Electric Power Converter Lower-Arm Switch Self Turn-On Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric power converters, self turn-on phenomena occur in lower-arm switches due to parasitic capacitors, leading to erroneous switching states, and existing solutions complicate the configuration by requiring multiple voltage generation circuits for each switch pair.
Innovation Solution
A simplified configuration where a single voltage generation circuit supplies negative gate voltage to all lower-arm switches through a negative-electrode-side electrical path and capacitors, reducing complexity and preventing self turn-on.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voltage generation circuit is provided for each lower-arm switch to suppress self turn-on, then self turn-on is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple voltage generation circuits that were previously required for each lower-arm switch are merged into a single shared voltage generation circuit. The patent connects one voltage generation circuit to multiple lower-arm switches through a common negative electrode electrical path, eliminating the need for separate voltage generation circuits for each switch while maintaining self turn-on suppression functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A single voltage generation circuit is designed to serve multiple lower-arm switches simultaneously. The circuit generates negative gate voltages that are distributed to all lower-arm switches through the shared negative electrode electrical path, making the voltage generation circuit universal rather than dedicated to a single switch.
2Reliability
If multiple voltage generation circuits are provided for each switch pair, then self turn-on is suppressed, but the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage generation functionality across all switch pairs into a single shared circuit. Instead of having independent voltage generation circuits in each switch pair, one voltage generation circuit serves all lower-arm switches throughout the entire converter system, dramatically simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining reliable switching control.
Solution Approach 2:
The negative electrode electrical path acts as an intermediary that distributes the negative gate voltage from the single voltage generation circuit to all lower-arm switches. This intermediary structure enables one circuit to control multiple switches without requiring direct connections from each switch to its own voltage generation circuit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively suppresses self turn-on in lower-arm switches while maintaining a simplified configuration, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the electric power converter.
Implementation Method 1
at least one capacitor having a first end connected to the second terminal of one of the remainder of the lower-arm switches of the switch pairs, which is not connected with the voltage generation circuit, and a second end connected to the negative-electrode-side electrical path
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power converter includes a plurality of switch pairs respectively corresponding to a plurality of phases and each consisting of an upper-arm switch and a lower-arm switch. Each of the lower-arm switches of the switch pairs has a first terminal, a second terminal and a gate. The electric power converter further includes: a voltage generation circuit having its positive electrode side connected to the second terminal of only one of the lower-arm switches of the switch pairs; a negative-electrode-side electrical path connected to a negative electrode side of the voltage generation circuit; and at least one capacitor having a first end connected to the second terminal of one of the remainder of the lower-arm switches of the switch pairs, which is not connected with the voltage generation circuit, and a second end connected to the negative-electrode-side electrical path.