Power converter arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a power converter arrangement (10) comprising a low-voltage side (100) and a high-voltage side (200). The high-voltage side (200) has a first and a second DC voltage connection (241, 242) and at least one half-bridge. The half-bridge comprises a first and a second controllable semiconductor switch (211, 221, 231, 212, 222, 232), a first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) for controlling the first controllable semiconductor switch (211, 221, 231), a first receiver (261, 262, 263) configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) and a first control signal indicating how the first controllable semiconductor switch (211, 221, 231) is to be controlled by the first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253), and a second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256) for controlling the second controllable semiconductor switch (212, 222, 232),a second receiver (264, 265, 266) configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256) and a second control signal indicating how the second controllable semiconductor switch (212, 222, 232) is to be controlled by the second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256). The low-voltage side (100) features at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) for transmitting electrical energy and the first control signal to the first receiver (261, 262, 263), and electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver (264, 265, 266).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a power converter arrangement. Background of the invention

[0002] The internal power supply of devices in industry and the automotive sector is conventionally implemented using switched-mode power supplies.

[0003] In applications requiring energy transfer across a potential barrier, e.g., from a low-voltage to a high-voltage side of a power converter arrangement, transformers are conventionally used, clocked in the range of 50 kHz to a few MHz, depending on the application. Furthermore, in applications requiring data transmission across the potential barrier, miniaturized magnetic or capacitive circuits, usually integrated within an integrated circuit (IC) package, are used, which require a power supply on both sides of the potential barrier.

[0004] The resulting large components on the potential barrier between the high-voltage and low-voltage sides of a power converter assembly dominate the appearance of modern control circuit boards because they cannot be further miniaturized due to regulatory compliance. Consequently, modern power converter assemblies occupy a significant amount of space and incur costs due to the large amount of material required. This is because, for example, multiple switched-mode power supply transformers and substrates are needed to maintain spacing, particularly in each of the gate driver ICs used to control the semiconductor switches of the power converter assembly. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] According to the invention, a power converter arrangement with the features of the independent claim is proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0006] The invention relates to a power converter arrangement comprising a low-voltage side and a high-voltage side, which are galvanically isolated from each other. The high-voltage side includes a first DC voltage terminal and a second DC voltage terminal, which are configured to connect the power converter arrangement to a DC voltage source. The nominal voltage of this DC voltage source is, in particular, above a permissible touch voltage of 60 V and can, for example, be several hundred volts. At least one half-bridge is further arranged on the high-voltage side, comprising a first controllable semiconductor switch, which is arranged between the first DC voltage terminal and a center terminal of the half-bridge, and a second controllable semiconductor switch, which is arranged between the second DC voltage terminal and the center terminal of the half-bridge.Furthermore, at least one half-bridge has a first gate driver circuit configured to drive the first controllable semiconductor switch, and a second gate driver circuit configured to drive the second controllable semiconductor switch.

[0007] The control elements (e.g., a logic circuit, IC, ASIC, etc.) required to control the first and second gate driver circuits, as well as the power supply for these circuits, are conventionally located on the low-voltage side. The connection between the gate driver circuits and the control elements or power supply must then cross the potential barrier between the low-voltage and high-voltage sides of the converter assembly. As previously explained, this results in increased space and cost requirements for the converter assembly.

[0008] Based on this, the invention proposes a power converter arrangement in which the data connection and power supply between the low-voltage side and the high-voltage side is provided by means of wireless near-field communication.

[0009] For example, in consumer electronics, solutions for wireless data and power transmission are offered, such as the Qi standard or NFC wireless charging. NFC wireless charging uses 13.56 MHz technology and transmits power in the near field with a power output of up to 3 W. This enables bidirectional data transmission and unidirectional power transmission over short distances of several centimeters.

[0010] By performing data and power transmission between the low-voltage and high-voltage sides wirelessly in the near field, galvanic contact between the gate driver circuit and the low-voltage side is no longer necessary. This allows the gate driver circuits to be placed directly on the same circuit board as the converter half-bridges. Consequently, the circuit board, which houses the low- and high-voltage components, no longer requires internal insulation trenches and only needs to provide insulation to the high-voltage side.

[0011] This allows material costs to be reduced, especially with regard to circuitry, insulation components, circuit board area and assembly and connection technology for contacting the high-voltage side.

[0012] Furthermore, based on near field communication (NFC) technology, a physical layer in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model can be standardized, thereby reducing hardware and software testing efforts and simplifying the software stack.

[0013] Furthermore, this allows for miniaturization of the power supply and the components of the gate driver circuits, as bulky transformer components are no longer needed on the potential barrier, thus reducing the space requirement of the power converter arrangement.

[0014] Additionally, compliance with insulation requirements is facilitated by the air gap in the centimeter range between the low-voltage side and the high-voltage side.

[0015] Furthermore, the use of near-field communication for data transmission and power supply facilitates compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards, as a standardized, globally approved system is used.

[0016] Specifically, the invention relates to a power converter arrangement as described above, wherein each first gate driver circuit comprises a first receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the first gate driver circuit and a first control signal indicating how the first controllable semiconductor switch is to be controlled by the first gate driver circuit. Each second gate driver circuit comprises a second receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the second gate driver circuit and a second control signal indicating how the second controllable semiconductor switch is to be controlled by the second gate driver circuit. The first and second receivers can be integrated, either discretely or as an integrated block, wholly or partially within the first and second gate driver circuits, respectively.The low-voltage side comprises at least one transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the first control signal to the first receiver and to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver. The at least one transmitter, the first receiver, and the second receiver are arranged, in particular, at a distance of a few centimeters from each other, such that the transmission of electrical energy and the first control signal between the at least one transmitter and the first receiver, and the transmission of electrical energy and the second control signal between the at least one transmitter and the second receiver, can take place via near-field wireless transmission.

[0017] The aforementioned advantages can be achieved by using a transmitter and a receiver that wirelessly transmit data and electrical energy. It should be noted, however, that within the scope of this disclosure, the terms "transmitter" and "receiver" define a direction only with regard to energy transmission; data transmission can, however, be bidirectional if necessary. In this sense, a "transmitter" referred to herein also receives data at times, and a "receiver" referred to herein also sends data at times. Multiple control signals can be transmitted, for example, by means of appropriate multiplexing methods. For instance, in time-division multiplexing, each control signal is alternately assigned a time slot. The electrical energy can be continuously transmitted simultaneously to multiple receivers or alternately, concurrently with a control signal, to only one receiver. Possibly...Energy transmission gaps in the receiver can be bridged via an alternative energy source, such as a capacitor that is charged in each transmission cycle.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one transmitter comprises a first transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the first control signal to the first receiver, and a second transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver.

[0019] In one embodiment, the converter arrangement comprises at least two half-bridges, in particular a number of half-bridges corresponding to the number of phase connections of a load supplied with electrical power by the converter arrangement. The load is, for example, an electric machine used as a drive system in a partially or fully electric vehicle. Such electric machines have, for example, three phase windings or phase connections and therefore require a converter arrangement with three half-bridges.

[0020] This allows the power converter arrangement to be flexibly designed and used for different types of loads.

[0021] In one embodiment, the power converter arrangement has at least one transmitter for each of the at least two half-bridges. This allows the gate driver circuits of the individual half-bridges to be controlled independently of each other in a simple manner.

[0022] In one embodiment, the converter arrangement includes a first transmitter for each first gate driver circuit and / or a second transmitter for each second gate driver circuit. For example, if the converter arrangement is used to supply a three-phase electrical machine (i.e., an electrical machine with three phase windings and therefore three phase terminals), it includes three first and three second gate driver circuits, and thus three first and three second receivers. To transmit data and power to the six receivers in total, the low-voltage side in this embodiment includes a total of six transmitters: three first and three second transmitters. However, it should be emphasized that embodiments with fewer than six transmitters are also advantageous, e.g., three transmitters (one per half-bridge), only one transmitter for all half-bridges, or two transmitters for redundancy, or even four or five, or embodiments with more than six transmitters.

[0023] This allows the power converter arrangement to be flexibly adapted to different requirements.

[0024] In one embodiment, a first interruption circuit, configured to at least partially interrupt the connection between each first receiver and the at least one transmitter, and / or a second interruption circuit, configured to at least partially interrupt the connection between each second receiver and the at least one transmitter, are arranged between each second receiver and the at least one transmitter. The first and / or second interruption circuits are arranged, in particular, on the low-voltage side of the converter arrangement to facilitate easy supply of electrical energy to the first and / or second interruption circuits.The first and / or second interrupt circuits are further configured, in particular, to interrupt the transmission of the first control signal and / or the second control signal, and / or to reduce or completely interrupt the transmission of electrical energy. Specifically, the first and / or second interrupt circuits may be configured either to interrupt data transmission, i.e., the transmission of the first and / or second control signal, or to reduce or completely interrupt the transmission of electrical energy, or to interrupt both data transmission and the transmission of electrical energy.

[0025] The first and second interrupt circuits allow the connection between the at least one transmitter and the first and second receivers to be interrupted in emergency situations, for example, if there is a fault in the control of the first and second gate driver circuits. This can be achieved, for instance, by interrupting only the transmission of a control signal between individual receivers and the at least one transmitter, while maintaining the power supply. This allows the gate driver circuits to continue controlling the semiconductor switches, possibly using a stored control behavior for the fault condition. This enables compliance with functional safety standards in the automotive sector, particularly ISO standard 26262, in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first and / or second interrupt circuit has a switchable short-circuit loop in which a short-circuit loop is generated to interrupt the transmission of the control signal and / or energy, which absorbs the signals or energy.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first and / or second interrupt circuit includes a jammer configured to disrupt at least the first and / or second control signal in order to prevent usable reception of the control signal.

[0028] In one embodiment, at least one of the at least one transmitters, for example every second transmitter, has an emergency power supply that allows this transmitter to continue receiving electrical energy in the event of a failure of the power supply on the low-voltage side. The emergency power supply can be, for example, a battery or a capacitor.

[0029] This allows the power converter arrangement to continue operating for at least a short period of time even if the power supply fails on the low-voltage side, thereby increasing the safety of the power converter arrangement during operation.

[0030] In one embodiment, at least one emergency transmitter is arranged on the low-voltage side, which is configured to supply at least one first gate driver circuit and / or at least one second gate driver circuit with electrical energy.

[0031] In one embodiment, at least one first emergency transmitter and / or at least one second emergency transmitter is arranged on the low-voltage side. The at least one first emergency transmitter is configured to wirelessly supply at least one first gate driver circuit on the low-voltage side with electrical energy, and / or the at least one second emergency transmitter is configured to supply at least two gate driver circuits on the low-voltage side with electrical energy. For example, only one first emergency transmitter and one second emergency transmitter can be provided on the low-voltage side, supplying energy to a plurality of first and second receivers, respectively. However, it is also conceivable that a first and second emergency transmitter are provided for each first and second receiver, respectively. The first and / or second emergency transmitter(s) are activated, for example, when a power supply failure occurs on the low-voltage side.

[0032] In particular, at least one emergency transmitter, or each first and / or second emergency transmitter, each has a separate power supply, especially a capacitor or battery, designed to supply the respective emergency transmitter with electrical energy in the event of a failure of the low-voltage power supply. The first and second transmitters should not transmit any energy and, in particular, should be completely de-energized, while the receivers are supplied with electrical energy by the (first and second) emergency transmitter(s).

[0033] This allows for a simple and cost-effective redundancy of the power supply for the first and second gate driver circuits, which in turn enables compliance with standards for functional safety in the automotive sector.

[0034] In one embodiment, each first and / or second receiver is configured to transmit data to the at least one transmitter, in particular to the transmitter from which the control signal and electrical energy are received. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that data is transmitted from each first or second receiver to multiple transmitters to ensure that data transmission remains possible even if one transmitter fails.

[0035] In one embodiment, the at least one transmitter has an antenna configured to transmit the electrical energy and the first or second control signal, and / or each first receiver has an antenna configured to receive the electrical energy and the first control signal, and / or each second receiver has an antenna configured to receive the electrical energy and the second control signal.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, at least two transmitters are provided which have a common antenna which is set up for transmitting electrical energy and the first control signal and / or the second control signal.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, several first transmitters and / or several second transmitters are provided, and two of the first transmitters and / or the second transmitters, in particular a first transmitter and a second transmitter, which are configured to transmit electrical energy and the first control signal and second control signal to a first gate driver circuit and a second gate driver circuit of the same half-bridge, have a common antenna configured to transmit electrical energy and the first control signal and / or the second control signal. Different control signals can be transmitted, in particular by multiplexing methods, as explained above.

[0038] In one embodiment, each first receiver has a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive electrical energy and the first control signal from a first transmitter, and the second antenna is configured to receive electrical energy from another first transmitter or a second transmitter. Similarly, alternatively or additionally, each second receiver has a third antenna and a fourth antenna, wherein the third antenna is configured to receive electrical energy and the second control signal from a second transmitter, and the fourth antenna is configured to receive electrical energy from another second transmitter or a first transmitter.

[0039] This creates redundancy so that if a first or second transmitter fails, the first or second gate driver circuit can still be supplied with electrical energy and thus continue to operate.

[0040] In connection with the transmission of data from the first and / or second receivers to the at least one transmitter, each first receiver is configured to transmit data to at least one transmitter, e.g., at least one first transmitter, in particular at least the first transmitter from which the first control signal and the electrical energy are received, and / or each second receiver is configured to transmit data to at least one transmitter, e.g., at least one second transmitter, in particular at least the second transmitter from which the second control signal and the electrical energy are received. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that data can be transmitted from the first or second receiver to several first or second transmitters, respectively, to ensure that in the event of a defect in one of the first or second transmitters, data can continue to be transmitted by the first or second receiver.

[0041] This allows data, such as error messages, to be transmitted from the high-voltage side to the low-voltage side via near-field communication.

[0042] The antennas in the previously described embodiments can be implemented as 2D or 3D printed circuit board patterns, as finished discrete components, or as flexible PCBs (printed circuit boards). Precise spatial matching, as required in conventional magnetic circuits, is not necessary; that is, the geometric arrangement can be very flexible and does not need to be precisely aligned, as is conventionally the case with a planar transformer.

[0043] In one embodiment, the power converter arrangement is configured to switch the transmission of electrical energy and / or the first control signal to another first transmitter and / or to switch the transmission of electrical energy to a second transmitter if a fault occurs in a first transmitter, which interrupts the transmission of electrical energy and / or the first control signal to the first receiver.

[0044] In one embodiment, the power converter arrangement is configured to switch the transmission of electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver to another second transmitter and / or to switch the transmission of electrical energy to a first transmitter if a fault occurs in a second transmitter which interrupts the transmission of electrical energy and / or the second control signal from the second transmitter to the corresponding second receiver.

[0045] This ensures the continued operation of the power converter arrangement even if faults occur in individual first and / or second transmitters. The first and / or second gate driver circuits can be configured in such a way that they can continue operation, at least for a certain period of time, even without a control signal, and / or can bring the power converter arrangement into a safe state, for example, an active short circuit.

[0046] The invention further relates to a method for operating a power converter arrangement as described. The method determines whether a fault exists in the transmission of the first control signal and / or the second control signal and / or electrical energy in a first transmitter and / or a second transmitter. If it is determined that a fault exists in the transmission of the first control signal and / or electrical energy in the first transmitter, transmission between the faulty first transmitter and the corresponding first receiver is interrupted. If it is determined that a fault exists in the transmission of the second control signal and / or electrical energy in the second transmitter, transmission between the faulty second transmitter and the corresponding second receiver is interrupted.Subsequently, electrical energy and / or the first control signal are transmitted by another first transmitter to the corresponding first receiver, and / or electrical energy is transmitted by a second transmitter to the corresponding first receiver. Furthermore, electrical energy and / or the second control signal are transmitted by another second transmitter to the corresponding second receiver, and / or electrical energy is transmitted by a first transmitter to the corresponding second receiver.

[0047] This allows operations to continue even if there is a fault in one or more of the first and / or second transmitters.

[0048] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0049] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a power converter arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a power converter arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a power converter arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic embodiment of the first and second transmitters and first and second receivers as they can be used in an embodiment of the power converter arrangement according to the invention, and Fig. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating a power converter arrangement according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0050] Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a power converter arrangement 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The power converter arrangement 10 has a low-voltage side 100 and a high-voltage side 200, which are galvanically isolated from each other. Elements of the power converter arrangement 10 are arranged on the low-voltage side 100 and are supplied with a low voltage, for example, a voltage below a permissible touch voltage of 60 V, such as a typical vehicle low voltage of 12 V or 24 V, while voltages above the permissible touch voltage, for example, voltages of several hundred volts, can be present on the high-voltage side 200. The power converter arrangement 10 is configured to supply a load 1 with an alternating current. In the embodiment shown, the load 1 is a three-phase electric machine, i.e.,an electric machine with three phase windings, such as those used as a drive in a partially or fully electric vehicle.

[0051] The high-voltage side 200 comprises a first DC voltage connection 241 and a second DC voltage connection 242, which are designed to connect the power converter arrangement 10 to a DC voltage source, for example a battery (high-voltage battery) of a vehicle in which the power converter arrangement 10 is installed.

[0052] Three half-bridges are arranged on the high-voltage side 200 of the converter arrangement 10. The number of half-bridges depends on the load 1, which is supplied with electrical power by the converter arrangement 10. Since the load 1 in the illustrated embodiment is a three-phase electric machine, the converter arrangement 10 expediently also has three half-bridges.

[0053] Each half-bridge comprises a first controllable semiconductor switch 211, 221, 231, arranged between the first DC terminal 241 and a center terminal 213, 223, 233 of the respective half-bridge, and a second controllable semiconductor switch 212, 222, 232, arranged between the second DC terminal 242 and the center terminal 213, 223, 233 of the half-bridge. The semiconductor switches are, for example, a self-blocking semiconductor switch such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).

[0054] Each half-bridge further comprises a first gate driver circuit 251, 252, 253, which is configured to drive the first controllable semiconductor switch 211, 221, 231. Each first gate driver circuit 251, 252, 253 comprises a first receiver 261, 262, 263, which is configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the first gate driver circuit 251, 252, 253 and a first control signal indicating how the first controllable semiconductor switch 211, 221, 231 is to be driven by the first gate driver circuit 251, 252, 253. Each half-bridge further comprises a second gate driver circuit 254, 255, 256, which is configured to drive the second controllable semiconductor switch 212, 222, 232.Each second gate driver circuit 254, 255, 256 includes a second receiver 264, 265, 266, which is configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the second gate driver circuit 254, 255, 256 and a second control signal that indicates how the second controllable semiconductor switch 212, 222, 232 is to be controlled by the second gate driver circuit 254, 255, 256.

[0055] On the low-voltage side 100, in the example shown, three first transmitters 151, 152, 153, each configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the first control signal to one of the first receivers 261, 262, 263 of one of the half-bridges, and three second transmitters 154, 155, 156, each configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the second control signal to one of the second receivers 264, 265, 266 of one of the half-bridges, are arranged. In this case, each first transmitter 151, 152, 153 is coupled to exactly one first receiver 261, 262, 263, i.e., it transmits the first control signal only to this one first receiver 261, 262, 263. The same applies analogously to the second transmitters 154, 155, 156 and the second receivers 254, 255, 256.For this purpose, the first transmitters 151, 152, 153 and the first receivers 261, 262, 263 as well as the second transmitters 154, 155, 156 and the second receivers 264, 265, 266 are arranged in pairs such that the transmission of electrical energy and the first control signal between the first transmitter 151, 152, 153 and the first receiver 261, 262, 263 and the transmission of electrical energy and the second control signal between the second transmitter 154, 155, 156 and the second receiver 264, 265, 266 can take place by means of a wireless near-field transmission.

[0056] The first and second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 are supplied with electrical energy by the power supply of the low-voltage side 100, but also each have an emergency power supply (not shown), so that the first and second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 can continue to transmit energy and the first and / or second control signal to the first and second receivers 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266 even in the event of a failure of the power supply of the low-voltage side 100, at least for a short period of time, in order to enable a safe state to be reached.

[0057] Each first receiver 261, 262, 263 is further configured to transmit data to at least one first transmitter 151, 152, 153, and each second receiver 264, 265, 266 is configured to transmit data to at least one second transmitter 154, 155, 156. The data transmission takes place at least in the paired receivers 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266 and transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, whereby transmission to other transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 is also conceivable to enable redundancy.

[0058] In this example, the first transmitters 151, 152, 153, the second transmitters 154, 155, 156, the first receivers 261, 262, 263, and the second receivers 264, 265, 266 each have a separate antenna. The antennas can be implemented, for example, as 2D / 3D printed circuit board designs, as finished discrete components, or as flexible PCBs.

[0059] The first receivers 261, 262, 263 may also have a first and a second antenna, the first antenna being configured to receive electrical energy and the first control signal from a first transmitter 151, 152, 153, and the second antenna being configured to receive electrical energy from another first transmitter 151, 152, 153 or a second transmitter 154, 155, 156. The second antenna serves as redundancy in case of a fault in the first antenna.

[0060] The same applies analogously to the second receivers 264, 265, 266, which may have a third and fourth antenna.

[0061] The converter arrangement 10 is configured such that, if a fault occurs in a first transmitter 151, 152, 153, which interrupts the transmission of electrical energy and / or the first control signal from the first transmitter 151, 152, 153 to the corresponding first receiver 261, 262, 263, the transmission of electrical energy and / or the first control signal to the first receiver 261, 262, 263 is switched to another first transmitter 151, 152, 153 and / or the transmission of electrical energy is switched to a second transmitter 154, 155, 156.Similarly, the converter arrangement 10 is configured such that, if a fault occurs in a second transmitter 154, 155, 156, interrupting the transmission of electrical energy and / or the second control signal from the second transmitter 154, 155, 156 to the corresponding second receiver 264, 265, 266, the transmission of electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver 264, 265, 266 is switched to another second transmitter 154, 155, 156 and / or the transmission of electrical energy is switched to a first transmitter 151, 152, 153. This allows the converter arrangement 10 to continue operating in the event of a failure of one or more of the first and / or second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156.

[0062] In particular, the first and / or second gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256 can be configured with computational logic such that they can continue to operate for a certain period of time even without receiving a first or second control signal and require only a continuous supply of electrical energy. Furthermore, it is also possible that the first and / or second gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256 are configured to bring the converter arrangement 10 into a safe state upon loss of the first and / or second control signal. This configuration of the converter arrangement 10 can be directly transferred to the other embodiments of the converter arrangement 10', 10''.

[0063] On the low-voltage side 100, a pre-regulator 110 is arranged, which is configured to regulate the input voltage on the low-voltage side 100 and to provide the system voltage for the individual components on the low-voltage side. The pre-regulator 110 is shown here only as an example of a separate block and could, for example, also be integrated into each component or designed as a common pre-regulator 110 for a group of components.

[0064] Furthermore, a control unit 120 is arranged on the low-voltage side 100, which is designed to control the electric machine and therefore determines the first and second control signals that are transmitted from the first and second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 to the first and second receivers 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266 and outputs them to the first and second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156.

[0065] Fig. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a power converter arrangement 10' according to a further embodiment of the invention. The basic structure of the power converter arrangement 10' corresponds to that of the one shown in Fig. 1. The embodiment of the power converter arrangement 10 shown. With regard to the common features, reference is made to the descriptions in section 1. Fig. 1 was referred to, and only the differences were explained in the following.

[0066] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the converter arrangement 10' further comprises three first interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133. The first interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133 are arranged on the low-voltage side 100' between the first transmitters 151, 152, 153 and the first receivers 261, 262, 263 of the first gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253. The arrangement between the first transmitters 151, 152, 153 and the first receivers 261, 262, 263 is chosen only as an example, and alternatively or additionally, second interrupt circuits could also be arranged between the second transmitters 154, 155, 156 and the second receivers 264, 265, 266.

[0067] When the interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133 receive an interrupt signal 134, 135, 136, for example from the control unit 120, they are activated and interrupt the connection between the first transmitters 151, 152, 153 and the first receivers 261, 262, 263. This can occur, for example, if only the transmission of the first control signal is interrupted. It is also conceivable that the power supply to the first gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253 is interrupted instead. Likewise, it is possible that both the transmission of the first control signal and the power supply to the first gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253 are interrupted.

[0068] The first interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133 can be activated, in particular, if a fault occurs in the converter arrangement 10', for example, in one of the first gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253. The control unit 120 can determine whether such a fault exists, for example, based on the data received from the first receivers 261, 262, 263.

[0069] The first interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133 can, for example, be designed as jammers or as short-circuitable conductor loops for signal absorption.

[0070] Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a power converter arrangement 10'' according to a further embodiment of the invention. The basic structure of the power converter arrangement 10'' again corresponds to that of the one in Fig. 1 embodiment of the power converter arrangement 10 shown. However, the embodiments shown in the Fig. 2 interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133 shown in the embodiment of the Fig. 3. Regarding the common features, reference is made to the explanations concerning Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 was referred to, and only the differences were explained in the following.

[0071] On the low-voltage side 100'' of the converter arrangement 10'' of the embodiment of the Fig. Figure 3 further includes a first emergency transmitter 141 and a second emergency transmitter 142. The first emergency transmitter 141 is configured to wirelessly supply electrical energy to the first gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253 in the event of a power supply failure on the low-voltage side 100''. The second emergency transmitter 142 is configured to supply electrical energy to the second gate driver circuits 254, 255, 256 in the event of a power supply failure on the low-voltage side 100''. In the illustrated embodiment, only one first emergency transmitter 141 is provided for each of the three first gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253, and one second emergency transmitter 142 is provided for each of the three second gate driver circuits 254, 255, 256. However, it is also conceivable that for each first gate driver circuit 251, 252, 253 a first emergency transmitter 141 is provided and for each second gate driver circuit 254, 255, 256 a second emergency transmitter 142 is provided.

[0072] The first emergency transmitter 141 and the second emergency transmitter 142 each have a separate power supply (not shown), for example a capacitor or a battery, which is designed to supply the first emergency transmitter 141 or the second emergency transmitter 142 with electrical energy in the event of a failure of the power supply on the low-voltage side 100''.

[0073] The first and second emergency transmitters 141 and 142 are activated when, for example, the control unit 120 sends a corresponding signal to them. This signal can be sent to the first and / or second emergency transmitters 141 and 142 if it is detected that one or more first and / or second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 are transmitting too much electrical energy, which would cause an overvoltage in the first and / or second gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256. Furthermore, such a signal can also be transmitted if, for example, one or more of the first and / or second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 fail.

[0074] While the first or second emergency transmitter 141, 142 is active, the first or second transmitters 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, whose power supply is replaced by the first or second emergency transmitter 141, 142, are without power, i.e., they do not transmit any electrical energy or a first or second control signal.

[0075] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic embodiment of the first and second transmitters and first and second receivers as they can be used in an embodiment of the power converter arrangement according to the invention.

[0076] In the Fig. In the configuration shown in Figure 4, there are three transmitters 151, 152, 153 and six receivers 261 to 266. Each transmitter 151, 152, 153 is assigned two receivers 261 to 266, which is determined by their spatial proximity: transmitter 151 is assigned receivers 261 and 264, transmitter 152 is assigned receivers 262 and 265, and transmitter 153 is assigned receivers 263 and 266. Receivers 261 to 266 are each configured as a separate antenna.

[0077] The first and second control signals are transmitted, for example, via time-division multiplexing, i.e., in alternating time slots, to the coupled first and second receivers 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266. The time slots have a length of, for example, 1 ms.

[0078] The electrical energy can be continuously and simultaneously transmitted to both coupled first and second receivers 262 and 264, 263 and 265 via the common antenna.

[0079] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the electrical energy is only transmitted in the assigned time slots together with the first or second control signal. In this case, the first and second gate driver circuits 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256 have separate power supplies that bridge the time slots in which no energy is received from the corresponding first or second receivers 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266. The separate power supply is, for example, a battery or a capacitor that is charged, in particular, in the time slot in which the first or second receiver 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266 receives electrical energy from the first or second transmitter 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156.

[0080] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that, for reasons of redundancy, each receiver 261 to 266 comprises two antennas, with each of the antennas of a receiver 261 to 266 being coupled to another transmitter 151 to 153.

[0081] Fig. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating a power converter arrangement 10, 10', 10'' according to the invention, for example one of the ones described in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 shown converter arrangement 10, 10', 10''.

[0082] In step 500 of the procedure, it is determined whether a fault exists in the transmission of the first control signal and / or the second control signal and / or electrical energy in a first transmitter 151, 152, 153 and / or a second transmitter 154, 155, 156 of the at least one transmitter. This is particularly the case if a fault exists in the first or second transmitter 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 itself. This can result in, for example, no control signal and / or electrical energy being transmitted from the first and / or second transmitter 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 to the corresponding first or second receiver 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, or the first or second control signal being transmitted incorrectly and / or the amount of electrical energy transmitted is incorrect, i.e., there is an over- or undervoltage in the gate driver circuit 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256.

[0083] If it is determined that there is an error in the transmission of the first control signal and / or electrical energy in the first transmitter 151, 152, 153, a transmission between the faulty first transmitter 151, 152, 153 and the corresponding first receiver 261, 262, 263 is interrupted in step 510. Furthermore, if it is determined that there is an error in the transmission of the second control signal and / or electrical energy in the second transmitter 154, 155, 156, a transmission between the faulty second transmitter (154, 155, 156) and the corresponding second receiver 264, 265, 266 is interrupted in step 510. For this purpose, interrupt circuits 131, 132, 133 can be used, for example.

[0084] Subsequently, in a step 520, electrical energy and / or the first control signal are transmitted to the corresponding first receiver 251, 252, 253 by another first transmitter 151, 152, 153 and / or electrical energy by a second transmitter 154, 155, 156. Furthermore, electrical energy and / or the second control signal are transmitted to the corresponding second receiver 254, 255, 256 by another second transmitter 154, 155, 156 and / or electrical energy by a first transmitter 151, 152, 153. This ensures redundancy in the power supply and the transmission of the control signals, so that the converter arrangement can continue to operate even if individual transmitters fail.

Claims

[1] Power converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') comprising a low-voltage side (100, 100', 100'') and a high-voltage side (200) which are galvanically isolated from each other, the high-voltage side (200) comprising: - a first DC voltage terminal (241) and a second DC voltage terminal (242) which are configured to connect the converter arrangement (10) to a DC voltage source, - exhibiting at least a half-bridge: -- a first controllable semiconductor switch (211, 221, 231) arranged between the first DC voltage terminal (241) and a center terminal (213, 223, 233) of the half-bridge, -- a second controllable half-bridge switch (212, 222, 232) arranged between the second DC terminal (242) and the center terminal (213, 223, 233) of the half-bridge, -- a first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) configured to drive the first controllable semiconductor switch (211, 221, 231), -- a first receiver (261, 262, 263) configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) and a first control signal indicating how the first controllable semiconductor switch (211, 221, 231) is to be controlled by the first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253), -- a second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256) configured to drive the second controllable semiconductor switch (212, 222, 232), -- a second receiver (264, 265, 266) configured to wirelessly receive electrical energy to supply the second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256) and a second control signal indicating how the second controllable semiconductor switch (212, 222, 232) is to be controlled by the second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256), having the low-voltage side (100, 100', 100''): - at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the first control signal to the first receiver (261, 262, 263) of the at least one half-bridge, and to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver (264, 265, 266) of the at least one half-bridge. [2] Converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to claim 1, wherein the converter arrangement (10) comprises at least two half-bridges, in particular a number of half-bridges corresponding to a number of phase connections of a load (1) which is supplied with electrical power by the converter arrangement (10, 10', 10''). [3] Converter arrangement (10') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first interruption circuit (131, 132, 133) is arranged between the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) and each first receiver (261, 262, 263), in particular on the low-voltage side (100'), the interruption circuit being configured to at least partially interrupt the transmission between the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) and the first receiver (261, 262, 263), and / or a second interruption circuit is arranged between the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) and each second receiver (264, 265, 266), in particular on the low-voltage side (100'). interrupt circuit is arranged which is designed to at least partially interrupt the transmission between the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) and the second receiver (264, 265, 266). [4] Power converter arrangement (10') according to claim 3, wherein the first interrupt circuit (131, 132, 133) is configured to interrupt the transmission of the first control signal and / or the second interrupt circuit is configured to interrupt the transmission of the second control signal. [5] Power converter arrangement (10') according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first interrupt circuit (131, 132, 133) and / or the second interrupt circuit is configured to reduce, in particular to completely interrupt, the transmission of electrical energy. [6] Converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, in particular each, of the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) has an emergency power supply by which the transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) can continue to be supplied with electrical energy in the event of a failure of the power supply on the low-voltage side (100, 100', 100''). [7] Power converter arrangement (10'') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one emergency transmitter (141, 142) is arranged on the low-voltage side (100'') which is configured to supply at least one first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) and / or at least one second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256) with electrical energy. [8] Converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each first receiver (261, 262, 263) is further configured to transmit data to at least one of the at least one third transmission unit (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156), and / or each second receiver (264, 265, 266) is further configured to transmit data to at least one of the at least one third transmission unit (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156). [9] Power converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) comprises: - a first transmitter (151, 152, 153) configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the first control signal to the first receiver (261, 262, 263) of at least one half-bridge, and - a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) which is configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver (264, 265, 266) of the at least one half-bridge. [10] Converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to claim 9, wherein the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) has a first transmitter (151, 152, 153) for each first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) and / or a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) for each second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256). [11] Power converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein each first transmitter (151, 152, 153) has an antenna configured to transmit the electrical energy and the first control signal, and / or each second transmitter (154, 155, 156) has an antenna configured to transmit the electrical energy and the second control signal, and / or each first receiver (261, 262, 263) has an antenna configured to receive the electrical energy and the first control signal, and / or each second receiver (264, 265, 266) has an antenna configured to receive the electrical energy and the second control signal. [12] Power converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein two of the first transmitters (151, 152, 153) and / or the second transmitters (154, 155, 156), in particular a first transmitter (151, 152, 153) and a second transmitter (154, 155, 156), which are configured to transmit electrical energy, the first control signal and the second control signal to a first gate driver circuit (251, 252, 253) and a second gate driver circuit (254, 255, 256) of the same half-bridge, have a common antenna configured to transmit electrical energy and the first control signal and / or the second control signal. [13] Power converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least one first receiver (261, 262, 263) has a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna being configured to receive electrical energy and the first control signal from a first transmitter (151, 152, 153), and the second antenna being configured to receive electrical energy and / or the first control signal from another first transmitter (151, 152, 153) and / or electrical energy from a second transmitter (154, 155, 156), and / or at least one second receiver (264, 265, 266) having a third antenna and a fourth antenna, the third antenna being configured to receive electrical energy and the second control signal from a second transmitter (154, 155, 156). and the fourth antenna is set up to receive electrical energy and / or the second control signal from another second transmitter (154, 155,156) and / or to receive electrical energy from a first transmitter (151, 152, 153). [14] Converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to claim 13, wherein the converter arrangement is configured to switch the transmission of electrical energy and / or the first control signal from the first transmitter (151, 152, 153) to the corresponding first receiver (261, 262, 263) to another first transmitter (151, 152, 153) and / or to switch the transmission of electrical energy to a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) when a fault occurs in a first transmitter (151, 152, 153) that interrupts the transmission of electrical energy and / or the first control signal to the first receiver (261, 262, 263) and / or to switch the transmission of electrical energy to a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) when a fault occurs in a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) that interrupts the transmission of electrical energy and / or the second control signal to the first receiver (261, 262, 263) second transmitter (154, 155, 156) to the corresponding second receiver (264, 265, 266) is interrupted,to switch the transmission of electrical energy and the second control signal to the second receiver (264, 265, 266) to another second transmitter (154, 155, 156) and / or to switch the transmission of electrical energy to a first transmitter (151, 152, 153). [15] Method for operating a power converter arrangement (10, 10', 10'') according to claim 13 or 14, the method comprising: Determine (500) whether in a first transmitter (151, 152, 153) and / or a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) of the at least one transmitter (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156) there is an error in the transmission of the first control signal and / or the second control signal and / or of electrical energy, Interrupting (510) a transmission between the faulty first transmitter (151, 152, 153) and the corresponding first receiver (261, 262, 263) when it is determined that there is an error in the transmission of the first control signal and / or electrical energy in the first transmitter (151, 152, 153), and / or between the faulty second transmitter (154, 155, 156) and the corresponding second receiver (264, 265, 266) when it is determined that there is an error in the transmission of the second control signal and / or electrical energy in the second transmitter (154, 155, 156), Transmitting (520) electrical energy and / or the first control signal to the corresponding first receiver (251, 252, 253) by another first transmitter (151, 152, 153) and / or electrical energy by a second transmitter (154, 155, 156) and / or electrical energy and / or the second control signal to the corresponding second receiver (254, 255, 256) by another second transmitter (154, 155, 156) and / or electrical energy by a first transmitter (151, 152, 153).

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