Patent ID: 6445582
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B60K,B60L,H01G,H01M,Y02E,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A power supply apparatus comprising:(a) a plurality of power modules; (b) a holder-case which houses power modules arranged in a parallel fashion in a plurality of columns, and which cools the power modules with air passing through its interior; (c) a fan which forcibly supplies air to, or exhausts air from, the holder-case; and wherein (d) the holder-case is a box shape and has a first surface plate and a second surface plate as opposite surfaces, and a plurality of power modules are arranged laterally along the first surface plate and the second surface plate in a plurality of columns; (e) the holder-case is provided with walls between the plurality of power modules housed in a lateral arrangement with a plurality of columns, and between the first surface plate and the second surface plate, the walls extend from the first surface plate to the second surface plate, the interior is divided into a plurality of columns of partitions, and power modules are disposed in each partition column; (f) surfaces of walls which face power modules are shaped to follow the contours of power module surfaces, cooling ducts of constant width are established between power module surfaces and opposing wall surfaces, and air directed into the partitions is made to flow along power module surfaces via the cooling ducts; (g) flow inlets are opened through the first surface plate of the holder-case to divide air flow and induce air flow into the plurality of partition column cooling ducts, and exhaust outlets are opened through the second surface plate to expel air to the outside which has passed through the plurality of partition column cooling ducts; and (h) air flow is divided and induced to flow through first surface plate flow inlets into a plurality of partition columns using a fan, air is passed through cooling ducts to cool power modules, air which has performed its cooling function is expelled from second surface plate exhaust outlets, and power modules disposed in a plurality of partition columns are cooled.