IP Library Granted Patent US 12676608
Granted Patent B2
US 12676608 · App. 18/579,184 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Method for the operating-point-dependent actuation of a topological semiconductor switch for a power electronics system

Inventors: Michael Meiler (Bayreuth, DE); Teresa Bertelshofer (Bayreuth, DE)
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
H03K17/122H03K17/127H03K17/302
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12676608
App. No.
18/579,184
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for the operating point-dependent actuation of a topological semiconductor switch for a power electronics system is proposed, in which the topological semiconductor switch is divided into at least two groups of power semiconductors made of different semiconductor materials and/or types of semiconductors. A switching threshold is also defined, at which switching from one group to another group, or adding at least one other group to the active group of topological semiconductor switches, takes place in order to conduct the output electricity. Furthermore, data for at least one physical value that describes the operating state of the system is obtained as input data and averaged. It is determined on the basis of this data and the switching threshold, which of the at least two groups of power semiconductors are actuated to conduct the output electricity.

Claims (24)

1 . A method for operating point-dependent actuation of a topological semiconductor switch for a power electronics system, wherein

the topological semiconductor switch is divided into at least two groups of power semiconductors made of different semiconductor materials and/or types of semiconductors, and

a switching threshold is defined, at which switching from one group to another a first group of the at least two groups of power semiconductors as an active switch group to a second group of the at least two groups of power semiconductors as the active switch group takes place in order to conduct output electricity,

the method comprising:

averaging data from at least one physical value that describes an operating state of the power electronics system;

comparing the averaged data to the switching threshold; and

determining, on a basis of the comparison of the averaged data and the switching threshold, to switch from the first group to the second group as the active switching group in order to conduct the output electricity.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the switching threshold is defined on a basis of an operating point for the system.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the switching threshold is defined through a use of a decision matrix.

4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the decision matrix is based on a graph plotting the motor performance of an electric motor in a vehicle.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the predefined switching threshold includes a hysteresis near the predefined switching threshold.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor materials that can be used for the power semiconductors comprise at least Si, SiC, or GaN.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the types of semiconductors that can be used for the power semiconductors comprise at least MOSFET, IGBT, or JFET.

8 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program containing code that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute a method for operating point-dependent actuation of a topological semiconductor switch for a power electronics system, wherein the topological semiconductor switch is divided into at least two groups of power semiconductors made of different semiconductor materials and/or types of semiconductors, and a switching threshold is defined, at which switching from a first group of the at least two groups of power semiconductors as an active switch group to a second group of the at least two groups of power semiconductors takes place in order to conduct output electricity,

the method comprising:

averaging data from at least one physical value that describes an operating state of the power electronics system;

comparing the averaged data to the switching threshold; and

determining, on a basis of the comparison of the averaged data and the switching threshold, to switch from the first group to the second group as the active switching group in order to conduct the output electricity.

9 . A power electronics system comprising:

a processor configured to execute the computer program stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 8 .

10 . An electric drive for a vehicle, comprising:

the power electronics system according to claim 9 for controlling the electric drive.

11 . A vehicle comprising:

the electric drive according to claim 10 .