Power module

Abstract

Power Module The invention relates to a power module (1) comprising an electronic chip (33), an encapsulation housing (2) housing said electronic chip (33), and at least a first pin (13) and a second pin (15) connected to said electronic chip (33), each having a first portion (27) projecting from a face (11) of the encapsulation housing (2), said first portions (27) being separated by a first clearance zone (19) from the face, characterized in that the power module (1) comprises a first protrusion (23) integral with the encapsulation housing (2) and disposed on the first clearance zone (19) between the first portion (27) of the first pin (13) and the first portion (27) of the second pin (15), said first protrusion (23) being made of at least one insulating material. (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Power module

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic systems and more particularly to the power modules used within these systems.

[0002] In current applications, and in particular in the automotive industry, power modules are provided to manage electrical voltage and, for example, to manage the transformation of direct current into alternating current in on-board charging devices for motor vehicles.

[0003] These on-board charging devices comprise one or more power modules, each containing, within its own encapsulation housing, a support and electronic chips fixed to the support and housed within the encapsulation housing. The electrical connection of these chips, via the support, is made by means of electrical connection pins intended to be electrically connected to a printed circuit board, the electrical connection pins passing through the encapsulation housing for this purpose.Since the pins are not electrically insulated at the protruding portion of the encapsulation housing, it is necessary to provide leakage distances and clearance distances between each pin and the conductive components located in the vicinity of the power module; insufficient distances may lead to electrical interference between these elements and produce undesirable electrical phenomena resulting in a malfunction of the power module.

[0004] The clearance distance corresponds to the shortest distance in air separating these components, while the leakage distance corresponds to the shortest distance measured along an insulating surface arranged between said electrical and / or electronic components.

[0005] The standards governing these distances define a distance that depends on the operating voltage of the electrical and / or electronic components. The higher the voltage of these components, the greater the required leakage and clearance distances. These standards pose challenges because, nowadays, and particularly in electric vehicle applications, power modules must be increasingly compact and are designed to handle increasingly higher voltages. This can lead to mechanical space constraints, as applying large leakage and / or clearance distances may require excessive spacing between two components, especially two adjacent pins, thus limiting the miniaturization of the power module. Conversely, meeting the voltage threshold imposed by a small leakage and / or clearance distance can compromise the efficiency of the power module.

[0006] The objective of the invention described in this document is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a power module comprising protrusions extending the leakage and clearance distances, thus allowing the use of high voltages while respecting the standards defining the isolation of electrical components, in a reduced size of the electronic system.

[0007] The present invention thus has as its main object a power module comprising an electronic chip, an encapsulation housing housing said electronic chip and at least a first pin and a second pin connected to said electronic chip and each having a first part protruding from a face of the encapsulation housing, said first parts being separated by a first clearance zone of the face, characterized in that the power module comprises a first protrusion integral with the encapsulation housing and disposed on the first clearance zone between the first part of the first pin and the first part of the second pin, said first protrusion being made of at least one insulating material.

[0008] The power module can be used in various electronic systems, such as an on-board charger for an electric vehicle, which converts the alternating current from an individual charging station into direct current usable for powering the vehicle. For this purpose, the first and second pins are made of electrically conductive material and, by being electrically connected to the electronic chip, they can be electrically connected to elements external to the power module, thus allowing the transmission of an electrical current from the chip to these elements and vice versa. For electrical connection, the pins can be in direct contact with the electronic chip or in indirect contact via conductive materials, such as conductive wires or conductive plates.

[0009] The encapsulation housing serves to electrically isolate certain parts of the power module, so it is made of electrically insulating material.

[0010] By the term "to protrude", we mean an extension of the first parts of the pins in a direction perpendicular to said face.

[0011] More specifically, the face of the encapsulation housing from which the pins protrude is one of the lateral faces of the housing.

[0012] The creepage distance here represents the shortest distance connecting the first pin to the second pin via the side face, and therefore through the clearance area. The clearance distance is the shortest distance connecting the first pin to the second pin through air. In order to ensure that, regardless of the operating voltage of the power module and the spacing between the pins, i.e. the miniaturization of the power module, these distances are increased thanks to the presence of the first protrusion.

[0013] Indeed, in order to lengthen at least some of the clearance and escape distances, the first protrusion is positioned on the first escape zone, between the first and second pins, to lengthen the distances between these pins by requiring the protrusion to bypass them. This means that it is located primarily on the first escape zone; that is to say, the majority of its material is mainly located in this first escape zone.

[0014] In order to lengthen the escape and clearance distances, the first protrusion must therefore be made of insulating material, for example, polyepoxides or polysiloxanes.

[0015] It should be noted that the term "insulating material" in the present invention relates equally to a material that is completely insulating and to a material that has insulating properties deemed sufficient in this context. A material with sufficient insulating properties must therefore meet a CTI insulation class, the term CTI corresponding to the coefficient of resistance to path current, that is, the propensity of the insulating material to conduct current once carbonized. It is thus understood that the insulating material does not necessarily have to be completely insulating, but that it must have insulation performance sufficient to allow for a sufficient increase in leakage and clearance distances in order to comply with the standards defining the insulation of electrical components, for example, ISO 606664.

[0016] The first protrusion is said to be integral with the housing, in that it is attached to the encapsulation housing so as to be securely held. It is thus understood that the first protrusion may be attached to the face of the housing, or may be formed from the same material as the housing, that is to say, manufactured at the same time, for example by molding.

[0017] It should be noted that the material of the encapsulation housing and the protrusion may be the same or different, as long as they are electrically insulating. It should also be noted that the first protrusion may or may not be in contact with the pins.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion is centered on the first clearance area of ​​the face.

[0019] By "centered" means that the first protrusion is positioned at a substantially equal distance from the first pin and the second pin. Furthermore, when the first protrusion is in contact with or partially encompasses the first and second pins, it does so in an approximately symmetrical manner. compared to the two pins. The "approximate" appearance is explained by possible variations due to the manufacturing process, particularly in the case of manual manufacturing.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first part of the first pin, the first part of the second pin and the first protrusion extend from the face of the housing in the same longitudinal direction, the longitudinal dimension of the first protrusion being at least equal to that of the first part of the first pin and / or to that of the first part of the second pin.

[0021] Longitudinal dimensioning corresponds to dimensioning in the longitudinal direction of an element, the longitudinal direction being a direction perpendicular to the face on which the pins protrude.

[0022] It is thus understood that the first protrusion is disposed between the first pin and the second pin, over the entire longitudinal dimension of the first parts of the pins, in order to properly separate the first parts of the pins and thus increase the leakage and clearance distance between these two pins at all places of the first pin and the second pin where the leakage and clearance distances would be too short without the bypass imposed by the bypass of the protrusion.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first spindle and the second spindle each comprise a second part extending perpendicularly from the first part and whose transverse dimensioning is respectively smaller than the transverse dimensioning of the first part of the first spindle and the transverse dimensioning of the first part of the second spindle, the first protrusion extending mainly between the first part of the first spindle and the first part of the second spindle.

[0024] Transverse dimensioning corresponds to the dimensioning of an element in a transverse direction, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, parallel to the face where the pins protrude. This transverse direction defines the alignment direction of the pins relative to each other.

[0025] It is thus understood that the first protrusion extends essentially between the first parts, since these are the ones that pose a problem of clearance distance and leakage, being too close to each other because they are thicker in the transverse direction. For the sake of material economy, it is therefore sufficient to position the first protrusion only between the first parts.

[0026] The first parts may, for example, be plates, while the second parts may be mounting brackets, connected to the second parts by elbows. The first part essentially serves to ensure rigidity of the pin and especially for the second part which extends away from the encapsulation housing, the second part being intended for connection with elements external to the power module.

[0027] According to an alternative of the invention, the first pin and the second pin each comprise a second part extending parallel to the first part and whose transverse dimensioning is respectively smaller than the transverse dimensioning of the first part of the first pin and the transverse dimensioning of the first part of the second pin, the first protrusion extending mainly between the first part of the first pin and the first part of the second pin.

[0028] It is understood that in this alternative the second part is an extension of the first part in the same direction. Consequently, the first pin and the second pin are free of bends.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion is a piece attached to the face of the encapsulation housing.

[0030] By "added," it is understood that the first protrusion can be added after the manufacture of the encapsulation housing. This first protrusion can consist of an additional part, such as a stud, which is glued to the face of the encapsulation housing using an adhesive or any other means of attachment.

[0031] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion is glue applied to the face of the encapsulation housing.

[0032] The first protrusion can thus in particular be manufactured during the assembly process by a deposit of glue which adheres to the face of the encapsulation housing, this deposit of glue being carried out by a robot or an operator during a determined application time allowing to deposit a sufficient quantity of glue to form the protrusion.

[0033] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion is composed of a material different from that composing the encapsulation housing.

[0034] The first protrusion can thus be made of a separate material, for example less expensive and / or simpler to inject locally, provided that it is sufficiently electrically insulating to allow for longer leakage and clearance distances in order to comply with standards, for example ISO 60664, defining the distances to be observed between the first and second pins. For this reason, the material of the first protrusion must belong to a certain CTI class.

[0035] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion is formed from material with the encapsulation housing.

[0036] In this case, the first protrusion and the encapsulation housing can, for example, be manufactured by molding electrically insulating material in a mold. This allows for efficient industrialization of the manufacturing of the protrusions. It should be noted that, in this case, the first protrusion and the encapsulation housing are generally made of the same material.

[0037] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion is in contact with the first part of the first pin and / or the first part of the second pin. The first protrusion may also partially encompass the first part of the pins.

[0038] According to an optional feature of the invention, the vertical dimensioning (DV) of the first protrusion is greater than the vertical dimensioning of the first parts by at least 10%.

[0039] Vertical dimensioning corresponds to the dimensioning of an element in a vertical direction, the vertical direction being defined as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction.

[0040] The inventors were able to determine that this 10% increase threshold is necessary to ensure that the protrusion sufficiently lengthens the escape and clearance distances.

[0041] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion has a cylindrical shape. By adjusting the diameter of this cylindrical shape, a sufficient vertical dimension can then be obtained to adequately lengthen the leakage and clearance distances.

[0042] According to an optional feature of the invention, the power module includes a third pin separated from the first pin by a second clearance area, the first pin being disposed between the second pin and the third pin, a second protrusion similar to the first protrusion being disposed between the first pin and the third pin on the second clearance area.

[0043] It should be noted that all the characteristics previously described for the second pin and the first protrusion are applicable to this third pin and this second protrusion. Thus, the second protrusion can, for example, be identical to the first protrusion.

[0044] It is thus understood that it is also possible to add other additional pins and other protrusions on the power module, using the characteristics previously described.

[0045] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are connected to each other.

[0046] The first and second protrusions can thus be connected to each other by one or more links bypassing the first pin.

[0047] The first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the link(s) can be produced in a single manufacturing operation, for example, by depositing glue in a spiral around the first protrusion. In this case, the portions of the glue bead between the first and second protrusions correspond to the first protrusion, those between the first and third protrusions to the second protrusion, and the portions of the bead connecting the two protrusions correspond to the links.

[0048] Alternatively, the first protrusion, the second protrusion and the link(s) can be manufactured in different manufacturing operations with similar or different materials.

[0049] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0050] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a module of power ;

[0051] [Fig.2] is a close-up and perspective view of the first embodiment of the power module;

[0052] [Fig.3] is a close-up and perspective view of a second embodiment of the power module;

[0053] [Fig.4] is an exploded view of a power module without protrusions;

[0054] [Fig.5] is a close-up and perspective view of a third embodiment of the power module.

[0055] The features and variants of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0056] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0057] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a power module 1.

[0058] The power module 1 comprises an encapsulation housing 2 having here substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. It thus comprises a face upper face 3 opposite a lower face 5. The upper face 3 is connected to the lower face 5 by lateral faces 7. More precisely, given that the case 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped, the power module 1 comprises four lateral faces 7.

[0059] The power module 1 comprises at least one pin 9 projecting from one of the lateral faces 7 of said power module 1. These pins 9 are made of an electrically conductive material in order to transmit a power supply or an electrical control signal. The power module 1 is here provided with three pins 9 projecting from a first lateral face 11, including a first pin 13, a second pin 15, and a third pin 17.

[0060] The first pin 13 is arranged between the second pin 15 and the third pin 17. It is therefore understood that the first pin 13 acts as the central pin while the second pin 15 and the third pin 17 both act as peripheral pins.

[0061] The pins 9 are arranged on the first lateral face 11, aligned with each other. It should therefore be understood that the pins 9 are arranged next to each other in a transverse direction T, which extends parallel to the first lateral face 11.

[0062] Each of these pins 9 is arranged on the first lateral face 11 so as to be positioned at a distance from the other pins 9. To achieve this, the pins 9 are separated by a region of the first lateral face 11 called a clearance zone. Thus, the first pin 13 is separated from the second pin 15 by a first clearance zone 19, and the third pin 17 is separated from the first pin 13 by a second clearance zone 21. It is thus understood that these clearance zones constitute areas of the first lateral face 11 positioned between the pins 9 and separating the pins 9 from each other.

[0063] The power module 1 includes at least one protrusion which is disposed at least in one of the clearance areas 19, 21.

[0064] Here, a protrusion is understood to be an outgrowth made of a sufficiently electrically insulating material projecting from the first lateral face 11. This material must comply with a CTI class allowing compliance with the standards defining the distances between the electronic components of the module, for example the ISO60664 standard. By way of non-limiting example, materials such as polysiloxane or polyepoxide may be used.

[0065] At least one protuberance is integral with the first lateral face 11 and is predominantly located in one of the clearance zones 19, 21, which means that the majority of its material is positioned between the pins 9. In addition, the protuberances are here centered on one of the clearance zones 19, 21.

[0066] At least one protrusion extends here into one of the clearance zones 19, 21 without coming into contact with the pins 9.

[0067] Fig. 2 is a close-up and perspective view of the first embodiment of the power module 1. It allows better observation of the details of at least one protrusion and the pins 9.

[0068] In this embodiment, the power module 1 thus comprises two protrusions: a first protrusion 23 and a second protrusion 25. The first protrusion 23 is disposed in the first clearance zone 19, while the second protrusion 25 is disposed in the second clearance zone 21. It should therefore be understood that the first protrusion 23 is disposed between the first pin 13 and the second pin 15, while the second protrusion 25 is positioned between the first pin 13 and the third pin 17.

[0069] The first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 each have a substantially similar shape, here a cylindrical shape. It should be noted that this shape is not limiting and that the protrusions 23, 25 may have different appearances, such as, for example, having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0070] The first pin 13 includes a plate 27 which constitutes a first part of this pin, and a fixing tab 29 which constitutes a second part of said first pin 13. Similarly, the second pin 15 and the third pin 17 also each include a plate 27 and a fixing tab 29 constituting a first part and a second part of these pins 9.

[0071] The plates 27 and the mounting lugs 29 of each of the pins 9 have a transverse dimension marked DT27, DT29 in [Fig.2]. This transverse dimension DT27, DT29 corresponds to the size of the plate 27 and the size of the mounting lug 29 of the pins 9 in the transverse direction T.

[0072] It should be noted that the transverse dimension DT27 of the plate 27 of each of the pins 9 is greater than the transverse dimension DT29 of each of the mounting tabs 29. It is thus understood that the pins 9 are closer to each other at their first part, i.e. the plates 27, than at their second part, i.e. the mounting tabs 29. This difference in transverse dimensioning between the plates 27 and the mounting tabs 29 allows the plates 27 to exhibit a certain robustness and the mounting tabs 29 to facilitate their soldering, for example on a PCB board.

[0073] Furthermore, the plate 27 and the mounting lug 29 of the second spindle 15 have a transverse dimension DT27, DT29 equal to that of the plate 27 and the mounting lug 29 of the third spindle 17. In contrast, the plate 27 of the first spindle 13 has a transverse dimension DT27 greater than the dimension transverse DT27 of the plates 27 of the second spindle 15 and of the third spindle 17.

[0074] As a reminder, the power module I must respect leakage and clearance distances. However, in the case of the pins 9 plates 27, and because of the operating voltage of the power module 1, the leakage and clearance distance separating the pins 9 plates 27 is too short, while the leakage and clearance distances separating the mounting tabs 29 are sufficient.

[0075] The plates 27 of each of the pins 9 each comprise two free ends 31. At least one of the free ends 31 of each of the plates 27 is arranged opposite a free end 31 of another plate 27. It should be noted that the term "opposite" means that if the protrusions 23, 25 were not there, the free ends 31 would be facing each other in the same plane.

[0076] In the context of this embodiment, it should be understood that a first free end 31 of the plate 27 of the first pin 13 is positioned opposite a free end 31 of the plate 27 of the second pin 15, while a second free end 31 of the plate 27 of the first pin 13 is positioned opposite a free end 31 of the plate 27 of the third pin 17. The creepage distance therefore corresponds to the shortest distance separating the free ends 31 of the plates 27 from the pins 9 via the front face, and the clearance distance corresponds to the shortest distance separating the free ends 31 of the plates 27 from the pins 9 in air. These distances are represented in [Fig. 2] by dashed lines and have been schematically shown only between the first pin 13 and the third pin 17 for the sake of clarity in the figure.

[0077] Since there is a first protrusion 23 and a second protrusion 25 which are respectively disposed between the first pin 13 and the second pin 15, and between the first pin 13 and the third pin 17, it is understood that these free ends 31 mentioned above are opposite each of the protrusions 23, 25. Thus, the free end 31 of the plate 27 of the second pin 15, which is disposed opposite the first free end 31 of the plate 27 of the first pin 13, as well as this first free end 31, are opposite the first protrusion 23. The second free end 31 of the plate 27 of the first pin 13 and the free end 31 of the plate 27 of the third pin 17 are opposite the second protrusion 25.

[0078] By being positioned opposite the free ends 31 and thus interposed between the free ends 31 of different pins 9, the protrusions 23 and 25 make it possible to increase the clearance and leakage distances. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], these distances are no longer straight but curved, since they must follow the profile of the protrusions 23 and 25.

[0079] As a reminder, in this first embodiment the protrusions 23 and 25 are at a distance from the free ends 31, said protrusions 23 and 25 being disposed respectively in the clearance zones 19, 21, between the pins 9. It should however be noted that alternatively, the protrusions 23 and 25 can be in contact with the free ends 31 and even extend onto the plates 27. Each of these variant embodiments conforms to the aspect of the invention in which a protrusion extends between two adjacent pins, since each protrusion extends either only on the clearance zone, at a distance from the free edges of the first parts of the pins or in contact with them, or over the entire clearance zone and partially overlapping the two pins that delimit this clearance zone, but extending mainly over the clearance zone.

[0080] The first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 have a longitudinal dimension DL1 at least equal to a longitudinal dimension DL27 of the plates 27. The longitudinal dimensions correspond to the dimensioning of an element in a longitudinal direction L substantially perpendicular to the first lateral face 11. More particularly, the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 here have a longitudinal dimension DL1 at least equal to the longitudinal dimension of the free ends 31 because the longitudinal dimension DL27 of the plates 27 corresponds to that of the free ends 31. Since the protrusions 23, 25 extend from the first lateral face 11 and are arranged in the air between the free ends 31 over their entire longitudinal dimension DL27, the leakage distance and the clearance distance are therefore increased.

[0081] The protrusions 23, 25 also have a vertical dimensioning DV1 allowing to optimize the increase of the leakage and clearance distances, the vertical dimensioning being the dimensioning of an element in a vertical direction V parallel to the first lateral face 11, and perpendicular to the transverse direction T and to the longitudinal direction L. In order to have a sufficient vertical dimensioning DV1, the protrusions 23, 25 have a vertical dimensioning DV1 greater by at least 10% compared to a vertical dimensioning DV27 of the plates 27.As an example, for a three-pin power module, with pins spaced two by two with a clearance area of ​​15mm, and for a high voltage application of the order of 800 volts, the first parts of the pins have a thickness, i.e. a vertical dimension, of the order of 3mm and the protrusions 23, 25 protrude vertically from a plane, comprising a face of each of the first parts of the pins, by a vertical distance of the order of 3mm, the protrusions having a vertical dimension of at least 9mm.

[0082] In order to properly lengthen the leakage and clearance distances between these pins, the vertical dimensioning DV1 of the protrusions 23, 25 is sufficiently greater on each side of the plate 27. The protrusions 23, 25 can in particular be centered in the vertical direction V with respect to the plates 27, so as to protrude substantially equally on each side of the plates 27.

[0083] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 have a cylindrical shape with a constant circular cross-section. They therefore comprise two flat faces and a cylindrical shell. The cylindrical shell is the portion of the protrusions 23, 25 opposite the free ends 31, while one of the flat faces is in contact with the first face 11 of the power module 1. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 are fixed with adhesive between the flat face and the first lateral face 11. The first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 are then added to the encapsulation housing 2 of the power module 1 after the rest of the power module 1 has been manufactured.

[0084] It should be noted that the protrusions 23, 25 can also be manufactured at the same time as the power module 1, for example during the molding of the encapsulation housing 2. When these elements are manufactured together, it is therefore understood that one of the flat faces is coincident with the first lateral face 11 of the encapsulation housing 2.

[0085] Regarding the vertical dimensions DV27, DV1, longitudinal dimensions DL27, DL1, and transverse dimensions DT27, DTI of the pins 9 and the protrusions 23, 25, they are schematically shown in [Fig. 2] only for the second pin 15 and the first protrusion 23 for the sake of clarity in the figure. It is understood, however, that these dimensions also apply to the first pin 13, the third pin 17, and the second protrusion 25.

[0086] Fig. 3 is a close-up and perspective view of a second embodiment of the power module 1.

[0087] The power module 1 and all of its elements, with the exception of the protrusions, are similar.

[0088] The power module 1 thus comprises a first protrusion 23 and a second protrusion 25 which are positioned in the same places as the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 of the first embodiment, that is to say respectively in the first clearance zone 19 and the second clearance zone 21.

[0089] This first protrusion 23 and this second protrusion 25 are also reported on the first lateral face 11 of the power module 1. But here, these protrusions 23, 25 are points of electrically insulating material reported on the first lateral face 11, for example with a glue gun. Unlike the protrusions 23, 25 of the first embodiment, these protrusions 23, 25 therefore do not have a completely cylindrical shape.

[0090] In order to increase the leakage and clearance distances, it should be noted that even though their shape is different, these protuberances 23, 25 have a vertical dimension DV1 and a longitudinal dimension DL1 which follow the same rules as those previously described in the first embodiment.

[0091] In this embodiment, the protrusions 23, 25 also differ from the first protrusions 23 and second protrusions 25 of the first embodiment in that their transverse dimensioning (DTI) is larger. Indeed, here, the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 are in direct contact with the free ends 31 of the pins 9. The protrusions 23, 25 therefore completely fill the first clearance zone 19 and the second clearance zone 21.

[0092] It should be noted that the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 can, in addition to being in contact with the free ends 31, partially encompass the plate 27. It is therefore understood that the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 can extend beyond the free ends 31 onto the rest of the plate 27. As mentioned previously, although extending onto the plate 27, the protrusions 23 and 25 remain positioned between the pins 9 in the sense of the invention.

[0093] This embodiment of the power module 1 allows for easier manufacturing of the protrusions 23,25, since it is sufficient to add points of electrically insulating material in the clearance zones 19, 21 of a prefabricated power module 1, taking care to have a longitudinal dimension DL and a vertical dimension DV, respecting the values ​​previously mentioned.

[0094] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a power module 1 without protrusions, the protrusions having been removed in order to better understand the internal architecture of the power module 1.

[0095] Although the encapsulation housing 2 is molded, it is shown in [Fig. 4] as if it were composed of two interlocking parts, which allows for a better understanding of the figure. It should be noted, however, that the encapsulation housing 2 may be composed of several interlocking parts in order to surround the internal components of the power module 1.

[0096] This encapsulation housing 2 is configured to house an electronic chip 33, a conduction plate 35 and a support means 37. The electronic chip 33 is electrically connected to pins 9 so that said pins 9 can transmit the electrical current and information from the electronic chip 33 to elements external to the power module 1.

[0097] More specifically, the first pin 13 is formed from the material along with the support means 37, the support means 37 being, at least in part, made of an electrically conductive material. The electronic chip 33 is pressed against the support means 37, on its portion made of electrically conductive material. In this way, the electric current can pass between the electronic chip 33 and the first pin 13 via the support means 37.

[0098] The electronic chip 33 comprises a first surface in contact with the support means 37, and a second surface in contact with the conductive plate 35. The conductive plate is thus pressed against the second surface of the electronic chip 33, while this electronic chip 33 is pressed by its first surface against the support means 37.

[0099] The second pin 15 and the third pin 17 are electrically connected to the electronic chip 33 by other means. For this purpose, a first conductive wire 39 is connected to the second pin 15 and a second conductive wire 41 is connected to the third pin 17. These two conductive wires 39, 41 are also electrically connected to the conductive plate 35. The electric current thus passes through the electronic chip 33, the conductive plate 35, then through the conductive wires 39, 41, before reaching the second pin 15 and the third pin 17.

[0100] Fig. 5 is a close-up and perspective view of a third embodiment of the power module 1.

[0101] In this third embodiment, we differ from what has been previously described in that the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 are connected to each other by a link 43 bypassing the first pin 13.

[0102] It should be noted that the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 can be connected by a plurality of links 43 on either side of the first pin 13, so as to surround this first pin 13.

[0103] As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the first protrusion 23, the second protrusion 25, and the links 43 can be produced in a single manufacturing operation. It is thus understood that the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 are made of the same material.

[0104] By way of example, the first protrusion 23, the second protrusion 25 and the links 43 can be made by a continuous deposit of glue which has substantially the shape of a spiral surrounding the first pin 13.

[0105] In this context, the portions of the glue bead between the first pin 13 and the second pin 15 correspond to the first protrusion 23. The portions of the glue bead located between the first pin 13 and the third pin 17 correspond to the second protrusion 25. The portions of the glue bead connecting the first protuberance 23 to the second protuberance 25 correspond to links 43.

[0106] In this way, it is understood that the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 25 are formed by a superposition in the longitudinal direction of portions of the glue cord.

[0107] It should also be noted that, in this embodiment, the mounting tabs 29 of the pins 9 extend parallel to the plates 27. As just described, the present invention achieves its objective by proposing a power module comprising at least two pins separated by a protrusion attached to the power module and allowing the leakage and clearance distances between these two pins to be lengthened.

[0108] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. Power module (1) comprising an electronic chip (33), an encapsulation housing (2) housing said electronic chip (33) and at least a first pin (13) and a second pin (15) connected to said electronic chip (33) and each having a first portion (27) protruding from a face (11) of the encapsulation housing (2), said first portions (27) being separated by a first clearance zone (19) from the face, characterized in that the power module (1) comprises a first protrusion (23) integral with the encapsulation housing (2) and disposed on the first clearance zone (19) between the first portion (27) of the first pin (13) and the first portion (27) of the second pin (15), said first protrusion (23) being made of at least one insulating material.

2. Power module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion (23) is centered on the first clearance area (19) of the face (11).

3. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first part (27) of the first pin (13), the first part (27) of the second pin (15) and the first protrusion (23) extend from the face (11) of the housing (2) in the same longitudinal direction, the longitudinal dimension (DL1) of the first protrusion (23) being at least equal to the longitudinal dimension (DL27) of the first part (27) of the first pin (13) and / or to that of the first part (27) of the second pin (15).

4. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first protrusion (13) is an added part on the face (11) of the encapsulation housing (2).

5. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first protrusion (13) is glue attached to the face (11) of the encapsulation housing (2).

6. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the first protrusion (23) is composed of a material different from that composing the encapsulation housing (2).

7. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first protrusion (23) is formed from material with the encapsulation housing (2).

8. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first protrusion (23) is in contact with the first part (27) of the first pin (13) and / or the first part (27) of the second pin (15).

9. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vertical dimensioning (DV1) of the first protrusion (23) is greater than the vertical dimensioning (DV27) of the first parts (27) by at least 10%.

10. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first protrusion (23) has a cylindrical shape.

11. Power module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a third pin (17) separated from the first pin (13) by a second clearance area (21), the first pin (13) being disposed between the second pin (15) and the third pin (17), a second protrusion (25) similar to the first protrusion (23) being disposed between the first pin (13) and the third pin (17) on the second clearance area (21).

12. Power module (1) according to claim 11 in which the first protrusion (23) and the second protrusion (25) are connected to each other.

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