The present disclosure relates to electronic component modules that are used in various electronic devices.
Hereinafter, a conventional electronic component module is described with reference to the Drawings.
First outer conductor 4 is connected to fuse 3, second outer conductor 5 is connected to relay 2, and inner conductor 6 is connected to relay 2 and fuse 3. First outer conductor 4, second outer conductor 5, and inner conductor 6 are electric conductors, and first outer conductor 4, second outer conductor 5, and inner conductor 6 have a function of dissipating heat from electronic component module 1 to the outside.
Note that Patent Literature (PTL) 1, for example, is known as related art document information pertaining to the present application.
PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-079093
An electronic component module according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a fuse including a fuse main body, a first fuse terminal, and a second fuse terminal; a relay including a relay main body, a first relay terminal, and a second relay terminal; a first conductor having the shape of a plate, the first conductor being along a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a first connecting conductor extending from the first conductor in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, the first connecting conductor including a plate-shaped portion being along the first direction and the third direction; a second conductor having a shape of a plate, the second conductor being along the first direction and the second direction; a second connecting conductor extending from the second conductor in the third direction and including a plate-shaped portion being along the first direction and the third direction; and a third conductor having a shape of a plate, the third conductor being along the first direction and the second direction. The first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor are arranged in the order of the third conductor, the second conductor, and the first conductor in the first direction. The first fuse terminal is connected to the plate-shaped portion of the first connecting conductor. The second fuse terminal is connected to the plate-shaped portion of the second connecting conductor. The first relay terminal is connected to an end of the second conductor that is located in a direction opposite to the first direction. The second relay terminal is connected to an end of the third conductor that is located in the first direction.
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation properties of an electronic component module without increasing the size thereof.
In above conventional electronic component module 1 illustrated in
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the Drawings.
Electronic component module 7 includes fuse 8, relay 9, first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12. Fuse 8 includes fuse main body 8A, first fuse terminal 8B, and second fuse terminal 8C. Relay 9 includes relay main body 9A, first relay terminal 9B, and second relay terminal 9C.
In the present disclosure, description is made using first plane P1 (refer to
Note that in the present disclosure, although there are case where description is made using terms indicating directions such as “up/above”, “low/below”, “left”, and “right” for ease of explanation, these merely indicate relative positioning and do not limit the present disclosure.
First busbar 10 includes first conductor 13 and first connecting conductor 14. First conductor 13 is a plate-shaped conductor extending along first plane P1. First conductor 13 includes an end in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as end 13a) and an end in the direction opposite to the X direction (hereinafter referred to as end 13b). First connecting conductor 14 is a plate-shaped conductor extending from first conductor 13 in the Z direction. First connecting conductor 14 extends along second plane P2 except for a portion of first connecting conductor 14 that is connected to first conductor 13. First fuse terminal 8B is connected to first connecting conductor 14.
Second busbar 11 includes second conductor 17 and second connecting conductor 18. As with first conductor 13, second conductor 17 is a plate-shaped conductor extending along first plane P1. First relay terminal 9B is connected to an end of second conductor 17 that is located in the direction opposite to the X direction (hereinafter referred to as end 17a). An end of second conductor 17 that is located in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as end 17b) faces end 13b of first conductor 13. In Embodiment 1, end 17b of second conductor 17 faces end 13b of first conductor 13 at a distance having length D1, as illustrated in
Third busbar 12 includes third conductor 20 having the shape of a plate extending along first plane P1 as with first conductor 13 and second conductor 17. Second relay terminal 9C is connected to an end of third conductor 20 that is located in the first direction (X direction) (hereinafter referred to as end 20a).
In first busbar 10, first conductor 13 has the function of dissipating heat, and in the second busbar, second conductor 17 has the function of dissipating heat.
With the above configuration, fuse main body 8A, in particular, of fuse 8 is disposed in a plane different from a plane in which first conductor 13 and second conductor 17 having the function of dissipating heat are disposed. In other words, fuse 8 (particularly, fuse main body 8A) is not located in a region between first conductor 13 and second conductor 17.
For example, in the conventional electronic component module illustrated in
In contrast, in the present exemplary embodiment, fuse 8 is disposed in dead space located below (in the Z direction from) first conductor 13 and below (in the Z direction from) second conductor 17, and thus the length of electronic component module 7 in the X direction can be reduced.
Therefore, it is possible to dispose fuse 8 without changing the overall size of electronic component module 7. In other words, when the related art illustrated in
A large amount of heat that is likely to be generated at relay 9 (first relay terminal 9B) is discharged to the outside through second conductor 17 before being transferred to fuse 8. This means that in the present exemplary embodiment, the heat generated at relay 9 is less likely to be transferred to fuse 8. Thus, fuse 8 is less affected by the heat from the outside of fuse 8 (for example, the heat from relay 9) that is not related to heat generated at fuse main body 8A. As a result, fuse 8 can appropriately reflect the properties thereof regarding interruption of an electric current, and thus the operation reliability of fuse 8 improves.
Details on the configuration of electronic component module 7 are described below. As mentioned earlier, electronic component module 7 includes fuse 8, relay 9, first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12, as illustrated in
Fuse main body 8A has a function of transitioning from a connected state to a disconnected state when an abnormal current such as an electric current having a value greater than a threshold value is supplied to fuse 8. This interruption function of fuse main body 8A is achieved by blowing or cutting using mechanical external force, for example. In Embodiment 1, the method for achieving this function is not particularly specified. Furthermore, this interruption function may be achieved by fuse 8 blowing according to thermal properties thereof. The interruption by fuse 8 may be achieved according to an instruction, control, or the like from a sensor (not illustrated in the drawings) or a control device (not illustrated in the drawings) provided as an element separate from fuse 8. In Embodiment 1, the method for controlling the interruption by fuse 8 is not particularly specified.
Relay main body 9A has a function of selectively switching between the connected state and the disconnected state. Whether relay main body 9A is connected or disconnected is determined by a sensor (not illustrated in the drawings), a control device (not illustrated in the drawings), or the like provided as an element separate from relay 9.
First busbar 10 includes first conductor 13 and first connecting conductor 14. First conductor 13 is a plate-shaped conductor extending along virtual first plane P1, and first connecting conductor 14 is provided along virtual second plane P2 orthogonal to virtual first plane P1. In other words, first busbar is a single plate-shaped conductor, and first connecting conductor 14 is provided in the bent state at the right angle to first conductor 13. As illustrated in
The same as first busbar 10 applies to second busbar 11; second busbar 11 is a single plate-shaped conductor, and second connecting conductor 18 is provided in the bent and extended state at the right angle to second conductor 17. Second connecting conductor 18 includes plate-shaped portion 18a and bent portion 18b. In Embodiment 1, second conductor 17 and second connecting conductor 18 are orthogonal to each other, but do not always need to be orthogonal to each other. It is sufficient that the region of second connecting conductor 18 to which second fuse terminal 8C is connected using fixing tool 22 extend at approximately 90 degrees to the plane in which first conductor 13 is provided. For example, second conductor 17 and second connecting conductor 18 do not always need to be orthogonal to each other as in Embodiment 5 illustrated in
In the present exemplary embodiment, first fuse terminal 8B is connected to plate-shaped portion 14a of first busbar 10 using fixing tool 22. Second fuse terminal 8C is connected to plate-shaped portion 18a of second busbar 11 using fixing tool 22. First relay terminal 9B is connected to second busbar 11 using fixing tool 22. Second relay terminal 9C is connected to third busbar 12 using fixing tool 22. However, fixing of fuse 8 and first busbar 10, fixing (or electrical connection) of fuse 8 and second busbar 11, fixing (or electrical connection) of relay 9 and second busbar 11, and fixing (or electrical connection) of relay 9 and third busbar 12 are not always achieved using fixing tool 22 such as a bolt, a nut, and a screw. Each fixing may be fixing (or electrical connection) by welding such as soldering.
First conductor 13 includes end 13a located in the X direction and end 13b located in the direction opposite to the X direction. In other words, first conductor 13 includes two ends (end 13a, end 13b); the end close to fuse 8 is end 13b, and the end distant from fuse 8 is end 13a. In the present exemplary embodiment, no device or the like is connected to end 13a, but since end 13a is located at a distance from fuse 8 and relay 9, a load or the like may be connected to end 13a. Furthermore, end 13a may be used as an output terminal. The state in which nothing is connected to end 13a, as illustrated in
Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 are each in the shape of a plate and are disposed in substantially the same plane. However, it is sufficient that first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 be disposed substantially parallel to one another in the state of extending along virtual first plane P1. Note that first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 do not always need to be disposed in the same plane.
In Embodiment 1, fuse 8 is disposed in the dead space located below (in the Z direction from) first conductor 13 and second conductor 17, and thus first conductor 13 and second conductor 17 can be enlarged according to the size of fuse main body 8A. On the other hand, even if the size of fuse main body 8A increases, first conductor 13 and second conductor 17 do not need to be downsized in the X direction. Thus, the dimensions of first conductor 13 and second conductor 17, each of which has the function of dissipating heat, in the X direction and the Y directions can be increased according to the dimensions of fuse main body 8A. Therefore, even if a heat generation source is connected to end 13a, it is easy to increase the length, the area, etc., of first conductor 13, making it possible to improve the heat dissipation properties of entire electronic component module 7.
As illustrated in
In particular, although not illustrated in the drawings, when a device, etc., serving as a heat generation source is connected to end 13a, the effect of heat dissipation improves according to the expansion of the surface area of first conductor 13, and thus the heat transfer from end 13a to fuse 8 is reduced. Therefore, fuse 8 is less affected by the heat from the outside of fuse 8 that is not related to heat generated at fuse main body 8A. As a result, fuse can appropriately reflect the properties thereof regarding interruption of an electric current, and thus the operation reliability of fuse 8 improves.
In Embodiment 2 illustrated in
The length of end 17b of second conductor 17 extending in the X direction or the position of second connecting conductor 18 extending at the right angle can be determined, as appropriate, according to the dimensions of fuse main body 8A of fuse 8. Therefore, if fuse main body 8A of fuse 8 has large dimensions, it is possible to increase the area of first conductor 13 or second conductor 17 along first plane P1 according to the size of fuse main body 8A, and thus there is no need to enlarge electronic component module 7 in order to increase the areas of first conductor 13 and second conductor 17 along first plane P1. The heat dissipation through first conductor 13 or second conductor 17 can improve according to the size of fuse main body 8A without enlargement of electronic component module 7.
Note that insulating layer 24 is desirably provided between heat dissipator 23 and each of first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12, as illustrated in
In electronic component module 7 in the present exemplary embodiment, the thermal relationship between fuse 8 and relay 9 can be weakened, and thus fuse 8 can appropriately reflect the properties thereof regarding interruption of an electric current. Therefore, the operation reliability of fuse 8 improves.
Heat dissipator 23 may be formed from a metal having excellent heat transfer properties or heat dissipation properties with a fin. Heat dissipator 23 may be a cooler, a heat exchanger, or the like having not only a heat dissipation function, but also a cooling function, and including a flow path for a gaseous or liquid cooling medium to flow for heat exchange.
Resin frame 25 can fix first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12; as a result of resin frame 25 being provided in electronic component module 7, precise positioning of first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12 becomes easy. Particularly, in the case where electronic component module 7 according to Embodiment 4 illustrated in
Also in electronic component module 7 according to Embodiment 4 illustrated in
In electronic component module 7 illustrated in
Note that resin frame 25, first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 do not need to be disposed in the same plane.
Note that the upper surface (the surface in the direction opposite to the Z direction) of each of first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 may be located at a position lower in the Z direction than the position of the upper surface (the surface in the direction opposite to the Z direction) of resin frame 25. With a recessed portion (not illustrated in the Drawings) formed by resin frame 25 and first conductor 13, a recessed portion (not illustrated in the Drawings) formed by resin frame 25 and second conductor 17, and a recessed portion (not illustrated in the Drawings) formed by resin frame 25 and third conductor 20, resin frame 25 can easily fix heat dissipator 23, and first busbar 10, second busbar 11, third busbar 12, and heat dissipator 23 have a stable positional relationship. Thus, heat is efficiently transferred from first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12 to heat dissipator 23. This configuration is particularly favorable in the case where insulating layer 24 (refer to
Note that the surface (the surface exposed from resin frame 25) of each of first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 that is located in the direction opposite to the Z direction may be located in the direction opposite to the Z direction with respect to the surface of resin frame 25 that is located in the direction opposite to the Z direction. In this case, first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 protrude from resin frame 25 in the direction opposite to the Z direction. With this configuration, particularly in the case where soft insulating layer 24 having a low modulus of elasticity is used, a portion of insulating layer 24 can be ejected from a region between heat dissipator 23 and each of first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third busbar 12. This makes it easy to maintain the thickness of insulating layer 24 at an appropriate level between heat dissipator 23 and each of first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third busbar 12, resulting in efficient heat transfer from first busbar 10, second busbar 11, and third busbar 12 to heat dissipator 23.
Note that electronic component module 7 may be fixed by both resin frame 25 (refer to
Note that in Embodiment 5 illustrated in
Although description has been made using an example in which the angle formed by first conductor 13 and plate-shaped portion 14a of first connecting conductor 14 is less than 90 degrees, the angle formed by first conductor 13 and plate-shaped portion 14a of first connecting conductor 14 may be 90 degrees or more.
Note that also in other exemplary embodiments, the direction in which first connecting conductor 14 extends does not always need to be orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, and it is sufficient that the direction in which first connecting conductor 14 extends cross the X direction and the Y direction. The same as first connecting conductor 14 applies to second connecting conductor 18; the direction in which second connecting conductor 18 extends does not always need to be orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, and it is sufficient that the direction in which second connecting conductor 18 extends cross the X direction and the Y direction.
Electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure includes: fuse 8 including fuse main body 8A, first fuse terminal 8B, and second fuse terminal 8C; relay 9 including relay main body 9A, first relay terminal 9B, and second relay terminal 9C; first conductor 13 having the shape of a plate, first conductor 13 being along the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction; first connecting conductor 14 extending from first conductor 13 in the Z direction, which crosses the X direction and the Y direction, and including plate-shaped portion 14a which is along the X direction and the Z direction; second conductor 17 having the shape of a plate which is along the X direction and the Y direction; second connecting conductor 18 extending from second conductor 17 in the Z direction and including plate-shaped portion 18a which is along the X direction and the Z direction; and third conductor 20 having the shape of a plate, third conductor 20 being along the X direction and the Y direction.
First conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20 are arranged in the order of third conductor 20, second conductor 17, and first conductor 13 in the first direction. First fuse terminal 8B is connected to plate-shaped portion 14a of first connecting conductor 14, and second fuse terminal 8C is connected to plate-shaped portion 18a of second connecting conductor 18. First relay terminal 9B is connected to end 17a of second conductor 17 that is located in the direction opposite to the X direction. Second relay terminal 9C is connected to end 20a of third conductor 20 that is located in the X direction.
In electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure, the Z direction may be orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction.
In electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure, first conductor 13 may extend in the direction opposite to the X direction with respect to first connecting conductor 14 when viewed in the Z direction.
In electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure, second conductor 17 may extend in the X direction with respect to second connecting conductor 18 when viewed in the Z direction.
Electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure may further include heat dissipator 23 thermally coupled to first conductor 13, second conductor 17, and third conductor 20.
Electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure may further include resin frame 25 which fixes first conductor 13, first connecting conductor 14, second conductor 17, second connecting conductor 18, and third conductor 20 to one another.
Electronic component module 7 according to the present disclosure may further include casing 26 which holds resin frame 25, and relay main body 9A may be fixed to casing 26.
The electronic component module according to the present disclosure has the advantage of being able to improve the heat dissipation properties thereof without increasing the size thereof, and thus is useful in various electronic devices.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-127203 | Jul 2018 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2019/020984 | 5/28/2019 | WO | 00 |