Multi-Phase Power Module Layout for Shared DC Bus Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power electronic arrangements struggle to provide a simple DC voltage supply for both single-phase and multi-phase power semiconductor modules while accommodating AC power consumers with different power ratings in electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A power electronic arrangement featuring single-phase and multi-phase power semiconductor modules with identical DC voltage terminal elements, allowing for a common DC voltage supply, and AC voltage terminal elements arranged on the same narrow side, enabling efficient and compact design with low inductance connections and shared driver devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate DC voltage supply systems are used for single-phase and multi-phase power semiconductor modules, then each module can be independently supplied, but the overall system complexity and constructional effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different power consumer ratingsVSAvoidDC voltage supply system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing identical DC voltage terminal elements for both single-phase and multi-phase power semiconductor modules. This allows a single DC voltage supply system to serve multiple module types with different power ratings, eliminating the need for separate supply systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the power electronic arrangement into standardized modules with identical DC terminal elements. This segmentation allows each module to be independently designed and manufactured with standardised interfaces, enabling flexible configuration for different power consumer ratings while simplifying the overall supply architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If AC voltage terminal elements are arranged on different sides for single-phase and multi-phase modules, then each module type can be optimised independently, but the overall arrangement complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule design flexibilityVSAvoidarrangement space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the arrangement of AC voltage terminal elements by positioning them on the same narrow side for both single-phase and multi-phase modules. This consolidation reduces the overall arrangement space and simplifies the layout, while the modular design maintains the flexibility needed for independent optimisation of each module type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If different DC voltage terminal element designs are used for single-phase and multi-phase modules, then each module can be optimised for its specific function, but the additional constructional effort and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule-specific optimisationVSAvoidconstructional effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by using identical DC voltage terminal element designs across all module types. This standardisation significantly reduces constructional effort and manufacturing complexity, while the modular architecture preserves the ability to optimise each module for its specific function through internal design rather than terminal element differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11804785B2Power electronic arrangement with a multi-phase power semiconductor module

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 SEMIKRON DANFOSS ELEKTRONIK GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A power electronic arrangement has a plurality of single-phase power semiconductor modules and one multi-phase power semiconductor module, wherein each single-phase power semiconductor module has a first, at least frame-like housing, two first DC voltage terminal elements, a first AC voltage terminal element, first auxiliary terminal elements and a first switching device. The multi-phase power semiconductor module has a second, at least frame-like housing, two second DC voltage terminal elements, at least two second AC voltage terminal elements, second auxiliary terminal elements and a second switching device. The first and second DC voltage terminal elements each form a stack in a section of their length and on the terminal sections are designed identically. All the power semiconductor modules are arranged in a row in the direction of the normal vectors of the respective first longitudinal side. The first and second DC voltage terminal elements of all power semiconductor modules are arranged on the same, a first, narrow side.