Power Module Elastic Seals for Corrosion and Dendrite Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
IGBT modules in high temperature and high humidity environments are susceptible to damage from harmful substances like copper sulfide accumulation and dendrite formation, which can lead to module failures due to difficulty in sealing and protecting them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A seal for power modules with an elastic peripheral wall that accommodates the module and pins, ensuring the top end is higher than the module surface, compressing to fit tightly against the printed circuit board, thereby isolating the module from the environment and preventing substance invasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IGBT module is connected to electronic devices through pins for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but sealing and protection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible elastic seal that can deform to accommodate the pins while maintaining sealing integrity. The elastic peripheral wall can compress and expand to fit around the pin structure, ensuring both electrical connection access and environmental protection without compromising either function.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is divided into distinct functional regions: a peripheral wall for sealing, an accommodating space for the module, and a pressing structure for securing. This segmentation allows each part to address specific requirements - the peripheral wall provides protection while the accommodating space maintains electrical connectivity through the pin penetration points.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal top end is made higher than the module surface to ensure tight sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the seal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic material properties to achieve the required sealing height without complex structural additions. By selecting an elastic material with appropriate durometer and elasticity parameters, the seal can compress to the required height for tight sealing while maintaining a simple overall structure. The elastic deformation provides the necessary sealing pressure and height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates dynamic elastic deformation to adapt to the module geometry. The peripheral wall can compress elastically during installation and operation to achieve the required sealing height, and this dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for complex rigid structures with multiple adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal is made elastic to accommodate the power module and pins, then adaptability is improved, but the seal may deform under compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different local properties to different parts of the seal. The peripheral wall uses elastic material for accommodation and sealing, while the pressing structure uses a more rigid material to maintain dimensional stability under compression. This local differentiation allows the seal to be elastic where needed for adaptability while remaining stable where needed for structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal combines elastic and rigid materials in a composite structure. The elastic peripheral wall provides accommodation capability while the rigid pressing structure maintains dimensional stability. This composite approach allows the seal to simultaneously achieve adaptability for module accommodation and stability for maintaining sealing pressure without excessive deformation.
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
The seal effectively prevents external substances from damaging the power module by maintaining electrical connection integrity and preventing corrosion, as demonstrated by reduced corrosion and dendrite growth in environmental tests.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral wall is elastic and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a seal for a power module and an electric energy conversion and transmission device. The seal for the power module comprising a housing having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other and pins sticking out of the first side surface, the seal comprises a peripheral wall extending continuously in the circumferential direction to define a accommodating space, which is adaptable for accommodating the power module, the peripheral wall is elastic and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the peripheral wall is configured such that when the power module is completely accommodated in the accommodating space, the first end of the peripheral wall is at least higher than the first side surface of the housing.