CLAMPING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR APPLYING RATED FORCE TO POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS

摘要

A clamping mechanism and a method for applying a predetermined rated force to a power conversion apparatus are provided. The power conversion apparatus (40) includes plural power switching elements (42), plural heat sinks (44), a stack frame (60), a force application mechanism (67) and a rated force pre-assembly (72). The plural heat sinks (44) are provided among the plural power switching elements (42) to form a column, the stack frame (60) is configured to maintain the plural power switching elements (42) and the plural heat sinks (44) in the column, the force application mechanism (67) is provided at a first end of the column and configured to apply a predetermined rated force on the column, and the rated force pre-assembly (72) is provided at the first end of or at a second end of the column and configured to indicate when the predetermined rated force is present. The design of the clamping mechanism can ensure that the plural power switching elements (42) and the plural heat sinks (44) are clamped with the right amount force and it also provides uniform pressure distribution over the whole contact surfaces of the power conversion apparatus (40).