DE102020108106A1 - Arrangement for increasing the performance of a power module - Google Patents

Abstract

Arrangement for increasing the performance of a power module by reducing the parasitic inductances in the power module, the arrangement comprising a power module with internal lines, a first intermediate circuit capacitor and a first external line for the electrical connection between the power module and the first intermediate circuit capacitor, the internal lines and the first external lines are electrically connected to one another in a connection area, the internal lines and the first external line being formed parallel to one another with a first spacing in a first extension direction of the power module in the connection area, the internal lines and the first external line being formed in a first further area Line are also formed parallel to each other with a second distance.

Description

The invention relates to the arrangement for increasing the performance of a power module by reducing the parasitic inductances in the power module, the arrangement comprising a power module with internal lines, a first intermediate circuit capacitor and a first external line for the electrical connection between the power module and the first intermediate circuit capacitor, the internal Lines and the first external line are electrically connected to one another in a connection area.

The power modules are known from the prior art and are installed by third parties in appropriate machine arrangements. The power modules have undesirable parasitic inductances, which are not compensated in the prior art.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to specify an arrangement for increasing the performance, by means of which a reduction in the parasitic inductances in the power module can be achieved.

This object is achieved by an arrangement with the features of claim 1.

The core idea of the invention is to provide an arrangement for increasing the performance of a power module by reducing the parasitic inductances in the power module, the arrangement comprising a power module with internal lines, a first intermediate circuit capacitor and a first external line for the electrical connection between the power module and the first intermediate circuit capacitor, The internal lines and the first external line are electrically connected to one another in a connection area, the internal lines and the first external line being formed parallel to one another with a first spacing in a first extension direction of the power module in the connection area, with a first further area the internal lines and the first external line are also formed parallel to each other with a second pitch.

The parasitic inductances in the power module arise from the fact that an inductance is described by the internal lines, which are spaced apart from one another especially in every spatial direction and are connected to the electrical positive or negative pole, that is, by the volume or the area which include the internal wire. These parasitic inductances are undesirable and degrade the efficiency of the power module with regard to the switching speed, which is directly dependent on the commutation inductance.

The smaller the enclosed volume of the internal lines, the smaller the parasitic inductance. Because the power module is already prefabricated, structural changes are no longer possible.

According to the invention, an arrangement is therefore provided by means of which the parasitic inductance in the power module can be reduced.

According to the invention, it is proposed that, viewed in a first extension direction of the power module, in the connection area, the internal lines and the first external line are formed parallel to one another with a first spacing, the internal lines and the first external line also being formed parallel to one another in a first further area with a second distance.

The first direction of extent of the power module is preferably the vertical extent of the power module.

With this arrangement, the external line is formed in parallel with the internal lines. The external line also represents an inductance, since it encloses a volume or an area formed by the three-dimensional distance to the internal lines.

The connection area can be determined, for example, in such a way that it includes the internal lines up to the point at which the internal lines extend into the power module. The first further area can be defined, for example, over the entire length of the internal lines in the power module or over the entire length of the power module, viewed in a second direction of extent. The second extension direction can be the longitudinal extension.

This can of course also apply to a third extension direction, which can be the width extension.

Preferably, the first external line can be electrically connected to the internal lines in the connection area, for example screwed, soldered or the like.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

The distances define in particular the size of the inductance, which results from the arrangement of the first external line to the internal lines results. This makes it possible to influence the inductance.

Since the described arrangement of the parasitic inductance of the power module adds at least one further inductance which is parallel to the parasitic inductance, the total inductance can be reduced due to the parallel arrangement.

The further inductance should be made as small as possible in order to be able to significantly reduce the total inductance.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that a transition area is provided which is connected to the connection area and the first further area, the first external line being formed in the transition area such that the first external line of the connection area into the first further area transforms.

The transition area can be determined, for example, in such a way that it includes the area of the internal lines at the point at which the internal lines extend or merge into the power module. At this point, the overall electrical consideration with regard to the internal lines changes, so that the external lines should also be adapted.

In order to further increase the efficiency of the power module, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment that, viewed in the first direction of extent, a first heat sink for cooling the power module is arranged between the first further area and the power module.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that a second external line is provided for the electrical connection between the power module and a second intermediate circuit capacitor, the internal lines and the second external line being electrically connected to one another in the connection area, with the As seen from the power module in the connection area, the internal lines and the second external line are formed parallel to one another with a third spacing, wherein in a second further area the internal lines and the second external line are also formed parallel to one another with a fourth spacing.

Particularly preferably, the third distance corresponds to the first distance and the fourth distance corresponds to the second distance. The third distance is also preferably smaller than the fourth distance.

The statements with regard to the first distance and the second distance can also apply in an analogous manner to the third distance and the fourth distance.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that, viewed in the first direction of extent, a second heat sink for cooling the power module is arranged between the second further area and the power module.

Particularly preferably, viewed in the first direction of extent, the first external line is arranged above the internal lines and the second external line is arranged below the internal lines.

As a result, the first heat sink, viewed in the first direction of extent, is arranged above the power module and the second heat sink is arranged below the power module, whereby two-sided cooling is implemented, whereby the cooling capacity can be increased again.

The first heat sink and, if appropriate, the second heat sink are preferably in mechanical contact with one another, so that the cooling performance can be increased again as a result.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that, viewed in a second direction of extent, a length of the first external line corresponds to a length of the internal lines or is longer.

It is also preferably provided that, viewed in a third direction of extent, a width of the first external line corresponds to a width of the internal lines or is longer.

Viewed in the first direction of extension, the first external line preferably includes an area which corresponds to or is greater than the enclosed area of the internal lines.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that, viewed in a second direction of extent, a length of the second external line corresponds to a length of the internal lines or is longer. It is also preferably provided that, viewed in the third direction of extent, a width of the second external line corresponds to a width of the internal lines or is longer.

Viewed in the first extension direction, the second external line preferably includes an area which corresponds to the enclosed area of the internal lines or is greater.

This makes it possible to compensate for the entire parasitic inductance by means of the first external line and, if necessary, the second external line.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first heat sink and / or the second heat sink do not consist of metal, preferably are made of a plastic.

If a heat sink were made of metal or other conductive materials, the compensation of the parasitic inductance could be nullified again, since inductances would be generated again due to the conductive property.

Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

• 1 Anordnung gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 2 Anordnung gemäß einer weitergehenden Ausführungsform.

Further objects, advantages and expediencies of the present invention can be taken from the following description in conjunction with the drawings. Here show:

• 1 Arrangement according to one embodiment;
• 2 Arrangement according to a further embodiment.

In the figures, the same components are to be understood with the corresponding reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, components in some figures may not be provided with a reference number, although they have been designated elsewhere.

In the 1 is an arrangement 1 shown according to one embodiment. A power module is shown 2 , which preferably comprises a power semiconductor, with internal lines 3 . There is also a first intermediate circuit capacitor 4th and a first external line 5 for the electrical connection between the power module 2 and the first intermediate circuit capacitor 4th shown with the internal lines 3 and the first external line 5 in a connection area 6th are electrically connected to each other.

Next are in a first direction of extent 7th of the power module 2 seen in the connection area 6th the internal lines 3 and the first external line 5 formed parallel to one another with a first distance 8th , in a first further area 9 the internal lines 3 and the first external line 5 are also formed parallel to each other with a second distance 10 . On the first external line 5 it is, for example, a busbar connection.

The internal lines 3 are shown schematically. In the present case, two internal lines 3 ', 3 "are shown which can be connected to the electrical negative pole and the electrical positive pole.

In the connection area 6th are the internal lines 3 in the first distance 8th to the first external line 5 arranged in the first further area 9 in the second distance 10 .

Between the connection area 6th and the first further area 9 is a transition area 11 arranged, which with the connection area 6th and the first further area 9 connected, being in the transition area 11 the first external line 5 is designed such that the first external line 5 in the connection area 6th in the first further area 9 transforms. The external line 5 in the transition area 11 is therefore designed bent so that a connection between the connection area 6th and the first further area 9 is possible.

The transition area 11 is preferably at the entry point 24 arranged on which the internal lines 3 into the power module 2 extend into it.

The first direction of extent 7th is a vertical extension, the second extension direction 21 the longitudinal extension and the third extension direction 22nd the latitude.

The length 20th of the internal lines 3 in the second direction of extent 21 seen here corresponds to the length 18th the first external line 5 . The same preferably also applies to the third direction of extent 22nd with the width of the internal lines 3 and the first external line 5 . This leads to the fact that, in the first direction of extent 7th seen the enclosed area through the first external line 5 the enclosed area by the inner lines 3 which corresponds to the parasitic inductance of the power module 2 can be reduced or counteracted over the entire enclosed volume.

Next is a base plate ("baseplate") 23 provided with the power module 2 is thermally connected and which further with a first heat sink 12th connected so that the first heat sink 12th the base plate 23 cools and, accordingly, indirectly the power module 2 .

Here is the first heat sink 12th in the first direction of extent 7th seen between the power module 2 and the first external line 5 in the first further area 9 arranged.

Such indirect cooling can also be achieved by direct cooling in the sense of 2 can be replaced with a single heat sink 12th . The design of the service module must 2 be another, such as in 2 shown.

The first intermediate circuit capacitor 4th is preferably in the first direction of extent 7th seen over the first external line 5 arranged.

In the 2 is the arrangement 1 shown according to a further embodiment.

In contrast to the embodiment according to 1 has the embodiment according to 2 a second external line 13th on to the electrical connection between the power module and a second intermediate circuit capacitor 14th , with the internal lines 3 and the second external line 13th in a connection area 6th are electrically connected to one another, in a first direction of extent 7th of the power module 2 seen in the connection area 6th the internal lines 3 and the second external line in parallel 13th are formed to each other with a third distance 15th , being in a second further area 25th the internal lines 3 and the second external line 13th are also formed parallel to each other with a fourth distance 16 .

The power module 2 includes several so-called pin fins 26th , by means of which direct cooling by means of the first heat sink 12th and a second heat sink 17th is possible. The second heat sink 17th is in the first direction of extent 7th seen below the power module 2 arranged and between the second external line 13th and the power module 2 .

Regardless of the choice of cooling, whether directly or according to 2 or indirectly as per 1 , flows through the heat sink 12th , 17th a fluid, which is preferably a liquid, for example water, oil or the like, or a gas, for example air.

The second intermediate circuit capacitor 14th is preferably below the second external line 13th arranged.

You can also use the first external line 5 and the second external line 13th symmetrical to the power module 2 be arranged, preferably the first distance 8th and the third distance 15th as well as the second distance 10 and the fourth distance 16 are the same.

The remarks on the first external line 5 apply analogously to the second external line 13th .

The embodiments according to 1 and 2 with all features can be combined and exchanged as required.

All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as essential to the invention, provided that they are new to the state of the art, individually or in combination.

List of reference symbols

1

arrangement

2

Power module

3rd

internal management

4th

first intermediate circuit capacitor

5

first external line

6th

Connection area

7th

first direction of extent

8th

first distance

9

first further area

10

second distance

11

Transition area

12th

first heat sink

13th

second external line

14th

second intermediate circuit capacitor

15th

third distance

16

fourth distance

17th

second heat sink

18th

Length of the first external line

19th

Length of the second external line

20th

Internal line length

21

second direction of extent

22nd

third direction of extent

23

Base plate

24

Entry point

25th

second further area

26th

Pinfin

Claims (9)

Arrangement (1) for increasing the performance of a power module (2) by reducing the parasitic inductances in the power module (2), the arrangement comprising a power module (2) with internal lines (3), a first intermediate circuit capacitor (4) and a first external Line (5) for the electrical connection between the power module (2) and the first intermediate circuit capacitor (4), the internal lines (3) and the first external line (5) being electrically connected to one another in a connection area (6), characterized in that Seen in a first extension direction (7) of the power module (2) in the connection area (6) the internal lines (3) and the first external line (5) are formed parallel to one another with a first spacing (8), wherein in a first further area (9) the internal lines (3) and the first external line (5) are also formed parallel to one another with a second spacing (10). Arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first distance (8) is smaller than the second distance (10). Arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a transition area (11) is provided which is connected to the connection area (6) and the first further area (9), the first external line (5) being formed in the transition area (11) such that the first external line (5) of the connection area (6) merges into the first further area (9). Arrangement (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that, viewed in the first extension direction (7), a first heat sink (12) for cooling the power module (2) is arranged between the first further area (9) and the power module (2). Arrangement (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that a second external line (13) is provided for the electrical connection between the power module (2) and a second intermediate circuit capacitor (14), the internal lines (3) and the second external line (13) in a connection area ( 6) are electrically connected to one another, the internal lines (3) and the second external line (13) being formed parallel to one another with a third spacing (15) in the connection area (6), seen in a first extension direction (7) of the power module (2) ), wherein in a second further area (25) the internal lines (3) and the second external line (13) are also formed parallel to one another with a fourth spacing (16). Arrangement (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that, viewed in the first direction of extent (7), a second heat sink (17) for cooling the power module (2) is arranged between the second further area (25) and the power module (2). Arrangement (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that, viewed in a second direction of extent (21), a length of the first external line (18) corresponds to a length of the internal lines (3) or is longer. Arrangement (1) according to Claim 5 or 6th , characterized in that, viewed in a second extension direction (21), a length of the second external line (19) corresponds to a length of the internal lines (20) or is longer. Arrangement (1) according to Claim 4 or 6th , characterized in that the first heat sink (12) and / or the second heat sink (17) are not made of metal, are preferably made of a plastic.

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