Semiconductor Device Sense Resistor Integration Current Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices fail to detect currents with high precision due to induced currents generated by magnetic fields, which are not effectively suppressed, leading to noise interference and increased package size when housing an insulating substrate and control circuit in a casing.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a sense resistor disposed on an insulating substrate near the semiconductor element, reducing the loop length and magnetic flux-induced currents, and incorporating a control board that detects the potential difference across the sense resistor to enhance precision without increasing package size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sense terminal and emitter terminal are connected to the control board through bare conductors, then the connection is reliable, but the loop length increases causing induced current and reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sense resistor from the external control board into the semiconductor device package itself, integrating it with the insulating substrate. This eliminates the external conductor loop while maintaining the reliable connection through direct bonding, thereby reducing induced current and improving measurement precision without sacrificing connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating substrate acts as an intermediary carrier that hosts both the semiconductor element and the sense resistor within the package. This intermediary structure enables direct electrical connection between the sense resistor and the semiconductor element terminals, eliminating the need for long external conductors while maintaining signal integrity and reducing magnetic flux exposure
2Measurement precision
If the insulating substrate and control circuit are housed in a casing, then the loop area is reduced suppressing induced current, but the package size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control circuit from the semiconductor device package, leaving only the essential sense resistor integrated on the insulating substrate. This extraction eliminates the need for a large casing while maintaining the short loop area benefit, as the sense resistor remains closely coupled to the semiconductor element without requiring housing for additional control components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into two parts: the semiconductor device package containing only the sense resistor and the external control board containing the control circuit. This segmentation allows the package to remain compact while still achieving induced current suppression through the minimized loop area formed by the closely spaced sense resistor connections
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
The solution allows for precise current detection while preventing package size increases by minimizing the loop formed by the sense and emitter electrodes, effectively suppressing induced currents and reducing noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
A semiconductor device connectable to a control board that detects a current flowing through a semiconductor element included in the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including: an insulating substrate; the semiconductor element disposed on the insulating substrate and including a sense electrode and an emitter electrode; and a sense resistor disposed on the insulating substrate and having one end connected to the sense electrode and the other end connected to the emitter electrode, wherein the control board detects a potential difference between both of the ends of the sense resistor to detect the current flowing through the semiconductor element
Implementation Method 2
the length of the conductors are increased. Thus, the conventional semiconductor devices have a problem of failing to detect a current with high precision. This is because a magnetic field generated when a sudden large current flows through a main circuit due to, for example, load short circuit creates an induced current in a loop formed by conductors between the sense terminal and the emitter terminal through the sense resistor
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a semiconductor device that can prevent increase in the package size and detect a current with high precision by suppressing a current induced by magnetic flux. A semiconductor device 1 is connectable to a control board 100 detecting a current flowing through an IGBT 3 included in the semiconductor device 1 and functioning as a semiconductor element. The semiconductor device 1 includes an insulating substrate, the IGBT 3, and a sense resistor 4. The IGBT 3 is disposed on the insulating substrate 2, and includes a sense electrode and an emitter electrode. The sense resistor 4 is disposed on the insulating substrate 2, and has one end connected to the sense electrode and the other end connected to the emitter electrode. The control board 100 detects a potential difference between both ends of the sense resistor 4 to detect the current flowing through the IGBT 3.