Gate drive circuit, gate drive device, motor system, vehicle, and method for reducing current consumption

Abstract

To reduce current consumption during short braking of a motor.SOLUTION: A gate drive circuit (22, 24) includes a plurality of half-bridge circuits including first switching elements (M1, M3) and second switching elements (M2, M4) connected in series to the first switching elements and provided on the low-voltage side than the first switching elements. The gate drive circuit (22, 24) are configured to drive a gate of the second switching elements of motor drive circuits (2C, M1-M4) configured to drive a motor (3). The gate drive circuits include a current source parts (Q3, D1, Q7, D2) configured to inject current into the gate and current sink parts (Q4, Q8) configured to draw current from the gate. The current source parts are provided with first diodes (D1, D2) configured so that the gate side of the second switching element is a cathode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention disclosed in this specification relates to a gate drive circuit, a gate drive device, a motor system, a vehicle, and a method for reducing current consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] A motor driver that can suppress power consumption when a motor is short-braked is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the motor driver shown in Fig. 8 of Patent Document 1, a control logic unit shuts down both the high-side pre-driver and the low-side pre-driver when a motor is short-braked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-29084 A (Figs. 8 and 9)

[0004] [overview] However, the motor driver shown in FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of reducing current consumption.

[0005] In the motor driver shown in FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1, the control logic unit is enabled when the motor is short-braked, so current consumption occurs in the internal power supply circuit that supplies power to the control logic unit when the motor is short-braked.

[0006] By improving the configuration so that the analog switch is controlled by the brake signal without going through the control logic unit, it becomes possible to disable the control logic unit and the internal power supply circuit when short-circuit braking of the motor occurs. When the internal power supply circuit is in the disabled state, its output impedance becomes a high impedance state.

[0007] However, even if the analog switch is improved to be controlled by the brake signal without going through the control logic unit, when the analog switch is on, current flows from the analog switch to the internal power supply circuit via the body diode of the high-side transistor in the low-side pre-driver, resulting in current consumption in the disabled internal power supply circuit.

[0008] The gate drive circuit disclosed in this specification is a gate drive circuit configured to drive a gate of a second switching element of a motor drive circuit configured to drive a motor, the gate drive circuit comprising a plurality of half-bridge circuits including a first switching element and a second switching element connected in series to the first switching element and arranged at a lower potential than the first switching element, the gate drive circuit comprising a current source unit configured to input a current to the gate and a current sink unit configured to draw a current from the gate, the current source unit comprising a first diode oriented such that the gate side of the second switching element is the cathode.

[0009] The gate drive device disclosed in this specification includes a gate drive circuit having the above-described configuration, and a first switching element gate drive circuit configured to drive the gate of the first switching element.

[0010] The motor system disclosed in this specification includes the gate drive device configured as above, the motor drive circuit, and the motor.

[0011] The vehicle disclosed in this specification is equipped with a motor system having the above-described configuration.

[0012] In the current consumption reduction method disclosed in this specification, a motor drive circuit is configured to drive a motor by including a plurality of half-bridge circuits each including a first switching element and a second switching element connected in series to the first switching element and arranged on a lower potential side than the first switching element, and by providing a diode in a current source section configured to flow current into the gate of the second switching element, with the gate side of the second switching element as the cathode, the current consumption when the motor is short-braked is reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the gate drive device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a brake circuit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control circuit and the power supply. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a power window system to which the motor system is applied.

[0014] [Detailed Description] In this specification, MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) refers to a field effect transistor whose gate structure is composed of at least three layers: "a layer made of a conductor or a semiconductor such as polysilicon with a low resistance value," "an insulating layer," and "a P-type, N-type, or intrinsic semiconductor layer." In other words, the gate structure of a MOSFET is not limited to a three-layer structure of a metal, an oxide, and a semiconductor.

[0015] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to a first embodiment. The motor system SYS1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 1, a gate drive device 2A, a first half-bridge circuit including switching elements M1 and M2, a second half-bridge circuit including switching elements M3 and M4, and a motor 3. The motor system SYS1 shown in Fig. 1 further includes resistors R1 to R5, and switches SW1 and SW2. The motor drive circuit formed by the gate drive device 2A, the first half-bridge circuit, and the second half-bridge circuit drives the motor 3.

[0016] In this embodiment, the switching elements M1 to M4 are N-channel MOSFETs. The switching element M2 is connected in series to the switching element M1 and is located on the lower potential side than the switching element M1. The switching element M4 is connected in series to the switching element M3 and is located on the lower potential side than the switching element M3.

[0017] The MCU1 supplies a first PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal to a terminal PWM1 of the gate driver 2A, and supplies a second PWM signal to a terminal PWM2 of the gate driver 2A.

[0018] The gate driver 2A is a semiconductor integrated circuit device. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the gate driver 2A. The gate driver 2A is an electronic component formed by sealing a semiconductor integrated circuit chip in a housing (package) made of resin. A plurality of external terminals are exposed on the housing of the gate driver 2A, and the plurality of external terminals include terminals PWM1, PWM2, EN, VB, VCP, G1H, S1H, G1L, S1L, G2H, S2H, G2L, and S2L shown in FIG. 1. Note that the number of external terminals of the gate driver 2A and the external appearance of the gate driver 2A shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples.

[0019] The gate driver 2A includes a control logic unit 20, gate driver circuits 21 to 24, and an internal power supply circuit 25. The gate driver 2A further includes terminals PWM1, PWM2, EN, VB, VCP, G1H, S1H, G1L, S1L, G2H, S2H, G2L, and S2L.

[0020] The control logic unit 20 supplies a signal based on a first PWM signal supplied to a terminal PWM1 to the gate drive circuits 21 and 22. The control logic unit 20 supplies a signal based on a second PWM signal supplied to a terminal PWM2 to the gate drive circuits 23 and 24.

[0021] The internal power supply circuit 25 converts the voltage Vb applied to the terminal VB into a stabilized internal power supply voltage Vcc. When the enable signal supplied to the terminal EN is at a first level (e.g., low level), the control logic unit 20 and the internal power supply circuit 25 are enabled. On the other hand, when the enable signal supplied to the terminal EN is at a second level (e.g., high level), the control logic unit 20 and the internal power supply circuit 25 are disabled.

[0022] The gate drive circuit 21 includes switching elements Q1 and Q2. The switching element Q1 is a P-channel MOSFET. The switching element Q2 is an N-channel MOSFET. The switching elements Q1 and Q2 are switched on and off complementarily by the control logic unit 20. The switching element Q1 is a current source unit configured to feed a current to the gate of the switching element M1. The switching element Q2 is a current sink unit configured to draw in a current from the gate of the switching element M1.

[0023] The source of the switching element Q1 is connected to the terminal VCP. Outside the gate drive device 2A, a voltage Vcp is applied to the terminal VCP. The drain of the switching element M1 is applied to the voltage Vdd. The voltage Vcp is a voltage higher than the voltage Vdd. The drain of the switching element Q1 and the drain of the switching element Q2 are connected to the terminal G1H. Outside the gate drive device 2A, the gate of the switching element M1 and the first end of the resistor R1 are connected to the terminal G1H. The source of the switching element Q2 is connected to the terminal S1H. Outside the gate drive device 2A, the source of the switching element M1, the second end of the resistor R1, the drain of the switching element M2, and the first end of the motor 3 are connected to the terminal S1H. Note that, unlike this embodiment, the resistor R1 may not be provided.

[0024] The gate drive circuit 22 includes switching elements Q3 and Q4 and a diode D1. The switching element Q3 is a P-channel MOSFET. The switching element Q4 is an N-channel MOSFET. The switching elements Q3 and Q4 are switched on and off complementarily by the control logic unit 20. The switching element Q3 and the diode D1 are a current source unit configured to feed a current to the gate of the switching element M2. The switching element Q4 is a current sink unit configured to draw in a current from the gate of the switching element M2.

[0025] An internal power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the source of the switching element Q3. An anode of a diode D1 is connected to the drain of the switching element Q3. A cathode of the diode D1 and a drain of the switching element Q4 are connected to a terminal G1L. Outside the gate driver 2A, a gate of the switching element M2, a first terminal of a resistor R2, and a first terminal of a switch SW1 are connected to the terminal G1L. A source of the switching element Q4 is connected to a terminal S1L. Outside the gate driver 2A, a source of the switching element M2, a second terminal of the resistor R2, and a ground potential are connected to the terminal S1L. Unlike this embodiment, the resistor R2 may not be provided.

[0026] The gate drive circuit 23 includes switching elements Q5 and Q6. The switching element Q5 is a P-channel MOSFET. The switching element Q6 is an N-channel MOSFET. The switching elements Q5 and Q6 are switched on and off complementarily by the control logic unit 20. The switching element Q5 is a current source unit configured to feed a current to the gate of the switching element M3. The switching element Q6 is a current sink unit configured to draw in a current from the gate of the switching element M3.

[0027] The source of the switching element Q5 is connected to the terminal VCP, similar to the source of the switching element Q1. The drain of the switching element Q5 and the drain of the switching element Q6 are connected to the terminal G2H. Outside the gate drive device 2A, the gate of the switching element M3 and the first end of the resistor R3 are connected to the terminal G2H. The source of the switching element Q6 is connected to the terminal S2H. Outside the gate drive device 2A, the source of the switching element M3, the second end of the resistor R3, the drain of the switching element M4, and the second end of the motor 3 are connected to the terminal S2H. Unlike the present embodiment, the resistor R3 may not be provided.

[0028] The gate drive circuit 24 includes switching elements Q7 and Q8 and a diode D2. The switching element Q7 is a P-channel MOSFET. The switching element Q8 is an N-channel MOSFET. The switching elements Q7 and Q8 are switched on and off complementarily by the control logic unit 20. The switching element Q7 and the diode D2 are a current source unit configured to feed a current to the gate of the switching element M4. The switching element Q8 is a current sink unit configured to draw in a current from the gate of the switching element M4.

[0029] The internal power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the source of the switching element Q7. The anode of the diode D2 is connected to the drain of the switching element Q7. The cathode of the diode D2 and the drain of the switching element Q8 are connected to the terminal G2L. Outside the gate driver 2A, the gate of the switching element M4, a first terminal of the resistor R4, and a first terminal of the switch SW2 are connected to the terminal G2L. The source of the switching element Q8 is connected to the terminal S2L. Outside the gate driver 2A, the source of the switching element M4, a second terminal of the resistor R4, and a ground potential are connected to the terminal S2L. Unlike this embodiment, the resistor R4 may not be provided.

[0030] The second terminal of the switch SW1 and the second terminal of the switch SW2 are connected to the first terminal of the resistor R5. A voltage Vb is applied to the first terminal of the resistor R5. The voltage applied to the first terminal of the resistor R5 is not limited to the voltage Vb, and may be any voltage that turns on the switching element M2 when the switch SW1 is on and turns on the switching element M4 when the switch SW2 is on.

[0031] When an enable signal of a first level (e.g., a low level) is supplied to the terminal EN, if the switches SW1 and SW2 are controlled to be in the on state, the switching elements M2 and M4 are turned on and the motor 3 is short-braked. The diode D1 prevents current from flowing from the terminal G1L to the internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of the switching element Q3. This reduces the current consumption when the motor 3 is short-braked. Similarly, the diode D2 prevents current from flowing from the terminal G2L to the internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of the switching element Q7. This reduces the current consumption when the motor 3 is short-braked.

[0032] <Second embodiment> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to a second embodiment. The motor system SYS2 shown in Fig. 3 includes an MCU1, a gate drive device 2B, a first half-bridge circuit including switching elements M1 and M2, a second half-bridge circuit including switching elements M3 and M4, and a motor 3. The motor system SYS2 shown in Fig. 3 further includes diodes D1 and D2, resistors R1 to R5, and switches SW1 and SW2. The motor drive circuit formed by the gate drive device 2B, the first half-bridge circuit, and the second half-bridge circuit drives the motor 3.

[0033] The gate driver 2B differs from the gate driver 2A in that it does not include diodes D1 and D2, but instead includes terminals T1 and T2, but is otherwise basically similar to the gate driver 2A.

[0034] The electrical configuration of the motor system SYS2 shown in Fig. 3 is basically the same as the electrical configuration of the motor system SYS1 shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the diode D1 prevents current from flowing from the terminal G1L to the internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of the switching element Q3. This reduces the current consumption when the motor 3 is short-braked. Similarly, the diode D2 prevents current from flowing from the terminal G2L to the internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of the switching element Q7. This reduces the current consumption when the motor 3 is short-braked.

[0035] The modified examples of the first embodiment are also applicable to this embodiment.

[0036] <Third embodiment> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to a third embodiment. The motor system SYS3 shown in Fig. 4 includes an MCU1, a gate drive device 2C, a first half-bridge circuit including switching elements M1 and M2, a second half-bridge circuit including switching elements M3 and M4, and a motor 3. The motor system SYS3 shown in Fig. 4 further includes resistors R1 to R4 and R6, and a switch SW3. The motor drive circuit formed by the gate drive device 2C, the first half-bridge circuit, and the second half-bridge circuit drives the motor 3.

[0037] The gate drive device 2C differs from the gate drive device 2A in that it includes a terminal BRKB and a brake circuit 26, but is otherwise basically similar to the gate drive device 2A. The brake circuit 26 is a circuit corresponding to the resistor R5, the switch SW1, and the switch SW2 in the first embodiment.

[0038] A brake control signal is supplied to the terminal BRKB. The resistor R6 and the switch SW3 are an example of a circuit that generates a brake control signal. A voltage Vb is applied to a first end of the resistor R6. Outside the gate driver 2C, a second end of the resistor R6 and a first end of the switch SW3 are connected to the terminal BRKB. A second end of the switch SW3 is connected to the ground potential.

[0039] In this embodiment, when the brake control signal is at a low level, a short brake is applied to the motor 3. Therefore, when short braking is to be applied to the motor 3, the switch SW3 is controlled to the on state. Note that, unlike this embodiment, a short brake may be applied to the motor 3 when the brake control signal is at a high level.

[0040] The brake circuit 26 allows current to flow to the gates of the switching elements M2 and M4 when the brake control signal is at a low level, and does not allow current to flow to the gates of the switching elements M2 and M4 when the brake control signal is at a high level.

[0041] In this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, diode D1 prevents current from flowing from terminal G1L to internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of switching element Q3. This reduces current consumption when short braking of motor 3. Similarly, diode D2 prevents current from flowing from terminal G2L to internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of switching element Q7. This reduces current consumption when short braking of motor 3.

[0042] The modified examples of the first embodiment can also be applied to this embodiment. Also, modifications similar to those from the first embodiment to the second embodiment can be made to this embodiment.

[0043] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a motor system according to a fourth embodiment. The motor system SYS4 shown in Fig. 5 includes an MCU1, a gate drive device 2D, a first half-bridge circuit including switching elements M1 and M2, a second half-bridge circuit including switching elements M3 and M4, and a motor 3. The motor system SYS4 shown in Fig. 5 further includes resistors R1 to R4 and R6, and a switch SW3. The motor drive circuit formed by the gate drive device 2D, the first half-bridge circuit, and the second half-bridge circuit drives the motor 3.

[0044] The gate drive device 2D differs from the gate drive device 2A in that it includes a terminal BRKB, a brake circuit 26, and diodes D3 and D4, but is otherwise basically similar to the gate drive device 2A. The brake circuit 26 is a circuit corresponding to the resistor R5, the switch SW1, and the switch SW2 in the first embodiment. The anodes of the diodes D3 and D4 are connected to the output end of the brake circuit 26. Inside the gate drive device 2D, the cathode of the diode D3 is connected to the terminal G1L, the cathode of the diode D1, and the drain of the switching element Q4, and the cathode of the diode D4 is connected to the terminal G2L, the cathode of the diode D2, and the drain of the switching element Q8.

[0045] A brake control signal is supplied to the terminal BRKB. The resistor R6 and the switch SW3 are an example of a circuit that generates a brake control signal. A voltage Vb is applied to a first end of the resistor R6. Outside the gate driver 2C, a second end of the resistor R6 and a first end of the switch SW3 are connected to the terminal BRKB. A second end of the switch SW3 is connected to the ground potential.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the brake control signal is at a low level, a short brake is applied to the motor 3. Therefore, when short braking is to be applied to the motor 3, the switch SW3 is controlled to the on state. Note that, unlike this embodiment, a short brake may be applied to the motor 3 when the brake control signal is at a high level.

[0047] When the brake control signal is at a low level, the brake circuit 26 causes a current to flow to the gates of the switching elements M2 and M4. On the other hand, when the brake control signal is at a high level, no current flows to the gates of the switching elements M2 and M4. In this embodiment, when the brake control signal is at a high level, the voltage output from the power supply 262 (see Figures 6 and 7 described later) in the brake circuit 26 becomes 0 V.

[0048] If the diodes D3 and D4 were not provided, a current would flow from the gate drive circuits 22 and 24 to the brake circuit 26 when the brake control signal is at a high level and a high-level signal is output from the gate drive circuits 22 and 24. In this embodiment, since the diodes D3 and D4 are provided, it is possible to prevent a current from flowing from the gate drive circuits 22 and 24 to the brake circuit 26 when the brake control signal is at a high level and a high-level signal is output from the gate drive circuits 22 and 24.

[0049] In this embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, diode D1 prevents current from flowing from terminal G1L to internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of switching element Q3. This reduces current consumption when short braking of motor 3. Similarly, diode D2 prevents current from flowing from terminal G2L to internal power supply circuit 25 via the body diode of switching element Q7. This reduces current consumption when short braking of motor 3.

[0050] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the brake circuit 26 used in this embodiment. The brake circuit 26 shown in Fig. 6 includes a control circuit 261, a power supply 262, a resistor 263, a Zener diode 264, and a switch 265. The switch 265 is a P-channel MOSFET. The switch 265 is provided between the power supply 262 and diodes D3 and D4 (not shown in Fig. 6).

[0051] The control circuit 261 and the power supply 262 use the voltage Vb applied to the terminal VB as a power supply voltage. Therefore, the control circuit 261 and the power supply 262 can operate even when the internal power supply circuit 25 is in a disabled state.

[0052] Based on the brake control signal supplied to the terminal BRKB, the control circuit 261 controls the on / off of the switch 265. Specifically, the control circuit 261 turns the switch 265 on when the brake control signal is at a low level, and turns the switch 265 off when the brake control signal is at a high level.

[0053] The power supply 262 is configured to be switched on / off based on the brake control signal supplied to the terminal BRKB. Specifically, the power supply 262 is in an on state (enabled state) when the brake control signal is at a low level, and is in an off state (disabled state) when the brake control signal is at a high level. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the brake circuit 26 when the short brake is not applied to the motor 3, i.e., when the brake control signal is at a high level.

[0054] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control circuit and a power supply included in the brake circuit 26 shown in Fig. 6. The control circuit 261 and the power supply 262 shown in Fig. 7 are each composed of a resistor, a MOSFET, a Zener diode, and a diode.

[0055] The modified examples of the first embodiment can also be applied to this embodiment. Also, modifications similar to those from the first embodiment to the second embodiment can be made to this embodiment.

[0056] <Application Examples> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a vehicle. The vehicle X1 shown in Fig. 8 is equipped with any of the motor systems according to the various embodiments or the modified examples thereof described above.

[0057] The motor systems according to the above-described various embodiments or their modified examples can be applied to various in-vehicle systems provided in the vehicle X1. Here, an example in which the motor system is applied to a power window system will be described as an example of an in-vehicle system.

[0058] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a power window system to which a motor system is applied. The power window system Y1 shown in Fig. 9 is a system for driving a window Y2, and includes the window Y2, a motor system Y3, and a regulator Y4.

[0059] The regulator Y4 is a so-called arm-type regulator, and is a mechanism for moving the window Y2 up and down by the rotational drive of a motor included in the motor system Y3. Note that the regulator is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a so-called wire-type regulator. The window Y2 is disposed, for example, at the front and rear of both sides of the vehicle X1.

[0060] After the vertical position of the window Y2 is adjusted by the rotational drive of the motor included in the motor system Y3, the motor included in the motor system Y3 is in a short brake state, and the position of the window Y2 is fixed. The motor included in the motor system Y3 is in a short brake state most of the time when the vehicle is driven. Also, even when the vehicle is parked, the motor included in the motor system Y3 is in a short brake state, and the position of the window Y2 is fixed, thereby improving the crime prevention effect.

[0061] There are many other in-vehicle systems to which the motor systems according to the various embodiments or their modified examples can be applied, such as a power sunroof system, a power sliding door system, etc. In-vehicle systems use power output from a battery mounted on the vehicle X1, so the motor systems according to the various embodiments or their modified examples described above that can reduce current consumption are particularly useful.

[0062] An in-vehicle system to which the motor system according to the various embodiments or their modified examples described above can be applied can reduce the need for a locking mechanism for preventing the movement of components such as windows, thereby enabling reduction in cost and size.

[0063] The motor systems according to the above-mentioned various embodiments or their modified examples, which can reduce current consumption, are particularly useful not only for in-vehicle systems but also for systems that cannot use commercial power and need to lock the position of movable parts driven by the rotation of a motor.

[0064] The systems to which the motor systems according to the various embodiments or their modified examples described above are applied are not limited to systems that cannot use commercial power sources. The motor systems according to the various embodiments or their modified examples described above can be applied to, for example, louver position adjustment systems for air conditioners, shutter opening and closing systems, and the like.

[0065] <Other> In addition to the above-described embodiment, various modifications can be made to the configuration of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-described embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the technical scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the description of the above-described embodiment, and should be understood to include all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0066] For example, in the various embodiments described above, the motor is a two-phase motor, but the motor may be a three-phase motor. In the case where the motor is a three-phase motor, the motor system may be configured to include three half-bridge circuits.

[0067] <Additional Notes> Regarding the present disclosure, specific configuration examples of which have been shown in the above-mentioned embodiments, additional notes will be provided.

[0068] A gate drive circuit (22, 24) of the present disclosure is a gate drive circuit configured to drive a gate of a second switching element (M2, M4) of a motor drive circuit (2A-2D, M1-M4) configured to drive a motor (3), the gate drive circuit including a plurality of half-bridge circuits including a first switching element (M1, M3) and a second switching element (M2, M4) connected in series to the first switching element and arranged on a lower potential side than the first switching element, the gate drive circuit including a current source unit (Q3, D1, Q7, D2) configured to feed a current to the gate, and a current sink unit (Q4, Q8) configured to draw a current from the gate, the current source unit being configured (first configuration) including a first diode (D1, D2) oriented such that the gate side of the second switching element serves as the cathode.

[0069] According to the gate drive circuit of the first configuration, it is possible to prevent current from flowing via the current source unit when short braking of the motor occurs, and therefore it is possible to reduce current consumption when short braking of the motor occurs.

[0070] The gate drive device (2A to 2D) of the present disclosure has a configuration (second configuration) including the gate drive circuit of the first configuration described above, and a first switching element gate drive circuit (21, 23) configured to drive the gate of the first switching element.

[0071] The gate drive device of the second configuration may further include a brake circuit (26) configured to supply a current to the gate of the second switching element based on a brake control signal (third configuration).

[0072] In the gate drive device of the third configuration, a fourth configuration may be provided, which further includes a second diode (D3, D4), the second diode being disposed between the brake circuit and the gate of the second switching element with the gate side of the second switching element serving as a cathode, and the brake circuit including a power supply (262) configured to be switched on / off based on the brake control signal.

[0073] In the gate drive device of the fourth configuration, the brake circuit may include a switch (265), the switch being provided between the power supply and a second diode and configured to be controlled to be turned on / off based on the brake control signal (fifth configuration).

[0074] The gate driver of any of the second to fifth configurations above may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit device (sixth configuration).

[0075] The motor systems (SYS1 to SYS4) of the present disclosure have a configuration (seventh configuration) including a gate drive device having any of the second to sixth configurations, the motor drive circuit, and the motor.

[0076] A vehicle (X1) of the present disclosure has a configuration (eighth configuration) that includes the motor system of the seventh configuration described above.

[0077] In the current consumption reduction method disclosed herein, a motor drive circuit (2A to 2D, M1 to M4) is configured to drive a motor (3) by including a plurality of half-bridge circuits including a first switching element (M1, M3) and a second switching element (M2, M4) connected in series to the first switching element and arranged on a lower potential side than the first switching element, and by providing diodes (D1, D2) in a current source section (Q3, D1, Q7, D2) configured to flow current into the gate of the second switching element, with the gate side of the second switching element as the cathode, the current consumption during short braking of the motor is reduced.

[0078] According to the current consumption reduction method of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent current from flowing through the current source unit when the motor is short-braked, and therefore it is possible to reduce current consumption when the motor is short-braked. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 MCU 2A~2D Gate driver 20 Control logic section 21~24 Gate drive circuit 25 Internal power circuit 26 Brake circuit 261 Control circuit 262 Power supply 263 Resistance 264 Zener Diode 265 Switch 3 Motor D1~D4 Diodes M1~M4, Q1~Q8 Switching elements R1~R6 resistance SW1~SW3 Switches SYS1~SYS4 Motor system X1 Vehicle Y1 Power window system Y2 Window Y3 Motor System Y4 regulator PWM1, PWM2, EN, VB, VCP terminal G1H, S1H, G1L, S1L, G2H, S2H, G2L, S2L terminals

Claims

1. A gate drive circuit includes a plurality of half-bridge circuits each including a first switching element and a second switching element connected in series to the first switching element and provided on a lower potential side than the first switching element, the half-bridge circuits being configured to drive a gate of the second switching element of a motor drive circuit configured to drive a motor, a current source configured to inject current into the gate; a current sink configured to sink a current from the gate; Equipped with the current source section includes a first diode oriented such that a gate side of the second switching element serves as a cathode.

2. A gate drive circuit according to claim 1; a first switching element gate drive circuit configured to drive a gate of the first switching element; A gate drive device comprising:

3. 3. The gate driver of claim 2, further comprising a brake circuit configured to inject current into the gate of the second switching element based on a brake control signal.

4. A second diode is provided, the second diode is provided between the brake circuit and the gate of the second switching element, with the gate side of the second switching element serving as a cathode, 4. The gate drive of claim 3, wherein the brake circuit comprises a power supply configured to be switched on and off based on the brake control signal.

5. the brake circuit includes a switch; 5. The gate drive device according to claim 4, wherein the switch is provided between the power supply and a second diode, and is configured to be controlled to be on / off based on the brake control signal.

6. 3. The gate driver of claim 2, which is a semiconductor integrated circuit device.

7. A motor system comprising: the gate drive device according to any one of claims 2 to 6; the motor drive circuit; and the motor.

8. A vehicle comprising the motor system according to claim 7.

9. the motor drive circuit includes a plurality of half-bridge circuits each including a first switching element and a second switching element connected in series to the first switching element and provided on a lower potential side than the first switching element, and is configured to drive a motor; A current consumption reduction method in which a diode is provided in a current source section configured to flow current into the gate of the second switching element, with the gate side of the second switching element being the cathode, thereby reducing the current consumption when the motor is short-braked.

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