Electronic protection circuit for protecting at least one component of a high voltage circuit application

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electronic protection circuit (200) for protecting at least one component of a high voltage application, the high voltage application and a method for protecting the high voltage application, the electronic protection circuit (200) comprising a semiconductor component (210) being configured to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160) through the high voltage application (100), a sensor unit (220) being configured to provide a sensor signal (221), which is characteristic for an electric variable (161) of the high voltage electric current flow (160), and an electric circuit (230) configured to receive the sensor signal (221), the electric circuit (230) being further configured to control the semiconductor component (210) to enable and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160) using the received sensor signal (221).

Description

[0001] ELECTRONIC PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR PROTECTING AT LEAST ONE COMPONENT OF A HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUIT APPLICATION

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an electronic protection circuit for protecting at least one component of a high voltage circuit application, a high voltage application comprising the electronic protection circuit and a method for protecting at least one component of the high voltage circuit application. The present disclosure further preferably relates to a charging station for an electric vehicle comprising the high voltage application and / or an electric vehicle comprising the high voltage circuit application with the electronic protection circuit.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Passenger and freight transport are facing a profound transformation. Within the European Union for instance, commercial vehicles account for around a quarter of road transport emissions, which is equivalent to 6 per cent of all CO2 emissions. They are caused by the approximately 6.6 million trucks that are in use every day, which transport around 76.7 percent of all freight on land within the European Union. If the climate goals are to be achieved by 2030, the CO2 emissions of heavy goods traffic must be significantly reduced. This is possible by means of a wave of electrification, as is already in full swing in passenger transportation.

[0006] In long-distance and heavy goods transport, the changeover is more difficult. Currently, there are hardly any battery-electric transport vehicles in use in long-distance traffic throughout Europe. Even in continuous or shift operation, electric trucks seem less attractive. The reasons for this are the limited battery capacity and the limited charging power.

[0007] For a change in the respective segments, powerful high voltage charging infrastructure is therefore required, which is up to date not available. Further, currently available charging infrastructure is only available in the kilowatt range, which leads to long charging times of electric commercial vehicles. Further, charging stations for electric commercial vehicles are due to their current complexity very expensive and require a lot of space due to the different components arranged in different housings around a charging space for the electric commercial vehicle, thereby forming the conventional charging station.

[0008] The main components in commercial electric vehicles and in charging stations for commercial vehicles comprise power electronics, which regulate the high power levels.

[0009] State of the art charging station are battery-buffered charging stations equipped with chargers according to the MCS-standard and / or the CCS-standard. Fast charging via CCS is the standard for almost all cars. The limits of CCS, including oil-cooled cables, are at a maximum output of 800 kW. The number of electric vehicles is increasing in heavy goods traffic, including in shipping, which therefore also have larger battery capacities. In order to keep charging times short even with larger battery capacities, the megawatt charging system (MCS)-standard has now been introduced, which can transmit up to several megawatts of power.

[0010] The high-voltage batteries used e.g. in a charging station or in an electric vehicle have a residual capacity of 80 kWh to 110 kWh per battery pack, which corresponds to a considerable amount of energy, in particular when the charging station and I or the electric vehicle comprises a plurality of battery packs. In the event of a short circuit this stored energy is released instantaneously, which can cause immense damage to the high voltage system, their components and even to the entire charging station or the electric vehicle, in particular due to electric arcs and / or magnetic forces.

[0011] A conventional solution is to provide fuses to protect against short circuits, which in most cases can prevent against some damages. However, the response time of these fuses only begins when the short circuit current has reached its maximum and damage to the power electronics and the system have already occurred. In order to reduce the resulting damage to a minimum, extremely rapid disconnection would be required. An interruption timespan within 10 ms would already be within the range of the fastest available fuses. If even faster disconnection is required, pyrofuses can be used, which interrupt current lines within 1 ms to 5 ms. However, even this switch-off time is not sufficient for systems such as high voltage charging stations or high voltage battery vehicle system.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic protection circuit, a high voltage application comprising the electronic protection circuit and a method for protecting the high voltage circuit application, which address at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic protection circuit, a high voltage application comprising the electronic protection circuit and a method for protecting the high voltage circuit application, which enables cut off times of below 1 millisecond for protecting at least one component of a high voltage circuit application. According to the present disclosure, an electronic protection circuit for protecting at least one component of a high voltage application is described. The electronic protection circuit comprises preferably a semiconductor component, a sensor unit and an electric circuit.

[0014] The semiconductor component is arranged in the high voltage application and is configured to enable a high voltage electric current flow through the high voltage application and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow through the high voltage application. The semiconductor component is e.g. interconnected to the high voltage electric current flow and provides at least two operation modes. In a first operation mode, the semiconductor component enables the high voltage electric current flow through the high voltage application. In this fault free operation of the high voltage application, the electronic protection circuit operates in a normal operation mode, such that the semiconductor component enables the current flow. In a second operation mode, the semiconductor component is configured to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow through the high voltage application. The semiconductor component is configured to be switched from the first operation mode to the second operation mode in case a fault, e.g. a short circuit, within the high voltage application is detected. Modern semiconductor components provide the desired fast switching times and have very little ohmic resistance. The semiconductor component may comprise a plurality of semiconductor elements forming at least partially the semiconductor component.

[0015] The sensor unit is arranged at the high voltage application and configured to provide a sensor signal, which is characteristic for an electric variable of the high voltage electric current flow flowing at least partially through the high voltage application. The sensor unit may comprises at least one sensor, or a plurality of sensors, which are preferably arranged at the vicinity of a busbars or conductor rails of the high voltage application, which transfer the high voltage current through the high voltage application. The sensor unit, in particular the sensors, are configured to provide the sensor signal, which is characteristic for an electric variable of the high voltage electric current flow. The electric variable might include at least one of: the electric current (Ampere), the electric voltage (Volt), the electric power, or any electric variable, which might be used by the electric circuit for controlling the semiconductor component accordingly. In other words, the sensor unit measures and provides information, in particular real time information, of the high voltage electric current flowing through the high voltage application. The sensor unit may further be configured to transmit, via wire or wireless, the sensor signal to the electric circuit.

[0016] The electric circuit is configured to receive, in particular also process, the sensor signal. E.g. the sensor signal is received from the sensor unit by the electric circuit. The sensor signal is preferably a signal, which is sent permanently or with a high scanning rate (e.g. above 50kH or at 50kH) from the sensor unit to the electric circuit during operation of the high voltage application, which enables in particular fast response times. Processing of the sensor signal might include to analyze the received signal for anomalies, which might enable to conclude that a fault, in particular a short circuit, has occurred in the high voltage application. The electric circuit is further configured to control the semiconductor component to enable and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow using the received sensor signal. The electric circuit is in particular configured to control the operation modes of the semiconductor component. E.g. as long as no fault is determined by the electric circuit the semiconductor component is operated in the first normal operation mode enabling the high voltage current flow. As soon as the electric circuit detects an anomaly in the sensor signal, the semiconductor component is controlled such that the semiconductor component interrupts the high voltage electric current flow flowing through the high voltage application. The electronic circuit according to the present disclosure enables to interrupt the high voltage current flow extremely fast, in particular enabling cut off times of below 10 milliseconds, preferably of below 2 milliseconds from the occurrence of the fault till the interruption by the semiconductor component.

[0017] An advantageous semiconductor component comprises or is preferably at least partially made of silicon carbide. In particular, the substrate of the semiconductor component, is at least partially made of silicon carbide (SiC). Silicon carbide as semiconductor material offers the required fast reaction times and at the same time to enable an efficient high voltage current flow through the semiconductor component.

[0018] An advantageous fast electronic protection circuit is realizable when the semiconductor component comprises at least one bipolar transistor, in particular at least one insulated- gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), wherein the electric circuit controls a voltage supply to the gate of the bipolar transistor for enabling or interrupting the high voltage electric current flow. The bipolar transistor is robust and provides an advantageous current transfer for the high voltage current flow and at the same time a high inverse voltage. The insulated- gate bipolar transistor further provides an advantageous powerless activation. The bipolar transistor and in particular the IGBT enables that the barrier layer may be switched from conducting to blocking within nanoseconds, which enables that the entire semiconductor component is switched from conducting (first operation mode) to blocking (second operation mode) within nanoseconds. The bipolar transistor and in particular the IGBT provide the required functionality for the desired short cut off times.

[0019] The electronic protection circuit is further advantageous robust when the bipolar transistor is configured to enable the high voltage electric current flow when the gate of the bipolar transistor is provided via the electric circuit with a positive voltage and to interrupt or block the high voltage electric current flow when the gate of the bipolar transistor is provided via the electric circuit with no or a negative voltage. In other words, in the first operation mode (normal operation mode), the electric circuit permanently feeds positive electric current to the gate of the bipolar transistor such that the bipolar transistor permanently enables the high voltage electric current flow through the high voltage application. In the second operation mode (fault operation mode), the electric circuit stops to feed electric current to the gate of the bipolar transistor, such that it interrupts the high voltage current flow. In a further variation, the electric circuit is configured to feed a negative electric voltage (e.g. -15V) to the gate of the bipolar transistor in case a fault is detected, such that the switch off time of the bipolar transistor is even further reduced, in particular by faster discharging of the capacity of the bipolar transistor.

[0020] The high voltage application is preferably configured to enable at least partially an electrical current flow having a voltage of at least 200 Volt, preferably of at least 400 V, more preferably of at least 800 V. The high voltage application is preferably configured to enable at least partially an electric current flow having at least 500 Ampere, preferably at least 1000 A, more preferably of at least 1500 A, most preferably of at least 2000 Ampere. The high voltage application is preferably configured to provide electric power of at least 500 Kilowatt, preferably of at least 1000 kW, more preferably of at least 2500 kW, even more preferably of at least 3500 kW. The given values may further vary in a range of at least + / -10%.

[0021] The required semiconductor component is configured to enable high voltage electric current flow through the high voltage application having an electric current of at least 500 Ampere, preferably of at least 1000 Ampere or more preferably of at least 2000 Ampere. The given values may further vary in a range of at least + / - 10%. The semiconductor component is in particular reliable when it comprises a cooling mechanism, which is configured to provide a heat sink for the semiconductor component during operation of the high voltage application. The cooling mechanism may comprise air- cooling and I or water-cooling. The cooling mechanism is for example connected to another cooling circuit of the high voltage application.

[0022] The semiconductor component has preferably a relatively low ohmic resistance, in particular in a range from 0,01 milliohm to 1 milliohm, preferably from 0,1 milliohm to 0,8 milliohm. Nevertheless, the high voltage electric current flowing through the semiconductor component produces heat, which might harm the semiconductor component or might negatively affect its functionality. The cooling mechanism provides the required heat sink for controlling the temperature within the semiconductor component. The cooling mechanism may comprise a ventilator.

[0023] A relatively simple and reliable current measurement is realizable when the sensor unit comprises a hall sensor, which is configured to use at least partially the hall effect for providing the sensor signal. A Hall effect sensor (or simply Hall sensor) is a type of sensor which detects the presence and magnitude of a magnetic field using the Hall effect. The output voltage (sensor signal) of a Hall sensor is directly proportional to the strength of the field, which enables that the output voltage, in particular the hall sensor signal, is characteristic for an electric variable of the high voltage electric current flow, in particular of the electric current (Ampere). The hall sensor is preferably configured such that it is possible to apply a positive and negative voltage on the hall sensor, which enables to measure the electric current, preferably up to 2000 A, in both directions. The sensor unit, in particular the hall sensor, has a bandwidth of at least 50 Kilohertz, preferably of at least 75 kHz, even more preferably of at least 100 kHz, which enables to detect changes in the electric current as fast as desired. E.g. a sensor unit having a bandwidth of 100 kHz enables to detect changes in the electric current within 10 ps. The electric protection circuit is in particular fast and reliable when the electric circuit, which is configured to control the semiconductor component, is implemented as an analog electronic circuit enabling preferably real time control of the semiconductor component, in particular enabling a real time interrupting time from receiving the sensor signal by the electric circuit to interrupting by the semiconductor component of 250 ps or lower, preferably of 100 ps or lower, more preferably of 50 ps or lower. An analog electronic circuit is a combination of electrical and, in particular, electronic components (e.g. diodes and transistors) to form a (functioning) arrangement. The analog electronic circuit in particular does not comprise a computer or a processor for processing the sensor signal. The sensor signal is an input signal for the electronic circuit and is directly processed by the electric components of the electronic circuit. The pure electric circuit enables a reliable fault detection and further enables the required super-fast cut off times. If a fault, e.g. a short circuit occurs, the potential in the high voltage application discharges abruptly and connected capacitors, e.g. in an inverter (DC / DC converter), then discharges due to the falling voltage. The inverter generates a high current for a very short time, which can theoretically be detected by the sensor unit for triggering the interruption. If the short circuit is already detected by the discharge current of a connected inverter, this enables even faster disconnection. In this case, the detection, by the electric circuit, would already be after 20 ps and an interruption by the semiconductor component would follow in a further 30 ps.

[0024] The analog electronic circuit preferably comprises an operational amplifier, which is connected to a reference voltage, preferably 5 V, and the second input voltage of the operation amplifier is connected at least indirectly to the sensor signal. In case of a fault, e.g. a short circuit, the sensor signal, in particular its voltage and / or current increases, which might push the second input voltage of the operational amplifier, which is at least proportional to the sensor signal, above the reference voltage, thereby switching the oper- ational amplifier. The switched operational amplifier is preferably directly or at least indirectly connected to the semiconductor component, which is switched accordingly to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow. In a further variation, the electronic circuit further comprises a second operational amplifier, arranged in series with the first operation amplifier.

[0025] In a further variation, the electric circuit may comprise additionally or alternatively a processor, which is configured to receive and process the sensor signal and is further configured to control the semiconductor component. The processor might be an alternative solution to the analog electronic circuit as described above. In case of the processor, the electronic circuit protection may additionally be controlled via a control system of the high voltage application, actively enabling or interrupting the high voltage electric current flow.

[0026] It is preferred that the electric circuit is configured to control the semiconductor component to enable the high voltage electric current flow, when the received sensor signal does not fulfills a predetermined threshold, and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow, when the received sensor signal fulfills the predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is preferably stored and I or implemented in the electric circuit, in particular by the components of the electric circuit. The threshold might also be a threshold band defining an upper and lower threshold. The electric circuit is configured to control the semiconductor component, in particular the current supply to the gate of the semiconductor component, such that the semiconductor component enables the high voltage current flow when the sensor signal does not fulfill, in particular does not reach or surpass, the threshold or threshold band. Further, the electric circuit is configured to control the semiconductor component, in particular to stop the current supply to the gate of the semiconductor component or even to switch from a positive current supply (e.g. +15V) to a negative current supply (e.g. -15V), such that the semiconductor component interrupts the high voltage current flow when the sensor signal fulfills, in particular reaches or surpasses, the threshold or threshold band.

[0027] A particular fast switch off time of the semiconductor device is reachable, when the electronic circuit further comprises a transistor, in particular a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor or MOSFET, which is preferably arranged between the operational amplifier and the gate of the semiconductor device. The transistor is arranged and configured such that in normal operation a positive voltage, e.g. 15V+ is applied to the gate, causing the semiconductor device to switch on and to remain switched on. The switching principle of the operational amplifier as described above and hereinafter may remain the same. As soon as the threshold value is exceeded, the operational amplifier switches on. Switching on the operational amplifier now activates the transistor, which switches the gate through to a negative voltage of e.g. 15V-. This causes the gate to discharge more quickly and consequently switches the semiconductor device off even faster.

[0028] The electric protection circuit is in particular reliable and robust when the predetermined threshold of the sensor signal, which is indicative of the occurrence of a fault, e.g. a short circuit, exceeds the sensor signal during normal operation of the high voltage application at least by 10% or more, preferably by 15% or more, more preferably by 25% or more, even more preferably by 33% or most preferably by 50 %. In other words, the threshold lies e.g. at least 10 %, 15 %, 25 % 33 % or at least 50 % above the sensor signal during normal operation. The sensor signal of the sensor unit, in particular of the hall sensor, has output sensor signal properties, which preferably correlate proportionally with the electric properties of the high voltage electric current flowing in the high voltage application. E.g. a high voltage electric current flow in the high voltage application has a voltage of 1250 V and a current of 1500 Ampere (nominal current). The resulting sensor signal has a current of 0,3 A (the sensor has a transformation ratio of 5000), during normal operation of the high voltage application (1500 A at 1250 V). In case of a fault, e.g. a short circuit, the current increases rapidly and dramatically to e.g. 2000 A and higher. At 2000 Ampere current in the high voltage application, the sensor signal increases to a current of 0,4 Ampere, which is the threshold for triggering (33% above the nominal current).

[0029] The electric circuit is further preferably configured to produce based on the received sensor signal a resulting voltage, which is provided to the operational amplifier as input value. In other words, a change in the current of the sensor signal changes the voltage of the input value to the operational amplifier. The input value for the amplifier is thereby directly proportional to the current of the sensor signal, which advantageously creates the desired fast response times.

[0030] An advantageous fast and reliable controlling of the semiconductor component is realizable when the electric circuit comprises an electronic comparator, in particular a Schmitt trigger, which is at least partially configured to control the semiconductor component, in particular to control the voltage supply to the gate of the bipolar transistor for enabling or interrupting the high voltage electric current flow, based on the sensor signal, which is an input for the electronic comparator. A Schmitt trigger is a comparator circuit with hysteresis implemented by applying positive feedback to the noninverting input of a comparator or differential amplifier. It is an active circuit, which converts an analog input signal to a digital output signal. The Schmitt trigger enables advantageously to control the semiconductor component to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow when the threshold is fulfilled.

[0031] The electric protection circuit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric circuit comprises a self-hold mechanism, which is configured to keep the high voltage electric current flow interrupted, in particular when the received sensor signal falls below the predetermined threshold after previously fulfilling the predetermined threshold. The self-hold mechanism is e.g. implemented at least partially by the Schmitt trigger and / or a diode. The self-hold mechanism enables that the semiconductor component is controlled to continue to interrupt the high voltage current flow, even if the sensor signal falls below the threshold (due to the interruption of the high voltage current flow). The self-hold mechanism is in particular important in case of a short circuit because otherwise the semiconductor component would, after interrupting the high voltage current flow, immediately be controlled to enable or reenable the high voltage current flow, because the sensor signal falls below the threshold. The diode, which is e.g. interconnected between the output of the operational amplifier and the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier keeps the output switched even if the sensor signal falls.

[0032] The electronic protection circuit is in particular implemented in a charging station, for charging electric vehicles, in particular for charging electric commercial vehicles, as described in more detail below. In addition, the electronic protection circuit is in particular implemented in an electric vehicle, in particular an electric commercial vehicle comprising batteries, which provide the electrical energy to electric motors for driving. The high voltage application is therefore e.g. the charging station or the electric (commercial) vehicle.

[0033] According to a further variation, the electronic circuit comprises a potentiometer, which is preferably installed before the operational amplifier and a resistor. The potentiometer is used to fine-tune the current conversion of the electronic circuit, as resistors have a tolerance and can therefore be compensated.

[0034] To switch off the semiconductor component, in particular the IGBT, quickly and to avoid the risk of it being switched on again, the IGBT gate should be controlled with a negative voltage (e.g. -15 V) when it is switched off. This could be realized by supplying the operational amplifier with a positive voltage and a negative voltage (e.g. +15 V and -15 V). However, an operational amplifier that can supply a high current would have to be used in order to switch off the semiconductor component (e.g. IGBT gate) as quickly as possible. Another option would be to switch on the -15 V voltage, including a capacitor, to provide the necessary voltage and current as soon as the semiconductor component needs to be controlled to interrupt the high voltage current flow.

[0035] It is further preferred that the electronic protection circuit comprises an RC element, in particular a capacitor and resistor, arranged in the high voltage application downstream of the semiconductor component and preferably upstream of the sensor unit. In high voltage applications where no capacitor is present or the discharge current of the capacitor is not sufficient for detection, a high discharge current could be generated by such a capacitor, in particular with the additional RC element, which triggers the protective circuit. If a 1 mF capacitor with a 0.1 Ohm resistor is integrated after the semiconductor component of the protection circuit, a current peak of 8.5 kA can be generated in the event of a short circuit. With the tau of 100 ps, the discharge current of the capacitor flows over a longer period of time, which can be advantageously detected by the sensor unit. By placing it after the semiconductor component of the protection circuit, it is not additionally loaded and the protective circuit can interrupt even faster in the event of a short circuit, as this capacitor is the first to discharge. If the tau of the inductance of the lines is sufficiently large, as with e.g. a megawatt charging station, the resistor can also be omitted.

[0036] In addition, a control signal of the electric circuit, might additionally be used to control, in particular switch off or interrupt, components e.g. inverter, batteries or converter or other sensitive components, of the high voltage application. In other words, the signal of the electric circuit is not only used to control the semiconductor component but is additionally routed to the mentioned components such that the components itself might be switched accordingly. This creates an advantageous redundancy.

[0037] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a high voltage application comprising an electric protection circuit as described above and hereinafter is described. As mentioned, the high voltage application is for example a charging station, in particular a megawatt charging station, and I or an electric vehicle, for example an electric truck.

[0038] The high voltage application, in particular the different components of the high voltage application might additionally comprise short circuit protection mechanisms like fuses or pyro-fuses, which additionally protect the high voltage application, in particular the components, against short circuits. The fuses and pyro-fuses still do not reach the cut off times of the electronic protection circuit, but they might additionally protect against local short circuits, such that they do not spread to other components.

[0039] It is preferred that the high voltage application comprising a direct current link, which guides a high voltage electric current flow, in particular from a battery, through the high voltage application, wherein the electric protection circuit being configured to protect the direct current link. The direct current link is for example a conductor line or bus bar, which connects a plurality of battery packs or batteries with each other, further, the bas bur might be connected (at least sometimes, in particular during charging) to a local power grid, which provides the power for charging the batteries of the electric vehicle or the batteries of the charging station. The direct current link is further preferably connected to power electronics, like converters, coil elements, electric engines etc., which transfer and manage the high voltage current flowing through the high voltage application. The DC link connects at least partially or indirectly the different components of the high voltage application. In case of a fault, in particular a short circuit, every component connected to the DC link could be harmed or even destroyed within milliseconds. The electronic protection circuit as described above and hereinafter is configured to protect at least one component connected to the DC-Link. The sensor unit of the electronic protection circuit is preferably arranged at or surrounding the DC-Link to provide the sensor signal, which is characteristic for electric current in the DC-Link. Further, the semiconductor component is arranged in the DC-Link and configured to enable and interrupt the high voltage current flow as described above and hereinafter. In addition, the electric circuit, which is the control mechanism, might be arranged in the high voltage application, for receiving and processing the sensor signal and for controlling the semiconductor component accordingly.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for protecting at least one component of a high voltage application, in particular against short circuits is described. The method comprises the steps of:

[0041] Providing an electric protection circuit in the high voltage application as described above and hereinafter.

[0042] Operating the high voltage application and measuring, by the sensor unit, a sensor signal, which is characteristic for an electric variable of the high voltage electric current flow flowing at least partially through the high voltage application, in particular through a Delink of the high voltage application.

[0043] Controlling, by the electric circuit, a semiconductor component of the electric protection circuit, to enable and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow using the measured sensor signal. The semiconductor component is controlled in dependence of the measurement of the sensor unit. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed.

[0044] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The herein described disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered limiting to the disclosure described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

[0046] Fig. 1 a schematic block diagram of a high voltage application according to a first variation;

[0047] Fig. 2 a second schematic block diagram of the high voltage application according to the first variation shown in Figure 1 ;

[0048] Fig. 3 a diagram of the internal circuit of a DC / DC converter used e.g. in the high voltage application of Figure 1 and Figure 2;

[0049] Fig. 4 a third schematic block diagram of the high voltage application according to the first variation comprising an electronic protection circuit;

[0050] Fig. 5 a schematic diagram of the electronic protection circuit according to a first variation; Fig. 6 a schematic diagram of the electronic protection circuit comprising an analog electric circuit according to a second variation;

[0051] Fig. 7 a schematic diagram of the electronic protection circuit comprising the analog electric circuit according to a third variation;

[0052] Fig. 8 an electronic protection circuit according to a fourth variation comprising a RC-Link;

[0053] Fig. 9 a flow chart comprising a plurality of method steps;

[0054] Fig. 10 a schematic diagram of the electronic protection circuit comprising the analog electric circuit according to a fifth variation;

[0055] Fig. 11 a schematic diagram of the electronic protection circuit comprising the analog electric circuit according to a sixth variation.

[0056] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a block circuit diagram of the battery-backed charger 102 as high voltage application 100 according to an exemplary variation. The battery backed charger 102 comprises a plurality of components 101 like converters, coils, current lines etc. The battery backed charger 102 (megawatt charger), and in particular the block circuit diagram may be subdivided in a plurality of groups, which might be a direct current connecting link 110, a battery link 120, a first alternating current link 130 and a second alternating current link 140. Each of the different links 110, 120, 130, 140 comprises a variety of components 101 , which will be explained in more detail below. The battery backed charger 102, is for example configured to provide electric energy from a local grit to an electric vehicle, to provide electric energy from an electric vehicle to a local grit and to store electric energy. The battery backed charger 102 may provide electric energy to an electric truck using the CCS or MCS standard.

[0059] The DC connecting link 110 is configured to connect the different other links with each other and in particular to provide a transfer possibility of electric energy from and to the electric vehicle. The DC connecting link 110 is therefore connected to the battery link 120, and the second AC link 140. The DC connecting link 110 comprises a first DC link line 112 and a second DC link line 114.

[0060] The battery link 120 comprises two electrical battery lines 122, in particular a first electrical battery line 121 and a second electrical battery line 122. Further battery lines, for example eight or sixteen are also conceivable and are indicated by the dots arranged below the second electrical battery line 122. The electrical battery lines 122 comprise each a battery DC / DC converter 128, a battery coil element 126 and a battery pack 124. The DC / DC converter 128 is configured to convert received DC current having a specific voltage from the battery pack 124 and I or the grid connection interface 132 / the charging interface 119 into direct current having another specific voltage. The DC / DC converter 128 is configured to convert received current bidirectional. The battery pack 124 is configured to store received electrical energy from the DC / DC converter 128 and to emit electrical energy to the DC / DC converter 128 and further towards the electrical vehicle and I or the electrical local grid. The battery coil element 126 is for example configured to smoothen the energy transfer. Each battery pack 124 of the battery link 120 may be configured to provide electrical current in the range from 300 V to 450 V having a permanent current of, for example, 330 A or 660 A.

[0061] The first AC Link 130 comprises several electrical components and is configured to connect the battery-backed charger 102 with the electrical grid or with the plurality of available local electrical grids. The first AC Link 130 is configured to receive the electrical current via a grid connection interface 132 and to transform the electrical current. The grid connection interface 132 comprises according to this variation a low voltage connector comprising three low voltage connection possibilities such that for example a low voltage grid of 400 V AC 400kW, a low voltage grid of 400 V AC 88kW and / or a low voltage grid of 400 V AC 44kW is connectable to the grid connection interface 132. The grid connection interface 132 further comprises a grid switching arrangement 133, which comprises several controllable switches enabling that the connected electrical grids are switchable. The grid switching arrangement 133 is further configured to control along which of the first or second DC link line 112, 114 electrical current flows during operation of the battery- backed charger 102. The grid switching arrangement 133 further enables that the different electrical grids may be interconnected with each other. According to this variation, the first DC link line 112 and the second DC link line 114 connect the grid switching arrangement 133 with the charging interface 119 for charging the electric vehicle. Both lines extend from the first AC link 130 through the second AC link 140 and the DC connecting link 110 and comprise according to this variation the same electrical components, in particular a transformer 134, a LC-filter 142, an AC / DC converter144, an interface DC / DC converter 116 and a coil element 118. The transformer 134 is for example a delta and / or a star transformer and is configured to transform bidirectional the received current. The LC-filter 142 comprises inductors (L) and capacitors (C) and is configured to cur or pass specific frequency bands during operation of the battery- backed charger 102. The LC-Filter 142 is preferably arranged between the transformer 134 and the AC / DC converter 144. The AC / DC converter 144 is configured to convert received alternating current into direct current or vice versa, for example from 500 V AC to 900 V DC or vice versa. The interface DC / DC converter 116 is configured to convert I transform bidirectional received direct current having a specific voltage into direct current having another specific predefined voltage. The coil element 118 is for example configured to smoothen electrical current flowing through it.

[0062] The charging interface 119 comprises two vehicle interface lines, which are interconnected with each other via a vehicle switching arrangement 111 comprising several controllable switches. The charging interface 119 comprises two charging interfaces, each comprising two charging possibilities. The first charging interface is e.g. a charging interface using the MCS standard, in particular for electric commercial vehicles. The second charging interface is e.g. a charging interface using the CCS standard, in particular for electric cars.

[0063] The battery backed charger 102 may further comprise resistors, in particular switchable resistors, which may further enable the desired functionality of the battery- backed charger 102.

[0064] Figure 1 further advantageously shows the interconnections between the different components 101 of the battery backed charger 102. Figure 1 shows in particular that the first DC link line 112 is connected to the first battery line 121. The second DC link line 114 is connected to the second battery line 122. Additional battery lines (indicated in Figure 1 by dots below the second battery line 122) are for example connected alternating to the first or second DC link line 112, 114. The battery- backed charger 102 may further comprise a control unit, not shown explicitly in figure 1 , which is configured to control the functionality of the battery backed charger 102. The control unit is for example in particular configured to control the grid switching arrangement 133 and the vehicle switching arrangement 111 , in particular the respective switches, based on the desired use case of the battery- backed charger 102. Further, the control unit may be configured to control the other electrical components 101 of the battery backed charger 102.

[0065] The battery-backed charger 1 according to the variation of Figure 1 enables a grid connected high power (MW) charging of electric vehicles and an off-grid high power (MW) charging of the electric vehicles. Further, the battery-backed charger 102 according to the present disclosure may be used to provide an island grid or to provide a buffer for a local or public electrical grid. It is for example possible to discharge a connected vehicle for charging the battery link 120 or for directly providing electrical energy to a local or public grid. The battery link 120 and I or the electric vehicle may be used as buffer I provider of electrical energy. Further, the battery-backed charger 102 enables to transfer electrical energy from one vehicle connected via the charging interface 119 to the battery-backed charger 102 to another vehicle connected via the charging interface 119 to the battery- backed charger 102. The battery-backed charger 102 may further provide an island local grid, such that electrical consumers may be directly connected to the battery- backed charger 102, which supplies the electrical consumers via the battery link 120 a connected grid and / or a connected electrical vehicle 10. In other words, the battery- backed charger 102 is configured such that a flow of electrical energy is not direction dependent, instead the electrical energy may flow within the components 101 of the battery-backed charger 102 along both available directions, bidirectional for enabling all of the used cases. Figure 2 shows a second schematic block diagram of the high voltage application 100 as shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 focuses on the first DC link line 112 and the second DC link line 114 and the components 101 , which are connected to the first and second DC link line 112, 114. Figure 2 shows the first DC link plus line 112a, the first DC link minus line 112b, the second DC link plus line 114a and the second DC link minus line 114b. The first DC link line 112 is connected to four battery lines 121. The dots between two battery lines 121 indicate that the high voltage application might comprise more battery lines 121 , preferably eight battery lines 121 per DC link line 112, 114. Each battery line 121 comprises the battery pack 124, the battery coil element 126 and the battery DC / DC converter 128. The different components are connected to the first DC link line 112 as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 further indicates that the first DC link line 112 is connected to a local grid via the AC / DC converter 144. The grid connection further comprises the coil element 118 and the DC / DC converter 116. The battery DC / DC converter 128 or the DC / DC converter 116 are used to increase the voltage from 400 V DC, in particular the battery voltage, to a higher charging voltage or vice versa in case of charging of the battery packs 124.

[0066] The battery packs 124 are secured against short circuits on the output side with a 350 A MSD (manual service disconnect) comprising a fuse. Each battery back 124 outgoing circuit leads to the battery DC / DC converter 128 that feeds into the respective DC link 112, 114 in parallel with seven other strings. A 400 A fuse is preferably installed after each DC / DC converter 128 and an entire DC link 112, 114 is preferably protected with a 2000 A fuse. The purpose of each fuse is to interrupt the current in the event of a short circuit or overcurrent, thus minimizing damage. The tripping time of the fuses depends on the current, i.e. the higher the current, the faster the tripping. The tripping times are around 20 to 40 ms. If a short circuit occurs in the first or second DC link 112, 114, it is interrupted by the fuse that trips the fastest. Figure 3 shows a diagram of the internal circuit of the DC / DC converter 128, which is fed from the high voltage battery packs 124 on the LV+ side and generates the increased output voltage on the DC+ side with the clocking. In this case, the topology of the DC / DC converter 128, which are fed by the battery packs 124, means that the IGBTs passively conduct the current via the freewheeling diodes even when they are switched off. In the event of a short circuit on the raised DC side, a short circuit current Ik of 11 kA flows per line, which means that the freewheeling diodes in the DC / DC converter 128 are destroyed. This affects all battery DC / DC converter 128 and is not preventable by the fuses described above because the cut off times of such fuses are too long. A short circuit interruption time by the fuses is e.g. 20 - 40 ms. A possible short circuit flow through the DC / DC converter 128, which would destroy a diode and therefore the entire DC / DC converter 128 is indicated in Figure 3 by a black dashed line.

[0067] Figure 4 shows a third schematic block diagram of the high voltage application 100 an electronic protection circuit 200. Figure 4 shows that the electronic protection circuit 200 is positioned such that the first DC link line 112 may be protected and thereby all components of the different battery lines 122 etc. are protected at the same time. Positioning the electronic protection circuit 200 directly at the first DC link line 112 and I or the second DC link line 114 respectively provides the advantage that it is possible to protect all connected components 101 with just one electronic protection circuit 200 per DC link line 112, 114. In particular, it is possible to protect all connected DC / DC converters 116 and all battery DC / DC converter 128 with just one electronic protection circuit 200.

[0068] Figure 5 shows an electronic protection circuit 200 according to a first variation implemented in the first DC link line 112 of the high voltage application 100. The electronic protection circuit 200 comprises a semiconductor component 210, in particular a bipolar transistor 212 implemented as insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) 214. The IGBT 214 separates the collector from the emitter by a barrier layer. This junction becomes conductive when a voltage is applied on the gate 216 and can therefore be used as a circuit. The advantage is that this junction can conduct or block in nanoseconds. This makes it possible to interrupt the current flow in the required time with a semiconductor component 210, in particular with the IGBT 214. The electronic protection circuit may further comprise a fuse to mechanically disconnect the line in order to ensure redundant system protection.

[0069] The IGBT 214 might have a rated current of 2400 A and a dielectric strength of 1700 V. With the time delay of 30 ps when switching off 2000 A, the current increases to approx. 2350 A until interruption. An IGBT 214 should withstand this current without damage. Normally, an IGBT 214 is used for clocking, which also requires a driver. According to the present variation, the IGBT 214 does not need to be clocked; the switch-on and switch-off commands normally only occur when the system is started up. The IGBT 214 can therefore be controlled directly via the gate 216. When using eight DC / DC converter 128, 8 times the capacitor C3 discharge current occurs in the event of a short circuit. This leads to a peak value of approx. 80 kA. The IGBT 214 might have a limit load integral of 1400 A2 / s, which results in an integral value of 1 ,960,000. The capacitor discharge current is 10 kA for 30 ps, with eight DC / DC converter 128 this results in 80 kA, whereby the current has a quadratic function and is therefore not 10 kA for the entire duration. The integral value of all discharge currents without taking the quadratic function into account is 192,000. The discharge current is therefore only 1 / 10 of the limit load integral of the IGBT 128, which is not a problem. An IGBT 214 might therefore be suitable for interrupting the high voltage current flow 160 of for the high voltage application 100 as desired.

[0070] The electronic protection circuit 200 further comprises a sensor unit 220, which is configured to provide a sensor signal 221 characteristic for a variable 161 , in particular a current, of the high voltage electric current flow 160 flowing through the first DC link line 112 or second DC link line respectively. The sensor unit 220 comprises a hall sensor 222, which surround preferably the first DC link line 112. A short circuit can be detected by the short circuit current Ik of the capacitors connected to the DC link line 112, 114 or via the current increase during the short circuit itself. In order for the Hall sensor to detect the current peak as fast as required it should have a bandwidth of at least 50kHz, preferably of at least 100 kHz. By applying a 15 V+ and 15 V- voltage to the Hall sensor 222, it is preferably possible to measure up to 2000 A in both directions. Measurement in one direction is sufficient for the circuit, so a supply of 15 V+ and ground is sufficient. The bandwidth is 100 kHz, which means that current changes can be detected every 10 ps.

[0071] The electronic protection circuit 200 further comprises an electronic circuit 230 implemented in a printed circuit board 231. The printed circuit board 231 provides interfaces for connecting the sensor unit 220, the semiconductor component 210 and external power supply and or external control data input and data ouput. The electronic circuit 230 is configured to control the semiconductor component 210 to enable the high voltage electric current flow 160 and I or to interrupt I cut off the high voltage electric current flow 160 using the received sensor signal 221 from the sensor unit 220. The electronic circuit 230 might constantly compare the received sensor signal 221 with a predetermined threshold value 224, which is stored in the electronic circuit 230 as indicated in Figure 5. In case the sensor signal 221 fulfills, e.g. reaches or surpasses, the threshold value 224, the electronic circuit 230 controls the semiconductor component 210 to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow 160. This is preferably done by interrupting a voltage supply to the gate 216 of the semiconductor component 210. In a variation, the voltage supply to the gate 216 is switched from a positive voltage to a negative voltage (e.g. from +15 V to -15 V). The electric circuit 230 might be further configured to process external input data, which are provided by an external input interface 231a to the electric circuit 230. The external input data might be used to control the electronic protection circuit, in particular the semiconductor component 210 externally e.g. from a vehicle control system or a charging station control system. The electric circuit 230 might be further configured to transmit via one of the interfaces 231a data out of the electric circuit 230. E.g. the control signal for the semiconductor component 210 might additionally be routed to a control system of the high voltage application 100 or directly to other components 101 of the high voltage application 100, for switching them off in case of a fault.

[0072] The electric circuit 230 is for example implemented as an analog electronic circuit enabling real time control of the semiconductor component 210, in particular enabling a real time interrupting time from sensor signal input to interruption of preferably 250 ps or lower, more preferably of 100 ps or lower, even more preferably of 50 ps or lower. In another variation, the electric circuit 230 is implemented comprising a processor, which controls the semiconductor component 210. The threshold 224 might be stored in the processor. A combination of an analog electric circuit and a processor is also conceivable.

[0073] Figure 6 shows a second variation of an electronic protection circuit 200 implemented as an analog electronic circuit 230 according to a first variation. The analog electronic circuit 230 comprises a plurality of different electronic components, e.g. resistors, capacitors, operational amplifier, diodes etc., which provide the required functionality to switch the semiconductor component 210 as desired. The sensor signal 221 might have a specific current e.g. 0,3 A during normal operation of the high voltage application 100 at e.g. 1500 Ampere. The sensor signal 221 is fed via different resistors, a potentiometer to an operational amplifier 232 having e.g. 7,5 V in normal operation. This voltage does not trigger the operational amplifier 232 and keeps therefore the gate 216 of the semiconductor component 210 energized such that it enables the high voltage current flow 160 (first normal operation mode). As soon as the sensor signal 221 reaches a higher current of e.g. 0,4 A, which is indicative for a current of 2000 A or more in the respective DC link 112, the electric circuit 230 provides a voltage of 10 V or more to the operational amplifier 232 as input signal (non-inverted) which triggers the electric circuit 230 to interrupt the current supply to the gate 216 of the semiconductor component 210. Figure 6 shows that the electric circuit 230 comprises two operational amplifier 232 which are arranged in series for enabling the desired functionality. Overall, the electric circuit 230 may be a trigger circuit, which controls the voltage supply to the gate 216 in dependence of the sensor signal 221. The trigger circuit is preferably a Schmitt trigger circuit 234 or comprises at least partially a Schmitt trigger circuit 234. Further, the electric circuit 230 comprises a self-hold mechanism 236, which preferably comprises a diode, and which is configured to keep the current to the gate 216 interrupted even if the sensor signal 221 falls again below the threshold 223. Figure 6 further shows additional components, which provide the reference voltage to the operational amplifier 232 and other components, which are connected to another interface 231a, providing additional functionalities.

[0074] Figure 7 shows a third variation of the electronic protection circuit 200 implemented as an analog electronic circuit 230 according to a second variation. The analog electronic circuit 230 as shown in Figure 7 corresponds mainly to the variation as shown and described with respect to Figure 6. The analog electronic circuit 230 according to Figure 7 further comprises a third operational amplifier 232, which as input signal (inverted) uses the output signal of the second operation amplifier 232. The additional electrical components enable that a negative voltage of e.g. -15 V is supplied to the gate 216 of the semiconductor component 210 to switch the semiconductor component 210 even faster in case of a short circuit. In addition, a potentiometer, which is according to Figure 6 installed before the first resistor, is according to Figure 7 installed below the tap of the first operational amplifier 232. This allows the input voltage at the OPV to be adjusted to a higher input value, e.g. higher than 5 V. Figure 8 shows an electronic protection circuit 200 according to a fourth variation comprising an optional additional RC-Link 300 arranged between the semiconductor component 210 and the sensor unit 220 in the respective DC link line 112, 114. In high voltage application 100 where no capacitor is present or the discharge current of the capacitor is not sufficient for detection of a short circuit, a high discharge current could be generated with the RC link 300, which triggers the electronic protection circuit 200. E.g. a 1 mF capacitor 301 and a 0.1 Ohm resistor 302 are integrated after the semiconductor component 210, in particular after the IGBT 214, of the electronic protection circuit 200, a current peak of 8.5 kA can be generated in case of a short circuit. With the tau of 100 ps, the discharge current of the capacitor 301 flows over a longer period of time, which can be detected by the sensor unit 220, in particular the hall sensor 222.

[0075] By placing the RC link 300 after the semiconductor component 210 of the electronic protection circuit 200, it is not additionally loaded and the electronic protection circuit 200 can interrupt even faster in the event of a short circuit, as this capacitor 301 is the first to discharge. If the tau of the inductance of the lines is sufficiently large, as with the high voltage application 200, in particular according to the battery backed charger 102, the resistor 302 can also be omitted.

[0076] Figure 9 shows a flow chart of a method for protecting least one component 101 of the high voltage application 100. The high voltage application 100 being for example an electric vehicle e.g. an electric truck or a charging station. In step S1 , the electric protection circuit 200 as described above is provided in the high voltage application 100. According to step S2, the high voltage application 100 is operated, e.g. the high voltage application 100 being a charging station is used for charging an electric vehicle or the high voltage application 100 being an electric truck is used for driving. The sensor unit 220 of the electric protection circuit 200 is used to provide the sensor signal 221 , which is characteristic for an electric variable 161 of the high voltage current flow 160 through the high voltage application. The electric variable 161 is e.g. the current in Ampere. The method further comprises the step of controlling S4 the semiconductor component 210 of the electric protection circuit 200, via the electric circuit 230 such that the high voltage electric current flow is enabled or interrupted using the measured and provided sensor signal 221. The high voltage current flow 160 is enabled in a normal operation mode and is interrupted in case a fault, in particular a short circuit, is detected by the electric component 230.

[0077] Figure 10 shows a fifth variation of an electronic protection circuit 200 implemented as an analog electronic circuit 230 according to a fourth variation. The analog electronic circuit 230 comprises a plurality of different electronic components, e.g. resistors, capacitors, one operational amplifier, one diode etc., which provide the required functionality to switch the semiconductor component 210 as desired. This variation differs from the variations as shown in Figures 6 and 7 at least in that the electronic circuit 230 comprises only a single one operational amplifier 232. The output line of the operational amplifier 232 is directly connected to the gate 216 of the semiconductor device 210. The sensor signal 221 is fed via different resistors, a potentiometer to the single operational amplifier 232. This voltage does not trigger the operational amplifier 232 and keeps therefore the gate 216 of the semiconductor component 210 energized such that it enables the high voltage current flow 160 (first normal operation mode). As soon as the sensor signal 221 reaches a higher current of e.g. 0,4 A, which is indicative for a current of 2000 A or more in the respective DC link 112, the electric circuit 230 provides a voltage of 10 V or more to the operational amplifier 232 as input signal, which triggers the electric circuit 230, in particular the operational amplifier 232, to interrupt the current supply to the gate 216 of the semiconductor component 210. Overall, the electric circuit 230 may be a trigger circuit, which controls the voltage supply to the gate 216 in dependence of the sensor signal 221. Further, the electric circuit 230 also comprises the self-hold mechanism 236, which preferably comprises a diode, and which is configured to keep the current to the gate 216 interrupted even if the sensor signal 221 falls again below the threshold 223.

[0078] Figure 11 shows a sixth variation of the electronic protection circuit 200 implemented as an analog electronic circuit 230 according to a fifth variation. The analog electronic circuit 230 as shown in Figure 11 corresponds mainly to the variation as shown in Figure 10.

[0079] The main difference between the variant of Figure 11 and the variant of Figure 10 is that the electronic circuit further comprises a transistor 242, in particular a metal-oxide-sem- iconductor field-effect transistor or MOSFET, which is connected to the operational amplifier 232. The transistor 242 is preferably arranged between the operational amplifier 232 and the gate 216 of the semiconductor device 210. The transistor 242 is arranged and configured such that in normal operation a positive voltage, e.g. 15V+ is applied to the gate 216, causing the semiconductor device 210 to switch on and to remain switched on. The switching principle of the operational amplifier 232 as disclosed e.g. with respect to Figure 10 remains the same. As soon as the threshold value is exceeded, the opera- tional amplifier 232 switches on. Switching on the operational amplifier 232 now activates the transistor 242, which switches the gate 216 through to a negative voltage e.g. 15V-. This causes the gate 216 to discharge more quickly and consequently switches the semiconductor device 210 off very fast.

[0080] LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0081] 100 High voltage application 161 electric variable

[0082] 101 component 30 200 Electronic protection circuit

[0083] 102 battery backed charger 210 Semiconductor component

[0084] 110 DC connecting link 212 bipolar transistor

[0085] 111 vehicle switching arrangement 214 insulated-gate bipolar transistor

[0086] 112 First DC link line 216 gate

[0087] 112a First DC link plus line 35 220 sensor unit

[0088] 112b First DC link minus line 221 sensor signal

[0089] 114 Second DC link line 222 hall sensor

[0090] 114a Second DC link plus line 224 threshold

[0091] 114b Second DC link minus line 230 electric circuit

[0092] 116 DC / DC converter 40 231 printed circuit board

[0093] 118 coil element 231 a interfaces

[0094] 119 charging interface 232 operational amplifier

[0095] 120 battery link 233 trigger circuit

[0096] 122 battery line 234 Schmitt trigger

[0097] 124 battery pack 45 236 self hold mechanism

[0098] 126 battery coil element 240 cooling mechanism

[0099] 128 battery DC / DC converter 242 transistor (MOSFET)

[0100] 130 First AC Link 300 RC link

[0101] 132 grid connection interface 301 capacitor

[0102] 133 grid switching arrangement 50 302 resistor

[0103] 134 transformer 51 Providing

[0104] 140 Second AC Link 52 Operating

[0105] 142 LC Filter 53 Measuring

[0106] 144 AC / DC converter 54 Controlling

[0107] 160 high voltage electric current flow

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1 . An electronic protection circuit (200) for protecting at least one component (101) of a high voltage application (100), the electronic protection circuit (200) comprising: a. a semiconductor component (210) arranged in the high voltage application (100) and being configured to enable a high voltage electric current flow (160) through the high voltage application (100) and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160) through the high voltage application (100); b. a sensor unit (220) arranged at the high voltage application (100) and being configured to provide a sensor signal (221), which is characteristic for an electric variable (161) of the high voltage electric current flow (160) flowing at least partially through the high voltage application (100); c. an electric circuit (230) configured to receive the sensor signal (221), the electric circuit (230) being further configured to control the semiconductor component (210) to enable and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160) using the received sensor signal (221).

2. The electric protection circuit (200) according to claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor component (210), in particular the substrate of the semiconductor component (210), is at least partially made of silicon carbide.

3. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semiconductor component (210) comprises at least one bipolar transistor (212), in particular at least one insulated-gate bipolar transistor (214), wherein the electric circuit (200) controls a voltage supply to the gate (216) of thebipolar transistor (212) for enabling or interrupting the high voltage electric current flow (160).

4. The electric protection circuit (200) according to claim 3, wherein the bipolar transistor (212) is configured to a. enable the high voltage electric current flow (160) when the gate (216) of the bipolar transistor (212) is provided via the electric circuit (230) with a positive voltage, and b. interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160) when the gate (216) of the bipolar transistor (212) is provided via the electric circuit (230) with no or a negative voltage.

5. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semiconductor component (210) is configured to enable the high voltage electric current flow (160) through the high voltage application (100) having an electric current of at least 500 Ampere, preferably of at least 1000 Ampere, more preferably of at least 1600 ampere, or even more preferably of at least 2000 Ampere.

6. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semiconductor component (210) or the electronic protection circuit comprises a cooling mechanism (240), which is configured to provide a heat sink at least for the semiconductor component (210) during operation of the high voltage application (100).

7. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (220) comprises a hall sensor (222), which is configured to use at least partially the hall effect for providing the sensor signal (221).

8. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric circuit (230), which is configured to control the semiconductor component (210), is implemented as an analog electronic circuit enabling real time control of the semiconductor component (210), in particular enabling a real time interrupting time from receiving the sensor signal (221) by the electric circuit (230) to interrupting by the semiconductor component (210) of preferably 250 ps or faster, more preferably of 100 ps or faster, even more preferably of below 50 ps or faster.

9. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric circuit (230) is configured to control the semiconductor component (210) to: a. enable the high voltage electric current flow (160), when the received sensor signal (221) does not fulfills a predetermined threshold (224), and b. interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160), when the received sensor signal (221) fulfills the predetermined threshold (224).

10. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined threshold (224) of the sensor signal (221) exceeds the sensor signal (221) during normal operation of the high voltage application (100) at least by 10% or more, preferably by 15% or more, more preferably by 25% or more, most preferably by 33% or more.1 1 . The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric circuit (230) comprises an electronic comparator (232), in particular a Schmitt trigger (234), which is at least partially configured to control the semiconductor component (210), in particular to control the voltage supply to the gate (216) of the bipolar transistor (212) for enabling or interrupting the high voltage electric current flow (160), based on the sensor signal (221), which is an input for the electronic comparator (232).

12. The electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric circuit (230) comprises a self-hold mechanism (236), which is configured to keep the high voltage electric current flow (160) interrupted, in particular when the received sensor signal (221) falls below the predetermined threshold (224) after fulfilling the predetermined threshold (224).

13. A high voltage application (100) comprising an electric protection circuit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. The high voltage application (100) according to claim 13, comprising a direct current link (110), which is configured to guide a high voltage electric current flow (160), in particular from a battery (120), through the high voltage application (100), wherein the electric protection circuit (200) being configured to protect the direct current link (110).

15. A method for protecting at least one component (101) of a high voltage application (100), in particular against short circuits, the method comprising the steps of: a. Providing (S1) an electric protection circuit (200) in the high voltage application (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 13;b. Operating (S2) the high voltage application (100) and providing (S3) a sensor signal (221), measured by a sensor unit (220), the sensor signal (221) being characteristic for an electric variable (161) of the high voltage electric current flow (160) flowing at least partially through the high voltage application (100); c. Controlling (S4) a semiconductor component (210) of the electric protection circuit (200), via an electric circuit (230) of the electric protection circuit (200), to enable and to interrupt the high voltage electric current flow (160) using the sensor signal (221).

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