Power Conversion Apparatus Terminal Arrangement for Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power conversion apparatuses in hybrid and electric vehicles face challenges in reducing the size of the DC-to-DC converter while minimizing radio noise, which increases with higher switching frequencies due to radiation noise caused by common mode currents.
Innovation Solution
The power conversion apparatus is designed with the inverter input terminal and converter input terminal disposed on opposite sides of an imaginary plane within the case, increasing impedance and suppressing radiation noise, allowing for higher switching frequencies and reduced size of the DC-to-DC converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the switching frequency of the DC-to-DC converter is increased to reduce its size, then the converter size is reduced, but radio noise increases due to common mode current radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power conversion apparatus into distinct functional modules (inverter module and DC-to-DC converter module) with separate input terminals positioned on opposite sides of the case. This spatial segmentation allows independent optimization of each module while managing electromagnetic interference between them, enabling higher switching frequencies without excessive radio noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter input terminal and converter input terminal are positioned asymmetrically on opposite sides of the case rather than symmetrically or adjacently. This asymmetric positioning creates unequal current paths for common mode currents, increasing impedance and suppressing radiation noise, thereby allowing the converter to operate at higher frequencies with reduced size.
2Volume of stationary object
If the wiring connection distance is shortened to reduce the apparatus size, then the overall size is reduced, but impedance decreases leading to increased radiation noise
Solution Approach 1:
The input terminals are positioned on opposite sides of the case, creating asymmetric and longer current paths compared to adjacent positioning. This increases the impedance of the power supply lines, suppressing common mode current radiation while still maintaining a compact overall apparatus design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing impedance by lengthening wires in one dimension, the patent utilizes the three-dimensional space of the case by positioning terminals on opposite sides, effectively using spatial dimensionality to achieve both compact size and high impedance for noise suppression.
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 suppresses radio noise, enabling higher switching frequencies and a smaller DC-to-DC converter size, thereby improving the compactness of the power conversion apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The inverter converts a DC voltage supplied from a battery into an AC voltage
Implementation Method 2
The DC-to-DC converter steps up or down the DC voltage supplied from the battery
Implementation Method 3
The power semiconductor module converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage
Data Source
AI summary
In a power conversion apparatus, an inverter converts a DC voltage supplied from a battery into an AC voltage, and a DC-to-DC converter steps up or down the DC voltage. A case has an input terminal to which a power line from the battery is connected so as to input the DC voltage to the inverter, and a converter input terminal to which a power line to the DC-to-DC converter is connected so as to input the DC voltage to the DC-to-DC converter. The case has a reference wall and an opposed wall opposed to each other. The inverter input terminal is disposed adjacent to the reference wall with respect to an imaginary plane that bisects the case between the reference wall and the opposed wall. The converter input terminal is disposed adjacent to the opposed wall with respect to the imaginary plane.