Adaptive Semiconductor Switch Driving Circuit for Loss Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor switch driving circuits face a trade-off between minimizing switching losses and managing voltage stress, with smaller resistance leading to faster switching speed but increased voltage stress, and larger resistance resulting in higher switching losses.

Innovation Solution

A driving circuit with multiple turn-off driving units having different parameters is used, allowing for adaptive selection based on the semiconductor switch's working state to optimize switching speed and reduce losses while maintaining voltage stress within safe limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the resistance of the driving resistor is decreased to increase switching speed, then switching losses are reduced, but voltage stress on the semiconductor switch increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidvoltage stress
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the turn-off resistance variable rather than fixed. The driving circuit dynamically adjusts the turn-off resistance based on the working current magnitude: using a first turn-off resistance for normal current conditions and a second turn-off resistance for overload current conditions. This dynamic adjustment optimizes switching speed while preventing excessive voltage stress under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resistance parameter adaptively based on working conditions. By detecting the magnitude of working current and selecting different resistance values (first turn-off resistance vs. second turn-off resistance), the system optimizes the balance between switching speed and voltage stress for each specific operating state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If a fixed turn-off resistance is used, then the circuit is simple, but switching losses cannot be optimized under varying current conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoiddriving circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the turn-off resistance function into multiple resistance values (first turn-off resistance and second turn-off resistance) that are selectively applied based on current conditions. This segmentation allows optimization of switching losses for different operating ranges while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through structured design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the magnitude of working current and using this information to select the appropriate turn-off resistance. The detection unit monitors current conditions and provides feedback to the driving circuit, which then adjusts the resistance selection to minimize switching losses under varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3051697B1Driving circuit for a semiconductor switch
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP3051697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3051697B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3051697B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present application discloses a driving circuit for a semiconductor switch. The driving circuit includes a driving unit, a sampling unit (201) and a selection unit (202). A plurality of turn-off driving units with different turn-off parameters is provided in the driving unit, and a turn-off driving unit having a turn-off parameter adaptive to the working state of the semiconductor switch is selected according to the working state of the semiconductor switch so as to turn off the semiconductor switch.