Electric power converter
In an electric power converter, a driver unit includes an output unit, an auxiliary power source, a switch circuit unit, and a diode. The output unit includes first and second MISFETs and selectively outputs an on signal or an off signal to a gate electrode of a first HEMT. The auxiliary power source outputs a predetermined positive voltage. The switch circuit unit selectively connects a source electrode of the first MISFET to the auxiliary power source or a drain electrode of the first HEMT. The diode is connected to a source electrode of the second MISFET and is oriented such that forward current flows to a source electrode of the first HEMT. In the event of a short circuit in a certain HEMT, a microcomputer connects the source electrode of the first MISFET to the auxiliary power source and outputs an off command to the driver unit.
1. An electric power converter comprising:
an inverter unit configured to convert direct current power, from a direct current source, to alternating current to drive a motor, the inverter unit including a plurality of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) that form a plurality of arm circuits;
a plurality of driver units, each connected to and configured to turn on and off a corresponding one of the plurality of HEMTs;
a short circuit detector configured to detect a short circuit in the plurality of HEMTs; and
a controller connected to the plurality of driver units and the short circuit detector, the controller configured to control the plurality of driver units, wherein
each of the plurality of driver units includes an output unit, an auxiliary power source, a switch unit, and a diode,
the output unit includes a series circuit of first and second switching elements with drain electrodes connected together,
the output unit responds to on and off commands from the controller by respectively outputting on and off signals to a gate electrode of the corresponding HEMT from a connection node between the first and second switching elements to turn on and off the corresponding HEMT,
the auxiliary power source outputs a predetermined positive voltage,
the switch unit switches between a first connection state where the switch unit connects a source electrode of the first switching element to the auxiliary power source, and a second connection state where the switch unit connects the source electrode of the first switching element to a drain electrode of the corresponding HEMT,
the diode is interposed between a source electrode of the second switching element and a source electrode of the corresponding HEMT, and is oriented such that forward current through the diode flows from the source electrode of the second switching element to the source electrode of the corresponding HEMT,
the controller switches the switch unit from the first connection state to the second connection state and outputs the off command to each of the plurality of driver units when determining, on a basis of an output of the short circuit detector, that the short circuit occurs in any of the plurality of HEMTs.
2. The electric power converter according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of driver units further includes a first freewheeling diode and a second freewheeling diode,
the first freewheeling diode is connected in parallel with the first switching element and is oriented such that forward current through the first freewheeling diode flows from the drain electrode of the first switching element to the source electrode of the first switching element, and
the second freewheeling diode is connected in parallel with the second switching element and is oriented such that forward current through the second freewheeling diode flows from the source electrode of the second switching element to the drain electrode of the second switching element.
3. The electric power converter according to claim 1 , wherein
the auxiliary power source outputs the positive voltage with respect to a source voltage of the corresponding HEMT.
4. The electric power converter according to claim 2 , wherein
the auxiliary power source outputs the positive voltage with respect to a source voltage of the corresponding HEMT.