US 6,208,041 B1 · Drive control device, module and combined module

Abstract

Current sense voltages (VCSl˜VCSn), which are the detected values of n (≧2) IGBTs connected in parallel, are converted into digital form, and thereafter, are subjected to an operation processing. After the current sense voltages (VCSl˜VCSn) are converted into collector currents (Il˜In) by use of constants (Gl˜Gn and VOFFSETl˜VOFFSETn)(step 103), current deviations (ΔIl˜ΔIn) respectively defined as differences of the collector currents (Il˜In) from the average (IAVG) thereof are calculated (step 104, 105). Drive control voltages (VDl˜VDn) are renewed by changes (ΔVDl˜ΔVDn) which are respectively obtained by multiplying the current deviations (ΔIl˜ΔIn) by factors (Kij)(step 106, 107). The drive control voltage (VDl˜VDn) are converted into analogue form, and thereafter, supplied to n IGBTs as their gate voltages (VGE). The constants (Gl˜Gn, VOFFSETl˜VOFFSETn, and Kij) are prepared individually for respective n switching elements. As a result, current imbalance of plural switching elements connected in parallel is eliminated in high precision.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A drive control device for being connected with n switching elements, where n is at least 2, which are connected in parallel with one another and for repeatedly renewing n control signals which control n main currents flowing across said n switching elements respectively by controlling drive voltages of said n switching elements on a basis of n current detection signals representing detected values of said n main currents and thereby supplying said n switching elements with said n control signals, comprising:

an A/D conversion unit for converting said n current detection signals from analogue form to digital form;
an operation unit for executing digital operation processing on a basis of said n current detecting signals having digital form to thereby calculate said n control signals;
and
a D/A conversion unit for converting said n control signals calculated by said operation unit from digital form to analogue form, said D/A conversion unit being coupled to n drive units for adjusting drive voltages applied respectively to said n switching elements on the basis of said n control signals;
said operation unit comprising:
a current calculation unit for converting said n current detection signals having digital form into said n main currents respectively;
a current deviation calculation unit for calculating an average of said n main currents and calculating n current deviations which are respectively differences of said n main currents from said average;
and
a control signal calculating unit for renewing said n control signals to reduce each of said n current deviations.

6 more elements

A drive control device for being connected with n switching elements, where n is at least 2, which are connected in parallel with one another and for repeatedly renewing n control signals which control n main currents flowing across said n switching elements respectively on a basis of n current detection signals representing detected values of said n main currents and thereby supplying said n switching elements with said n control signals, comprising:

an A/D conversion unit for converting said n current detection signals from analogue form to digital form;
an operation unit for executing digital operation processing on a basis of said n current detecting signals having digital form to thereby calculate said n control signals;
and
a D/A conversion unit for converting said n control signals calculated by said operation unit from digital form to analogue form;
said operation unit comprising:
a current calculation unit for converting said n current detection signals having digital form into said n main currents respectively;
a current deviation calculation unit for calculating an average of said n main currents and calculating n current deviations which are respectively differences of said n main currents from said average;
and
a control signal calculating unit for renewing said n control signals to reduce each of said n current deviations;
and
a calibration data storing unit for storing a calibration data which individually defines respective relations between said n current detection signals and said n main currents depending on said n switching elements, wherein
said current calculation unit converts said n current detection signals into said n main currents respectively on a basis of said calibration data stored by said calibration data storing unit.

9 more elements

A drive control device for being connected with n switching elements, where n is at least 2, which are connected in parallel with one another and for repeatedly renewing n control signals which control n main currents flowing across said n switching elements respectively on a basis of n current detection signals representing detected values of said n main currents and thereby supplying said n switching elements with said n control signals, comprising:

an A/D conversion unit for converting said n current detection signals from analogue form to digital form;
an operation unit for executing digital operation processing on a basis of said n current detecting signals having digital form to thereby calculate said n control signals;
and
a D/A conversion unit for converting said n control signals calculated by said operation unit from digital form to analogue form,
said operation unit comprising:
a current calculation unit for converting said n current detection signals having digital form into said n main currents respectively;
a current deviation calculation unit for calculating an average of said n main currents and calculating n current deviations which are respectively differences of said n main currents from said average;
and
a control signal calculating unit for renewing said n control signals to reduce each of said n current deviations;
wherein said control signal calculation unit renews said n control signals to change the same by an amount respectively proportional to said n current deviations.

7 more elements

A combined module, comprising:

a drive control device for being connected with n switching elements, where n is at least 2 which are connected in parallel with one another and for repeatedly renewing n control signals which control n main currents flowing across said n switching elements respectively on a basis of n current detection signals representing detected values of said n main currents and thereby supplying said n switching elements with said n control signals,
said drive control device comprising:
an A/D conversion unit for converting said n current detection signals from analogue form to digital form;
an operation unit for executing digital operation processing on a basis of said n current detection signals having digital form to thereby calculate said n control signals;
and
a D/A conversion unit for converting said n control signals calculated by said operation unit from digital form to analogue form,
said operation unit comprising:
a current calculation unit for converting said n current detection signals having digital form into said n main currents respectively;
a current deviation calculation unit for calculating an average of said n main currents converted into by said current calculation unit and thereby calculating n current deviations which are respectively differences of said n main currents from said average;
and
a control signal calculating unit for renewing said n control signals so as to reduce each of said n current deviations,
said combined module further comprising:
said n switching elements;
and
n current detection units for detecting said n main currents to thereby respectively obtain said n current detection signals and supplying said drive control device with said n current detection signals, and
said drive control device supplying said n switching elements with said n control signals respectively.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drive control device, module and combined module

Life of this patent

Drive control device, module and combined module

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14