ARRANGEMENT FOR A POWER ELECTRONICS UNIT IN A HYBRID VEHICLE

• US 20100270874A1
• Filed: 02/26/2008
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Stervik, Hans, Alm, Ivar
• Application Number:
  US12/747,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20100270874A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/51
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/003 with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/405 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/485 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/08 Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation sound insulating linings for trains B61D17/185; drivers' cabs for load-carrying vehicles insulated against vibrations or noise B62D33/0604; thermal or acoustic insulation of engines F02B77/11; damping of sounds using compensation by electro-acoustic methods G10K11/178
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0006 Electronic control units for transmission control, e.g. connectors, casings or circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/209 Heat transfer by conduction from internal heat source to heat radiating structure H05K7/20909 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

In an arrangement for a power electronics unit in a HEV, the HEV including a combustion engine, an electric motor/generator, a transmission, the power electronics unit is shaped as a plate. The plate is extended along a transmission side, the power electronics unit is fixed to the power train with a first attachment point. All attachment points have a total thermal conductivity corresponding to more than 10 degrees temperature difference on a Kelvin-scale between the power electronics unit and outside surface of said first transmission side and/or outside surface of the motor/generator for 5 kW of heat originating from one side of said attachment point. Embodiments also including sound damping capabilities are disclosed. The arrangement facilitates use of fewer parts and increased functionality.

Claims

1. Arrangement for a power electronics unit in a hybrid vehicle power train, the hybrid vehicle power train comprising a combustion engine arranged for propulsion, and an electric motor/generator arranged for propulsion, a transmission with a transmission housing, the transmission is arranged to adapt gear ratio between at least one of the propulsion units and driven vehicle wheels, the motor/generator is arranged to exchange electric power with a power electronics unit, a cooling arrangement comprising cooling channels for cooling at least the power electronics unit, the power electronics unit is shaped substantially as a plate, where a first biggest cross-sectional area of the plate is extended substantially along and substantially within a first transmission side of the transmission housing and covering at least a part of the first transmission side, the power electronics unit is fixed to the hybrid vehicle power train with at least one first attachment point, wherein all attachment points have a total thermal conductivity corresponding to more than 10 degrees temperature difference on a Kelvin-scale between the power electronics unit and outside surface of the first transmission side and/or outside surface of the motor/generator for 5 kW of heat originating from one side of the attachment point.

2. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein the electric motor/generator and the power electronics unit are connected and fixed to each other to form a first unit and where the connection is the first attachment point formed by a plug in connection.

3. Arrangement as in claim 2, wherein the power electronics unit is also attached to the first transmission side via at least a second attachment point made of a material with low thermal conductivity.

4. Arrangement as in claim 2, wherein the plug in connection is arranged to transmit at least one of or both of a cooling medium for the cooling arrangement and electric power between the motor/generator and the power electronics unit.

5. Arrangement as in claim 2, wherein the power electronics unit plate is arranged to cover the first transmission side in such a way as to damp noise originating from the transmission.

6. Arrangement as in claim 3, wherein the second attachment point is extended around the periphery of a side of the power electronics unit facing the transmission, and where the first transmission side, the power electronics unit side and the second attachment point enclose a compartment comprising a medium with low thermal conductivity and high noise damping capabilities.

7. Arrangement as in claim 6, wherein the first and second attachment points are of a material with high noise damping capabilities.

8. Arrangement as in claim 6, wherein the power electronics unit plate comprises the power electronics unit with noise damping material and in an extended part only of a noise damping material, the extended part being arranged in order to better cover the first transmission side.

9. Arrangement as in claim 2, wherein a second electric motor/generator with a second power electronics unit are arranged in connection to the transmission and which together form a second unit via a second plug in connection, and where the second power electronics unit is arranged along a second transmission side of the transmission housing.

10. Arrangement as in claim 3, where a hose for transmitting cooling medium is connected to the power electronics unit on substantially an opposite side of where the plug in connection is arranged, wherein the second attachment point is formed of a part of the hose and a cooling hose holder for holding the hose, and where the hose holder is attached to the transmission housing.

11. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein the power electronics unit is only fixed to the first transmission side with at least one of the first attachment point.

12. Arrangement as in claim 11, wherein the first attachment point is of a screw-nut type, with a relatively small cross-sectional area.

13. Arrangement as in claim 11, wherein a second attachment point is extended around the periphery of a side of the power electronics unit facing the transmission, and where the first transmission side, the power electronics unit side and the second attachment point enclose a compartment comprising a medium with low thermal conductivity and high noise damping capabilities.

14. Arrangement as in claim 11, where a hose for transmitting cooling medium is connected to the power electronics unit on substantially an opposite side of where the first attachment point is arranged, wherein a third attachment point is formed of a part of the hose and a cooling hose holder for holding the hose, and where the hose holder is attached to the transmission housing.

15. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein the hybrid vehicle power train is a parallel hybrid electric vehicle power train.