Power conversion device, construction machine, and method for assembling power conversion device

Abstract

A power conversion device 10 comprises: a housing member 20, 30; and a plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D. A converter module 40 comprises a plurality of connection parts 41A, 41B which are connected to a cable 90. The plurality of connection parts 41A, 41B are located inside the housing member 20, 30. The housing member 20, 30 comprises one or more work openings 21H, 23H, 24H, 33H2 that enable connection work between a connection part 41 and the cable 90 to be performed from the outside of the housing member 20, 30.

Description

Power conversion device, construction machine, and method for assembling power conversion device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power conversion device, a construction machine, and a method for assembling a power conversion device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a construction machine (dump truck) including a power conversion device (converter).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-142499

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the size of a power conversion device.

[0005] The power conversion device of the present disclosure includes a housing member and a plurality of converter modules supported by the housing member, the converter module includes a plurality of connection portions connected to cables, the plurality of connection portions are located inside the housing member, the housing member includes one or more openings that communicate the inside and the outside of the housing member, and the one or more openings include one or more work openings that enable connection work between the plurality of connection portions and the cables to be performed from outside the housing member.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the size of the power conversion device can be reduced.

[0007] This is a perspective view of the power converter. This is another perspective view of the power converter. This is a perspective view of the converter module. This is another perspective view of the converter module. This is a perspective view showing the connection between the converter module and the cable. This is a perspective view of the main body component. This is another perspective view of the main body component. This is a perspective view showing the state in which the first converter module is attached to the main body component. This is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the cable closure member to the main body component. This is a schematic diagram of the cable closure member. This is a perspective view showing the state in which the cable is passed through the cable opening. This is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the converter module to a separate component. This is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the sub-assembly to the main body component. This is a perspective view showing the state in which the sub-assembly is attached to the main body component. This is a perspective view showing the state in which the fourth converter module is attached to the housing component. This is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the rear second cover to the main body component. This is a perspective view showing a magnified view of the cooling piping. This is another perspective view showing a magnified view of the cooling piping. This is a front view showing a construction machine equipped with a power converter. This is a side view showing a construction machine equipped with a power converter.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described below.

[0009] As shown in Figure 18, the power converter 10 of this embodiment is mounted on a construction machine 80.

[0010] Construction machine 80 is a work vehicle, specifically a rigid dump truck.

[0011] The construction machine 80 includes a cab 82 positioned on a platform 81. The cab 82 is located at one end of the platform 81 in the width direction.

[0012] The power converter 10 is positioned on the platform 81. The position on the platform 81 where the power converter 10 is positioned is at the other end of the platform 81 in the width direction.

[0013] The construction machine 80 is equipped with an oil cooler 83. The oil cooler 83 is located on the platform 81 between the cab 82 and the power converter 10. The oil cooler 83 is air-cooled.

[0014] The construction machine 80 is equipped with a dump body 84. The dump body 84 comprises a main body 84A that functions as a cargo bed and a protective part 84B that protects the cab 82 and power converter 10 on the platform 81 from above. The power converter 10 is positioned in front of the main body 84A of the dump body 84.

[0015] (Power Converter 10) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the power converter 10 comprises housing members 20 and 30, and a plurality (four) of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D supported by the housing members 20 and 30. In Figures 1 and 2, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow UP indicates the top of the vehicle, arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction, and arrow OUT indicates the outside in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when the power converter 10 is mounted on the construction machine 80 (work vehicle), the direction coinciding with the front of the vehicle will be referred to as the front of the power converter 10, the direction coinciding with the top of the vehicle will be referred to as the top of the power converter 10, and the direction coinciding with the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the width direction of the power converter 10.

[0016] (Converter Module 40) The four converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D have the same configuration. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, they will simply be referred to as converter modules 40. Figures 3 and 4 show the converter modules 40.

[0017] In the following explanation, the terms "vertical direction of the converter module 40," "front-to-back direction of the converter module 40," and "width direction of the converter module 40" will be used to indicate directions relative to the converter module 40. When the terms "vertical direction," "front-to-back direction," and "width direction" are used in the explanation of the converter module 40, they basically refer to the vertical direction, front-to-back direction, and width direction of the converter module 40.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the converter module 40 includes a plurality of connection parts 41A, 41B that are connected to the cable 90 (see Figure 5). The converter module 40 is mounted on the housing members 20, 30 such that the plurality of connection parts 41A, 41B are located inside the housing members 20, 30.

[0019] The multiple connection parts 41A, 41B include multiple first connection parts 41A and multiple second connection parts 41B. Unless otherwise specified, they are simply referred to as connection parts 41.

[0020] Multiple first connection portions 41A are arranged to be aligned along the front-to-back direction.

[0021] The multiple second connecting portions 41B are arranged so as to be aligned substantially in the vertical direction. The multiple second connecting portions 41B are provided in front of the multiple first connecting portions 41A.

[0022] The multiple connection points 41 are located above the vertical center position of the converter module 40.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the converter module 40 includes a refrigerant inlet 42 and a refrigerant outlet 43. Refrigerant (for example, water) entering through the refrigerant inlet 42 passes through the inside of the converter module 40 and exits through the refrigerant outlet 43.

[0024] The refrigerant inlet 42 and refrigerant outlet 43 are located behind the converter module 40, relative to the center position of the converter module 40 in the front-rear direction. The refrigerant inlet 42 and refrigerant outlet 43 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are located at the same position in the front-rear direction.

[0025] (Housing members 20, 30) The housing members 20, 30 comprise a main body member 20 (see Figure 6) and a separate member 30 (see Figure 12).

[0026] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the main body member 20 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body member 20 has a shape in which the width dimension is the smallest of the front-to-back dimension, width dimension, and height dimension. The front-to-back dimension of the main body member 20 is smaller than the height dimension of the main body member 20.

[0027] The main body member 20 comprises a front portion 21, a first side portion 22, a second side portion 23 facing the first side portion 22, a top portion 24, a rear portion 25, and a bottom portion 26.

[0028] The general portion 21A of the front portion 21 is a flat plate shape with its thickness direction oriented in the front-rear direction. The general portion 22A of the first side portion 22 is a flat plate shape with its thickness direction oriented in the width direction. The general portion 23A of the second side portion 23 is a flat plate shape with its thickness direction oriented in the width direction. The general portion 25A of the rear portion 25 is a flat plate shape with its thickness direction oriented in the front-rear direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, the rear portion 25 is provided with a rearward projection 25B. The rearward projection 25B is provided so as to protrude rearward from the general portion 25A. The provision of the rearward projection 25B expands the internal space of the housing members 20 and 30 to the rear.

[0030] The rear projection 25B comprises a pair of vertical wall portions 25B1 whose thickness direction is oriented in the width direction, and a pair of lateral inclined wall portions 25B2. The lateral inclined wall portions 25B2 are oriented diagonally in the rearward and outward direction in the width direction, with their thickness direction facing the rear.

[0031] The rear projection 25B includes an upwardly inclined wall portion 25B3. The upwardly inclined wall portion 25B3 is oriented diagonally upward and rearward in its thickness direction. The upwardly inclined wall portion 25B3 is provided above a pair of lateral inclined wall portions 25B2. By providing the upwardly inclined wall portion 25B3 with the rear projection 25B, it is possible to secure internal space within the rear projection 25B while avoiding interference with the main body portion 84A of the dump body 84, which is located behind the power converter 10.

[0032] The main body member 20 comprises a lower frame member 27A, an upper frame member 27B, and a column member 27C. The lower frame member 27A, the upper frame member 27B, and the column member 27C constitute the skeletal structure of the main body member 20.

[0033] The lower frame member 27A and the upper frame member 27B are formed in the shape of a square frame. The lower frame member 27A and the upper frame member 27B are formed to have a solid structure in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction.

[0034] Four column members 27C are provided. Each column member 27C is formed to have a solid structure in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of extension.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7, the main body member 20 is provided with a plurality (2) of first mounting openings 22H on the first side portion 22. The plurality of first mounting openings 22H include a lower first mounting opening 22H1 and an upper first mounting opening 22H2. Unless otherwise specified, they are simply referred to as first mounting openings 22H.

[0036] The first mounting opening 22H is an opening into which the first converter modules 40A and 40B are mounted. The first converter modules 40A and 40B are converter modules 40 mounted on the first side portion 22, among a plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D. The first mounting opening 22H is closed by the first converter modules 40A and 40B once they are mounted.

[0037] Specifically, the first converter modules 40A and 40B are attached to the housing members 20 and 30 in a manner that aligns the upper side of the first converter modules 40A and 40B with the lower side of the power converter 10. Furthermore, the rear sides of the first converter modules 40A and 40B are attached to the housing members 20 and 30 in a manner that aligns with the rear side of the power converter 10.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the main body member 20 is provided with a second lateral opening 23H in the second side portion 23.

[0039] As shown in Figure 13, the second lateral opening 23H is an opening to which the sub-assemblies 30 and 40C are attached. The sub-assemblies 30 and 40C consist of a separate member 30 to which the lower second converter module 40C is attached (see Figure 12).

[0040] As shown in Figure 13, the second lateral opening 23H is configured to allow the connection work between the multiple first converter modules 40A, 40B and the cable 90 to be performed from outside the main body member 20 when the multiple first converter modules 40A, 40B are attached to the main body member 20.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 12, the separate member 30 includes a plurality (two) of second mounting openings 33H. The second mounting openings 33H are openings to which the second converter modules 40C, 40D are mounted. The second converter modules 40C, 40D are converter modules 40 mounted on the second side surface portion 23 among the plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D. The second mounting openings 33H are blocked by the second converter modules 40C, 40D when the second converter modules 40C, 40D are mounted thereto.

[0042] Specifically, the second converter modules 40C, 40D are mounted to the housing members 20, 30 in an orientation that aligns the upper side of the second converter modules 40C, 40D with the upper side of the power converter device 10. Also, the second converter modules 40C, 40D are mounted to the housing members 20, 30 in an orientation that aligns the rear side of the second converter modules 40C, 40D with the rear side of the power converter device 10.

[0043] The plurality of second mounting openings 33H include an upper second mounting opening 33H2 and a lower second mounting opening 33H1.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 12, the lower second mounting opening 33H1 is an opening to which the lower second converter module 40C is mounted.

[0045] The upper second mounting opening 33H2 is an opening to which the upper second converter module 40D is mounted. As shown in FIG. 14, the upper second mounting opening 33H2 is configured such that, in a state where the lower second converter module 40C is mounted to the housing members 20, 30, connection work between the lower second converter module 40C and the plurality of cables 90 can be performed outside the housing members 20, 30.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the main body member 20 includes a front opening 21H provided in the front surface portion 21.

[0047] The front opening 21H has a shape elongated in the up-down direction, specifically a rectangle with the longitudinal direction extending in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the front opening 21H is configured to enable cable connection work from the outside of the housing members 20 and 30.

[0048] The main body member 20 includes an upper opening 24H provided on an upper surface portion 24.

[0049] The upper opening 24H has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction, specifically a rectangle with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the upper opening 24H is configured to enable cable connection work from the outside of the housing members 20 and 30. In particular, the upper opening 24H is used for cable connection work for the upper second converter module 40D that is attached last.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the main body member 20 includes a plurality of rear openings 25H provided on a rear surface portion 25.

[0051] The plurality of rear openings 25H include a plurality of first rear openings 25H1 provided on a rear protruding portion 25B, and a plurality of second rear openings 25H2 provided on the rear protruding portion 25B.

[0052] The first rear opening 25H1 is an opening through which a plurality of cables 90 are passed. The first rear opening 25H1 may be referred to as a cable opening 25H1. The plurality of first rear openings 25H1 are provided side by side in the up-down direction.

[0053] The cable opening 25H1 is provided so as to penetrate through a side inclined wall portion 25B2 on one side in the width direction. Therefore, the direction in which the cable opening 25H1 penetrates the rear surface portion 25 is an oblique direction that goes outward in the width direction as it extends rearward. An angle of the direction in which the cable opening 25H1 penetrates the rear surface portion 25 with respect to the rear direction is 45 degrees.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 16, the plurality of second rear openings 25H2 are openings through which the plurality of cables 90 are not passed. The plurality of second rear openings 25H2 are used for cable routing work of the cables 90.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, a single converter module 40 is connected to a plurality (eight) of cables 90. These plurality (eight) of cables 90 include two first cables 91 connected to the two furthest rear connection points 41 of the plurality of connection points 41A, 41B, and a plurality (six) of second cables 92 connected to the other connection points 41.

[0056] The power converter 10 includes a first clamp portion 71 that holds two first cables 91, and a second clamp portion 72 that holds a plurality (six) of second cables 92. In other words, the first clamp portion 71 holds the two first cables 91 separately from the plurality of second cables 92. The first clamp portion 71 and the second clamp portion 72 are provided near the rear end inside the housing members 20 and 30.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, the power converter 10 is equipped with a front cover 51 that closes the front opening 21H. The front cover 51 is attached by a plurality of fastening members so as to sandwich a sealing member (packing) between it and the housing members 20 and 30.

[0058] The power converter 10 includes an upper cover 54 that closes the upper opening 24H. The upper cover 54 is attached by a plurality of fastening members so as to sandwich a sealing member (packing) between it and the housing members 20 and 30.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9, the power converter 10 is equipped with a cable blocking member 55 that closes the cable opening 25H1.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10, the cable closure member 55 is provided with a plurality of cable insertion holes 55H1, 55H2, 55H3, and 55H4 through which the cables 90 are individually passed.

[0061] Multiple cable insertion holes 55H1, 55H2, 55H3, and 55H4 include multiple first cable insertion holes 55H1 and 55H2 arranged along the vertical direction.

[0062] The multiple first cable insertion holes 55H1, 55H2 include multiple upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and multiple lower first cable insertion holes 55H2. The upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 correspond to cables 90 connected to the upper first converter module 40B, and the lower first cable insertion holes 55H2 correspond to cables 90 connected to the lower first converter module 40A.

[0063] The vertical distance between the lowest of the multiple upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and the highest of the multiple lower first cable insertion holes 55H2 is greater than the vertical distance between the multiple upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and greater than the vertical distance between the multiple lower first cable insertion holes 55H2.

[0064] The multiple cable insertion holes 55H1, 55H2, 55H3, and 55H4 include multiple second cable insertion holes 55H3 and 55H4 arranged along the vertical direction. The multiple second cable insertion holes 55H3 and 55H4 are provided adjacent to the multiple first cable insertion holes 55H1 and 55H2.

[0065] The multiple second cable insertion holes 55H3, 55H4 include multiple upper second cable insertion holes 55H3 and multiple lower second cable insertion holes 55H4. The upper second cable insertion holes 55H3 correspond to cables 90 connected to the upper second converter module 40D, and the lower second cable insertion holes 55H4 correspond to cables 90 connected to the lower second converter module 40C.

[0066] The vertical distance between the lowest upper second cable insertion hole 55H3 among the multiple upper second cable insertion holes 55H3 and the highest lower second cable insertion hole 55H4 among the multiple lower second cable insertion holes 55H4 is greater than the vertical distance between the multiple upper second cable insertion holes 55H3 and greater than the vertical distance between the multiple lower second cable insertion holes 55H4.

[0067] As shown in Figure 16, the power converter 10 is equipped with a plurality of rear second covers 56 that close the second rear opening 25H2. The rear second covers 56 are attached by a plurality of fastening members so as to sandwich a sealing member between them and the housing members 20 and 30.

[0068] As shown in Figure 17, the power converter 10 is equipped with cooling piping 60.

[0069] The cooling piping 60 includes a first inlet branch pipe 61 connected to the refrigerant inlets 42 of a plurality of first converter modules 40A, 40B; a second inlet branch pipe 62 connected to the refrigerant inlets 42 of a plurality of second converter modules 40C, 40D; an inlet connecting pipe 63 connecting the first inlet branch pipe 61 and the second inlet branch pipe 62; a first outlet branch pipe 64 connected to the refrigerant outlets 43 of a plurality of first converter modules 40A, 40B; a second outlet branch pipe 65 connected to the refrigerant outlets 43 of a plurality of second converter modules 40C, 40D; and an outlet connecting pipe 66 connecting the first outlet branch pipe 64 and the second outlet branch pipe 65.

[0070] The inlet connecting pipe 63 and the outlet connecting pipe 66 are positioned in the space above the rear projection 25B and behind the general portion 25A of the rear surface 25. Both the inlet connecting pipe 63 and the outlet connecting pipe 66 are provided to extend in the width direction. The inlet connecting pipe 63 is positioned above the outlet connecting pipe 66. The inlet connecting pipe 63 is positioned in front of the outlet connecting pipe 66.

[0071] The first inlet branch pipe 61 is positioned above the first outlet branch pipe 64. The first inlet branch pipe 61 is positioned in front of the first outlet branch pipe 64.

[0072] The second inlet branch pipe 62 is positioned above the second outlet branch pipe 65. The second inlet branch pipe 62 is positioned in front of the second outlet branch pipe 65.

[0073] (Assembly Procedure) The assembly procedure for the power converter 10 is generally as follows: (1) Attach the multiple first converter modules 40A and 40B to the main body member 20. (2) Perform cable connection work for the multiple first converter modules 40A and 40B. This cable connection work is mainly performed through the second side opening 23H. (3) Attach the sub-assemblies 30 and 40C to the second side opening 23H. (4) Perform cable connection work for the lower second converter module 40C. This cable connection work is mainly performed through the upper second mounting opening 33H2. (5) Attach the upper second converter module 40D to the upper second mounting opening 33H2. (6) Perform cable connection work for the upper second converter module 40D. This cable connection work is mainly performed through the upper opening 24H. (7) Close the upper opening 24H, the front opening 21H, etc. with closing members 51, 54, etc.

[0074] <Effects> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the power converter 10 comprises housing members 20 and 30, and a plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D supported by the housing members 20 and 30. As shown in Figure 3, the converter module 40 includes a plurality of connection parts 41A and 41B connected to the cable 90. Here, as shown in Figure 5, the plurality of connection parts 41A and 41B are located inside the housing members 20 and 30. Therefore, the plurality of connection parts 41A and 41B connected to the cable 90 can be protected by the housing members 20 and 30.

[0076] Incidentally, if the connection work between the converter module 40 and the cable 90 required a worker to enter the housing members 20 and 30, then space would be needed inside the housing members 20 and 30 for the worker to enter, causing the housing members 20 and 30 to become larger, and as a result, the power converter 10 would become larger. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 14, the housing members 20 and 30 are provided with one or more openings 21H, 22H, 23H, 24H, and 33H that connect the inside and outside of the housing members 20 and 30. As shown in Figures 13 to 15, one or more openings 21H, 22H, 23H, 24H, and 33H include one or more work openings 21H, 23H, 24H, and 33H2 that allow the connection work between the connection part 41 and the cable 90 to be performed from outside the housing members 20 and 30. Therefore, since there is no need to provide space for an operator inside the housing members 20 and 30, the housing members 20 and 30 can be made smaller. As a result, the power converter 10 can be made smaller.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, one or more working openings 21H, 23H, 24H, and 33H2 include a working opening 33H2 that is closed by the converter module 40. Therefore, the opening 33H2 that is closed by the converter module 40 can be effectively utilized as a working opening 33H2.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, one or more working openings 21H, 23H, 24H, 33H2 include a working opening 24H that penetrates the housing members 20, 30 in the vertical direction. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which a working opening 24H that penetrates the housing members 20, 30 in the vertical direction is not provided, workability can be improved.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing members 20 and 30 comprise a main body member 20 and a separate member 30. One or more work openings 21H, 23H, 24H, and 33H2 include one or more main body-side work openings 21H, 23H, and 24H provided in the main body member 20, and one or more separate-side work openings 33H2 provided in the separate member 30. Here, one or more main body-side work openings 21H, 23H, and 24H include a main body-side work opening 23H to which the separate member 30 is attached. The plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D include a first separate-side converter module 40C attached to the separate member 30 and a second separate-side converter module 40D attached to the separate member. Therefore, a large work opening 23H can be provided as the main body-side work opening 23H to which the separate member 30 is attached. As a result, workability can be improved.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, one or more separate-side work openings 33H2 include a separate-side work opening 33H2 that allows the connection work between the first separate-side converter module 40C and the cable 90 to be performed from outside the housing member. Therefore, after attaching the separate member 30 to which the first separate-side converter module 40C is attached to the main body work opening 23H, the connection work between the first separate-side converter module 40C and the cable 90 can be performed from outside the housing members 20 and 30 using the separate-side work opening 33H2.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the separate-side working opening 33H2 is closed by the second separate-side converter module 40D. Therefore, the opening 33H2 that is closed by the second separate-side converter module 40D can be effectively utilized as the working opening 33H2.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, one or more working openings 21H, 23H, 24H, and 33H2 include working openings 21H and 24H that are closed by closing members 51 and 54 that are not part of the converter module 40. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which no working openings are provided other than those closed by the converter module 40, the degree of freedom in arranging the working openings 21H, 23H, 24H, and 33H2 can be improved.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing members 20 and 30 include a first side portion 22 and a second side portion 23 facing the first side portion 22. Here, the plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D include one or more first converter modules 40A and 40B attached to the first side portion 22 and one or more second converter modules 40C and 40D attached to the second side portion 23. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which the plurality of converter modules 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D do not include either the first converter modules 40A and 40B or the second converter modules 40C and 40D, it is easier to increase the number of converter modules 40 mounted on the power converter 10.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connection portion 41 of one or more second converter modules 40C, 40D is located at a different vertical position from the connection portion 41 of one or more first converter modules 40A, 40B. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which the connection portions 41 of the second converter modules 40C, 40D and the connection portions 41 of the first converter modules 40A, 40B are arranged at the same vertical position, the routing of the cables 90 inside the housing members 20, 30 can be made easier. In addition, since the cables 90 connected to one or more second converter modules 40C, 40D and the cables 90 connected to one or more first converter modules 40A, 40B do not overlap in the width direction, the one or more second converter modules 40C, 40D and the one or more first converter modules 40A, 40B can be brought closer together in the width direction, making it easier to miniaturize the power conversion device 10 in the width direction.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the connection portion 41 of the first converter modules 40A and 40B is located above the first converter modules 40A and 40B, above their vertical center position, and the connection portion 41 of the second converter modules 40C and 40D is located above the second converter modules 40C and 40D, above their vertical center position. Here, one or more second converter modules 40C and 40D are arranged so that their vertical orientation is opposite to that of one or more first converter modules 40A and 40B. For this reason, when the first converter modules 40A and 40B and the second converter modules 40C and 40D have the same or similar configurations, it is easy to arrange the connection portion 41 of the second converter modules 40C and 40D so that its vertical position is different from that of the connection portion 41 of the first converter modules 40A and 40B.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the direction in which the cable opening 25H1 penetrates the rear portion 25 is oblique, moving outward in the width direction as it proceeds towards the rear. Therefore, compared to the case where the direction of penetration is parallel to the rear direction, the need to secure space for bending the cable 90 at the rear of the power converter 10 can be reduced. Also, compared to the case where the direction of penetration is parallel to the width direction, the need to secure space for bending the cable 90 inside the power converter 10 can be reduced.

[0087] By the way, the two first cables 91 connected to the two furthest rear connection points 41 of the multiple connection points 41A, 41B are connected to the two connection points 41 closest to the cable opening 25H1 provided in the rear surface 25. If these two first cables 91 were clamped together with the multiple second cables 92, there is a possibility that the bending of the two cables 90 would increase. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the multiple cables 90 include two first cables 91 connected to the two furthest rear connection points 41 of the multiple connection points 41A, 41B, and multiple second cables 92. Here, the power converter 10 is provided with a first clamping section 71 that holds the two first cables 91 separately from the multiple second cables 92. This makes it possible to suppress the bending of the two first cables 91.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the rear portion 25 comprises a general portion 25A and a rear projection portion 25B that protrudes rearward relative to the general portion 25A. The cable opening 25H1 is provided in the rear projection portion 25B. As a result, the provision of the rear projection portion 25B allows the internal space of the housing members 20 and 30 to be expanded to the rear. Also, since the cable opening 25H1 is provided in the rear projection portion 25B, the space expanded to the rearward by the rear projection portion 25B can be used as space for bending the cable 90 inside the housing members 20 and 30.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, the power converter 10 is equipped with cooling piping 60. The cooling piping 60 includes a first inlet branch pipe 61 connected to the refrigerant inlets 42 of a plurality of first converter modules 40A, 40B, a second inlet branch pipe 62 connected to the refrigerant inlets 42 of a plurality of second converter modules 40C, 40D, an inlet connecting pipe 63 connecting the first inlet branch pipe 61 and the second inlet branch pipe 62, a first outlet branch pipe 64 connected to the refrigerant outlets 43 of a plurality of first converter modules 40A, 40B, a second outlet branch pipe 65 connected to the refrigerant outlets 43 of a plurality of second converter modules 40C, 40D, and an outlet connecting pipe 66 connecting the first outlet branch pipe 64 and the second outlet branch pipe 65. Here, the inlet connecting pipe 63 and the outlet connecting pipe 66 are arranged in the space above the rear projection 25B and behind the general portion 25A of the rear surface portion 25. Therefore, the space above the rear projection 25B and behind the general portion 25A of the rear surface 25 can be effectively utilized as the space for arranging the inlet connecting pipe 63 and the outlet connecting pipe 66. As a result, the expansion of the space required for arranging the power converter 10 can be suppressed.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the refrigerant inlet 42 and refrigerant outlet 43 of the first converter modules 40A and 40B are located behind the first converter modules 40A and 40B, relative to their front-to-back center position, and the refrigerant inlet 42 and refrigerant outlet 43 of the second converter modules 40C and 40D are located behind the second converter modules 40C and 40D, relative to their front-to-back center position. Here, as shown in Figure 17, the multiple first converter modules 40A and 40B are mounted on the housing members 20 and 30 in a manner that aligns the rear side of the first converter modules 40A and 40B with the rear side of the power converter 10, and the multiple second converter modules 40C and 40D are mounted on the housing members 20 and 30 in a manner that aligns the rear side of the second converter modules 40C and 40D with the rear side of the power converter 10. Therefore, in all of the first converter modules 40A, 40B and the second converter modules 40C, 40D, the refrigerant inlet 42 and refrigerant outlet 43 can be positioned close to the rear surface 25 of the power converter 10. As a result, the length of the cooling piping 60 can be suppressed.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the power converter 10 includes a cable blocking member 55 that closes the cable opening 25H1. The cable blocking member 55 includes a plurality of cable insertion holes 55H1, 55H2, 55H3, and 55H4 through which the cables 90 are individually passed. The plurality of cable insertion holes 55H1, 55H2, 55H3, and 55H4 include a plurality of first cable insertion holes 55H1 and 55H2 arranged along the vertical direction. Here, the plurality of first cable insertion holes 55H1 and 55H2 include a plurality of upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and a plurality of lower first cable insertion holes 55H2. The vertical distance between the lowest of the multiple upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and the highest of the multiple lower first cable insertion holes 55H2 is greater than the vertical distance between the multiple upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and greater than the vertical distance between the multiple lower first cable insertion holes 55H2. Therefore, the cable 90 can be removed easily while suppressing an increase in the vertical dimension of the cable opening 25H1. This is because the workability is improved when removing the cable 90 starting from the gap between the multiple upper first cable insertion holes 55H1 and the multiple lower first cable insertion holes 55H2.

[0092] Furthermore, this embodiment relates to a construction machine 80 equipped with a power converter 10, as shown in Figure 18. The construction machine 80 is equipped with a platform 81. The power converter 10 is positioned at the outer end of the platform 81 in the vehicle width direction, with the main body side work opening 23H to which the separate member 30 is attached facing outward in the vehicle width direction. This improves workability on the platform 81. This is because, when the housing members 20 and 30 are positioned on the platform 81, there is a possibility that another device (for example, an oil cooler 83) is positioned on the inside of the housing members 20 and 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0093] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to those described above.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the housing members 20 and 30 are provided with a plurality of work openings 21H, 23H, 24H, and 33H2, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. There may be only one work opening.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the first converter modules 40A and 40B and the second converter modules 40C and 40D have the same configuration, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the angle of the cable opening 25H1 with respect to the rear direction in which it penetrates the rear surface portion 25 is 45 degrees, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0097] <Note> The following additional notes are disclosed as a concept encompassing the configuration according to the above embodiment. (Addendum 1) A power conversion device comprising: a housing member; and a plurality of converter modules supported by the housing member, wherein the converter modules each have a plurality of connection parts connected to cables; the plurality of connection parts are located inside the housing member; the housing member has one or more openings that connect the inside and outside of the housing member; and the one or more openings include one or more work openings that allow the connection work between the plurality of connection parts and the cables to be performed from outside the housing member. (Addendum 2) The power conversion device according to Addendum 1, wherein the one or more work openings include work openings that are closed by the converter modules. (Addendum 3) The power conversion device according to Addendum 1 or Addendum 2, wherein the one or more work openings include work openings that penetrate the housing member in the vertical direction. (Note 4) The power conversion device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the housing member comprises a main body member and a separate member, the one or more working openings include one or more main body-side working openings provided in the main body member and one or more separate-side working openings provided in the separate member, the one or more main body-side working openings include a main body-side working opening to which the separate member is attached, the plurality of converter modules include a first separate-side converter module attached to the separate member and a second separate-side converter module attached to the separate member, the one or more separate-side working openings include a separate-side working opening that allows connection work between the first separate-side converter module and a cable to be performed from outside the housing member. (Note 5) The power conversion device according to Note 4, wherein the separate-side working opening is closed by the second separate-side converter module. (Note 6) The power conversion device according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein the one or more working openings include working openings that are closed by a closing member other than the converter module.(Note 7) The housing member comprises a main body member and a separate member, the main body member comprises a first side portion, a second side portion facing the first side portion, and an upper portion located above the first side portion and the second side portion, the one or more working openings include one or more main body-side working openings provided in the main body member, and one or more separate-side working openings provided in the separate member, the one or more main body-side working openings include a main body-side working opening provided in the second side portion to which the separate member is attached, and a main body-side working opening provided in the upper portion, the plurality of converter modules include a first separate-side converter module attached to the separate member, a second separate-side converter module attached to the separate member, the one or more separate-side working openings include a separate-side working opening provided adjacent to the first separate-side converter module attached to the separate member and closed by the second separate-side converter module, The power conversion device according to any one of the appendix items 1 to 6, wherein the main body side working opening provided on the upper surface is adjacent to the second separate side converter module attached to the separate member. (Appendix item 8) The power conversion device according to any one of the appendix items 1 to 7, wherein the housing member comprises a first side portion and a second side portion facing the first side portion, and the plurality of converter modules include one or more first converter modules attached to the first side portion and one or more second converter modules attached to the second side portion. (Appendix item 9) The power conversion device according to appendix item 8, wherein the connection portion of the one or more second converter modules is in a different vertical position from the connection portion of the one or more first converter modules.(Note 10) The power conversion device according to Note 9, wherein the connection portion of the first converter module is located above the first converter module, above the vertical center position of the first converter module, the connection portion of the second converter module is located above the second converter module, above the vertical center position of the second converter module, and the one or more second converter modules are arranged so as to be opposite in the vertical direction to the one or more first converter modules. (Note 11) The power conversion device according to any one of Notes 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of connection portions are arranged in a line along the front-rear direction, the housing member has a rear surface, the housing member has cable openings through which a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of connection portions pass, and the cable openings are provided on the rear surface. (Note 12) The power conversion device according to Note 11, wherein the direction in which the cable openings penetrate the rear surface is an oblique direction toward the outside in the width direction as they proceed in the rear direction. (Note 13) The power converter according to Note 11 or Note 12, wherein the plurality of cables include two first cables connected to the two furthest rear connection points among the plurality of connection points, and a plurality of second cables, and the power converter is provided with a first clamp portion that holds the two first cables separately from the plurality of second cables. (Note 14) The power converter according to any one of Notes 11 to Note 13, wherein the rear portion includes a general portion and a rear projection portion that protrudes rearward from the general portion, and the cable opening is provided in the rear projection portion.(Note 15) The converter module comprises a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, the housing member comprises a first side portion and a second side portion facing the first side portion, the plurality of converter modules include a plurality of first converter modules attached to the first side portion and a plurality of second converter modules attached to the second side portion, the power converter comprises cooling piping, the cooling piping comprises a first inlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet of the plurality of first converter modules, a second inlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet of the plurality of second converter modules, an inlet connecting pipe connecting the first inlet branch pipe and the second inlet branch pipe, a first outlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet of the plurality of first converter modules, a second outlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet of the plurality of second converter modules, and an outlet connecting pipe connecting the first outlet branch pipe and the second outlet branch pipe, The power conversion device according to Appendix 14, wherein the inlet connecting pipe and the outlet connecting pipe are arranged in the space above the rear projection and behind the general portion of the rear surface. (Appendix 16) The power conversion device according to Appendix 15, wherein the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet of the first converter module are located behind the first converter module, the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet of the second converter module are located behind the second converter module, the plurality of first converter modules are mounted on the housing member in a manner that aligns the rear side of the first converter module with the rear side of the power conversion device, and the plurality of second converter modules are mounted on the housing member in a manner that aligns the rear side of the second converter module with the rear side of the power conversion device.(Note 17) The power conversion device is provided with a cable closure member that closes the cable opening, the cable closure member is provided with a plurality of cable insertion holes through which the cables are individually passed, the plurality of cable insertion holes include a plurality of first cable insertion holes arranged in the vertical direction, the plurality of first cable insertion holes include a plurality of upper first cable insertion holes and a plurality of lower first cable insertion holes, the vertical distance between the lowest upper first cable insertion hole among the plurality of upper first cable insertion holes and the highest lower first cable insertion hole among the plurality of lower first cable insertion holes is greater than the vertical distance between the plurality of upper first cable insertion holes and greater than the vertical distance between the plurality of lower first cable insertion holes, the power conversion device according to any one of Note 11 to Note 16. (Note 18) A construction machine equipped with the power conversion device according to any one of Note 1 to Note 17. (Note 19) A construction machine equipped with the power converter described in Note 4, wherein the construction machine is equipped with a platform, and the power converter is positioned on the outer end of the platform in the vehicle width direction, with the main body side work opening to which the separate member is attached facing outward in the vehicle width direction. (Note 20) A method for assembling a power converter comprising: a housing member, and a plurality of converter modules supported by the housing member, wherein the converter modules are equipped with a plurality of connection parts to which cables are connected, the plurality of connection parts are located inside the housing member, the housing member is equipped with one or more openings that connect the inside and outside of the housing member, and the one or more openings include one or more work openings that enable the connection work between the plurality of connection parts and the cables to be performed from outside the housing member, the method for assembling a power converter comprising: a step of performing the connection work between the plurality of connection parts and the cables from outside the housing member through the work openings, and a step of closing the work openings with the converter modules.

[0098] 10...Power converter, 20, 30...Housing members, 20...Main body member, 21H...Front opening (working opening), 22...First side section, 22H1...Lower first mounting opening (main body side working opening, working opening), 22H2...Upper first mounting opening (main body side working opening, working opening), 23...Second side section, 23H...Second side opening (main body side working opening, working opening), 24H...Upper opening (working opening), 25...Rear section, 25A... General section, 25B...Rear projection section, 25B2...Side inclined wall section, 25B3...Upper inclined wall section, 25H1...First rear opening (cable opening), 30...Separate member, 33H1...Lower second mounting opening (second mounting opening), 33H2...Upper second mounting opening (second mounting opening, separate side work opening, work opening), 40...Converter module, 40A...First converter module, 40B...First converter module, 40C... 40D...Second converter module (first separate converter module), 41A...First connection part (connection part), 41B...Second connection part (connection part), 42...Refrigerant inlet, 43...Refrigerant outlet, 51...Front cover (closing member), 54...Upper cover (closing member), 55...Cable closing member, 55H1...Upper first cable insertion hole (first cable insertion hole), 55H2...Lower first cable insertion hole (first cable insertion hole), 60...Cooling piping, 61...First inlet branch pipe, 62...Second inlet branch pipe, 63...Inlet connecting pipe, 64...First outlet branch pipe, 65...Second outlet branch pipe, 66...Outlet connecting pipe, 71...First clamp part, 72...Second clamp part, 80...Construction machine, 81...Platform, 82...Cab, 90...Cable, 91...First cable, 92...Second cable

Claims

1. A power conversion device comprising: a housing member; and a plurality of converter modules supported by the housing member, wherein each converter module has a plurality of connection parts for connecting to cables, the plurality of connection parts are located inside the housing member; the housing member has one or more openings that connect the inside and outside of the housing member; and the one or more openings include one or more work openings that allow the connection work between the plurality of connection parts and the cables to be performed from outside the housing member.

2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more working openings include working openings that are closed by the converter module.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more working openings include working openings that penetrate the housing member in the vertical direction.

4. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the housing member comprises a main body member and a separate member, the one or more working openings include one or more main body-side working openings provided in the main body member and one or more separate-side working openings provided in the separate member, the one or more main body-side working openings include a main body-side working opening to which the separate member is attached, the plurality of converter modules include a first separate-side converter module attached to the separate member and a second separate-side converter module attached to the separate member, and the one or more separate-side working openings include a separate-side working opening that enables connection work between the first separate-side converter module and a cable to be performed from outside the housing member.

5. The power conversion device according to claim 4, wherein the separate-side working opening is closed by the second separate-side converter module.

6. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more working openings include working openings that are closed by a closing member other than the converter module.

7. The housing member comprises a main body member and a separate member, the main body member comprises a first side portion, a second side portion facing the first side portion, and an upper portion located above the first side portion and the second side portion, the one or more work openings include one or more main body-side work openings provided in the main body member, and one or more separate-side work openings provided in the separate member, the one or more main body-side work openings include a main body-side work opening provided in the second side portion to which the separate member is attached, and a main body-side work opening provided in the upper portion, the plurality of converter modules include a first separate-side converter module attached to the separate member, a second separate-side converter module attached to the separate member, the one or more separate-side work openings include a separate-side work opening provided adjacent to the first separate-side converter module attached to the separate member and closed by the second separate-side converter module, The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the main body side working opening provided on the upper surface is adjacent to the second separate side converter module attached to the separate member.

8. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the housing member comprises a first side portion and a second side portion facing the first side portion, and the plurality of converter modules include one or more first converter modules attached to the first side portion and one or more second converter modules attached to the second side portion.

9. The power conversion device according to claim 8, wherein the connection portion of the one or more second converter modules is located in a different position in the vertical direction from the connection portion of the one or more first converter modules.

10. The power conversion device according to claim 9, wherein the connection portion of the first converter module is located above the first converter module, above the vertical center position of the first converter module, the connection portion of the second converter module is located above the second converter module, above the vertical center position of the second converter module, and the one or more second converter modules are arranged so as to be in the opposite vertical direction to the one or more first converter modules.

11. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection parts are arranged in a line along the front-to-back direction, the housing member has a rear surface, the housing member has cable openings through which a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of connection parts pass, and the cable openings are provided on the rear surface.

12. The power conversion device according to claim 11, wherein the direction in which the cable opening penetrates the rear portion is an oblique direction that moves outward in the width direction as it proceeds in the rearward direction.

13. The power converter according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cables include two first cables connected to the two furthest rear connection points among the plurality of connection points, and a plurality of second cables, and the power converter comprises a first clamp portion that holds the two first cables separately from the plurality of second cables.

14. The power conversion device according to claim 11, wherein the rear portion comprises a general portion and a rear projection portion that protrudes rearward from the general portion, and the cable opening is provided in the rear projection portion.

15. The converter module comprises a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, the housing member comprises a first side portion and a second side portion facing the first side portion, the plurality of converter modules include a plurality of first converter modules attached to the first side portion and a plurality of second converter modules attached to the second side portion, the power converter device comprises cooling piping, the cooling piping comprises a first inlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet of the plurality of first converter modules, a second inlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet of the plurality of second converter modules, an inlet connecting pipe connecting the first inlet branch pipe and the second inlet branch pipe, a first outlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet of the plurality of first converter modules, a second outlet branch pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet of the plurality of second converter modules, and an outlet connecting pipe connecting the first outlet branch pipe and the second outlet branch pipe, The power conversion device according to claim 14, wherein the inlet connecting pipe and the outlet connecting pipe are arranged in the space above the rearward protrusion and behind the general portion of the rear surface.

16. The power converter according to claim 15, wherein the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet of the first converter module are located behind the first converter module, the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet of the second converter module are located behind the second converter module, the plurality of first converter modules are mounted on the housing member in a manner that aligns the rear side of the first converter modules with the rear side of the power converter, and the plurality of second converter modules are mounted on the housing member in a manner that aligns the rear side of the second converter modules with the rear side of the power converter.

17. The power conversion device according to claim 11, comprising a cable closure member for closing the cable opening, the cable closure member comprising a plurality of cable insertion holes through which the cables are individually passed, the plurality of cable insertion holes comprising a plurality of first cable insertion holes arranged in the vertical direction, the plurality of first cable insertion holes comprising a plurality of upper first cable insertion holes and a plurality of lower first cable insertion holes, wherein the vertical distance between the lowest upper first cable insertion hole among the plurality of upper first cable insertion holes and the highest lower first cable insertion hole among the plurality of lower first cable insertion holes is greater than the vertical distance between the plurality of upper first cable insertion holes and greater than the vertical distance between the plurality of lower first cable insertion holes.

18. A construction machine equipped with the power conversion device described in claim 1.

19. A construction machine comprising a power converter according to claim 4, wherein the construction machine comprises a platform, and the power converter is positioned on the outer end of the platform in the vehicle width direction, with the main body side working opening to which the separate member is attached facing outward in the vehicle width direction.

20. A method for assembling a power converter comprising: a housing member; a plurality of converter modules supported by the housing member, wherein each converter module has a plurality of connection parts for which cables are connected; the plurality of connection parts are located inside the housing member; the housing member has one or more openings that connect the inside and outside of the housing member; and the one or more openings include one or more work openings that enable the connection work between the plurality of connection parts and the cables to be performed from outside the housing member, the method comprising: a step of performing the connection work between the plurality of connection parts and the cables from outside the housing member through the work openings; and a step of closing the work openings with the converter modules.

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