Patent ID: 9036384
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: H02M,H05B,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A power converter having a semiconductor switching element, comprising: a semiconductor switching element; a driving circuit of the semiconductor switching element that includes a plurality of components; a control circuit; and an applied voltage suppression circuit configured to detect an applied voltage to the semiconductor switching element, and to feed back a difference signal based on difference between the applied voltage and a predetermined voltage to the driving circuit when the applied voltage is the predetermined voltage or more, thereby suppressing the applied voltage to the predetermined voltage or in the vicinity thereof, wherein the semiconductor switching element, a first one or more components of the plurality of components of the driving circuit, and the control circuit are mounted on a first substrate, wherein the applied voltage suppression circuit is disposed on a second substrate that is separate from the first substrate, wherein the second substrate includes electrical contacts configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts of the first substrate when the second substrate is mounted to the first substrate, and wherein at least one other component of the plurality of components of the driving circuit is provided on the second substrate such that removal of the at least one other component causes the semiconductor switching element to remain in an off state.