Electrical equipment module and air conditioner

Abstract

To efficiently cool heat-generating components on a board by an air cooling system.SOLUTION: An electrical component module 10 includes a holding member 20 which is a metal plate, a first control board 40 arranged on a first surface 21a of the holding member 20, a second control board 50 arranged on a second surface 21b opposite to the first surface 21a of the holding member 20, a heat generating element 62 mounted on the second control board 50, and a heat sink 70 for dissipating heat generated from the heat generating element 62. The heat generating element 62 and the heat sink 70 are arranged between the second surface 21b and the second control board 50, and the holding member 20 and the heat generating element 62 are thermally connected to each other via the heat sink 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical component module and an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] An electrical equipment module installed in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a circuit board that controls the air conditioner. In such electrical equipment modules, the circuit board may be installed in a small, limited space, such as the back side of a sheet metal part, and in such cases, the method of cooling the heat-generating components on the circuit board becomes an issue. Known methods for cooling the heat-generating components included in the electrical equipment module include an air-cooling method and a refrigerant cooling method. In the electrical equipment module of the outdoor unit shown in Patent Document 1, the power elements (heat-generating components) installed on the circuit board are cooled by a refrigerant cooling method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-033340 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a refrigerant cooling method is adopted as a method for cooling heat-generating components, space is required around the electrical component module to route refrigerant piping, which leads to problems such as an increase in size of the outdoor unit and the cost of extending the refrigerant piping. For this reason, a new technology is needed that can efficiently cool heat-generating components on a circuit board installed in a narrow and limited space, such as the back side of a sheet metal component, using an air-cooling method in an electrical component module.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to efficiently cool heat-generating components on a board using an air-cooling method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The electrical equipment module disclosed herein is a metal plate, a first control board arranged on a first surface of the metal plate, a second control board arranged on a second surface of the metal plate opposite to the first surface, a heat-generating component mounted on the second control board, and a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the heat-generating component; the heat generating component and the heat sink are disposed between the second surface and the second control board, The metal plate and the heat generating component are thermally connected via the heat sink.

[0007] In the above configuration, the heat generating components on the second control board arranged on the second surface of the metal plate can be cooled by the heat sink and the metal plate, and the heat generating components can be sufficiently cooled while preventing the heat sink from becoming large. This allows the heat generating components on the second control board arranged in a narrow and limited space, such as the back side of a sheet metal part, in the electrical component module to be efficiently cooled by air cooling.

[0008] (2) Preferably, the heat sink has a first portion in contact with the heat-generating component and a second portion extending from the first portion along the second surface between the second surface and the second control board. With this configuration, the heat sink can be enlarged by utilizing the limited space between the metal plate and the second control board, and a heat sink capable of sufficiently cooling heat-generating components can be provided.

[0009] (3) Preferably, an area of ​​the portion of the heat sink protruding from the heat generating component as viewed in the normal direction of the second surface is equal to or larger than an area of ​​the heat generating component as viewed in the normal direction of the second surface. According to this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the surface area of ​​the heat sink disposed in the limited space between the metal plate and the second control board is sufficient to sufficiently cool the heat-generating components.

[0010] (4) Preferably, the second portion has a fin. According to this configuration, a larger surface area can be ensured for the heat sink disposed in the limited space between the metal plate and the second control board.

[0011] (5) The air conditioner of the present disclosure includes any one of the electrical component modules described above. With this configuration, even if an electrical equipment module including a second control board, etc. is arranged in a small, limited space in the air conditioner, the heat-generating components on the second control board can be cooled using an air-cooling method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first surface side of an electrical equipment module according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a second surface side of the electrical equipment module according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a second control board, a heat generating element, and a heat sink. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an electrical component module. [Figure 5B] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flow of heat from a heat generating element in an electrical component module. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a schematic diagram of the heat generating element and the heat sink viewed from the normal direction of the second surface with the second control board removed. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of electrical component modules in the outdoor unit. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the layout of electrical equipment modules in a machine room. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [Overall configuration of electrical equipment module 10] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a first side of the electrical equipment module, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a second side of the electrical equipment module. An electrical equipment module 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is one embodiment of the electrical equipment module of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the electrical equipment module 10 includes a holding member 20, a terminal block 30, a first control board 40, and a second control board 50.

[0015] The holding member 20 is a member (sheet metal part) obtained by drilling holes at appropriate positions of a metal plate and bending it into a predetermined shape. The holding member 20 has a rectangular main surface portion 21 and a side surface portion 22 which is a portion formed by bending a side end portion of the main surface portion 21. The main surface portion 21 has a first surface 21a and a second surface 21b. In the holding member 20 of this embodiment, the front surface of the main surface portion 21 is the first surface 21a, and the back surface is the second surface 21b.

[0016] 1, the terminal block 30 is disposed on the first surface 21a of the main surface portion 21. The terminal block 30 has a plurality of terminal connection portions 31. The electrical equipment module 10 of the present disclosure is mounted on a target device with the first surface 21a facing outward so that a user can easily access the terminal block 30.

[0017] 2, the main surface portion 21 has a pedestal portion 21c that is a portion that protrudes in a pedestal shape toward the second surface 21b (the first surface 21a side is recessed) at approximately the center thereof. The pedestal portion 21c is a portion for attaching the second control board 50 to the second surface 21b.

[0018] [Regarding the first control board 40 and the second control board 50] As shown in Fig. 1, in the electrical equipment module 10, the first control board 40 is disposed on the first surface 21a side of the main surface portion 21. When the electrical equipment module 10 is viewed from the first surface 21a side, the recess on the back side of the pedestal portion 21c (see Fig. 2) is covered by the first control board 40 and cannot be seen from the outside. A plurality of electrical components 60 including elements 61 such as capacitors are mounted on the front surface 41 of the first control board 40.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the second control board, the heat generating element, and the periphery of the heat sink. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the electrical component module 10, the second control board 50 is disposed on the second surface 21b side of the main surface portion 21 and attached to the pedestal portion 21c. A plurality of electrical components 60 including elements 61 such as capacitors are mounted on the second surface 21b of the main surface portion 21 and the surface 51 of the second control board 50.

[0020] 1 to 3, the first control board 40 and the second control board 50 are disposed on the holding member 20 so as to be parallel to each other. In other words, the back surface (the surface opposite to the front surface 41) of the first control board 40 and the back surface 52 of the second control board 50 face each other in a parallel state, with the main surface portion 21 sandwiched therebetween.

[0021] [Regarding the arrangement of the heating element 62] As shown in Fig. 3, a heat generating element 62 is mounted on the back surface 52 of the second control board 50. The heat generating element 62 is an electrical component 60 (heat generating component) that generates heat to the extent that cooling is required, and is mounted on the second control board 50 via leads 63. The leg length of the leads 63 is such that the heat generating element 62 is disposed at a position separated from the back surface 52 of the second control board 50. In the electrical component module 10, the heat generating element 62 is disposed in a narrow and limited space between the pedestal portion 21c (holding member 20) and the second control board 50. The heat generating element 62 provided on the second control board 50 is, for example, an inverter for controlling a compressor, a module for controlling a fan motor, or the like.

[0022] [About Heatsink 70] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 2, showing the structure around the second control board 50 and the heat sink 70. For ease of explanation, Fig. 4 omits illustration of the components (terminal block 30 and first control board 40) arranged on the first surface 21a side of the holding member 20. Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the structure around the second control board 50 and the heat sink 70. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5A, in the electrical component module 10, the heat sink 70 is arranged at a position facing the heating element 62 mounted on the second control board 50.

[0023] The heat sink 70 is a member made of a material (such as aluminum) having higher thermal conductivity than the holding member 20 and the heating element 62. The heat sink 70 dissipates heat absorbed from the outside from the surface of the heat sink 70 itself. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the electrical component module 10, insulating sheets 80 are arranged between the heat sink 70 and the pedestal portion 21c (holding member 20) and between the heat sink 70 and the heating element 62.

[0024] The insulating sheet 80 is a sheet-like rubber member containing a heat dissipating component, and can ensure electrical insulation between the holding member 20 and the heat sink 70 and the heating element 62, as well as thermal conductivity between the holding member 20 and the heat sink 70 and the heating element 62. The insulating sheet 80 of this embodiment is a rubber sheet (with a thickness of about 0.3 mm) containing aluminum hydroxide as a heat dissipating component. From the viewpoint of adhesion, silicon grease may be filled between the heat sink 70 and the heating element 62 instead of the insulating sheet 80.

[0025] 2 to 4 and 5A, the heat sink 70 is a generally plate-like member having a rectangular shape as viewed in the thickness direction, and has a first portion 71 and a second portion 72. In this description, the heat sink 70 as viewed in the thickness direction is divided into two regions in the longitudinal direction, one of which is referred to as the first portion 71 and the other as the second portion 72. In the heat sink 70, the area of ​​the second portion 72 as viewed in the thickness direction is larger than the area of ​​the first portion 71.

[0026] The first portion 71 is a portion for fixing the heat sink 70 to the heat generating element 62 and the pedestal portion 21c (holding member 20) and for thermally connecting the heat sink 70 to the heat generating element 62 and the holding member 20. The second portion 72 is a portion for dissipating heat absorbed in the first portion 71. The second portion 72 has fins 73. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case in which the heat sink 70 has fins 73, the heat sink 70 in the electrical component module 10 does not necessarily have to have fins.

[0027] 4, the heat sink 70 has screw holes 74 formed in the first portion 71 for fixing the heat generating element 62. The heat generating element 62 is fixed to the first portion 71 by inserting screws 53 into notches 64 formed in the heat generating element 62 and screwing the screws 53 into the screw holes 74. This thermally connects the heat generating element 62 to the first portion 71 via the insulating sheet 80.

[0028] A plurality of screw holes 75 are formed in the first portion 71 and the second portion 72 of the heat sink 70. Holes 21d for inserting screws 76 are formed in the pedestal portion 21c at positions corresponding to the screw holes 75 of the heat sink 70. The heat sink 70 is fixed to the pedestal portion 21c by inserting the screws 76 into the holes 21d of the pedestal portion 21c from the first surface 21a side and screwing the screws 76 into the screw holes 75. In this way, the first portion 71 and the second portion 72 are fixed to the pedestal portion 21c (holding member 20) via the insulating sheet 80.

[0029] As described above, in the electric component module 10, the heat sink 70 is fixed to the pedestal portion 21c (holding member 20) via the insulating sheet 80, thereby thermally connecting the heat sink 70 and the holding member 20. In the electric component module 10, the heat generating element 62 is fixed to the heat sink 70 via the insulating sheet 80, thereby thermally connecting the heat sink 70 and the heating element 62. In other words, in the electric component module 10, the heating element 62 and the holding member 20 are thermally connected via the heat sink 70 and the insulating sheet 80. As a result, in the electric component module 10, the heat sink 70 transfers the heat absorbed from the heating element 62 to the holding member 20.

[0030] 4 and 5A, in the electrical component module 10, in a state in which the second control board 50 and the heat sink 70 are attached to the holding member 20, the second portion 72 is formed between the second surface 21b and the second control board 50 and extends from the first portion 71 along the second surface 21b. In the electrical component module 10, the heat sink 70 is expanded by utilizing the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50. This ensures that the heat sink 70 has sufficient heat dissipation capacity to sufficiently cool the heat generating element 62.

[0031] 6 shows the heating element 62 and the heat sink 70 viewed from the normal direction of the second surface 21b with the second control board 50 removed. As shown in Fig. 6, in the electrical component module 10, the area A1 of the heat sink 70 protruding from the heating element 62 (the area surrounded by the dotted line in Fig. 5) viewed from the normal direction of the second surface 21b is equal to or larger than the area A2 of the heating element 62 (the range drawn by the diagonal line) viewed from the normal direction of the second surface 21b. Therefore, in the electrical component module 10, the heat sink 70 arranged in the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50 can have a surface area capable of sufficiently cooling the heating element 62.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6, the heat sink 70 has fins 73 in the second portion 72. By having the fins 73 in the second portion 72, the heat sink 70 can increase the surface area of ​​the heat sink 70 (second portion 72) in the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50. Note that, although the fins 73 having a plate-like form are exemplified in this embodiment, the form of the fins 73 provided in the second portion 72 is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a pincushion-like fin made of a plurality of rod-like members, a bellows-like fin, or the like. Note that, as described above, the second portion 72 (heat sink 70) does not have to have fins.

[0033] [Heat dissipation from heating element 62] 5B is a schematic diagram showing the flow of heat generated from the heat generating element 62 in the electrical component module 10. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the electrical component module 10, heat generated in the heat generating element 62 is transferred to the first portion 71 of the heat sink 70 via the insulating sheet 80. A part of the heat transferred to the first portion 71 is transferred to the second portion 72 and the holding member 20, and the rest is dissipated from the first portion 71. The heat transferred from the first portion 71 to the second portion 72 is dissipated from the second portion 72 and the fins 73. The heat transferred from the first portion 71 to the holding member 20 via the insulating sheet 80 is dissipated from the holding member 20 (the main surface portion 21 and the side surface portion 22).

[0034] In the electrical component module 10, heat generated by the heat generating element 62 arranged in the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50 can be efficiently dissipated by the heat sink 70 and the holding member 20. Therefore, according to the electrical component module 10 of the present disclosure, the heat generating element 62 mounted on the second control board 50 can be efficiently cooled by air cooling.

[0035] [About Air Conditioner 90] Fig. 7 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 90 of the present disclosure. The air conditioner 90 shown in Fig. 7 is one embodiment of the air conditioner of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 7, the air conditioner 90 is a separate type separated into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and includes an indoor unit 91, an outdoor unit 92, and refrigerant piping 93. The air conditioner 90 adjusts the air temperature in the indoor space S1 of room R by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, etc.

[0036] The indoor unit 91 is disposed in the indoor space S1. The indoor unit 91 takes in air from the indoor space S1, exchanges heat between the air and a refrigerant, and blows out the temperature-adjusted conditioned air back into the indoor space S1, thereby adjusting the temperature of the indoor space S1 as desired.

[0037] The outdoor unit 92 is disposed in the outdoor space S2. The air conditioner 90 includes the electric component module 10 described above in the outdoor unit 92.

[0038] 8A is a schematic plan view of the interior of the outdoor unit 92 as viewed from above. The outdoor unit 92 includes a housing 94. The housing 94 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is rectangular in plan view. The interior of the housing 94 is partitioned by a partition wall 95 into a machine chamber S3 and a heat exchange chamber S4.

[0039] The outdoor unit 92 has an electrical equipment module 10 disposed in a machine room S3 of a housing 94. In the outdoor unit 92, each device mounted on the outdoor unit 92 is controlled by each control board 40, 50 (see Figs. 1 and 2) of the electrical equipment module 10. In addition to the electrical equipment module 10, the machine room S3 accommodates a compressor 96 and other components (not shown), such as a four-way switching valve, an accumulator, an oil separator, and an expansion valve.

[0040] The heat exchange chamber S4 of the housing 94 houses a heat exchanger 97, a propeller fan 98, and the like. The heat exchanger 97 includes a pair of headers 97a, 97b, a group of fins 97c arranged in parallel such that their plate-like surfaces are parallel, and a heat transfer tube 97d that penetrates the group of fins 97c in the direction of the arrangement. A refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit flows in the heat transfer tube 97d of the heat exchanger 97. The heat exchanger 97 is connected to a compressor 96 in the machine chamber S3 via a pipe (not shown). In this embodiment, the electrical equipment module 10 is provided in an outdoor unit 92 having a front side in the blowing direction of the propeller fan 98, but the form of the outdoor unit 92 in which the electrical equipment module 10 is provided is not limited to this. The electrical equipment module 10 may be provided in an outdoor unit having an upper side in the blowing direction of the propeller fan, for example.

[0041] FIG. 8B is a schematic partial schematic diagram of the inside of the machine room S3 seen from the front side with the front side housing removed. As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the outdoor unit 92 has a support member 99 in the machine room S3 of the housing 94. The support member 99 is a member for supporting the electrical equipment module 10 in the machine room S3, and has a board mounting portion 99a and a base portion 99b. The support member 99 is a member obtained by pressing a metal plate into an L-shape, and the board mounting portion 99a and the base portion 99b are integrally formed. The support member 99 has the base portion 99b fixed to the partition wall 95 using a fastening member (not shown), such as a screw, with the board mounting portion 99a facing the front side. The electrical equipment module 10 is fixed to the board mounting portion 99a using a fastening member (not shown), such as a screw, and is arranged in the machine room S3. The electrical equipment module 10 is disposed in a position (on the front side of the machine room S3 in this embodiment) that is easily accessible by the user by removing a part of the housing 94. Note that the air conditioner 90 may be configured such that a box-shaped casing (not shown) is further provided in the machine room S3 of the outdoor unit 92, and the electrical equipment module 10 is housed in the casing. The electrical equipment module 10 may also be fixed directly to the partition wall 95.

[0042] As described above, the air conditioner 90 of the present disclosure has the electrical component module 10 in the outdoor unit 92. With this configuration, even if the electrical component module 10 including the second control board 50 and the like is arranged in a small, limited space in the machine room S3 of the outdoor unit 92, the heating element 62 on the second control board 50 can be cooled by air-cooling. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates an air conditioner 90 in which the electrical component module 10 is provided in the outdoor unit 92, the air conditioner of the present disclosure may also have the electrical component module 10 provided in the indoor unit 91.

[0043] [Effects of the embodiment] The above-mentioned electrical equipment module 10 includes a holding member 20 which is a metal plate, a first control board 40 arranged on a first surface 21a of the holding member 20, a second control board 50 arranged on a second surface 21b opposite to the first surface 21a of the holding member 20, a heating element 62 mounted on the second control board 50, and a heat sink 70 which dissipates heat generated by the heating element 62. In the electrical equipment module 10, the heating element 62 and the heat sink 70 are arranged between the second surface 21b and the second control board 50, and the holding member 20 and the heating element 62 are thermally connected via the heat sink 70.

[0044] In the above-described configuration, the heat generating elements 62 on the second control board 50 arranged on the second surface 21b of the holding member 20 can be cooled by the heat sink 70 and the holding member 20. This makes it possible to sufficiently cool the heat generating elements 62 while preventing the heat sink 70 from becoming large. This makes it possible to efficiently cool the heat generating elements 62 on the second control board 50 arranged in a narrow and limited space such as the second surface 21b of the holding member 20 in the electrical component module 10 by air cooling.

[0045] In the above-mentioned electrical equipment module 10, the heat sink 70 has a first portion 71 in contact with the heat generating element 62, and a second portion 72 extending from the first portion 71 along the second surface 21b between the second surface 21b and the second control board 50. With this configuration, the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50 can be utilized to expand the heat sink 70, thereby providing a heat sink 70 capable of sufficiently cooling the heat generating element 62.

[0046] In the above-described electrical component module 10, the area A1 of the portion of the heat sink 70 protruding from the heat generating element 62 as viewed in the normal direction to the second surface 21b is equal to or larger than the area A2 of the heat generating element 62 as viewed in the normal direction to the second surface 21b. According to this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the surface area of ​​the heat sink 70 disposed in the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50 is sufficient to sufficiently cool the heat generating element 62.

[0047] In the above-described electrical component module 10 , the second portion 72 has the fins 73 . According to such a configuration, it is possible to ensure a larger surface area for the heat sink 70 disposed in the limited space between the holding member 20 and the second control board 50.

[0048] As described above, the air conditioner 90 of the present disclosure has the electrical component module 10. According to this configuration, in the air conditioner 90, even if the electrical component module 10 including the second control board 50 and the like is arranged in a small, limited space in the outdoor unit 92, the heat generating element 62 on the second control board 50 can be cooled by air cooling.

[0049] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10: Electrical equipment module 20: Retaining member (metal plate) 21a: 1st page 21b: 2nd side 40: First control board 50: Second control board 62: Heat generating element (heat generating part) 70: Heat sink 71 :1st part 72:Second part 73: Finn 90: Air conditioner A1: Area (of the part of the heat sink that protrudes from the heat generating components) A2: Area (of heat generating component)

Claims

1. A metal plate (20); a control board (50) disposed on a predetermined surface (21b) of the metal plate (20); A heat generating component (62) mounted on the control board (50); and an air-cooled heat sink (70) that dissipates heat generated from the heat generating component (62), The heat sink (70) A first portion (71) in contact with the heat generating component (62); a second portion (72) extending from the first portion (71) along the metal plate (20) between the metal plate (20) and the control board (50) and having a fin (73) extending in a direction opposite to the side facing the metal plate (20); the heat generating component (62) and the heat sink (70) are disposed between the metal plate (20) and the control board (50); The metal plate (20) and the heat-generating component (62) are thermally connected via the heat sink (70), and heat generated in the heat-generating component (62) is dissipated from the second portion (72) of the heat sink (70).

2. 2. An electrical equipment module (10) as described in claim 1, wherein an area (A1) of a portion of the heat sink (70) extending beyond the heat generating component (62) when viewed from the normal direction of a specified surface (21b) of the metal plate (20) is greater than or equal to an area (A2) of the heat generating component (62) when viewed from the normal direction of the specified surface (21b) of the metal plate (20).

3. An air conditioner (90) comprising an electrical equipment module (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

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