ANPC Power Module Layout for High-Frequency Voltage Spike Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The ANPC converter faces challenges in balancing device losses due to control limitations, leading to poor filtering effects, high voltage spikes, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues, which restrict the working voltage range and increase costs and power space requirements.
Innovation Solution
The ANPC power module incorporates six switch assemblies with IGBT and wide-bandgap devices, additional capacitor lead-out terminals for high-frequency filtering, and diversion lead-out terminals to create optimized switching paths, improving voltage stress and EMC while expanding the working voltage range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional DC Link capacitance filtering design is used, then the filtering effect is poor and voltage spikes are high, but adding filtering components increases cost and power space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-frequency filtering function from the traditional DC Link capacitance filtering design and implements it through a dedicated high-frequency filter circuit with separate capacitor lead-out terminals. This separation allows the high-frequency filtering to be handled by specific components (high-frequency filter capacitors) rather than relying on the main DC Link capacitors, thereby improving voltage spike suppression without proportionally increasing overall capacitance and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements including high-frequency filter capacitors, inductors, and optimized PCB trace routing as mediators between the power module and DC Link. These intermediary components provide a dedicated path for high-frequency current filtering, improving the filtering effect while keeping the main DC Link capacitance requirements moderate.
2Power
If the path of the power loop is lengthened and widened to accommodate larger devices, then the voltage and current specifications are improved, but the filtering effect deteriorates and voltage spikes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power loop into distinct functional sections: a high-frequency switching section with compact routing around the power module, and a low-frequency DC Link section. By providing separate capacitor lead-out terminals for high-frequency filtering, the patent enables different routing optimizations for different frequency ranges, allowing the power loop to handle high power specifications while maintaining effective filtering through the segmented approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the filtering design by introducing vertical capacitor lead-out terminals that extend in the Z-direction (height dimension) from the PCB surface. This three-dimensional terminal arrangement allows filtering capacitors to be positioned optimally for high-frequency performance without constraining the horizontal power loop dimensions needed for high power handling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If six full-control type devices are used in ANPC configuration, then the freedom of system control is improved, but the loss balance of devices at each position cannot be realized due to control limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing dedicated capacitor lead-out terminals specifically at the inner switch positions where high-frequency switching occurs. This localized filtering capability addresses the specific needs of inner switches that experience different loss characteristics compared to outer switches, enabling better loss balance by providing targeted electromagnetic interference suppression where it is most needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses an ANPC power module. at least one power module, wherein the power module comprises six switch assemblies, a DC end, a GND end and an SW end, the six switch assemblies comprise two outer switches, two inner switches and two clamping switches, wherein an additional capacitor lead-out terminal is arranged at an electrical connection of each of the two inner switches and the two switch bridge arms, the capacitor lead-out terminal is used for setting a high-frequency filter capacitor, and two ends of the high-frequency filter capacitor are electrically connected with the capacitor lead-out terminals corresponding to the two switch bridge arms respectively. The application can effectively improve the instantaneous dynamic voltage spike of the high-frequency switching action, improve the oscillation frequency, increase the working voltage range of the device, and prevent the EMI noise from interference the devices outside of the ANPC power module.