Power converter, power system provided with same, and mobile body

• US 20050161809A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Takahashi, Masato, Saito, Ryuichi, Hamada, Haruki, Nakatsu, Kinya, Yahata, Koichi, Iwanaka, Mitsufumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,859,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/734
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/202 using Hall-effect devices Hall elements in arrangements for measuring electrical power G01R21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/207 Constructional details independent of the type of device used
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45124 Aluminium (Al) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48472 the other connecting portion not on the bonding area also being a wedge bond, i.e. wedge-to-wedge
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73265 Layer and wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13055 Insulated gate bipolar transistor [IGBT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3025 Electromagnetic shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0009 Devices or circuits for detecting current in a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

To provide a power converter equipped with a current detector which is small and can carry out highly accurate current detection, in the power converter equipped with a power module 16 having a power controlling semiconductor element 7 disposed on the power module base 27 with a ceramic substrate 28 interposed, and a control unit 26 for controlling the operation of the power controlling semiconductor element 7, a current detector 40 having a magnetic detecting unit 47 which is disposed in the detection conductor 11, electrically connected to the power controlling semiconductor element 7 and disposed on the power module base 27 with the ceramic substrate 28 interposed, and has a magnetic detecting semiconductor element 43 electrically connected to the control unit 26 is provided in the power module 16; and relative distance between the detection conductor 11 and the power module base 27 is larger than the relative distance between the current detection electrode 42 and the power module base 27.

Claims

1. A power converter comprising

a power module having

a power controlling semiconductor element disposed on the conductive member with an insulation member interposed and

a current detector for detecting current which is inputted into said power controlling semiconductor element or outputted from said power controlling semiconductor element;

and

a control unit for controlling operation of said power controlling semiconductor element, wherein

said current detector has

a conductor which is electrically connected to said power controlling semiconductor element, is disposed on said conductive member with an insulation member interposed, and has a portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between the laminated portion laminated on said conductive member with said insulation member interposed and the conductive member; and

a magnetic detecting unit which is disposed in said conductor portion or in the vicinity of said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on the conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member, and has a magnetic detecting semiconductor element which is electrically connected to said control unit.

2. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

relative distance between said conductor portion equipped with said magnetic detecting unit or disposed in the vicinity of said magnetic detecting unit and said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said power controlling semiconductor element and said conductive member.

3. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member protrudes in the direction further away from said conductive member than said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with said insulation member interposed.

4. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

a portion of said conductive member that corresponds to said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on the conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member is thinner than the other portion.

5. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion or in the vicinity of said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member so that said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or to induction current flowing through said conductive member among magnetic flux generated by said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member.

6. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion or in the vicinity of said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member so that said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to the perpendicular line which vertically intersects with said conductive member among magnetic flux generated by said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member.

7. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member has a portion which is vertical to said conductive member and extends in the direction away from said conductive member, and

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion which is vertical to said conductive member and extends in the direction away from said conductive member so that the surface of the magnetic detection surface of the said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is vertical to said conductive member and said conductor portion which extends in the direction away from said conductive member and parallel to said conductor portion which extends in the direction away from said conductive member.

8. A power converter according to claim 1, wherein

said conductor portion relative distance of which to said conductive member is larger than relative distance between said conductor portion laminated on said conductive member with the insulation member interposed and said conductive member has a portion which extends parallel to said conductive member, and

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion which extends parallel to said conductive member so that the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is vertical and parallel to said conductor portion which extends parallel to said conductive member.

30. An electric power system for converting electric power supplied by an electric power supply means into prescribed electric power by a power converter and supplying the power to a load, wherein a power converter according to claim 1 is used as said power converter.

36. A mobile body comprising:

a body;

a driven device provided in said body;

a motor for being driven by an external power source or electric power supplied from an internal power source mounted to said body thereby driving said driven device; and

a power converter for controlling electric power supplied from said power source to said motor, wherein a power converter according to claim 1 is used as said power converter.

9. A power converter comprising

a power module having

a power controlling semiconductor element electrically connected to a load or an electric power supply means via a conductor,

a control unit for controlling operation of said power controlling semiconductor element, and

a current detector disposed in said conductor, wherein

said current detector has a magnetic detecting unit which is configured such that a magnetic detecting semiconductor element and a part of a connecting conductor which electrically connects said magnetic detecting semiconductor element with said control unit are encased in resin, and

at least a part of said magnetic detecting unit is contained in a depression created in said conductor.

10. A power converter according to claim 9, wherein

said conductor is an out-going electrode of said terminal block in which the wire electrically connected to said load or said electric power supply means electrically connects an electrode of a terminal block which is electrically connected by tightening a screw with said power module or said control unit, and said depression is provided in said out-going electrode.

31. An electric power system for converting electric power supplied by an electric power supply means into prescribed electric power by a power converter and supplying the power to a load, wherein a power converter according to claim 9 is used as said power converter.

37. A mobile body comprising:

a body;

a driven device provided in said body;

a motor for being driven by an external power source or electric power supplied from an internal power source mounted to said body thereby driving said driven device; and

a power converter for controlling electric power supplied from said power source to said motor, wherein a power converter according to claim 9 is used as said power converter.

11. A power converter comprising

a power module having

a power controlling semiconductor element, and

a current detector for detecting current which is inputted into said power controlling semiconductor element or outputted from said power controlling semiconductor element;

a control unit for controlling operation of said power controlling semiconductor element; and

a conductive member through which induction current flows due to electromagnetic induction generated by current flowing through said current detector, wherein

said current detector has

a conductor electrically connected to said power controlling semiconductor element, and

a magnetic detecting unit which is disposed in said conductor or in the vicinity of said conductor and has a magnetic detecting semiconductor element which is electrically connected to said control unit; and

among magnetic flux generated by said conductor,

said magnetic detecting unit detecting magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or to said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

12. A power converter according to claim 11, wherein

said conductor has a portion extends in the direction away from said conductive member, and

among magnetic flux generated by said conductor portion which extends in the direction away from said conductive member,

said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or to said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

13. A power converter according to claim 11, wherein

said conductor has a portion which is vertical to said conductive member and extends in the direction away from said conductive member, and

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion which is vertical to said conductive member and extends in the direction away from said conductive member so that the magnetic detection, surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is vertical to said conductive member and said conductor portion extends in the direction away from said conductive member and parallel to said conductor portion which extends in the direction away from said conductive member.

14. A power converter according to claim 11, wherein

said conductor extends parallel to said conductive member and has at least first and second bend, and

among magnetic flux generated said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend,

said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or to induction current flowing through said conductive member.

15. A power converter according to claim 11, wherein

said conductor extends parallel to said conductive member and

has at least first and second bend;

and

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend so that the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is vertical to said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend and said conductive member and parallel to said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend.

32. An electric power system for converting electric power supplied by an electric power supply means into prescribed electric power by a power converter and supplying the power to a load, wherein a power converter according to claim 11 is used as said power converter.

38. A mobile body comprising:

a body;

a driven device provided in said body;

a motor for being driven by an external power source or electric power supplied from an internal power source mounted to said body thereby driving said driven device; and

a power converter for controlling electric power supplied from said power source to said motor, wherein a power converter according to claim 11 is used as said power converter.

16. A power converter comprising

a power module having

a power controlling semiconductor element and

a current detector for detecting current inputted into said power controlling semiconductor element or outputted from said power controlling semiconductor element;

a control unit for controlling operation of said power controlling semiconductor element; and

a conductive member through which induction current flows due to electromagnetic induction generated by current flowing through said current detector, wherein

said current detector has

a conductor which is electrically connected to said power controlling semiconductor element, extends parallel to said conductive member, and has at least first and second bend; and

a magnetic detecting unit which is disposed in said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend or in the vicinity of said conductor portion and has a magnetic detecting semiconductor element which is electrically connected to said control unit; and

among magnetic flux generated by said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend, said magnetic detecting unit detecting magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or to said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

17. A power converter according to claim 16, wherein

said conductor consists of a first conductor which is said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend, a second conductor which extends from said first conductor and bends at said first bend, and a third conductor which extends from said first conductor and bends at said second bend, and

among magnetic flux generated by said first conductor,

said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

18. A power converter according to claim 16, wherein

said conductor consists of a first conductor which is said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend., a second conductor which extends from said first conductor and bends at said first bend, and a third conductor which extends from said first conductor and bends at said second bend, and

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said first conductor so that the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is vertical to said first conductor and said conductive member and parallel to said first conductor.

33. An electric power system for converting electric power supplied by an electric power supply means into prescribed electric power by a power converter and supplying the power to a load, wherein a power converter according to claim 16 is used as said power converter.

39. A mobile body comprising:

a body;

a driven device provided in said body;

a motor for being driven by an external power source or electric power supplied from an internal power source mounted to said body thereby driving said driven device; and

a power converter for controlling electric power supplied from said power source to said motor, wherein a power converter according to claim 16 is used as said power converter.

19. A power converter comprising

a power module having

a power controlling semiconductor element, and

a current detector for detecting current inputted into said power controlling semiconductor element or outputted from said power controlling semiconductor element;

a control unit for controlling operation of said power controlling semiconductor element; and

a conductive member through which induction current flows due to electromagnetic induction generated by current flowing through said current detector, wherein

said current detector has

a conductor which is electrically connected to said power controlling semiconductor element and has at least first and second bend, and

a magnetic detecting unit which is disposed in said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend or in the vicinity of said conductor portion and has a magnetic detecting semiconductor element which is electrically connected to said control unit, and

among magnetic flux generated by said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend,

said magnetic detecting unit detecting magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

20. A power converter according to claim 19, wherein

said conductor is said conductor portion located between said first bend and said second bend and consists of a first conductor which extends vertical to said conductive member, a second conductor which extends from said first conductor and bends at said first bend, and a third conductor which extends from said first conductor and bends at said second bend, and

among magnetic flux generated by said first conductor,

said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

21. A power converter according to claim 20, wherein

said second conductor and said third conductor have a right angle to said first conductor and extend in different directions.

22. A power converter according to claim 21, wherein

said second conductor and said third conductor extend in the opposite directions.

23. A power converter according to claim 22, wherein

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed on the plane such that the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is vertical to said second conductor and said third conductor using said first conductor'"'"'s axis as an intersecting point so that among magnetic flux generated by said first conductor, said magnetic detecting semiconductor element detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or said induction current flowing through said conductive member.

24. A power converter according to claim 21, wherein

said third conductor extends in the direction at an obtuse angle (i.e. θ

is more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees) with said second conductor.

25. A power converter according to claim 24, wherein

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in the space in which the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is segmented by the plane vertical to said second conductor using the first bend as an intersecting point and in the space which is located on said third conductor side including said first conductor so that said magnetic detecting semiconductor element detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or said induction current flowing through said conductive member among magnetic flux generated by said first conductor.

26. A power converter according to claim 24, wherein

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in the space in which the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is segmented by the plane vertical to said second conductor using the first bend as an intersecting point, and in the space which is located on said third conductor side including said first conductor and is segmented by the plane vertical to said third conductor using said second bend as an intersecting point, and also in the space which overlaps with the space located on said second conductor side including said first conductor so that said magnetic detecting semiconductor element detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to said conductive member or said induction current flowing through said conductive member among magnetic flux generated by said first conductor.

34. An electric power system for converting electric power supplied by an electric power supply means into prescribed electric power by a power converter and supplying the power to a load, wherein a power converter according to claim 19 is used as said power converter.

40. A mobile body comprising

a body;

a driven device provided in said body;

a motor for being driven by an external power source or electric power supplied from an internal power source mounted to said body thereby driving said driven device; and

a power converter for controlling electric power supplied from said power source to said motor, wherein a power converter according to claim 19 is used as said power converter.

27. A power converter comprising

a power module having

a power controlling semiconductor element, and

a current detector for detecting current inputted into said power controlling semiconductor element or outputted from said power controlling semiconductor element;

a control unit for controlling operation of said power controlling semiconductor element; and

a conductive member through which induction current flows due to electromagnetic induction generated by current flowing through said current detector, wherein

said current detector has

a conductor electrically connected to said power controlling semiconductor element, and

a magnetic detecting unit which is disposed in said conductor or in the vicinity of said conductor and has a magnetic detecting semiconductor element which is electrically connected to said control unit, and

among magnetic flux generated by said conductor,

said magnetic detecting unit detecting magnetic flux having a component parallel to the perpendicular line which vertically intersects with said conductive member.

28. A power converter according to claim 27, wherein

said conductor has a portion which protrudes in the direction away from said conductive member, and among magnetic flux generated by said conductor portion protruding in the direction away from said conductive member;

and

said magnetic detecting unit detects magnetic flux having a component parallel to the perpendicular line which vertically intersects with said conductive member.

29. A power converter according to claim 27, wherein

said conductor has a portion which protrudes in the direction away from said conductive member and is parallel to said conductive member;

and

said magnetic detecting unit is disposed in said conductor portion which protrudes in the direction away from said conductive member and is parallel to said conductive member so that the magnetic detection surface of said magnetic detecting semiconductor element is parallel to said conductive member and is vertical and parallel to said conductor portion which protrudes in the direction away from said conductive member and is parallel to said conductive member.

35. An electric power system for converting electric power supplied by an electric power supply means into prescribed electric power by a power converter and supplying the power to a load, wherein a power converter according to claim 27 is used as said power converter.

41. A mobile body comprising:

a body;

a driven device provided in said body;

a motor for being driven by an external power source or electric power supplied from an internal power source mounted to said body thereby driving said driven device; and

a power converter for controlling electric power supplied from said power source to said motor, wherein a power converter according to claim 27 is used as said power converter.