Inverter comprising a temperature sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inverter comprising a circuit board which is electrically connected to a power module and in which a through-opening is formed, at least one temperature sensor (4) connected to the circuit board and arranged extending through the through-opening, the temperature sensor (4) comprising a measurement probe (40) configured to locally measure the temperature of a terminal of the power module and / or of a capacitive module of the inverter, and an electrical connection portion (41) connected to the circuit board, and wherein the inverter further comprises a thermally conductive filling material (5) applied between the temperature measurement probe (40) and at least the portion of the corresponding terminal that is left free, said filling material being applied in particular through the through-opening in the circuit board.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Inverter comprising a temperature sensor TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical equipment such as inverters, equipped with power modules and associated with an electrical machine, for example an electric or hybrid vehicle engine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As is known, an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprises an electric drive system powered by a high-voltage power supply battery, generally greater than 100V, via a high-voltage on-board electrical network and a plurality of auxiliary electrical equipment powered by a low-voltage power supply battery via a low-voltage on-board electrical network. The high-voltage power supply battery provides a power supply function for the electric drive system enabling the vehicle to be propelled. More specifically, in order to control the electric machine driving the wheels of the vehicle, it is known to use an inverter making it possible to convert the direct voltage supplied by the high-voltage power supply battery into one or more alternating control voltages, for example sinusoidal.

[0003] It is also known to integrate within the inverter a capacitive filtering device called a link capacitor or "DC-link capacitor" for those skilled in the art, having in particular the function of stabilizing the voltage supplied to the active power electronics component of the inverter, in particular a power module supplying electrical energy to the electrical machine.

[0004] In the context of electric or hybrid vehicles requiring high levels of power, for example a utility vehicle, it is known to power an electric machine via several power modules, generally two power modules each delivering a three-phase electric current. This architecture can then use two connection capacitors, each being connected to a power module. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to an inverter, in particular configured to be embedded in a motor vehicle. Said inverter comprises a capacitive module and at least one power module electrically connected to the capacitive module. The power module comprises an electrical conductor comprising at least one direct current terminal, the electrical conductor being partially covered by an overmolding coating and having a portion left free. The capacitive module comprises an electrical conductor comprising at least one alternating current terminal, the electrical conductor being partially covered by an overmolding coating and having a portion left free. Said inverter comprises at least one electronic card electrically connected to the power module and in which a through opening is formed. The inverter is configured to allow the flow of an electric current between the capacitive module and an alternating current electrical machine.Said inverter further comprises at least one temperature sensor connected to the electronic card and arranged through said through opening, said temperature sensor comprising a measuring probe configured to locally measure the temperature of one of the terminals and an electrical connection portion connected to said electronic card. The inverter further comprises a thermally conductive filling material applied, in particular through the through opening of the electronic card, between the temperature measuring probe and at least the portion left free of the corresponding terminal.

[0006] Thus, the temperature of the corresponding terminal is measured by the measuring probe, and the temperature measurement value is transmitted to be processed on the electronic card via the connection terminals. The temperature sensor and in particular the probe indexed vertically above the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal, and at least partially immersed in the thermally conductive filling material, which allows the temperature of the corresponding terminal to be measured by the measuring probe, the thermally conductive filling material conducting the temperature of the terminal to the probe to minimize energy loss.

[0007] Advantageously, the thermally conductive filling material is in pasty form and has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to a predefined value, for example 1W / mK, for example 1.8 W / mK. The thermally conductive filling material also makes it possible to guarantee good continuity between the probe and the electrical conductor and to avoid assembly gaps.

[0008] Such thermal conduction allows the measuring probe to measure a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the portion left free of the corresponding terminal.

[0009] Advantageously, the thermally conductive filling material at least partially coats the free portion of the terminal whose temperature is measured locally.

[0010] Advantageously, the temperature sensor comprises a support connecting the measuring probe and the connection portion, and said connection portion comprising at least two connection terminals, said connection terminals projecting from said support and being connected to the electronic card and the measuring probe projecting from said support being configured to allow the measuring probe to be held perpendicular to the electronic card.

[0011] Advantageously, the connection terminals of the temperature sensor protrude orthogonally from said support, the measuring probe extending in the extension of said support.

[0012] The terminals thus allow flat support on the electronic card of the temperature sensor and therefore its maintenance in position in the through opening of the electronic card.

[0013] Advantageously, the support of the temperature sensor comprises a body in which at least two openings, at least one shoulder, means for retaining the temperature measuring probe are formed, the connection terminals being folded and passing through said openings so as to project from said body of the support and come into contact with electrical tracks arranged on a first face of the electronic card. The measuring probe extends from the retaining means and extends orthogonally to the electronic card, from a second face of said electronic card, opposite the first face, towards the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal, the support being configured to index the temperature sensor and in particular the measuring probe directly above said portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal.

[0014] Advantageously, the support is designed to tarnish at temperature and be furnace brazed. The support thus provides a through-hole component that can be furnace brazed.

[0015] Advantageously, said support is made of plastic.

[0016] Advantageously, the measuring probe has a drop shape.

[0017] Advantageously, the inverter comprises a plurality of temperature sensors, each connected to the electronic card and each being configured to locally measure the temperature of one of the terminals of said inverter.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method of assembling an inverter as previously described, and comprising the following steps: arranging the thermally conductive filling material on the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal, until said terminal is immersed; placing the temperature sensor in the through opening formed in the electronic card so that the connection portion of said temperature sensor is in contact with a first face of the electronic card comprising electrical tracks and the temperature measuring probe extends from a second face of the electronic card, opposite the first face, towards at least one of the portions left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal; soldering said connection portion of the temperature sensor to the first face of the electronic card;and arranging at least one of the free portions of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal directly above the temperature measuring probe, so that it is immersed at least in part by the thermally conductive filling material.;

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a mobility device comprising an inverter as previously described. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0020] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of the temperature sensor of the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a side view schematic representation of the temperature sensor of Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 3 is a top view schematic representation of the temperature sensor of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic front view representation of the temperature sensor of Figure 1;

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective representation of the temperature sensor of Figure 1, said temperature sensor comprising a measuring probe disposed in a thermally conductive filling material applied between the temperature measuring probe and a free portion of a terminal of a capacitive module of an inverter; and

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective representation similar to Figure 5, in which an electronic card having a through opening through which the temperature measuring probe is disposed, the electronic card being electrically connected to the sensor.

[0027] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The invention relates to an inverter 1 configured to be installed in a motor vehicle.

[0029] The inverter 1 comprises a capacitive module, at least one power module and at least one electronic card 2.

[0030] Inverter 1 is configured to allow the flow of an electric current between the capacitive module and an alternating current electric machine.

[0031] The power module is electrically connected to the capacitive module and includes an electrical conductor having at least one direct current terminal. The electrical conductor is partially covered by an overmolding coating and has a portion left free. In other words, a portion of the electrical conductor is left bare.

[0032] The capacitive module comprises an electrical conductor having at least one alternating current terminal. The electrical conductor is partially covered by an overmolding coating and has a portion left free. In other words, a portion of the electrical conductor is left bare.

[0033] Electronic card 2 is electrically connected to the power module.

[0034] A through opening 3 is formed in the electronic card 2.

[0035] The inverter 1 also includes a temperature sensor 4 connected to the electronic card 2.

[0036] The temperature sensor 4 is connected to the electronic card 2 and arranged through the through opening 3 formed in the electronic card 2.

[0037] In particular and with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the temperature sensor 4 comprises a temperature measuring probe 40. The measuring probe 40 is configured to locally measure the temperature of one of the direct current terminals of the power module or alternating current terminals of the capacitive current.

[0038] The temperature sensor 4 further comprises a connection portion 41 connected to the electronic card 2, in particular to the electrical tracks of the electronic card 2.

[0039] In addition, the temperature sensor 4 comprises a support 42 connecting the measuring probe 40 and the connection portion 41.

[0040] The connection portion 41 comprises at least two connection terminals 43. The connection terminals 43 protrude from the support 42 and are connected to the electronic card 2, in particular to the tracks of the electronic card 2.

[0041] The connection terminals 43 of the temperature sensor 4 protrude orthogonally from the support 42.

[0042] Thus, once the temperature sensor 4 is placed in the inverter 1, the terminals 43 allow flat support on the electronic card 2 of the temperature sensor 4 and therefore its holding in position in the through opening 3 of the electronic card 2.

[0043] The measuring probe 40 protrudes from the support 42 which is configured to allow the measuring probe 40 to be held perpendicular to the electronic card 2.

[0044] The measuring probe 40 extends in the extension of the support 42.

[0045] Thus, once the temperature sensor 4 is placed in the inverter 1, the measuring probe 40 extends towards the corresponding terminal, so as to be able to measure the temperature of said corresponding terminal.

[0046] The temperature of the corresponding terminal is measured by the measuring probe 40, and the temperature measurement value is transmitted to be processed by the electronic card 2 via the connection terminals 43.

[0047] In particular, the support 42 of the temperature sensor 4 comprises a body 44 in which at least two openings 45, at least one shoulder 46 and means 47 for retaining the temperature measuring probe 40 are formed.

[0048] Advantageously, the support 42 comprises two shoulders on either side of said body 44 and two retaining means 46 allowing two fixing points on the probe 40.

[0049] The connection terminals 43 are bent and pass through the openings formed in the body 44 so as to protrude therefrom and come into contact with the electrical tracks arranged on a first face of the electronic card 2.

[0050] The measuring probe 40 extends from the retaining means and orthogonally to the electronic card 2, from a second face of said electronic card 2, opposite the first face, towards the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal.

[0051] The support 42 is configured to index the temperature sensor 4 and in particular the probe 40 directly above the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal.

[0052] The support 42 may for example be made of plastic material.

[0053] In addition, the measuring probe 40 advantageously has a drop shape.

[0054] The inverter 1 further comprises a thermally conductive filling material 5.

[0055] With reference to figures 5 and 6, the thermally conductive filling material 5 is applied, in particular through the through opening 3 formed in the electronic card 2, between the temperature measuring probe 40 and the portion left free of the direct current terminal of the power module or the alternating current terminal of the capacitive current.

[0056] In particular, the thermally conductive filling material 5 is in pasty form and has a thermal conduction greater than 1.8 W / mK.

[0057] Such thermal conduction allows the measuring probe 40 to measure a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the portion left free of the corresponding terminal.

[0058] For this, the thermally conductive filling material 5 at least partially coats the free portion of the terminal whose temperature is measured locally.

[0059] Thus, the temperature sensor 4 and in particular the probe 40 indexed vertically above the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal, and at least partially immersed in the thermally conductive filling material 5, which allows the measurement of the temperature of the corresponding terminal by the measuring probe 40, the thermally conductive filling material 5 conducting the temperature of the terminal towards the probe to minimize energy loss.

[0060] The invention also relates to a method of assembling the inverter 1.

[0061] The assembly method comprises a first step consisting of placing the thermally conductive filling material 5 on the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal, until said terminal is immersed.

[0062] Then, a second step consisting of placing the temperature sensor 4 in the through opening 3 formed in the electronic card 2, so that the connection portion 41 of the temperature sensor 4 is in contact with a first face of the electronic card 2 comprising electrical tracks and that the temperature measuring probe 40 extends from a second face of the electronic card 2, opposite the first face, towards at least one of the portions left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal.

[0063] Then, a third step consisting of soldering the connection portion 41 of the temperature sensor 4 to the first face of the electronic card 2.

[0064] Finally, a fourth step consisting of arranging at least one of the portions left free of the direct current terminal and / or of the alternating current terminal directly above the temperature measuring probe 40 so that it is immersed at least in part by the thermally conductive filling material 5.

[0065] The invention also relates to a mobility device comprising an inverter 1 as previously described.

[0066] It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0067] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set forth in the present description, but should be interpreted to include all equivalents of which the prediction is within the reach of the person skilled in the art by applying his general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Inverter (1), in particular configured to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising: - a capacitive module; - at least one power module electrically connected to the capacitive module; - the power module comprising an electrical conductor comprising at least one direct current terminal, the electrical conductor being partly covered by an overmolding coating and having a portion left free; - the capacitive module comprising an electrical conductor comprising at least one alternating current terminal, the electrical conductor being partly covered by an overmolding coating and having a portion left free; - at least one electronic card (2) electrically connected to the power module and in which a through opening (3) is formed; - the inverter (1) being configured to allow the circulation of an electric current between the capacitive module and an alternating current electric machine; characterized in that said inverter (1) further comprises at least one temperature sensor (4) connected to the electronic card (2) and arranged through said through opening (3), said temperature sensor (4) comprising a measuring probe (40) configured to locally measure the temperature of one of the terminals and an electrical connection portion (41) connected to said electronic card (2), the inverter (1) further comprising a thermally conductive filling material (5) applied, in particular through the through opening (3) of the electronic card (2), between the temperature measuring probe (40) and at least the portion left free of the corresponding terminal.

2. Inverter (1) according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive filling material (5) is in pasty form and has a thermal conduction greater than or equal to a predefined value, for example 1 W / mK, for example 1.8 W / mK.

3. Inverter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the thermally conductive filling material (5) at least partially coats the portion left free of the terminal whose temperature is measured locally.

4. Inverter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature sensor (4) comprises a support (42) connecting the measuring probe (40) and the connection portion (41), and said connection portion (41) comprising at least two connection terminals (43), said connection terminals (43) projecting from said support (42) and being connected to the electronic card (2) and the measuring probe (40) projecting from said support (42) being configured to allow the measuring probe (40) to be held perpendicular to the electronic card (2).

5. Inverter (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connection terminals (43) of the temperature sensor (4) project orthogonally from said support (42), the measuring probe (40) extending in the extension of said support (42).

6. Inverter (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the support (42) of the temperature sensor (4) comprises a body (44) in which are formed at least two openings (45), at least one shoulder (46), means (47) for retaining the temperature measuring probe (40), the connection terminals (43) being folded and passing through said openings (45) so as to project from said body (44) of the support (42) and come into contact with electrical tracks arranged on a first face of the electronic card (2), the measuring probe (40) extending from the retaining means (47) and extending orthogonally to the electronic card (2), from a second face of said electronic card (2), opposite the first face, towards the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal,the support (42) being configured to index the temperature sensor (4) and in particular the measuring probe (40) directly above said portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal., 7. Inverter (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said support (42) is made of plastic.

8. Inverter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the measuring probe (40) has a drop shape.

9. Inverter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of temperature sensors (4), each connected to the electronic card (2) and each being configured to locally measure the temperature of one of the terminals of said inverter (1).

10. Method of assembling an inverter according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - placing the thermally conductive filling material (5) on the portion left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal, until said terminal is immersed; - placing the temperature sensor (4) in the through opening (3) formed in the electronic card (2) so that the connection portion (41) of said temperature sensor (4) is in contact with a first face of the card electronics (2) comprising electrical tracks and that the temperature measuring probe (40) extends from a second face of the electronic card (2), opposite the first face, towards at least one of the portions left free of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal; - soldering said connection portion (41) of the temperature sensor (4) to the first face of the electronic card (2); and - arranging at least one of the free portions of the direct current terminal and / or the alternating current terminal directly above the temperature measuring probe (40), so that it is immersed at least in part by the thermally conductive filling material (5).

11. Mobility device comprising an inverter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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