limited to the airflow, but may be a gas other than the airflow, water, oil, or any other fluid capable of cooling the heat-generating element. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the electric motor unit may be applied to electric mobility other than electric motorcycles. In addition, the electric motor unit may be applied to an on-board auxiliary motor other than the main motor of an electric vehicle, or it may be applied to something other than a vehicle.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the electric motor unit is provided with the electrical circuit section protruding radially outward from the motor section. In other embodiments, the electrical circuit section may be provided so as to be within the region projected axially from the motor section. The motor section may also be a so-called motor-generator that also functions as a generator. The component configuration and arrangement of the electric motor unit may differ.

[0075] (Disclosure of technical ideas) This specification discloses several technical concepts, as listed in the following paragraphs. Some paragraphs are written in a multiple dependent form, where subsequent paragraphs optionally refer to preceding paragraphs. Furthermore, some paragraphs are written in a multiple dependent form, referring to other multiple dependent forms. These paragraphs written in multiple dependent forms define several technical concepts.

[0076] (Technical thought 1) A rotating electric machine section (20) having multiple phase windings (21, 22), A substrate (31) whose mounting surfaces (311, 312) are arranged to follow the flow of the coolant, and an electrical circuit section (30) having heating elements (511-516, 521-526) connected to the winding and mounted on the substrate, A heat sink (14-19, 400, 401) has the heat-dissipating element mounted on one side so as to be able to dissipate heat, and multiple rows of heat-dissipating fins (141-147) formed on the other side so as to be able to dissipate heat with a coolant, Equipped with, If the region on which one of the heating elements or multiple heating elements corresponding to each phase of the winding are mounted is defined as the element mounting region (51-56), The heat sink is a rotating electric machine unit in which different heat dissipation fins, or fin grooves (151, 152) which are recesses between the heat dissipation fins, are formed such that each element mounting area corresponds to a different heat dissipation fin. (Technical thought 2) A rotating electric machine unit according to technical concept 1, wherein at least one heat dissipation fin (143, 145) that does not correspond to the element mounting area is provided between the heat dissipation fin (142) provided corresponding to the element mounting area, or between the heat dissipation fins (144) on both sides of the fin groove provided corresponding to the element mounting area. (Technical Thought 3) The heat sinks (14, 15, 400, 401) are provided with protrusions (156, 157) that protrude toward the substrate side, for each of the element mounting areas. A rotating electric machine unit according to technical concept 1 or 2, wherein the center of the protrusion is formed to lie on the center line of the corresponding heat dissipation fin or fin groove. (Technical Thought 4) A rotating electric machine unit according to any one of the technical concepts 1 to 3, wherein the height of the heat dissipation fins differs depending on the length of the heat dissipation fins. (Technical Thought 5) A rotating electric machine unit according to any one of technical ideas 1 to 4, wherein the pitch between the heat dissipation fins differs depending on the length of the heat dissipation fins.

[0077] The present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 10. Electric motor unit (rotating electric motor unit) 14-19, 400, 401... Cover (heatsink) 141-147... Heat dissipation fins 151, 152... Fin grooves 20. Motor section (rotating electric machine section) 30. Electrical Circuit Section 31... Circuit board 311...Motor side (mounting side) 312...Cover side (mounting side) 51-56... Element mounting area 511-516, 521-526... Power elements (heating elements)

Claims

1. A rotating electric machine section (20) having multiple phase windings (21, 22), A substrate (31) whose mounting surfaces (311, 312) are arranged to follow the flow of the coolant, and an electrical circuit section (30) having heating elements (511-516, 521-526) connected to the winding and mounted on the substrate, A heat sink (14-19, 400, 401) has the heat-dissipating element mounted on one side so as to be able to dissipate heat, and has multiple rows of heat-dissipating fins (141-147) formed on the other side so as to be able to dissipate heat with a coolant, Equipped with, If the region on which one of the heating elements or multiple heating elements corresponding to each phase of the winding are mounted is defined as the element mounting region (51-56), The heat sink is a rotating electric machine unit in which different heat dissipation fins, or fin grooves (151, 152) which are recesses between the heat dissipation fins, are formed such that each element mounting area corresponds to a different heat dissipation fin.

2. If the heat dissipation fin (142) provided in correspondence with the element mounting area, or the heat dissipation fins (144) provided on both sides of the fin groove (152) provided in correspondence with the element mounting area, are considered corresponding fins, The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one heat dissipation fin (143, 145) other than the corresponding fins is provided as a non-corresponding fin between the corresponding fin corresponding to one element mounting area and the corresponding fin corresponding to another element mounting area.

3. The heat sinks (14, 15, 400, 401) are provided with protrusions (156, 157) that protrude toward the substrate side, for each of the element mounting areas. The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the center of the protrusion is formed to lie on the center line of the corresponding heat dissipation fin or fin groove.

4. The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1, wherein the height of the heat dissipation fins differs depending on the length of the heat dissipation fins.

5. The rotating electric machine unit according to claim 1, wherein the pitch between the heat dissipation fins differs depending on the length of the heat dissipation fins.

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