Power conversion apparatus and mobile object incorporating thereof

• US 6,843,335 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Anan, Hiromichi, Shirakawa, Shinji, Innami, Toshiyuki, Fujino, Shinichi, Mishima, Akira, Mashino, Keiichi, Ochiai, Yoshitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Campbell, Kelly E
• Application Number:
  US10/024,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 363/40, 363/41, 363/123, 363/141, 363/131, 363/132, 363/144, 363/135, 363/136, 363/137, 361/687, 361/688, 361/707, 361/737, 361/637
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/007 Physical arrangements or structures of drive train converters specially adapted for the propulsion motors of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/05599 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/0603 Bonding areas having different sizes, e.g. different heights or widths
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45099 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• 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 2224/4903 Connectors having different sizes, e.g. different diameters
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49051 Connectors having different shapes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49111 the connectors connecting two common bonding areas, e.g. Litz or braid wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49431 on the semiconductor or solid-state body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/50 for integrated circuit devices, e.g. power bus, number of leadsH01L23/482 - H01L23/498 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/48 of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/49 of a plurality of wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/162 the devices being mounted on two or more different substrates
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/165 Containers
• 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 2924/01004 Beryllium [Be]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01005 Boron [B]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01006 : Carbon [C]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01013 : Aluminum [Al]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01023 : Vanadium [V]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01029 : Copper [Cu]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01074 : Tungsten [W]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/014 : Solder alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1305 : Bipolar Junction Transistor [BJT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13055 : Insulated gate bipolar transistor [IGBT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1306 : Field-effect transistor [FET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 : Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19041 : being a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19043 : being a resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/30105 : Capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/30107 : Inductance
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 : Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 : specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14329 : specially adapted for the configuration of power bus bars
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A positive side conductor and a negative side conductor of an input terminal electrically connected to semiconductor elements, are electrically insulated from each other, and are laminated with each other, and the input terminal having such a laminated structure, an output terminal and substrates mounted thereon the semiconductor elements are arranged in a checkered pattern in a container. Further, the semiconductor elements mounted on the substrates, the input terminal and the output terminal are electrically connected to one another so as to obtain a loop-like electric path on a conductive member, thereby it is possible to aim at miniaturizing the power conversion apparatus and lowering the inductance thereof.

Claims

1. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control, and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, characterized in that the power module part includes two substrates mounted thereon the semiconductor elements, an output terminal adapted to be fed therethrough with an electric power controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, an input terminal adapted to feed an electric power therethrough to the semiconductor elements so as to be controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulate from each other, and a container for accommodating the two substrates, the output terminal and input terminal, at least in part, and the two substrates, the output terminal and the input terminal are arranged in the container so that the output terminal and the input terminal are opposed respectively to the two substrates in two different directions on the respective conductor surfaces of the output terminal and the input terminal.

2. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

3. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the conductor located on the lower side of the input terminal is a negative side conductor, and the conductor located on the upper side of the input terminal is a positive side conductor.

4. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control, and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, characterized in that the power module part includes two substrates mounted thereon the semiconductor elements, an output terminal electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, an input terminal electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulate from each other, and a container for accommodating the two substrates, the output terminal and input terminal, at least in part, and the output terminal is extended from one of opposed side surfaces of the container inward of the container while the input terminal is extended from the other one of the opposed side surfaces of the container inward of the container, the output terminal and the input terminal being arranged diagonally in the container, and the two substrates are arranged in the container so that they are opposed to the output terminal and input terminal, respectively.

5. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

6. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control, and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, characterized in that the power module part includes two substrates mounted thereon the semiconductor elements, an output terminal adapted to be fed therethrough with an electric cower controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, an input terminal adapted to feed therethrough an electric power to the semiconductor elements so as to be controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulate from each other, and a container for accommodating the two substrates, the output terminal and input terminal, at least in part, and the two substrates, the output terminal and the input terminal are electrically insulated, and are arranged on a conductive member in the container so that the two substrates are opposed respectively to the output terminal and the input terminal, in two different directions on the respective conductor surfaces of the output and the input terminals, the semiconductor elements mounted on the two substrates, and the output terminal and the input terminals are electrically connected therebetween in directions in which the two substrates are opposed respectively to the output terminal and the input terminal.

7. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

8. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control, and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, characterized in that the power module part includes two substrates mounted thereon the semiconductor elements, an output terminal adapted to be fed therethrough with an electric power controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, an input terminal adapted to feed therethrough an electric cower to the semiconductor elements so as to be controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulate from each other, and a container for accommodating the two substrates, the output terminal and input terminal, at least in part, and the output terminal is extended from one of opposed side surfaces of the container inward of the container while the input terminal is extended from the other one of the opposed side surfaces of the container inward of the container, the output terminal and the input terminal being electrically insulated and arranged diagonally on a conductive member in the container, one of the two substrates on which a conductor located on the upper side the input terminal and a semiconductor element electrically connected to the output terminal are mounted is electrically insulated and is arranged on the conductive member so as to be opposed to the output terminal on the side inward of the container, and the output terminal, and the other one of the substrates on which a conductor located on the lower side of the input terminal and a semiconductor element electrically connected to the output terminal is electrically insulated and arranged on the conductive member so as to be opposed to the output terminal and the input terminal on the side inward of the container.

9. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

10. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part being composed of substrates mounted thereon with the semiconductor elements, output terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, input terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and each composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulated from each other, and a container for accommodating the plurality of the substrates, and the output terminals at least in part, and the input terminals at least in part, characterized in that a plurality of the substrates and the output terminals are alternately arranged in a first row, and a plurality of substrates and the input terminals are alternately arranged in a second row, and the first row and the second row is opposed to each other so that the substrates in these rows are diagonally arranged.

11. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 10, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

12. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part being composed of substrates mounted thereon with the semiconductor elements, output terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, input terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and each composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulated from each other, and a container for accommodating the plurality of the substrates, and the output terminals at least in part, and the input terminals at least in part, characterized in that the substrates, the output terminals and the input terminals are electrically insulated and arranged in the container so that a plurality of the substrates and the output terminal, and a plurality of the substrates and the input terminals are alternately arranged, being opposed to one another, and the positions of the substrates and the positions of the terminals are staggered to one another.

13. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

14. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part being composed of substrates mounted thereon with the semiconductor elements, output terminals adapted to be fed therethrough with an electric power controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, input terminals adapted to feed therethrough an electric power to the semiconductor elements so as to be controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and each composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulated from each other, and a container for accommodating the plurality of the substrates, and the output terminals at least in part, and the input terminals at least in part, characterized in that the output terminals are extended from one of opposed side surfaces of the container, and the input terminals are extended from the other one of the opposed side surfaces of the container, the output terminals and the input terminals being staggered with one another in the container, the substrates mounted thereon the semiconductor elements are arranged in the container so as to be opposed to the output terminals and the input terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements.

15. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 14, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

16. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part being composed of substrates mounted thereon with the semiconductor elements, output terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, input terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and each composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulated from each other, and a container for accommodating the plurality of the substrates, and the output terminals at least in part, and the input terminals at least in part, characterized in that the substrates a plurality of the substrates and the output terminals are alternately arranged in a first row, and a plurality of substrates and the input terminals are alternately arranged in a second row, and the first row and the second row is opposed to each other so that the substrates in these rows are diagonally arranged, the semiconductor elements mounted on the substrates, the output terminals and the input terminals are divided into groups each composed of semiconductor elements mounted on two substrates diagonally arranged, and output and input terminals respectively opposed to the two substrates diagonally arranged, and in each of the groups, the two substrates, and the input terminals and the output terminals are electrically connected in the directions in which they are opposed to one another.

17. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 16, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

18. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part being composed of substrates mounted thereon with the semiconductor elements, output terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, input terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and each composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulated from each other, and a container for accommodating the plurality of the substrates, and the output terminals at least in part, and the input terminals at least in part, characterized in that the substrates, the output terminals and the input terminals are electrically insulated and arranged on a conductive member in the container so that the substrates, the output terminals, and the input terminals are electrically insulated and arranged on a conductive member in the container, and accordingly, a plurality of the substrates and the output terminals, and a plurality of the substrates and the input terminals are alternately arranged, respectively, the positions of the substrates and the positions of the terminals being staggered with each other, the semiconductor elements mounted on the substrates, the output terminals and the input terminals are divided into groups each composed of semiconductor elements mounted on two substrates diagonally arranged, and output and input terminals respectively opposed to the two substrates diagonally arranged, and in each of the groups, the two substrates, and the input terminals and the output terminals are electrically connected in the directions in which they are arranged and in which they are opposed to one another.

19. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 18, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

20. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control and a control part for controlling the operation of the semiconductor elements, characterized in that the power module part being composed of substrates mounted thereon with the semiconductor elements, output terminals adapted to be fed therethrough with an electric cower controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, input terminals adapted to feed therethrough an electric power to the semiconductor elements so as to be controlled by the semiconductor elements and electrically connected to the semiconductor elements and each composed of a positive side conductor and a negative side conductor which are laminated with each other being electrically insulated from each other, and a container for accommodating the plurality of the substrates, and the output terminals at least in part, characterized in that the input terminals at least in part, and the output terminals are extended from one of opposed side surfaces of the container, and the input terminals are extended from the other one of the opposed side surfaces of the container, the output terminals and the input terminals being electrically insulated and staggered with one another on a conductive member in the container, those of the substrates mounted thereon with conductors located on the upper side of the input terminals and semiconductor elements electrically connected to the output terminals are electrically insulated and arranged on the conductive member so as to be opposed to the associated output terminals on the side inward of the container, and the associated input terminals, and those of the substrates mounted thereon with conductors located on the lower side of the input terminals and semiconductor elements electrically connected to the output terminals are electrically insulated and arranged on the conductive member so as to be opposed to the associated output terminals and the associated input terminals on the side inward of the container.

21. A power conversion apparatus as set forth in claim 20, characterized in that the input terminals have the conductors located on the lower side thereof are extended inward by a length longer than that of the conductor located on the upper side thereof.

22. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control, and a control part for controlling operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part including a conductive member, a plurality of the semiconductor elements, a plurality of insulating substrates mounted respectively thereon with the semiconductor elements and provided on the conductive element, a plurality of output terminals each electrically connected to the associated two of the semiconductor elements and provided on and electrically insulated from the conductive member, a plurality of input terminals each having a positive side conductor electrically connected to one of the associated two of the semiconductor elements, and a negative side conductor electrically connected to the other of the associated two of the semiconductor elements, the positive side conductor and the negative side conductor being stacked one upon another while they are electrically insulated from each other, and being provided on and electrically insulated from the conductive member, and the plurality of insulation substrates, the plurality of output terminals and the plurality of input terminals being arranged on the conductive member so as to array the insulation substrates and the terminals in a checkered pattern.

23. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements for power control, and a control part for controlling operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part including a conductive member, a plurality of the semiconductor elements, a plurality of insulating substrates mounted respectively thereon with the semiconductor elements, and provided on the conductive member, a plurality of output terminals each electrically connected to the associated two of the semiconductor elements, and provided on and electrically insulated from the conductive member, a plurality of input terminals each having a positive side conductor electrically connected to one of the associated two of the semiconductor elements, and a negative side conductor electrically connected to the other of the associated two of the semiconductor elements, the positive side conductor and the negative side conductor being stacked one upon another while they are electrically insulated from each other, and being provided on and electrically insulated from the conductive member, and the plurality of insulating substrates, the plurality of the output terminals and the plurality of input terminals being arranged on the conductive member so as to form loop-like current paths each composed of one of the input terminals, two of the semiconductor elements and one of the output terminals.

24. A power conversion apparatus comprising a power module part having semiconductor elements, and a control part for controlling operation of the semiconductor elements, the power module part including a conductive member, a plurality of the semiconductor elements, a plurality of insulating substrates mounted respectively thereon with the semiconductor elements, and provided on the conductive member, a plurality of output terminals each electrically connected to the associated two of the semiconductor elements, and provided on and electrically insulated from the conductive member, and a plurality of input terminals each composed of a positive side conductor electrically connected to one of two the associated two of the semiconductor elements and a negative side conductor electrically connected to the other of the associated two of the semiconductor elements, and the positive side conductor and the negative side conductor being stacked one upon another while they are electrically insulated from each other, and being provided on and insulated from the conductive member, and the plurality of the insulating substrates, the plurality of output terminals, the plurality of input terminals being arranged on the conductive member so as to array the insulating substrates and the terminals in a checkered pattern, and to form loop-like current paths each composed of one of the input terminals, and two of the semiconductor elements and one of the output terminals.