Patent ID: 7292451
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A power converter, comprising: a phase terminal structure having at least a first pair of opposed sides; and at least two switch modules, each of the switch modules comprising conductive base plates adjacent and electrically coupled to respective ones of the pair of opposed sides of the phase terminal structure, each of the switch modules further comprising a housing forming an interior compartment, and a number of semiconductor switches received in respective ones of the interior compartments, the semiconductor switches electrically coupled to respective ones of the conductive base plates and operable to transform power; wherein the semiconductor switches of a first one of the switch modules comprise a first active terminal, a second active terminal, and a control terminal, the first active terminal surface mounted to the conductive base plate; and wherein the semiconductor switches of a second one of the switch modules comprise a first active terminal, a second active terminal, and a control terminal, the second active terminal electrically coupled to the conductive base plate via a number of wire bonds; the second one of the switch modules further comprises an insulating substrate carried by the conductive base plate and a first conductive pattern carried by the insulating substrate, the first active terminal of the semiconductor switches of the second one of the switch modules surface mounted to the first conductive pattern, a conductive member supported by the housing, the conductive member comprising a portion extending externally from the housing and a portion extending internally in the housing and a number of wire bonds electrically coupling the first conductive pattern to the portion of the conductive member extending internally in the housing; and the second one of the switch modules further comprises a set of control pins carried by the housing, a portion of the control pins extending externally from the housing and a portion of the control pins extending internally in the housing; a second conductive pattern carried by the insulating substrate, and a set of wire bonds electrically coupling the control pins of the second of the switch modules to the second conductive pattern; and a set of wire bonds electrically coupling the second conductive pattern to the control terminals of each of the semiconductor switches of the second one of the switch modules.