High voltage equipment and high voltage equipment safety systems

Abstract

To provide a technique that can insulate a high pressure device more reliably by effectively reaching and adhering an insulating sealant to the high voltage device in the event of collision and so on.SOLUTION: A vehicle 2 comprises: a high voltage device body 14; a housing 12 for accommodating the high voltage device body 14; an ejection member 20 for ejecting mists or foams with a gas flow into the housing 12; and a control device 40 which operates the ejection member 20 when a prescribed impact force on the vehicle 2 is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to, for example, a high-voltage device for a vehicle and a safety system for the high-voltage device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a vehicle is known that is equipped with a drive motor, an inverter that supplies current to the drive motor, and a battery, and that runs using motor drive. The inverter and other high-voltage devices are housed in a suitable housing, and this housing is mounted in the front or other portion of the vehicle.

[0003] When an impact is applied to the front of a vehicle and the housing is damaged, measures are sometimes taken to physically insulate the wiring inside high-voltage devices such as inverters to prevent electrical leakage. For example, a housing has been proposed that has a wall with a hollow portion filled with a liquid or gel insulating sealant (Patent Document 1). This housing is configured so that when the housing is subjected to an external force, the internal pressure of the hollow portion increases, causing the insulating sealant to be sprayed from the wall toward the high-voltage device inside the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-126809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, depending on the internal pressure generated in the hollow portion of the housing during a collision, it may be difficult to ensure that the insulating sealant reaches every corner of the inside of the housing, even if the insulating sealant is placed throughout the entire inside of the housing. In such cases, part of the high-voltage device may be exposed, and it may be difficult to avoid short circuits or electric leakage in the damaged high-voltage device.

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification provides a technology that can more reliably insulate high-voltage devices by allowing an insulating sealant to effectively reach and adhere to the high-voltage devices in the event of a collision or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in a high-voltage device for a vehicle. The high-voltage device includes a housing, a high-voltage device main body housed inside the housing, and a spray member that sprays insulating sealant into the housing in the form of a mist or foam accompanied by a gas flow. The high-voltage device also includes a control device that activates the spray member when a predetermined impact force on the vehicle is detected.

[0008] According to the high-voltage device disclosed in this specification, for example, when an impact force is applied to a vehicle, the ejection member ejects the insulating sealant into the housing in the form of a mist or foam accompanied by a gas flow, thereby allowing the insulating sealant to be effectively and widely distributed inside the housing and also to reach the high-voltage device, more reliably avoiding or suppressing short circuits and leakage currents due to exposure and damage to the high-voltage device.

[0009] Since the insulating sealant is sprayed into the housing in mist or foam form by the spraying member accompanied by a gas flow, the required amount of insulating sealant can be prepared in advance, and an increase in mass for collision safety purposes can be suppressed.

[0010] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in a safety system for a high-voltage device in a vehicle. This safety system for a high-voltage device includes a housing, a power conversion device main body housed inside the housing, a spraying member that sprays insulating sealant into the housing in the form of a mist or foam accompanied by a gas flow, an impact force detection sensor that detects an impact force on the vehicle, and a control device that activates the spraying member when a predetermined impact force on the vehicle is detected.

[0011] According to the safety system for high-voltage equipment disclosed in this specification, for example, when an impact force is applied to a vehicle, the ejection member ejects the insulating sealant into the interior of the housing in the form of a mist or foam accompanied by a gas flow. This allows the insulating sealant to be effectively and widely distributed inside the housing, more reliably avoiding or suppressing short circuits and leakage currents due to exposure or damage to the power conversion device main body. Furthermore, because the ejection member ejects the insulating sealant into the interior of the housing in the form of a mist or foam, the required amount of insulating sealant can be prepared in advance, suppressing an increase in mass for collision safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a safety system for a high-voltage device including the high-voltage device disclosed in this specification. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing how an insulating sealant is sprayed into the inside of a housing by actuation of a spraying member in the high-voltage device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating sealant contains a moisture-curing resin. This allows the insulating sealant to quickly form an insulating coating or fill damaged areas where it adheres to the inside of the housing. This allows the insulating sealant to stably and reliably cover the power converter body, effectively preventing or avoiding its exposure, short circuits, and electrical leakage.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating sealant contains a flame-retardant polyurethane as a resin component. By adhering the flame-retardant polyurethane to the housing or the high-voltage device, combustion of the power conversion device body and other components can be effectively suppressed or avoided.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ejection member is housed in a housing, and in this way, the filler and the ejection member are protected by the housing, so that even if a predetermined impact force is detected on the vehicle, the intended operation is ensured and the insulating sealant can be more reliably ejected into the housing.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ejection member is configured to eject the insulating sealant toward the upper surface of the interior of the housing. This allows the insulating sealant to collide with the upper surface of the interior of the housing, scattering and diffusing the insulating sealant inside the housing. This allows the insulating sealant to be effectively distributed widely inside the housing. This also reduces the amount of insulating sealant used.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ejection member includes a gas generating and pumping device that generates and pumps gas. In this way, the insulating sealant is ejected into the interior of the housing accompanied by a high-pressure gas flow. This allows the insulating sealant to be more effectively and reliably distributed inside the housing, effectively suppressing or avoiding exposure of the high-voltage device, etc. Furthermore, the amount of insulating sealant can be reduced.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-voltage device body includes an inverter, and it may be useful to provide collision safety for the inverter.

[0019] These various embodiments may be combined in any way in the power converters and power converter safety systems disclosed herein, i.e., one or more of these embodiments may be combined in the power converter or power converter safety system disclosed herein.

[0020] The high-voltage device and the safety system for the high-voltage device of a vehicle disclosed in this specification will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a safety system for the high-voltage device including the high-voltage device, and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing how the insulating sealant is sprayed into the housing of the high-voltage device by the operation of the spraying member in the system shown in Fig. 1.

[0021] The high-voltage device is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include power conversion devices such as inverters, converters, and cyclone converters, as well as high-voltage relay devices. The high-voltage device is, for example, for use in vehicles. Examples of vehicles include vehicles that use a motor to drive the axles. Examples include BEVs (battery electric vehicles), HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles), PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), and FCVs (fuel cell vehicles).

[0022] (High voltage equipment safety system) The safety system 100 for a high-voltage device of a vehicle 2 shown in Fig. 1 includes a high-voltage device 10 and an ECU (Electric Control Unit) 40. In Fig. 1, UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, DOWN indicates the lower side of the vehicle, FRONT indicates the front side of the vehicle, and REAR indicates the rear side of the vehicle, and in the following description, the terms upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side refer to the directions in the vehicle 2, respectively.

[0023] (High voltage equipment) The high-voltage device 10 includes a housing 12 and an inverter 14 housed inside the housing 12. The housing 12 is composed of, for example, a case body and a cover. The housing 12 is formed, for example, from aluminum casting. The housing 12 is configured to ensure high airtightness while housing the inverter 14. The inverter 14 is an example of a high-voltage device body included in the high-voltage device disclosed in this specification.

[0024] The inverter 14 is connected to a motor 120 external to the high-voltage device 10. The inverter 14 is also connected to a battery 130 via a converter or the like external to the high-voltage device 10.

[0025] (Insulating sealant spray unit) The housing 12 is provided with an insulating sealant spray unit 20 inside. The spray unit 20 includes a filler 22 in which a container 24 is filled with an insulating sealant, and a gas generating and pumping device 30. The container 24, which is part of the filler 22, is made of metal or the like and has a pressure-resistant structure that allows gas to be introduced from the gas generating and pumping device 30. The spray unit 20 is an example of a spray member provided in the high-voltage device disclosed in this specification.

[0026] A nozzle 26 is provided in a portion of the upper side of the vehicle 2 of the container 24, which can spray the insulating sealant in a mist or foam state by introducing gas from the gas generating and pumping device 30. The nozzle 26 has an opening that opens upward and is close to the upper surface 13 inside the housing 12. The nozzle 26 is positioned so that the insulating sealant sprayed from the opening by the gas hits the upper surface 13 and then scatters inside the housing 12.

[0027] The insulating sealant is an insulating liquid or gel composition having fluidity and properties such that it becomes mist-like or foam-like when ejected. "Ejected as a mist" means, for example, that the insulating sealant is ejected as fine droplets that adhere to the inner surface of the housing 12 when colliding with the inner surface of the housing 12 accompanied by a gas flow and can be scattered and diffused from the collision surface. "Ejected as a foam" means, for example, that the insulating sealant is ejected as a foam containing gas bubbles that diffuses with the gas flow, collides with the inner surface of the housing 12, adheres to the inner surface, and can be scattered and diffused from the collision surface.

[0028] By ejecting the insulating sealant in this manner, unlike when the insulating sealant is simply ejected into the interior of the housing 12 as a liquid, gel, or foam, the insulating sealant can be dispersed against gravity, and the insulating sealant can be widely distributed inside the housing 12. Furthermore, even after adhering to the adherend, the insulating sealant is less likely to drip against gravity.

[0029] Furthermore, by spraying the insulating sealant in this manner, it is possible to adhere and coat not only the top surface of the inverter 14 but also the side surfaces thereof. Furthermore, it is possible to coat or fill, for example, the damaged portion of a damaged inverter 14 with the insulating sealant. Furthermore, for example, it is possible to adhere and coat the insulating sealant to the top, sides, and bottom of the housing 12. Furthermore, for example, it is possible to coat or fill, for example, the damaged portions of the top, sides, and bottom of the housing 12 with the insulating sealant.

[0030] The composition that can be used as the insulating sealant is not particularly limited, and known compositions can be used as appropriate. The insulating sealant may be an insulating resin composition. For example, such a resin composition may contain one or a combination of two or more resins selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polystyrene, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, phenolic resins, polyvinyl chloride, urea resins, silicones, polyimides, and melamine resins. In particular, the use of a flame-retardant polyurethane resin may be effective.

[0031] The resin composition containing these resin components may contain a known curing agent and / or catalyst according to the resin component, as appropriate. The curing agent and / or catalyst is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyisocyanate, organic acid, inorganic acid, and amine.

[0032] As the insulating sealant, it may be particularly effective to use a resin component that cures with moisture in the air (moisture curing). This is because such a resin component can easily form a film with excellent coating performance. Also, this resin component can reach gaps and fill the gaps. Examples of such resin components include polyurethane and silicone resin. By using such a resin component, for example, if the housing 12 is damaged, the resin component that reaches the damaged part can cure and reliably cover and ultimately fill the damaged part.

[0033] To eject the insulating sealant in foam form, for example, in addition to the active ingredients such as the resin component of the insulating sealant, a foaming agent, a foam-forming agent, etc. may be appropriately contained.

[0034] The gas generating and pumping device 30 may be any device that can pump a gas capable of spraying the insulating sealant in mist or foam form into the filler 22. The gas generated by the gas generating and pumping device 30 may be a known insulating gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen. A flame-retardant gas may also be used.

[0035] The gas generating and pumping device 30 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include an inflator used in a vehicle airbag that generates gas by igniting a gas generating agent, a liquefied gas cylinder in which a liquid that becomes gas at normal pressure, such as carbon dioxide, is filled in a cylinder with a valve, etc. The gas generating and pumping device 30 is configured to be able to pump gas into the container 24 of the filler 22.

[0036] A part of the vehicle 2 is equipped with an ECU 40. The ECU 40 includes a CPU, a ROM for storing control programs and the like, a RAM as an operating area for the programs, and an interface for interfacing with peripheral circuits. The ECU 40 controls each part of the vehicle 2 and performs various controls such as running, braking, charging and discharging by the motor 120 of the vehicle 2. The ECU 40 is an example of a control device in the high-voltage device disclosed in this specification.

[0037] The ECU 40 estimates the collision position and the magnitude of the impact force at the time of the collision based on signals from, for example, an acceleration sensor 60 provided in the vehicle 2. The ECU 40 further determines whether or not to spray the insulating sealant in the high-voltage device 10 based on these signals and estimations. Furthermore, when it determines that the insulating sealant should be sprayed, the ECU 40 is configured to output a control signal to operate the gas generating and pumping device 30 of the injection unit 20 to introduce gas into the filler 22 and spray the insulating sealant. The acceleration sensor 60 is an example of an impact force detection sensor provided in the safety system for the high-voltage device disclosed in this specification.

[0038] Next, the injection of the insulating sealant in the high-voltage device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The following description will be given assuming that the vehicle 2 collides with another vehicle or the like, the ECU 40 determines to inject the insulating sealant based on signals from the acceleration sensor 60 or the like, and then outputs a control signal to the injection unit 20 housed inside the housing 12 of the high-voltage device 10 to inject the insulating sealant. The description will also be given assuming that the insulating sealant used is a composition containing moisture-curing polyurethane, a foaming agent, a solvent, and the like.

[0039] When the gas generating and pumping device 30 of the injection unit 20 is equipped with, for example, an inflator, the gas generating agent is ignited by the action of an ignition agent, and gas is generated all at once, and the generated gas is pumped into the container 24 of the filler 22.

[0040] As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the insulating sealant filled in container 24 is sprayed in foam form from the opening of nozzle 26 toward top surface 13 of housing 12, accompanied by the gas flow of the pressurized gas. The insulating sealant containing foamed moisture-curing polyurethane that hits top surface 13 scatters in all directions, as if raining down from above, reaching and adhering to the surfaces of inverter 14 and external connection wires housed inside housing 12, and begins to harden. If inverter 14 is damaged, the insulating sealant covers and fills the damaged portion and begins to harden. Furthermore, if the housing 12 has any damaged portions due to the collision or the inner wall of housing 12, the insulating sealant also reaches the damaged portion and covers or fills the damaged portion, beginning to harden.

[0041] The insulating sealant is ejected in the form of bubbles accompanied by a gas flow, and therefore has excellent diffusibility. Furthermore, the insulating sealant is ejected toward the top of the housing 12 so that it collides with the top surface 13 of the housing 12 and scatters, further improving the diffusibility of the insulating sealant.

[0042] Furthermore, since the insulating sealant is foam-like, even if it adheres to the interior top surface or upper wall surface of the housing 12, it will not easily flow downward but will instead adhere and be able to cover that portion.

[0043] As a result of the above, the insulating sealant reaches, adheres to, and coats the entire top surface, side surfaces, etc. of the inverter 14 in the housing 12. The insulating sealant also reaches and coats the entire housing 12, including the top surface 13 and the upper part of the inner wall portion of the housing 12. Therefore, with this high-voltage device 10, the inverter 14, which is the main body of the high-voltage device, and the housing 12 can be effectively insulated regardless of the type of damage to the high-voltage device 10 due to a collision or changes in its position.

[0044] Furthermore, the insulating sealant contains a moisture-curing resin component that reacts with moisture in the atmosphere or the moisture on the surface of the sealant to cure, so it generally cures within several tens of seconds to several minutes. The insulating sealant cures quickly at the point of application, ensuring that the area is covered or filled reliably, enabling even more reliable insulation.

[0045] In the above description, the insulating sealant is sprayed in foam form, but the insulating sealant can also be sprayed in mist form to exhibit similar scattering and diffusibility, as well as adhesion and coating properties.

[0046] In the above explanation, the insulating sealant contains a moisture-curing resin component, but even if the insulating sealant is not moisture-curing, it can be sprayed in a foam or mist form to exhibit scattering and diffusibility as well as adhesion and coating properties.

[0047] In the above description, the insulating sealant is sprayed toward the top surface 13 inside the housing 12, but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be sprayed toward the side wall or inverter 14 inside the housing 12, colliding with it and scattering it to diffuse it.

[0048] In the above description, an inflator is used as the gas generating and pressure-feeding device 30 in the injection unit 20, but a gas cylinder may also be used. Also, the injection unit 20 itself may be an aerosol device that sprays the insulating sealant as an aerosol, with the same effects and advantages being obtained.

[0049] In the above description, the injection unit 20 is provided inside the housing 12, so that the injection unit 20 can be protected by the housing 12, but this is not limited to this, and at least a part of the injection unit 20 may be provided outside the housing 12, and for example, a part including the nozzle 26 may be provided inside the housing 12.

[0050] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or in the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technology exemplified in this specification or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 2: Vehicle 10: High voltage equipment 12: Cabinet 13: Top of the inside of the housing 14: Power conversion device main body 20: Injection unit 22: Insulating sealant filler 24: Container 30: Gas generating and pumping device 40:ECU 60: Acceleration sensor 100: High voltage equipment safety systems 120: Motor 130: Battery

Claims

1. A high voltage device for a vehicle, comprising: A high-voltage device body; a housing that houses the high-voltage device main body; a spraying member that sprays the insulating sealant into the housing in the form of a mist or foam accompanied by a gas flow; a control device that activates the ejection member when a predetermined impact force on the vehicle is detected; and, Equipped with The ejection member is housed inside the housing, and ejects the insulating sealant toward the upper surface of the interior of the housing, causing it to collide with the upper surface, thereby scattering or diffusing the insulating sealant toward the upper and side surfaces of the high-voltage device main body and covering the upper and side surfaces of the high-voltage device main body with the insulating sealant.

2. A high-voltage device as described in claim 1, further comprising: the insulating sealant being caused to collide with the top surface inside the housing, thereby covering the upper side of the top surface and sides inside the housing.

3. The high-voltage device according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating sealant contains a moisture-curable resin component.

4. The insulating sealant according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating sealant contains a flame-retardant polyurethane as a resin component. High voltage equipment.

5. The high voltage device of claim 1 , wherein the ejection member comprises a high pressure gas generator that generates high pressure gas.

6. The high-voltage device according to claim 1 , wherein the high-voltage device body includes an inverter.

7. 1. A safety system for a high voltage device of a vehicle, comprising: A high voltage device body; a housing that houses the high-voltage device main body; a spraying member that sprays the insulating sealant into the housing in the form of a mist or foam accompanied by a gas flow; an impact force detection sensor that detects an impact force on the vehicle; a control device that activates the ejection member when a predetermined impact force on the vehicle is detected; and, Equipped with The ejection member is housed inside the housing, and ejects the insulating sealant toward the top surface of the interior of the housing, causing it to collide with the top surface, thereby scattering or diffusing the insulating sealant toward the top and side surfaces of the high-voltage device main body and covering the top and side surfaces of the high-voltage device main body with the insulating sealant.

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