# US 12,009,758 B2 · Half-bridge for an electric drive of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, power module for an inverter and inverter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,009,758 B2 - Document ID: US12009758B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/484,953 - Filed: 2021-09-24 - Published: 2022-04-07 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-01 - Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Inventors: Manuel Raimann; Sebastian Besold; Gerhard Müller; Pengshuai Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009758B2 ## CPC - H02M 7/003: {Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections} - H10W 70/464: {Additional interconnections in combination with leadframes} - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract A half-bridge includes a substrate, semiconductor switches, power connections and signal connections. The power and signal connections are formed in a flat conductor frame. The signal connections are electrically connected to the semiconductor switches such that they can be switched via the signal connections and the power connections are electrically connected to the semiconductor switches such that they allow or interrupt electricity transfer between the power connections. The semiconductor switches, signal connections, and power connections are on a first surface of the substrate in a casting compound. First end sections of the signal connections formed in the flat conductor frame each extend from a second surface orthogonal to the first surface, exiting the casting compound. Second end sections of the signal connections, which are separate from the flat conductor frame, are connected to the first end section outside the casting compound and are perpendicular to the first surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A half-bridge for an electric drive for an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle, comprising: a substrate; semiconductor switch elements; power connections; and signal connections; wherein the power connections and the signal connections are formed in a flat conductor frame, wherein the signal connections are electrically connected to the semiconductor switch elements such that the semiconductor switch elements can be switched via the signal connections, wherein the power connections are electrically connected to the semiconductor switch elements such that the semiconductor switch elements allow or interrupt electricity transfer between the power connections, wherein the semiconductor switch elements, signal connections, and power connections are located on a first surface of the substrate and cast in a casting compound, wherein first end sections of the signal connections formed in the flat conductor frame each extend from a second surface of the substrate that is orthogonal to the first surface, exiting the casting compound, wherein second end sections of the signal connections, which are separate from the flat conductor frame, are connected to the first end section of the signal connections outside the casting compound, such that the second end sections are perpendicular to the first surface, and wherein holes are formed in the first end sections of the signal connections, in which the second end sections of the signal connections are inserted. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the flat conductor frame is made from a first material, and wherein the second end sections of the signal connections are made of a second material, which is different than the first material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The half-bridge according to claim 2, wherein the first material is a pure metal, and wherein the second material is a metal alloy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the second end sections of the signal connections are connected to the first end sections of the signal connections by means of welding. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the second end sections of the signal connections are connected to the first end sections of the signal connections by means of sintering. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the second end sections of the signal connections are connected to the first end sections of the signal connections by means of soldering. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the holes have inner threadings, wherein the second end sections form screws, and can be screwed into the holes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein external connection contacts for the power connections extend from the second surface of the substrate out of the casting compound, and each have a right-angle bend. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A power module for an inverter, comprising at least three half-bridges according to claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The inverter for an electric drive in an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle, comprising the power module according to claim 9. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the power connections and the signal connections are formed in the flat conductor frame by stamping. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the holes are through holes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The half-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the second end sections of the signal connections are pressed in place in the holes formed in the first end sections of the signal connections.