Planar Capacitor Terminal Layout for Low-Inductance Busbars
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In power inverter applications, existing thermal management strategies that separate components to prevent thermal damage often compromise efficiency and increase device size, and capacitors used for voltage maintenance are not optimally positioned for thermal and electrical performance.
Innovation Solution
A laminate busbar structure with a capacitor positioned further away from transistors and connected via planar terminals with a support structure, allowing for thermal distancing while maintaining electrical proximity, using a housing with insulating and conductive materials to manage heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capacitor is positioned closer to the busbar structure for electrical proximity, then inductance is reduced, but thermal damage risk increases due to proximity to heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the capacitor on the same side of the busbar structure as the power electronics, but utilizes the vertical dimension and lateral spacing to achieve thermal separation while maintaining electrical proximity through optimized terminal geometry and connection paths
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the capacitor is moved further from the busbar structure for thermal management, then thermal damage is prevented, but inductance increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spatial relationships to different parts of the system: the capacitor body is positioned for thermal management while the terminals are optimized for electrical performance, creating local optimizations that simultaneously address both thermal and electrical requirements
3Reliability
If the capacitor is positioned optimally for thermal management, then component reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the capacitor for protection, provides mounting features for precise positioning, and facilitates thermal management through integrated design elements, thereby reducing the need for separate positioning mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic component includes: a laminate busbar structure comprising at least two busbar layers separated by an insulating layer; a transistor connected to the laminate busbar structure on a first side thereof; and a capacitor that is mounted on the first side of the laminate busbar structure and is positioned further away from the laminate busbar structure than the transistor, the capacitor having respective planar terminals parallel to each other and perpendicular to the laminate busbar structure, each of the planar terminals comprising a rectangular member with one side thereof connected to the capacitor and an opposite end connected to a corresponding one of the busbar layers.