Capacitor module

• US 8,149,567 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Niigaki, Yoshitaka, Hiraki, Hikosaburou, Nishimuru, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Ha, Nguyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Hung
• Application Number:
  US12/226,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20100060243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 361/274.2, 361/274.3, 361/280, 361/299.3, 361/299.1, 361/289, 361/283.1, 361/301.1
• US Class Current: 361/328
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/10 Multiple hybrid or EDL capacitors, e.g. arrays or modules housings, cases, encapsulations or mountings thereof H01G11/78
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/82 Fixing or assembling a capacitive element in a housing, e.g. mounting electrodes, current collectors or terminals in containers or encapsulations
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 2/04 specially adapted for mounting on a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 2/08 Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/14 Structural combinations or circuits for modifying, or compensating for, electric characteristics of electrolytic capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

The capacitor module includes a capacitor, in which a screw hole is arranged on an outer bottom wall surface of a capacitor case housing a capacitor element, and a heat dissipater, on which a plurality of capacitor cases are fixated by screwing fixation screws in the screw holes of the capacitors. As a result, for example, the capacitor can be fixated with reliability and durability secured even under a condition where very strong vibration is continuously applied, for example, when the capacitor module is mounted on construction machinery. Further, because, an adherence of the outer bottom wall surface of the capacitor case on a fixation surface of the heat dissipater is strengthened by screwing the fixation screw in the screw hole, the capacitor can be cooled down by transferring heat produced by the capacitor to the heat dissipater as needed.

Claims

1. A capacitor module comprising:

a plurality of capacitors each including a capacitor case which houses a capacitor element, the capacitor case having an outer bottom wall part thicker than other walls and a screw hole formed in the outer bottom wall part; and

a heat dissipater to which each of the capacitors is fixated with a fixation screw screwed into the screw hole, wherein

the heat dissipater is made of metallic material, and

a sheet member, which is made of electrically insulating and thermally conductive material, is interposed between an outer wall surface of the capacitor and the heat dissipater,

an interposed member made of electrically insulating material is interposed between the fixation screw and the heat dissipater.

2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipater includes, in a cross section, a cooling path through which cooling medium flows.

3. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is covered by a cover.

4. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor and the fixation screw are covered by a cover.

5. The capacitor module according to claim 3, wherein the cover is made of metallic material.

6. The capacitor module according to claim 3, wherein a sheet member made of insulating material is interposed between the cover and a connection clamp that electrically connects the plurality of capacitors together.

7. The capacitor module according to claim 3, further comprising:

a temperature sensor arranged inside the cover to detect temperature of the capacitor, and

a controller attached outside the cover to perform a charge/discharge control of each of the capacitors according to temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

8. The capacitor module according to claim 7, wherein

the temperature sensor is arranged on a connection clamp that electrically connects the capacitors together.

9. The capacitor module according to claim 1, further comprising a booster that boosts output voltage of the capacitor.

10. The capacitor module according to claim 1, further comprising a leg made of vibration-proof rubber and attached to the heat dissipater.