Electrical Converter

• US 20130294040A1
• Filed: 11/25/2011
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Torigoe, Makoto, Nakajima, Kenichiro, Takahashi, Masayoshi, Fukumasu, Keisuke, Funato, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 9,345,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/752
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/10 Air crafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/32 Waterborne vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/0094 Structural association with other electrical or electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/44 Circuits or arrangements for compensating for electromagnetic interference in converters or inverters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14322 wherein the control and power circuits of a power converter are arranged within the same casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

Radiated noise caused by switching noise of power semiconductor elements in an electrical converter is reduced. The electrical converter is characterized in comprising: a case; a power module mounted on the case and comprising a plurality of power semiconductor elements; a metal plate mounted to the power module and fixed to the case; a control circuit board arranged on the metal plate, for controlling the power semiconductor elements; and a direct-current input terminal electrically connected to a battery. The electrical converter is also characterized in being provided at the bottom with a transmission or motor, and at the top with a connector for connecting the battery and the direct-current input terminal. The electrical converter is further characterized in that the metal plate is curved, and a portion of the curved metal plate is arranged in the space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminal.

Claims

1. An electrical converter comprising:

a case;

a power module mounted on the case and provided with a plurality of power semiconductor elements;

a metal plate mounted to the power module and fixed to the case;

a control circuit board disposed on the metal plate which controls the power semiconductor elements; and

direct-current input terminals electrically connected to a battery, wherein

a transmission or a motor is provided at a bottom,

a connector which connects the battery and the direct-current input terminals is provided at a top,

the metal plate is curved, and a portion of the curved metal plate is arranged in a space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminals.

2. The electrical converter according to claim 1, wherein

the curved metal plate comprises a first section arranged on a plane over the control circuit board and a second section arranged substantially perpendicular to a surface of the first section.

3. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

the metal plate is made of metal.

4. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

the direct-current input terminals comprise a battery negative electrode-side connection terminal section and a battery positive electrode-side connection terminal section, and

each of the direct-current input terminals is covered by a radio wave absorbent.

5. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

a dielectric material is inserted between the direct-current input terminals and the second section of the metal plate.

7. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

the metal plate is provided with a third section connected to the second section so as to cover the control connector.

8. The electrical converter according to claim 7, wherein

the third section is formed on a surface parallel to a surface of the control circuit board so as to cover the control connector.

6. The electrical converter according to, wherein

a portion of the case is inserted to the space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminal.