Capacitor module and electric power conversion device comprising same

Abstract

This capacitor module comprises: first capacitor elements disposed so as to constitute a first row, each of the first capacitor elements being provided with a first electrode and a second electrode; second capacitor elements disposed so as to constitute a second row, each of the second capacitor elements being provided with a third electrode and a fourth electrode; first connection terminals connected to the first electrodes, and second connection terminals connected to the second electrodes; third connection terminals connected to the third electrodes, and fourth connection terminals connected to the fourth electrodes; a first busbar connected to the first connection terminals and the third connection terminals, one end section of the first busbar serving as an input terminal and the other end section serving as an output terminal; a second busbar connected to the second connection terminals and the fourth connection terminals, one end section of the second busbar serving as an input terminal and the other end section serving as an output terminal; and a case in which the first and second capacitor elements, the first to fourth connection terminals, and the first and second busbars are accommodated, the case having a first surface. The output terminal of the first busbar and the output terminal of the second busbar are led out in a first direction from the first surface. The first row is closer to the first surface than is the second row. At least one of the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals of the first capacitor elements is disposed along the first direction between the first capacitor elements and the first and second busbars.

Description

Capacitor module and power conversion device including same

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitor module and a power conversion device including the same.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which multiple switching transistors and electrolytic capacitors are connected by two parallel plates. The two parallel plates are close to each other, and currents flow in opposite directions between them, thereby canceling out the magnetic fields caused by the currents and reducing circuit inductance.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-203686

[0004] However, in the capacitor module described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to shorten the physical distance between the switching transistor and the electrolytic capacitor, and there is still room for improvement in terms of reducing inductance.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a capacitor module with reduced inductance and a power conversion device including the same.

[0006] A capacitor module according to one aspect of the present invention includes first capacitor elements arranged in a first row, each having a first electrode and a second electrode; second capacitor elements arranged in a second row, each having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; a first connection terminal connected to the first electrode and a second connection terminal connected to the second electrode; a third connection terminal connected to the third electrode and a fourth connection terminal connected to the fourth electrode; a first bus bar connected to the first connection terminal and the third connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end as an output terminal; and a second bus bar connected to the second connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end as an output terminal. the first end of the first capacitor element and the second end of the second bus bar serving as output terminals; and a case having a first surface in which the first capacitor element, the second capacitor element, the first connection terminal to the fourth connection terminal, and the first bus bar and the second bus bar are housed, wherein the output terminal of the first bus bar and the output terminal of the second bus bar are drawn out from the first surface in a first direction, the first row is closer to the first surface than the second row, and the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal of at least one of the first capacitor elements are arranged along the first direction between the first capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

[0007] A power conversion device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the capacitor module and the power semiconductor electrically connected to the first bus bar and the second bus bar of the capacitor module.

[0008] According to the present invention, the inductance can be reduced.

[0009] 1. A perspective view showing a capacitor element used in the capacitor module of FIG. 1. A perspective view showing a capacitor element used in the capacitor module of FIG. 1. A side view showing an enlarged portion of FIG. 1. A side view showing a capacitor module and a power conversion device according to a second embodiment. A plan view showing a capacitor module and a power conversion device according to FIG. 6. A perspective view showing a capacitor module and a power conversion device according to a third embodiment. A plan view showing a capacitor module and a power conversion device according to FIG. 9. A perspective view showing a capacitor module and a power conversion device according to FIG. 9.

[0010] According to the first aspect, there is provided a capacitor including: first capacitor elements arranged in a first row, each having a first electrode and a second electrode; second capacitor elements arranged in a second row, each having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; a first connection terminal connected to the first electrode and a second connection terminal connected to the second electrode; a third connection terminal connected to the third electrode and a fourth connection terminal connected to the fourth electrode; a first bus bar connected to the first connection terminal and the third connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; and a capacitor connected to the second connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal. the first row is closer to the first surface than the second row, and the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal of at least one of the first capacitor elements are arranged along the first direction between the first capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

[0011] According to a second aspect, there is provided the capacitor module described in the first aspect, in which a plurality of the first capacitor elements, a plurality of the first connection terminals, and a plurality of the second connection terminals are provided, and the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals are arranged along the first direction between the corresponding first capacitor elements and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, respectively.

[0012] According to a third aspect, there is provided a capacitor module as described in the first or second aspect, in which the third connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal of at least one of the second capacitor elements are arranged between the second capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar along a second direction different from the first direction.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided the capacitor module described in the third aspect, in which a plurality of the second capacitor elements, a plurality of the third connection terminals, and a plurality of the fourth connection terminals are provided, and the plurality of third connection terminals and the plurality of fourth connection terminals are arranged along the second direction between the corresponding second capacitor elements and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, respectively.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a capacitor module described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the orientation of the first capacitor element to which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected is different from the orientation of the second capacitor element to which the third connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal are connected.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a capacitor module described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the orientation of the first capacitor element to which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected and the orientation of the second capacitor element to which the third connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal are connected are aligned with each other.

[0016] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a capacitor module according to the third or fourth aspect, further comprising: third capacitor elements arranged in a third row, each having a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode; a fifth connection terminal connecting the fifth electrode and the first bus bar to each other; and a sixth connection terminal connecting the sixth electrode and the second bus bar to each other; the third row being farther from the first surface than the second row; and the fifth connection terminal and the sixth connection terminal of at least one of the third capacitor elements being arranged between the third capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar along a third direction different from the first direction.

[0017] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided the capacitor module according to the seventh aspect, wherein the second direction and the third direction are parallel to each other.

[0018] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided the capacitor module according to the seventh or eighth aspect, in which the orientation of the second capacitor element and the orientation of the third capacitor element are aligned with each other.

[0019] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a capacitor module according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the first bus bar comprises a first flat plate portion arranged along the first capacitor element and the second capacitor element, and a second flat plate portion bent from the first flat plate portion and arranged along the first surface within the case, the second bus bar comprises a third flat plate portion arranged along the first capacitor element and the second capacitor element, and a fourth flat plate portion bent from the third flat plate portion and arranged along the first surface within the case, and the first connection terminal is connected to the second flat plate portion, and the second connection terminal is connected to the fourth flat plate portion.

[0020] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided the capacitor module according to the tenth aspect, wherein the third connection terminal is connected to the first flat plate portion, and the fourth connection terminal is connected to the third flat plate portion.

[0021] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided the capacitor module according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the output terminal of the first bus bar and the output terminal of the second bus bar are electrically connected to a power semiconductor.

[0022] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a power conversion device including the capacitor module according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, and the power semiconductor electrically connected to the first bus bar and the second bus bar of the capacitor module.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, elements are shown in a simplified form for ease of explanation.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing a capacitor module 2 and a power conversion device 100 including the capacitor module 2 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module 2 and the power conversion device 100 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing some of the components of the capacitor module 2 and the power conversion device 100 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 used in the capacitor module 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view schematically showing an enlarged portion of Fig. 1. Note that the X, Y, and Z directions in the drawings indicate the horizontal, vertical, and height directions of the capacitor module 2 and the power conversion device 100, respectively.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the power conversion device 100 includes a capacitor module 2 and a power semiconductor 4 .

[0026] The capacitor module 2 is a module including a plurality of capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10. The capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 of the capacitor module 2 are electrically connected to the power semiconductor 4 via bus bars 16 and 18, which will be described later.

[0027] The power semiconductor 4 is a semiconductor for controlling and converting power, and may be any type of power semiconductor, such as a diode, a transistor, or a thyristor.

[0028] The capacitor module 2 includes a plurality of capacitor elements 6, 8, 10, a case 12, a sealing resin 14, a first bus bar 16, a second bus bar 18, connection terminals 20A, 20B, connection terminals 22A, 22B, and connection terminals 24A, 24B.

[0029] The sealing resin 14 is shown schematically by hatching in Fig. 1, and is not shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The components of the capacitor module 2 will now be described.

[0030] Each of the capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 is a wound film capacitor. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 of this embodiment are film capacitors having a common shape. However, this is not limited to this case, and film capacitors with different shapes / specifications may also be used.

[0031] The capacitor elements 6 in the first row may be referred to as "first capacitor elements 6," the capacitor elements 8 in the second row may be referred to as "second capacitor elements 8," and the capacitor elements 10 in the third row may be referred to as "third capacitor elements 10."

[0032] Each of the capacitor elements 6, 8, 10 has a body portion 38, an electrode 40 on one side, and an electrode 42 on the other side.

[0033] The main body 38 is formed, for example, by winding a dielectric film having a metal vapor deposition film formed on its surface and pressing the wound dielectric film into a flat shape. The dielectric film may be a plastic film such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide, or polyethylene naphthalate. The metal vapor deposition film formed on the surface of the plastic film may be Al, Zn, or the like. The electrodes 40 and 42 are formed by thermally spraying, for example, Zn, on the ends of the wound dielectric film. The main body 38 extends in the height direction H of the capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10, and the electrodes 40 and 42 are formed at positions facing each other in the height direction H.

[0034] The electrodes 40, 42 are conductive members for connecting the internal electrodes of the capacitor elements 6, 8, 10 to the connection terminals 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B, 24A, 24B (described later), respectively, and are made of, for example, metallikon. In the example shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the electrodes 40, 42 have an oval shape, but may have other shapes, such as a circle.

[0035] The electrode 40 of the first capacitor element 6 may be referred to as the "first electrode 40," and the electrode 42 of the first capacitor element 6 may be referred to as the "second electrode 42." The electrode 40 of the second capacitor element 8 may be referred to as the "third electrode 40," and the electrode 42 of the second capacitor element 8 may be referred to as the "fourth electrode 42." The electrode 40 of the third capacitor element 10 may be referred to as the fifth electrode 40, and the electrode 42 of the third capacitor element 10 may be referred to as the "sixth electrode 42."

[0036] 1 and 2, the capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 are arranged in different rows relative to the power semiconductor 4. In order from the row closest to the power semiconductor 4, the capacitor elements 6 (first capacitor elements) are arranged in the first row, the capacitor elements 8 (second capacitor elements) in the second row, and the capacitor elements 10 (third capacitor elements) in the third row. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, three capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 are provided in each row.

[0037] The case 12 is a member that houses each component of the capacitor module 2. The inside of the case 12 is filled with a sealing resin 14.

[0038] The sealing resin 14 is a resin that fills the case 12 and seals each component of the capacitor module 2. The sealing resin 14 may be, for example, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, or a urethane resin.

[0039] The bus bars 16 and 18 are conductive members for electrically connecting the electrodes 40 and 42 of the capacitor elements 6, 8 and 10, respectively, to the power semiconductor 4. The first bus bar 16 electrically connects the electrodes 40 ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ) of the capacitor elements 6, 8 and 10 to the power semiconductor 4, and the second bus bar 18 electrically connects the electrodes 42 of the capacitor elements 6, 8 and 10 to the power semiconductor 4.

[0040] In this embodiment, the bus bars 16, 18 are formed of two parallel flat plates. Currents flowing in opposite directions through the bus bars 16, 18 cancel out the magnetic fields caused by the currents, thereby reducing inductance. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the first bus bar 16 is disposed above the second bus bar 18 with a gap between them. The bus bars 16, 18 are each formed integrally by bending a single metal plate made of, for example, Al, Cu, brass, or the like.

[0041] The first bus bar 16 has an input terminal 25, three flat plate portions 26, 27, and 28, and an output terminal 30. The second bus bar 18 has an input terminal 31, three flat plate portions 32, 33, and 34, and an output terminal 36.

[0042] The input terminals 25 and 31 are terminals for supplying power to the capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 of the capacitor module 2. In the example shown in FIGS.

[0043] The flat plate portions 26 and 32 are flat plate-like portions extending from the input terminals 25 and 31 in the XY plane, respectively, and constitute parallel plates adjacent to each other via the sealing resin 14. The flat plate portions 27 and 33 are flat plate-like portions bending approximately perpendicularly from the flat plate portions 26 and 32 and extending in the XZ plane, respectively, and constitute parallel plates adjacent to each other via the sealing resin 14. The flat plate portions 28 and 34 are flat plate-like portions bending approximately perpendicularly from the flat plate portions 27 and 33, respectively, and extending in the XY plane, and constitute parallel plates adjacent to each other via the sealing resin 14. The tip ends of the flat plate portions 28 and 34 constitute output terminals 30 and 36, respectively.

[0044] The flat plate portion 26 of the first bus bar 16 may be referred to as the "first flat plate portion 26," and the flat plate portion 27 of the first bus bar 16 may be referred to as the "second flat plate portion 27." The flat plate portion 32 of the second bus bar 18 may be referred to as the "third flat plate portion 32," and the flat plate portion 33 of the second bus bar 18 may be referred to as the "fourth flat plate portion 33."

[0045] The output terminals 30, 36 are terminals for supplying the electrical energy generated by the capacitor elements 6, 8, 10 to the power semiconductor 4, respectively. The output terminals 30, 36 may be directly connected to the power semiconductor 4, or may be indirectly connected to the power semiconductor 4 via another conductive member such as a bus bar. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the output terminals 30, 36 are exposed from a right side surface 152 of the case 12. The side surface 152 is the surface facing the power semiconductor 4 and may also be referred to as a "first surface." The output terminals 30, 36 are drawn out in a drawing direction A1, which is a direction from the side surface 152 of the case 12 toward the power semiconductor 4.

[0046] Although the input terminals 25, 31 and the output terminals 30, 36 are shown exposed from different side surfaces 150, 152 of the case 12 as an example, they may be exposed from any surface of the case 12, such as the same side surface.

[0047] The flat plate portions 26, 27, 28 and the flat plate portions 32, 33, 34 do not need to be entirely flat, but may have protrusions or recesses in parts, as long as at least a part of them is flat.

[0048] Connection terminals 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B, 24A, and 24B are terminals for connecting electrodes 40 and 42 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) of capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 to bus bars 16 and 18, respectively. Connection terminals 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B, 24A, and 24B are formed of, for example, rod-shaped conductive members.

[0049] Connection terminals 20A and 20B respectively connect electrodes 40 and 42 of capacitor elements 6 in the first row to bus bars 16 and 18. Connection terminal 20A connects electrode 40 of capacitor element 6 to first bus bar 16, and connection terminal 20B connects electrode 42 of capacitor element 6 to second bus bar 18. Connection terminal 20A may be referred to as the "first connection terminal 20A," and connection terminal 20B may be referred to as the "second connection terminal 20B."

[0050] Connection terminals 22A and 22B respectively connect electrodes 40 and 42 of capacitor elements 8 in the second row to bus bars 16 and 18. Connection terminal 22A connects electrode 40 of capacitor element 8 to first bus bar 16, and connection terminal 22B connects electrode 42 of capacitor element 8 to second bus bar 18. Connection terminal 22A may be referred to as the "third connection terminal 22A," and connection terminal 22B may be referred to as the "fourth connection terminal 22B."

[0051] Connection terminals 24A and 24B respectively connect electrodes 40 and 42 of capacitor elements 10 in the third row to bus bars 16 and 18. Connection terminal 24A connects electrode 40 of capacitor element 10 to first bus bar 16, and connection terminal 24B connects electrode 42 of capacitor element 10 to second bus bar 18. Connection terminal 24A may also be referred to as the "fifth connection terminal 24A," and connection terminal 24B may also be referred to as the "sixth connection terminal 24B."

[0052] Although not shown, second bus bar 18 has through holes formed therein for allowing connection terminals 20A, 22A, and 24A to be connected to first bus bar 16 to pass therethrough.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the direction in which connection terminals 20A and 20B are drawn out from electrodes 40 and 42 is referred to as draw-out direction P1, the direction in which connection terminals 22A and 22B are drawn out from electrodes 40 and 42 is referred to as draw-out direction P2, and the direction in which connection terminals 24A and 24B are drawn out from electrodes 40 and 42 is referred to as draw-out direction P3.

[0054] In this embodiment, the drawing direction P1 and the drawing directions P2 and P3 are different from each other.

[0055] The drawing direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A, 20B is the direction toward the power semiconductor 4 (+Y direction) and is parallel to the drawing direction A1 of the output terminals 30, 36. The connection terminals 20A, 20B extending in the drawing direction P1 are connected to the flat plate portions 27, 33 of the bus bars 16, 18, respectively.

[0056] The drawing direction P2 of the connection terminals 22A, 22B is a direction (+Z direction) different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4. The connection terminals 22A, 22B extending in the drawing direction P2 are connected to the flat plate portions 26, 32 of the bus bars 16, 18, respectively.

[0057] The drawing direction P3 of the connection terminals 24A, 24B is a direction (+Z direction) different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4. The connection terminals 24A, 24B extending in the drawing direction P3 are connected to the flat plate portions 26, 32 of the bus bars 16, 18, respectively.

[0058] In this embodiment, in order to make the drawing direction P1 different from the drawing directions P2 and P3, the orientation of the capacitor element 6 and the orientation of the capacitor elements 8 and 10 are made different from each other.

[0059] 3, the capacitor elements 6 in the first row are arranged so that their height direction H1 roughly coincides with the X direction (the horizontal direction L2 of the case 12). The capacitor elements 8 and 10 in the second and third rows are arranged so that their height directions H2 and H3 roughly coincide with the Y direction (the vertical direction L1 of the case 12).

[0060] The capacitor elements 6 in the first row are arranged along the inner wall surface 44 of the case 12 that is closest to the power semiconductors 4, and the capacitor elements 8, 10 in the second and third rows are arranged at positions farther away from the inner wall surface 44 and the power semiconductors 4 than the capacitor elements 6 in the first row. The inner wall surface 44 is the surface on the back side of the side surface 152 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

[0061] By making the orientation of capacitor element 6 different from that of capacitor elements 8 and 10, it is possible to easily make the drawing direction P1 of connection terminals 20A and 20B connected to capacitor element 6 different from the drawing directions P2 and P3 of connection terminals 22A, 22B, 24A, and 24B connected to capacitor elements 8 and 10.

[0062] 5 , by aligning the extension direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A, 20B toward the power semiconductor 4 (i.e., the extension direction A1 of the output terminals 30, 36), it is possible to shorten the physical distance D1 from the electrodes 40, 42 of the capacitor element 6 to the power semiconductor 4 via the connection terminals 20A, 20B. This reduces the inductance of the capacitor module 2. If, for example, connection terminals 120A, 120B shown by dotted lines were used instead of the connection terminals 20A, 20B and the extension directions of the connection terminals 120A, 120B were aligned with the extension directions P2, P3, the distance D2 from the electrodes 40, 42 to the power semiconductor 4 via the connection terminals 120A, 120B would be longer than the distance D1 due to the upward detour.

[0063] By adopting connection terminals 20A, 20B with an extension direction P1, which is the direction toward the power semiconductor 4, the distance D1 can be shortened and the inductance of the capacitor module 2 can be effectively reduced compared to when connection terminals 120A, 120B with extension directions P2, P3 are adopted.

[0064] The drawing directions P2 and P3 of the connection terminals 22A, 22B, 24A, and 24B are different from the drawing direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A and 20B and are a direction (+Z direction) different from the direction (+Y direction) toward the power semiconductor 4. If the drawing direction of the connection terminals 22A, 22B, 24A, and 24B were the same as the drawing direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A and 20B, they would be prone to interference with other components such as other connection terminals and capacitors from the electrodes 40 and 42 of the capacitor elements 8 and 10 to the flat portions 27 and 33 of the bus bars 16 and 18. For this reason, a design to avoid interference is required, which may complicate the arrangement of the capacitor elements and connection terminals and unnecessarily increase the length of the connection terminals.

[0065] In this embodiment, the drawing directions P2 and P3 of the connection terminals 22A, 22B, 24A, and 24B are set in a direction different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4, thereby making it less likely to interfere with other components, and by providing the connection terminals 20A and 20B in the drawing direction P1, the inductance of the capacitor module 2 is effectively reduced. This allows the capacitor module 2 as a whole to have a well-balanced configuration and arrangement.

[0066] [Effects] The capacitor module 2 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0067] The capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment includes first capacitor elements 6 arranged in a first row and each having a first electrode 40 and a second electrode 42, second capacitor elements 8 arranged in a second row and each having a third electrode 40 and a fourth electrode 42, a first connection terminal 20A connected to the first electrode 40 and a second connection terminal 20B connected to the second electrode 42, a third connection terminal 22A connected to the third electrode 40 and a fourth connection terminal 22B connected to the fourth electrode 42, a first bus bar 16 connected to the first connection terminal 20A and the third connection terminal 22A and having one end serving as an input terminal 25 and the other end as an output terminal 30, and a second bus bar 16 connected to the second connection terminal 20B and the fourth connection terminal 22B and having one end serving as an input terminal 30. The case 12 includes a second bus bar 18 having output terminals 36 at its first and other ends, a first capacitor element 6 and a second capacitor element 8, first connection terminals 20A to fourth connection terminals 22B, and a case 12 that houses the first bus bar 16 and the second bus bar 18 and has a side surface 152 (first surface), the output terminals 30 of the first bus bar 16 and the output terminals 36 of the second bus bar 18 are drawn out from the side surface 152 in an extraction direction A1 (first direction), the first row is closer to the side surface 152 than the second row, and the first connection terminals 20A and second connection terminals 20B of the first capacitor element 6 are arranged between the first capacitor element 6 and the first bus bar 16 and second bus bar 18 along an extraction direction P1 that corresponds to the extraction direction A1.

[0068] With this configuration, the physical distance D1 from the electrodes 40, 42 of the capacitor elements 6 in the first row via the connection terminals 20A, 20B to the output terminals 30, 36 or the power semiconductor 4 can be shortened, thereby reducing the inductance of the capacitor module 2.

[0069] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 2 of embodiment 1, a plurality of first capacitor elements 6, a plurality of first connection terminals 20A, and a plurality of second connection terminals 20B are provided, and the plurality of first connection terminals 20A and the plurality of second connection terminals 20B are arranged along the drawing-out direction P2 corresponding to the drawing-out direction A1 (first direction) between the corresponding first capacitor elements 6 and the first bus bars 16 and second bus bars 18. With this configuration, the distance between the electrodes 40, 42 of the capacitor elements 6 in the first row and the output terminals 30, 36 (and the power semiconductors 4) can be made shorter, thereby further reducing the inductance.

[0070] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 2 of embodiment 1, the third connection terminal 22A and the fourth connection terminal 22B of the second capacitor element 8 are arranged along a drawing-out direction P2 (second direction) that is different from the drawing-out direction A1 (first direction) between the second capacitor element 8 and the first bus bar 16 and the second bus bar 18. This configuration makes it less likely that interference will occur with other capacitor elements 6 or connection terminals 20A and 20B, compared to when the drawing-out direction P2 of the connection terminals 22A and 22B is aligned with the drawing-out direction A1 of the output terminals 30 and 36.

[0071] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 2 of embodiment 1, a plurality of second capacitor elements 8, a plurality of third connection terminals 22A, and a plurality of fourth connection terminals 22B are provided, and the plurality of third connection terminals 22A and the plurality of fourth connection terminals 22B are arranged along the drawing direction P2 (second direction) between the corresponding second capacitor elements 8 and the first bus bar 16 and second bus bar 18. With this configuration, when the connection terminals 22A and 22B are extended, interference with the capacitor elements 6 and the connection terminals 20A and 20B can be easily avoided, and it is also easy to design the connection terminals 22A and 22B so that they are aligned in the drawing direction P2 and to design the orientation of the capacitor elements 8 so that they are aligned.

[0072] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 2 of embodiment 1, the orientation of the first capacitor element 6 to which the first connection terminal 20A and the second connection terminal 20B are connected is different from the orientation of the second capacitor element 8 to which the third connection terminal 22A and the fourth connection terminal 22B are connected. With this configuration, by making the orientations of the capacitor elements 6 and 8 different from each other, it is possible to easily make the drawing direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A and 20B different from the drawing direction P2 of the connection terminals 22A and 22B.

[0073] In addition, the capacitor module 2 of embodiment 1 further includes third capacitor elements 10 arranged in a third row, each having a fifth electrode 40 and a sixth electrode 42, a third connection terminal 24A connecting the fifth electrode 40 and the first bus bar 16 to each other, and a sixth connection terminal 24B connecting the sixth electrode 42 and the second bus bar 18 to each other, the third row being farther from the side surface 152 (first surface) than the second row, and the fifth connection terminal 24A and the sixth connection terminal 24B of the third capacitor elements 10 being arranged between the third capacitor element 10 and the first bus bar 16 and the second bus bar 18 along a drawing direction P3 (third direction) different from the drawing direction A1 (first direction). With this configuration, the drawing directions P2 and P3 of the connection terminals 22A, 22B, 24A and 24B corresponding to the capacitor elements 8 and 10 in the second and third rows do not need to be aligned with the drawing direction A1 of the output terminals 30 and 36, so that the connection terminals are less likely to interfere with other capacitor elements or other connection terminals when extended.

[0074] In the capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment, the extension direction P2 (second direction) of the connection terminals 22A and 22B and the extension direction P3 (third direction) of the connection terminals 24A and 24B are parallel to each other. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the connection terminals from interfering with each other.

[0075] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment, the orientation of the second capacitor element 8 and the orientation of the third capacitor element 10 are aligned with each other. With this configuration, the arrangement of the capacitor elements 8 and 10 becomes easy.

[0076] In the capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment, the first bus bar 16 includes a first flat plate portion 26 disposed along the first capacitor element 6 and the second capacitor element 8 and a second flat plate portion 27 bent from the first flat plate portion 26 and disposed along the inner wall surface 44 and the side surface 152 (first surface) within the case 12, and the second bus bar 18 includes a third flat plate portion 32 disposed along the first capacitor element 6 and the second capacitor element 8 and a fourth flat plate portion 33 bent from the third flat plate portion 32 and disposed along the inner wall surface 44 and the side surface 152 within the case 12, and the first connection terminal 20A is connected to the second flat plate portion 27, and the second connection terminal 20B is connected to the fourth flat plate portion 33. This configuration allows the extension direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A and 20B to be aligned with the extension direction A1 of the output terminals 30 and 36 with a simple structure.

[0077] In the capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment, the third connection terminal 22A is connected to the first flat plate portion 26, and the fourth connection terminal 22B is connected to the third flat plate portion 32. With this configuration, the drawing direction P2 of the connection terminals 22A and 22B can be made different from the drawing direction A1 of the output terminals 30 and 36 with a simple structure.

[0078] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 2 of embodiment 1, the output terminal 30 of the first bus bar 16 and the output terminal 36 of the second bus bar 18 are electrically connected to the power semiconductor 4. With this configuration, it is possible to shorten the physical distance D1 from the electrodes 40, 42 of the capacitor elements 6 in the first row to the power semiconductor 4 via the connection terminals 20A, 20B, and it is possible to reduce the inductance of the capacitor module 2.

[0079] The power conversion device 100 of the first embodiment also includes a capacitor module 2 and a power semiconductor 4 electrically connected to the bus bars 16, 18 of the capacitor module 2. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment.

[0080] [Modification] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which all of the connection terminals 20A, 20B are drawn in the same drawing direction P1, but this is not limiting. It is sufficient that the drawing direction P1 of at least one of the connection terminals 20A, 20B is a direction toward the power semiconductor 4 (i.e., the drawing direction A1 of the output terminals 30, 36).

[0081] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which all of the connection terminals 22A, 22B are drawn in the same drawing direction P2, but this is not limiting. Some of the connection terminals 22A, 22B may be drawn in different directions as long as they are different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4 (+Y direction).

[0082] Similarly, although the example in which all of the connection terminals 24A, 24B are drawn in the same drawing direction P3 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the drawing direction is different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4 (+Y direction), some of the connection terminals 24A, 24B may be drawn in different directions.

[0083] In the first embodiment, the case where three capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 are provided in each column has been described, but this is not limiting, and the number of capacitor elements 6, 8, and 10 in each column may be at least one. Also, it is possible to provide only the capacitor elements 6 and 8 in the first and second columns without providing the capacitor element 10 in the third column.

[0084] Second Embodiment A capacitor module 202 and a power conversion device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0085] Fig. 6 is a side view schematically showing a capacitor module 202 and a power conversion device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module 202 and the power conversion device 200 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing some of the components of the capacitor module 202 and the power conversion device 200 of Fig. 6.

[0086] In embodiment 1, the orientation of capacitor element 6 (first capacitor element) and the orientation of capacitor elements 8 and 10 (second and third capacitor elements) are different from each other, whereas in embodiment 2, the orientation of capacitor element 46 (first capacitor element) and the orientation of capacitor elements 8 and 10 (second and third capacitor elements) are the same.

[0087] 6 to 8, the orientation of the capacitor elements 46 in the first row is different from the orientation of the capacitor elements 6 in the first row in embodiment 1, and is aligned with the orientations of the capacitor elements 8 and 10 in the second and third rows. As shown in Fig. 8, the capacitor elements 46, like the capacitor elements 8 and 10, are arranged such that the height direction H4 generally coincides with the Y direction (the longitudinal direction L1 of the case 12).

[0088] The direction P4 of extension of the connection terminals 48A, 48B connected to the electrodes 40, 42 of the capacitor elements 46 in the first row is set to be the same as the direction P1 of extension of the connection terminals 20A, 20B in the first embodiment.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connection terminals 48A and 48B are both drawn out in a drawing direction P4, which is the direction toward the power semiconductor 4, and are connected to the flat plate portions 27 and 33 of the bus bars 16 and 18, respectively.

[0090] 7, the first connection terminal 48A connected to the electrode 40 extends along the surface of the first electrode 40, then bends at approximately 90 degrees, and is drawn out in the +Y direction. The second connection terminal 48B connected to the electrode 42 extends along the surface of the electrode 42, then bends at approximately 90 degrees, and is drawn out in the +Y direction. The connection terminals 48A and 48B have different lengths, with the first connection terminal 48A being shorter than the second connection terminal 48B.

[0091] According to the above configuration, by setting the drawing direction P4 of the connection terminals 48A, 48B connected to the capacitor elements 46 in the first row to the direction toward the power semiconductor 4 (i.e., the drawing direction A1 of the output terminals 30, 36), it is possible to shorten the distance D1 shown in FIG. 5 and reduce the inductance of the capacitor module 202, as in the first embodiment.

[0092] In the second embodiment, the orientation of the capacitor elements 46 in the first row is aligned with the orientation of the capacitor elements 8, 10 in the second and third rows, which facilitates the arrangement of the capacitor elements 46, 8, 10 and reduces the occurrence of dead space within the case 12. In contrast, in the capacitor module 2 of the first embodiment, the lengths of the connection terminals 20A, 20B can be easily aligned, making it easy to share components.

[0093] [Effects] The capacitor module 202 and the power conversion device 200 according to the second embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0094] In the capacitor module 202 of embodiment 2, the orientation of the first capacitor element 46 to which the first connection terminal 48A and the second connection terminal 48B are connected, the orientation of the second capacitor element 8 to which the third connection terminal 22A and the fourth connection terminal 22B are connected, and the orientation of the third capacitor element 10 to which the fifth connection terminal 24A and the sixth connection terminal 24B are connected are all aligned with each other.

[0095] According to this configuration, by aligning the orientation of the capacitor elements 46, 8, 10, the capacitor elements 46, 8, 10 can be easily arranged inside the case 12, and dead space can be made less likely to occur.

[0096] Third Embodiment A capacitor module 302 and a power conversion device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0097] Fig. 9 is a side view schematically showing a capacitor module 302 and a power conversion device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module 302 and the power conversion device 300 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing some of the components of the capacitor module 302 and the power conversion device 300 of Fig. 9.

[0098] In the third embodiment, the orientation of the capacitor elements 50, 52 in the second and third rows differs from the orientation of the capacitor elements 8, 10 in the first embodiment, and the configuration of the bus bars 54, 56 also differs from the configuration of the bus bars 16, 18 in the first embodiment.

[0099] 9 , the bus bars 54, 56 of the third embodiment are arranged at intervals from each other so as to sandwich the capacitor elements 6, 50, 52 in the Z direction. The first bus bar 54 is arranged above the capacitor elements 6, 50, 52, and the second bus bar 56 is arranged below the capacitor elements 6, 50, 52.

[0100] The first bus bar 54 has an input terminal 25, three flat plate portions 62, 63, and 64, and an output terminal 66. The second bus bar 56 has an input terminal 31, four flat plate portions 68, 69, 70, and 71, and an output terminal 72.

[0101] 9 to 11, the capacitor elements 50, 52 in the second and third rows are arranged so that the two electrodes 40, 42 face each other along the Z direction. As shown in Fig. 11, the capacitor elements 50, 52 are arranged so that the height directions H5, H6 generally coincide with the Z direction, which is the height direction of the case 12.

[0102] 9 , the electrodes 40 of the capacitor elements 50, 52 are arranged facing upward, a third connection terminal 58A is connected to the third electrode 40 of the second capacitor element 50, and a fifth connection terminal 60A is connected to the fifth electrode 40 of the third capacitor element 52. The electrodes 42 of the capacitor elements 50, 52 are arranged facing downward, a fourth connection terminal 58B is connected to the fourth electrode 42 of the second capacitor element 50, and a sixth connection terminal 60B is connected to the sixth electrode 42 of the third capacitor element 52.

[0103] The connection terminals 20A, 20B connected to the capacitor elements 6 in the first row are drawn out in a drawing direction P1, which is the direction toward the power semiconductor 4, and connected to the flat plate portions 63, 70 of the bus bars 54, 56, respectively.

[0104] The connection terminals 58A, 58B connected to the capacitor elements 8 of the second row are drawn out in a drawing direction P5 (Figure 10), which is a direction different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4, and are connected to the flat portions 62, 69 of the bus bars 54, 56, respectively.

[0105] The connection terminals 60A, 60B connected to the capacitor elements 10 in the third row are drawn out in a drawing direction P6 (Figure 10), which is a direction different from the direction toward the power semiconductor 4, and are connected to the flat portions 62, 69 of the bus bars 54, 56, respectively.

[0106] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the lead-out direction P5 of the connection terminals 58A and 60A is the −X direction, and the lead-out direction P6 of the connection terminals 58B and 60B is the +X direction.

[0107] Even in the above configuration, the drawing direction P1 of the connection terminals 20A, 20B drawn from the electrodes 40, 42 of the capacitor elements 6 in the first row is the direction toward the power semiconductor 4 (i.e., the drawing direction A1 of the output terminals 30, 36), so that the distance D1 shown in Figure 5 can be shortened and the inductance of the capacitor module 302 can be reduced.

[0108] [Effects] The capacitor module 302 and the power conversion device 300 according to the third embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0109] In the capacitor module 302 of embodiment 3, the orientation of the first capacitor element 6 to which the first connection terminal 20A and the second connection terminal 20B are connected is different from the orientation of the second capacitor element 50 to which the third connection terminal 58A and the fourth connection terminal 58B are connected and the orientation of the third capacitor element 52 to which the fifth connection terminal 60A and the sixth connection terminal 60B are connected.

[0110] With this configuration, by making the orientation of capacitor element 6 different from the orientation of capacitor elements 50 and 52, it is possible to easily make the drawing direction P1 of connection terminals 20A and 20B different from the drawing direction P5 of connection terminals 58A and 58B and the drawing direction P6 of connection terminals 60A and 60B.

[0111] In the third embodiment, the example in which the extension direction P5 of the connection terminals 58A and 60A is the +X direction and the extension direction P6 of the connection terminals 58B and 60B is the −X direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The extension directions of the connection terminals 58A and 58B and the connection terminals 58B and 60B may be changed as appropriate as long as they can be connected to the flat plate portions 62 and 69 of the bus bars 54 and 56, respectively.

[0112] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom. Furthermore, changes in the combination and order of elements in each embodiment may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0113] Any of the above-described various embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate to achieve the effects of each of them.

[0114] The present invention is useful for a capacitor module used in various electronic devices, electrical devices, industrial devices, vehicle devices, etc., and for a power conversion device including the same.

[0115] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Capacitor module 4 Power semiconductor 6 Capacitor element (first capacitor element) 8 Capacitor element (second capacitor element) 10 Capacitor element (third capacitor element) 12 Case 16 First bus bar 18 Second bus bar 20A Connection terminal (first connection terminal) 20B Connection terminal (second connection terminal) 22A Connection terminal (third connection terminal) 22B Connection terminal (fourth connection terminal) 24A Connection terminal (fifth connection terminal) 24B Connection terminal (sixth connection terminal) 40 Electrode (first electrode, third electrode, fifth electrode) 42 Electrode (second electrode, fifth electrode, sixth electrode) A1 Drawing direction (first direction) P1 to P6 Drawing direction

Claims

1. a first series of first capacitor elements, each of the first capacitor elements having a first electrode and a second electrode; second capacitor elements arranged in a second row, each having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; a first connection terminal connected to the first electrode and a second connection terminal connected to the second electrode; a third connection terminal connected to the third electrode and a fourth connection terminal connected to the fourth electrode; a first bus bar connected to the first connection terminal and the third connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; a second bus bar connected to the second connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; a case that houses the first capacitor element, the second capacitor element, the first connection terminal to the fourth connection terminal, and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, and that has a first surface; Equipped with an output terminal of the first bus bar and an output terminal of the second bus bar are drawn out from the first surface in a first direction, the first row is closer to the first surface than the second row; the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal of at least one of the first capacitor elements are arranged along the first direction between the first capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, A capacitor module, wherein the third connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal of at least one of the second capacitor elements are arranged between the second capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar along a second direction different from the first direction.

2. a plurality of the first capacitor elements, a plurality of the first connection terminals, and a plurality of the second connection terminals are provided; 2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals are arranged along the first direction between the corresponding first capacitor elements and the first bus bar and the corresponding second bus bar.

3. a plurality of the second capacitor elements, a plurality of the third connection terminals, and a plurality of the fourth connection terminals are provided; 2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the third connection terminals and the fourth connection terminals are arranged along the second direction between the corresponding second capacitor elements and the first bus bar and the corresponding second bus bar.

4. A first capacitor element arranged in a first row, each of the first capacitor element having a first electrode and a second electrode; second capacitor elements arranged in a second row, each having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; a first connection terminal connected to the first electrode and a second connection terminal connected to the second electrode; a third connection terminal connected to the third electrode and a fourth connection terminal connected to the fourth electrode; a first bus bar connected to the first connection terminal and the third connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; a second bus bar connected to the second connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; a case that houses the first capacitor element, the second capacitor element, the first connection terminal to the fourth connection terminal, and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, and that has a first surface; Equipped with an output terminal of the first bus bar and an output terminal of the second bus bar are drawn out from the first surface in a first direction, the first row is closer to the first surface than the second row; the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal of at least one of the first capacitor elements are arranged along the first direction between the first capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, A capacitor module, wherein an orientation of the first capacitor element to which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected is different from an orientation of the second capacitor element to which the third connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal are connected.

5. 2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the orientation of the first capacitor element to which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected and the orientation of the second capacitor element to which the third connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal are connected are aligned with each other.

6. third capacitor elements arranged in a third row, each of the third capacitor elements having a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode; a fifth connection terminal connecting the fifth electrode and the first bus bar to each other and a sixth connection terminal connecting the sixth electrode and the second bus bar to each other, the third row is farther from the first surface than the second row; 2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the fifth connection terminal and the sixth connection terminal of at least one of the third capacitor elements are arranged between the third capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar along a third direction different from the first direction.

7. The capacitor module according to claim 6 , wherein the second direction and the third direction are parallel to each other.

8. The capacitor module according to claim 6 , wherein the second capacitor element and the third capacitor element are oriented in the same direction.

9. A first series of capacitor elements, each of which has a first electrode and a second electrode; second capacitor elements arranged in a second row, each having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; a first connection terminal connected to the first electrode and a second connection terminal connected to the second electrode; a third connection terminal connected to the third electrode and a fourth connection terminal connected to the fourth electrode; a first bus bar connected to the first connection terminal and the third connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; a second bus bar connected to the second connection terminal and the fourth connection terminal, one end of which serves as an input terminal and the other end of which serves as an output terminal; a case that houses the first capacitor element, the second capacitor element, the first connection terminal to the fourth connection terminal, and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, and that has a first surface; Equipped with an output terminal of the first bus bar and an output terminal of the second bus bar are drawn out from the first surface in a first direction, the first row is closer to the first surface than the second row; the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal of at least one of the first capacitor elements are arranged along the first direction between the first capacitor element and the first bus bar and the second bus bar, the first bus bar includes a first flat plate portion disposed along the first capacitor element and the second capacitor element, and a second flat plate portion bent from the first flat plate portion and disposed along the first surface inside the case, the second bus bar includes a third flat plate portion disposed along the first capacitor element and the second capacitor element, and a fourth flat plate portion bent from the third flat plate portion and disposed along the first surface inside the case, The first connection terminal is connected to the second flat plate portion, and the second connection terminal is connected to the fourth flat plate portion.

10. The capacitor module according to claim 9 , wherein the third connection terminal is connected to the first flat plate portion, and the fourth connection terminal is connected to the third flat plate portion.

11. The capacitor module according to claim 1 , wherein the output terminal of the first bus bar and the output terminal of the second bus bar are electrically connected to a power semiconductor.

12. A power conversion device comprising: the capacitor module according to claim 1; and a power semiconductor electrically connected to the first bus bar and the second bus bar of the capacitor module.