Power converter

• US 9,750,147 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2013
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kosuga, Masashi, Suzuki, Hideyo
• Primary Examiner(s): Laxton, Gary L
• Application Number:
  US14/775,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20160037654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/537 using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/006 characterized by features for holding the PCB within the housing
• 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

Abstract

A power converter is provided to improve connection reliability of internal components of the power converter. The power converter may include a power semiconductor module that converts DC current into AC current, a casing that forms a housing space for housing the power semiconductor module, an AC relay bus bar that is connected to an AC terminal of the power semiconductor module by weld connection, and an AC terminal block that is connected to an AC terminal of a motor. The AC relay bus bar may be supported by the casing through an insulating member, and the AC terminal block may be connected to the AC relay bus bar and supported by the casing.

Claims

1. A power converter comprising:

a power semiconductor module that converts DC current into AC current;

a casing that forms a housing space for housing the power semiconductor module;

an AC relay bus bar that is connected to an AC terminal of the power semiconductor module by weld connection; and

an AC terminal block that is connected to an AC terminal of a motor,

wherein the AC relay bus bar is supported by the casing through an insulating member,

wherein the AC terminal block is connected to the AC relay bus bar and supported by the casing,

wherein the AC relay bus bar forms a first through hole, and

wherein the AC terminal block is connected to the AC relay bus bar by a first fastening member passing through the first through hole.

2. The power converter according to claim 1,

wherein the AC terminal block includes an AC bus bar that is connected to the AC relay bus bar by mechanical connection and a resin block,

wherein the AC relay bus bar is configured of a metal material different from that of the AC bus bar, and

wherein a volume of the AC relay bus bar is smaller than a volume of the AC bus bar.

3. The power converter according to claim 2,

wherein a thickness of the AC relay bus bar is formed to be greater than a thickness of the AC terminal of the power semiconductor module.

4. The power converter according to claim 1,

wherein the first through hole is an elliptical shape of which a long diameter is formed in a direction of arrangement of the AC terminal block and the AC relay bus bar.

5. The power converter according to claim 4, further comprising:

a driver circuit substrate that outputs a driving signal transmitted to the power semiconductor module; and

a current sensor that forms the first through hole to detect the AC current,

wherein the driver circuit substrate is disposed between the AC terminal block and the AC relay bus bar,

wherein the driver circuit substrate forms a third through hole,

wherein the current sensor is disposed such that the second through hole of the current sensor faces the third through hole, and

wherein the AC bus bar is connected to the AC relay bus bar through the second through hole and the third through hole.

6. The power converter according to claim 5, further comprising:

a base plate that supports the driver circuit substrate,

wherein the base plate is supported by the casing, and

wherein the AC terminal block is supported by the base plate.