Arrangement for a power electronics unit in a hybrid vehicle

• US 8,276,694 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Stervik, Hans, Alm, Ivar
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US12/919,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20110005849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 180/60, 180/65.31, 180/65.1, 180/65.22, 180/65.225, 180/65.25, 180/65.275, 180/65.285, 903/902, 310/51, 310/52, 310/54, 477/3, 477/5, 381/707
• US Class Current: 180/65.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/405 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0412 Cooling or heating; Control of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0006 Electronic control units for transmission control, e.g. connectors, casings or circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

Arrangement for a power electronics unit in a hybrid vehicle power train, where all attachment points have a total thermal conductivity corresponding to less than 10 degrees temperature difference on a Kelvin-scale between electronics of said power electronics unit and the outside of said first transmission side for 5 kW of heat originating from one side of said attachment point. Arrangements including sound damping capabilities are disclosed. The arrangement can provide fewer parts and increased functionality of the power electronics unit.

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 for cooling at least the transmission with the transmission housing, 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 less than 10 degrees temperature difference on a Kelvin-scale between electronics of the power electronics unit and the outside of the first transmission side for 5 kW of heat originating from one side of the attachment point.

2. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein a first side of the power electronics unit, facing the transmission, and the first transmission side are in contact with each other, forming the first attachment point as a wall to wall attachment point.

3. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein a first side of the power electronics unit and the first transmission side are integrated and form a common wall between the transmission and electronics of the power electronics unit.

4. Arrangement as in claim 3, wherein the common wall comprising cooling channels connected to the cooling arrangement for cooling the power electronics unit and the transmission.

5. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment point is made of a material with a relatively high thermal conductivity.

6. Arrangement as in claim 5, wherein the material is a metal.

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

8. Arrangement as in claim 7, 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.

9. Arrangement as in claim 1, 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.

10. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein the power electronics unit comprising a casing of noise damping material, and which casing covers the electronics when arranged on the first transmission side.

11. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein the power electronics unit plate comprises the noise damping design and in an extended part only of a noise damping material, and where the extended part is arranged in order to better cover the first transmission side.

12. Arrangement as in claim 1, wherein a second electric motor/generator with a second power electronics unit are arranged in connection to the transmission, and where the second power electronics unit is arranged along a second transmission side of the transmission housing.

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