Capacitor Device Asymmetric Gap Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In capacitor devices for power conversion systems, particularly in vehicles, thermal interference occurs between filter capacitors and smoothing capacitors due to differing heat generation levels, leading to potential damage from mutual thermal interference.
Innovation Solution
The capacitor device is designed with a larger gap between the filter capacitor and the smoothing capacitor closest to it compared to the gaps between adjacent smoothing capacitors, preventing thermal interference by maintaining separation and managing heat dissipation effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the gap between filter capacitor and smoothing capacitor is made small to reduce device volume, then the capacitor device becomes more compact, but thermal interference occurs between capacitors with different heat generation levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different gap sizes to different regions: a first gap between the filter capacitor and first smoothing capacitor, and second gaps between adjacent smoothing capacitors. The first gap is set to a first distance while second gaps are set to a second distance, creating local quality differences that address thermal interference where it occurs most while maintaining compact overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric gap distribution among capacitors. Instead of uniform spacing, the gap between the filter capacitor (which generates different heat levels) and smoothing capacitors is deliberately made different from gaps between smoothing capacitors. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes thermal management by providing larger separation where thermal interference is most problematic
2Reliability
If capacitors are arranged closely to improve insulation and reduce noise superimposition, then electrical performance is improved, but thermal interference between capacitors increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different gap distances are applied locally: smaller second gaps between smoothing capacitors maintain electrical performance and reduce noise, while the first gap between filter and smoothing capacitors is set to a larger first distance to prevent thermal interference between capacitors with different heat generation characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a capacitor device capable of preventing thermal interference between a filter capacitor and a plurality of smoothing capacitors. A capacitor device provided in an energization circuit between a power source and a semiconductor module as a power supply device includes a filter capacitor for removing a noise included in a current supplied from a power input terminal, a plurality of smoothing capacitors for smoothing a voltage, and a capacitor case that houses the filter capacitor and the plurality of smoothing capacitors, and a first gap between the filter capacitor and a smoothing capacitor provided at a position closest to the filter capacitor among the plurality of smoothing capacitors is configured to be larger than a second gap between two smoothing capacitors adjacent to each other among the plurality of smoothing capacitors.