KR-102961753-B1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING COOLING PLATE OF POWER CONTROL UNIT FOR ECO-FRIENDLY VEHICLE

KR102961753B1KR 102961753 B1KR102961753 B1KR 102961753B1KR-102961753-B1

Abstract

A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle according to the present invention comprises: a casting line configured to form a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle by die casting; a processing line configured to perform mechanical processing on the formed cooling plate into a preset shape; and an inspection line configured to inspect the processed cooling plate and classify good products. The inspection line comprises: a supply unit that sequentially supplies the cooling plate; a marking unit that transfers the cooling plate from the supply unit and engraves information on its surface; an assembly unit that transfers the cooling plate and assembles parts prior to inspection; a first leak inspection unit that transfers the cooling plate from the assembly unit and detects leakage by pressurizing air in a sealed state; a second leak inspection unit that transfers the cooling plate and detects leakage by supplying helium in a sealed state; and a discharge conveyor that discharges the inspected good products.

Inventors

이수안
신유정
김성용

Assignees

주식회사 신성하이텍

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20230429

Claims (13)

A casting line configured to form a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle by die casting; A processing line configured to perform machining on the molded cooling plate into a preset shape; and It includes an inspection line configured to inspect the processed cooling plate and classify good products, and the inspection line, A supply unit that sequentially supplies the above cooling plates; A marking unit that separates the cooling plate from the above supply unit and engraves information on the surface; An assembly section that separates the above cooling plate and assembles the parts prior to inspection; A first leak inspection unit that separates the cooling plate from the assembly unit and pressurizes air in a sealed state to detect leakage; A second leak detection unit that detects a leak by disassembling the above cooling plate and supplying helium in an airtight state; A discharge conveyor for discharging inspected good products; and A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, comprising a buffer section provided between the first leak inspection section and the second leak inspection section, configured to arrange the cooling plate inspected by the first leak inspection section to be transported along a predetermined path to form a queue for the second leak inspection section, wherein the buffer section is equipped with a temperature control unit to maintain the cooling plate at a constant temperature.
In paragraph 1, The above cooling plate is, A plate body portion having a bottom surface at a predetermined depth in the z-direction with respect to an open surface parallel to the xy-plane, and having a first side surface and a second side surface connected to the bottom surface and facing in the x-direction, and a third side surface and a fourth side surface connected to the bottom surface and facing in the y-direction; A plurality of boss portions formed protruding in the z-direction from the bottom surface; A first cooling channel section comprising a pair of first openings spaced apart in the x-direction and open to the third side at the vicinity of the corner where the third side meets the bottom surface, and a pair of second openings communicating with the pair of first openings and open in the z-direction from the bottom surface; and A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, comprising a second cooling channel section that extends parallel to the corner meeting the bottom surface of the fourth side and is open to the first side and the second side, respectively, and a pair of third openings that are in communication with the hollow channel section and are open in the z-direction from the bottom surface.
In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned pre-inspection assembly part is, A pin insertion part that separates the cooling plate from the above marking part and presses a fitting pin at a predetermined position; A plug assembly part that separates the cooling plate from the above pin insertion part and assembles a plug into the opening of the above hollow fluid passage part; A cleaning unit that removes chips from the above cooling plate through pressurized air; A height measuring unit for measuring the height of the assembled fitting pin and the plug; and A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, comprising a nipple assembly for pressing a nipple into the first opening of the cooling plate for the inflow and outflow of a cooling fluid.
delete
delete
In paragraph 2, The above casting line is, A mold part for die-casting the above cooling plate; and It includes a molten metal injection unit configured to inject molten aluminum alloy into the above-mentioned mold part, and The above-described mold portion comprises a first mold for forming the inner surface of the cooling plate, a second mold corresponding to the bottom surface of the cooling plate, a first slide mold corresponding to the first side surface, a second slide mold corresponding to the second side surface, and a third slide mold corresponding to the third side surface, forming a manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle.
In paragraph 6, The above mold part is, A first slide core extending parallel to the y-direction to form the first opening; A second slide core extending parallel to the z-direction to form the second opening; A third slide core extending parallel to the z-direction to form the third opening; and A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, comprising a fourth slide core extending parallel to the x-direction to form the above-mentioned hollow fluid passage.
In Paragraph 7, A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, further comprising a high-pressure cooling channel installed in at least one of the first slide core to the fourth slide core.
In paragraph 8, A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, further comprising a vacuum section formed on one side of the mold section to form a vacuum in the mold section.
In paragraph 2, A manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, wherein the above-mentioned hollow fluid passage is formed to be located on the inner side of the cooling plate.
A step of die-casting a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle through a casting line; A step of performing machining on the molded cooling plate into a preset shape; and It includes an inspection step configured to classify good products by inspecting the processed cooling plate, and the inspection step is, A step of sequentially supplying the above cooling plates; A step of transferring the cooling plate from the supply unit and marking information on the surface; Step of removing the above cooling plate and assembling the parts before inspection; A step of separating the cooling plate from the assembly part and pressurizing air in a sealed state to detect leakage; A step of transporting the cooling plate, which has been inspected for leakage by the air, through a buffer section configured to form a queue by arranging it to be transported along a predetermined path, wherein the buffer section is equipped with a temperature control unit to maintain the cooling plate at a constant temperature; A step of removing the above cooling plate and supplying helium in an airtight state to detect whether there is a leak; A method for manufacturing a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, comprising the step of discharging inspected good products through a discharge conveyor.
In Paragraph 11, The above cooling plate is, A plate body portion having a bottom surface at a predetermined depth in the z-direction with respect to an open surface parallel to the xy-plane, and having a first side surface and a second side surface connected to the bottom surface and facing in the x-direction, and a third side surface and a fourth side surface connected to the bottom surface and facing in the y-direction; A plurality of boss portions formed protruding in the z-direction from the bottom surface; A first cooling channel section comprising a pair of first openings spaced apart in the x-direction and open to the third side at the vicinity of the corner where the third side meets the bottom surface, and a pair of second openings communicating with the pair of first openings and open in the z-direction from the bottom surface; and It includes a second cooling channel section extending parallel to the corner meeting the bottom surface of the fourth side and open to the first side and the second side, respectively, and a pair of third openings communicating with the hollow channel section and open in the z-direction from the bottom surface. The step of removing the above cooling plate and assembling the parts before inspection is, A step of separating the cooling plate from the marking portion and pressing a fitting pin into a predetermined position; A step of separating the cooling plate from the pin insertion portion and assembling a plug into the opening of the hollow fluid passage portion; A step of removing chips through pressurized air on the above cooling plate; A step of measuring the height of the assembled fitting pin and the plug; and A method for manufacturing a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle, comprising the step of pressing a nipple for the inflow and outflow of a cooling fluid into the first opening of the cooling plate.
A cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle manufactured in accordance with Article 11 or Article 12.

Description

Apparatus and Method for Manufacturing Cooling Plate of Power Control Unit for Eco-Friendly Vehicle The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle. Eco-friendly vehicles utilize direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) across various power frequency (Hz) bands ranging from low to high voltages (12 to 650 V). In these vehicles, the Power Control Unit (PCU), responsible for converting and distributing power, is akin to the heart that circulates blood throughout the body. The PCU contains various electrical components and circuit boards internally, and is equipped with a housing and cooling plate that protect, support, and cool these components. The cooling plate is where the coolant, which regulates the temperature of the PCU, flows; it requires airtightness and excellent thermal conductivity, as well as lightweight properties for eco-friendly purposes. To achieve this, a material with a dense structure and low pore size is desirable to maintain the airtightness of the cooling fluid. Housings or cooling plates of this type have complex shapes, making them difficult to manufacture using general methods such as forging or extrusion; therefore, it is reasonable to apply a die-casting process to cast them in a near-net shape. Nevertheless, due to the complex shape, the flow of molten metal is not smooth, which can lead to defects such as residual or isolated bubbles, resulting in reduced surface quality or leakage. Additionally, heat from the relatively large inner core can cause adhesion or reduced airtightness, so technical measures are sought to ensure casting quality. Inspection processes are important to minimize the possibility of defects in die-cast housings and cooling plates, and furthermore, inspection technologies that do not compromise mass producibility must be considered in terms of overall manufacturing competitiveness. * Related prior art Korean Published Patent No. 10-2019-0036333 (Published April 4, 2019) Korean Published Patent No. 10-2013-0011370 (Published Jan. 30, 2013) FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the main configuration of a manufacturing apparatus for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle related to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a casting device for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a cooling plate (200) for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle related to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cooling plate (200) for the power control device of the eco-friendly vehicle of FIG. 3 as seen from the opposite side. Figure 5 is a conceptual image showing a die-casting simulation situation of a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle related to the present invention. Figure 6 shows images showing the flow of molten metal during die casting of a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle related to the present invention, interpreted in the form of a simulation. Figure 7 is a simulation image showing the areas where defects may occur through analysis. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the middle portion of the casting device of the cooling plate for the power control device of the eco-friendly vehicle of FIG. 2 cut in a plane parallel to the yz direction. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the mold part (140) related to the present invention. FIGS. 10 and FIGS. 11 are partial cross-sectional perspective views for showing the arrangement of a slide core for molding a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel in relation to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram conceptually showing the components included in an inspection line related to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cooling plate that has passed through an assembly part prior to inspection in relation to the present invention. Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus and method for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The terms used in this specification and claims may not be limited only to their dictionary meanings and may be appropriately defined and understood to best describe the present invention. According to FIG. 1, a manufacturing device for a cooling plate for a power control device of an eco-friendly vehicle includes a casting line (10), a processing line (20), and an inspection line (30). These may all be located in a single site or factory, or one or more of them may be located in different sites or factories. The casting line (10) is configured to form the cooling plate for a power control devi