INVERTER FOR VEHICLE

• US 20130039009A1
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: SHIN, Dongmin, JEON, Wooyong, YOO, In Pil, PARK, Hyong Joon, KIM, Joon Hwan, YOON, Sungjun, KIM, Minji, YOON, Jaehoon, JOO, Jung Hong
• Granted Patent: US 8,848,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/699
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/22 characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/42 Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14329 specially adapted for the configuration of power bus bars
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20 Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20927 Liquid coolant without phase change
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

An inverter for a vehicle is disclosed. The inverter for the vehicle illustratively includes: a power module provided with a power semiconductor device; a cooling module coupled to the power module and flowing a coolant therethrough; and a capacitor module mounted at the cooling module through a mounting unit and adapted to absorb a ripple current of the power module.

Claims

1. An inverter for a vehicle, comprising:

a power module provided with a power semiconductor device;

a cooling module coupled to the power module and configured to flow a coolant therethrough; and

a capacitor module mounted at the cooling module through a mounting unit and configured to absorb a ripple current of the power module.

2. The inverter of claim 1, wherein the power module, the cooling module, and the capacitor module are pre-coupled so as to form a module assembly, and

the module assembly is mounted in a case.

3. The inverter of claim 2, wherein the cooling module further comprises an inlet configured to flow the coolant in and an outlet configured to flow the coolant out, and

wherein the case is provided with a pair of recesses in which the inlet and the outlet are fitted.

4. The inverter of claim 2, wherein the case has upper and lower ends being open.

5. The inverter of claim 4, wherein the module assembly is coupled to a lower interior surface of the case through the lower open end of the case.

6. The inverter of claim 5, wherein the cooling module includes at least one of first coupling protrusions integrally formed at an edge portion and is coupled to the case, and

wherein the case includes a second coupling protrusion integrally formed at the lower interior surface and coupled to the first coupling protrusion by a bolt.

7. The inverter of claim 1, wherein the power module and the cooling module are coupled through a bolt.

8. The inverter of claim 1, wherein the mounting unit comprises:

at least one mounting boss integrally formed at an edge portion of the cooling module;

at least one leg integrally formed at the capacitor module corresponding to the mounting boss; and

a fastening member engaging each mounting boss with a respective leg.

9. The inverter of claim 1, wherein the capacitor module is electrically connected to the power module through a bus bar when coupled with the cooling module.

10. An inverter for a vehicle, comprising:

a module assembly formed by coupling a capacitor module to a cooling module after a power module and the cooling module is coupled; and

a case configured to accommodate the module assembly, the case being coupled to the cooling module.

11. The inverter of claim 10, wherein the module assembly is mounted in the case when the power module, the cooling module, and the capacitor module are coupled with each other.