FR3144450A1 - Inverter for electric machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inverter (1), comprising: a capacitive module (2);a first power module (3a) connected to the capacitive module (2) by a direct current connection (4a) and comprising an alternating current connection (5a) disposed on an opposite side of the first module power module (3a);at least a first electronic power card (8) electrically connected to the first power module (3a) and extending parallel to the first power module (3a);an electronic control card (7) connected electrically to the electronic power card (8) and extending parallel to the electronic power card (8); the inverter (1) being characterized in that the alternating current connection (5a) of the first power module (3a) extends parallel between the electronic power card (8) and the electronic control card (7). Abstract Figure: Figure 4

Description

Inverter for electric machine

The present invention relates to electrical equipment such as inverters, equipped with power modules and associated with an electrical machine, for example an electric or hybrid vehicle engine.

STATE OF THE ART

As is known, an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprises an electric drive system powered by a high-voltage power supply battery, generally greater than 100 V, via a high-voltage on-board electrical network and a plurality of auxiliary electrical equipment powered by a low-voltage power supply battery via a low-voltage on-board electrical network. The high-voltage power supply battery provides a power supply function for the electric drive system enabling the vehicle to be propelled. More specifically, in order to control the electric machine driving the wheels of the vehicle, it is known to use an inverter for converting the direct voltage provided by the high-voltage power supply battery into one or more alternating control voltages, for example sinusoidal.

It is also known to integrate within the inverter a capacitive filtering device called a link capacitor or “DC-link capacitor” for those skilled in the art, having in particular the function of stabilizing the voltage supplied to the active power electronics component of the inverter, in particular a power module supplying electrical energy to the electric machine.

In the context of electronic or hybrid vehicles requiring high levels of power, for example a utility vehicle, it is known to power an electric machine via several power modules, generally two power modules each delivering a three-phase electric current. This architecture can then use two connection capacities, each being connected to a power module.

In known inverters comprising at least one power module, the electrical connector intended to supply phases of the electrical machine extends mainly in a vertical direction relative to the capacitive module or relative to the power module towards an output of the inverter. This connector is generally located on a different side of the power module than an electrical connector connecting the capacitive module to the power module. The electrical connector is then connected to the phases of the electrical machine according to a specific architecture occupying a significant longitudinal space in the inverter, and arrangements in which the electrical connector connecting the capacitive module to the power module and the outputs of the inverter to the electrical machine are located on the same side of the power module are not feasible. Furthermore, the cooling of such an electrical connector is not optimal, which can result in significant energy losses.

The invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a simplified inverter architecture, with reduced cost and improved performance.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

• un module capacitif ;
• au moins un premier module de puissance relié au module capacitif par une connexion à courant continu et comprenant une connexion à courant alternatif configurée pour permettre la circulation d’un courant électrique entre le module capacitif et une machine électrique à courant alternatif, la connexion à courant alternatif étant disposée d’un côté opposé du premier module de puissance par rapport à la première connexion à courant continu ;
• au moins une première carte électronique de puissance reliée électriquement au premier module de puissance et s’étendant parallèlement au premier module de puissance ;
• une carte électronique de contrôle reliée électriquement à la carte électronique de puissance et s’étendant parallèlement à la carte électronique de puissance;

l’onduleur étant caractérisé en ce que la connexion à courant alternatif du premier module de puissance s’étend parallèlement entre la carte électronique de puissance et la carte électronique de contrôle.More specifically, the invention relates to an inverter, in particular configured to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a capacitive module;
• at least one first power module connected to the capacitive module by a direct current connection and comprising an alternating current connection configured to allow the flow of an electric current between the capacitive module and an alternating current electric machine, the alternating current connection being arranged on an opposite side of the first power module relative to the first direct current connection;
• at least one first electronic power card electrically connected to the first power module and extending parallel to the first power module;
• an electronic control card electrically connected to the electronic power card and extending parallel to the electronic power card;

the inverter being characterized in that the alternating current connection of the first power module extends in parallel between the power electronic card and the control electronic card.

By virtue of such a combination of features, such an inverter makes it possible to increase the number of possible configurations for an inverter architecture, depending on the location of the inverter output to the electrical machine. For example, the alternating current connection can thus be arranged on a side opposite the inverter output relative to the power module. Such an arrangement also makes it possible to increase the number of possible configurations for locating the direct current connection connecting the capacitive module to the power module, which can for example be located on the same side as the inverter output relative to the power module.

Advantageously, the alternating current electrical connection of the first power module comprises a plurality of electrical connectors. In this configuration, the alternating current connection is a three-phase alternating current connection.

Advantageously, the electronic control card electrically connected to the electronic power card extending parallel to the electronic power card on the same side of the first power module as the electronic power card.

Advantageously, the inverter comprises a second power module extending substantially in the same plane as the first power module. In such a configuration, the power delivered by the inverter to the electrical machine is improved.

Advantageously, the inverter comprises a second electronic power card electrically connected to the second power module and extends substantially in the same plane as the first electronic power card. The alternating current connection then extends between the electronic control card and the plane comprising the first and second electronic power cards.

Advantageously, the alternating current connection of the first power module and an alternating current connection of the second power module are shared in a connection interface configured to power an alternating current motor, said connection interface extending in parallel between the power card and the control card.

Advantageously, the alternating current electrical connection of the first power module and the alternating current connection of the second power module comprise a plurality of electrical connectors whose electrical currents have equal phase shift angles are associated two by two in the connection interface, said connection interface comprising at least three outputs configured to supply the respective phases of a three-phase alternating current motor. In such a configuration, the supply of the phases of a three-phase electric motor is done as close as possible to the power modules, and the association of two by two connectors having electrical currents of the same phase shift under these conditions guarantees similar characteristics delivered by the two power modules.

Advantageously, the inverter comprises a plate extending in parallel between the alternating current connection and the control card. Such a plate can, for example, protect the electronic control card from electromagnetic radiation from other components of the inverter. In addition, such a plate can also serve as a heat exchange surface for cooling the alternating current connection.

Advantageously, the first power module and the second power module are identical.

According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a mobility device such as an electric or hybrid vehicle.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given as non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which:

There is a schematic perspective representation of an inverter according to one embodiment of the invention;

There is a schematic representation in front view of the inverter of the in position removed from a chassis and an inverter cover;

There is a schematic representation in front view of the inverter in the position removed from the chassis and the cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

There is a schematic representation in front view of an inverter according to another embodiment of the invention in the removed position of the chassis and the inverter cover;

There is a schematic representation in front view of an inverter according to another embodiment of the invention.

It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There illustrates an inverter 1, for example for an electric or hybrid vehicle engine. The inverter 1 comprises a chassis 100 and a cover 200 removable between a removed position in which an interior space of the chassis 100 is accessible and a closed position which corresponds to an operating position of the inverter 1.

There illustrates the inverter 1 in the position removed from the chassis 100 and the cover 200. The inverter 1 comprises a capacitive module 2, here a connecting capacitor. The connecting capacitor 2 has a generally substantially prismatic parallelepiped shape, a length of the connecting capacitor 2 extending in a horizontal direction X, a width of the connecting capacitor 2 extending in a transverse direction Y and a height of the connecting capacitor 2 extending in a vertical direction Z.

The inverter 1 further comprises a first power module 3a connected to the connecting capacitor 2 by a first direct current connection 4a. By “power module” is meant an assembly comprising components through which energy passes to power the electric machine. These components may comprise electronic switches, such as for example semiconductor transistors, arranged in an electrical circuit to allow a controlled passage of electrical energy between the power supply battery and the electric machine. In particular, the components are bare semiconductor chips for which encapsulation is carried out. In other words, a power module is an assembly comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips forming an electrical circuit encapsulated in the same housing. The first power module 3a extends parallel to a plane X, Y, vertically above the connecting capacitor 2.

The first direct current connection 4a enables the connecting capacitor 2 to supply the first power module 3a with a filtered and stabilized direct current. The first direct current connection 4a extends vertically in the Z direction. The first power module 3a further comprises an alternating current connection 5a. In the embodiment described, the first alternating current connection 5a comprises a plurality of electrical connectors, each of the electrical connectors being supplied with an alternating electric current having a different phase shift. The alternating current connection 5a and the electrical connectors of the alternating current connection 5a are arranged on an opposite side of the first power module 3a relative to the first direct current connection 4a.

The inverter 1 further comprises a first power electronic card 8 electrically connected to the first power module 3a and extending parallel to the first power module 3a. Preferably, the power electronic card 8 is mechanically secured to the power module 3a. The inverter 1 also comprises an electronic control card 7 electrically connected to the power electronic card 8 and extending parallel to the power electronic card 8, on the same side of the first power module 3a. The electronic control card 7 makes it possible to control the inverter 1.

The alternating current connection 5a of the power module 3a extends in parallel between the power electronics card 8 and the control electronics card 7. In the embodiment described, the plurality of connectors of the alternating current connection 5a is shared in a connection interface 6 which extends in parallel between the power electronics card 8 and the control electronics card 7. In such a configuration, outputs 60a, 60b and 60c of the connection interface 6 can be located on the same side relative to the first power module 3a as the direct current connection 4a, which increases the possible configurations for locating the direct current connection 4a.

There illustrates the inverter 1 according to another embodiment. The inverter 1 of the differs from inverter 1 of the in that the power module 3a is located on one side of the capacitive module 2 longitudinally opposite the outputs 60a, 60b, 60c of the connection interface 6.

As illustrated in the and on the , the inverter 1 further comprises a second power module 3b connected to the connecting capacitor 2 by a second direct current connection 4b. The second power module 3b extends in the same plane as the first power module 3a. The first power module 3a and the second power module 3b may be identical. In such a configuration, the power delivered by the inverter 1 to the electric machine is improved.

In the embodiment of the and of the , an alternating current connection 5b of the second power module 3b comprises a plurality of electrical connectors, each of the electrical connectors being supplied with an alternating electric current having a different phase shift. The alternating current connection 5b and the connectors of the alternating current connection 5b are arranged on an opposite side of the second power module 3b relative to the second direct current connection 4b.

The connectors of the first power module 3a and the connectors of the second power module 3b whose electric currents have equal phase shift angles are associated two by two in the connection interface 6. The three outputs 60a, 60b, 60c of the connection interface 6 are then configured to supply the respective phases of a three-phase alternating current motor. The connection interface 6 is in particular an electrical connection bar, or “busbar” for those skilled in the art. The outputs of the connection interface 60a, 60b, 60c can also extend through a passage hole of the electronic control card 7.

Inverter 1 of the differs from inverter 1 of the in that inverter 1 of the comprises in particular a plate 9 extending parallel to the connection interface 6 and to the electronic control card 7, between the connection interface 6 and the electronic control card 7. The plate 9, preferably metallic, makes it possible in particular to protect the electronic control card 7 from electromagnetic radiation induced by the alternating electric currents flowing in the connection interface 6. In addition, the plate can also serve as a heat exchange surface for cooling the connection interface 6, which makes it possible to reduce energy losses within the connection interface 6 and to improve the performance of the inverter 1. The connection interface 6 can be in direct contact with the plate 9. Alternatively, there may be a thermal interface material between the plate 9 and the connection interface 6 which makes it possible to evacuate the heat generated by the connection interface 5. The thermal interface material is for example a thermal paste or grease.

It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him.

For example, the inverter 1 may comprise a second electronic power card, electrically connected to the second power module 3b and extending substantially in the same plane as the first electronic power card 8. The connection interface 6 then extends between the electronic control card 7 and the plane comprising the first electronic power card 8 and the second electronic power card. The first electronic card 8 and the second electronic card may be two separate parts or formed in a single part.

In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set forth in the present description, but should be interpreted to include all equivalents the prediction of which is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Claims (10)

Inverter (1), in particular configured to be embedded in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a capacitive module (2);
• at least one first power module (3a) connected to the capacitive module (2) by a direct current connection (4a) and comprising an alternating current connection (5a) configured to allow the flow of an electric current between the capacitive module (2) and an alternating current electric machine, the alternating current connection (5a) being arranged on an opposite side of the first power module (3a) relative to the first direct current connection (4a);
• at least one first power electronic card (8) electrically connected to the first power module (3a) and extending parallel to the first power module (3a);
• an electronic control card (7) electrically connected to the electronic power card (8) and extending parallel to the electronic power card (8);

the inverter (1) being characterized in that the alternating current connection (5a) of the first power module (3a) extends in parallel between the power electronic card (8) and the control electronic card (7). Inverter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the alternating current electrical connection (5a) of the first power module (3a) comprises a plurality of electrical connectors. Inverter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second power module (3b) extending substantially in the same plane as the first power module (3a). Inverter (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a second electronic power card electrically connected to the second power module (3b) and extending substantially in the same plane as the first electronic power card (8). Inverter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alternating current connection (5a) of the first power module (3a) and an alternating current connection (5b) of the second power module (3b) are shared in a connection interface (6) configured to power an alternating current motor, said connection interface (6) extending in parallel between the electronic power card (8) and the electronic control card (7). Inverter (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the alternating current electrical connection of the first power module (3a) and the alternating current connection (5b) of the second power module (3b) comprise a plurality of electrical connectors whose electrical currents have equal phase shift angles are associated two by two in the connection interface (5), said connection interface (6) comprising at least three outputs configured to supply the respective phases of a three-phase alternating current motor. Inverter (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first power module (3a) and the second power module (3b) are identical. Inverter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plate (9) extending parallel between the alternating current connection (5a) and the electronic control card (7). Inverter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive module (2) is a connecting capacitor. Mobility device characterized in that it comprises an inverter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.