Power module and dc-dc converter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020366199-A1
Application number	US-201816638467-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 10, 2018
Priority date	Sep 29, 2017
Publication date	Nov 19, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A power module includes: a first switching device; a current-voltage conversion circuit into which current output from the first switching device flows; a measurement circuit that measures magnitude of the current; and an output terminal that outputs an output signal indicating the magnitude of the current measured by the measurement circuit. The measurement circuit measures the magnitude of the current output from the first switching device based on a resistance value of the current-voltage conversion circuit, and the first switching device and the measurement circuit are implemented in one semiconductor package.

First claim

1 . A power module comprising:
a first switching device; a current-voltage conversion circuit into which current output from the first switching device flows; a measurement circuit that measures magnitude of the current; and an output terminal that outputs an output signal indicating the magnitude of the current measured by the measurement circuit, wherein the measurement circuit measures the magnitude of the current output from the first switching device based on a resistance value of the current-voltage conversion circuit, and the first switching device and the measurement circuit are implemented in one semiconductor package.

2 . The power module according to claim 1 , wherein the current-voltage conversion circuit includes a second switching device that is a switching device made of a material different from that of the first switching device, switching operation of the second switching device being slower than that of the first switching device.

3 . The power module according to claim 2 , wherein the first switching device and the second switching device are cascode-connected to each other, and
the measurement circuit is made of a material identical to that of the second switching device.

4 . The power module according to claim 2 , wherein the first switching device includes gallium nitride (GaN) or silicon carbide (SiC), and is made of a material different from that of the second switching device.

5 . The power module according to claim 2 , wherein the measurement circuit measures the magnitude of the current output from the first switching device based on a potential difference between both ends of the current-voltage conversion circuit, the potential difference being generated by on-resistance of the current-voltage conversion circuit.

6 . The power module according to claim 1 , further comprising a second switching device that is a switching device made of a material different from that of the first switching device, switching operation of the second switching device being slower than that of the first switching device, the second switching device being cascode-connected to the first switching device,
wherein the current-voltage conversion circuit includes: a third switching device that is a switching device that is in an on state while the measurement circuit measures the magnitude of the current output from the first switching device, the third switching device causing part of the current to flow in a route connected in parallel with the second switching device while the third switching device is in the on state; and a resistor connected in series to the third switching device, and the measurement circuit measures the magnitude of the current output from the first switching device based on a potential difference between both ends of the resistor and a resistance value of the resistor.

7 . The power module according to claim 1 , wherein the current-voltage conversion circuit includes:
a current supply unit that supplies current proportional to current flowing through the first switching device; and a resistor connected in series to the current supply unit, and the measurement circuit measures the magnitude of the current output from the first switching device based on a potential difference between both ends of the resistor and a resistance value of the resistor.

8 . A DC-DC converter comprising:
the power module according to claim 1 ; and a control device that outputs a control signal based on an output signal of the power module as a signal for controlling the first switching device included in the power module.

9 . The DC-DC converter according to claim 8 , wherein the control device outputs the control signal based on magnitude of current measured by the power module.

Assignees

• Nidec Corp

Inventors

• Ikeda Hidetoshi

Classifications

• H10W90/00

  Package configurations · CPC title

• H10W90/756

  between a chip and a stacked lead frame, conducting package substrate or heat sink · CPC title

• H10W90/753

  between laterally-adjacent chips · CPC title

• H10W42/00

  Arrangements for protection of devices (arrangements for thermal protection H10W40/00) · CPC title

• Y02B70/10

  Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes · CPC title