Patent ID: 6753674
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: H01L,H02M

Abstract:
A half-bridge assembly for switching electrical power, whereinat least two semiconductor switches (12, 14) are connected in series forming a half-bridge; each semiconductor switch (12, 14) comprises a control input (G1, G2), the first semiconductor switch (12) comprises a first power terminal (S1) which can be connected with a high voltage potential (VSS); the second semiconductor switch (14) comprises a second power terminal (D2) which can be connected with a low voltage potential (VDD); a second power terminal (D1) of each first semiconductor switch (12) is connected with a first power terminal (S2) of the respective second semiconductor switch (14); each of the semiconductor switches (12, 14) comprises a free-wheeling diode which is located parallel to both power terminals (D1, S1; D2, S2) of the respective semiconductor switch (12, 14); and a Schottky diode (16, 18) is connected in parallel to each free-wheeling diode, each semiconductor switch (12, 14) with its free-wheeling diode and each Schottky diode (16, 18) is connected with a heat sink (22) in a heat conductive manner, with the thermal resistance between each Schottky diode (16, 18) and the heat sink (22) being dimensioned larger than the thermal resistance between each free-wheeling diode and the heat sink (22) and with the thermal coupling of the Schottky diode (16, 18) compared to the thermal coupling of the integrated free-wheeling diode being reduced such that the conducting-state voltage of the integrated free-wheeling diode, even under load, is invariably above the conducting-state voltage of the Schottky diode (16, 18).