Series Switch Drive Circuit With Active Isolated Gate Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing driving circuits for IGBTs in serial connection suffer from weak driving pulse energy due to passive driving mode, leading to increased switching loss, low efficiency, and poor reliability, especially when using voltage divider resistors for bus voltage stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A driving circuit with an active drive module that includes filter capacitors, current limiting elements, and isolation diodes to provide isolated power and efficient switching for electronic switches in series connection, allowing for active drive mode and improved switching performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If passive driving mode with voltage divider resistors is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the driving pulse energy is weak resulting in increased switching loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the driving circuit into multiple independent active driving modules, each responsible for driving one IGBT in the series connection. This segmentation allows each module to provide sufficient driving pulse energy independently, reducing switching loss while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive resistor-based voltage division system with an active electronic driving system using operational amplifiers or dedicated driving ICs. This substitution transforms the weak, passive signal generation into strong, active signal generation, significantly reducing switching loss despite increased circuit complexity.
2Speed
If voltage divider resistors are used for bus voltage stabilization, then the circuit is simple, but the driving pulse leading edge and trailing edge deteriorate in microseconds level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic active driving circuits that can rapidly adjust their output characteristics. The active driving modules use operational amplifiers or specialized driving ICs that can dynamically respond to switching requirements, providing fast rising and falling edges for the driving pulses, thus improving switching speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameters of the driving circuit from passive resistance-based voltage division to active current and voltage control. By using operational amplifiers with high gain and fast response, the circuit can generate driving pulses with optimized amplitude, width, and edge rates, significantly improving switching speed performance.
3Reliability
If passive driving mode is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the switching efficiency is low and reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable passive driving mode with a robust active driving system. The active driving modules provide stable, controlled driving pulses with sufficient current and voltage levels, ensuring reliable IGBT switching. This substitution improves reliability despite the increased circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms in the active driving circuits to monitor and adjust the driving pulse characteristics. This feedback ensures that each IGBT receives appropriate driving signals under varying operating conditions, enhancing switching reliability and protecting against abnormal conditions.
4Loss of energy
If voltage divider resistors are used, then the bus voltage is stabilized, but the resistors produce passive loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-dissipating resistor-based voltage division with an active electronic voltage regulation system. The active driving modules use operational amplifiers and switching elements to generate the required driving voltages without significant power dissipation, reducing passive loss while accepting increased circuit complexity.
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 results in a simple, efficient, high-speed driving circuit with reduced switching losses and improved reliability, capable of ns-level switching performance suitable for both low and high-frequency applications.
Implementation Method 1
filter capacitor C1 to Cn
Implementation Method 2
voltage conversion isolation diodes D12 to Din
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a driving circuit with electronic switches in serial connection structure, and this driving circuit includes: electronic switch module and active drive module, electronic switch module includes: n pcs electronic switches in serial connection, and n pcs electronic switches D and S terminal connected in series in turn; active drive modules includes: n pcs active drive circuits; and in this invention, the power supply and the driving pulse signal of the electronic switch K2 to Kn are obtained successively from electronic switch K1, and the electronic switch K1 to Kn is on and off in turn; The n pcs electronic switches have nanosecond level of the switching performance of the active circuit, which are suitable for the high frequency high power gate drive circuit when n pcs electronic switches series structure is used.