Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an electronic component housing that houses an electronic component inside. In this electronic component housing, a portion where the electronic component is mounted is made of a resin material that is easy to process and is lightweight, and a portion that covers the electronic component is made of a metal material.

<CIT> discloses an electric power conversion device comprising an inverter constituted by a plurality of electrical parts, a smoothing capacitor that smooths electric power, a housing in which the inverter and smoothing capacitor are accommodated, and a first conductor portion that connects the smoothing capacitor and the inverter. The housing is formed of a resin material, and is constituted by a base portion on which the inverter and smoothing capacitor are placed, and a cover portion that is to be attached to the base portion so as to cover the inverter and smoothing capacitor. Partway along the way connecting the smoothing capacitor and the inverter, the first conductor portion approaches or comes into contact with the base portion of the housing.

<CIT> discloses a power conversion device. An aluminum case has an opening. An insulating lid closes the opening of the aluminum case from the outside, a circuit board is arranged to an inner face of the insulating lid, and an aluminum nut supports the circuit board to the insulating lid and is electrically connected to the circuit board. An aluminum collar fixes the insulating lid to the aluminum case and is electrically connected to the aluminum case. A flat plate for coupling is electrically conducted to the aluminum nut and the aluminum collar to ground the circuit board to the aluminum case.

<CIT> discloses a substrate unit. The substrate unit includes a conductive case having conductivity, an insulating case arranged in the conductive case, a first screw member having conductivity, arranged in the conductive case and fixing the insulating case to an inner wall surface of the conductive case, a circuit substrate provided opposite to the inner wall surface with respect to the insulating case and fixed to the insulating case, and a second screw member having conductivity and fixing the circuit substrate to the insulating case. The first screw member and the second screw member are screwed in toward the inner wall surface. When the first screw member and the second screw member are seen from a position away from the inner wall surface in a direction that the inner wall surface and the insulating case are arranged, the first screw member and the second screw member are spaced from each other. The first screw member and the second screw member are connected to each other with a connecting member having conductivity.

In a housing that houses an electrical (electronic) component inside, in order to reduce influence of electromagnetic noise from outside of the housing and influence of electromagnetic noise to outside of the housing, it is necessary to earth-connect (electrically connect) a ground terminal of the electrical component in the housing to a metal portion of the housing. However, in a housing in which a portion where an electrical component is mounted is made of a resin material, in order to earth-connect the electrical component, it is necessary to assemble the housing with a ground terminal of the electrical component connected to an inner wall of a metal portion by an earth wire, which makes the assembly work difficult.

In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical component housing that is easy to assemble.

The invention is defined by the subject matter of the independent claim. There is provided an electrical component housing for housing an electrical component. The electrical component housing includes a resin base portion allowing the electrical component to be mounted, a metal cover portion attached to the base portion and configured to cover the electrical component, a metal plate in contact with a bottom surface of the base portion in a manner of covering the bottom surface of the base portion. The electrical component housing also includes a conductive member provided in a through hole that penetrates the base portion in a thickness direction of the base portion, wherein the conductive member electrically connects a ground terminal of the electrical component and the metal plate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and the like.

An electrical component housing <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional side view of the electrical component housing <NUM>.

The electrical component housing <NUM> is a housing that houses electrical components such as an inverter <NUM> and a smoothing capacitor <NUM>. The electrical component housing <NUM> includes a resin base portion <NUM> where the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM> are mounted, a metal cover portion <NUM> attached to the base portion <NUM> in a manner of covering the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM>, and a metal plate <NUM> in contact with a bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> in a manner of covering the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> is formed with a coolant channel <NUM> passing below a position where the inverter <NUM> is mounted, and a through hole <NUM> in which a conductive member <NUM> is provided.

The inverter <NUM> housed in the electrical component housing <NUM> includes a power module <NUM> with a built-in semiconductor element, a control board <NUM> including a control circuit, and the like, and has a function of converting electric power into direct current or alternating current. The inverter <NUM> is fixed to the base portion <NUM> of the electrical component housing <NUM> with bolts or the like. The inverter <NUM> also includes a ground terminal <NUM>, and the ground terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the conductive member <NUM> via a busbar (conductor) <NUM>.

The smoothing capacitor <NUM> housed in the electrical component housing <NUM> houses a capacitor element in a capacitor case, and is fixed to the base portion <NUM> with bolts (not shown) or the like.

The base portion <NUM> is made of an electrically insulating resin material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polyphthalamide (PPA) as a plate member, and includes a mounting surface <NUM> where the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM> are mounted. By making the base portion <NUM> with a resin material, weight and cost of the electrical component housing <NUM> can be reduced, and workability thereof can be improved. The metal plate <NUM> made of iron, aluminum, or the like, which is larger than an outer shape of the bottom surface <NUM>, is in contact with the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. That is, the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> is covered with the metal plate <NUM>.

The base portion <NUM> includes a first member (base body) <NUM> having an opening <NUM> for forming the coolant channel <NUM> and a second member (resin plate) <NUM>. The opening <NUM> of the first member <NUM> opens downward, and the second member <NUM> is welded (bonded) to the first member <NUM> in a manner of covering the opening <NUM>. In this way, a space formed by sealing the opening <NUM> with the second member <NUM> serves as the coolant channel <NUM>. A joint portion <NUM> between the first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> is formed along the coolant channel <NUM> around the coolant channel <NUM>. Note that in <FIG>, although an upper portion of the first member <NUM> is also opened, and the opening on the upper portion is covered with the inverter <NUM>, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the upper portion of the first member <NUM> may be closed.

The coolant channel <NUM> passes below the position where the inverter <NUM> is mounted in the base portion <NUM>, and cooling water for cooling the inverter <NUM> flows in the coolant channel <NUM>. Fins <NUM> are provided below the inverter <NUM>, and the fins <NUM> are in contact with the cooling water flowing through the coolant channel <NUM>. As a result, the inverter <NUM> is efficiently cooled. Note that the inverter <NUM> may be fixed to the base portion <NUM> via a substrate having a plurality of holes through which the fins <NUM> pass or the like. Although it is preferable that the inverter <NUM> is provided with the fins <NUM> to be brought into contact with the cooling water, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the fins <NUM> may not be provided.

The base portion <NUM> includes the through hole <NUM> penetrating through the base portion <NUM> in a thickness direction of the base portion <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> electrically connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> is provided in the through hole <NUM>. Note that details of installation of the conductive member <NUM> will be described later.

The cover portion <NUM> is made of a metal material such as aluminum, and is attached to the base portion <NUM> in a manner of covering the periphery of the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> is formed with a stepped portion <NUM> including an end surface that is in contact with the mounting surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> at an inner portion of a side wall, and a tip surface <NUM> of the side wall is in contact with an outer peripheral edge of the metal plate <NUM> that is in contact with the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM>, the base portion <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> are fastened together by bolts or the like from outside of the metal plate <NUM> at a portion where the stepped portion <NUM> of the cover portion <NUM> and the mounting surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> are in contact with each other. By completely covering the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM> with the metal cover portion <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> in this manner, electromagnetic shielding performance of the electrical component housing <NUM> can be enhanced.

In the electrical component housing <NUM> configured as described above, by making the base portion <NUM> of resin, weight reduction, cost reduction, and improvement in workability are achieved, and by covering the periphery thereof by the cover portion <NUM> made of metal and the metal plate <NUM>, the electromagnetic shielding performance is enhanced.

In a housing that houses an electrical (electronic) component inside, in order to reduce influence of electromagnetic noise from outside of the housing and influence of electromagnetic noise to outside of the housing, it is necessary to earth-connect (electrically connect) a ground terminal of the electrical component in the housing to a metal portion of the housing. However, in a housing in which a base portion where an electrical component is mounted is made of a resin material, in order to earth-connect a ground terminal of the electrical component to a metal portion using an earth wire or the like, it is necessary to assemble the housing with the earth wire connected to an inner wall of the metal portion, which makes the assembly work difficult. For example, in the present embodiment, it is difficult to assemble the electrical component housing <NUM> in a state where the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> and the metal cover portion <NUM> are connected by an earth wire or the like. In order to enable the assembly work, it is necessary to increase a harness length of the earth wire, but when the harness length of the earth wire increases, inductance of the earth wire increases, and there is a risk that performance related to electromagnetic noise reduction (EMC performance) will deteriorate.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the through hole <NUM> is provided in the base portion <NUM> of the electrical component housing <NUM> in a manner of penetrating the base portion <NUM> in the thickness direction, and the conductive member <NUM> that electrically connect the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter (electrical component) <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> is provided in the through hole <NUM>. By providing the conductive member <NUM> in the through hole <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>, in assembly of the electrical component housing <NUM>, the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter (electrical component) <NUM> can be in earth connection simply by fastening (abutting) the metal plate <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> while the ground terminal <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> are connected to each other. Therefore, it is not necessary to assemble the electrical component housing <NUM> in a state where the earth wire or the like is connected to the inner wall of the metal portion (cover portion <NUM>) of the electrical component housing <NUM>, thereby improving assembling workability. Since it is not necessary to increase the harness length of the earth wire for the assembly work, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the EMC performance.

Details of methods for installing the conductive member <NUM> and assembling the electrical component housing <NUM> will be described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the base portion <NUM> of the electrical component housing <NUM> is formed with the through hole <NUM> penetrating through the base portion <NUM> in the thickness direction of the base portion <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> made of metal such as aluminum is provided in the through hole <NUM>. A seal member (not shown) seals between the conductive member <NUM> and an inner peripheral surface of the through hole <NUM>. The busbar <NUM> connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> is fixed to an upper surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> with bolts or the like. On the other hand, the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> is in contact with an upper surface of the metal plate <NUM> covering the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>, and the metal plate <NUM> is fixed to the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> by bolts or the like from the metal plate <NUM> side. In this way, the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> are electrically connected via the conductive member <NUM>.

Note that the through hole <NUM> is preferably formed at a position as close to the inverter <NUM> as possible. In this way, a distance between the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and a length of the busbar <NUM> can be reduced.

When assembling the electrical component housing <NUM>, first, the busbar <NUM>, which is connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>, is connected (fixed) to the conductive member <NUM> with bolts or the like. Next, the cover portion <NUM>, the base portion <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> are fastened together, and the metal plate <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> are fastened with bolts or the like from the metal plate <NUM> side so that the metal plate <NUM> is in contact with the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM>. In this way, since the inverter <NUM> is earth-connected by fastening the metal plate <NUM> to the conductive member <NUM>, it is not necessary to assemble the electrical component housing <NUM> with the earth wire connected to the inner wall of the cover portion <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM>. Therefore, ease of assembly of the electrical component housing <NUM> is improved.

According to the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

The electrical component housing <NUM> includes the resin base portion <NUM> where the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM> (electrical component) are mounted, the metal cover portion <NUM> attached to the base portion <NUM> in a manner of covering the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM> (electrical component). The electrical component housing <NUM> also includes the metal plate <NUM> in contact with the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> in a manner of covering the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> provided in the through hole <NUM> penetrating the base portion <NUM> in the thickness direction of the base portion <NUM>. The conductive member <NUM> electrically connects the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) and the metal plate <NUM>. In this way, since the conductive member <NUM> electrically connected to the ground terminal <NUM> is provided on the base portion <NUM>, when the electrical component housing <NUM> is assembled, the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) is earth-connected simply by bringing the metal plate <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> come into contact with each other. Therefore, it is not necessary to assemble the electrical component housing <NUM> in a state where the earth wire or the like is connected to the inner wall of the cover portion <NUM> (metal portion) of the electrical component housing <NUM>, thereby improving assembling workability.

When assembling the electrical component housing <NUM>, the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) is earth-connected simply by bringing the metal plate <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> into contact with each other, and therefore, there is no need to increase the harness length of the earth wire. Therefore, deterioration of EMC performance can be suppressed.

In the electrical component housing <NUM>, the base portion <NUM> includes the coolant channel <NUM> through which the cooling water (coolant) for cooling the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) flows, and the coolant channel <NUM> passes below the position where the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) is mounted. As a result, the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) is efficiently cooled.

Note that although it is preferable to provide the coolant channel <NUM> for cooling the inverter <NUM> on the base portion <NUM> as in the present embodiment, the coolant channel <NUM> is not an essential component. That is, even if the coolant channel <NUM> is not provided, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the assembling workability.

In the present embodiment, the coolant channel <NUM> is configured to pass below the position where the inverter <NUM> is mounted, but the coolant channel <NUM> may also be formed in a manner of passing below the position where the smoothing capacitor <NUM> is mounted.

In the present embodiment, although the coolant channel <NUM> is formed by welding the second member <NUM> to the first member <NUM> in a manner of covering the opening <NUM>, the method for joining the second member <NUM> and the first member <NUM> is not limited to welding, and any known method may be used. For example, a gasket seal may be used for joining.

The electrical component housing <NUM> according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the second embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the shape of the coolant channel <NUM> is different from that in the first embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, although the coolant channel <NUM> is formed on the base portion <NUM> in the present embodiment, the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> is formed with a protruding portion <NUM> protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the opening <NUM> toward a center in a width direction of the coolant channel <NUM>. That is, the first member (base body) <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> includes a portion extending below the position where the inverter <NUM> is mounted so that the protruding portion <NUM> is formed. A joint portion <NUM> where the first member <NUM> and the second member (resin plate) <NUM> are welded (joined) is formed on a lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the conductive member <NUM> provided in the through hole <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> is installed near the protruding portion <NUM> and directly below the inverter <NUM>, and the upper surface <NUM> is in contact with the bottom surface of the inverter <NUM>. The busbar <NUM> connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> is in contact with the inverter <NUM> above a position where the conductive member <NUM> and the inverter <NUM> are in contact with each other, and at this position, the busbar <NUM>, the power module <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> are fastened together from the busbar <NUM> side with bolts or the like. On the other hand, the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> is fastened to the metal plate <NUM> covering the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> with bolts or the like. In this way, the ground terminal <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> are electrically connected via the conductive member <NUM>.

Here, if the conductive member <NUM> (through hole <NUM>) is provided at a position where the joint portion <NUM> is present, since sealing performance of the coolant channel <NUM> is deteriorated, the conductive member <NUM> needs to be installed while avoiding the joint portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the coolant channel <NUM> does not include the protruding portion <NUM>, the conductive member <NUM> must be provided at a position away from the coolant channel <NUM> and avoiding the joint portion <NUM> around the coolant channel <NUM>. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>, the protruding portion <NUM> is formed that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the opening <NUM> toward the center of the coolant channel <NUM> in the width direction, and the joint portion <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM>. Since the joint portion <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM> in this way, the conductive member <NUM> can be installed near the protruding portion <NUM>, that is, near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>. Therefore, the distance between the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened. As a result, the busbar <NUM> connecting the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, so that an inductance of the busbar <NUM> is reduced and the EMC performance is improved.

Since the conductive member <NUM> can be installed near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>, the conductive member <NUM> can be installed directly below the inverter <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As described above, in the present embodiment, the conductive member <NUM> is installed directly below the inverter <NUM>, and the ground terminal <NUM> (the busbar <NUM> connected thereto), the power module <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> are fastened together with bolts or the like. That is, a fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the inverter <NUM> to the base portion <NUM> and a fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connected to the ground terminal <NUM> to the conductive member <NUM> are not separately provided. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced, and the earth connection of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) can be achieved compactly and inexpensively.

According to the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the second embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In the electrical component housing <NUM>, in the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> (electrical component), the protruding portion <NUM> is formed that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the opening <NUM> toward the center of the coolant channel <NUM> in the width direction, and the joint portion <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM>. The conductive member <NUM> is provided in near the protruding portion <NUM>. In this way, the joint portion <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> is installed near the protruding portion <NUM>, that is, near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>. As a result, the busbar (conductor) <NUM> connecting the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and the inductance of the busbar (conductor) <NUM> is reduced, and the EMC performance is improved.

In the electrical component housing <NUM>, the conductive member <NUM> is integrated and fastened with the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) and the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) directly below the inverter <NUM> (electrical component). That is, a fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) to the base portion <NUM> and a fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connected to the ground terminal <NUM> to the conductive member <NUM> are not separately provided. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced, and the earth connection of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) can be achieved compactly and inexpensively.

Note that although it is preferable to install the conductive member <NUM> directly below the inverter <NUM> as in the present embodiment, the installation position of the conductive member <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be any position near the protruding portion <NUM>. When the conductive member <NUM> is installed near the protruding portion <NUM>, the distance between the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and the EMC performance is improved.

The electrical component housing <NUM> according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The same elements as those in the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the third embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the shape of the conductive member <NUM> is different from those of the other embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, the coolant channel <NUM> is also formed on the base portion <NUM> in the present embodiment. The joint portion <NUM> between the first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> is formed along the coolant channel <NUM> around the coolant channel <NUM>.

Here, as described above, if the conductive member <NUM> is provided at a position where the joint portion <NUM> is present, the sealing performance of the coolant channel <NUM> is deteriorated, and thus the conductive member <NUM> needs to be installed avoiding the joint portion <NUM>. On the other hand, if the conductive member <NUM> is provided at a position away from the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> in order to avoid the joint portion <NUM>, the length of the busbar <NUM> connecting the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> may increase, and the EMC performance may deteriorate. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the conductive member <NUM> is bent in a crank shape so as to avoid the joint portion <NUM>. In this way, the conductive member <NUM> can be installed near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>, and the distance between the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened. Therefore, the busbar <NUM> connecting the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and the inductance of the busbar <NUM> is reduced, and the EMC performance is improved.

Details of the shape of the conductive member <NUM> in the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the conductive member <NUM> is provided near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> is positioned directly below the inverter <NUM> and is in contact with the bottom surface of the inverter <NUM>. The busbar <NUM> connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> is in contact with the inverter <NUM> above the position where the conductive member <NUM> and the inverter <NUM> are in contact with each other, and at this position, the busbar <NUM>, the power module <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> are fastened together from the busbar <NUM> side with bolts <NUM> or the like. The through hole <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> in the through hole <NUM> are bent in a direction away from the coolant channel <NUM> at upper portions thereof, and bent downward at a position outside the position where the joint portion <NUM> is present. That is, the conductive member <NUM> is bent in a crank shape near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> so as to avoid the joint portion <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> is in contact with the upper surface of the metal plate <NUM> and is fixed to the metal plate <NUM> with bolts <NUM> or the like. Note that the bolts <NUM> and <NUM> overlap each other in a height (up-down) direction of the electrical component housing <NUM>.

Since the conductive member <NUM> is provided near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> in such a shape for avoiding the joint portion <NUM>, the distance between the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened. Since the conductive member <NUM> is bent in a crank shape, the bolts <NUM> for fixing the busbar <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> and the bolts <NUM> for fixing the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> can be provided in a manner of overlapping each other in the height (up-down) direction of the electrical component housing <NUM>. As a result, the heights of the conductive member <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> can be reduced, resulting in further space saving and cost reduction. Furthermore, the conductive member <NUM> is installed directly below the inverter <NUM>, and the ground terminal <NUM> (the busbar <NUM> connected thereto), the inverter <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> are integrated and fastened together. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide the fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) to the base portion <NUM> and the fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connected to the ground terminal <NUM> to the conductive member <NUM>, and the number of parts is reduced. Therefore, the earth connection of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) can be achieved more compactly and inexpensively.

According to the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the third embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In the electrical component housing <NUM>, the conductive member <NUM> is bent in a crank shape near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) so as to avoid the joint portion <NUM>. Since the conductive member <NUM> is provided near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> in such a shape for avoiding the joint portion <NUM>, the distance between the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened. Therefore, the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connecting the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and the inductance thereof is reduced, and the EMC performance is improved.

Since the conductive member <NUM> is bent in a crank shape, the bolts <NUM> (fixing member) for fixing the busbar <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> and the bolts <NUM> (fixing member) for fixing the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> can be provided in a manner of overlapping each other in the height (up-down) direction of the electrical component housing <NUM>. As a result, the heights of the conductive member <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> can be reduced, resulting in further space saving and cost reduction.

In the electrical component housing <NUM>, the conductive member <NUM> is integrated and fastened with the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) and the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connected to the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) directly below the inverter <NUM> (electrical component). That is, the fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) to the base portion <NUM> and the fixing member (bolts or the like) for fixing the busbar <NUM> (conductor) connected to the ground terminal <NUM> to the conductive member <NUM> are not separately provided. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced, and the earth connection of the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) can be achieved more compactly and inexpensively.

Note that although it is preferable to install the conductive member <NUM> directly below the inverter <NUM> as in the present embodiment, the installation position of the conductive member <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be any position near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>. When the conductive member <NUM> is installed near the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>, the distance between the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and the EMC performance is improved.

The electrical component housing <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The same elements as those in the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a bottom view of the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along a line A-A in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along a line B-B in <FIG>. The present embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that a reinforcing member <NUM> is provided in the coolant channel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the coolant channel <NUM> includes a channel inlet <NUM> through which the cooling water flows into the electrical component housing <NUM>, and a channel outlet <NUM> through which the cooling water that cools the inverter <NUM> flows out of the electrical component housing <NUM>. The coolant channel <NUM> includes a rectangular portion <NUM> formed between the channel inlet <NUM> and the channel outlet <NUM> and having a channel width wider than that of other portions and having a substantially rectangular shape in a top (bottom) view. The inverter <NUM> is mounted on the base portion <NUM> above the rectangular portion <NUM>. The joint portion <NUM> is formed along the coolant channel <NUM> around the coolant channel <NUM>.

Of four corner portions of the rectangular portion <NUM>, a corner portion that is closest to the center of the electrical component housing <NUM> is recessed toward the inside of the coolant channel <NUM>. The conductive member <NUM> is installed in this recessed portion. Accordingly, the conductive member <NUM> can be disposed directly below the inverter <NUM> above the rectangular portion <NUM>, and the distance between the conductive member <NUM> and the inverter <NUM> can be shortened. Therefore, the length of the busbar <NUM> connecting the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> can be shortened, and the inductance of the busbar <NUM> is reduced, and the EMC performance is improved. Since the conductive member <NUM> is disposed inside the inverter <NUM> (immediately below the inverter <NUM>) in a top view, space is further reduced.

In the rectangular portion <NUM>, the reinforcing member <NUM> for ensuring rigidity of the base portion <NUM> is provided across the coolant channel <NUM> and on a diagonal line connecting the corner portion that is closest to the center of the electrical component housing <NUM> and a corner portion opposite thereto. On the other hand, at the two corner portions on a diagonal line orthogonal to the diagonal line on which the reinforcing member <NUM> is disposed, a rectangular portion inlet <NUM> through which the cooling water flows into the rectangular portion <NUM> and a rectangular portion outlet <NUM> through which the cooling water flows out from the rectangular portion <NUM> are formed, respectively. Note that as shown in <FIG>, the rectangular portion inlet <NUM> and the rectangular portion outlet <NUM> are formed so that the channel width of the coolant channel <NUM> is narrower than that inside the rectangular portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cooling water inside the rectangular portion <NUM> is in contact with the fins <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>. The reinforcing member <NUM> in the rectangular portion <NUM> constitutes a part of the first member (base body) <NUM> and extends upward from the bottom surface of the coolant channel <NUM> (that is, the upper surface of the second member (resin plate)). Preferably, the bottom surface of the reinforcing member <NUM> is in contact with the upper surface of the second member (resin plate) <NUM>, and the reinforcing member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> are joined by welding or the like at the joint portion <NUM> where the bottom surface of the reinforcing member <NUM> and the second member are in contact with each other. By joining the reinforcing member <NUM> to the second member <NUM> in this manner, the rigidity of the base portion <NUM> is further strengthened. The reinforcing member <NUM> is configured to be lower than the coolant channel <NUM>. Therefore, the cooling water in the coolant channel <NUM> flows through a tip <NUM> of the reinforcing member <NUM>. That is, as indicated by arrows in <FIG>, the cooling water in the coolant channel <NUM> first flows from the rectangular portion inlet <NUM> toward the tip <NUM> of the reinforcing member <NUM> (above the coolant channel <NUM>), and then flows from the tip <NUM> of the reinforcing member <NUM> toward the rectangular portion outlet <NUM>. As a result, the cooling water in the coolant channel <NUM> (rectangular portion <NUM>) is prevented from being biased downward, and the cooling water flows evenly along the fins <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>. Therefore, cooling efficiency of the inverter <NUM> is increased.

Since the rectangular portion inlet <NUM> and the rectangular portion outlet <NUM> are formed to have a narrower channel width of the coolant channel <NUM> than in the rectangular portion <NUM>, a flow rate of the cooling water in the rectangular portion <NUM> increases, and the cooling efficiency of the inverter <NUM> is further increased.

Note that in the present embodiment, the reinforcing member <NUM> is configured as a part of the first member (base body) <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the reinforcing member <NUM> may be provided as a separate member from the first member <NUM> for example.

According to the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

The electrical component housing <NUM> includes the fins <NUM> that allow the inverter <NUM> (electrical component) to come into contact with the cooling water in the coolant channel <NUM>. The reinforcing member <NUM> that crosses the coolant channel <NUM> is erected from the second member (resin plate) <NUM> in the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM> (electrical component), and the reinforcing member <NUM> is configured to be lower than the coolant channel <NUM> so that the cooling water passes through the tip <NUM> of the reinforcing member <NUM>. As a result, the cooling water in the coolant channel <NUM> is prevented from being biased downward, and the cooling water flows evenly along the fins <NUM> of the inverter <NUM>. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the inverter <NUM> is increased.

Note that it is preferable to provide the coolant channel <NUM> with the rectangular portion <NUM> having a wider channel width than other portions to increase the flow rate in the rectangular portion <NUM> as in the present embodiment, but the rectangular portion <NUM> may not necessarily be provided. When the reinforcing member <NUM> across the coolant channel <NUM> is provided in the coolant channel <NUM> below the inverter <NUM>, biasing of the cooling water is suppressed and the cooling efficiency of the inverter <NUM> is increased.

The electrical component housing <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The same elements as those in the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment, and <FIG> is a bottom view of the electrical component housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the conductive member <NUM> is provided near a central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> are also electrically connected via the conductive member <NUM> in the through hole <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> as in the other embodiments. The bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> is in contact with the upper surface of the metal plate <NUM>, and the metal plate <NUM> is fixed to the bottom surface <NUM> of the conductive member <NUM> with the bolts <NUM> or the like.

The conductive member <NUM> is provided near the central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the conductive member <NUM> and the metal plate <NUM> are fastened from the metal plate <NUM> side with the bolts <NUM> or the like near the central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM>. Note that a peripheral portion of the metal plate <NUM> is fastened together with the base portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> with bolts or the like (<FIG>).

Here, in the electrical component housing, the metal plate covering the bottom surface of the base portion generally has low rigidity, and therefore when only the peripheral portion of the metal plate is fixed to the base portion, film vibration occurs in a central portion of the metal plate. For example, in an electrical component housing <NUM>' shown in <FIG>, a metal plate <NUM>' is fixed to a base portion <NUM>' and a cover portion <NUM>' only at a peripheral portion of the metal plate <NUM>', so that film vibration occurs in a central portion of the metal plate <NUM>'. As a result, resonance occurs at low frequencies, and sound vibration performance of the electrical component housing <NUM>' deteriorates.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the metal plate <NUM> covering the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> is fixed to the base portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> by bolts or the like at the peripheral portion, and the electrical component housing <NUM> is fixed to the conductive member <NUM> by bolts <NUM> or the like near the central portion thereof. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, resonance is suppressed even if the metal plate <NUM> vibrates, and deterioration of the sound vibration performance is suppressed.

Note that even when the conductive member <NUM> is not provided at a position near the central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM>, as long as the metal plate <NUM> is fixed to the conductive member <NUM> with bolts or the like, the deterioration of the sound vibration performance can be suppressed to some extent. However, by disposing the conductive member <NUM> near the central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM> and fixing the metal plate <NUM> to the conductive member <NUM>, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deterioration of the sound vibration performance.

According to the electrical component housing <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In the electrical component housing <NUM>, the conductive member <NUM> is provided near the central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM>, and the metal plate <NUM> covering the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> is fixed to the conductive member <NUM>. As a result, the metal plate <NUM> is fixed to the conductive member <NUM> near the central portion of the electrical component housing <NUM>, so that even if the metal plate <NUM> vibrates, resonance is suppressed and deterioration of the sound vibration performance is suppressed.

Note that in any of the embodiments, the inverter <NUM> and the smoothing capacitor <NUM> are housed in the electrical component housing <NUM>, but the electrical components housed in the electrical component housing <NUM> are not limited to these. The number of electrical components housed in the electrical component housing <NUM> is also optional, and may be, for example, one electrical component, or may be a plurality of electrical components.

In any of the embodiments, the ground terminal <NUM> of the inverter <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> are electrically connected by the busbar <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a wire harness or the like may be used as the conductor that connects the ground terminal <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM>.

In any of the embodiments, cooling water is used as the coolant flowing through the coolant channel <NUM>, but the coolant is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, coolant gas.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are merely a part of application examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

Claim 1:
An electrical component housing (<NUM>) for housing an electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>), the electrical component housing comprising:
a resin base portion (<NUM>) allowing the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be mounted;
a metal cover portion (<NUM>) attached to the base portion (<NUM>) and configured to cover the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a metal plate (<NUM>) in contact with a bottom surface (<NUM>) of the base portion (<NUM>) in a manner of covering the bottom surface (<NUM>) of the base portion (<NUM>); and
a conductive member (<NUM>) provided in a through hole (<NUM>) that penetrates the base portion (<NUM>) in a thickness direction of the base portion (<NUM>), wherein
the conductive member (<NUM>) electrically connects a ground terminal (<NUM>) of the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the metal plate (<NUM>),
the base portion (<NUM>) includes a coolant channel (<NUM>) allowing a coolant for cooling the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>) to flow,
the coolant channel (<NUM>) passes below a position where the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is mounted,
the conductive member (<NUM>) is integrally fastened, directly below the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>), with the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a conductor (<NUM>) connected to the ground terminal (<NUM>) of the electrical component,
the metal cover portion (<NUM>), the resin base portion (<NUM>), and the metal plate (<NUM>) are fastened together such that the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is completely covered with the metal cover portion (<NUM>) and the metal plate (<NUM>), and
the conductive member (<NUM>) is provided near a central portion of the electrical component housing (<NUM>), and
the metal plate (<NUM>) is fixed to the conductive member (<NUM>).