Vehicle Inverter Cooling Module Between Power Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inverters for vehicle motors face challenges in minimizing volume and leakage inductance due to the proximity of power and storage modules, which affects cooling efficiency and performance, leading to increased size and reduced power storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
An inverter design with a cooling module positioned between the power and storage modules, utilizing a connection module with a laminated bus bar structure to minimize leakage inductance and optimize cooling, where the connection module has L-shaped plates to maintain contact area and reduce distance between power and storage modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the power module and power storage module are installed directly adjacent to each other to minimize leakage inductance, then leakage inductance is reduced, but the power storage module cannot be cooled by the cooling module, causing temperature increase and reduced power storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling module as an intermediary component positioned between the power module and the power storage module. This mediator enables thermal coupling for cooling the power storage module while electrical isolation is maintained through insulating structures, thus resolving the contradiction between minimizing leakage inductance and ensuring effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter is segmented into distinct functional modules (power module, cooling module, power storage module) with defined spatial relationships. The cooling module is further segmented with multiple cooling passages and contact surfaces to optimize thermal management while maintaining electrical isolation, allowing the power storage module to be cooled without direct electrical contact.
2Volume of stationary object
If the power storage module volume is minimized through effective cooling, then the inverter size is reduced, but if cooling is insufficient, the power storage module volume must be increased to account for capacity deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module acts as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy from the power storage module to the cooling fluid, enabling the power storage module to operate at lower temperatures and maintain its power storage capacity without requiring excessive volume for thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the power storage module by introducing active cooling, which allows the module to operate at optimized temperature conditions. This enables minimization of the power storage module volume while maintaining reliability, as the cooling system prevents capacity deterioration.
3Temperature
If the cooling module size is increased to cool both the power module and power storage module, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the overall inverter size becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module merges the cooling functions for both the power module and the power storage module into a single integrated component. By combining these cooling functions and utilizing the spatial arrangement where the cooling module is positioned between the two power modules, the patent achieves effective cooling of both components without requiring separate cooling systems, thus minimizing the overall inverter size.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling module is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously cools both the power module and the power storage module. It serves multiple thermal management functions within a single structure, eliminating the need for additional dedicated cooling components and reducing the overall inverter volume.
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 design effectively minimizes the size of the power storage module and reduces leakage inductance, allowing for efficient cooling and maintaining performance while reducing the overall inverter volume.
Implementation Method 1
The inside of the cooling module 30 is provided with a plurality of cooling passages and thus has cooling water, etc., circulated in the cooling passages to cool the power module 10
Data Source
AI summary
An inverter for driving a motor of a vehicle mediating between a battery and a driving motor is disclosed. The inverter includes a power storage module, a power module, and a cooling module. The power storage module is configured to be supplied with power from the battery. The power module is configured to be supplied with power from the power storage module to transfer the power to the driving motor. The cooling module is configured to be installed between the power storage module and the power module to simultaneously cool the power storage module and the power module.