Power conversion device and brace for power conversion device

Abstract

This power conversion device comprises: an enclosure; a plurality of power converters arranged vertically; first and second support posts, each of which stands vertically inside the enclosure and supports the plurality of power converters; and a brace extending in a designated direction and connected to the first support post and the second support post. The first support post has a raised part to which the brace is connected. The brace includes: an insulating rodlike member having an end part and extending in the designated direction; and a securing member, connected to the end part, for securing the brace to the raised part. The securing member has: a base part extending in the designated direction and connected to the end part; and a connecting part branching off from the base part in two limbs so as to envelop the raised part from two sides, and connected to the raised part by means of a pin.

Description

Power converters and braces for power converters

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power converter and a brace for a power converter.

[0002] Various structures equipped with braces have been known in the art. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-59781 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electric platform as such a structure, the electric platform including a support structure for supporting electric equipment, a plurality of legs extending from the support structure, a brace extending between at least two of the plurality of legs, and a damper disposed on the brace.

[0003] JP 2010-59781 A

[0004] The brace in Patent Document 1 is connected to the column support base at its lower end. Specifically, the brace and the column support base are connected by a pin, with one side of the lower end of the brace facing one side of the column support base. In this type of pin connection between the brace and the column, the diameter of the pin must be large to ensure strength.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a power conversion device and a brace for a power conversion device that enable the diameter of the pin connecting the brace and the support to be reduced.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power conversion apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of power converters arranged side by side in a vertical direction, first and second support pillars each standing vertically within the housing and supporting the plurality of power converters, and a brace extending in a predetermined direction and connected to the first and second support pillars. The first support pillar has a first protrusion to which the brace is connected. The brace includes an insulating rod-shaped member having a first end and extending in the predetermined direction, and a first fixing member connected to the first end and for fixing the brace to the first protrusion. The first fixing member extends in the predetermined direction and has a first base portion connected to the first end, and a first connecting portion branching from the first base portion to sandwich the first protrusion and connected to the first protrusion with a pin.

[0007] Preferably, the second support has a second protrusion to which the brace is connected, at a position higher than the first protrusion. The rod-shaped member further has a second end opposite the first end. The brace further includes a second fixing member connected to the second end and for fixing the brace to the second protrusion. The second fixing member extends in a predetermined direction and has a second base portion connected to the second end, and a second connecting portion branching into two from the second base portion so as to sandwich the second protrusion and connected to the second protrusion with a pin.

[0008] Preferably, the first support includes, from bottom to top in the vertical direction, a conductive first portion, a first insulator, and a conductive second portion. The second support includes, from bottom to top, a conductive third portion, a second insulator, and a conductive fourth portion. The first insulator and the second insulator are provided at the same height. The first portion has a first protrusion. The fourth portion has a second protrusion.

[0009] Preferably, the power conversion device further includes a plurality of first frame members arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and supporting a power converter of a predetermined stage among the plurality of power converters, and a plurality of second frame members arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and supporting a power converter one stage higher than the predetermined stage among the plurality of power converters. The first portion and the third portion are parts of the first frame member. The second portion and the fourth portion are parts of the second frame member. The first frame member including the first portion and the first frame member including the third portion are adjacent to each other. The second frame member including the second portion and the second frame member including the fourth portion are adjacent to each other.

[0010] Preferably, the rod-shaped member is made of epoxy resin. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a brace for a power conversion apparatus includes an insulating rod-shaped member having first and second ends, a first fixing member connected to the first end and for fixing the brace to a first protrusion of a first support pole provided in the power conversion apparatus, and a second fixing member connected to the second end and for fixing the brace to a second protrusion of a second support pole provided in the power conversion apparatus. The first fixing member is bifurcated to sandwich the first protrusion and has a first connection portion connectable to the first protrusion with a pin. The second fixing member is bifurcated to sandwich the second protrusion and has a second connection portion connectable to the second protrusion with a pin.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the pin connecting the brace and the support.

[0012] 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a power conversion device; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a partial area shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a top view of the brace shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a side view of the brace shown in FIG. 2; and FIG. 6 is an enlarged oblique view of a partial area shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] Hereinafter, a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical components are designated by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] In addition, in the embodiments described below, numbers, amounts, etc. may be mentioned, but the scope of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, etc. Furthermore, the drawings are not drawn according to the actual dimensional ratios, and in some places, the ratios are changed to clarify the structure in order to make it easier to understand the structure.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a power conversion device. As shown in Fig. 1, the power conversion device 1 is installed on a horizontal floor surface FL. The power conversion device 1 includes a laminated structure 5 and a housing 10. The laminated structure 5 is housed in the housing 10. The housing 10 has a bottom 11.

[0016] The laminated structure 5 includes a plurality of insulator assemblies 20, 40, 60, a plurality of plate members 30, 70, a plurality of frame members 50, a plurality of power converters 80, and a plurality of brace pairs 100. Each of the insulator assemblies 20, 40, 60 extends in the Z direction (vertical direction). The plate members 30, 70 and each of the frame members 50 extend in the X direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the Z direction. The plate member 30 and each of the frame members 50 also extend in the Y direction (see FIG. 5 ) perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction.

[0017] The plurality of power converters 80 are arranged side by side in the X direction. The plurality of power converters 80 are also arranged side by side in the Z direction. In this manner, the plurality of power converters 80 are arranged in multiple stages (five stages in this example).

[0018] Each frame member 50 is made of metal. Therefore, each frame member 50 is conductive. In the power conversion device 1, a plurality of frame members 50 (four in this example) are arranged in a line in the X direction. In the power conversion device 1, a plurality of frame members 50 (five in this example) are arranged in a line in the Z direction. The four frame members 50 arranged in a line in the X direction support a plurality of power converters 80 (six in this example) in one stage.

[0019] The brace pair 100 includes a brace 110 and a brace 120 that cross each other when viewed from the front of the power conversion device 1. Each brace 110 extends in the D1 direction. Each brace 120 extends in the D2 direction. The D1 direction and the D2 direction are diagonal directions (predetermined directions) when viewed from the front of the power conversion device 1. The brace 110 and the brace 120 are spaced apart in the Y direction (see FIG. 5 ) when viewed from the front of the power conversion device 1.

[0020] Each insulator assembly 20 stands on the bottom 11 of the housing 10. The plate member 30 is supported from below by a plurality of insulator assemblies 20. A plurality of insulator assemblies 40 stand on the plate member 30.

[0021] Each insulator assembly 40 supports the lowest frame member 50 from below. The plate member 70 is supported from below by a plurality of frame members 50. Each insulator assembly 60 is supported from below by the frame members 50, and also supports the upper (upper) frame member 50 from below. In the laminated structure 5, frame members 50 and insulator assemblies 60 are stacked in this order in multiple layers from bottom to top.

[0022] Specifically, the laminated structure 5 includes a plurality of pillars 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, .... In this example, each of the pillars 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, ... is configured with an insulator assembly 40, a plurality of frame members 50 (more specifically, a portion of the frame member 50), and a plurality of insulator assemblies 60. The pillars 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, ... are each erected in the Z direction within the housing 10, and support a plurality of power converters 80.

[0023] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a partial region M1 shown in Fig. 1. In the following, to distinguish between the four frame members 50 shown in Fig. 2, the lower left frame member 50 will be referred to as "frame member 51." Similarly, the upper left frame member 50, the lower right frame member 50, and the upper right frame member 50 will be referred to as "frame member 52," "frame member 53," and "frame member 54," respectively. Furthermore, to distinguish between the two insulator assemblies 60, the left insulator assembly 60 will be referred to as "insulator assembly 61." Similarly, the right insulator assembly 60 will be referred to as "insulator assembly 62."

[0024] The frame members 51 and 53 are adjacent to each other in the X direction. Similarly, the frame members 52 and 54 are adjacent to each other in the X direction. The frame members 51, 52, 53, and 54 have different potentials.

[0025] The insulator assembly 61 is interposed between the frame member 51 and the frame member 52 in the Z direction. The insulator assembly 61 stands on the frame member 51 and supports the frame member 52 from below.

[0026] The insulator assembly 61 has metal insulator fixing portions 611 and 613, and an insulator 612. The insulator fixing portion 613 is located higher than the insulator fixing portion 611. The insulator 612 is sandwiched in the Z direction between the insulator fixing portion 611 and the insulator fixing portion 613. The insulator assembly 61 insulates the frame members 51 and 52 by the insulator 612.

[0027] The insulator assembly 62 is interposed between the frame member 53 and the frame member 54 in the Z direction. The insulator assembly 62 stands on the frame member 53 and supports the frame member 54 from below.

[0028] The insulator assembly 62 has metal insulator fixing portions 621 and 623, and an insulator 622. The insulator fixing portion 623 is located higher than the insulator fixing portion 621. The insulator 622 is sandwiched in the Z direction between the insulator fixing portion 621 and the insulator fixing portion 623. The insulator assembly 62 insulates the frame members 53 and 54 by the insulator 622.

[0029] The insulator assembly 62 is provided at the same height as the insulator assembly 61. The height of the insulator 612 from the floor surface FL (FIG. 1) is the same as the height of the insulator 622 from the floor surface FL. More specifically, the height of the insulator 612 from the bottom portion 11 (FIG. 1) is the same as the height of the insulator 622 from the bottom portion 11.

[0030] The frame member 51 has a vertical portion 511 extending in the Z direction. In other words, the vertical portion 511 is a part of the frame member 51. The vertical portion 511 has four protrusions 5111, 5112, 5113, and 5114 protruding in the X direction. A through hole (not shown) for passing the pin 900 is formed in each of the protrusions 5111, 5112, 5113, and 5114. The through holes extend in the Y direction (see FIG. 5).

[0031] In a front view of the power conversion device 1, the convex portion 5111 is located on the lower left side of the vertical portion 511. The convex portion 5112 is located on the upper left side of the vertical portion 511. The convex portion 5113 is located on the lower right side of the vertical portion 511. The convex portion 5114 is located on the upper right side of the vertical portion 511.

[0032] Specifically, the convex portion 5112 is located above the convex portion 5111. The convex portion 5114 is located above the convex portion 5113. The position of the convex portion 5112 and the position of the convex portion 5114 are the same in the Z direction. That is, the heights of the convex portions 5112 and 5114 from the floor surface FL are the same. Similarly, the position of the convex portion 5111 and the position of the convex portion 5113 are the same in the Z direction. That is, the heights of the convex portions 5111 and 5113 from the bottom 11 and from the floor surface FL are the same.

[0033] More specifically, the shape of the convex portion 5112 and the shape of the convex portion 5114 are line symmetric. The shape of the convex portion 5111 and the shape of the convex portion 5113 are line symmetric. The shape of the convex portion 5111 and the shape of the convex portion 5112 are line symmetric. The shape of the convex portion 5113 and the shape of the convex portion 5114 are line symmetric.

[0034] The frame member 52 has a vertical portion 521 extending in the Z direction. In other words, the vertical portion 521 is a part of the frame member 52. The vertical portion 521 has four protrusions 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214 protruding in the X direction. A through hole (not shown) for passing the pin 900 is formed in each of the protrusions 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214. The through hole extends in the Y direction. The positional relationship between the protrusions 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214 is the same as the positional relationship between the protrusions 5111, 5112, 5113, and 5114, and therefore will not be described again.

[0035] The frame member 53 has a vertical portion 531 extending in the Z direction. In other words, the vertical portion 531 is a part of the frame member 53. The vertical portion 531 has four protrusions 5311, 5312, 5313, and 5314 protruding in the X direction. A through hole (not shown) for passing the pin 900 is formed in each of the protrusions 5311, 5312, 5313, and 5314. The through hole extends in the Y direction. The positional relationship between the protrusions 5311, 5312, 5313, and 5314 is the same as the positional relationship between the protrusions 5111, 5112, 5113, and 5114, and therefore will not be described again.

[0036] The frame member 54 has a vertical portion 541 extending in the Z direction. In other words, the vertical portion 541 is a part of the frame member 54. The vertical portion 541 has four protrusions 5411, 5412, 5413, and 5414 protruding in the X direction. A through hole (not shown) for passing the pin 900 is formed in each of the protrusions 5411, 5412, 5413, and 5414. The through hole extends in the Y direction. The positional relationship between the protrusions 5411, 5412, 5413, and 5414 is the same as the positional relationship between the protrusions 5111, 5112, 5113, and 5114, and therefore will not be described again.

[0037] In region M2, the heights from the floor surface FL of the convex portion 5112, the convex portion 5114, the convex portion 5312, and the convex portion 5314 are the same. Similarly, in region M2, the heights from the floor surface FL of the convex portion 5211, the convex portion 5213, the convex portion 5411, and the convex portion 5413 are also the same.

[0038] Frame members 51 and 53 support a plurality of power converters 80 in the second tier from the bottom. Frame members 52 and 54 support a plurality of power converters 80 in the third tier from the bottom. In this way, frame members 52 and 54 support, from below, the power converters 80 that are one tier above the power converters 80 supported by frame members 51 and 53.

[0039] The brace 110 is connected to the frame member 51 and the frame member 54. Specifically, the brace 110 is connected to the vertical portion 511 and the vertical portion 541. More specifically, the brace 110 is fixed (connected) to the protrusions 5114 and the protrusions 5411 by pins 900, respectively. In this manner, the brace 110 is engaged with the frame member 51 and the frame member 54.

[0040] The brace 120 is connected to the frame member 52 and the frame member 53. Specifically, the brace 120 is connected to the vertical portion 521 and the vertical portion 531. More specifically, the brace 120 is fixed (connected) to the protrusions 5211 and the protrusions 5312 by pins 900, respectively. In this manner, the brace 120 is engaged with the frame member 52 and the frame member 53.

[0041] The support pillar 8B includes, from bottom to top in the Z direction, a portion of the frame member 51, the insulator assembly 61, and a portion of the frame member 52. Specifically, the support pillar 8B includes a vertical portion 511 of the frame member 51, the insulator assembly 61, and a vertical portion 521 of the frame member 52. The support pillar 8C includes, from bottom to top in the Z direction, a portion of the frame member 53, the insulator assembly 62, and a portion of the frame member 54. Specifically, the support pillar 8C includes a vertical portion 531 of the frame member 53, the insulator assembly 62, and a vertical portion 541 of the frame member 54.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a top view of the brace 110 shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a side view of the brace 110 shown in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the brace 110 has an insulating rod-shaped member 1110 extending in the D1 direction and two fixing members 1120 and 1130. In this example, the rod-shaped member 1110 is made of glass epoxy. Each of the fixing members 1120 and 1130 is made of metal. The rod-shaped member 1110 has end portions 1111 and 1112. The end portions 1111 and 1112 are threaded for engagement with the fixing members 1120 and 1130.

[0043] The fixing member 1120 is connected to the end 1111 of the rod-shaped member 1110. The fixing member 1120 has a base 1121 that extends in the D1 direction and is connected to the end 1111. The fixing member 1120 further has a connecting portion 1122 that branches into two from the base 1121 so as to sandwich the protrusion 5114 (FIG. 2). Two through holes P1 and P3 through which the pin 900 passes are formed in the connecting portion 1122. The through holes P1 and P3 extend in the Y direction. The base 1121 is hollow and has a thread cut therein for engaging with the end 1111 of the rod-shaped member 1110.

[0044] The fixing member 1130 is connected to the end 1112 of the rod-shaped member 1110. The fixing member 1130 has a base 1131 that extends in the D1 direction and is connected to the end 1112. The fixing member 1130 further has a connecting portion 1132 that branches into two branches from the base 1131 so as to sandwich the protrusion 5411 ( FIG. 2 ). Two through holes P2 and P4 through which the pin 900 passes are formed in the connecting portion 1132. The through holes P2 and P4 extend in the Y direction. The base 1131 is hollow and has a thread therein for engaging with the end 1112 of the rod-shaped member 1110. The connecting portions 1122 and 1132 are both ends (tips) of the brace 110.

[0045] The brace 120 has a similar structure to the brace 110. Specifically, the brace 120 has an insulating rod-shaped member 1210 extending in the D2 direction and two fixing members 1220 and 1230. In this example, the rod-shaped member 1210 is made of glass epoxy. Each of the fixing members 1220 and 1230 is made of metal. The rod-shaped member 1210 has end portions 1211 and 1212. The end portions 1211 and 1212 are threaded for engagement with the fixing members 1220 and 1230.

[0046] The fixing member 1220 is connected to the end 1211 of the rod-shaped member 1210. The fixing member 1220 has a base 1221 that extends in the D2 direction and is connected to the end 1211. The fixing member 1220 further has a connecting portion 1222 that branches into two branches from the base 1221 so as to sandwich the protrusion 5213 ( FIG. 2 ). Two through holes P1 and P3 through which the pin 900 passes are formed in the connecting portion 1222. The base 1221 is hollow and has a thread cut therein for engagement with the end 1211 of the rod-shaped member 1210.

[0047] The fixing member 1230 is connected to the end 1212 of the rod-shaped member 1210. The fixing member 1230 has a base 1231 that extends in the D2 direction and is connected to the end 1212. The fixing member 1230 further has a connecting portion 1232 that branches into two branches from the base 1231 so as to sandwich the protrusion 5312 ( FIG. 2 ). Two through holes P2 and P4 through which the pin 900 passes are formed in the connecting portion 1232. The base 1231 is hollow and has a thread cut therein for engagement with the end 1212 of the rod-shaped member 1210. The connecting portions 1222 and 1232 are both ends (tips) of the brace 110.

[0048] Figure 5 is an enlarged oblique view of a portion of region M2 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, frame member 53 has a horizontal portion 532 extending in the Y-axis direction in addition to a vertical portion 531. The other frame members 51, 52, and 54 also have horizontal portions (not shown) extending in the Y direction, similar to frame member 53. In this example, each of frame members 51 to 54 has multiple vertical portions extending in the Z direction and aligned in the Y direction, and two horizontal portions extending in the Y direction and arranged one above the other.

[0049] As described above, the brace 110 extends in the direction D1. The brace 110 is connected to the support columns 8B and 8C. The brace 110 is fixed to the frame members 51 and 54. Specifically, the brace 110 is fixed to the protrusion 5114 of the frame member 51 and the protrusion 5411 of the frame member 54.

[0050] Specifically, the brace 110 is fixed to the protrusion 5114 of the frame member 51 by a fixing member 1120. More specifically, a connecting portion 1122 of the fixing member 1120 is connected to the protrusion 5114 by a pin 900. The connecting portion 1122 is fixed to the protrusion 5114 in a state where the protrusion 5114 is sandwiched between the connecting portions 1122 from both sides in the Y direction.

[0051] The brace 110 is fixed to the protrusion 5411 of the frame member 54 by a fixing member 1130. More specifically, a connection portion 1132 of the fixing member 1130 is connected to the protrusion 5411 by a pin 900. The connection portion 1132 is fixed to the protrusion 5411 in a state where the protrusion 5411 is sandwiched between the connection portions 1132 from both sides in the Y direction.

[0052] As described above, the brace 120 extends in the direction D2. The brace 120 is connected to the support columns 8B and 8C. The brace 120 is fixed to the frame members 52 and 53. Specifically, the brace 120 is fixed to the protrusion 5213 of the frame member 52 and the protrusion 5312 of the frame member 53.

[0053] Specifically, the brace 120 is fixed to the protrusion 5213 of the frame member 52 by a fixing member 1220. More specifically, a connection portion 1222 of the fixing member 1220 is connected to the protrusion 5213 by a pin 900. The connection portion 1222 is fixed to the protrusion 5213 in a state in which the protrusion 5213 is sandwiched between the connection portions 1222 and 1222 from both sides in the Y direction.

[0054] The brace 120 is fixed to the protrusion 5312 of the frame member 53 by a fixing member 1230. More specifically, the connection portion 1232 of the fixing member 1230 is connected to the protrusion 5312 by a pin 900. The connection portion 1232 is fixed to the protrusion 5312 in a state where the protrusion 5312 is sandwiched between the connection portion 1232 and the connection portion 1232 from both sides in the Y direction.

[0055] The rod-shaped members 1110 of the brace 110 and the rod-shaped members 1210 of the brace 120 overlap with each other in a front view of the power conversion device 1. The rod-shaped members 1110 and the rod-shaped members 1210 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0056] <Advantages of braces 110, 120> (1) High insulation The rod-shaped member 1110 is insulating. Therefore, the frame members 51 and 54 are insulated from each other. The rod-shaped member 1210 is insulating. Therefore, the frame members 52 and 53 are insulated from each other. Therefore, the rod-shaped members 1110, 1210 and the insulator assemblies 61, 62 insulate the frame members 51, 52, 53, and 54 from each other.

[0057] The insulating rod-shaped members 1110 of the brace 110 ensure a sufficient insulation distance between the frame members 51 and 54. The insulating rod-shaped members 1210 of the brace 120 ensure a sufficient insulation distance between the frame members 52 and 53. Therefore, the braces 110 and 120 are suitable for the power conversion device 1 having a high-voltage power converter 80. Furthermore, the rod-shaped members 1110 and 1210 ensure sufficient insulation between the brace 110 and the brace 120.

[0058] (2) Miniaturization of Pin 900 Brace 110 has connecting portion 1122 that branches into two branches from base 1121. Therefore, the diameter of pin 900 connecting brace 110 to support column 8B can be made smaller than in a configuration where the connecting portion is not bifurcated. Brace 110 further has connecting portion 1132 that branches into two branches from base 1131. Therefore, the diameter of pin 900 connecting brace 110 to support column 8C can be made smaller than in a configuration where the connecting portion is not bifurcated.

[0059] Brace 120 has connecting portion 1222 that branches into two branches from base portion 1221. Therefore, the diameter of pin 900 connecting brace 120 to support column 8B can be made smaller than in a configuration where the connecting portion is not bifurcated. Brace 120 further has connecting portion 1232 that branches into two branches from base portion 1231. Therefore, the diameter of pin 900 connecting brace 120 to support column 8C can be made smaller than in a configuration where the connecting portion is not bifurcated.

[0060] Specifically, the diameter of each pin 900 can be reduced to approximately half of that in a configuration in which the connection portion is not bifurcated. For example, if a pin with a diameter of 42 mm is used in a configuration in which the connection portion is not bifurcated, the diameter of the pin 900 can be reduced to 30 mm by using braces 110 and 120. This reduction in the diameter of the pin 900 makes it easier to attach the braces 110 and 120 to the frame members 51 to 54.

[0061] <Summary of Configuration> When focusing on the brace 110, the power conversion device 1 can be said to have the following configuration. The same can be said when focusing on the brace 120.

[0062] (1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, power conversion device 1 includes (i) housing 10, (ii) a plurality of power converters 80 arranged side by side in the vertical direction, (iii) supports 8B and 8C each standing vertically within housing 10 and supporting the plurality of power converters 80, and (iv) a brace 110 extending in the D1 direction and connected to support posts 8B and 8C. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, support post 8B has a protrusion 5114 to which brace 110 is connected.

[0063] 3 and 4, brace 110 includes (i) an insulating rod-shaped member 1110 having an end 1111 and extending in the D1 direction, and (ii) a fixing member 1120 connected to end 1111 and used to fix brace 110 to protrusion 5114 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). Fixing member 1120 includes (i) a base 1121 extending in the D1 direction and connected to end 1111, and (ii) a connecting portion 1122 branching into two from base 1121 so as to sandwich protrusion 5114 and connected to protrusion 5114 by pin 900.

[0064] (2) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the support 8C has a protrusion 5411 to which the brace 110 is connected, at a position higher than the protrusion 5114. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rod-shaped member 1110 further has an end 1112 opposite the end 1111. The brace 110 further includes a fixing member 1130 connected to the end 1112 and for fixing the brace 110 to the protrusion 5411. The fixing member 1130 has (i) a base 1131 extending in the D1 direction and connected to the end 1112, and (ii) a connecting portion 1132 branching into two from the base 1131 so as to sandwich the protrusion 5411 and connected to the protrusion 5411 by the pin 900.

[0065] (3) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , power conversion device 1 further includes brace 120 extending in direction D2 and connected to support columns 8B and 8C. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , support column 8C has protrusion 5312 to which brace 120 is connected, at a position at the same height as protrusion 5114. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , brace 120 includes (i) insulating rod-shaped member 1210 having end 1212 at the same height as end 1111 and extending in direction D2, and (ii) fixing member 1230 connected to end 1212 and used to fix brace 120 to protrusion 5312. The fixing member 1230 has (i) a base 1231 extending in the D2 direction and connected to the end 1212, and (ii) a connecting portion 1232 branching into two from the base 1231 so as to sandwich the convex portion 5312 and connected to the convex portion 5312 by a pin 900.

[0066] (4) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the support 8B has a protrusion 5213 to which the brace 120 is connected, at a position at the same height as the protrusion 5411. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rod-shaped member 1210 further has an end 1211 opposite the end 1212. The brace 120 further includes a fixing member 1220 connected to the end 1211 and for fixing the brace 120 to the protrusion 5213. The fixing member 1220 has (i) a base 1221 extending in the D2 direction and connected to the end 1211, and (ii) a connecting portion 1222 bifurcated from the base 1221 so as to sandwich the protrusion 5213 and connected to the protrusion 5213 by a pin 900.

[0067] (5) As shown in Fig. 2 , support 8B includes insulator 612 between protrusion 5114 and protrusion 5213, insulating protrusion 5114 from protrusion 5213. Support 8C includes insulator 622 between protrusion 5312 and protrusion 5411, insulating protrusion 5312 from protrusion 5411.

[0068] (6) As shown in Fig. 2 , the support 8B includes, from bottom to top in the vertical direction, a conductive vertical portion 511, an insulator 612, and a conductive vertical portion 521. The support 8C includes, from bottom to top, a conductive vertical portion 531, an insulator 622, and a conductive vertical portion 541. The insulators 612 and 622 are provided at the same height. The vertical portion 511 has a protrusion 5114. The vertical portion 541 has a protrusion 5411.

[0069] (7) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the power conversion device 1 further includes a plurality of frame members 50 (hereinafter referred to as “first frame members”) arranged side by side in the X direction (horizontal direction) and supporting a power converter of a predetermined stage among the plurality of power converters 80, and a plurality of frame members 50 (hereinafter referred to as “second frame members”) arranged side by side in the X direction and supporting a power converter 80 one stage above the predetermined stage among the plurality of power converters 80. The vertical portions 511 and 531 are parts of the first frame member. The vertical portions 521 and 541 are parts of the second frame member. The first frame member including the vertical portion 511 and the first frame member including the vertical portion 531 are adjacent to each other. The second frame member including the vertical portion 521 and the second frame member including the vertical portion 541 are adjacent to each other.

[0070] (8) The rod-shaped members 1110 and 1210 are made of epoxy resin. Next, attention is focused on the brace 110 used in the power conversion device 1 as follows.

[0071] 3 to 5 , brace 110 includes (i) an insulating rod-shaped member 1110 having end portions 1111 and 1112, (ii) a fixing member 1120 connected to end portion 1111 and used to fix brace 110 to a protrusion 5114 of a support 8B provided within power conversion apparatus 1, and (iii) a fixing member 1130 connected to end portion 1112 and used to fix brace 110 to a protrusion 5411 of a support 8C provided within power conversion apparatus 1. Fixing member 1120 is bifurcated so as to sandwich protrusion 5114, and has a connecting portion 1122 that can be connected to protrusion 5114 with a pin 900. The fixing member 1130 is bifurcated so as to sandwich the protrusion 5411 and has a connecting portion 1132 that can be connected to the protrusion 5411 with a pin 900 .

[0072] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples and are not limited to the above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0073] 1 Power conversion device, 5 Laminated structure, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D Support, 10 Housing, 11 Bottom, 20, 40, 60, 61, 62 Assembly, 30, 70 Plate member, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 Frame member, 80 Power converter, 100 Brace pair, 110, 120 Brace, 511, 521, 531, 541 Vertical portion, 523 Horizontal portion, 611, 613, 621, 623 Insulator fixing portion, 612, 622 Insulator, 900 Pin, 1110, 1210 Rod-shaped member, 1111, 1112, 1211, 1212 End, 1120, 1130, 1220, 1230 Fixing member, 1121, 1131, 1221, 1231 base portion, 1122, 1132, 1222, 1232 connection portion, 5111, 5112, 5113, 5114, 5211, 5212, 5213, 5214, 5311, 5312, 5313, 5314, 5411, 5412, 5413, 5414 protrusion portion, FL floor surface, M1 area, P1, P2, P3, P4 through holes.

Claims

1. A power conversion device comprising: a housing; a plurality of power converters arranged side by side in the vertical direction; first and second supports each standing in the vertical direction within the housing and supporting the plurality of power converters; and a brace extending in a predetermined direction and connected to the first and second supports, wherein the first support has a first protrusion to which the brace is connected, and the brace includes an insulating rod-shaped member having a first end and extending in the predetermined direction, and a first fixing member connected to the first end and for fixing the brace to the first protrusion, and the first fixing member has: a first base extending in the predetermined direction and connected to the first end, and a first connecting portion branching into two from the first base so as to sandwich the first protrusion, and connected to the first protrusion with a pin.

2. The power conversion device of claim 1, wherein the second support has a second protrusion to which the brace is connected at a position higher than the first protrusion, the rod-shaped member further has a second end opposite the first end, the brace further includes a second fixing member connected to the second end and for fixing the brace to the second protrusion, and the second fixing member has: a second base portion extending in the predetermined direction and connected to the second end portion, and a second connecting portion branching into two from the second base portion so as to sandwich the second protrusion and connected to the second protrusion by a pin.

3. The power conversion device of claim 2, wherein the first support includes, from below to above in the vertical direction, a conductive first portion, a first insulator, and a conductive second portion; the second support includes, from below to above, a conductive third portion, a second insulator, and a conductive fourth portion; the first insulator and the second insulator are provided at the same height; the first portion has the first convex portion; and the fourth portion has the second convex portion.

4. A power conversion device as described in claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of first frame members arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and supporting a power converter of a predetermined stage among the plurality of power converters; and a plurality of second frame members arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and supporting a power converter one stage higher than the predetermined stage among the plurality of power converters, wherein the first portion and the third portion are parts of the first frame members, the second portion and the fourth portion are parts of the second frame members, the first frame member including the first portion and the first frame member including the third portion are adjacent to each other, and the second frame member including the second portion and the second frame member including the fourth portion are adjacent to each other.

5. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rod-shaped member is made of epoxy resin.

6. A brace for a power conversion device, comprising: an insulating rod-shaped member having first and second ends; a first fixing member connected to the first end and for fixing the brace to a first convex portion of a first support pillar provided within the power conversion device; and a second fixing member connected to the second end and for fixing the brace to a second convex portion of a second support pillar provided within the power conversion device, wherein the first fixing member is bifurcated so as to sandwich the first convex portion and has a first connection portion connectable to the first convex portion with a pin, and the second fixing member is bifurcated so as to sandwich the second convex portion and has a second connection portion connectable to the second convex portion with a pin.

Images