Power electronics device for controlling an electric machine

• US 6,326,761 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2000
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Tareilus, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US09/533,580
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 318/138, 318/254, 318/439, 318/538, 318/722, 318/801, 361/679, 361/688, 361/689, 361/699, 361/702, 361/703, 361/704, 361/707, 361/709, 363/141
• US Class Current: 318/722
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

A power electronics device for controlling an electric machine including a power section arranged within a housing which can be closed via a cover element. The power section has a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of power semiconductors which are connected to a power bus bar. In addition, a control device is provided for controlling the power electronics device. The capacitors, power semiconductors, and control device are cooled via a cooling device which is formed as a profile having an essentially U-shaped cross section. The cooling device has two lateral limbs and a base region through which cooling ducts are arranged. A suitable cooling medium flows through the cooling ducts and the ends of the cooling ducts opposite the housing cover are closed by a covering element. The capacitors, the power semiconductors and the control device are connected to the cooling device such that thermal exchange occurs between these components and the cooling device.

Claims

1. A power electronics device for controlling an electric machine, comprising:

a power section including a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of power semiconductors interconnected via a power bus bar;

a control device operatively connected to said power section for controlling said power section; and

a cooling device comprising at least one cooling duct for conducting a cooling medium, said cooling device operatively arranged relative to at least one of said capacitors, said power semiconductors, and said control device such that heat generated during operation is removable from said at least one of said capacitors, said power semiconductors, and said control device via a thermal exchange with said cooling device, wherein said cooling device comprises an extruded profile and said at least one cooling duct includes cooling ribs formed therein for increasing the surface area of said at least one cooling duct.

2. The power electronics device of claim 1, wherein cooling device comprises a profiled element comprising an essentially U-shaped cross section.

3. The power electronics device of claim 1, wherein said cooling device comprises two lateral limbs and a base region and said at least one cooling duct arranged in at least one of said two lateral limbs and said base region for conducting a cooling medium.

4. The power electronics device of claim 3, wherein said capacitors are arranged within a chamber formed by said two lateral limbs and said base region of said cooling device.

5. The power electronics device of claim 4, wherein said power semiconductors are arranged outside said two lateral limbs.

6. The power electronics device of claim 5, wherein said control device is arranged beneath said base region.

7. The power electronics device of claim 3, wherein said power semiconductors are arranged outside said two lateral limbs.

8. The power electronics device of claim 3, wherein said control device is arranged beneath said base region.

9. The power electronics device of claim 1, further comprising at least one connecting element for connecting said at least one cooling duct to a source of the cooling medium.

10. The power electronics device of claim 1, wherein said power bus bar has a plurality of electrical power connecting elements.

11. The power electronics device of claim 1, wherein the control device has at least one control signal connecting element.

12. The power electronics device of claim 1, further comprising a housing accommodating said power section, said control device and said cooling device.

13. The power electronics device of claim 12, further comprising a cover element, said housing comprising a housing opening at one end, and wherein said cover element being detachably connected over said housing opening.

14. The power electronics device of claim 13, wherein said cooling device comprises at least one coolant connecting element for connecting said at least one cooling duct to a source of the cooling medium, said power bus bar has a plurality of electrical power connecting elements, and said control device has at least one control signal connecting element, and wherein said cover element comprises a plurality of openings through which said at least one coolant connecting element, said plurality of electrical power connecting elements and said at least one control signal connecting element are led.

15. The power electronics device of claim 1, wherein said power electronics device is connectable to a permanently excited synchronous machine for controlling said permanently excited synchronous machine.

16. The power electronics device of claim 1, wherein said power electronics device is connectable to a starter-generator for a vehicle for controlling said starter-generator.