POWER MODULE, ELECTRIC POWER CONVERTER AND ELECTRIC DRIVE FOR A MEAN OF TRANSPORT
Power module includes a carrier and multiple dies connected to a parallel connection and each forming a transistor with a switching path. Each die has first, second, and control terminals, the switching path formed between first and second terminals and being switchable depending on voltage across control and second terminals. The first terminals are connected to form the parallel connection. A connector connects a signal source to the power module, and an electric conductor connects the connector to a designated terminal of a respective die, which is either the second or control terminal. The electric conductor has a trace section formed on the carrier and an attachment section connecting the trace section with the designated terminal. The carrier and trace section are part of a substrate holding the dies and connector. The trace section and attachment section provide electric resistance at least 1 Ω between the connector and designated terminal.
1 . Power module comprising:
a carrier;
multiple dies being connected to a parallel connection and each forming a transistor with a switching path, each die having a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal, the switching path being formed between the first terminal and the second terminal and being switchable depending on a voltage across the control terminal and the second terminal, the first terminals of the dies being connected with each other so as to form the parallel connection;
a connector configured to connect a signal source to the power module; and
an electric conductor being made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and connecting the connector to a designated terminal of a respective one of the dies, the designated terminal being chosen from a group consisting of the second terminal and the control terminal, the electric conductor having a trace section formed on the carrier and an attachment section connecting the trace section with the designated terminal of the respective one of the dies;
the carrier and the trace section being part of a substrate, on which the dies and the connector are mounted, wherein
the trace section and the attachment section of the electric conductor provide an electric resistance of at least 1 Ω between the connector and the designated terminal of a respective one of the dies.
2 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the trace section is formed continuously between the connector and the attachment section.
3 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the attachment section is attached to the trace section and to pads of the dies forming the designated terminals, wherein the attachment section extends between the trace section and the pad by forming a clearance to the carrier.
4 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the attachment section is made of the electrically conductive material or comprises a core and an outer cladding surrounding the core, the core or the cladding being made of the electrically conductive material and/or
the trace section is made of the electrically conductive material.
5 . Power module according to claim 4 , wherein
the core is made of the electrically conductive material and the cladding is made of aluminum or
the core is made of an electrically insulating material, particularly a polymer, and the cladding is made of the electrically conductive material.
6 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive material
has a resistivity of at least 2.0·10 −7 Ωm, preferably at least 3.5·10 −7 Ωm, more preferably at least 4.0·10 −7 Ωm and/or
is a copper-manganese-nickel alloy or a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy.
7 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the substrate is a direct bonded copper substrate, a direct bonded aluminum substrate, an active metal brazed substrate or an insulated metal substrate.
8 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the second terminal is a kelvin terminal and each die has a fourth terminal, the switching path and the kelvin terminal being between the first terminal and the fourth terminal, the fourth terminals of the dies being connected with each other so as to form the parallel connection.
9 . Power module according to claim 8 , further comprising:
a second connector mounted on the substrate and configured to connect the signal source to the power module; and
a second electric conductor connecting the second connector to the other terminal of the group, the second electric conductor having a trace section formed on the carrier and an attachment section connecting the trace section with the other terminal of the respective one of the dies, the trace section of the second electric conductor being part of the substrate.
10 . Power module according to claim 9 , wherein
the second electric conductor is at least partially made of the electrically conductive material, wherein the trace section and the attachment section of the second electric conductor provide an electric resistance of at least 1 Ω between the second connector and a respective other terminal.
11 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the designated terminal is the second terminal.
12 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein
the second terminals are connected with each other so as to form the parallel connection.
13 . Power module according to claim 1 , wherein the designated terminal is the control terminal.
14 . Electric power converter, comprising
a DC port for a DC voltage;
an AC port with multiple phase conductors for an AC voltage;
a power section comprising a plurality of switching elements being interconnected to from a half-bridge for each phase conductor, each half-bridge being connected to the DC port and each phase conductor being connected to a central tap between the switching elements of one of the half-bridges; and
a controller configured to provide switching signals so as to convert the DC voltage into the AC by selectively turning on and off the switching elements; wherein each switching element or each half-bridge is formed by a power module according to claim 1 , wherein the signal source is formed by the controller.
15 . Electric drive for a mean of transport, for example a vehicle, comprising an electric machine configured to propel the mean of transport and an electric power converter according to claim 14 , the electric machine being connected to the AC port of the electric power converter for supplying the electric machine with the AC voltage.
16 . Mean of transport, comprising an electric drive according to claim 15 .
17 . Power module according to claim 2 , wherein
the attachment section is attached to the trace section and to pads of the dies forming the designated terminals, wherein the attachment section extends between the trace section and the pad by forming a clearance to the carrier.
18 . Power module according to claim 2 , wherein
the attachment section is made of the electrically conductive material or
comprises a core and an outer cladding surrounding the core, the core or the
cladding being made of the electrically conductive material and/or
the trace section is made of the electrically conductive material.
19 . Power module according to claim 2 , wherein the electrically conductive material
has a resistivity of at least 2.0·10 −7 Ωm, preferably at least 3.5·10 −7 Ωm,
more preferably at least 4.0·10−7 Ωm and/or
is a copper-manganese-nickel alloy or a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy.
20 . Power module according to claim 2 , wherein
the substrate is a direct bonded copper substrate, a direct bonded aluminum substrate, an active metal brazed substrate or an insulated metal substrate.