Power Converter Housing In-Wall Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power converters face challenges in reducing size due to dead spaces created around connecting pipes outside the housing, which hinder space conservation, especially in vehicle installations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stack body with in-stack flow paths and a housing featuring an in-wall flow path that communicates with the in-stack flow paths, eliminating the need for external connecting pipes, thus allowing for a compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connecting pipes are arranged outside the housing to connect the first coolant paths and second coolant paths, then the cooling system can be effectively established, but dead spaces are created around the connecting pipes which increases the overall size of the electrical power converter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting pipes with the housing structure by forming flow paths directly within the housing wall that connect the first coolant paths (in the coolant unit) and second coolant paths (in the housing). This integration eliminates separate external connecting pipes and the dead spaces they create, thereby reducing the overall converter size while maintaining effective cooling connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the coolant flow paths within the housing structure itself, where the housing wall contains embedded flow path channels that serve as connectors between the coolant unit and housing-mounted components. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external connecting structures and reduces the spatial footprint of the cooling system.
2Ease of operation
If connecting pipes are used to join the first coolant paths and second coolant paths, then the cooling medium can flow between different cooling zones, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional external components
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is merged with the coolant distribution function by incorporating flow paths directly into the housing wall. This integration allows the cooling medium to flow between the coolant unit and housing-mounted components through the housing itself, eliminating the need for separate external connecting pipes and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, mounting surfaces for electronic devices, and acts as a coolant distribution channel. By making the housing wall itself a functional coolant conduit, the design reduces the number of dedicated cooling components needed while maintaining effective multi-zone cooling capability.
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 enables a reduction in the overall size of the electrical power converter while maintaining effective cooling, simplifying installation and reducing part count, and ensuring high sealing efficiency without mechanical interference.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling medium or coolant flows in sequence through the first and second cooling paths to cool the electronic devices
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power converter is provided which includes a stack body made of a stack of a plurality of electronic devices and cooling medium flow paths in which cooling medium flows. The electric power converter also includes a housing in which the stack body is disposed. The housing 3 has a stack facing wall which faces the stack body in a stacking direction. The stack facing wall has an in-wall flow path in which the cooling medium flows and which communicates the cooling medium flow paths. This structure enables the electric power converter to be reduced in size thereof.