Capacitor device

Abstract

This capacitor device comprises a plurality of capacitor elements (40), a plurality of first electrode terminals (50), and a plurality of second electrode terminals (60). The capacitor elements each have a first end surface (40A) and a second end surface (40B) which are separate from each other in the width direction. The first electrode terminals each have a first electrode connection part that is connected to a first electrode (41) of a first end surface. The second electrode terminals each have a second electrode connection part that is connected to a second electrode (42) of a second end surface. The plurality of capacitor elements are arranged along the width direction such that first end surfaces and / or second end surfaces face each other in the width direction. First electrode connection parts which are connected to respective first electrodes facing the first electrode connection parts in the width direction, and / or second electrode connection parts which are connected to respective second electrodes facing the second electrode connection parts in the width direction are disposed so as to be offset with respect to at least one direction orthogonal to the width direction.

Description

Capacitor Device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Patent Application No. 2023-219877 filed in Japan on December 26, 2023, and the contents of the original application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The disclosure provided herein relates to a capacitor device.

[0003] The case-molded capacitor described in Patent Document 1 includes a first block, a first P-pole bus bar, a first N-pole bus bar, a second block, a second P-pole bus bar, and a second N-pole bus bar. The first block and the second block are composed of multiple metalized film capacitors, each having a P-pole and an N-pole. The N-pole of each capacitor in the first block faces the N-pole of each capacitor in the second block.

[0004] The first P-pole bus bar is connected to the P-pole of the capacitor in the first block and has a first P-pole terminal for external connection at one end. The first N-pole bus bar is connected to the N-pole of the capacitor in the first block and has a first N-pole terminal for external connection at one end. The second P-pole bus bar is connected to the P-pole of the capacitor in the second block and has a second P-pole terminal for external connection at one end. The second N-pole bus bar is connected to the N-pole of the capacitor in the second block and has a second N-pole terminal for external connection at one end.

[0005] Patent No. 5376070

[0006] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the first N-pole terminal and the second N-pole terminal overlap in the direction in which the first block and the second block are aligned. This causes heat concentration between the first N-pole terminal and the second N-pole terminal. Furthermore, in the direction in which the first block and the second block are aligned, the first block and the second block must be separated by at least the thickness of the first N-pole terminal and the second N-pole terminal. This results in a larger case-molded capacitor. With the configuration of Patent Document 1, it was difficult to simultaneously suppress heat concentration between the first N-pole terminal and the second N-pole terminal and reduce the size of the case-molded capacitor.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a capacitor device that can achieve both miniaturization and suppression of heat concentration between electrode connections.

[0008] A capacitor device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of capacitor elements, each having a first end face and a second end face spaced apart in the width direction; a plurality of first electrode terminals, each having a first electrode connection portion connected to the first electrode formed on the first end face and individually provided on each capacitor element; and a plurality of second electrode terminals, each having a second electrode connection portion connected to the second electrode formed on the second end face and individually provided on each capacitor element; the plurality of capacitor elements are arranged along the width direction so that the first end faces and / or the second end faces face each other in the width direction; and the first electrode connection portions connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction and / or the second electrode connection portions connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are offset in at least one of the height direction, which is one direction perpendicular to the width direction, and the depth direction, which is perpendicular to both the width direction and the height direction.

[0009] This prevents the first electrode connection portions and / or the second electrode connection portions provided on electrodes facing each other in the width direction from overlapping in the width direction. This prevents heat concentration between the first electrode connection portions and / or the second electrode connection portions. Furthermore, the distance between adjacent capacitor elements in the width direction can be reduced. This allows for the miniaturization of the capacitor device. This allows for both the miniaturization of the capacitor device and the suppression of heat concentration between the electrode connection portions.

[0010] It should be noted that the reference numbers in parentheses in the appended claims merely indicate the corresponding relationship with the configurations described in the embodiments described below, and do not in any way limit the technical scope.

[0011] 1 is an electrical circuit diagram of a power conversion device; a side view of the power conversion device; an exploded perspective view of a capacitor device; a perspective view of a portion of the capacitor device; a plan view of a capacitor; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor; a schematic view of a portion of a capacitor; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor; a side view of a capacitor; a perspective view of a capacitor case; a schematic view of a bus bar module; a side view of a portion of a capacitor illustrating a second embodiment; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor illustrating a third embodiment; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor device illustrating a fourth embodiment; a side view of a power conversion device illustrating a fifth embodiment; a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor illustrating a sixth embodiment.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] (First embodiment) <On-vehicle system> Fig. 1 is an electrical circuit diagram of a power conversion device 10 mounted on an on-vehicle system 1. The on-vehicle system 1 is equipped with a battery 2, a motor generator 4, and the power conversion device 10. The vehicle on which the on-vehicle system 1 is mounted is a hybrid vehicle that can run by switching between and / or combining the driving force of the engine and the driving force of the motor generator 4. The engine and the motor generator 4 are interconnected via a gear device.

[0015] The power conversion device 10 has an inverter 11, a control circuit board 15, a capacitor 20, a high-potential side bus bar 110, a low-potential side bus bar 120, and a connecting bus bar 130. The high-potential side bus bar 110 is a conductive member connected to the positive electrode of the battery 2. The low-potential side bus bar 120 is a conductive member connected to the negative electrode of the battery 2. The connecting bus bar 130 is a conductive member that connects the inverter 11 and the motor generator 4. The inverter 11 may also be referred to as an external device.

[0016] The inverter 11 is connected to a high-potential side bus bar 110 and a low-potential side bus bar 120. The inverter 11 has a plurality of switch modules 12. Each switch module 12 has two switching elements 13 and two diodes 13A. The two switching elements 13 are connected in series between the high-potential side bus bar 110 and the low-potential side bus bar 120.

[0017] A high-potential side input terminal 11A connected to a high-potential side bus bar 110 is connected to the collector electrode of one of the two switching elements 13 that is provided on the high-potential side. A low-potential side input terminal 11B connected to a low-potential side bus bar 120 is connected to the emitter of one of the two switching elements 13 that is provided on the low-potential side. The anode of diode 13A is connected to the emitter of the corresponding switching element 13. The cathode of diode 13A is connected to the collector of the corresponding switching element 13.

[0018] A motor terminal 11C connected to the motor generator 4 is connected to the emitter of the high-potential side switching element 13 and the collector of the low-potential side switching element 13. The multiple switching elements 13 convert DC power supplied from the battery 2 into AC power capable of driving the motor generator 4. The converted power is supplied to the motor generator 4 via the motor terminal 11C and the connecting bus bar 130.

[0019] The control circuit board 15 controls the on / off of the multiple switching elements 13. A control circuit that controls the on / off of the multiple switching elements 13 is mounted on the control circuit board 15. Connection terminals 11D of the multiple switching elements 13 are solder-connected to the control circuit board 15. The connection terminals 11D of the multiple switching elements 13 are electrically connected to the control circuit board 15.

[0020] The capacitor 20 is electrically connected to the inverter 11 and the battery 2 via a high-potential side bus bar 110 and a low-potential side bus bar 120. The capacitor 20, the high-potential side bus bar 110, and the low-potential side bus bar 120 may be collectively referred to as a capacitor device 100. The capacitor device 100 further includes an insulating member 140, a capacitor case 150, and a sealing resin 160.

[0021] The insulating member 140 is provided between the high potential side bus bar 110 and the low potential side bus bar 120. The insulating member 140 maintains insulation between the high potential side bus bar 110 and the low potential side bus bar 120. The high potential side bus bar 110, the low potential side bus bar 120, and the insulating member 140 may be collectively referred to as a bus bar module 180. As an example, the bus bar module 180 is inserted into a capacitor case 150. The capacitor case 150 is mainly formed from resin. The bus bar module 180 is molded integrally with the capacitor case 150. Note that the capacitor case 150 may be formed from a laminate film such as a moisture-proof sheet instead of resin.

[0022] Capacitor case 150 is a housing that houses capacitor 20 inside. Sealing resin 160 is a member that fills the housing space of capacitor case 150. Capacitor 20 is fixed to capacitor case 150 by sealing resin 160.

[0023] The capacitor 20 has a plurality of capacitor components 30. As an example, the capacitor 20 has five capacitor components 30. Note that the number of capacitor components 30 is not limited to five. Each capacitor component 30 has a capacitor element 40, a first electrode terminal 50, and a second electrode terminal 60. The five capacitor components 30 may be referred to as a first capacitor component 31, a second capacitor component 32, a third capacitor component 33, a fourth capacitor component 34, and a fifth capacitor component 35.

[0024] The five capacitor components 30 are connected in parallel to the inverter 11 and the battery 2 via a high-potential side bus bar 110 and a low-potential side bus bar 120. The capacitor elements 40 have a first electrode 41 and a second electrode 42. A first electrode terminal 50 is connected to the first electrode 41 of each capacitor element 40. A second electrode terminal 60 is connected to the second electrode 42 of each capacitor element 40. The five capacitor elements 40 are electrically connected to the high-potential side bus bar 110 via the respective first electrode terminals 50. The five capacitor elements 40 are electrically connected to the low-potential side bus bar 120 via the respective second electrode terminals 60.

[0025] <Mechanical Configuration of Power Converter and Capacitor Device> Before describing the mechanical configuration of the power converter 10 and the capacitor device 100, the drawings will be described first. FIG. 2 is a side view of the power converter 10. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the capacitor device 100. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the capacitor device 100 from which the sealing resin 160 has been removed. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the capacitor 20 as viewed from the top surface 40D. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the capacitor 20 as viewed from the first capacitor component 31 side. Note that FIG. 6 omits the illustration of the second electrode terminal 60 of the first capacitor component 31. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the capacitor 20 as viewed from the second capacitor component 32 side. Note that FIG. 7 omits the illustration of the first electrode terminal 50 of the second capacitor component 32.

[0026] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the capacitor 20 illustrating the arrangement of the capacitor components 30 as viewed from the top surface 40D. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the capacitor 20 illustrating the arrangement of adjacent electrode terminals 50, 60. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the capacitor 20 illustrating the connection between the external connection portions 54, 64 and the terminal connection portions 111, 121. Fig. 11 is a side view of the capacitor 20. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the capacitor case 150. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a bus bar module 180.

[0027] The power conversion device 10 further includes a case 14 that houses the capacitor device 100 and the inverter 11. The case 14 is mainly made of a material with low thermal resistance, such as aluminum. The main material of the case 14 is not limited to aluminum. The case 14 may also be made of resin. The capacitor device 100 and the inverter 11 are housed in the storage space of the case 14.

[0028] The capacitor 20 is housed in the storage space of the capacitor case 150. Five capacitor components 30 are housed in the storage space of the capacitor case 150. Hereinafter, the direction in which the five capacitor components 30 are arranged may be referred to as the X direction. Two directions perpendicular to the X direction may be referred to as the Y direction and the Z direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are three perpendicular directions. The capacitor element 40 has a three-dimensional shape with a certain volume. The capacitor element 40 is provided in a three-dimensional shape such as a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a cube, or a rectangular parallelepiped. The capacitor element 40 has lengths in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The X direction may be referred to as the width direction of the capacitor element 40. The Y direction may be referred to as the depth direction of the capacitor element 40. The Z direction may be referred to as the height direction of the capacitor element 40.

[0029] The capacitor case 150 has a bottom 155 and side walls 170. The bottom 155 has a flat shape that is thin in the Z direction. The side walls 170 extend in an annular shape along the periphery of the bottom 155. The side walls 170 have a first wall 171 and a third wall 173 that are spaced apart in the Y direction. The side walls 170 further have a second wall 172 and a fourth wall 174 that are spaced apart in the X direction. The first wall 171 to the fourth wall 174 are integrally connected in order counterclockwise. The capacitor 20 is stored in a storage space defined by the bottom 155 and the side walls 170.

[0030] The five capacitor components 30 are arranged in the following order from the second wall 172 toward the fourth wall 174: first capacitor component 31, second capacitor component 32, third capacitor component 33, fourth capacitor component 34, and fifth capacitor component 35. The capacitor element 40 has a first end face 40A, a second end face 40B, and a side face 40C.

[0031] The two end faces 40A, 40B are spaced apart at the ends of the capacitor element 40 in the X direction. The side face 40C connects the first end face 40A and the second end face 40B. The side face 40C extends along the edges of the first end face 40A and the second end face 40B. It can also be said that the side face 40C extends circumferentially around an axis along the X direction along the edges of the first end face 40A and the second end face 40B. The side face 40C has a lower face 40E facing the bottom 155 of the capacitor case 150 and an upper face 40D opposite the lower face 40E. Hereinafter, the upper face 40D side may be referred to as the upper side, and the lower face 40E side may be referred to as the lower side, as appropriate.

[0032] A first electrode 41 is provided on a first end surface 40A of the capacitor element 40. A second electrode 42 is provided on a second end surface 40B of the capacitor element 40. The first capacitor component 31 is arranged so that the second end surface 40B faces the second wall 172 in the X direction. The five capacitor components 30 are arranged so that the first end surfaces 40A or the second end surfaces 40B of any two adjacent capacitor components 30 in the X direction face each other in the X direction.

[0033] As an example, the first end face 40A of the first capacitor component 31 is arranged to face the first end face 40A of the second capacitor component 32 in the X direction. The second end face 40B of the second capacitor component 32 is arranged to face the second end face 40B of the third capacitor component 33 in the X direction. The first end face 40A of the fourth capacitor component 34 is arranged to face the first end face 40A of the third capacitor component 33 in the X direction. The second end face 40B of the fourth capacitor component 34 is arranged to face the second end face 40B of the fifth capacitor component 35 in the X direction. The first end face 40A of the fifth capacitor component 35 is arranged to face the fourth wall 174 in the X direction.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 7 , one end of the first electrode terminal 50 is joined to the first electrode 41. One end of the first electrode terminal 50 is joined to the first electrode 41 by soldering or the like. As shown in Fig. 10 , the other end of the first electrode terminal 50 is joined to the high-potential side bus bar 110. The other end of the first electrode terminal 50 is joined to the high-potential side bus bar 110 by welding or the like.

[0035] The first electrode terminal 50 has two electrode connection portions 51 and 52, an arm 53, an external connection portion 54, and a connecting portion 55. The electrode connection portions 51 and 52 may be referred to as first electrode connection portions. The arm 53 may be referred to as a first arm. The external connection portion 54 may be referred to as a first external connection portion. The connecting portion 55 may be referred to as a first electric-side portion. The first electrode terminal 50 has two shape types. The shape type of the first electrode terminals 50 provided on the first capacitor component 31, the third capacitor component 33, and the fifth capacitor component 35 may be referred to as a first shape type 50F. The shape type of the first electrode terminals 50 provided on the second capacitor component 32 and the fourth capacitor component 34 may be referred to as a second shape type 50S. Hereinafter, elements with a reference numeral suffixed with "F" are constituent elements of the first shape type 50F. Elements with an "S" attached to their reference numerals are components of the second shape type 50S.

[0036] First, the first shape type 50F of the first electrode terminal 50 will be described. The arm 53F of the first shape type 50F extends in the X direction from one end to the other end along the first end surface 40A. Note that the first wall 171 side of the capacitor case 150 may be referred to as the one end side. The third wall 173 side of the capacitor case 150 may be referred to as the other end side. A portion of the arm 53F faces the first end surface 40A in the X direction. The remainder of the arm 53F is located above the top surface 40D in the Z direction and does not face the first end surface 40A in the X direction.

[0037] Two electrode connection portions 51F, 52F are provided at the lower end portion of the arm 53F in the Z direction. The two electrode connection portions 51F, 52F are arranged side by side and spaced apart in the Y direction. The two electrode connection portions 51F, 52F extend toward the lower surface 40E. The two electrode connection portions 51F, 52F are solder-connected to the first end surfaces 40A of the corresponding capacitor components 31, 33, and 35.

[0038] A connecting portion 55F is integrally connected to the upper end of the arm 53F in the Z direction. The connecting portion 55F is integrally connected to one end of the arm 53F. The connecting portion 55F extends in the X and Y directions along the upper surface 40D. As an example, the connecting portion 55F is spaced apart from the upper surface 40D in the Z direction. Note that the connecting portion 55F does not have to be spaced apart from the upper surface 40D in the Z direction. The connecting portion 55F may be in contact with the upper surface 40D in the Z direction.

[0039] The coupling portion 55F extends toward the second end surface 40B of the corresponding capacitor component 31, 33, 35. The external connection portion 54F is integrally coupled to one end of the coupling portion 55F in the X direction. The external connection portion 54F extends in the Z direction away from the coupling portion 55F. The inverter 11 and the capacitor component 30 are electrically connected by connecting the high potential side bus bar 110 to the external connection portion 54F.

[0040] Next, the second shape type 50S of the first electrode terminal 50 will be described. The arm 53S of the second shape type 50S has an L-shape when viewed in the X direction. The arm 53S has a base 53SA extending in the Z direction and an extension 53SB extending in the Y direction. The base 53SA extends closer to the lower surface 40E than the arm 53F. The extension 53SB is integrally connected to the end of the base 53SA on the lower surface 40E side. The extension 53SB extends in the Y direction from one end to the other along the first end surface 40A. Two electrode connection portions 51S and 52S are provided at the lower end of the arm 53F in the Z direction. The two electrode connection portions 51S and 52S extend toward the lower surface 40E. The two electrode connection portions 51S and 52S are solder-connected to the first end surfaces 40A of the corresponding capacitor components 32 and 34.

[0041] A connecting portion 55S is integrally connected to an upper end portion of the base portion 53SA in the Z direction. The connecting portion 55S extends in the X and Y directions along the upper surface 40D. As an example, the connecting portion 55S is spaced apart from the upper surface 40D in the Z direction. Note that the connecting portion 55S does not have to be spaced apart from the upper surface 40D in the Z direction. The connecting portion 55S may be in contact with the upper surface 40D in the Z direction. The connecting portion 55S extends toward the second end surfaces 40B of the corresponding capacitor components 32, 34. The external connection portion 54S is integrally connected to one end of the connecting portion 55S in the X direction. The external connection portion 54S extends in the Z direction away from the connecting portion 55S. The inverter 11 and the capacitor component 30 are electrically connected by connecting the high-potential side bus bar 110 to the external connection portion 54S.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first end faces 40A and second end faces 40B of adjacent capacitor components 30 in the X direction are arranged to face each other. With respect to the first electrode terminals 50, the arms 53F and 53S of one of the two adjacent capacitor components 30 are partially in contact with each other in the X direction. The arms 53F and 53S do not necessarily have to be in contact with each other in the X direction. The first end face 40A on which the arm 53S is provided is spaced apart from the arm 53F in the X direction by the thickness of the arm 53S. Similarly, the first end face 40A on which the arm 53F is provided is spaced apart from the arm 53S in the X direction by the thickness of the arm 53F. This allows the sealing resin 160 in a liquid state to pass through this gap during manufacturing.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one electrode connection portion 51F, 52F and the other electrode connection portion 51S, 52S are arranged with a shift in both the Y direction and the Z direction. In other words, the four electrode connection portions 51F, 52F, 51S, 52S are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the Y direction and the Z direction. Note that the four electrode connection portions 51F, 52F, 51S, 52S do not have to be arranged with a shift in both the Y direction and the Z direction. For example, the electrode connection portions 51F, 52F and the electrode connection portions 51S, 52S may be positioned identically in the X direction, but only shifted in the Z direction. Alternatively, the electrode connection portions 51F, 52F and the electrode connection portions 51S, 52S may be positioned identically in the Z direction, but only shifted in the X direction.

[0044] The two connecting portions 55F, 55S are adjacent to each other in the X direction. A magnetic field is generated around one connecting portion 55F according to the right-hand screw rule. A magnetic field is also generated around the other connecting portion 55S according to the right-hand screw rule. As a result, the direction of the magnetic flux generated around one connecting portion 55F on the other side is opposite to the direction of the magnetic flux generated around the other connecting portion 55S on one side. As a result, the magnetic field generated around connecting portion 55F and the magnetic field generated around connecting portion 55S cancel each other out.

[0045] A second electrode terminal 60 is connected to the second electrode 42 of the capacitor component 30. One end of the second electrode terminal 60 is joined to the second electrode 42 by soldering or the like. The other end of the second electrode terminal 60 is joined to the low potential side bus bar 120 by welding or the like.

[0046] The second electrode terminal 60 has two electrode connection portions 61 and 62, an arm 63, an external connection portion 64, and a connecting portion 65. The electrode connection portions 61 and 62 may be referred to as second electrode connection portions. The arm 63 may be referred to as a second arm. The external connection portion 64 may be referred to as a second external connection portion. The connecting portion 65 may be referred to as a second electric portion. The second electrode terminal 60 has two shape types. The shape type of the second electrode terminal 60 provided on the second capacitor component 32 and the fourth capacitor component 34 may be referred to as a first shape type 60F. The shape type of the second electrode terminal 60 provided on the first capacitor component 31, the third capacitor component 33, and the fifth capacitor component 35 may be referred to as a second shape type 60S.

[0047] The first shape type 60F has two electrode connection portions 61F, 62F, an arm 63F, an external connection portion 64F, and a connecting portion 65F. The second shape type 60S has two electrode connection portions 61S, 62S, an arm 63S, an external connection portion 64S, and a connecting portion 65S. The arm 63S has a base portion 63SA extending in the Z direction and an extension portion 63SB extending in the Y direction. The specific configuration of the first shape type 60F is similar to that of the first shape type 50F, so a detailed description of the first shape type 60F will be omitted. The specific configuration of the second shape type 60S is similar to that of the second shape type 50S, so a detailed description of the second shape type 60S will be omitted. The connecting portion 65F extends toward the first end surface 40A of the corresponding capacitor component 32, 34. The connecting portion 65S extends toward the first end surface 40A of the corresponding capacitor component 31, 33, 35.

[0048] The arrangement of arms 63F and 63S is the same as that of arms 53F and 53S. The arrangement of electrode connectors 61F and 62F and electrode connectors 61S and 62S is the same as that of electrode connectors 51F and 52F and electrode connectors 51S and 52S. The arrangement of linking portion 65F and linking portion 65S is the same as that of linking portion 55F and linking portion 55S.

[0049] The high-potential side bus bar 110 has a terminal connection portion 111, an inverter connection portion 112, a battery connection portion 113, and a relay portion 114. The terminal connection portion 111 is connected to the external connection portions 54F and 54S. The inverter connection portion 112 is connected to the high-potential side input terminal 11A of the inverter 11. The battery connection portion 113 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 2. In the high-potential side bus bar 110, the terminal connection portion 111, the inverter connection portion 112, and the battery connection portion 113 are electrically connected via the relay portion 114.

[0050] The low-potential side bus bar 120 has a terminal connection portion 121, an inverter connection portion 122, a battery connection portion 123, and a relay portion 124. The terminal connection portion 121 is connected to the external connection portions 64F and 64S. The inverter connection portion 122 is connected to the low-potential side input terminal 11B of the inverter 11. The battery connection portion 123 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery 2. In the low-potential side bus bar 120, the terminal connection portion 121, the inverter connection portion 122, and the battery connection portion 123 are electrically connected via the relay portion 124.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the bus bars 110, 120 are generally Z-shaped when viewed in the Z direction. The relay portions 114, 124 are flat and thin in the Z direction. The relay portions 114, 124 include first relay pieces 114A, 124A and third relay pieces 114C, 124C extending in the X direction, and second relay pieces 114B, 124B extending in the Y direction. The first relay pieces 114A, 124A are connected to one ends of the second relay pieces 114B, 124B, and the third relay pieces 114C, 124C are connected to the other ends of the second relay pieces 114B, 124B.

[0052] Battery connection portions 113, 123 are connected to the longitudinal ends of the first relay pieces 114A, 124A. Inverter connection portions 112, 122 are connected to one lateral end of the third relay pieces 114C, 124C. Terminal connection portions 111, 121 are connected to the other lateral ends of the third relay pieces 114C, 124C. The terminal connection portions 111, 121 extend upward in the Z direction away from the relay pieces 114, 124.

[0053] The high-potential side bus bar 110 has three terminal connection portions 111. One of the terminal connection portions 111 faces the two external connection portions 54 of the first capacitor component 31 and the second capacitor component 32 in the Y direction. One of the terminal connection portions 111 is welded to the two external connection portions 54. Another of the terminal connection portions 111 faces the two external connection portions 54 of the third capacitor component 33 and the fourth capacitor component 34 in the Y direction. Another of the terminal connection portions 111 is welded to the two external connection portions 54. Yet another of the terminal connection portions 111 faces the one external connection portion 54 of the fifth capacitor component 35 in the Y direction. Yet another of the terminal connection portions 111 is welded to one external connection portion 54.

[0054] The low-potential side bus bar 120 has three terminal connection portions 121. One of the terminal connection portions 121 faces one of the external connection portions 64 of the first capacitor component 31 in the Y direction. One of the terminal connection portions 121 is welded to one of the external connection portions 64. Another of the terminal connection portions 121 faces two of the external connection portions 64 of the second capacitor component 32 and the third capacitor component 33 in the Y direction. Another of the terminal connection portions 121 is welded to two of the external connection portions 64. Yet another of the terminal connection portions 121 faces two of the external connection portions 64 of the fourth capacitor component 34 and the fifth capacitor component 35 in the Y direction. Yet another of the terminal connection portions 121 is welded to two of the external connection portions 64.

[0055] Next, a method for manufacturing the capacitor device 100 will be described. When manufacturing the capacitor device 100, the external connection parts 54, 64 are aligned with the corresponding terminal connection parts 111, 121. The external connection parts 54, 64 are then welded to the terminal connection parts 111, 121. Spot welding is used as one type of welding. Spot welding is a welding method used to weld two thin plates together. The device that clamps the external connection parts 54, 64, which are the base materials, and the terminal connection parts 111, 121 is called a gun. The device that supplies electricity to the gun is called a welding power source.

[0056] When welding, the external connection parts 54, 64 and the terminal connection parts 111, 121 are clamped by a welding gun. Electricity is supplied to the gun from a welding power source. The gun applies heat and pressure to the welded portions between the external connection parts 54, 64 and the terminal connection parts 111, 121. This heat and pressure joins the external connection parts 54, 64 and the terminal connection parts 111, 121.

[0057] In this embodiment, five capacitor components 30 are lined up in the X direction. The gun moves in the X direction while welding the external connection portions 54, 64 and the terminal connection portions 111, 121 corresponding to each capacitor component 30. Furthermore, the distance between the external connection portions 54 and 64 in each capacitor component 30 is constant in the X direction. The distance between the adjacent external connection portions 54, 64 between adjacent capacitor components 30 is also constant. Furthermore, the positions of the top surfaces 40D of the five capacitor components 30 are aligned in the Z direction.

[0058] The positions of the top surfaces 40D of the five capacitor components 30 do not have to be aligned in the Z direction. The gun moves in the X direction above the top surfaces 40D while joining each external connection portion 54, 64 to the corresponding terminal connection portion 111, 121. The positions of the top surfaces 40D of the five capacitor components 30 need only be aligned to the extent that they do not interfere with the movement of the gun in the X direction. The positions of the connecting portions 55, 65 of the five capacitor components 30 need only be aligned to the extent that they do not interfere with the movement of the gun in the X direction. As an example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the Z direction positions of the connecting portions 55, 65 are located above the Z direction positions of the third relay pieces 114C, 124C. The positions of the upper ends of the external connection portions 54, 64 and the upper ends of the terminal connection portions 111, 121 are aligned in the Z direction. The Z direction lengths of the external connection portion 54 and the external connection portion 64 are the same.

[0059] The gun moves in the X direction while welding each external connection portion 54, 64 to each terminal connection portion 111, 121 at the center position of each external connection portion 54, 64 in the Z direction. If the Z-direction position of the connecting portion 55 and the Z-direction position of the connecting portion 65 deviate by more than a predetermined distance, the two cannot be welded together without moving the gun in the Z direction. The predetermined distance is, for example, half the Z-direction length of the external connection portions 54, 64. The following is an example of a case where the Z-direction position of the connecting portion 65 is located above the Z-direction position of the connecting portion 55 by more than a predetermined distance. After the gun joins the external connection portion 54 and the terminal connection portion 111, even if the gun attempts to move in the X direction to join the external connection portion 64 and the terminal connection portion 121, it will come into contact with the external connection portion 64. This prevents the gun from moving smoothly in the X direction.

[0060] In order for the gun to move smoothly in the X direction, it is sufficient that the Z-direction positions of coupling portion 55 and coupling portion 65 are kept to less than half the length of external connection portions 54, 64. More preferably, the Z-direction positions of coupling portion 55 and coupling portion 65 are desirably kept to less than 25 percent of the length of external connection portions 54, 64. While the above description is of an example in which coupling portion 55 and coupling portion 65 are adjacent to each other, the same can be said for a configuration in which coupling portion 65F and coupling portion 65S, and coupling portion 55F and coupling portion 55S are adjacent to each other.

[0061] <Operation and Effect> The capacitor device 100 includes a plurality of capacitor elements 40, a plurality of first electrode terminals 50, and a plurality of second electrode terminals 60. The capacitor elements 40 have a first end face 40A and a second end face 40B spaced apart in the X direction. The first electrode terminals 50 have electrode connection portions 51 and 52 connected to the first end face 40A. The second electrode terminals 60 have electrode connection portions 61 and 62 connected to the second end face 40B.

[0062] The plurality of capacitor elements 40 are arranged along the X direction so that the first end faces 40A face each other and the second end faces 40B face each other in the X direction. Of the plurality of capacitor elements 40, the electrode connections 51, 52 connected to the first end faces 40A are arranged offset in at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction. Of the plurality of capacitor elements 40, the electrode connections 61, 62 connected to the second end faces 40B are arranged offset in at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0063] This prevents the electrode connections 51, 52 provided on the first end surface 40A from overlapping in the X direction. This prevents heat concentration between the electrode connections 51, 52. This prevents the electrode connections 61, 62 provided on the second end surface 40B from overlapping in the X direction. This also prevents heat concentration between the electrode connections 61, 62. This also allows the distance between adjacent capacitor elements 40 in the X direction to be reduced. This means that the capacitor device 100 can be made smaller. This allows for both the suppression of heat concentration between the electrode connections 51, 52 and between the electrode connections 61, 62 and the miniaturization of the capacitor device 100.

[0064] The electrode connections 51, 52 connected to the first end face 40A are arranged with a shift in both the Y and Z directions, and the electrode connections 61, 62 connected to the second end face 40B are arranged with a shift in both the Y and Z directions. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress heat concentration between the electrode connections 51, 52 and between the electrode connections 61, 62.

[0065] The capacitor element 40 further has a side surface 40C connecting the first end surface 40A and the second end surface 40B. The first electrode terminal 50 further has a connecting portion 55 and an external connection portion 54. The connecting portion 55 is electrically connected to the electrode connection portions 51 and 52 and extends along the side surface 40C toward the second end surface 40B. The external connection portion 54 is connected to the connecting portion 55 and is connected to the inverter 11. Similarly, the second electrode terminal 60 further has a connecting portion 65 and an external connection portion 64. The connecting portion 65 is electrically connected to the electrode connection portions 61 and 62 and extends along the top surface 40D along which the connecting portion 55 runs toward the first end surface 40A. The external connection portion 64 is connected to the connecting portion 65 and is connected to the inverter 11.

[0066] According to this configuration, in one capacitor component 30, current flows between the external connection portion 54 and the external connection portion 64 via the connecting portion 55, the electrode connecting portions 51 and 52, the capacitor element 40, the electrode connecting portions 61 and 62, and the connecting portion 65. At this time, the direction of the current flowing through the connecting portion 55 is opposite to the direction of the current flowing through the connecting portion 65. Accordingly, the direction of the magnetic field formed around the connecting portion 55 is opposite to the direction of the magnetic field formed around the connecting portion 65. Therefore, the magnetic fields around the connecting portion 55 and the connecting portion 65 cancel each other out. This reduces the inductance of the current path between the external connection portion 54 and the external connection portion 64. This also reduces an increase in surge voltage generated in the inverter 11.

[0067] With respect to the first electrode terminal 50, the arms 53F and 53S adjacent in the X direction are partially in contact with each other in the X direction. With respect to the second electrode terminal 60, the arms 63F and 63S adjacent in the X direction are also partially in contact with each other in the X direction. This allows the size of the capacitor device 100 to be reduced in the X direction. Since the arms 53F and 53S, and the arms 63F and 63S, are at the same potential, there is no need to ensure an insulating distance, and so the arms can be brought into contact with each other, allowing the capacitor device 100 to be reduced in size.

[0068] The capacitor device 100 further includes bus bars 110, 120 that connect the external connection portions 54, 64 to the inverter 11. The external connection portions 54, 64 stand upright in the Z direction from the coupling portions 55, 65. Terminal connection portions 111, 121 of the bus bars 110, 120 extend in the Z direction along the external connection portions 54, 64. The terminal connection portions 111, 121 are joined to the external connection portions 54, 64. This provides good manufacturability when welding and joining the terminal connection portions 111, 121 and the external connection portions 54, 64 so as to sandwich them together.

[0069] Furthermore, the Z-direction positions of the connecting portions 55 and 65 are aligned across multiple capacitor elements 40 lined up in the X direction so as not to impede the movement of the welding machine in the X direction. This allows welding of the terminal connecting portions 111, 121 and the external connecting portions 54, 64 without changing the position of the welding machine in the Z direction. This makes it easy to join the terminal connecting portions 111, 121 and the external connecting portions 54, 64 during manufacturing. The welding machine is sometimes referred to as a joining device.

[0070] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the description was given of an embodiment in which the connecting portions 55 and 65 are spaced apart from the top surface 40D in the Z direction. However, the positional relationship in the Z direction between the connecting portions 55 and 65 and the top surface 40D is not limited to this. FIG. 14 is a side view of a portion of the capacitor 20 illustrating the second embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a representative side view of the first capacitor component 31 as viewed from the first end surface 40A. Note that the first electrode terminal 50 is omitted from FIG. 14.

[0071] The connecting portion 55, the arm 53, the connecting portion 65, and the arm 63 form part of the current path through which current flows between the external connection portion 54 and the external connection portion 64. In the second embodiment, the connecting portion 55 and the connecting portion 65 are in contact with the top surface 40D. In the second embodiment, the Z-direction length of the arm 53 and the Z-direction length of the arm 63 are shorter than those in the first embodiment. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, the length of the current path between the external connection portion 54 and the external connection portion 64 can be shortened. Furthermore, because the arms 53 and 63 form part of the current path, the shortened length reduces the inductance of the arms 53 and 63. Accordingly, the inductance of the current path between the external connection portion 54 and the external connection portion 64 can be reduced. Note that the embodiment is not limited to the embodiment in which both the connecting portion 55 and the connecting portion 65 are in contact with the top surface 40D. The same effect can be achieved if at least one of the connecting portion 55 and the connecting portion 65 provided on the same capacitor component 30 is in contact with the upper surface 40D.

[0072] Third Embodiment In the first embodiment, the upper edges of the arms 53F and 63F are located above the upper surface 40D. However, the positional relationship between the upper edges of the arms 53F and 63F and the upper surface 40D is not limited to this. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the capacitor 20 illustrating a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the arm 53F has a base 53FA extending in the Z direction and an extension 53FB extending in the Y direction. The base 53FA extends from the connecting portion 55 toward the lower surface 40E. The extension 53FB is integrally connected to the end of the base 53SA on the lower surface 40E side. The extension 53FB extends in the Y direction from one end to the other end along the first end surface 40A.

[0073] In the third embodiment, the upper end of the extension 53FB is aligned with the Z-direction position of the top surface 40D or is lower than the Z-direction position of the top surface 40D. In the third embodiment, the entire extension 53FB faces the first end surface 40A in the X-direction. This prevents the extension 53FB from interfering with the flow of the sealing resin 160 when the sealing resin 160 is filled. The same applies to the arm 63F, although a description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] (Fourth Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the external connection portions 54, 64 that stand upright in the Z direction and the terminal connection portions 111, 121 that stand upright in the Z direction are joined in the Y direction. However, the joining mode between the external connection portions 54, 64 and the terminal connection portions 111, 121 is not limited to this. Figure 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor device 100 that explains a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the external connection portions 54, 64 and the terminal connection portions 111, 121 extend along the XY plane. The external connection portions 54, 64 and the terminal connection portions 111, 121 overlap in the Z direction and are joined to each other.

[0075] Fifth Embodiment In the first embodiment, the capacitor 20 is housed in a capacitor case 150 and fixed to the capacitor case 150 via a sealing resin 160. However, the housing and fixing of the capacitor 20 is not limited to this. FIG. 17 is a side view of a power conversion device 10 illustrating a fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, a housing chamber 14A that houses only the capacitor 20 is provided in the case 14. In the fifth embodiment, the capacitor 20 is not housed in the capacitor case 150. In the fifth embodiment, the capacitor 20 is housed directly in the housing chamber 14A. A sealing resin 160 is provided in the housing chamber 14A. In the fifth embodiment, the capacitor 20 is fixed to the housing chamber 14A via the sealing resin 160.

[0076] Sixth Embodiment In the first embodiment, the first electrode terminal 50 has two electrode connection portions 51, 52, and the second electrode terminal 60 has two electrode connection portions 61, 62. However, the number of electrode connection portions that the first electrode terminal 50 and the second electrode terminal 60 have is not limited to two. Figure 18 is a perspective view of a portion of a capacitor 20 illustrating a sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the first electrode terminal 50 has only one electrode connection portion 52, and the second electrode terminal 60 has only one electrode connection portion 62.

[0077] In the sixth embodiment, the electrode connection portions 52S and 52F provided on the first end face 40A are arranged with a shift in the Y direction and the Z direction. The electrode connection portions 62S and 62F provided on the second end face 40B are arranged with a shift in the Y direction and the Z direction. This also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Note that the number of electrode connection portions provided on the first electrode terminal 50 and the number of electrode connection portions provided on the second electrode terminal 60 may be different. It is sufficient that the electrode connection portions provided on the end faces 40A and 40B facing each other in the X direction are arranged with a shift in at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0078] Other Embodiments In the first embodiment, the capacitor 20 has been described as having five capacitor components 30. However, the number of capacitor components 30 included in the capacitor 20 is not limited to five. For example, the capacitor 20 may include two capacitor components 30. In this case, two capacitor elements 40 are lined up along the X direction so that the first end faces 40A or the second end faces 40B face each other in the X direction.

[0079] In this case, of the two capacitor elements 40, the electrode connections 51, 52 connected to the first end faces 40A are arranged offset in at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction. Alternatively, of the multiple capacitor elements 40, the electrode connections 61, 62 connected to the second end faces 40B are arranged offset in at least one of the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0080] This prevents the electrode connections 51, 52 or the electrode connections 61, 62 provided on the end faces 40A, 40B from overlapping with each other in the X direction, thereby preventing heat concentration between the electrode connections 51, 52 or between the electrode connections 61, 62. As a result, the distance between adjacent capacitor elements 40 in the X direction can be reduced.

[0081] 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.

[0082] (Disclosure of Technical Ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, where the subsequent clause alternatively refers to the preceding clause. Some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, where the subsequent clause refers to another multiple dependent clause. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0083] (Technical Idea 1) A capacitor element (40) includes a plurality of capacitor elements (40), each having a first end face (40A) and a second end face (40B) spaced apart in a width direction (X); a plurality of first electrode terminals (50), each having a first electrode connection portion (51, 52) connected to a first electrode formed on the first end face, and each being provided individually on each of the capacitor elements; and a plurality of second electrode terminals (60), each having a second electrode connection portion (61, 62) connected to a second electrode formed on the second end face, and each being provided individually on each of the capacitor elements; wherein the plurality of capacitor elements are arranged along the width direction so that the first end faces and / or the second end faces face each other in the width direction, A capacitor device in which the first electrode connection portions each connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction and / or the second electrode connection portions each connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are arranged offset with respect to at least one of a height direction (Z), which is one of the directions perpendicular to the width direction, and a depth direction (Y), which is perpendicular to both the width direction and the height direction.

[0084] (Technical Idea 2) A capacitor device according to Technical Idea 1, in which the first electrode connection portions connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction and / or the second electrode connection portions connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are arranged offset in both the height direction and the depth direction.

[0085] (Technical Idea 3) A capacitor device according to Technical Idea 1 or 2, wherein the capacitor element further has a side surface (40C) connecting the first end face and the second end face, the first electrode terminal further has a first electric current lining (55) electrically connected to the first electrode connection portion and extending along the side surface toward the second end face, and a first external connection portion (54) connected to the first electric current lining and connected to an external device (11), the second electrode terminal further has a second electric current lining (65) electrically connected to the second electrode connection portion and extending along the side surface along which the first electric current lining is located toward the first end face, and a second external connection portion (64) connected to the second electric current lining and connected to the external device, and a current flows from one of the first external connection portion and the second external connection portion to the other via the capacitor element, and the direction of the current flowing in the first electric current lining is opposite to the direction of the current flowing in the second electric current lining.

[0086] (Technical Idea 4) A capacitor device according to Technical Idea 3, wherein the first electrode terminal further has a first arm (53) that connects the first electrode connection portion and the first electric side portion and extends along the first end surface, and the second electrode terminal further has a second arm (63) that connects the second electrode connection portion and the second electric side portion and extends along the second end surface, and the first arms connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction and / or the second arms connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the width direction.

[0087] (Technical Concept 5) The capacitor device according to Technical Concept 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the first current-side portion and the second current-side portion is in contact with the side surface.

[0088] (Technical Idea 6) A capacitor device according to any one of Technical Ideas 3 to 5, further comprising a bus bar (110, 120) connecting an external connection portion (54, 64) including the first external connection portion and the second external connection portion to the external device, wherein the external connection portion stands upright in the height direction from an electric side portion (55, 65) including the first electric side portion and the second electric side portion, a terminal connection portion (111, 121) of the bus bar connected to the external connection portion extends in the height direction along the external connection portion, and the external connection portion and the terminal connection portion are joined in the depth direction.

[0089] (Technical Idea 7) A capacitor device according to Technical Idea 6, in which the heightwise positions of the first electric along portion and the second electric along portion are aligned across multiple capacitor elements arranged in the widthwise direction, to the extent that the widthwise movement of a joining device that joins the external connection portion and the terminal connection portion in the depth direction is not hindered.

Claims

1. A capacitor device comprising: a plurality of capacitor elements (40) each having a first end face (40A) and a second end face (40B) spaced apart in the width direction (X); a plurality of first electrode terminals (50) each provided individually to each of the capacitor elements and having first electrode connection portions (51, 52) connected to the first electrodes formed on the first end face; a plurality of second electrode terminals (60) each provided individually to each of the capacitor elements and having second electrode connection portions (61, 62) connected to the second electrodes formed on the second end face; wherein the plurality of capacitor elements are arranged along the width direction such that the first end faces face each other and / or the second end faces face each other in the width direction; and the first electrode connection portions respectively connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction and / or the second electrode connection portions respectively connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are arranged offset with respect to at least one of the height direction (Z), which is one of the directions orthogonal to the width direction, and the depth direction (Y), which is orthogonal to both the width direction and the height direction.

2. The capacitor device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode connection portions respectively connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction and / or the second electrode connection portions respectively connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are arranged offset with respect to both the height direction and the depth direction.

3. The capacitor element further has a side surface (40C) connecting the first end surface and the second end surface. The first electrode terminal further has a first current conducting portion (55) electrically connected to the first electrode connection portion and extending along the side surface toward the second end surface, and a first external connection portion (54) connected to the first current conducting portion and connected to an external device (11). The second electrode terminal further has a second current conducting portion (65) electrically connected to the second electrode connection portion and extending along the side surface along which the first current conducting portion extends toward the first end surface, and a second external connection portion (64) connected to the second current conducting portion and connected to the external device. A current flows from one of the first external connection portion and the second external connection portion to the other through the capacitor element, and the direction of the current flowing through the first current conducting portion is opposite to the direction of the current flowing through the second current conducting portion. The capacitor device according to claim 2.

4. The first electrode terminal further has a first arm (53) connecting the first electrode connection portion and the first current conducting portion and extending along the first end surface. The second electrode terminal further has a second arm (63) connecting the second electrode connection portion and the second current conducting portion and extending along the second end surface. The first arms respectively connected to the first electrodes facing each other in the width direction, and / or the second arms respectively connected to the second electrodes facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the width direction. The capacitor device according to claim 3.

5. The capacitor device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion is in contact with the side surface.

6. The capacitor device further includes bus bars (110, 120) connecting the external connection portions (54, 64) including the first external connection portion and the second external connection portion and the external device. The external connection portion stands upright in the height direction from a current conducting portion (55, 65) including the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion. A terminal connection portion (111, 121) of the bus bar connected to the external connection portion extends in the height direction along the external connection portion. The external connection portion and the terminal connection portion are joined in the depth direction. The capacitor device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The capacitor device according to claim 6, wherein the positions of the first current-carrying portion and the second current-carrying portion in the height direction are aligned across the plurality of capacitor elements arranged in the width direction to such an extent that the movement of the joining device that joins the external connection portion and the terminal connection portion in the depth direction is not hindered.

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