Power conversion apparatus

• US 9,667,165 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2015
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Tachibana, Hideaki, Inamura, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Laxton, Gary L
• Application Number:
  US14/874,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20160099655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

A power conversion apparatus includes a semiconductor module that includes a main body containing at least one semiconductor element, power terminals projecting from the main body to be connected to a high-voltage DC power supply and high-voltage signal terminals projecting from the main body, and is configured to convert a DC power supplied from the high-voltage DC power supply to an AC power by switching operation of the semiconductor element. The power conversion apparatus further includes a low-voltage component connected to a low-voltage DC power supply and a control circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling the switching operation of the semiconductor element is formed. The control circuit board is connected with low-voltage signal terminals extending from the low-voltage component and the high-voltage signal terminals. The low-voltage and high-voltage signal terminals are solder-connected to the control circuit board.

Claims

1. A power conversion apparatus comprising;

a semiconductor module configured to convert a DC power supplied from a high-voltage DC power supply to an AC power by switching operation of the semiconductor element, the semiconductor module including;

a main body containing a semiconductor element;

power terminals projecting from the main body configured to be connected to the high-voltage DC power supply; and

high-voltage signal terminals projecting from the main body;

a low-voltage component connected to a low-voltage DC power supply whose output voltage is lower than an output voltage of the high-voltage DC power supply, the low-voltage component having low-voltage signal terminals extending therefrom; and

a control circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling the switching operation of the semiconductor Element is formed, the control circuit board being solder-connected with the low-voltage signal terminals and the high-voltage signal terminals, the control circuit board being formed with through holes respectively corresponding to the high-voltage signal terminals and the low-voltage signal terminals,

wherein the high-voltage signal terminals and the low-voltage signal terminals are put into the through holes from one side in a thickness direction of the control circuit board, and the high-voltage signal terminals and the low-voltage signal terminals are solder-connected to the control circuit board at another side in the thickness direction.

2. The power conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the low-voltage component is a control connector for connection between the low-voltage DC power supply and the control circuit board and connection between an external unit and the control circuit board,

the low-voltage signal terminals are connector terminals projecting from the control connector in the thickness direction, and

the control connector is disposed at a position adjacent to the control circuit board in the thickness direction.

3. The power conversion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

output terminals configured to be connected to an AC load; and

an output terminal block on which the output terminals are mounted,

wherein the low-voltage component is a current sensor provided in the output terminal block to measure a current flowing through the output terminals,

the low-voltage signal terminals are sensor terminals which are connected to the current sensor, pass through the output terminal block, and project from the output terminal block in the thickness direction, and

the output terminal block is disposed at a position adjacent to the control circuit board in the thickness direction.

4. The power conversion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

input terminals configured to be connected to the high-voltage DC power supply;

an input terminal block on which the input terminals are mounted; and

an input connector for connection between the input terminals and the high-voltage DC power supply,

wherein the low-voltage component is an interlock detection part which detects whether or not the input connector is connected to the input terminals,

the low-voltage signal terminals are interlock terminals which are connected to the interlock connection part, pass through the input terminal block, and project from the input terminal block in the thickness direction, and

the input terminal block is disposed at a position adjacent to the control circuit board in the thickness direction.