Power conversion device

WO2026133546A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-25TMEIC CORP

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
TMEIC CORP
Filing Date
2024-12-20
Publication Date
2026-06-25

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Abstract

A power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing; and a frame body that has two or more surfaces adjacent to each other, and is accommodated in the housing in a state where an electric apparatus is attached to the surfaces. The frame body is expandable and contractable in a direction along one of two adjacent surfaces in a first state where the two adjacent surfaces are arranged to intersect each other. The frame body is transitionable from the first state to a second state where the two surfaces are developed into a flat shape.
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Description

Power conversion device

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conversion device.

[0002] A power conversion device that outputs a variable frequency and a variable voltage is known. In the control panel (control unit) of the power conversion device, many control boards, electrical components, etc. are stored and arranged in a dense state within the control panel. For example, it includes a cylindrical outer frame and an inner frame fitted inside the outer frame. The inner frame is formed by bending a plurality of base members that are continuously connected by a thin connecting portion into a ring shape. There is a configuration in which a power module is mounted on the side wall surface facing the inner side in the radial direction among the base members. According to this configuration, since the power module can be mounted on the base member in a state where the continuously connected base members are unfolded linearly, the workability of assembling the power module can be improved.

[0003] International Publication No. 2015 / 182301

[0004] By the way, as a configuration for housing the control unit in the housing of the power conversion device, there are configurations such as fixing a panel material to which electrical devices such as a control board are attached to the side surface or the back surface of the housing, and making the electrical devices into one independent unit and mounting them on the housing. However, it is necessary to newly design the panel material and the unit sheet metal each time according to the size of the housing and the mounted components, and there is a risk of increasing the manufacturing cost. Also, further space saving and improvement of assembly workability are desired.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a power conversion device that can reduce costs compared to the prior art while achieving space saving and improvement of assembly workability.

[0006] The power conversion device of the embodiment has a housing and a frame body that has two or more adjacent surfaces and is housed in the housing with electrical devices attached to the surfaces. The frame body is stretchable in a direction along one of the two surfaces in a first state where the two adjacent surfaces are arranged to intersect each other. The frame body is capable of transitioning from the first state to a second state where the two surfaces are unfolded in a planar shape.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power conversion device that can reduce costs compared to conventional technology while achieving space savings and improved assembly workability.

[0008] This is an external perspective view of the power converter in this embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the mounting state of the frame body in this embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the mounting state of the frame body in this embodiment with a narrower width than that shown in Figure 2. This is a perspective view showing the unfolded state of the frame body in this embodiment. This is an enlarged view of section V in Figure 2, showing the first stage of the transition process from the mounting state to the unfolded state of the frame body. This is a diagram showing the second stage of the transition process from the mounting state to the unfolded state of the frame body. This is a diagram showing the third stage of the transition process from the mounting state to the unfolded state of the frame body. This is a diagram showing the fourth stage of the transition process from the mounting state to the unfolded state of the frame body. This is a schematic diagram showing the frame body of Figure 2 housed in the housing. This is a schematic diagram showing the frame body of Figure 3 housed in the housing. This is a perspective view of the control unit in the mounting state of the frame body. This is a perspective view of the control unit in the unfolded state of the frame body. This is a schematic diagram showing the frame body in the process of being housed in the housing in the first modified example of this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing the frame body in the process of being housed in the housing in the second modified example of this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing the frame body housed in the housing in the second modified example of this embodiment.

[0009] The power conversion device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The power conversion device 1 includes, for example, at least one of a converter that converts AC power to DC power and an inverter that converts DC power to AC power. The power conversion device 1 supplies the desired (AC) power to an AC motor, which is an example of a load.

[0010] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the power converter 1 of this embodiment. The power converter 1 comprises a housing 2 having an internal space and a control unit 3 housed in the housing 2. The housing 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, having a rear surface 21, a front surface 22, left and right side surfaces 23, 24, a top surface 25, and a bottom surface (not shown), and is installed on a mounting surface such as a floor. The front surface 22 may be partially or entirely configured as a door.

[0011] The control unit 3 is housed inside the housing 2. The control unit 3 includes electrical equipment 6 such as a control board and electrical appliances, and a frame body 5 for mounting these electrical equipment 6 to the housing 2. The frame body 5 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 2 by fastening members (not shown), such as bolts. The frame body 5 has two or more intersecting surfaces, and is housed inside the housing 2 with the electrical equipment 6 attached to these surfaces. In this embodiment, the frame body 5 has three surfaces (first panel 11, second panel 12, and third panel 13 (see also Figure 2)) that are along the right side 23, back 21, and left side 24 of the housing 2, respectively, and each surface is fixed along the corresponding wall surface of the housing 2.

[0012] Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the mounted state P1 (the first state of the claim) of the frame body 5 in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the unfolded state P2 (the second state of the claim) of the frame body 5 in this embodiment. Note that in Figure 4, for explanatory purposes, a portion of the three faces of the frame body 5 (the third panel 13) is omitted from the illustration. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the frame body 5 is formed to be transitionable between the mounted state P1 shown in Figures 2 and 3 and the unfolded state P2 shown in Figure 4. The frame body 5 includes a first panel 11, a second panel 12, a third panel 13, and a connecting member 30.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the first panel 11 is a component positioned along the left side surface 24 of the housing 2 when housed in the housing 2, and has a main surface 11a, an auxiliary surface 11b, and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of elongated holes 17. When the frame body 5 is housed in the housing 2, the main surface 11a is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate along the left side surface 24 of the housing 2. The auxiliary surface 11b is connected to the main surface 11a via a bent portion 35 and is formed integrally with the main surface 11a. The auxiliary surface 11b is formed in the shape of a plate along the back surface 21 of the housing 2. The width dimension of the auxiliary surface 11b (width dimension along the left-right direction of the housing 2) is smaller than the width dimension of the main surface 11a (width dimension along the front-rear direction of the housing 2). The main surface 11a and the auxiliary surface 11b form the first panel 11 in an L-shape. Furthermore, elongated holes 17 are formed across the main surface 11a and the auxiliary surface 11b. The elongated holes 17 are formed to extend from the main surface 11a to the auxiliary surface 11b. Multiple elongated holes 17 are formed in a direction (vertical direction) that intersects their extension direction.

[0014] The second panel 12 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate along the back surface 21 of the housing 2. The second panel 12 is connected to the first panel 11 along one side on the first panel 11 side, and is connected to the first panel 11 so as to intersect with the main surface 11a of the first panel 11. The second panel 12 has only a main surface 12a. In the installed state P1, the second panel 12 is connected to the first panel 11 so as to be parallel to the auxiliary surface 11b of the first panel 11. Bolt insertion holes 18 are formed in the second panel 12 at positions that overlap with the elongated holes 17 of the first panel 11. Bolts (connecting members 30) are inserted into each elongated hole 17 of the first panel 11 and each bolt insertion hole 18 of the second panel 12 and fastened, so that the main surface 11a of the first panel 11 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 intersect with each other.

[0015] The third panel 13 is connected to the second panel 12 along the side opposite to the side to which the first panel 11 is connected. The third panel 13 is connected to the second panel 12 so as to intersect with it. When the third panel 13 is housed in the housing 2, it is positioned along the right side surface 23 of the housing 2. The third panel 13 is formed in a shape symmetrical to the first panel 11. That is, the third panel 13 has a main surface 13a, an auxiliary surface 13b, and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of elongated holes 19 (the second elongated holes in the claim). The main surface 13a is formed in a rectangular plate shape along the right side surface 23 of the housing 2. The auxiliary surface 13b is connected to the main surface 13a via a bent portion 37 and is formed integrally with the main surface 13a. In the mounting state P1 of the frame body 5, the auxiliary surface 13b is formed in a plate shape along the back surface 21 of the housing 2. The width dimension of the auxiliary surface 13b (the width dimension along the left-right direction of the housing 2) is smaller than the width dimension of the main surface 13a (the width dimension along the front-rear direction of the housing 2). The main surface 13a and the auxiliary surface 13b form the third panel 13 in an L-shape. Furthermore, elongated holes 19 are formed across the main surface 13a and the auxiliary surface 13b. The elongated holes 19 are formed to extend from the main surface 13a to the auxiliary surface 13b. Multiple elongated holes 19 are formed in a direction intersecting their extension direction. Bolt insertion holes 18 are also formed in the second panel 12 at positions that overlap with the elongated holes 19 of the third panel 13. By inserting bolts (connecting members 30) into each elongated hole 19 in the third panel 13 and each bolt insertion hole 18 in the second panel 12 and fastening them, the main surface 13a of the third panel 13 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 are fixed in a state where they intersect each other.

[0016] In this embodiment, the connecting member 30 is a fastening member such as a bolt that is inserted into the respective elongated holes 17 and 19 described above. The connecting member 30 connects the first panel 11 and the second panel 12. The connecting member 30 connects the second panel 12 and the third panel 13. In the mounted state P1 of the frame body 5, the connecting member 30 is inserted into the elongated hole 17 formed in the auxiliary surface 11b of the first panel 11 and into the bolt insertion hole 18 of the second panel 12. Similarly, in the mounted state P1 of the frame body 5, the connecting member 30 is inserted into the elongated hole 19 formed in the auxiliary surface 13b of the third panel 13 and into the bolt insertion hole 18 of the second panel 12. Note that a member other than a fastening member may be used as the connecting member 30.

[0017] As described above, in the mounted state P1, the frame body 5 is formed in a U-shape in plan view by a first panel 11 and a third panel 13 that are parallel to each other, and a second panel 12 that connects the first panel 11 and the third panel 13. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the frame body 5 can change the distance between the first panel 11 and the third panel 13 (i.e., the widths W1 and W2 of the frame body 5) while maintaining its U-shaped orientation in plan view. In other words, in the mounted state P1, the frame body 5 is expandable and contractible along the extending direction of each elongated hole 17, 19 (the left-right direction of the housing 2). The combination of the portion formed on the auxiliary surface 11b of the elongated hole 17 and the connecting member 30 constitutes an expandable and contractible mechanism that allows the frame body 5 to expand and contract in the left-right direction. Similarly, the combination of the portion formed on the auxiliary surface 13b of the elongated hole 19 and the connecting member 30 constitutes an expandable and contractible mechanism that allows the frame body 5 to expand and contract in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to forming elongated holes in the first panel 11 and the third panel 13; as will be described later, a configuration in which elongated holes are formed in the second panel 12 may also be used.

[0018] For example, Figure 2 shows the frame body 5 in the most enlarged state in the mounting state P1. As shown in Figure 2, the connecting member 30 is fastened at the position furthest from the main surface 11a among the elongated holes 17 formed in the auxiliary surface 11b of the first panel 11, and the connecting member 30 is fastened at the position furthest from the main surface 13a among the elongated holes 19 formed in the auxiliary surface 13b of the third panel 13. As a result, the width of the frame body 5 (the distance between the first panel 11 and the third panel 13) becomes the maximum width W1.

[0019] On the other hand, Figure 3 shows the frame body 5 in the most contracted state in the mounting state P1. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 30 is fastened at the position closest to the bent portion 35 among the elongated holes 17 formed in the auxiliary surface 11b of the first panel 11, and the connecting member 30 is fastened at the position closest to the bent portion 37 among the elongated holes 19 formed in the auxiliary surface 13b of the third panel 13. As a result, the width of the frame body 5 (the distance between the first panel 11 and the third panel 13) becomes the minimum width W2 (W2 < W1). Therefore, the width of the frame body 5 is expandable and contractible between W1 and W2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the frame body 5 can be further transformed into an unfolded state P2. In the unfolded state P2 of the frame body 5, the first panel 11, the second panel 12, and the third panel 13 are unfolded so that they are aligned on the same plane (see also Figure 12). In the unfolded state P2 of the frame body 5, the connecting member 30 is inserted into the elongated hole 17 formed in the main surface 11a of the first panel 11 and the bolt insertion hole 18 of the second panel 12 and fastened. This fixes the main surface 11a of the first panel 11 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 in a state where they are aligned on the same plane. Although not shown in the figure, similarly, the connecting member 30 is inserted into the elongated hole 19 (second elongated hole) formed in the main surface 13a of the third panel 13 and the bolt insertion hole 18 of the second panel 12 and fastened. This fixes the main surface 13a of the third panel 13 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 in a state where they are aligned on the same plane. A deployment mechanism is configured to allow the frame body 5 to be moved to the deployed state P2 by combining an elongated hole 17 that extends continuously across the main surface 11a and the auxiliary surface 11b with a connecting member 30. Similarly, a deployment mechanism is configured to allow the frame body 5 to be moved to the deployed state P2 by combining an elongated hole 19 that extends continuously across the main surface 13a and the auxiliary surface 13b with a connecting member 30. Note that the deployment mechanism may instead use, for example, a hinge that can be fixed at a predetermined angle. Since each of the elongated holes 17 and 19 extends along the main surfaces 11a and 13a, the frame body 5 can be expanded and contracted even in the deployed state P2.

[0021] The method for changing the frame body 5 from the mounted state P1 to the unfolded state P2 will be described in detail below. Figures 5 to 8 show the process of changing the frame body 5 from the mounted state P1 to the unfolded state P2, and are enlarged views corresponding to section V in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, first, the connecting members 30 inserted into the elongated holes 17 formed in the auxiliary surface 11b of the first panel 11 and the bolt insertion holes 18 of the second panel 12 are loosened using a tool, so that the connecting members 30 are loosely inserted into the elongated holes 17 and the bolt insertion holes 18. The same process is repeated for multiple (three in this embodiment) connecting members 30, so that they are loosely inserted. Next, the first panel 11 is moved (slid) relative to the second panel 12 so that the bent portion 35 of the first panel 11 is brought closer (see arrow in Figure 5).

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, once the bent portion 35 has moved to the vicinity of the connecting member 30, the first panel 11 is rotated around the long axis of the bent portion 35 (see arrow in Figure 6). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the first panel 11 is rotated until the main surface 11a of the first panel 11 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 are parallel (see arrow in Figure 7). At this time, the location of the elongated hole 17 in the first panel 11 into which the connecting member 30 is inserted shifts from the auxiliary surface 11b to the main surface 11a of the first panel 11. As shown in Figure 8, once the main surface 11a of the first panel 11 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 are parallel, the connecting member 30 is fastened at the desired position in the elongated hole 17 formed in the main surface 11a. The other two connecting members 30 are fastened in the same manner. As a result, the main surface 11a of the first panel 11 and the main surface 12a of the second panel 12 are unfolded so that they are aligned on the same plane. Finally, the connecting member 30 is fastened to secure the first panel 11 and the second panel 12.

[0023] Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the third panel 13 is operated on in the same manner as the first panel 11, so that the main surface 13a of the third panel 13 and the second panel 12 are aligned on the same plane. By going through the above steps, the frame body 5 can be changed from the mounted state P1 to the unfolded state P2 when the frame body 5 is removed from the housing 2. To change the frame body 5 from the unfolded state P2 to the mounted state P1, the reverse of the above procedure is performed.

[0024] The frame body 5, configured in this way, is expandable and contractible when attached to the housing 2, and can be unfolded into a flat plane when removed from the housing 2. By expanding and contracting the frame body 5, the size of the control unit 3 when housed in the housing 2 becomes variable.

[0025] Next, several embodiments of housing the control unit 3, which has the aforementioned frame body 5 to which the electrical equipment 6 is attached, in the housing 2 will be described in detail. Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams showing the frame body 5 housed in the housing 2. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the frame body 5 can be housed in the housing 2 in the mounted state P1. In the mounted state P1, the frame body 5 can expand or contract the distance between the first panel 11 and the third panel 13, that is, the width W of the frame body 5. Therefore, the width W of the frame body 5 can be adjusted and housed according to the size of the space for arranging the control unit 3 inside the housing 2. Furthermore, this allows the frame body 5 to be used in various types of power converters 1 with different housing sizes and internal space layouts.

[0026] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the control unit 3 in the mounted state P1 of the frame body 5. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the control unit 3 in the unfolded state P2 of the frame body 5. As shown in Figure 11, in order to suppress the enlargement of the control unit 3, multiple electrical devices 6 are densely arranged on the frame body 5. The electrical devices 6 are fixed to the frame body 5 by fastening members such as bolts. In particular, at the corners of the frame body 5 (such as near the bent portions 35 and 37; see the dotted line frame in Figures 11 and 12), the ends of adjacent electrical devices 6 are close together. Therefore, when attaching or removing these electrical devices 6 from the frame body 5, the frame body 5 is moved to the unfolded state P2, as shown in Figure 12, before performing the work. Once the attachment of the electrical devices 6 is complete, the frame body 5 is moved back to the mounted state P1 and stored in the housing 2. This makes it possible to arrange the electrical devices 6 at a high density such that tool access is not possible in the mounted state P1.

[0027] The frame body 5 may be attached to the housing 2 by means other than fastening. For example, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing how the frame body 5 is housed in the housing 2 in one modified example of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, in this modified example, the frame body 5 is housed in the housing 2 via a sliding mechanism. Rails 50 are provided on the right side 23 and left side 24 of the housing 2, running in the front-rear direction. The frame body 5 is also provided with a slider 52 that engages with the rails 50 of the housing 2. When attaching or removing the frame body 5 from the housing 2, the frame body 5 is housed by engaging the slider 52 of the frame body 5 with the rails 50 of the housing 2 and sliding the frame body 5.

[0028] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing how the frame body 5 is housed in the housing 2 in another modified example of this embodiment. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing how the frame body 5 is housed in the housing 2 in this modified example. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the frame body 5 can be housed inside the housing 2 in the unfolded state P2. When housed in the housing 2, the frame body 5 is housed by sliding it along the rail 50 provided on the housing 2. As shown in Figure 15, this modified example is effective, for example, when attaching the control unit 3 to a housing 2 that has sufficient size in the front-to-back direction. In the example shown in Figure 15, the frame body 5 in the unfolded state P2 is attached to the housing 2 so as to be aligned with the left side surface 24 of the housing 2. In other words, the frame body 5 may be housed inside the housing 2 in either the attached state P1 or the unfolded state P2 described above.

[0029] In the above-mentioned alternative modification, the first panel 11, the second panel 12, and the third panel 13 were all arranged on the same plane (unfolded state P2) and stored in the housing 2, but this is not the only option. For example, the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 may be arranged on the same plane, and the second panel 12 and the third panel 13 (main surface 13a) may intersect each other (partially unfolded state) and stored in the housing 2.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the power converter 1 comprises a housing 2 and a frame body 5 having two or more intersecting surfaces and housed inside the housing 2. The frame body 5 is expandable and contractible when attached to the housing 2 and can be unfolded into a flat plane when removed from the housing 2. Since the frame body 5 is expandable and contractible in the attached state P1, the size of the frame body 5 (width W) can be changed according to the size of the space inside the housing 2. This makes it possible to standardize the control unit 3 for various power converters 1 of different sizes and types, improving the versatility of the frame body 5. Therefore, compared to conventional technology in which panel materials and unit sheet metal are newly designed each time to match the size of the housing 2 and the mounted components, manufacturing costs can be reduced. In addition, conventionally, when designing the frame body 5, the dimensional tolerances of the frame body 5 were designed to avoid interference with protrusions such as screws on the side of the housing 2. According to this embodiment, since the frame body 5 is formed to be expandable and contractible, such design constraints can be alleviated and adjustments can be made during assembly. Specifically, for example, the frame body 5 can be mounted inside the housing 2 in a reduced state, and then extended inside the housing 2 after mounting, allowing it to be stored in a size that fits the housing 2. Furthermore, the overall width dimension of the control unit 3 can be reduced, thus achieving space savings for the control unit 3. The frame body 5 can be unfolded into a flat plane when removed from the housing 2. Therefore, by unfolding the frame body 5 to the state P2 during the installation and removal of electrical equipment 6, tools can be easily accessed, especially for electrical equipment 6 located near the corners of the frame body 5 (such as near the bent portions 35 and 37). Thus, assembly workability can be improved. Also, since there is no need to consider tool access when the frame body 5 is installed (P1), the electrical equipment 6 can be arranged at a higher density. Thus, further space savings can be achieved. Therefore, a power conversion device 1 can be provided that achieves space savings and improved assembly workability while reducing costs compared to conventional technology.

[0031] The frame body 5 includes a first panel 11, a second panel 12, and a connecting member 30. At least one of the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 has an elongated hole (elongated hole 17 in this embodiment) that is aligned with the extension direction of the frame body 5 in the mounted state P1. The connecting member 30 connects the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 so as to be able to switch between a mounted state P1 in which the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 intersect, and an extended state P2 in which the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 are unfolded so as to be aligned on the same plane. As a result, the frame body 5 can be extended and retracted by relatively moving the first panel 11 along the extending direction of the elongated hole 17. Thus, the frame body 5 can be extended and retracted with a simple configuration.

[0032] The first panel 11 has a main surface 11a and an auxiliary surface 11b connected to the main surface 11a via a bent portion 35, and the elongated hole 17 is formed to extend from the main surface 11a to the auxiliary surface 11b. The connecting member 30 is a fastening member inserted into the elongated hole 17. As a result, the deformation and expansion / contraction configuration of the frame body 5 described above can be realized with a simple configuration of the elongated hole 17 and fastening member (connecting member 30), thus suppressing the complexity and size increase of the frame body 5 structure. Furthermore, deformation between the mounted state P1 and the deployed state P2 can be easily performed. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0033] The frame body 5 further includes a third panel 13, and at least one of the second panel 12 and the third panel 13 has a second elongated hole 19 formed in the mounting state P1 that is aligned with the extension direction of the frame body 5. By moving the third panel 13 relative to the frame body 5 along the extending direction of the second elongated hole 19, the frame body 5 can be extended or retracted. Thus, the frame body 5 can be extended or retracted with a simple configuration.

[0034] The frame body 5 can be stored inside the housing 2 in either the mounted state P1 or the unfolded state P2. This allows the storage state (shape) of the frame body 5 to be selected according to the size and type of housing 2, thereby improving the versatility of the frame body 5. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a wider variety of power converters 1, and the manufacturing cost of the power converter 1 can be reduced.

[0035] The control unit 3 of the power converter 1 is formed by a frame body 5 and electrical equipment 6, and the size of the control unit 3 is variable by extending or retracting the frame body 5. By applying the configuration of the present invention to the control unit 3 which is composed of multiple electrical equipment 6, the ease of mounting the electrical equipment 6 mounted on the control unit 3 can be improved, and the unit can be standardized. Therefore, it is possible to provide a power converter 1 equipped with a control unit 3 that can reduce costs compared to conventional technology while achieving space saving and improved assembly workability.

[0036] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0037] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the frame body 5 has three panels (first panel 11, second panel 12, and third panel 13) has been described, but it is not limited to this. The frame body 5 may have two or four or more panels. For example, in the first panel 11, the angle between the main surface 11a and the auxiliary surface 11b may be formed as an obtuse or acute angle.

[0038] The elongated holes 17 and the second elongated holes 19 may be provided in the second panel 12. In this case, for example, the second panel 12 may have a main surface 12a and two auxiliary surfaces (not shown), and the elongated holes and the second elongated holes (neither shown) may be formed so as to extend from the main surface 12a to each auxiliary surface. In this case, the first panel 11 and the third panel 13 may be formed having only main surfaces 11a and 13a, and bolt insertion holes 18 may be formed in each of the main surfaces 11a and 13a.

[0039] The orientation of the frame body 5 when housed in the housing 2 in the mounting state P1 is not limited to the orientation of the embodiment described above. For example, the first panel 11, second panel 12, and third panel 13 of the frame body 4 may be mounted along the rear surface 21, right side surface 23, and front surface 22 of the housing 2, respectively. As another example, the first panel 11 and second panel 12 may be mounted along the top surface 25 and rear surface 21 of the housing 2, respectively, and the third panel 13 may be mounted along an unillustrated partition plate or the like provided inside the housing 2. The configuration using the frame body 5 of this embodiment may also be applied to the electrical equipment 6 units in the power conversion device 1 other than the control unit 3.

[0040] 1...Power converter, 2...Housing, 3...Control unit, 5...Frame, 6...Electrical equipment, 11...First panel, 11a...Main surface, 11b...Auxiliary surface, 12...Second panel, 12a...Main surface, 13...Third panel, 13a...Main surface, 17...Slotted hole, 19...Slotted hole (second slotted hole), 30...Connecting member, 35...Bent section, P1...Mounted state (first state), P2...Unfolded state (second state)

Claims

1. A power converter comprising: a housing; and a frame body having two or more adjacent surfaces, wherein electrical equipment is attached to the surfaces and housed in the housing, wherein the frame body is expandable and contractible in a direction along one of the two surfaces in a first state in which two adjacent surfaces are arranged to intersect each other, and is capable of transitioning from the first state to a second state in which the two surfaces are unfolded into a planar shape.

2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises: a first panel; a second panel adjacent to the first panel and connected to the first panel along one side on the first panel side; and a connecting member connecting the first panel and the second panel so as to be transitionable between a first state in which the first panel and the second panel intersect and a second state in which the first panel and the second panel are unfolded so as to be aligned on the same plane, and at least one of the first panel and the second panel has an elongated hole formed along the expansion and contraction direction of the frame body in the first state.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 2, wherein the first panel has a main surface that intersects with the second panel in the first state, and an auxiliary surface that is connected to the main surface via a bent portion and is aligned with the second panel in the first state, the elongated hole is formed to extend from the main surface to the auxiliary surface, and the connecting member is a fastening member inserted into the elongated hole.

4. The power conversion device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the frame body further comprises a third panel connected along an edge of the second panel other than the edge to which the first panel is connected, intersecting the second panel and parallel to the first panel, and at least one of the second panel and the third panel has a second elongated hole formed along the expansion and contraction direction of the frame body in the first state.

5. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame body can be housed inside the housing in either the first state or the second state.

6. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit of the power conversion device is formed by the frame body and the electrical equipment attached to the frame body, and the size of the control unit is variable by extending or retracting the frame body.