Inverter Apparatus Layout for Reactor Cooling and Compact Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inverter apparatuses for refrigerating devices, such as air conditioners, require a large space due to the separate arrangement of reactors and printed wiring boards, leading to increased component box sizes and noise interference from electric wires, while neglecting the cooling of reactors as heat-generating parts.
Innovation Solution
The inverter apparatus integrates the reactor within the plane projection area of the printed wiring board, using a cooler to cool both the power device and reactor, and eliminates or shortens the electric wire connecting them, allowing for downsizing and reduced noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the reactor is arranged at a position separated from the printed wiring board, then the reactor can be cooled separately, but the space required increases and the electric component box size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function for both the power device and reactor into a single cooling jacket structure. The cooling jacket is configured to contact both the power device and reactor, allowing one cooling system to serve multiple heat-generating components simultaneously, thereby reducing overall space requirements while maintaining effective cooling of both components.
2Temperature
If the reactor is arranged at a position separated from the printed wiring board, then the reactor can be cooled separately, but the device complexity increases due to additional harness connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection functions into the printed wiring board structure itself. The reactor is positioned within the plane projection area of the printed wiring board and connected through terminals provided on the board, eliminating the need for separate harness connections and reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the reactor is arranged within the plane projection area of the printed wiring board, then the electric wire length is reduced and noise propagation is minimized, but the cooling of the reactor becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the cooling jacket: it serves as both the cooling medium conduit and the structural element that provides electrical isolation. The cooling jacket is configured to contact the reactor and power device simultaneously, enabling effective cooling of the reactor even when positioned close to the printed wiring board, while also providing electrical insulation between the reactor and board.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket acts as an intermediary element between the reactor and the cooling medium. It transfers heat from the reactor to the cooling medium flowing through it, enabling efficient heat dissipation while maintaining the compact arrangement where the reactor is positioned within the plane projection area of the printed wiring board.
4Volume of moving object
If the entire reactor is arranged within the plane projection area of the printed wiring board, then the inverter apparatus can be further downsized, but the connection terminal arrangement becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing connection terminals at specific locations on the printed wiring board that are optimized for the reactor's position. The terminals are strategically placed within the plane projection area to facilitate easy connection while maintaining the compact overall structure, balancing downsizing goals with manufacturing ease.
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 results in a more compact inverter apparatus with improved cooling efficiency for both the power device and reactor, reducing noise influence on peripheral components and simplifying wiring patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler for cooling the power device and the reactor
Data Source
AI summary
An inverter apparatus variably controls an operation frequency of an electric motor provided in a refrigerating device, and includes: a printed wiring board; a power device attached to one surface of the printed wiring board, the power device including a converter circuit and an inverter circuit; a reactor arranged on a side of the one surface of the printed wiring board, at least a part of the reactor being arranged within a plane projection area of the printed wiring board; and a cooler for cooling the power device and the reactor, the cooler being arranged such that the power device and the reactor are interposed between the cooler and the printed wiring board.