Asymmetric power supply module

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to an asymmetric power supply module. The present application relates to a power module comprising a module control terminal, a first module load terminal and a second module load terminal, and at least one power switch comprising a plurality of switching devices coupled in parallel. Each switching device includes a control terminal, a first load terminal, and a second load terminal. The control terminal is coupled to the module control terminal via a plurality of control paths. The first load terminal is coupled to the first module load terminal via a plurality of first load paths. The second load terminal is coupled to the second module load terminal via a plurality of second load paths. At least one of the control path, the first load path, and the second load path has at least one electrical parameter different from the other control path, the other first load path, and the other second load path, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to power modules including one or more power switches and, more particularly, to reducing stress caused by a load coupled to the power module during switching of the power module. Background Art

[0002] The power module comprises one or more power switches, which are generally arranged as one or more switching devices coupled in parallel. In order to interface with the control circuit device and the load, the power module comprises module terminals that are internally coupled to a control terminal, a first load terminal and a second load terminal of the one or more power switches. The control terminal, the first load terminal and the second load terminal and these internal connections between the module terminals are formed by a plurality of corresponding paths. The plurality of paths are typically designed to be symmetrical, i.e., exhibit the same or substantially the same electrical properties. The paths are typically designed to be symmetrical in order to reduce ringing inside the power module. However, the symmetrical design causes a long ringing phase after a switching event, which may in particular cause excessive slew rates, for example as Fig. 6A Excessive slew rates can cause degradation in the life of a load coupled to the power module, for example by sustaining damage to the load's wiring insulation.

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the ringing effect in a power supply module. Summary of the invention

[0004] To achieve this purpose, the present disclosure provides a power module. The power module includes a module control terminal, a first module load terminal, and a second module load terminal; and at least one power switch, which includes a plurality of switching devices coupled in parallel. Each switching device includes a control terminal, a first load terminal, and a second load terminal. The control terminals of the plurality of switching devices are coupled to the module control terminal via a plurality of control paths. The first load terminals of the plurality of switching devices are coupled to the first module load terminal via a plurality of first load paths. The second load terminals of the plurality of switching devices are coupled to the second module load terminal via a plurality of second load paths. At least one of the control paths in the plurality of control paths, the first load paths in the plurality of first load paths, and the second load paths in the plurality of second load paths has at least one electrical parameter that is different from the other control paths in the plurality of control paths, the other first load paths in the plurality of first load paths, and the other second load paths in the plurality of second load paths, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0006] Figure 1 An equivalent circuit diagram of a power module according to an example of the present disclosure is provided.

[0007] Figure 2 An example of a power substrate layer of a power module according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0008] Figure 3 An example of a power substrate layer of a power module according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 4 An example of a power substrate layer of a power module according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A comparison between a load path voltage during switching of a symmetrical power module and a load path voltage during switching of an asymmetrical power module according to examples of the present disclosure is provided.

[0011] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B A comparison between slew rates during switching of a symmetrical power module and slew rates during switching of an asymmetrical power module according to examples of the present disclosure is provided.

[0012] It should be understood that the above-mentioned drawings are by no means intended to limit the present disclosure. On the contrary, these drawings are provided to help understand the present disclosure. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various aspects of the present invention shown in one drawing may be combined with various aspects in another drawing or may be omitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present invention generally provides a power module having at least one asymmetric path between at least one terminal of the power module and at least one terminal of one of the switching devices in a plurality of parallel switching devices forming a power switch of the power module. Using a power module including a single power switch as an example, such a power module may include a module control terminal, a first module load terminal, and a second module load terminal. A single power switch may be implemented, for example, by four parallel switching devices, each of which has a control terminal, a first load terminal, and a second load terminal. Therefore, there are a total of twelve paths inside the power module, consisting of three groups of paths: four paths between the module control terminal and the corresponding control terminal, four paths between the first module load terminal and the corresponding first load terminal, and four paths between the second module load terminal and the corresponding second load terminal. In at least one of the three groups of paths, one path is asymmetric relative to the other three paths, that is, the path is different from the other three paths in at least one electrical parameter, such as resistance or inductance. Therefore, in the example of twelve paths consisting of three groups of four paths, at least one group includes a path that is different from the other three paths in at least one electrical parameter. It should be understood that this constitutes a minimum degree of asymmetry. In other words, in some examples of power modules with a single switch, each group of paths may include an asymmetric path, or two groups may include an asymmetric path, while the third group may not include an asymmetric path. At the maximum degree of asymmetry, all paths within each group of paths may be different from each other, i.e., within each of the three groups, all four paths may be different from each other in at least one electrical parameter. Thus, the number of paths within each group of paths that are different from the other paths may vary between these two extremes.

[0014] The concept of having at least one asymmetric path in at least one set or plurality of paths discussed with respect to an example power module having a single power switch can be applied to any power module having any number of switches formed by any number of parallel switching devices. Examples include a half-bridge, an inverter, or a multi-level inverter, where each power switch can be formed by, for example, ten parallel switching devices.

[0015] This general concept will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 Provides an equivalent circuit of the power module, Figures 2 to 4 Various examples of how asymmetric paths may be implemented are illustrated. FIG. 5A to FIG. 6B The effects of a power module according to the present disclosure on slew rate and load path voltage during switching of the power module according to the present disclosure are illustrated compared to a power module without an asymmetric path.

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows an equivalent circuit of a power module 100. The power module 100 includes a module control terminal T CTRL , first module load terminal TL1 and the second module load terminal T L2 Module control terminal T CTRL is configured to be coupled to a control circuit device, such as a gate driver. The first module load terminal T L1 and the second module load terminal T L2 Each is configured to be coupled to any type of electronic component, such as a supply voltage, another power module, a load or other electronic components, as warranted by the intended use of the power module 100. Module control terminal T CTRL , first module load terminal T L1 and the second module load terminal T L2 It may be arranged on or integrated into the housing 150. The housing 150 may be any type of housing suitable for enclosing the components of the power module 100 while taking into account thermal aspects, environmental aspects (such as humidity levels) and safety aspects (such as creepage distances).

[0017] The power module 100 also includes at least one power switch. Depending on the power circuit device implemented by the power module 100, the power module 100 may include any number of power switches, such as 4 if the power module 100 implements an H-bridge, or 18 if the power module 100 implements a three-level inverter. The power switch may be any type of power switch configured to have a high voltage blocking capability. For example, the power switch is capable of blocking voltages of at least 400V, such as 450V, 900V, 1,200V, 1,800V, or 3,300V. In order to achieve such voltage blocking capabilities, the power switch may be, for example, a silicon or silicon carbide (SiC) metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET), a silicon or SiC insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), or a gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN-HEMT). It should be understood that the voltage levels and technology types discussed about the power switch are provided only as examples. The present disclosure may be practiced with other high voltage levels and other power switch technologies other than those mentioned herein.

[0018] At least one power switch includes a plurality of switching devices 110 coupled in parallel. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the plurality of switching devices 110 include four switching devices 110 1 Up to 110 4 It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of switching devices shown in the equivalent circuit of is provided only as an example. The power switch may, for example, include 10 or 100 switching devices coupled in parallel.

[0019] Switching device 110 1 Up to 110 4 Each switching device includes a control terminal 1101C Up to 110 4C , first load terminal 110 1L1 Up to 110 4L1 and the second load terminal 110 1L2 Up to 110 4L2 Depending on the technology used to implement the power switch, the control terminal 110 1C Up to 110 4C , first load terminal 110 1L1 Up to 110 4L1 and the second load terminal 110 1L2 Up to 110 4L2 The gate terminal or base terminal, the drain terminal or collector terminal, and the source terminal or emitter terminal may be referred to as the gate terminal or base terminal, the drain terminal or collector terminal, and the source terminal or emitter terminal, respectively. It should be understood that the module control terminal T CTRL , first module load terminal T L1 and the second module load terminal T L2 They may be referred to accordingly as module gate terminal or module base terminal, module drain terminal or module collector terminal and module source terminal or module emitter terminal, respectively.

[0020] Control terminals 110 of a plurality of switching devices 110 1C Up to 110 4C coupled to the module control terminal T via a plurality of control paths 120 CTRL ,exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the control path 120 includes four control paths 120 1 Up to 120 4 The first load terminal 110 of the plurality of switching devices 110 1L1 Up to 110 4L1 coupled to the first module load terminal T via a plurality of first load paths 130 L1 ,exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the first load path 130 includes four first load paths 130 1 Up to 130 4 The second load terminals 110 of the plurality of switching devices 110 1L2 Up to 110 4L2 The plurality of second load paths 140 are coupled to the second module load terminal T L2 ,exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the second load path 140 includes four first load paths 140 1 Up to 140 4 It should be understood that the plurality of control paths 120 , the plurality of first load paths 130 , and the plurality of second load paths 140 may also be referred to based on the above-mentioned technology-related indicators.

[0021] The control paths 120 of the plurality of control paths 120 1 Up to 120 4 , a first load path 130 of the plurality of first load paths 130 1 Up to 130 4 and a plurality of second load paths 140 of the second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 At least one of the paths has a different control path 120 from the other control paths 120 in the plurality of control paths 120. 1 Up to 120 4 , other first load paths 130 in the plurality of first load paths 130 1 Up to 130 4 and other second load paths 140 in the plurality of second load paths 140 1 Up to 140 4 The different at least one electrical parameter causes at least one path among the plurality of control paths 120, the plurality of first load paths 130, and the plurality of second load paths 140 to be asymmetric relative to other paths among the corresponding plurality of paths.

[0022] To illustrate the difference in at least one electrical parameter, the control path 120 1 Up to 120 4 , first load path 130 1 Up to 130 4 and the second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 exist Figure 1 are shown as including control path resistors 120 respectively. 1R Up to 120 4R , control path inductor 130 1L Up to 130 4L , first load path resistor 130 1R Up to 130 4R , the first load path inductor 130 1L Up to 130 4L , the second load path resistor 140 1R Each resistor and inductor represents the resistance value and inductance value of the corresponding path, respectively. The resistance value and / or inductance value of any path may be different from the resistance value and / or inductance value of other paths in the corresponding plurality of paths.

[0023] To use the plurality of second load paths 140 as an example, as represented by resistors 140 3R The second load path 140 is shown 3 The resistance value and / or the inductor 140 3L The second load path 140 is shown 3The inductance value of the second load path 140 may be different from 1 , 140 2 and 140 3 In other words, in this example, resistor 140 1R , 140 2R and 140 4R and an inductor 140 1L , 140 2L and 140 L4 In addition, in this example, the control paths 120 of the plurality of control paths 120 1 Up to 120 4 and a first load path 130 of a plurality of first control paths 130 1 Up to 140 4 The corresponding multiple paths have the same resistance and inductance, that is, the resistor 120 1R Up to 120 4R and inductor 120 1L Up to 120 4L and resistor 130 1R Up to 130 4R and inductor 130 1L Up to 130 4L However, resistor 120 1R Up to 120 4R and resistor 130 1R Up to 130 4R and an inductor 120 1L Up to 120 4L and inductor 130 1L Up to 130 4L The control paths 140 and 141 may be the same or different, as any difference or equality between the electrical parameters of the different multiple paths does not affect the asymmetry of the power module 100 in the context of the present disclosure. 3 Different in resistance and / or inductance Figure 1 Other control paths in the plurality of control paths 140, while Figure 1 The other paths in the control path 120 are not different from the other paths in the corresponding plurality of paths in terms of resistance and inductance. This example can be considered to represent a minimal degree of asymmetry. It should be understood that under minimal asymmetry, different paths can also be control paths 120. 1 Up to 120 4 A control path or a first load terminal 130 1 Up to 130 4 One of the load terminals.

[0024] In other examples, the resistance value and / or inductance value of all paths of all the plurality of paths may be different. 1R Up to 120 4R and / or inductor 130 1L Up to 130 4L 、Resistor 130 1R Up to 130 4R and / or inductor 140 1L Up to 140 4L and resistor 140 1R Up to 140 4R and / or inductor 140 1L Up to 140 4 This example shows the maximum degree of asymmetry.

[0025] For each power switch of the power module 100, the various paths discussed above can be implemented with at least one different electrical parameter between the minimum asymmetry and the maximum asymmetry. 1 Up to 120 4 The first load path 130 may differ in its resistance and / or inductance. 2 may be different from the other first load paths 130 1 , 130 3 and 130 4 , while the second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 can be the same. For example, Figure 1 In each of the plurality of paths, the paths may be different from each other in pairs, for example, the same control path 120 1 and 120 3 Different from the same control path 120 in at least one electrical parameter 2 and 120 4 , the same first load path 130 1 and 130 3 Different from the first load path 130 in at least one electrical parameter 2 and 130 4 , and the same second load path 140 1 and 140 3 A second load path 140 that is different from the same load path 140 in at least one electrical parameter 2 and 140 4 .

[0026] It should be understood that Figure 1The resistors and inductors shown in are provided only to represent resistance and inductance values, and are not intended to indicate the presence of discrete resistors and inductors in the various paths. Although discrete resistors and inductors can be used to adjust the electrical parameters of the various paths, as will be discussed below, the electrical parameters of the various paths can also be adjusted by other means that affect the electrical parameters of the various paths without using discrete components, which will also be discussed below. It should also be understood that the resistance and inductance values ​​are provided only as example electrical parameters, and that other electrical parameters of at least one path may be different from corresponding other electrical parameters of other paths in the corresponding plurality of paths in order to achieve a desired degree of asymmetry. For example, the different electrical parameters may be capacitance values.

[0027] In order to implement at least one path having electrical parameters different from other paths in the corresponding plurality of paths as described above, the power module 100 may include a substrate layer 160, which will be referred to hereinafter. Figures 2 to 4 Have a discussion, Figures 2 to 4 express Figure 1 An implementation example of an equivalent circuit of the power module 100 is shown in FIG.

[0028] The substrate layer 160 may be configured to form at least a portion of the various paths described above. Figures 2 to 4 In the example, the first load path 130 1 Up to 130 4 and the second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 The power module 100 is formed on a power substrate 160. The substrate layer 160 may be, for example, a direct bond copper substrate (DBC) or a lead frame or any other type of conductive layer capable of forming various signal paths of the power module 100.

[0029] The substrate layer 160 may include a first section 160 1 and the second section 160 2 . First section 160 1 and the second section 160 2 can be separated from each other, such as Figures 2 to 4 The first section 160 1 With the second section 160 2 The plurality of first load paths 130 may be at least partially formed in the first section 160 1 and the plurality of second load paths 140 may be at least partially formed in the second section 160 2 Therefore, the first section 160 1 With the second section 160 2 The separation provides isolation between the plurality of first load paths 130 and the plurality of second load paths 140. The switching device 140 1 Up to 140 4 exist Figures 2 to 4 The die, i.e., the switching device 140, is shown as being arranged across the spacer. 1 Up to 140 4 The plurality of first load paths 130 and the plurality of second load paths 140 may be coupled to each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The equivalent circuit is shown in Figure 2.

[0030] Each first load path 130 1 Up to 130 4 Along the first section 160 1 Similarly, each second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 Along the second section 160 2 At least one path length of at least one of the plurality of first load paths 130 and the plurality of second load paths 140 has a length different from the path lengths of other first load paths in the plurality of first load paths 130 and other second load paths in the plurality of second load paths 140, respectively. In other words, the first load path 130 1 Up to 130 4 The path length and the first load path 140 along the power substrate 160 1 Up to 140 4 The path lengths can be used to achieve differences in electrical parameters, thereby achieving asymmetry between the paths in the power module 100 described above. This may be because longer path lengths along the power substrate 160 may result in higher inductance values, higher capacitance values, and / or higher resistance, or cause changes in any other electrical parameters, which may be affected by longer signal paths along the power substrate 160. With reference to the minimum degree of asymmetry and the maximum degree of asymmetry discussed above, at least one path length may be different from the path lengths of other paths in the corresponding plurality of paths. In the maximum case, all path lengths in the plurality of paths may be different. Figures 2 to 4 Three examples of the latter are illustrated.

[0031] exist Figure 2 In the example of 1 and the second section 160 2 The first and second coupling structures are respectively included. Both the first and second coupling structures can extend in parallel. Such an arrangement of the first and second coupling structures can result in the first section 160 1 and the second section 160 2 The comb shape, such as Figure 2 As shown. The plurality of load paths 130 may be at least partially formed on the first plurality of coupling structures. Figure 2As shown, the first load path 130 1 Up to 130 4 The plurality of load paths 140 may be at least partially formed on the second plurality of coupling structures. Figure 2 As shown, the second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 The first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures are arranged from left to right on the parallel coupling structures of the second plurality of coupling structures. The length of at least one coupling structure in the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures is different from the length of the other coupling structures in the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures. In other words, in the first section 160 including the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures, respectively, 1 and the second section 160 2 In the example of , the path length and the electrical parameters of each path can be changed by changing the length of the coupling structure to provide an asymmetric path within the power module 100. Figure 2 In the example, the first load path 130 1 Up to 130 4 The path length increases from left to right, and the second load path 140 1 Up to 140 4 The path lengths decrease from left to right. Within both the first plurality of load paths 130 and the second plurality of load paths 140, all path lengths are therefore different from one another. Figure 2 The example accordingly provides the above-mentioned maximum degree of asymmetry.

[0032] exist Figure 3 In the example, similar to Figure 2 For example, the first section 160 1 and the second section 160 2 respectively include a first plurality of coupling structures and a second plurality of coupling structures. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 1 , the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures each have a meandering shape, instead of Figure 2 In the context of the present disclosure, the zigzag shape means that the coupling structures of the first plurality of coupling shapes and the coupling structures of the second plurality of coupling shapes can extend side by side with each other by bending while maintaining their separation. Based on the zigzag shape, the path lengths of the first plurality of load paths and the path lengths of the second plurality of load paths can be changed by some paths sharing at least a portion of their path lengths. For example, Figure 3 As shown, the first load path 130 2 The path length may include the first load path 130 1 The path length of the first load path 130 4The path length may include the first load path 130 3 In addition, the second load path 140 1 The longest path length among the plurality of second paths 140 may be determined by the second load path 140. 3 , second load path 140 2 and the second load path 140 4 Therefore, in the plurality of first load paths 130 and the plurality of second load paths 140, all path lengths are different from each other. Figure 3 The example of provides the maximum degree of asymmetry discussed above.

[0033] Since the first segment 160 1 and the second section 160 2 In some examples of the present disclosure, Figure 3 The first section 160 1 With the second section 160 2 The interval between the first section 160 1 between the segments of the path formed on or in the second segment 160 2 The segments of the path formed on the Figure 3 An example of a space extending between the segments of the path can be seen in the upper right corner of FIG. 160 , where the first segment 160 1 With the second section 160 2 The interval between the first section 160 1 The first load path 130 formed on 3 Separated into the first section 160 1 This extension changes the first load path 130 3 The capacitance value of the first load path 130 is thus changed. 4 This may result in the first load path 130 3 and 130 4 With the first load path 130 1 and 130 2 More generally, the first segment 160 1 With the second section 160 2 The meandering shape and spacing between the segments 160 can be used to induce capacitance differences between one or more different paths. 1 With the second section 160 2 The width of the intervals between may also vary, that is, in some examples of the present disclosure, the width of the intervals may be non-uniform, such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, it can be changed in sections.

[0034] exist Figure 4 In the example, based on the first module load terminal T L1 and the second module load terminal T L2 The first section 160 1 and the second section 160 2 Switching device 110 1 Up to 110 4 The arrangement of , realizes different path lengths and thus different electrical parameters of different paths. Figure 3 In the example of , the various paths may share at least a portion of their respective path lengths. Figure 4 As shown, the first load path 130 1 The first section 160 may be substantially 1 The first load path 130 extends the entire horizontal length of the load path 130 and thus has the longest path length. 2 Up to 130 4 Shareable first section 160 2 In addition, the second load path 140 1 The second section 160 may be substantially 2 The second load path 140 extends the entire horizontal length of the load path 140 and therefore has the longest path length. 2 Up to 140 4 Shared first segment 160 2 The horizontal length of the reduction part. Figure 4 In the example of , all path lengths of the corresponding multiple paths are also different from each other. Therefore, Figure 4 The example of again provides the maximum degree of asymmetry described above.

[0035] Although Figures 2 to 4 The example of the embodiment of the present invention illustrates changing the path length and shape of the plurality of first load paths 130 and the plurality of second load paths 140, but the same principle can be applied to the plurality of control paths 120. To this end, the power substrate 160 may include a third section, and the plurality of control paths 120 may be at least partially formed on the third section. The third section may be connected to the first section 160. 1 and the second section 160 2 The power module 100 includes a plurality of control paths 120 and a plurality of first load paths 130. The plurality of control paths 120 may be separated so as to provide isolation between the plurality of control paths 120, the plurality of first load paths 130, and the plurality of second load paths 140. Each control path of the plurality of control paths 120 may have a path length along the third segment. If asymmetry is to be implemented in the plurality of control paths 120, for example as the only asymmetry of the power module 100 or in addition to asymmetry of other plurality of paths of the power module 100, the path length of one control path in the plurality of control paths 120 may be different from the path length of other control paths in the plurality of control paths 120.

[0036] In some examples of the power module 100, the power module 100 may also include a control coupling structure having a plurality of control coupling paths. In such examples, in addition to or instead of being at least partially formed on the third section of the power substrate 160, the plurality of control coupling paths 120 may be at least partially formed on the plurality of control coupling paths. At least one of the plurality of control coupling paths may have a resistance that is different from the resistance of other control coupling paths in the plurality of control coupling paths. Thus, an asymmetric control path may be provided based on the varying resistance of the control coupling structure.

[0037] In order to further change the electrical parameters of the various paths, the first section 160 1 , second section 160 2 And / or the third section may include at least one slit so as to change the inductance, capacitance and resistance values ​​of one or more paths, and / or one or more of the various paths may include resistive elements and / or capacitors so as to change the resistance value of one or more of the various paths.

[0038] In addition to causing different electrical parameters of the paths based on path lengths, slits, and discrete components as described above, different electrical parameters of the various paths may also be caused based on the layout of the plurality of switching devices 110. For example, at least one of the plurality of switching devices 110 may have a layout that is different from other switching devices of the plurality of switching devices 110. Based on the difference in layout, at least one of the plurality of control paths 120, the plurality of first load paths 130, and the plurality of second load paths 140 may have at least one electrical parameter that is different from other paths of the corresponding plurality of paths.

[0039] like FIG. 5A to FIG. 6B As shown, the electrical parameter difference between at least one path and other paths of the corresponding plurality of paths caused by the various examples of the present disclosure described above reduces the ringing during the switching of the power module 100 .

[0040] Figure 5A and Figure 5B shows the first module load terminal T during shutdown L1 With the second module load terminal T L2 The voltage between. Figure 5A shows the voltage of the power module in the case of a path with the same electrical parameters, while Figure 5B 1 shows the voltage of the power module 100 according to the present disclosure. It can be seen that compared with the power module with the same electrical parameter path, the first module load terminal T L1 With the second module load terminal T L2 The voltage between 1 and 2 exhibits very limited ringing.

[0041] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B shows the first module load terminal T during shutdown L1 With the second module load terminal T L2 The conversion rate of the voltage between Fig. 6A shows the conversion rate of the power module in the case of a path with the same electrical parameters, while Figure 6B The slew rate in the case of the power module 100 according to the present disclosure is shown. It can be seen that the slew rate in the case of the power module 100 exhibits very limited ringing compared to a power module having a path of the same electrical parameters.

[0042] The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

[0043] An example power module includes a module control terminal, a first module load terminal and a second module load terminal, and at least one power switch, wherein the at least one power switch includes a plurality of switching devices coupled in parallel, wherein each switching device includes a control terminal, a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the control terminals of the plurality of switching devices are coupled to the module control terminal via a plurality of control paths, the first load terminals of the plurality of switching devices are coupled to the first module load terminal via a plurality of first load paths, the second load terminals of the plurality of switching devices are coupled to the second module load terminal via a plurality of second load paths, and at least one load path among a control path among the plurality of control paths, a first load path among the plurality of first load paths and a second load path among the plurality of second load paths has at least one electrical parameter that is different from other control paths among the plurality of control paths, other first load paths among the plurality of first load paths and other second load paths among the plurality of second load paths, respectively.

[0044] In an example power module, the at least one electrical parameter may be at least one of resistance, inductance, and capacitance.

[0045] An example power module may also include a substrate layer, wherein the substrate layer may include a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section are separated from each other, wherein a plurality of first load paths are at least partially formed on the first section, and a plurality of second load paths are at least partially formed on the second section, each path of the plurality of first load paths has a path length along the first section, each path of the plurality of second load paths has a path length along the second section, and at least one path length of at least one path of at least one of the plurality of first load paths and the plurality of second load paths has a path length that is different from the path lengths of other first load paths in the plurality of first load paths and other second load paths in the plurality of second load paths, respectively.

[0046] In an example power module, at least one of the first section and the second section may include at least one slit.

[0047] In an example power module, the first section may include a first plurality of coupling structures, and the second section may include a second plurality of coupling structures, the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures extend in parallel, respectively, a plurality of first load paths may be at least partially formed on the first plurality of coupling structures, and a plurality of second load paths may be at least partially formed on the second plurality of coupling structures, and at least one coupling structure of at least one of the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures may have a length that is different from lengths of other coupling structures in the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures, respectively.

[0048] In an example power module, the first section may include a first plurality of coupling structures, and the second section may include a second plurality of coupling structures, the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures respectively have a meandering shape, a plurality of first load paths may be at least partially formed on the first plurality of coupling structures, a plurality of second load paths may be at least partially formed on the second plurality of coupling structures, and at least one coupling structure of at least one of the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures may have a length that is different from the lengths of other coupling structures in the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures, respectively.

[0049] In an example power module, the substrate layer may include a third segment, the third segment is separated from the first segment and the second segment, a plurality of control paths are at least partially formed on the third segment, each of the plurality of control paths may have a path length along the third segment, and a path length of at least one of the plurality of first load paths, the plurality of second load paths, and the plurality of control paths may have a path length that is different from the path lengths of other first load paths in the plurality of first load paths, the path lengths of other second load paths in the plurality of second load paths, and the path lengths of other control paths in the plurality of control paths, respectively.

[0050] In an example power module, at least one of a control path of the plurality of control paths, a first load path of the plurality of first load paths, and a second load path of the plurality of second load paths may include at least one of a resistive element and a capacitor.

[0051] The example power module may also include a control coupling structure having a plurality of control coupling paths, each control coupling path corresponding to one of the plurality of control paths, wherein at least one of the plurality of control coupling paths may have a resistance different from a resistance of other of the plurality of control coupling paths.

[0052] In an example power module, at least one switching device among a plurality of switching devices may have a device layout different from that of other switching devices among the plurality of switching devices, the different device layout causing at least one of a control path among a plurality of control paths, a first load path among a plurality of first load paths, and a second load path among a plurality of second load paths to have at least one electrical parameter different from that of other control paths among the plurality of control paths, other first load paths among the plurality of first load paths, and other second load paths among the plurality of second load paths, respectively.

[0053] The foregoing description has been provided to illustrate an asymmetric power module. It should be understood that this description is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the precise embodiments discussed throughout the description. On the contrary, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the examples of the present disclosure may be combined, modified, or condensed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power module (100), comprising: Module control terminal (T CTRL ), the first module load terminal (T L1 ) and the second module load terminal (T L2 );as well as At least one power switch (110) comprising a plurality of switching devices (1101-1104) coupled in parallel, wherein: Each switching device (1101-1104) includes a control terminal (110 1c -110 4c )、the first load terminal (110 1L1 -110 4L1 ) and the second load terminal (110 1L2 -110 4L2 ), the control terminals (110 1c -110 4c ) is coupled to the module control terminal (T CTRL ), The first load terminal (1101-1104) of the plurality of switching devices (1101-1104) 1L1 -110 4L1 ) is coupled to the first module load terminal (T L1 ), The second load terminals (1101-1104) of the plurality of switching devices (1101-1104) 1L2 -110 4L2 ) is coupled to the second module load terminal (T L2 ),and At least one of the control paths among the multiple control paths (1201-1204), the first load paths among the multiple first load paths (1301-1304), and the second load paths among the multiple second load paths (1401-1404) has at least one electrical parameter that is different from the other control paths among the multiple control paths (1201-1204), the other first load paths among the multiple first load paths (1301-1304), and the other second load paths among the multiple second load paths (1401-1404), respectively.

2. The power module (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical parameter is at least one of resistance, inductance and capacitance.

3. The power module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a substrate layer (160), wherein the substrate layer (160) comprises a first section (1601) and a second section (1602), the first section (1601) and the second section (1602) being separated from each other, wherein: The plurality of first load paths (1301-1304) are at least partially formed on the first section (1601), and the plurality of second load paths (1401-1404) are at least partially formed on the second section (1602), Each first load path of the plurality of first load paths (1301-1304) has a path length along the first section (1601), Each second load path of the plurality of second load paths (1401-1404) has a path length along the second section (1602), and At least one path length of at least one first load path among the multiple first load paths (1301-1304) and at least one second load path among the multiple second load paths (1401-1404) has a path length that is different from the path lengths of other first load paths among the multiple first load paths (1301-1304) and other second load paths among the multiple second load paths (1401-1404), respectively.

4. The power module (100) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first section (1601) and the second section (1602) comprises at least one slit.

5. The power module (100) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein: The first section (1601) includes a first plurality of coupling structures, and the second section (1602) includes a second plurality of coupling structures, the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures extending in parallel, respectively, The plurality of first load paths (1301-1304) are at least partially formed on the first plurality of coupling structures, and the plurality of second load paths (1401-1404) are at least partially formed on the second plurality of coupling structures, and At least one coupling structure of the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures has a length that is different from lengths of other coupling structures of the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures, respectively.

6. The power module (100) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein: The first section (1601) includes a first plurality of coupling structures, and the second section (1602) includes a second plurality of coupling structures, the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures each having a meandering shape, The plurality of first load paths are at least partially formed on the first plurality of coupling structures, and the plurality of second load paths are at least partially formed on the second plurality of coupling structures, and At least one coupling structure of at least one of the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures has a length that is different from lengths of other coupling structures of the first plurality of coupling structures and the second plurality of coupling structures, respectively.

7. The power module (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The substrate layer (160) includes a third section, the third section being separated from the first section (1601) and the second section (1602), The plurality of control paths (1201-1204) are at least partially formed on the third section, Each of the plurality of control paths (1201-1204) has a path length along the third segment, and At least one path length of at least one path among at least one of the multiple first load paths (1301-1304), the multiple second load paths (1401-1404) and the multiple control paths (1201-1204) has a path length that is different from the path lengths of other first load paths among the multiple first load paths (1301-1304), other second load paths among the multiple second load paths (1401-1404) and other control paths among the multiple control paths (1201-1204), respectively.

8. A power module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of a control path in the plurality of control paths (1201-1204), a first load path in the plurality of first load paths (1301-1304), and a second load path in the plurality of second load paths (1401-1404) comprises at least one of a resistive element and a capacitor.

9. The power module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control coupling structure having a plurality of control coupling paths, each control coupling path corresponding to one of the plurality of control paths (1201-1204), wherein at least one of the plurality of control coupling paths has a resistance different from a resistance of the other control coupling paths of the plurality of control coupling paths.

10. A power module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one switching device among the plurality of switching devices (1101-1104) has a device layout different from that of the other switching devices among the plurality of switching devices (1101-1104), and the different device layout causes at least one of the control paths among the plurality of control paths (1201-1204), the first load paths among the plurality of first load paths (1301-1304), and the second load paths among the plurality of second load paths (1401-1404) to have at least one electrical parameter different from that of the other control paths among the plurality of control paths (1201-1204), the other first load paths among the plurality of first load paths (1301-1304), and the other second load paths among the plurality of second load paths (1401-1404), respectively.

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