Electrical Equipment

Abstract

To provide an electric device in which electrical components are suppressed from reaching an excessively high temperature due to heat generated by a power source.SOLUTION: An electric device comprises: an electrical component 70; a connector 80 provided at a position apart from the electrical component in a predetermined direction X and connected to a power source; bus bars 53 and 57 electrically connect the electrical component and the connector; and a case 100 having side walls 110, 120, 130, and 140 annularly surrounding the above-mentioned members. The side wall includes: a reference wall 132 arranged between the electrical component and the connector with respect to the predetermined direction; an aligned wall 134 provided on the opposite side to the reference wall across the connector with respect to a predetermined direction, aligned with the connector in the predetermined direction, and aligned with the reference wall in an orthogonal direction Y perpendicular to the predetermined direction; and a continuous wall 136 that connects the reference wall and the aligned wall and is aligned with the connector with respect to the orthogonal direction. A fastening member is provided at a position aligned perpendicularly to the continuous wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to electrical devices that include connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a power conversion device that includes a capacitor, a connector connected to a DC power supply and the capacitor, and a case that houses these components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-13142 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The case has four outer walls that form the outer shell. A connector is provided on one of the outer walls. A capacitor is provided between two outer walls that connect to the ends of the outer wall on which the connector is provided. The input terminal of the capacitor and the input connector terminal of the connector are fastened via a fastening member. There is a long distance between the fastening member and the outer wall that connects to the outer wall on which the connector is provided. Heat generated by the power supply is difficult to dissipate to the outer wall. The heat generated by the power supply may cause electrical components to become excessively hot. reach There was a risk that this would happen.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical device in which heat generated by a power supply is prevented from causing electrical components to reach excessively high temperatures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electrical device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an electrical component (70) in which a passive element (33) is housed; a connector (80) provided at a position spaced apart from the electrical component in a predetermined direction (X; Y) and connected to an external power source (20); bus bars (53, 57) that electrically connect the electrical components and the connector; a fastening member (210) for fastening the connector and the bus bar; a case (100) having side walls (110, 120, 130, 140; 110, 120, 130, 140, 160) that annularly surround the electrical components, connectors, bus bars, and fastening members; The side walls are a reference wall (132; 142; 162a, 162b) located between the electrical component and the connector in a predetermined direction; a side wall (134; 144; 164a, 164b) that is provided on the opposite side of the reference wall with the connector interposed therebetween in the predetermined direction, that is aligned with the connector in the predetermined direction, and that is aligned with the reference wall in an orthogonal direction (Y; X) that is orthogonal to the predetermined direction; a continuous wall (136; 146; 164b, 164a) that connects the reference wall and the adjacent wall and that is aligned with the connector in the perpendicular direction; Fastening members are provided at positions aligned perpendicular to the continuous wall.

[0007] This allows heat generated in the external power supply (20) to be easily dissipated to the continuous walls (136; 146; 164b, 164a), thereby preventing the electric component (70) from reaching an excessively high temperature due to the heat generated in the external power supply (20).

[0008] The reference numbers in parentheses above merely indicate the corresponding relationship with the configurations described in the embodiments below, and do not in any way limit the technical scope. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of an in-vehicle system including electrical equipment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an electrical circuit diagram of an in-vehicle system including electrical equipment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a top view of an electrical device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electric device of the first embodiment taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a top view of an electrical device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a top view of the electrical device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view of an electrical device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view of an electrical device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top view of an electrical device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of an electric device according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, several embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to matters described in the preceding embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted. In each embodiment, when only a part of the configuration is described, the other previously described embodiments may be applied to the other parts of the configuration.

[0011] In addition, it is not only possible to combine parts that are explicitly stated as being possible in each embodiment, but it is also possible to partially combine embodiments, embodiments and variants, and variants even if not explicitly stated, as long as there are no particular problems with the combination.

[0012] (First embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the electric device 30 is provided in a motor room 1 of an electric vehicle. The electric device 30 includes a power conversion unit 31 and a circuit board 32. The power conversion unit 31 converts power between a battery 20 and a motor 40. The battery 20 corresponds to an external power source. The circuit board 32 is equipped with a plurality of ECUs. The plurality of ECUs cooperate to control the electric vehicle. The regeneration and power running of the motor 40 are controlled according to the SOC of the battery 20 by the control of the plurality of ECUs. SOC stands for state of charge. ECU stands for electronic control unit. The electric device 30 is not limited to being installed in an electric vehicle. As another example, the electric device 30 may be installed in a hybrid vehicle.

[0013] The electrical device 30 is provided with a connector 80 at the rear side in relation to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The connector 80 is connected to the battery 20 via a connection cable 83. Power is supplied from the battery 20 to the electrical device 30 via the connection cable 83 and the connector 80. Hereinafter, the forward / backward direction of the vehicle may be referred to as the X direction. The left / right direction of the vehicle may be referred to as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the forward / backward direction of the vehicle and the left / right direction of the vehicle may be referred to as the Z direction. The X direction corresponds to a predetermined direction. The Y direction corresponds to an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The Z direction corresponds to a height direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction and the orthogonal direction.

[0014] An in-vehicle system 10 equipped with an electric device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The in-vehicle system 10 constitutes a system for an electric vehicle. The in-vehicle system 10 has a battery 20, the electric device 30, and a motor 40. The battery 20 has a plurality of secondary batteries. The plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series to form a battery stack. The SOC of this battery stack corresponds to the SOC of the battery 20. The secondary battery may be a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, an organic radical battery, or the like.

[0015] The power conversion unit 31 performs power conversion between the battery 20 and the motor 40 based on a control signal from the board 32. The power conversion unit 31 converts DC power from the battery 20 into AC power. The power conversion unit 31 converts AC power generated by power generation (regeneration) by the motor 40 into DC power. The power conversion unit 31 includes semiconductor elements such as switches. In this embodiment, n-channel IGBTs are used as the switches. However, MOSFETs can also be used as these switches instead of IGBTs. When MOSFETs are used as the switches, diodes are not necessary. These switches can be manufactured using semiconductors such as Si and wide-gap semiconductors such as SiC. There are no particular limitations on the materials used to construct the semiconductor elements.

[0016] The motor 40 is connected to the output shaft of the electric vehicle. The rotational energy of the motor 40 is transmitted to the running wheels of the electric vehicle via the output shaft. Conversely, the rotational energy of the running wheels is transmitted to the motor 40 via the output shaft. The motor 40 is powered by AC power supplied from the electric device 30. This provides propulsive force to the running wheels. The motor 40 also regenerates power using the rotational energy transmitted from the running wheels. The regenerated AC power is converted into DC power by the electric device 30. This DC power is supplied to the battery 20. The DC power is also supplied to various electrical loads installed in the electric vehicle.

[0017] <Electrical connection of power conversion unit> The power conversion unit 31 is electrically connected to the battery 20 via a first power supply unit 51 and a second power supply unit 55. The power conversion unit 31 has a capacitor 33, a U-phase leg 34, a V-phase leg 35, and a W-phase leg 36. The capacitor 33 corresponds to a passive element. The capacitor 33 and the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 are connected between the first power supply unit 51 and the second power supply unit 55. The U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 are electrically connected to the circuit board 32. The circuit board 32 controls the on / off of the switches provided in the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36.

[0018] Capacitor 33 is a smoothing capacitor that smoothes pulsating current that occurs when AC is rectified to DC. Capacitor 33 has two electrodes and two terminals. One electrode of capacitor 33 is connected to one terminal, a first terminal 33a. Another electrode of capacitor 33 is connected to another terminal, a second terminal 33b. First terminal 33a is electrically connected to first power supply part 51. Second terminal 33b is electrically connected to second power supply part 55.

[0019] Each of the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 has two switches connected in series. Each of the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 has a high-side switch 37 and a low-side switch 38 as switches. Each of the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 also has a high-side diode 37a and a low-side diode 38a as diodes.

[0020] The collector electrode of the high-side switch 37 is connected to the first power supply 51. The emitter electrode of the high-side switch 37 is connected to the collector electrode of the low-side switch 38. The emitter electrode of the low-side switch 38 is connected to the second power supply 55. As a result, the high-side switch 37 and the low-side switch 38 are connected in series in this order from the first power supply 51 to the second power supply 55.

[0021] The cathode electrode of a high-side diode 37a is connected to the collector electrode of each high-side switch 37. The anode electrode of the high-side diode 37a is connected to the emitter electrode of the high-side switch 37. Another high-side switch 37 is connected in anti-parallel to the high-side switch 37.

[0022] Similarly, the cathode electrode of the low-side diode 38a is connected to the collector electrode of each low-side switch 38. The anode electrode of the low-side diode 38a is connected to the emitter electrode of the low-side switch 38. The low-side diode 38a is connected in anti-parallel to the low-side switch 38.

[0023] Furthermore, a U-phase bus bar 41 is connected to the midpoint between the high-side switch 37 and the low-side switch 38 of the U-phase leg 34. The U-phase bus bar 41 is connected to the U-phase stator coil of the motor 40. A V-phase bus bar 42 is connected to the midpoint between the high-side switch 37 and the low-side switch 38 of the V-phase leg 35. The V-phase bus bar 42 is connected to the V-phase stator coil of the motor 40. A W-phase bus bar 43 is connected to the midpoint between the high-side switch 37 and the low-side switch 38 of the W-phase leg 36. The W-phase bus bar 43 is connected to the W-phase stator coil of the motor 40.

[0024] When the motor 40 is powered, the high-side switch 37 and the low-side switch 38 provided in the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 are PWM-controlled by a control signal from the ECU provided on the circuit board 32. This causes a three-phase AC to be generated in the electrical device 30. When the motor 40 generates (regenerates), the ECU, for example, stops outputting the control signal. As a result, the AC power generated by the power generation of the motor 40 passes through the diodes provided in the U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36. As a result, the AC power is converted into DC power.

[0025] <Mechanical configuration of electrical equipment> In addition to the circuit components described above, the electrical device 30 also has a cooler 60, a capacitor case 70, a case 100, a plurality of first fastening members 210, and a plurality of second fastening members 220. The U-phase leg 34 to the W-phase leg 36 are each covered with a coating resin to form a switch module 39. The cooler 60 houses and cools the U-phase to W-phase switch modules 39. The plurality of switch modules 39 are housed in the cooler 60 to form a power module 65. The capacitor case 70 corresponds to an electrical component.

[0026] The first power supply unit 51 described above includes a first connector bus bar 52, a first intermediate bus bar 53, and a first connection bus bar 54. The first connector bus bar 52 is connected to the first connection bus bar 54 via the first intermediate bus bar 53. The first connector bus bar 52 electrically connects the positive electrode of the battery 20 to the first intermediate bus bar 53. The first intermediate bus bar 53 electrically connects the first connector bus bar 52 to the first terminal 33a of the capacitor 33. The first connection bus bar 54 electrically connects the first terminal 33a to the collector terminal of the high-side switch 37 included in the power module 65.

[0027] Similarly, the second power supply unit 55 described above includes a second connector bus bar 56, a second intermediate bus bar 57, and a second connection bus bar 58. The second connector bus bar 56 is connected to the second connection bus bar 58 via the second intermediate bus bar 57. The second connector bus bar 56 is connected to the second connection bus bar 58 via the second intermediate bus bar 57. The second connector bus bar 56 electrically connects the negative electrode of the battery 20 to the second intermediate bus bar 57. The second intermediate bus bar 57 electrically connects the second connector bus bar 56 to the second terminal 33b of the capacitor 33. The second connection bus bar 58 electrically connects the second terminal 33b to the emitter terminal of the low-side switch 38 included in the power module 65.

[0028] Hereinafter, the first intermediate bus bar 53 and the second intermediate bus bar 57 may be collectively referred to as intermediate bus bars 53, 57. The first connector bus bar 52 and the second connector bus bar 56 may be collectively referred to as connector bus bars 52, 56. The first connection bus bar 54 and the second connection bus bar 58 may be collectively referred to as connection bus bars 54, 58.

[0029] <Cooler and power module> As shown in FIG. 3 , the cooler 60 has a supply pipe 61, a discharge pipe 63, and multiple relay pipes 62. The supply pipe 61 and the discharge pipe 63 are connected via the multiple relay pipes 62. The supply pipe 61 and the discharge pipe 63 extend along the X direction. The supply pipe 61 and the discharge pipe 63 are spaced apart in the Y direction. The multiple relay pipes 62 extend along the Y direction between the supply pipe 61 and the discharge pipe 63. The multiple relay pipes 62 are spaced apart in the X direction by the thickness of the switch module 39. One end of the relay pipe 62 is connected to the supply pipe 61 in the Y direction. The other end of the relay pipe 62 is connected to the discharge pipe 63 in the Y direction.

[0030] In the X direction, a supply port 61a through which the refrigerant is supplied is provided at one end of the supply pipe 61. In the X direction, a discharge port 63a through which the refrigerant is discharged is provided at one end of the discharge pipe 63. The refrigerant that flows from the supply port 61a to the supply pipe 61 flows through multiple relay pipes 62 to the discharge pipe 63 and is discharged from the discharge port 63a.

[0031] As an example, three gaps are formed in the gap between two relay pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the X direction. A U-phase switch module 39a, a V-phase switch module 39b, and a W-phase switch module 39c are individually provided in each of these three gaps. Note that the number of switch modules 39 included in the power module 65 is not limited to three. The number of switch modules 39 may increase by a multiple of three depending on the number of motors 40.

[0032] Main terminals and connection terminals are exposed from the switch module 39. The main terminals include a collector terminal of the high-side switch 37, an emitter terminal of the low-side switch 38, and an intermediate terminal connected to the emitter terminal of the high-side switch 37 and the collector terminal of the low-side switch 38. The connection terminals are gate terminals connected to the gate electrodes of the high-side switch 37 and the low-side switch 38.

[0033] The main terminal and the connection terminal are provided on opposite sides of the switch module 39 in the Z direction. The main terminal and the connection terminal extend away from the switch module 39. The connection terminal extends toward the substrate 32. The connection terminal is electrically connected to an electrical component provided on the substrate 32 via solder or the like. The main terminal extends toward the capacitor 33. The main terminal is electrically connected to the capacitor 33 via a first connection bus bar 54 and a second connection bus bar 58.

[0034] <Capacitor case> The capacitor case 70 is a case that houses the capacitor 33. The capacitor case 70 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. The capacitor 33 is fixed to the capacitor case 70 by a sealing resin inside the capacitor case 70. A portion of the first terminal 33a and a portion of the second terminal 33b are exposed from the capacitor case 70. A portion of the first terminal 33a extends toward the power module 65 and the connector 80. Note that the drawings omit illustration of the portion of the first terminal 33a that extends toward the power module 65. The drawings selectively depict only the portion of the first terminal 33a that extends toward the connector 80. Similarly, the drawings omit illustration of the portion of the second terminal 33b that extends toward the power module 65. The drawings depict only the portion of the second terminal 33b that extends toward the connector 80.

[0035] <Connector> The connector 80 is an electrical component for supplying power from the battery 20 to the capacitor 33. The connector 80 has a first connector bus bar 52, a second connector bus bar 56, and a resin fixing portion 82 that fixes them. The first connector bus bar 52 and the second connector bus bar 56 are insert-molded into the fixing portion 82. The first connector bus bar 52 and the second connector bus bar 56 have one end and the other end that are spaced apart in the Z direction. The one end and the other end of the first connector bus bar 52 and the second connector bus bar 56 are exposed from the fixing portion 82. One end of the first connector bus bar 52 is electrically connected to the first intermediate bus bar 53 via a first fastening member 210. A portion of the second connector bus bar 56 is electrically connected to the second intermediate bus bar 57 via the first fastening member 210. The other end of the first connector bus bar 52 is electrically connected to a connection cable 83 that is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 20. The other end of the second connector bus bar 56 is electrically connected to a connection cable 83 that is connected to the negative electrode of the battery 20 .

[0036] <Case> 3 to 5, case 100 is a case that houses intervening bus bars 53, 57, connecting bus bars 54, 58, power module 65, capacitor case 70, and part of connector 80. Case 100 includes a first side wall 110, a second side wall 120, a third side wall 130, a fourth side wall 140, a partition wall 150, and a cover 190. Case 100 is cooled by a refrigerant flowing through a cooler 60.

[0037] The first side wall 110 and the third side wall 130 are spaced apart in the X direction. The first side wall 110 extends along the Y direction. The third side wall 130 extends along the Y and X directions. The second side wall 120 and the fourth side wall 140 are spaced apart in the Y direction. The second side wall 120 extends along the X direction. The fourth side wall 140 extends along the X direction. The second side wall 120 includes an opposing wall 121 that faces the fourth side wall 140 in the Y direction, and an extension wall 122 that is connected to the opposing wall 121. In the drawings, the boundary between the opposing wall 121 and the extension wall 122 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0038] One end of the first side wall 110 is connected to one end of the opposing wall 121. The other end of the opposing wall 121 is connected to one end of the extension wall 122. The other end of the extension wall 122 is connected to the third side wall 130. The other end of the first side wall 110 is connected to one end of the fourth side wall 140. The other end of the fourth side wall 140 is connected to the other end of the third side wall 130.

[0039] The first to fourth side walls 110 to 140 extend continuously in an annular shape in the order of first side wall 110, second side wall 120, third side wall 130, and fourth side wall 140. The first to fourth side walls 110 to 140 each include a bottom end 170 located at one end in the Z direction and a top end 180 located at the other end in the Z direction and opposite to bottom end 170. The first to fourth side walls 110 to 140 form a first opening 171 on the bottom end 170 side for passing the U-phase bus bar 41 to W-phase bus bar 43 therethrough.

[0040] The third side wall 130 includes a reference wall 132, a lining wall 134, and a continuous wall 136. The reference wall 132 and the lining wall 134 are at different distances from the first side wall 110 in the X direction. The distance between the first side wall 110 and the reference wall 132 is shorter than the distance between the first side wall 110 and the lining wall 134. In other words, the distance between the first side wall 110 and the lining wall 134 is longer than the distance between the first side wall 110 and the lining wall 134. The reference wall 132 and the lining wall 134 are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the X direction and are aligned in the Y direction.

[0041] In the X direction, a continuous wall 136 is provided between the reference wall 132 and the lining wall 134. The continuous wall 136 extends in the X direction between the reference wall 132 and the lining wall 134. The reference wall 132 and the lining wall 134 are integrally connected via the continuous wall 136.

[0042] The reference wall 132 is provided on the fourth side wall 140 side in the Y direction. One end of the reference wall 132 is connected to the other end of the fourth side wall 140. The lining wall 134 is provided on the second side wall 120 side in the Y direction. One end of the lining wall 134 is connected to the other end of the extension wall 122.

[0043] The other end of the reference wall 132 is connected to one end of the continuous wall 136. The other end of the lining wall 134 is connected to the other end of the continuous wall 136. The continuous wall 136 is provided between the second side wall 120 and the fourth side wall 140 in the Y direction. The distance between the second side wall 120 and the continuous wall 136 is shorter than the distance between the second side wall 120 and the fourth side wall 140. In other words, the distance between the second side wall 120 and the fourth side wall 140 is longer than the distance between the second side wall 120 and the continuous wall 136. Furthermore, the continuous wall 136 is included in the overlapping range of the capacitor case 70 in the X direction. The continuous wall 136 is included within the projected area of ​​the capacitor case 70 in the X direction.

[0044] 4, the case 100 is partitioned by a partition wall 150 into a first storage space 101 that stores the capacitor case 70 and part of the connector 80, and a second storage space 102 that stores the power module 65. The partition wall 150 includes a first partition portion 152, a second partition portion 154, a third partition portion 156, and a fourth partition portion 158.

[0045] The first partition 152 to the fourth partition 158 are connected by the same material. The first partition 152 extends along the xy plane. In the Z direction, the first partition 152 is provided between the top end 180 and the bottom end 170. The first partition 152 is connected to the first inner surface 110a of the first side wall 110, the second inner surface 120a of the second side wall 120, and the fourth inner surface 140a of the fourth side wall 140.

[0046] The first partition portion 152 has a first partition upper surface 152a on the top end portion 180 side and a first partition lower surface 152b on the bottom end portion 170 side. The first partition portion 152 is provided with second openings 151 that open to the first partition upper surface 152a and the first partition lower surface 152b and allow the connection bus bars 54, 58 to pass through. A second partition portion 154 is provided on the first partition upper surface 152a at the end of the first partition portion 152 away from the first side wall 110.

[0047] The second partition 154 extends in the Z direction toward the top end 180, away from the first partition upper surface 152a. The second partition 154 is connected to the second inner surface 120a and the fourth inner surface 140a. One end of the third partition 156 is connected to the end of the second partition 154 on the top end 180 side. The third partition 156 is connected to the second inner surface 120a, the third inner surface 130a of the lining wall 134, and the fourth inner surface 140a.

[0048] The third partition 156 has a third partition upper surface 156a on the top end 180 side and a third partition lower surface 156b on the bottom end 170 side. The third partition 156 is provided with a third opening 157 that opens to the third partition upper surface 156a and the third partition lower surface 156b and through which the connector 80 passes. The first side wall 110, the second side wall 120, the third side wall 130, the fourth side wall 140, the first partition 152, the second partition 154, and the third partition 156 define a first storage space 101 that is surrounded by a substantially L-shape.

[0049] One end of a fourth partition 158 is connected to the edge of the third opening 157 on the first side wall 110 side. The fourth partition 158 extends toward the top end 180, away from the third partition 156. The first side wall 110, the second side wall 120, the fourth partition 158, and the fourth side wall 140 define a fourth opening 181 on the top end 180 side, where a cover 190 is provided. The first side wall 110, the second side wall 120, the third side wall 130, the fourth side wall 140, and the partition wall 150 define a second storage space 102 on the fourth opening 181 side.

[0050] <Arrangement of various components in the first storage space> 4 and 5, the interposed bus bars 53, 57, the capacitor case 70, and the connector 80 are housed in the first housing space 101. Note that to clarify the position of the cross section in Fig. 4, the cross section line is also shown by a dashed line in Fig. 5.

[0051] In the first storage space 101, the capacitor case 70, the intervening bus bars 53, 57, and the connector 80 are arranged in this order from the first side wall 110 toward the third side wall 130 in the X direction. The capacitor case 70 is stored in a space on the first side wall 110 side of the first storage space 101 that is surrounded by the first side wall 110, the second side wall 120, and the fourth side wall 140. The connector 80 is stored in a space on the third side wall 130 side of the first storage space 101 that is surrounded by the second side wall 120, the lining wall 134, and the continuous wall 136. The intervening bus bars 53, 57 are provided across the space on the first side wall 110 side and the space on the third side wall 130 side.

[0052] More specifically, a reference wall 132 is provided between the capacitor case 70 and the connector 80 in the X direction. A side wall 134 is provided on the opposite side of the connector 80 in the X direction, and is aligned with the connector 80 in the X direction. The side wall 134 and the reference wall 132 are aligned with each other in the Y direction. The side wall 134 and the reference wall 132 are connected via a continuous wall 136. The continuous wall 136 is aligned with the connector 80 in the Y direction.

[0053] The capacitor case 70 is provided in the first partition portion 152, aligned with the second opening 151 in the Z direction. The connection bus bars 54, 58, the first terminal 33a, and the second terminal 33b are exposed from the capacitor case 70. The connection bus bars 54, 58 extend in the Z direction toward the cover 190, away from the capacitor case 70. The first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b extend in the X direction from the capacitor case 70 toward the third side wall 130.

[0054] The connection bus bars 54, 58 exposed from the capacitor case 70 pass through the second opening 151. The connection bus bars 54, 58 are electrically connected to the main terminals of the switch module 39 included in the power module 65. In addition, the connector 80 passes through the third opening 157. A part of the connector 80 is provided in the first storage space 101.

[0055] A portion of the connector bus bars 52, 56 is exposed from the connector 80 provided in the first storage space 101. The intervening bus bars 53, 57 are connected to the connector bus bars 52, 56 via first fastening members 210. The first fastening members 210 are provided in positions aligned in the Y direction with respect to the continuous wall 136. The terminals 33a, 33b are connected to the intervening bus bars 53, 57 via second fastening members 220. Note that the first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b may be collectively referred to simply as the terminals 33a, 33b. The second fastening members 220 are provided in positions aligned in the Y direction with respect to the opposing wall 121.

[0056] The first intermediate bus bar 53 electrically connects the first terminal 33a and the first connector bus bar 52. The second intermediate bus bar 57 electrically connects the second terminal 33b and the second connector bus bar .

[0057] <Interposed bus bar> The intervening bus bars 53, 57 include first intervening portions 53a, 57a, second intervening portions 53b, 57b, third intervening portions 53c, 57c, fourth intervening portions 53d, 57d, and fifth intervening portions 53e, 57e. The first intervening bus bar 53 includes the first intervening portion 53a, the second intervening portion 53b, the third intervening portion 53c, the fourth intervening portion 53d, and the fifth intervening portion 53e. The second intervening bus bar 57 includes the first intervening portion 57a, the second intervening portion 57b, the third intervening portion 57c, the fourth intervening portion 57d, and the fifth intervening portion 57e. The first intervening bus bar 53 and the second intervening bus bar 57 are aligned in the Y direction.

[0058] As described above, the first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b extend in the X direction from the capacitor case 70 toward the connector 80. The first terminal 33a and the first intervening bus bar 53 are fastened together via the second fastening member 220. The second terminal 33b and the second intervening bus bar 57 are fastened together via the second fastening member 220. The first intervening portions 53a, 57a extend away from the second fastening member 220. The ends of the first intervening portions 53a, 57a that are farther from the second fastening member 220 are located closer to the third side wall 130 in the X direction than the first partition portion 152.

[0059] The second intermediate portions 53b, 57b are connected to the ends of the first intermediate portions 53a, 57a that are farther from the second fastening member 220. The second intermediate portions 53b, 57b extend in the Z direction toward the cover 190. The second intermediate portions 53b, 57b are provided across a space closer to the bottom end 170 than the first partition portion 152 and a space closer to the top end 180 than the first partition portion 152. The third intermediate portions 53c, 57c are connected to the ends of the second intermediate portions 53b, 57b that are closer to the cover 190.

[0060] The third intermediate portions 53c, 57c extend in the Y direction toward the second side wall 120. The fourth intermediate portions 53d, 57d are connected to the ends of the third intermediate portions 53c, 57c on the second side wall 120 side. The fourth intermediate portions 53d, 57d extend in the Z direction away from the cover 190. The fourth intermediate portions 53d, 57d extend in the Z direction along the second partition portion 154, in a space closer to the top end portion 180 than the first partition portion 152. The fifth intermediate portions 53e, 57e are connected to the ends of the fourth intermediate portions 53d, 57d away from the cover 190.

[0061] The second intermediate portions 53b, 57b, the third intermediate portions 53c, 57c, and the fourth intermediate portions 53d, 57d form a U-shape. It can be said that the intermediate bus bars 53, 57 are bent in a U-shape in their thickness direction, i.e., in the Z direction, to form a U-shape. The fifth intermediate portions 53e, 57e extend in the X direction toward the third side wall 130. The connector bus bars 52, 56 are fastened to the ends of the fifth intermediate portions 53e, 57e facing the third side wall 130 via first fastening members 210. The first connector bus bar 52 is fastened to the end of the fifth intermediate portion 53e facing the third side wall 130 via the first fastening member 210. The second connector bus bar 56 is fastened to the end of the fifth intermediate portion 57e facing the third side wall 130 via the first fastening member 210.

[0062] The fifth intermediate portions 53e, 57e extend in the X direction along the extension wall 122. The fifth intermediate portions 53e, 57e are provided across the space between the opposing wall 121 and the fourth side wall 140 in the first storage space 101 and the space between the extension wall 122 and the continuous wall 136 in the first storage space 101. A first fastening member 210 is provided on the side of the reference wall 132 closer to the side wall 134. The first fastening member 210 is provided in the space between the side wall 134 and the continuous wall 136. More specifically, the first fastening member 210 is surrounded by the extension wall 122, the side wall 134, and the continuous wall 136. The first fastening member 210 is provided in the space surrounded by the extension wall 122, the side wall 134, and the continuous wall 136.

[0063] A gap large enough to allow a tool to fit in during manufacturing is provided between the first fastening member 210 fastened to the fifth intermediate portion 53e and the extension wall 122. A gap large enough to allow a tool to fit in during manufacturing is provided between the first fastening member 210 fastened to the fifth intermediate portion 57e and the continuous wall 136.

[0064] The length of the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is longer than the distance between the capacitor case 70 and the first fastening member 210. The length of the intervening bus bars 53, 57 refers to the combined length of the first intervening portions 53a, 57a to the fifth intervening portions 53e, 57e.

[0065] Furthermore, the first fastening member 210 is provided closer to the cover 190 in the Z direction than the second fastening member 220. The first fastening member 210 is provided closer to the cover 190 in the Z direction than the first partition 152. The first fastening member 210 does not overlap with the capacitor case 70 in the X direction. The second partition 154 is provided between the first fastening member 210 and the second fastening member 220 in the X direction. A portion of the second partition 154 is provided between the first fastening member 210 and the second fastening member 220 in the Z direction. This makes it easier for the second partition 154 to suppress heat transfer to the capacitor case 70.

[0066] <Arrangement of various components in the second storage space> The second storage space 102 houses a circuit board 32 and a power module 65. The circuit board 32 and the power module 65 are aligned in the Z direction. In the second storage space 102, the circuit board 32 is disposed closer to the cover 190 than the power module 65. In the second storage space 102, the power module 65 is disposed facing the second opening 151. A connection terminal extending from a switch module 39 included in the power module 65 is electrically connected to the circuit board 32.

[0067] <Action and effect> As described above, power is supplied from the battery 20 to the capacitor 33 via the connector bus bars 52, 56 and the intervening bus bars 53, 57. The connector bus bars 52, 56 and the intervening bus bars 53, 57 are fastened together via the first fastening member 210. The intervening bus bars 53, 57 and the capacitor 33 are fastened together via the second fastening member 220. When power is supplied from the battery 20 to the capacitor 33, heat generated in the battery 20 is transferred to the capacitor 33 via the connector bus bars 52, 56, the first fastening member 210, the intervening bus bars 53, 57, and the second fastening member 220. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the heat generated in the battery 20 may be simply referred to as the heat of the battery 20.

[0068] The connector bus bars 52, 56, the first fastening member 210, the intervening bus bars 53, 57, and the second fastening member 220 can also be said to form a heat transfer path between the battery 20 and the capacitor 33. When heat from the battery 20 is transferred to the capacitor 33 via the heat transfer path as power is supplied, there is a risk that the capacitor 33 will reach an excessively high temperature. The heat from the battery 20 is transferred from the connector bus bars 52, 56 to the intervening bus bars 53, 57 via the first fastening member 210. In the heat transfer path, the overlapping portions where the connector bus bars 52, 56, the first fastening member 210, and the intervening bus bars 53, 57 overlap are prone to becoming hot.

[0069] The first fastening member 210 is provided at a position aligned with the continuous wall 136 in the Y direction. This facilitates heat dissipation from the battery 20 to the continuous wall 136 from the overlapping portion. This also facilitates suppressing heat transfer from the overlapping portion to the intervening bus bars 53, 57. This facilitates preventing the capacitor 33 from reaching an excessively high temperature due to heat transfer via the intervening bus bars 53, 57. An excessively high temperature corresponds to the upper limit temperature at which the functionality of the capacitor 33 can be guaranteed. Because the functionality of the capacitor 33 may be reduced at excessively high or low temperatures, it is necessary to operate the electric device 30 within a temperature range at which the functionality of the capacitor 33 can be guaranteed.

[0070] Furthermore, unlike the present embodiment, if the third side wall 130 is formed only by the reference wall 132 and the connector 80 and the first fastening member 210 are provided between the capacitor case 70 and the reference wall 132, the distance between the capacitor case 70 and the first fastening member 210 will be shorter than in the present embodiment. Compared to a configuration in which the first fastening member 210 is provided between the capacitor case 70 and the reference wall 132, the distance between the capacitor case 70 and the first fastening member 210 will be longer in the present embodiment. As a result, heat from the battery 20 will be more easily dissipated through the heat transfer path.

[0071] As described above, the continuous wall 136 is provided between the second side wall 120 and the fourth side wall 140 in the Y direction. The continuous wall 136 is included in the overlapping range of the capacitor case 70 in the X direction. This prevents the electrical device 30 from increasing in size. This reduces the space required to mount the electrical device 30. This makes it possible to both suppress heat transfer to the capacitor 33 and suppress an increase in size.

[0072] As described above, the first fastening member 210 is provided closer to the cover 190 than the first partition 152 in the Z direction. The first fastening member 210 is provided in a non-overlapping range of the capacitor case 70 in the X direction. This increases the distance between the capacitor case 70 and the first fastening member 210. Heat from the battery 20 is easily dissipated through the heat transfer path.

[0073] As described above, the first fastening member 210 is provided in the space surrounded by the extension wall 122, the side wall 134, and the continuous wall 136. This makes it easier for heat from the battery 20 to be dissipated to the extension wall 122, the continuous wall 136, and the side wall 134. This also makes it easier to suppress heat transfer to the intervening bus bars 53, 57.

[0074] As described above, the intervening bus bars 53, 57 include the first intervening portions 53a, 57a to the fifth intervening portions 53e, 57e. The combined length of the intervening bus bars 53, 57 including the first intervening portions 53a, 57a to the fifth intervening portions 53e, 57e is longer than the distance between the capacitor case 70 and the first fastening member 210. This allows heat from the battery 20 to be easily dissipated through the heat transfer path.

[0075] As described above, the first intervening bus bar 53 and the second intervening bus bar 57 are aligned in the Y direction. This causes the magnetic field generated around the first intervening bus bar 53 and the magnetic field generated around the second intervening bus bar 57 to cancel each other out. Even if the length of the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is longer than the distance between the capacitor case 70 and the first fastening member 210, electromagnetic noise is less likely to enter the intervening bus bars 53, 57.

[0076] As described above, the electrical device 30 is provided in the motor room 1 of the vehicle. The electrical device 30 is provided in the motor room 1 so that the connector 80 is located on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. This makes it easier to prevent damage to the connector 80 when the vehicle collides with an external barrier or the like on the front side in the traveling direction.

[0077] The second to sixth embodiments will be described below. In the second to fifth embodiments, the Y direction corresponds to the predetermined direction. The X direction corresponds to the orthogonal direction. The sixth embodiment includes both a case where the X direction corresponds to the predetermined direction and the Y direction corresponds to the orthogonal direction, and a case where the Y direction corresponds to the predetermined direction and the X direction corresponds to the orthogonal direction.

[0078] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, the intervening bus bars 53, 57 extend in the X direction while bending in the Z direction, and the first fastening member 210 is provided in a space surrounded by the extension wall 122, the side wall 134, and the continuous wall 136. However, the extending direction of the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is not limited to the X direction, and they may extend in a direction other than the X direction. The first fastening member 210 may also be provided in a space other than the space surrounded by the extension wall 122, the side wall 134, and the continuous wall 136.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the second embodiment, the fourth side wall 140 includes a reference wall 142, a lining wall 144, and a continuous wall 146. The fourth side wall 140 includes two reference walls 142, one lining wall 144, and two continuous walls 146. An end of one reference wall 142 is connected to an end of the first side wall 110. An end of another reference wall 142 is connected to an end of the third side wall 130. The reference wall 142 on the first side wall 110 side extends toward the third side wall 130. The reference wall 142 on the third side wall 130 side extends toward the first side wall 110. The continuous wall 146 is connected to the end of the reference wall 142 extending toward the third side wall 130. The continuous wall 146 is connected to the end of the reference wall 142 extending toward the first side wall 110. Two continuous walls 146 are side by side and connected via wall 144 .

[0080] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the connector 80 is provided in a space partitioned by the two continuous walls 146 and the side walls 144. Intermediate bus bars 53, 57 are provided between the capacitor case 70 and the connector 80 to electrically connect them. The intermediary bus bars 53, 57 extend along the Y direction. The ends of the intermediary bus bars 53, 57 extending along the Y direction are fastened to the connector bus bars 52, 56 via first fastening members 210.

[0081] The first fastening member 210 is provided in a space partitioned by the wall 144, alongside the two continuous walls 146. The first fastening member 210 is aligned with the two continuous walls 146 in the X direction. Heat from the battery 20 is dissipated to the two continuous walls 146 from overlapping portions of the connector bus bars 52, 56, the first fastening member 210, and the intervening bus bars 53, 57. Heat transfer from the overlapping portions of the battery 20 to the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is likely to be suppressed. Heat transferred via the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is likely to prevent the capacitor 33 from reaching an excessively high temperature.

[0082] (Third embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the capacitor case 70 has been described as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the shape of the capacitor case 70 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 7 , in the third embodiment, a portion of the capacitor case 70 has a recessed shape. In this case, the first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b are exposed from the recessed portion of the capacitor case 70. The intervening bus bars 53 and 57 extending in the Y direction are fastened to the first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b exposed from the recessed portion of the capacitor case 70 via second fastening members 220. The first fastening members 210 fastened to the ends of the intervening bus bars 53 and 57 farther from the capacitor case 70 are aligned with the two continuous walls 146 in the X direction.

[0083] (Fourth embodiment) 8, in the fourth embodiment, the capacitor case 70 has a cylindrical shape. In this case, the first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b are exposed from the side surface of the cylindrical shape. The intervening bus bars 53, 57 extending in the Y direction are fastened to the first terminal 33a and the second terminal 33b exposed from the side surface of the cylindrical shape via second fastening members 220. The first fastening members 210 fastened to the ends of the intervening bus bars 53, 57 remote from the capacitor case 70 are aligned with the two continuous walls 146 in the X direction.

[0084] (Fifth embodiment) 9 , in the fifth embodiment, the first side wall 110 includes an opposing wall 111 and an extension wall 112. The opposing wall 111 faces the third side wall 130 in the X direction. The extension wall 112 is connected to an end of the opposing wall 111 and extends away from the second side wall 120.

[0085] In the fifth embodiment, the fourth side wall 140 includes two reference walls 142, one side wall 144, two continuous walls 146, as well as a first protruding wall 141 and a second protruding wall 143. The first protruding wall 141, the reference wall 142, the side wall 144, and the reference wall 142 are arranged in this order from the first side wall 110 toward the third side wall 130. The first protruding wall 141 and the reference wall 142 are connected via the second protruding wall 143. The reference wall 142 and the wall 144 are connected via the continuous wall 146.

[0086] The lining wall 144 and the two continuous walls 146 define a space in which the first fastening member 210 is provided. The first fastening member 210 is aligned with the two continuous walls 146 in the X direction. The extension wall 112, the first protruding wall 141, and the second protruding wall 143 define another space aligned with the space in which the first fastening member 210 is provided. Note that one extension wall 112, one lining wall 144, and one continuous wall 146 may include components that make up the electric device 30.

[0087] (Sixth embodiment) 10 , in the sixth embodiment, the case 100 includes an annular wall 160 in addition to the first to fourth side walls 110 to 140. In the sixth embodiment, the first to fourth side walls 110 to 140 and the annular wall 160 correspond to side walls. The annular wall 160 is provided at a corner between the third side wall 130 and the fourth side wall 140. At the corner between the third side wall 130 and the fourth side wall 140, the annular wall 160 is connected to the third side wall 130 and the fourth side wall 140. The annular wall 160 includes a first annular wall 162a and a third annular wall 164a that are spaced apart in the X direction, and a second annular wall 164b and a fourth annular wall 162b that are spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0088] The first annular wall 162a is connected to an end of the fourth side wall 140. The fourth annular wall 162b is connected to an end of the third side wall 130. The second annular wall 164b is connected to an end of the first annular wall 162a remote from the fourth side wall 140. The third annular wall 164a is connected to an end of the fourth annular wall 162b remote from the third side wall 130. The end of the second annular wall 164b remote from the first annular wall 162a is connected to the end of the third annular wall 164a remote from the fourth annular wall 162b.

[0089] The connector 80 is provided in a space surrounded by the first annular wall 162a, the second annular wall 164b, the third annular wall 164a, and the fourth annular wall 162b. The intervening bus bars 53, 57 extend obliquely from the capacitor case 70 toward the connector 80. The intervening bus bars 53, 57 extend from the capacitor case 70 toward the connector 80 in a direction between the X direction and the Y direction in the xy plane.

[0090] A first annular wall 162a is provided between the capacitor case 70 and the connector 80 in the X direction. A third annular wall 164a is provided on the opposite side of the connector 80 in the X direction, and is aligned with the connector 80 in the X direction. The third annular wall 164a is aligned with the first annular wall 162a in the X direction, and the portion of the third annular wall 164a on the fourth annular wall 162b side is aligned with the first annular wall 162a in the Y direction. The third annular wall 164a and the first annular wall 162a are connected via the second annular wall 164b. The second annular wall 164b is aligned with the connector 80 in the Y direction. The first fastening member 210 is aligned with the second annular wall 164b in the Y direction. In this case, it can be said that the first annular wall 162a corresponds to a reference wall, the third annular wall 164a corresponds to a line wall, and the second annular wall 164b corresponds to a continuous wall.

[0091] Furthermore, a fourth annular wall 162b is provided between the capacitor case 70 and the connector 80 in the Y direction. A second annular wall 164b is provided on the opposite side of the connector 80 in the Y direction, aligned with the connector 80 in the Y direction. The second annular wall 164b is aligned with the fourth annular wall 162b in the Y direction, and the portion of the second annular wall 164b on the first annular wall 162a side is aligned with the fourth annular wall 162b in the X direction. The fourth annular wall 162b and the second annular wall 164b are connected via the third annular wall 164a. The third annular wall 164a is aligned with the connector 80 in the X direction. The first fastening member 210 is aligned with the third annular wall 164a in the X direction. In this case, it can be said that the fourth annular wall 162b corresponds to a reference wall, the second annular wall 164b corresponds to a line wall, and the third annular wall 164a corresponds to a continuous wall.

[0092] According to this, the first fastening member 210 is aligned with the second annular wall 164b in the Y direction and aligned with the third annular wall 164a in the X direction. Heat from the battery 20 is dissipated to the second annular wall 164b and the third annular wall 164a from the overlapping portions of the connector bus bars 52, 56, the first fastening member 210, and the intervening bus bars 53, 57. Heat transfer from the overlapping portions of the battery 20 to the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is likely to be suppressed. Heat transferred via the intervening bus bars 53, 57 is likely to prevent the capacitor 33 from reaching an excessively high temperature.

[0093] (Other variations) Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, although various combinations and forms are shown in the present disclosure, other combinations and forms including only one element, more, or less than one element are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 motor room, 100 case, 110, 120 side wall, 122 extension wall, 130 side wall, 132 reference wall, 134 wall, 136 continuous wall, 140 side wall, 142 reference wall, 144 wall, 146 continuous wall, 160 side wall, 162a, 162b reference wall, 164a wall, 164a continuous wall, 164b wall, 164b, 166 continuous wall, 20 external power supply, 210 fastening member, 33 passive element, 53, 57 bus bar, 70 electrical part, 80 connector, U-shaped, X specified direction, X orthogonal direction, Y specified direction, Y orthogonal direction.

Claims

1. an electrical component (70) in which a passive element (33) is housed; a connector (80) provided at a position spaced apart from the electrical component in a predetermined direction (X; Y) and connected to an external power source (20); bus bars (53, 57) that electrically connect the electrical components and the connector; a fastening member (210) for fastening the connector and the bus bar; a case (100) having a side wall (110, 120, 130, 140; 110, 120, 130, 140, 160) that annularly surrounds the electrical component, the connector, the bus bar, and the fastening member; The side wall is a reference wall (132; 142; 162a, 162b) located between the electrical component and the connector in the predetermined direction; a side wall (134; 144; 164a, 164b) that is provided on the opposite side of the reference wall with the connector interposed therebetween in the predetermined direction, is aligned with the connector in the predetermined direction, and is aligned with the reference wall in an orthogonal direction (Y; X) perpendicular to the predetermined direction; a continuous wall (136; 146; 164b, 164a) that connects the reference wall and the lining wall and is aligned with the connector in the orthogonal direction; The electrical equipment is such that the fastening members are provided at positions aligned with the continuous wall in the perpendicular direction.

2. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein the continuous wall is provided in an area overlapping with the electrical component in the predetermined direction.

3. the electrical component and the fastening member are spaced apart in a height direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction and the perpendicular direction, The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening member is provided in a non-overlapping range with respect to the electrical component in the predetermined direction.

4. The side wall further includes an extension wall (122) provided on the opposite side of the continuous wall in the orthogonal direction, aligned with the connector in the predetermined direction, and extending toward the electrical component; The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening member is provided in a space defined by the extension wall, the side wall, and the continuous wall.

5. A plurality of the continuous walls are provided. The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening member is provided in a space defined by the line wall and the plurality of continuous walls.

6. The wall structure has two of the continuous walls and two of the side walls, One of the continuous walls extends along the predetermined direction, and another of the continuous walls extends along the orthogonal direction, One of the lining walls extends along the predetermined direction, and another of the lining walls extends along the orthogonal direction, The electrical device according to claim 5 , wherein the fastening member is provided in a space defined by the two continuous walls and the two side walls.

7. The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length of the bus bar is longer than a distance between the electrical component and the fastening member.

8. The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bus bar extends in the predetermined direction while being bent in a U-shape in a thickness direction of the bus bar.

9. Two of the bus bars are provided, The electric device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two bus bars are arranged side by side in the orthogonal direction.

10. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided in a motor room (1) so as to be positioned rearward in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

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