Capacitor Cooling Through Sealed Chamber Partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converter arrangements face challenges in effectively cooling capacitor devices while maintaining a sealed and dust-tight environment, which is crucial for protecting sensitive components from harsh ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A housing with two chambers is designed, where the power semiconductor module and capacitor device are electrically connected, with the capacitor device extending through a separating body into a second chamber for cooling, utilizing an elastic sealing body to ensure a dust-tight and moisture-tight seal, and allowing cooling air to flow through the second chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the capacitor device is cooled by extending it into a second chamber with cooling air flow, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the sealing between chambers becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic sealing body (membrane) that flexibly seals around the capacitor device where it penetrates the separating wall between chambers. This flexible membrane allows the capacitor to extend into the second chamber for cooling while maintaining the seal, as the membrane can deform to accommodate the capacitor's presence and then restore its sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic sealing body acts as an intermediary element between the capacitor device and the separating wall. It mediates between the need for the capacitor to penetrate the wall for cooling purposes and the need to maintain a sealed barrier between the two chambers, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Temperature
If the capacitor device penetrates the separating body to reach cooling air, then the cooling performance is enhanced, but the structural integrity and dust-tightness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic sealing body forms a flexible barrier that seals around the capacitor device at the penetration point. This flexible shell maintains the dust-tight and moisture-tight separation between chambers while allowing the capacitor to extend into the cooling chamber, preventing harmful factors from entering while enabling thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the housing into two distinct chambers separated by a separating body with a dedicated penetration region. This segmentation allows the capacitor to be positioned in both chambers - the connection elements remain in the first chamber while the main body extends into the second chamber for cooling, thereby protecting different parts of the capacitor according to their functional requirements.
3Reliability
If a rigid sealing structure is used to maintain dust-tightness, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the cooling efficiency is reduced due to restricted air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic sealing body provides a reliable dust-tight seal without requiring a rigid structure that would obstruct cooling air flow. The flexibility of the membrane allows cooling air to move freely in the second chamber while the sealing surface maintains the barrier against dust and moisture, thus achieving both sealing reliability and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution moves from a two-dimensional planar seal to a three-dimensional circumferential seal around the capacitor device. The elastic sealing body wraps around the capacitor in the region where it penetrates the separating wall, creating a seal in multiple directions simultaneously, which maintains dust-tightness without restricting the cooling air flow path in the second chamber.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively cools the capacitor device while maintaining a sealed environment, protecting components from dust and moisture, and enhances the cooling efficiency of both the capacitor and power semiconductor module.
Implementation Method 1
a flat, elastic sealing body (8) which 1) is arranged on a surface of the separating body; 2) runs peripherally around the first cutout; and 3) reaches into the region of the first cutout and surrounds the capacitor device there in sealing fashion
Implementation Method 2
second chamber (14) is designed to have cooling air flowing through it
Implementation Method 3
second chamber (14) is designed to have cooling air flowing through it
Implementation Method 4
A pressing body presses the sealing body against the separating body and terminates in sealing fashion there
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter arrangement comprising: a housing having first and second chambers separated by a separating body; a power semiconductor module; and a device. The capacitor is electrically conductively connected to power semiconductor module by a connecting device. Power semiconductor module, the connecting device and connection elements of the capacitor are arranged in first chamber. The capacitor reaches through the separating body between the first and second chambers into second chamber for cooling of the capacitor. The separating body has a first cutout through which the capacitor reaches. A flat, elastic sealing body which runs peripherally around the first cutout and reaches into the region of the first cutout and surrounds the capacitor there in sealing fashion, is arranged on a surface of the separating body. A pressing body presses the sealing body against the separating body and terminates in sealing fashion there.