Abstract
Keywords:
Active and passive components, Packaging and assembling technologies, Reliability and test, Hybrid electric vehicle
Abstract:
Battery, motor and inverter are the core elements of the electric drive train of any HEV (hybrid electric vehicle). In the inverter power semiconductors, usually packaged in a module, are used to switch the DC voltage of the battery onto the AC input of the motor. This paper discusses the requirements on such power semiconductor modules in terms of power carrying capability, thermal behaviour, reliability and lifetime in HEV applications and compares these with the features of existing industrial and traction modules. Focus is on the packaging as a review of semiconductor switches is provided by an APE keynote paper by T. Laska. Derived from the analysis are areas for improvements. Future solutions for the technical challenges are introduced.