JP4013758B2 - Enclosure unit for ensuring continuity and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for ensuring conduction when a plurality of casings made of conductors are coupled, and particularly to a technique for ensuring conduction when a non-conductive sealing material is applied to a coupling surface of a casing. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
A vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle is equipped with an inverter and a converter as a device for driving a motor. These devices may be combined as a single unit. In this case, since the temperature inside the unit rises by the inverter or the converter, a water channel for cooling the unit is provided inside. At this time, a sealing material is applied between the inverter case and the converter case to prevent the cooling water from leaking out of the unit.
[0003]
In the unit configured as described above, a dedicated ground wire has been conventionally provided to ground the electric circuit including the inverter and the converter. However, common use has been promoted due to a demand for a reduction in the number of parts. ing. For example, when the case of the inverter and the case of the converter are conductors, it can be considered that these cases are used to form a ground wire. In this case, each case and other parts (bolts, nuts, etc. for fastening each case) are required to be surely brought into contact with each other at a joint portion where each case is combined.
[0004]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-105618 (Patent Document 1) discloses a nut that is fastened to a bolt having a coating film applied to the surface in order to ensure conduction between the bolt and the nut. The nut includes a discharge groove portion for discharging the shavings in a direction crossing the thread formed on the inside.
[0005]
According to the nut disclosed in this publication, the coating film is scraped when fitted to the bolt to which the coating film is applied, and the shavings are discharged to the outside through a discharge groove formed inside the nut. Thereby, the conduction | electrical_connection between a volt | bolt and a nut can be ensured.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-105618 [0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the technique disclosed in the above publication, there is a problem that conduction between the bolt and the nut can be ensured, but conduction cannot be ensured in other portions. That is, as described above, in the case of a unit including an inverter case and a converter case, it is required that conduction is ensured between each case and a bolt or between each case and a nut. With the technique disclosed in the above publication, it is not possible to ensure conduction in these portions.
[0008]
Further, in the case of a unit including a cooling water channel inside, a sealing material may be applied to the connecting surface of the inverter case and the converter case in order to prevent leakage of cooling water from the water channel. When this sealing material has a slow-curing property, it may flow into a portion (for example, between the case and the bolt or between the case and the nut) where the sealing is not required until the sealing material is solidified. When the sealing material is a non-conductive sealing material, there is also a problem that conduction of the portion is hindered.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a unit capable of ensuring electrical continuity between housings to which a nonconductive sealing material is applied, and manufacture of the unit. Is to provide a method.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A unit according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first housing made of a conductor and having a first opening, a second housing made of a conductor and having a second opening, The first casing and the second casing are made of a sealing material applied to a bonding surface of either the first casing or the second casing and a conductor, and are attached to the first opening and the second opening. A fastening element that fastens the two housings. The coupling surface of either the first housing or the second housing has a groove between the region where the sealing material is applied and the formed opening.
[0011]
According to the first invention, the unit includes a plurality of housings mounted on the vehicle. Each housing stores electronic equipment (for example, an inverter, a converter, a motor, a battery, and the like). The groove formed in either the first casing or the second casing of this unit is formed by the first opening or the first non-conductive sealant applied to the coupling surface of the casing. 2 is prevented from flowing into the opening. The first opening or the second opening is a hole for a fastening element (for example, a bolt hole provided with a screw groove, a buried hole for a stud bolt, a hole for passing a screw, etc.). is there. If it does in this way, since the sealing material which flows out from the apply | coated area | region will remain in the groove part provided in the housing | casing, a sealing material will not flow in between a 1st opening part or a 2nd opening part, and a fastening element. . Therefore, by connecting the first housing and the second housing with a fastening element (for example, a conductive bolt), the first housing and the second housing are connected via the fastening element. Conduct. Thereby, the unit which can ensure the conduction | electrical_connection between the housing | casing which a nonelectroconductive sealing material is apply | coated can be provided.
[0012]
In the unit according to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, a device that generates heat is stored in either the first housing or the second housing. The unit further includes a fluid flow path for cooling the device.
[0013]
According to the second invention, while cooling the inside of the unit, it is possible to prevent leakage of the fluid to be cooled (for example, cooling water) and to ensure the continuity of the unit.
[0014]
In the unit according to the third invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the first housing is a housing for storing the inverter. The second casing is a casing that stores the converter.
[0015]
According to the third invention, conduction of the unit including the inverter and the converter can be ensured.
[0016]
A manufacturing method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes an attaching step for attaching the first fastening element to the first opening, an applying step for applying a sealing material to the coupling surface of the first housing, and the first fastening element. A coupling step of coupling the first housing and the second housing such that the first casing and the second housing project from the coupling surface of the second housing, and a second protruding protruding first fastening element A removing step of removing the sealing material leaked from between the second opening and the first fastening element in the housing, and a fastening step of fastening the first fastening element and the second fastening element. .
[0017]
According to the fourth invention, the unit manufactured by this manufacturing method is made of a conductor, the first casing having the first opening and the second casing having the second opening. A body, a first fastening element made of a conductor (for example, a screw or a stat bolt) and a second fastening element (for example, a nut), and a non-conductive sealing material. In the attachment step of the manufacturing method, the first fastening element is attached to the first opening. In the applying step, the sealing material is applied to the coupling surface of the first housing. In the coupling step, the first casing and the second casing are coupled. At this time, each housing | casing is couple | bonded so that a 1st fastening element may penetrate the 2nd opening part from the joint surface of a 2nd housing | casing. Thereby, when the sealing material has adhered to the 1st fastening element, the sealing material can be exposed to a 2nd opening part. In the removing step, the sealing material is removed. That is, the sealing material attached to the first fastening element protruding from the second opening is removed. In the fastening step, the first fastening element and the second fastening element are fastened. If it does in this way, since a nonelectroconductive sealing material will be lost between the 1st fastening element and the 2nd fastening element, it will conduct between the 1st fastening element and the 2nd fastening element. Accordingly, the first housing and the second housing are electrically connected via the first fastening element and the second fastening element. Thereby, the manufacturing method of the unit which can ensure conduction | electrical_connection even if a nonelectroconductive sealing material is apply | coated to a component can be provided.
[0018]
In addition to the configuration of the fourth invention, the manufacturing method according to the fifth invention includes a determination step of determining whether or not the sealing material has leaked from between the first fastening element and the second fastening element. In addition. The removing step includes a step of removing the sealing material when it is determined that the sealing material has leaked.
[0019]
According to the fifth aspect, when the sealing material is not leaking, the process of removing the sealing material can be omitted, so that the manufacturing efficiency of the unit can be improved.
[0020]
In the manufacturing method according to the sixth invention, in addition to the structure of the fourth or fifth invention, the first fastening element is a stud bolt. The second fastening element is a nut.
[0021]
According to the sixth invention, it is possible to ensure the continuity of the unit including the housing fastened by the stud bolt and the nut.
[0022]
In the manufacturing method according to the seventh invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, an inverter is stored in the first housing. A converter is stored in the second casing.
[0023]
According to the seventh invention, it is possible to ensure the continuity of the unit storing the inverter and the converter.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
[0025]
<First Embodiment>
With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of unit 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure of the unit 1000. This unit 1000 includes an inverter case 100, a converter case 110, and a bolt 120. Unit 1000 includes a cooling water channel therein.
[0026]
A sealing material 150 is applied between the inverter case 100 and the converter case 110. A groove 130 is provided on the coupling surface of the inverter case 100.
[0027]
The inverter case 100, the converter case 110, and the bolt 120 are conductors. The sealing material 150 is a sealing material having non-conductivity and slow curing. When such a sealing material 150 is applied to a predetermined region on the inverter case 100, the fluidity may cause the sealing material 150 to flow out to an unnecessary portion. In this case, the sealing material 150 flows into the groove 130 and remains in the groove 130. The position or depth of groove 130 is determined in advance based on, for example, the fluidity and other characteristics of the sealing material applied to inverter case 100 or the amount of sealing material used.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the bolt 120 is fastened to form a contact portion with the inverter case 100 and the converter case 110. Therefore, conduction is ensured among converter case 110, bolt 120, and inverter case 100.
[0029]
The shape of the inverter case 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the inverter case 100 shown in FIG. 1 from the XX ′ direction (that is, above the inverter case 100). A groove 130 for holding the sealing material 150 is provided between the region 140 and the bolt hole 160. The region 140 is a region where a sealing material is applied.
[0030]
The shape of the groove 130 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. For example, it may be S-shaped. Further, both ends of the groove 130 may not penetrate the outside of the inverter case 100. In this way, the seal material 150 is prevented from flowing into the bolt hole 160.
[0031]
Thereby, according to unit 1000 according to the present embodiment, non-conductive sealing material 150 is prevented from flowing into bolt hole 160 by groove 130 provided in inverter case 100. Therefore, conduction between the inverter case 100 and the bolt 120 is ensured, and the inverter case 100 and the converter case 110 are conducted through the bolt 120. As a result, it is possible to provide a unit that can ensure electrical continuity between the casings to which the nonconductive sealing material is applied.
[0032]
<Second Embodiment>
A unit manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0033]
With reference to FIG. 3, the structure of unit 2000 manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, unit 2000 includes inverter case 200, converter case 210, stud bolt 220, nut 260, and sealing material 250 applied between inverter case 200 and converter case 210. Inside this unit 2000, a cooling water channel is provided.
[0034]
In this unit 2000, inverter case 200, converter case 210, stud bolt 220, and nut 260 are conductors, respectively. Moreover, the sealing material 250 has non-conductivity and slow-curing property.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, the sealing material 250 applied during the manufacture of the unit 2000 exists between the stud bolt 220 and the converter case 210 in addition to the coupling surface between the inverter case 200 and the converter case 210. In some cases (part (a) in FIG. 3). This is because a part of the sealing material 250 is caught by the stud bolt 220 when the stud bolt 220 is attached to the inverter case 200 from the attaching direction shown in the drawing after applying the sealing material 250, as will be described later. . Even when the sealing material 250 is applied to the coupling surface after the stud bolt 220 is embedded in the inverter case 200, a part of the sealing material may adhere to the protruding portion of the stud bolt 220.
[0036]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the inverter case 200 and the stud bolt 220, the stud bolt 220 and the nut 260, and the converter case 210 and the nut 260 are in contact with each other. Part exists. Therefore, the inverter case 200 and the converter case 210 are electrically connected via the stud bolt 220 and the nut 260. Thereby, a circuit constituted by inverter case 200, stud bolt 220, nut 260, and converter case 210 can be used as a ground wire of unit 2000.
[0037]
With reference to FIG. 4, the manufacturing method of the unit 2000 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated based on a flowchart.
[0038]
In step (hereinafter “step” is represented as S) 402, stud bolt 220 is press-fitted into inverter case 200. At this time, the stud bolt 220 is press-fitted from the connecting surface of the inverter case 200. Since the stud bolt 220 and the inverter case 200 are brought into close contact with each other by this press-fitting, there is no gap into which the sealing material flows.
[0039]
At S <b> 404, sealing material 250 is applied to a predetermined region of the coupling surface of inverter case 200. At this time, the sealing material 250 may adhere to the protruding portion of the stud bolt 220 (the portion not embedded in the inverter case 200).
[0040]
At S406, inverter case 200 and converter case 210 are coupled. That is, this coupling is performed by passing the stud bolt 220 through a bolt hole (not shown) of the converter case 210 so that the coupling surface of the converter case 210 is coupled to the coupling surface of the inverter case 200. As a result, the threaded portion (not shown) of the stud bolt 220 protrudes from the bolt hole of the converter case 210. At this time, the sealing material 250 is dragged by the stud bolt 220 and is exposed from the bolt hole.
[0041]
In S408, the sealing material exposed from between the bolt hole of converter case 210 and stud bolt 220 is removed.
[0042]
At S410, nut 260 is attached to the threaded portion of stud bolt 220, and inverter case 200 and converter case 210 are fastened.
[0043]
According to the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment based on the flowchart as described above, since the non-conductive sealing material 250 does not exist between the stud bolt 220 and the nut 260, the stud bolt 220 and the nut 260 Make sure contact (FIG. 3). Therefore, in unit 2000, conduction between inverter case 200 and converter case 210 can be ensured. Thereby, the manufacturing method of the unit which can ensure the conduction | electrical_connection between the components to which a nonelectroconductive sealing material is apply | coated can be provided.
[0044]
In the unit manufacturing method shown in FIG. 4, the step of press-fitting the stud bolt 220 into the inverter case 200 (S402) and the step of applying the sealing material 250 to the inverter case 200 (S404) may be reversed. . In this way, it becomes possible to apply the sealing material in a state where there is no protrusion on the inverter case 200. For example, the productivity of a unit in which the inverter case 200 and the converter case 210 are fastened by a plurality of bolts is improved. Can be made.
[0045]
Further, between the step of coupling inverter case 200 and converter case 210 (S 406) and the step of removing sealing material 250 (S 408), the sealing material 250 is placed between stud bolt 220 and converter case 210. You may make it judge whether it has taken out. In addition, by performing the step (S408) of removing the sealing material 250 only when it is exposed, the step of removing the sealing material can be omitted for units that do not require the removal of the sealing material 250. it can. As a result, the manufacturing efficiency of the unit can be improved.
[0046]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an inverter case included in the unit according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a unit manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a manufacturing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 200 Inverter case, 110, 210 Converter case, 120 bolt, 130 groove, 140 Area where seal material is applied, 150, 250 seal material, 160 bolt hole, 220 Stud bolt, 260 nut, 1000, 2000 unit.

Claims (7)

A unit that is mounted on a vehicle and that combines a plurality of casings, each of the plurality of casings storing an electronic device,
A first casing made of a conductor and having a first opening formed therein;
A second housing made of a conductor and having a second opening formed therein;
A non-conductive sealing material applied to the coupling surface of either the first housing or the second housing;
A fastening element comprising a conductor and passing through the first opening and the second opening and fastening the first housing and the second housing;
The unit of any one of the first housing and the second housing has a groove between an area where the sealing material is applied and an opening formed. A device that generates heat is stored in either the first housing or the second housing,
The unit of claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow path for cooling the device. The first housing is a housing for storing an inverter;
The unit according to claim 1, wherein the second housing is a housing for storing a converter. A method of manufacturing a unit composed of a plurality of constituent elements, wherein the plurality of constituent elements are formed of a first casing formed with a first opening and a second opening. A second casing, a first fastening element and a second fastening element made of a conductor, and a non-conductive sealing material,
An attachment step of attaching the first fastening element to the first opening;
An application step of applying the sealing material to the coupling surface of the first housing;
A coupling step of coupling the first housing and the second housing such that the first fastening element penetrates the second opening from the coupling surface of the second housing;
In the second housing from which the first fastening element protrudes, a removing step of removing the sealing material leaked from between the second opening and the first fastening element;
A method for manufacturing a unit, comprising: a fastening step of fastening the first fastening element and the second fastening element. The manufacturing method further includes a determination step of determining whether or not the sealing material has leaked from between the first fastening element and the second fastening element,
5. The method of manufacturing a unit according to claim 4, wherein the removing step includes a step of removing the sealing material when it is determined that the sealing material has leaked. The first fastening element is a stud bolt;
The unit manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the second fastening element is a nut. An inverter is stored in the first casing,
The unit manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein a converter is stored in the second casing.

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