Isolated Converter Enclosure Layout for Creepage and Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional isolated converters face challenges in simultaneously achieving isolation performance and miniaturization due to their structural limitations.
Innovation Solution
The enclosure for an isolated converter is designed with a main body having a partition wall that vertically separates primary and secondary spaces, along with upper and lower walls, and includes stepped portions and grooves to maximize creepage distance, while using elastic pressing parts to maintain core separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the enclosure size is reduced for miniaturization, then the overall converter size decreases, but the isolation performance deteriorates due to insufficient creepage distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement to vertical stacking of primary and secondary circuits. The enclosure includes a vertically extending partition wall that divides the interior into upper and lower spaces, with one space housing the primary circuit and the other housing the secondary circuit. This vertical arrangement maximizes creepage distance along the partition wall surface while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the converter.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is segmented into distinct upper and lower spaces by the partition wall, physically separating the primary and secondary circuits. This segmentation ensures electrical isolation while allowing each circuit to be independently positioned and managed within its designated space.
2Reliability
If the creepage distance is increased to maintain isolation performance, then the enclosure area increases, but the miniaturization goal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension to achieve the required creepage distance. The partition wall extends vertically to provide sufficient creepage path length between primary and secondary circuits, eliminating the need to expand the horizontal enclosure area. This allows isolation performance to be maintained while keeping the enclosure compact in plan view.
3Reliability
If a vertical partition structure is used to maximize creepage distance, then isolation performance improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is integrated directly into the enclosure structure itself, forming an integral part of the housing rather than being a separate component. This merging of functions allows the partition to provide both structural support and electrical isolation, simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure for an isolated converter and an isolated converter using the same are provided. The enclosure for an isolated converter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include a main body having a primary-side space and a secondary-side space. The main body may include a partition wall provided to vertically separate the primary-side space and the secondary-side space from each other, and an upper wall and a lower wall provided above and below the partition wall, respectively.