POWER MODULE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A POWER MODULE - Patent application

Abstract

The power module (1) comprises one or more substrates (28, 29, 30, 31), at least one high-side switching device (2, 19) and at least one low-side switching device (3, 20) located on one or more of the substrates (28, 29, 30, 31), and at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (5, 7) and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (6, 8) for controlling and / or monitoring the respective switching devices (3, 4, 19, 20), wherein the high-side auxiliary terminal (5, 7) and the low-side auxiliary terminal (6, 8) have the same geometric shape.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power module and a method for manufacturing the power module. The power module can be used in power electronics applications, such as, for example, a motor drive or a power conversion device for an electric vehicle (EV).

[0002] The power module is a half-bridge power module comprising two groups of power semiconductor devices, one group containing one or more high-side devices and the other group containing one or more low-side devices. Both groups of power semiconductor devices can be independently monitored and controlled, so that two separate monitoring or control circuits are available for the high-side and low-side devices. The control circuits may, for example, comprise gate connections and auxiliary emitter or source connections.

[0003] WO2020008874 and WO2020158057 disclose a power module with a half-bridge configuration. CN110867419 discloses a power module with a full-bridge configuration. US20190115275 discloses further examples of power modules.

[0004] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 256194 discloses a power module in a half-bridge configuration in which the high-side terminal and the low-side terminal have a mirror-symmetric shape.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved power modules, at least some of which may have improved switching behavior.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a power module comprises one or more substrates, one or more high-side switching devices, and one or more low-side switching devices located on the one or more substrates. The power module comprises at least one high-side auxiliary terminal and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal for controlling and / or monitoring the respective switching devices. Each of the auxiliary terminals comprises at least one internal connection portion connected to at least one of the substrates and at least one external connection portion for connecting to an external connector. The auxiliary terminal further comprises an intermediate portion connecting the internal connection portion and the external connection portion. The high-side (HS) auxiliary terminal and the low-side (LS) auxiliary terminal have the same geometric shape. In the following, mirror-symmetric shapes of the auxiliary terminals are also disclosed. However, the invention is defined as in the independent claims.

[0007] The auxiliary terminals may be in the form of, for example, a metal sheet. Each auxiliary terminal may be formed from a single piece.

[0008] The intermediate section may comprise at least one horizontal section extending horizontally and / or at least one inclined section extending obliquely with respect to the main surface of the substrate, whereby the horizontal section runs only horizontally at a constant height. The horizontal section may be, for example, bar-shaped. The internal connection section may differ from the external connection section of the same auxiliary terminal in vertical and horizontal position with respect to the main surface of the substrate. It is also possible that the internal connection section differs from the external connection section in vertical position but has the same horizontal position. In this case, the auxiliary terminal may comprise, for example, a U-shaped intermediate section.

[0009] Therefore, the auxiliary terminal has a three-dimensional structure and is not in the form of a simple pin-shaped terminal that simply extends upward from the substrate.

[0010] As an example, the auxiliary terminal may be a component in an auxiliary electrical circuit, such as a signal path for connecting an external connector to the gate of a switching device. As a further example, the auxiliary electrical circuit may be an auxiliary connection to an emitter or source of a switching device. In an embodiment, auxiliary terminals that have the same geometric shape or a mirror symmetric geometric shape are corresponding terminals. A "corresponding" terminal has the same function for a high side switching device and a low side switching device. As an example, an auxiliary terminal that is connected to a gate of a switching device is a corresponding terminal. An auxiliary terminal that is connected to an emitter of a switching device is a corresponding terminal.

[0011] The switching devices may be in the form of, for example, IGBTs, MOSFETs, HEMTs, JFETs or MISFETs. A power module may comprise several high-side switching devices and several low-side switching devices, and the switching devices on the same side may be electrically connected in parallel with each other.

[0012] By using auxiliary terminals of the same shape in the corresponding electrical paths of the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device, the parasitic inductances in these paths are adjusted to each other, thereby improving the uniformity of the switching behavior of the high-side device and the low-side device, or in the best case, achieving identical switching behavior. Furthermore, the same parts can be used for the high-side auxiliary terminal and the low-side auxiliary terminal, which reduces production costs due to economies of scale and reduced tool costs, and reduces the risk of assembly defects.

[0013] In an embodiment, the same shape or a mirror-symmetric shape is applied to all corresponding high-side and low-side auxiliary terminals in a power module. It is also possible that the same shape or a mirror-symmetric shape is applied only to one or some corresponding high-side and low-side auxiliary terminal bits, but not to all corresponding auxiliary terminals.

[0014] At least two of the auxiliary terminals on the same side may be mechanically joined to each other to form a unit, for example a unit of a gate and an auxiliary emitter or source terminal. The auxiliary terminals may be joined to each other before connecting the auxiliary terminals to the substrate. This can simplify the manufacturing process. The units of auxiliary terminals on different sides may have the same geometric shape or a mirror-symmetric geometric shape.

[0015] The auxiliary terminals of the high-side device and the low-side device, which have the same shape, may be arranged on the power module with 180° rotational symmetry. The rotational symmetry may be about an axis extending perpendicular to a major surface of the substrate. As an example, the axis may pass through the center of the power module.

[0016] In an embodiment, the auxiliary terminals for the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device as well as the substrates or the entire electrical path of the corresponding auxiliary circuit have the same geometric shape or a mirror-symmetric geometric shape. If the power module includes three or more substrates, the same geometric shape or a mirror-symmetric shape may be for one or more pairs of substrates for the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device. The same geometric shape or a mirror-symmetric shape may be present for all pairs of the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device.

[0017] If the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device are located on the same substrate, the substrate may have 180° rotational symmetry. The axis of symmetry may be located at the center of the substrate. If the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device are located on different substrates, the substrate may have 180° mirror symmetry about an axis located between the substrates. The entire electrical path may be arranged within the power module with 180° rotational symmetry. The electrical path includes the substrate layout, connectors such as wire bonds, and auxiliary terminals.

[0018] In the case of an auxiliary terminal having a shape with mirror symmetry, one or more substrates may have mirror symmetry with respect to the mirror plane. In the case of a single substrate, the mirror plane may pass through the substrate, and in the case of several substrates, the mirror plane may pass between the substrates. The entire electrical path may be located within the power module with mirror symmetry with respect to the symmetry plane.

[0019] The power module may comprise two or more high-side switching devices and two or more low-side switching devices. The switching devices of the same side may be electrically connected in parallel. Each of the auxiliary terminals may comprise at least two internal connections for electrically connecting to at least two switching devices of the same side. In this case, the substrates on which the switching devices of the same side are located may be separated from each other. If the switching devices of the same side are located on the same substrate, only one internal connection may be sufficient.

[0020] When each side comprises several high-side switching devices and several low-side switching devices and / or several substrates, symmetry may exist for only one pair, for several pairs, or for all pairs of switching devices and / or substrates.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a power module includes providing one or more substrates, one or more high side switching devices and one or more low side switching devices located on the one or more substrates, providing at least two auxiliary terminals having the same geometric shape or a mirror symmetric geometric shape, and connecting the auxiliary terminals to the one or more substrates such that one of the auxiliary terminals is electrically connected to the high side switching device and another one of the auxiliary terminals having the same shape or a mirror symmetric shape is electrically connected to the low side switching device.

[0022] Each of the auxiliary terminals may include at least one internal connection portion connected to at least one of the substrates, at least one external connection portion for connecting to an external connector, and an intermediate portion connecting the internal and external portions. The intermediate portion may include at least one horizontal section extending horizontally relative to the major surface of the substrate, and / or at least one inclined section extending both horizontally and vertically, and the internal connection portion has a different vertical and horizontal position relative to the major surface of the substrate than the external connection portion. The method may result in the aforementioned power module. The method and the power module may have the same electrical and functional characteristics.

[0023] In the method, several auxiliary terminals may be provided and mechanically connected to each other before being connected to the substrate. A unit of mechanically connected auxiliary terminals may be provided for both the high-side switching device and the low-side switching device. As an example, the terminals may be connected to each other by an insulating adhesive or may be embedded in, for example, a resin material to form a kind of terminal block. This further simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0024] The present disclosure includes several aspects and embodiments. All features described with respect to one of the aspects and embodiments are also disclosed herein with respect to the other aspects and embodiments, even if the respective feature is not explicitly mentioned in this context.

[0025] Further features, improvements and advantages will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, in which elements of the same structure and / or function may be referenced with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a half-bridge power module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals of the high-side switching device of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals of the low-side switching device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals of a high-side switching device according to a further embodiment of a power module. [Figure 3B] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals of a low-side switching device according to a further embodiment of a power module. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a top view of a power module according to a further embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a top view of a power module according to a further embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals of the high-side switching device of FIG. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals of the low-side switching device of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of two auxiliary terminals with further connecting parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of a power module 1. The power module 1 may be used, for example, in automotive applications. The power module 1 is a half-bridge semiconductor power module comprising at least one high-side switching device 2 and at least one low-side switching device 3.

[0028] A half-bridge is an electric circuit that includes two switching devices connected in series between a DC+ (positive) terminal and a DC- (negative) terminal, where the AC terminals are connected to the emitter or source of the high-side switching device and the collector or drain of the low-side switching device. The switching device connected to the DC+ terminal is referred to as the high-side (HS) switching device, and the switching device connected to the DC- terminal is referred to as the low-side (LS) switching device.

[0029] The location of the switching devices 2, 3 is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. The switching devices 2, 3 are located on separate substrates 28, 29 which are located on the base plate 4. Each of the substrates 28, 29 provides a pattern of metallizations 17, 18 for electrically connecting the switching devices 2, 3 and terminals. It is also possible for the switching devices 2, 3 to be located on the same substrate rather than on separate substrates 28, 29.

[0030] The substrates 28, 29 may be, for example, directly bonded copper substrates or insulated metal substrates. The base plate 4 may be an insulating or non-insulating material. By way of example, the base plate may include or consist of a metal such as copper or a composite material such as AlSiC.

[0031] The switching devices 2, 3 may for example be in the form of IGBTs, MOSFETs, JFETs, HEMTs or MISFETs. The power module 1 may for example comprise several low side switching devices and several high side switching devices which may be arranged in the form of rows on a base plate 4.

[0032] The power module 1 comprises several auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 for controlling and / or monitoring the switching devices 2, 3. By way of example, the first HS auxiliary terminal 5 and the first LS auxiliary terminal 6 are electrically connected to the gates of the respective switching devices 2, 3. The second HS auxiliary terminal 7 and the second LS auxiliary terminal 8 may be connected to the sources or emitters of the respective switching devices 2, 3.

[0033] The power module 1 further comprises power terminals for supplying power to the respective switching devices 2, 3. The power terminals may comprise DC+, DC- and AC terminals (not shown here) according to the described half-bridge setup. The current flowing in the auxiliary path through the auxiliary terminal is much lower than the current in the power path. As an example, the current in the auxiliary path may be less than 1 ampere. The current flowing in the power terminals may be, for example, several hundred amperes.

[0034] The first HS auxiliary terminal 5 and the first LS auxiliary terminal 6 may be terminals for the gates of the high-side switching device 2 and the low-side switching device 3, respectively. The second HS auxiliary terminal 7 and the second LS auxiliary terminal 8 may be auxiliary terminals for the emitters of the HS switching device 2 and the LS switching device 3, respectively. The first HS auxiliary terminal 5 and the first LS auxiliary terminal 6 are corresponding terminals and have the same function and connectivity to the HS switching device 2 and the LS switching device 3. The second HS auxiliary terminal 7 and the second LS auxiliary terminal 8 are also corresponding terminals.

[0035] Figure 2A shows in a perspective view the two auxiliary terminals 5, 7 of the HS switching device 2 of Figure 1, and Figure 2B shows in a perspective view the two auxiliary terminals 6, 8 of the LS switching device 3 of Figure 1. The relative position and orientation of the HS terminals 5, 7 with respect to each other in the assembly 9 is the same as in Figure 1. The same applies to the assembly 10 of the LS terminals 6, 8 shown in Figure 2B.

[0036] As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 2A and 2B, the first HS auxiliary terminal 5 has the same shape as the first LS auxiliary terminal 6. The second HS auxiliary terminal 7 also has the same shape as the second LS auxiliary terminal 8. Overall, the corresponding terminals have the same shape. In the embodiment shown, the assembly 9 of the HS terminals 5, 7 also has the same shape as the assembly 10 of the LS terminals 6, 8. It is also possible that not all HS auxiliary terminals have the same shape as the corresponding LS auxiliary terminals.

[0037] This makes the electrical paths of the corresponding HS and LS auxiliary circuits more similar to each other. In the ideal case, the auxiliary circuits have identical shapes. The electrical paths of the auxiliary circuits, such as the gate connection paths or the auxiliary emitter paths, may include or consist of, for example, the respective auxiliary terminals, electrical paths on the substrates 28, 29, and wire bond connections.

[0038] It is also possible for the auxiliary terminals on the same side to be mechanically joined together to form a common terminal unit. As an example, the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 may be joined before being connected to the substrate 28. The same can be done for the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8. As an example, the auxiliary terminals on one side may be mechanically connected to each other by an electrically insulating adhesive or may be embedded in a resin material to form a kind of terminal block.

[0039] Each of the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 comprises an internal connection 11, 12 for connection to a respective substrate 28, 29. The internal connection 11, 12 may be formed, for example, as a leg. The internal connection 11, 12 may be directly connected to a metallization 17, 18 (see FIG. 1) of the respective substrate 28, 29. The connection may be made by soldering, gluing or welding, such as ultrasonic or laser welding, or any other applicable joining method. The metallization 17, 18 may be directly connected to one of the switching devices 2, 3 or may be connected to the switching devices 2, 3 by further connectors, such as wire bonds and / or further metallizations.

[0040] Each of the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 includes an external connection portion 13, 14 for connection to an external connector. The external connection portions 13, 14 may be flat portions or may include threaded holes for threaded connection to an external connector. The external connection portions 13, 14 may be plate-shaped portions or may be lashed portions.

[0041] The external connector may be in the form of a bus bar, for example. The external connections 13, 14 may be connected to the external connector, for example by bolts. Other connection types, such as tubular connectors, auxiliary nuts, pin terminals or press-fit pins, or other designs are also possible. It is also possible for one or both of the auxiliary terminals 5, 7 to have multiple external connections 13, 14.

[0042] The external connections 13, 14 are connected to the internal connections 11, 12 by intermediate portions 15, 16 which extend from the respective internal connections 11, 12 perpendicularly and horizontally to the main faces of the substrates 28, 29 and / or base plate 4 such that the respective external connections 13, 14 are spaced apart from the associated internal connections 11, 12 in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In the figures, the main faces of the substrates 28, 29 and / or base plate 4 are parallel to the plane of the figure.

[0043] Thus, the internal connections 11, 12 have different vertical and horizontal positions relative to the main surface of the substrate 28, 29 and / or base plate 4 than the external connections 13, 14 of the same auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8. Thus, the internal connections 11, 12 are located at a different height and at a different lateral position than the associated external connections 13, 14. The auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 have a three-dimensional structure and do not simply extend upwards like pin-shaped terminals. In further embodiments, the internal connections 11, 12 may have a different height position but the same lateral position as the associated external connections 13, 14. In this case, one or more horizontal and / or inclined sections may form a U-shape, for example for stress relief.

[0044] Each of the intermediate sections 15, 16 has one or more twists or bends. Furthermore, each of the intermediate sections 15, 16 has at least one horizontal section 25 that extends only horizontally, and / or at least one inclined section 33 that extends obliquely with respect to the main surfaces of the substrates 28, 29. The main surfaces define the xy plane, and the vertical direction defines the z axis. The horizontal section extends parallel to the xy plane, and the inclined section extends neither parallel nor perpendicular to the xy plane. In particular, inclined means that the angle between the direction of the inclined section 33 and the main surfaces of the substrates 28, 29 is greater than 0° and less than 90°. The angle may, for example, be greater than 10° and less than 80°. The intermediate sections 15, 16 also have one or more vertical sections 32, i.e., portions that extend in the z direction.

[0045] Each of the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 may be formed from a single piece. It is also possible that one or more of the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 are formed from multiple pieces. The auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 may be made of a thin metal sheet, such as a copper or copper alloy sheet. The sheet may be stamped, cut, or etched from a larger plate and bent into a three-dimensional shape. The auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 may be formed as clips. As an example, the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 may be in the form of a bus bar.

[0046] 1, all of the corresponding HS and LS sub-paths, consisting of their respective auxiliary terminals, electrical paths on substrates 28, 29, and wire bond connections, may have the same shape, in which case only some or all of the corresponding paths of the HS and LS sub-paths may have the same shape.

[0047] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 are arranged with 180° rotational symmetry with respect to the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8. In particular, the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 coincide with the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8 when rotated 180° about axis A (see FIG. 1). Axis A is perpendicular to the main surface of the power module 1. It is possible that there is a 180° rotational symmetry in only one of the HS auxiliary terminals or in the entire assembly 9 of several HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7. As can be seen, the substrates 28, 29 also have a 180° rotational symmetry. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire HS auxiliary path has a 180° rotational symmetry with respect to the entire LS auxiliary path.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, all HS and LS auxiliary paths have 180° rotational symmetry when rotated about the same axis A. Therefore, the substrate designs of the HS device 2 and the LS device 3 are identical. As a result, the same complete electrical paths for the auxiliary circuits of the HS device 2 and the LS device 3 are realized.

[0049] The auxiliary terminals 6, 8 may have recesses, holes, or extensions that are used to hold the terminals in the correct position during the molding process. If the auxiliary terminals 6, 8 are the same shape, their structures are also the same, which can reduce costs.

[0050] Thereby, a very balanced electromagnetic coupling behavior of the LS device 2 and the high-side device 3 is achieved, resulting in uniform and identical or nearly identical switching behavior of the HS device 2 and the LS device 3 .

[0051] Furthermore, the number of different terminal components and / or board layouts is reduced, resulting in significant cost savings due to economies of scale and reduced tool costs. It is possible to use the same board layout for all switching devices 2, 3. Logistics are simplified and the occurrence of incorrect assembly is reduced in the manufacture of the power module 1.

[0052] It is also possible for some or all of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 to have the same shape. Similarly, it is also possible for some or all of the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8 to have the same shape.

[0053] Figures 3A and 3B show a further embodiment of the HS and LS auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8. In contrast to the embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B, the shape of the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8 has mirror symmetry with respect to the shape of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7. In particular, the entire assembly 10 of the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8 is mirror symmetric with respect to the assembly 9 of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7.

[0054] Figure 4 shows a power module 1 with mirror-symmetrical auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 are arranged with mirror symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry P perpendicular to the main faces of the power module 1. Here too, it is possible for the mirror symmetry to exist for only one of the corresponding auxiliary terminals or for the corresponding assembly 9, 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrates 28, 29 also have mirror symmetry with respect to the plane of symmetry P. If only one substrate is used for the entire arrangement, the substrate has a shape with mirror symmetry with respect to the plane of symmetry within the substrate.

[0055] 5 shows a further embodiment of the power module 1. The power module 1 comprises two HS switching devices 2, 19 located on separate substrates 28, 30 and two LS switching devices 3, 20 located on separate substrates 29, 31. The HS switching devices 2, 19 are connected in parallel with each other and the LS switching devices 3, 20 are connected in parallel with each other.

[0056] The HS switching devices 2, 19 are electrically connected to a common first HS auxiliary terminal 5, which may be connected to the gates of the HS switching devices 2, 19, and a common second HS auxiliary terminal 7, which may be connected to the emitters or sources of the HS switching devices 2, 19. The LS switching devices 3, 20 are electrically connected to a common first LS auxiliary terminal 6, which may be connected to the gates of the HS switching devices 2, 19, and a common second LS auxiliary terminal 8, which may be connected to the emitters or sources of the LS switching devices 3, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 interconnects two substrates 28, 30 and each of the LS auxiliary terminals interconnects two substrates 29, 31.

[0057] With regard to the power module 1 of FIG. 1, the power module 1 has a rotational symmetry of 180° around an axis A perpendicular to the main surface of the base plate 4. The rotational symmetry is present throughout the metallization patterns, wire bonds and the electrical paths of the auxiliary circuits with the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8. The positions of the switching devices 2, 3, 19, 20 also have this symmetry. Here too, it is also possible that instead of rotational symmetry there is a mirror symmetry relative to a plane of symmetry P perpendicular to the main surface of the base plate 4. The functions and structure of the components correspond to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0058] In further embodiments, not all substrates have the same shape or mirror symmetric shapes, for example only diagonal pairs in the case of rotational symmetry or only perpendicular pairs in the case of mirror symmetry may have the same or mirror symmetric shapes.

[0059] Even if the power module 1 has only one large substrate instead of separate substrates 28, 29, 30, 31, the substrate layout and the arrangement of the switching devices 2, 3, 19, 20 may have a rotational symmetry of 180°. The same applies to mirror symmetry.

[0060] FIG. 6A shows in a perspective view an assembly 9 of the first HS auxiliary terminal 5 and the second HS auxiliary terminal 7, and FIG. 6B shows in a perspective view an assembly 10 of the first LS auxiliary terminal 6 and the second LS auxiliary terminal 8 of the embodiment of FIG.

[0061] 2A and 2B, the auxiliary terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 on the same side may be mechanically connected to form a unit. It is also possible that the auxiliary terminals on the same side are not mechanically connected to each other.

[0062] Each auxiliary terminal 5, 6, 7, 8 has two internal connections 11, 12, 21, 22, each in the form of a leg. The internal connections 11, 12, 21, 22 are connected to metallizations 17, 18, 23, 24 of substrates 28, 29, 30, 31. Each of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 is connected to both HS switching devices 2, 19, and each of the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8 is connected to both LS switching devices 3, 20.

[0063] The internal connection parts 11, 21 of the first HS auxiliary terminal 5 are connected to each other and to the external connection part 13 by an intermediate part 15. The intermediate parts 15, 16 comprise sections that extend horizontally and / or vertically.

[0064] Each intermediate portion 15 has a horizontal section 25 in the shape of a bar. The horizontal section 25 extends parallel to the main surface of the base plate 4. Correspondingly, the internal connection portions 12, 20 of the second HS auxiliary terminal 7 are connected to each other and to the external connection portion 14 by an intermediate portion 16 that comprises a horizontal section 25. Furthermore, each of the intermediate portions 15, 16 comprises one or more inclined sections 33 that extend obliquely relative to the main surface of the substrates 28, 29. The intermediate portions 15, 16 also have one or more vertical sections 32.

[0065] As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 6A and 6B, the first HS auxiliary terminal 5 has the same geometric shape as the first LS auxiliary terminal 6, and the second HS auxiliary terminal 7 has the same geometric shape as the second LS auxiliary terminal 8. The assembly 9 of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 also has the same geometric shape as the assembly 10 of the LS auxiliary terminals 6, 8. In an embodiment, the power module 1 may not have overall symmetry, but only has the same geometric shape for corresponding HS and LS auxiliary terminals. It is also possible that only one pair of corresponding HS and LS auxiliary terminals have the same shape.

[0066] Figure 7 shows an assembly 9 of the HS auxiliary terminals 5, 7 of Figure 6A with further connection parts 26, 27 for connection to an external connector. The further connection parts 26, 27 are pin-shaped and are screwed to the external connections 13, 14. Each of the auxiliary terminals 5, 6 therefore has several parts.

[0067] The LS auxiliary terminal also has further connecting parts and can have the same geometric shape or a mirror symmetric shape according to the previous embodiments.

[0068] The further connection parts 26, 27 are configured to be connected to external connectors which may be screwed to the further connection parts 26, 27 and electrically connected to monitoring and / or control electronics. Other types of external connectors or connection methods are also feasible.

[0069] Reference sign 1 Power Module 2 High-side (HS) switching devices 3 Low-side (HS) switching devices 4 Base plate 5 First High Side (HS) Auxiliary Terminal 6 First low side (LS) auxiliary terminal 7 Second High Side (HS) Auxiliary Terminal 8 Second Low Side (LS) Auxiliary Terminal 9,10 Assembly 11,12 Internal connections 13,14 External connection parts 15,16 Middle section 17,18 Metallization 19 More High Side (HS) Switching Devices 20 More Low Side (LS) Switching Devices 21,22 Further internal connections 23,24 Further Metallization 25 Horizontal Sections 26,27 Further connectors 28 High Side (HS) Board 29 Low side (LS) board 30 Further High Side (HS) Boards 31 More Low Side (LS) Boards 32 Vertical Sections 33 Sloping Section A-axis P plane

Claims

1. one or more substrates (28, 29, 30, 31) and one or more high-side switching devices (2, 19) and one or more low-side switching devices (3, 20) located on one or more of the substrates (28, 29, 30, 31); at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (5, 7) and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (6, 8) for controlling and / or monitoring at least one of the respective switching devices (2, 3, 19, 20); Each of the high-side auxiliary terminals (5, 7) and the low-side auxiliary terminals (6, 8) includes at least one internal connection portion (11, 12, 21, 22) connected to at least one of the substrates (28, 29, 30, 31), at least one external connection portion (13, 14) for connection to the outside, and at least one intermediate portion (15) connecting the internal connection portion (11, 12, 21, 22) and the external connection portion (13, 14); the intermediate portion (15) comprises at least one horizontal section (25) extending horizontally and / or at least one inclined section extending obliquely with respect to a main surface of the substrate (28, 29, 30, 31); A power module (1), wherein at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (5, 7) and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (6, 8) have the same geometric shape.

2. 2. The half-bridge power module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) are in the form of bent metal sheets.

3. 10. The half-bridge power module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the high-side auxiliary terminals (5, 7) and the low-side auxiliary terminals (6, 8) comprises an intermediate portion (15, 16) connecting the at least one internal connection (11, 12) and the external connection (13, 14), the intermediate portion (15, 16) comprising at least one horizontal section (25) in the shape of a bar.

4. 10. The half-bridge power module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one high-side switching device (2, 19) and at least one low-side switching device (3, 20) are provided with gates, and at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (5, 7) and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (6, 8) having the same symmetrical shape are electrically connected to the respective gates.

5. 10. The half-bridge power module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one high-side switching device (2, 19) and at least one low-side switching device (3, 20) comprise an emitter or a source, and at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (5, 7) and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (6, 8) having the same geometric shape are electrically connected to the respective emitter or source.

6. 10. The half-bridge power module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (2, 19) and the at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (3, 20) have the same shape and are arranged with 180° rotational symmetry relative to the axis of symmetry (A).

7. 6. The half-bridge power module (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one high-side auxiliary terminal (2, 19) and at least one low-side auxiliary terminal (3, 20) having the same geometric shape are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry (P).

8. 10. A half-bridge power module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) on the same side, having the same geometric shape.

9. 10. A power module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) of the same side mechanically joined to each other.

10. 10. The power module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the high-side switching device (2, 19) and the low-side switching device (2, 20) with the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) having the same geometric shape are arranged on separate substrates (28, 29, 30, 31), the metallization patterns of the substrates (28, 29, 30, 31) having the same geometric shape or a mirror-symmetric geometric shape.

11. 10. The power module according to claim 1, wherein the high-side switching device (2, 19) and the low-side switching device (2, 20) with the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) having the same geometric shape are arranged on the same substrate, the metallization pattern of which has rotational symmetry of 180° with respect to an axis of symmetry (A) or mirror symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry (P).

12. 10. A half-bridge power module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two high-side switching devices (2, 19) and at least two low-side switching devices (3, 20), each of said auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) having the same shape comprising at least two internal connections (11, 12, 21, 22) for electrically connecting said at least two switching devices (2, 3, 19, 20) of the same side.

13. A method for manufacturing a power module (1), comprising the steps of: providing one or more substrates (28, 29, 30, 31), one or more high side switching devices (2, 19) and one or more low side switching devices (3, 20) located on said one or more substrates (28, 29, 30, 31); providing at least two auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) having the same geometric shape; connecting the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) to the one or more substrates (28, 29, 30, 31) such that one of the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) is electrically connected to the high-side switching device (2, 19) and another one of the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) is electrically connected to the low-side switching device (3, 20), each of the auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) comprising at least one internal connection portion (11, 12, 21, 22) connected to at least one of the substrates (28, 29, 30, 31), at least one external connection portion (13, 14) for connection to the outside, and at least one intermediate portion (15) connecting the internal connection portion (11, 12, 21, 22) and the external connection portion (13, 14); Including, The method, wherein said intermediate portion (15) comprises at least one horizontal section (25) extending horizontally and / or at least one inclined section extending obliquely with respect to a major surface of said substrate (28, 29, 30, 31).

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein three or more auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) are provided, and at least two of said auxiliary terminals (5, 6, 7, 8) are mechanically connected to each other before being connected to said one or more substrates (28, 29, 30, 31).

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