DEVICE FOR POWER TRANSMISSION, POWER CONVERTER, AND AIRCRAFT

Abstract

The invention relates to a device having: —a circuit carrier board (3) and—a conductor element (2), which is designed to transfer an electric current from and/or to the circuit carrier board (3), characterized by: —an electrically conductive, elastically deformable, contoured, plate-like connection element (1), which connects the circuit carrier plate (3) to the conductor element (2) and is designed to create a local, dynamic resilience, as a result of which a force transmission (F) from the conductor element (2) to the circuit carrier plate (3) can be reduced, and—a plate thickness of the connection element (1) of at least 2 cm. The invention also relates to a power converter (4) and an aircraft (6) having such a device.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a circuit carrier board; a conductor element configured to transmit an electric current from, to, or from and to the circuit carrier board; and a connecting element that is electrically conductive, elastically deformable, contoured, and plate-like, the connecting element connecting the circuit carrier board to the conductor element and being configured to create a local dynamic resilience, as a result of which a force transmission from the conductor element to the circuit carrier board is reducible, wherein a plate thickness of the connecting element is at least 2 cm.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a first connecting area of the connecting element that is in contact with the conductor element; and a second connecting area of the connecting element that is in contact with the circuit carrier board, wherein the first connecting area is perpendicular to the second connecting area.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the connecting element is configured to deflect the electric current through 90 degrees.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a first connector configured to electrically and mechanically connect the connecting element to the conductor element; and a second connector configured to electrically and mechanically connect the connecting element to the circuit carrier board.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is configured as a metal plate that has a slot that tapers in a direction of an edge of the metal plate and is open at the edge.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is formed from a rod-like metal body that is bent like a ring.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is configured as a structure that meanders in a longitudinal section.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is manufactured from a metal sheet by bending, cutting, or milling.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is milled, 3D printed, cast, or extruded.

10. The device of claim 4, wherein the first connector, the second connector, or the first connector and the second connector have a screw connection, a weld connection, a solder connection, an adhesive bond, a clamping connection, or a pressing connection.

11. A power converter comprising: a device comprising: a circuit carrier board; a conductor element configured to transmit an electric current from, to, or from and to the circuit carrier board; and a connecting element that is electrically conductive, elastically deformable, contoured, and plate-like, the connecting element connecting the circuit carrier board to the conductor element and being configured to create a local dynamic resilience, as a result of which a force transmission from the conductor element to the circuit carrier board is reducible, wherein a plate thickness of the connecting element is at least 2 cm.

12. The power converter of claim 11, wherein the power converter is an inverter.

13. An aircraft comprising: a power converter for an electric or hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion system, the power converter comprising: a device comprising: a circuit carrier board; a conductor element configured to transmit an electric current from, to, or from and to the circuit carrier board; and a connecting element that is electrically conductive, elastically deformable, contoured, and plate-like, the connecting element connecting the circuit carrier board to the conductor element and being configured to create a local dynamic resilience, as a result of which a force transmission from the conductor element to the circuit carrier board is reducible, wherein a plate thickness of the connecting element is at least 2 cm.

14. The aircraft of claim 13, wherein the aircraft is an airplane.

15. The aircraft of claim 13, further comprising: an electric motor that is supplied with electrical energy by the inverter; and a propeller that is setable in rotation by the electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a device including a flow-optimized connecting element;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a device including a weight-optimized connecting element;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a device including a weight-optimized connecting element that is configured with a maximum two-dimensional resilience;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of an inverter including the device including a connecting element; and

[0028] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an aircraft including an electric aircraft propulsion system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a device including a circuit carrier board 3 (e.g., a printed circuit board), on which power semiconductors (not illustrated) are arranged, for example, and including a conductor element 2 via which the electric current that is required for the circuit carrier board 3 may be supplied. The connecting element 1, which transmits the electric current and electrically connects the conductor element 2 to the circuit carrier board 3, serves for this purpose.

[0030] The connecting element 1, by way of a first connecting area 1.1, is electrically conductively contact-connected to the conductor element 2 with the aid of a first connector 2.1. The connecting element 1, by way of a second connecting area 1.2, is also electrically conductively contact-connected to the circuit carrier board 3 with the aid of a second connector 3.2. The first connector 2.1 and the second connector 3.2 may have a screw connection, a weld connection, a solder connection, an adhesive bond, a clamping connection, or a pressing connection for safe electrical contact-connection and mechanical connection.

[0031] The connecting element is of plate-like design (e.g., composed of copper) and has a slotted inner contour 1.4 that is stress-optimized (e.g., has a sufficient resilience (spring action)) in order to largely decouple a movement of the conductor element 2 (force F) from the circuit carrier board 3. As a result, only small forces are applied to the second connector 3.2 from a movement of the conductor element. Therefore, thermal expansion and mechanical vibration of the conductor element 2 may not cause any damage.

[0032] The slot 1.3 with the contour 1.4 exhibits, in a longitudinal section of the connecting element 1, a boot-like shape, where the bootleg passes through that edge of the connecting element 1 that points toward the circuit carrier board 3. In order to be able to take up a sufficient current intensity, the thickness of the connecting element 1 is at least 2 cm perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0033] The connecting element may be manufactured from a metal sheet by cutting or milling. As an alternative, production options include 3D printing, casting, or extrusion.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a device including a circuit carrier board 3 (e.g., a printed circuit board), on which power semiconductors (not illustrated) are arranged, for example, and including a conductor element 2 via which the electric current that is required for the circuit carrier board 3 may be supplied. The connecting element 1 that transmits the electric current and electrically connects the conductor element 2 to the circuit carrier board 3 serves for this purpose.

[0035] The connecting element 1, by way of a first connecting area 1.1, is electrically conductively contact-connected to the conductor element 2 with the aid of a first connector 2.1. The connecting element 1, by way of a second connecting area 1.2, is also electrically conductively contact-connected to the circuit carrier board 3 with the aid of a second connector 3.2. The first connector 2.1 and the second connector 3.2 may have a screw connection, a weld connection, a solder connection, an adhesive bond, a clamping connection, or a pressing connection for safe electrical contact-connection and mechanical connection.

[0036] The connecting element 1 is of plate-like design (e.g., composed of copper) and has contour 1.4 that is elongate and bent in side view, and is stress-optimized (e.g., has a sufficient resilience (spring action) in order to largely decouple a movement of the conductor element 2 (force F) from the circuit carrier board 3). As a result, only small forces are applied to the second connector 3.2 from a movement of the conductor element. Therefore, thermal expansion and mechanical vibration of the conductor element 2 may not cause any damage.

[0037] The contour 1.4 and the longitudinal section of the connecting element 1 exhibit an oval shape that is severed between the first connecting area 2.1 and the second connecting area 3.2 and has a gap. In order to be able to take up a sufficient current intensity, the thickness of the connecting element 1 is at least 2 cm thick perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0038] The connecting element may be manufactured from a metal sheet by cutting, bending, or milling. As an alternative, production options include 3D printing, casting, or extrusion.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a device including a circuit carrier board 3 (e.g., a printed circuit board), on which power semiconductors (not illustrated) are arranged, for example, and including a conductor element 2 via which the electric current that is required for the circuit carrier board 3 may be supplied. The connecting element 1, which transmits the electric current and electrically connects the conductor element 2 to the circuit carrier board 3, serves for this purpose.

[0040] The connecting element 1, by way of a first connecting area 1.1, is electrically conductively contact-connected to the conductor element 2 with the aid of a first connector 2.1. The connecting element 1, by way of a second connecting area 1.2, is also electrically conductively contact-connected to the circuit carrier board 3 with the aid of a second connector 3.2. The first connector 2.1 and the second connector 3.2 may have a screw connection, a weld connection, a solder connection, an adhesive bond, a clamping connection, or a pressing connection for safe electrical contact-connection and mechanical connection.

[0041] The connecting element is of plate-like design (e.g., composed of copper) and has a meandering contour 1.4 and structure in side view that is stress-optimized (e.g., has a sufficient resilience (spring action) in order to largely decouple a movement of the conductor element 2 (force F) from the circuit carrier board 3). As a result, only small forces are applied to the second connector 3.2 from a movement of the conductor element. Therefore, thermal expansion and mechanical vibration of the conductor element 2 may not cause any damage.

[0042] The contour 1.4 and the longitudinal section of the connecting element 1 exhibit an angularly meandering shape 1.5 that has a gap between the first connecting area 1.1 and the second connecting area 1.2. The selected contour 1.4 and angular meander 1.5 provide a “concertina effect”. In order to be able to take up a sufficient current intensity, the thickness of the connecting element 1 is at least 2 cm thick perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0043] The connecting element may be manufactured from a metal sheet by cutting, bending, or milling. As an alternative, production options include 3D printing, casting, or extrusion.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of an inverter 4 including a device including a connecting element 1 according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. The inverter 4 has a circuit carrier board 3 that is electrically connected to the conductor element 2 with the aid of the connecting elements 1. In one embodiment the inverter 4 is a power converter.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an electric or hybrid-electric aircraft 6 (e.g., an airplane) including an inverter 4 according to FIG. 4 that supplies an electric motor 5 with electrical energy. The electric motor 5 drives a propeller 6.1.

[0046] Although the invention has been described and illustrated more specifically in detail by the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0047] The elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independent or dependent. Such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present specification.

[0048] While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.