JP5892772B2 - Semiconductor device and inverter, converter and power conversion device using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and an inverter, a converter and a power conversion device using the semiconductor device, and more particularly to a semiconductor device provided with a high breakdown voltage transistor and an inverter, a converter and a power conversion device using the semiconductor device.

  Conventionally, high voltage transistors have been used in power conversion devices. There is also a method of using a plurality of high voltage transistors connected in parallel in order to increase the rated current of the power converter. In this method, in order to prevent the current from concentrating on a high breakdown voltage transistor having a low threshold voltage among a plurality of high breakdown voltage transistors, the current of each high breakdown voltage transistor is detected and the current of the plurality of high breakdown voltage transistors is detected. When the difference between them becomes larger than a predetermined value, the resistance value of the gate resistance element is made smaller than usual to speed up the turn-on of the plurality of high voltage transistors (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-95240 A

  However, the conventional power conversion device has a problem that the turn-on time varies due to the variation in threshold voltage of the high voltage transistor, and the performance of the power conversion device varies.

  Further, in the method of Patent Document 1, the same number of current sensors as high withstand voltage transistors are provided, each gate resistance element is configured by a variable resistance element, and the resistance value of the gate resistance element is controlled based on the detection result of the current sensor. Part is required, the device configuration becomes complicated, and the cost increases.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device with small variation in performance, and an inverter, a converter, and a power conversion device using the semiconductor device.

  A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a plurality of switching circuits connected in parallel between a first node and a second node, and each of the plurality of switching circuits includes a first electrode having a first electrode connected to the first node. A first switching element, a second switching element having a first electrode connected to a second electrode of the first switching element, and a second electrode connected to a second node; and a second switching element And a third switching element connected in parallel. The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements. The on-resistance value of the second switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element. The control electrodes of the plurality of first switching elements are all connected to the first control terminal, the control electrodes of the plurality of second switching elements are all connected to the second control terminal, and the plurality of third switching elements Both control electrodes are connected to the third control terminal.

Another semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a plurality of switching circuits connected in parallel between first and second nodes, each of the plurality of switching circuits having a first electrode connected to the first node. A first switching element, a second switching element in which the first electrode is connected to the second electrode of the first switching element, and the second electrode is connected to the second node; And a third switching element connected in parallel to the switching element. The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements. The control electrodes of the plurality of first switching elements are all connected to the first control terminal, the control electrodes of the plurality of second switching elements are all connected to the second control terminal, and the plurality of third switching elements Both control electrodes are connected to the third control terminal. The first switching element is a first transistor, the second switching element is a first resistance element and a second transistor connected in series, and the third switching element is a third transistor.

  Preferably, each of the first to third transistors is a normally-off transistor.

  Preferably, the first transistor is a normally-on transistor, and each of the second and third transistors is a normally-off transistor.

  Further preferably, a second resistance element provided corresponding to each first switching element and interposed between the control electrode and the first control terminal of the corresponding first switching element, A third resistance element provided corresponding to each second switching element and interposed between a control electrode and a second control terminal of the corresponding second switching element; and each third switching element And a fourth resistance element interposed between the control electrode of the corresponding third switching element and the third control terminal.

  Also preferably, the first node receives the first voltage, the second node receives the second voltage, and the first control terminal receives the third voltage. A first control signal for on / off control of the second switching element is provided to the second control terminal, and a second control signal for on / off control of the third switching element is the third control signal. It is given to the control terminal.

  Also preferably, the first node receives the first voltage, the second node receives the second voltage, and the first control terminal receives the third voltage. The threshold voltage of the second switching element is lower than the threshold voltage of the third switching element, and control signals for on / off control of the second and third switching elements are the second and third It is given to the control terminal.

  Preferably, when conducting between the first and second nodes, the plurality of second switching elements are turned on to turn on the plurality of first switching elements, and then the plurality of third switching elements are turned on. Let

  Preferably, when the first and second nodes are made non-conductive, the plurality of first switching elements are turned off by turning off the plurality of second switching elements after turning off the plurality of third switching elements. Turn off.

  In another semiconductor device according to the present invention, a first switching element having a first electrode connected to a first node, and a first electrode connected to a second electrode of the first switching element. , A second switching element having a second electrode connected to the second node, and a third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element. The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements. The on-resistance value of the second switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element. When conducting between the first and second nodes, the second switching element is turned on to turn on the first switching element, and then the third switching element is turned on.

A converter according to the present invention includes the semiconductor device.
An inverter according to the present invention includes the semiconductor device.

  A power conversion circuit according to the present invention includes the semiconductor device.

In the semiconductor device according to the present invention, each switching circuit includes first and second switching elements connected in series between the first and second nodes, and a third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element. And the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements, The on-resistance value of the switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element. Therefore, by performing the switching of the first switching element having a high withstand voltage by the large second switching element ON resistance value, variation in the threshold voltage of the first switching element is in the first switching element and the first In addition, the influence on the variation in the second interelectrode current can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the current from being concentrated on one switching circuit without providing a current sensor or the like, and to simplify the device configuration and reduce the cost.

1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the pressure | voltage rise chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. It is a time chart which shows the waveform of the control signal shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a comparative example of the first embodiment. It is a time chart for demonstrating the effect of this invention. FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram illustrating another modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing still another modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing still another modification of the first embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the semiconductor device by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the pressure | voltage rise chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the semiconductor device by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the pressure | voltage rise chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. It is a time chart which shows the waveform of the electric current which flows into two high voltage transistors shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a comparative example of the third embodiment. 16 is a time chart showing waveforms of currents flowing through the two high voltage transistors shown in FIG. 10 is a time chart showing a modification of the third embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the semiconductor device by Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a boost chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 18.

[Embodiment 1]
In the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first switching element having the first electrode connected to the first node and the first electrode connected to the second electrode of the first switching element The second switching element having the second electrode connected to the second node and the third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element. The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements. The on-resistance value of the second switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element. When conducting between the first and second nodes, the second switching element is turned on to turn on the first switching element, and then the third switching element is turned on. Hereinafter, the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the semiconductor device of the first embodiment includes N channel MOS transistors Q1-Q3 and a resistance element R1. The drain of transistor Q1 is connected to node N1. One terminal of resistance element R1 is connected to the source of transistor Q1. Transistor Q2 has its drain connected to the other terminal of resistance element R1, and its source connected to node N2. Transistor Q3 has its drain connected to one terminal of resistance element R1, and its source connected to node N2. The transistor Q1 constitutes a first switching element, the transistor Q2 and the resistance element R1 constitute a second switching element, and the transistor Q3 constitutes a third switching element.

  The transistor Q1 is a high breakdown voltage transistor, and each of the transistors Q2 and Q3 is a low breakdown voltage transistor. The threshold voltage VT1 of the commercially available transistor Q1 varies in the range of 4V to 7V. Each of threshold voltages VT2 and VT3 of commercially available transistors Q2 and Q3 varies in the range of 1V to 3V. The transistors Q2 and Q3 are transistors of the same type and the same characteristics. The resistance value of the resistance element R1 is, for example, 70 mΩ.

  The resistance value when transistors Q2 and Q3 are on is, for example, 5 mΩ to 200 mΩ. The resistance value of the resistor element R1 can reduce the influence of the variation in the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1, and the loss of the resistor element R1 is 0.1% or less of the input power. It is set to a value equal to or higher than the resistance value when Q3 is on (for example, 5 mΩ to 10Ω).

  That is, the current flows through the resistance element R1 when the transistor Q2 is on and the transistor Q3 is off. When the semiconductor device is turned on, the transistor Q3 is turned on 100 ns after the transistor Q2 is turned on, and a current is supplied to the transistor Q3 having a low on-resistance value. When turning off the semiconductor device, the transistor Q2 is turned off 100 ns after the transistor Q3 is turned off. When the semiconductor device is turned on / off at 10 kHz, the resistance value of the resistance element R1 is 10Ω, and the current value flowing through the resistance element R1 is 5A, the loss in the resistance element R1 is 5A × 5A × 10Ω × 100ns × 2 times ( On and off) × 10 kHz = 1 W. Therefore, when the input power is 1000 W, the loss due to the resistance element R1 is 0.1% of the input power.

Further, the threshold voltage VT1 on the data sheet of the transistor Q1 is VT1> VT1_min, the current flowing through the resistance element R1 and the transistor Q1 is I1, the gate voltage of the transistor Q1 is Vg1, and the resistance value of the resistance element R1 Is r1, and the on-resistance value of the transistor Q2 when the current I1 flows through the transistor Q2 is r2, the following equation (1) is established.
I1 <(Vg1-Vth1_min) / (r1 + r2) (1)
Therefore, even if the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1 varies, the value of the current I1 flowing through the transistor Q1 is limited to a value within a desired safe operating range by setting the resistance value r1 of the resistance element R1 to an appropriate value. can do.

  DC voltage V1 is applied to node N1, DC voltage V2 lower than DC voltage V1 is applied to node N2, and DC voltage V3 is applied to the gate of transistor Q1. V3-V2 is set to a voltage sufficiently higher than the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1. Control signals CNT1 and CNT2 are applied to the gates of the transistors Q2 and Q3, respectively.

  In the initial state, it is assumed that both the control signals CNT1 and CNT2 are set to the “L” level. In this case, the transistors Q1 to Q3 are all turned off, and the nodes N1 and N2 are in a non-conductive state.

  In order to make the nodes N1 and N2 conductive, first, the control signal CNT1 is raised from the “L” level to the “H” level. As a result, the transistor Q2 is turned on and the source voltage of the transistor Q1 is lowered. When the gate-source voltage of the transistor Q1 exceeds the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1, the transistor Q1 is turned on, and between the nodes N1 and N2 Becomes conductive. Next, the control signal CNT2 is raised from the “L” level to the “H” level. Thereby, the transistor Q3 is turned on, the resistance value between the nodes N1 and N2 is reduced, and the conduction loss is reduced.

  When the node N1, N2 is changed from the conductive state to the non-conductive state, the control signal CNT2 is first lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level, and the transistor Q3 is turned off. Next, the control signal CNT2 falls from the “H” level to the “L” level. Thereby, the transistor Q2 is turned off, the source voltage of the transistor Q1 is increased, and when the gate-source voltage of the transistor Q1 becomes lower than the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1, the transistor Q1 is turned off.

  In the first embodiment, the high-breakdown-voltage transistor Q1 is switched by the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistance element R1) having a large on-resistance value, whereby the variation in the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1 is reduced. The influence on the variation in the drain current of Q1 can be reduced, and the variation in the turn-on time can be suppressed small.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a step-up chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the boost chopper is a circuit that boosts the output voltage of the DC power supply 1 and applies the boosted voltage to the load circuit 6, and includes N-channel MOS transistors Q1 to Q3, a resistance element R1, control signal sources S1 and S2, and a gate resistance element. R2 to R4, DC power supply 2, reactor 3, diode 4, and capacitor 5 are provided.

  Transistor Q1, resistance element R1, and transistor Q2 are connected in series between nodes N1 and N2. Transistor Q3 is connected between the source of transistor Q1 and node N2. Node N2 is connected to a line of ground voltage GND. Reactor 3 is connected between the positive electrode of DC power supply 1 and node N1. The anode of the diode 4 is connected to the node N1, and the cathode thereof is connected to the ground voltage GND line via the capacitor 5. The load circuit 6 is connected to the capacitor 5 in parallel.

  Gate resistance element R2 is connected between the positive electrode of DC power supply 2 and the gate of transistor Q1. Gate resistance element R3 is connected between the output node of control signal source S1 and the gate of transistor Q2. Gate resistance element R4 is connected between the output node of control signal source S2 and the gate of transistor Q3. The negative poles of the DC power supplies 1 and 2 are grounded, and the ground nodes of the signal sources S1 and S2 are grounded.

  The reactance of the reactor 3 is, for example, 5 mH. As the diode 4, a SiC Schottky barrier diode was used. The capacitance value of the capacitor 5 is, for example, 200 μF. As the load circuit 6, a resistance element having a resistance value of 7.8Ω was used. The control signal sources S1 and S2 output control signals CNT1 and CNT2, respectively. Each of the control signals CNT1 and CNT2 is a 10 KHz rectangular wave signal.

  When turning on the transistors Q1 to Q3, as shown in FIG. 3, after raising the control signal CNT1 from the “L” level to the “H” level, the control signal CNT2 is changed from the “L” level to the “H” level. Launch. Conversely, when turning off the transistors Q1 to Q3, the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level after the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level.

  Returning to FIG. 2, when the transistors Q1 to Q3 are turned on, a DC current flows from the DC power source 1 to the line of the ground voltage GND via the reactor 3 and the semiconductor device (transistors Q1 to Q3 and the resistor element R1). Electromagnetic energy is stored in When the transistors Q <b> 1 to Q <b> 3 are turned off, electromagnetic energy stored in the reactor 3 is released to the capacitor 5 through the diode 4. The terminal voltage of the capacitor 5, that is, the output voltage of the boost chopper is a voltage obtained by adding the terminal voltage of the reactor 3 to the output voltage of the DC power supply 1.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a conventional boost chopper as a comparative example of the first embodiment, which is compared with FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, in this step-up chopper, an N channel MOS transistor Q10 is connected between nodes N1 and N2. The gate of transistor Q10 is connected to the output node of control signal source S10 via gate resistance element R10. The control signal source S10 outputs a control signal S10 that is a 10 KHz rectangular wave signal. The ground node of the control signal source S10 is grounded. As the transistor Q10, the same high breakdown voltage transistor as the transistor Q4 was used.

  When the control signal S10 rises from the “L” level to the “H” level, the transistor Q10 is turned on and electromagnetic energy is stored in the reactor 3. When the control signal S10 falls from the “H” level to the “L” level, the transistor Q10 is turned off, and the electromagnetic energy of the reactor 3 is released to the capacitor 5.

  5 shows the waveform of the current I1 flowing through the transistor Q1 in response to the rising edge of the control signal CNT1 in the boost chopper of the present application shown in FIG. 2, and the rising edge of the control signal CNT10 in the conventional boost chopper shown in FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a waveform of a current I10 flowing in a transistor Q10 in response to

  In general, even in the same product, the threshold voltage VT of the transistor Q varies within a predetermined range. In the commercially available high voltage transistors Q1 and Q10, the threshold voltage VT varies in the range of 4V to 7V. In the commercially available low voltage transistors Q2 and Q3, the threshold voltage VT varies in the range of 1V to 3V. When the control signal CNT is raised from the “L” level to the “H” level, the transistor Q is turned on when the level of the control signal CNT exceeds the threshold voltage VTH of the transistor Q. Therefore, even if the same control signal CNT is applied to the gate of the transistor Q, the transistor Q having a low threshold voltage VTH is turned on faster than the transistor Q having a high threshold voltage VTH.

  In the conventional step-up chopper, the rise of the current I10 when the high withstand voltage transistor Q10 with low VTH (VTH10 = 4.2V) is used is the same as when the high withstand voltage transistor Q10 with high VTH (VTH10 = 6.2V) is used. 87 ns faster than the rise of the current I10. Therefore, the rise time of the current I10 varies in the range of at least 87 ns.

  On the other hand, the boost chopper of the present application has a low VTH (VTH1 = 4.2V) high breakdown voltage transistor Q1, a low VTH (VTH2 = 1.95V) low breakdown voltage transistor Q2, and a low VTH (VTH3 = 1.95V). When the low breakdown voltage transistor Q3 is used, the rise of the current I1 is the high breakdown voltage transistor Q1 having a high VTH (VTH1 = 6.2V), the low breakdown voltage transistor Q2 having a high VTH (VTH2 = 2.85V), and the high VTH ( 72 ns faster than the rise of the current I1 when the low breakdown voltage transistor Q3 (VTH3 = 2.85 V) is used. Therefore, the rise time of the current I1 varies in the range of at least 72 ns.

  Therefore, by using the semiconductor device of the present invention, it was possible to suppress the variation in the rise time of the current of the boost chopper from the conventional 87 ns to 72 ns. This is because the high-breakdown-voltage transistor Q1 is switched by the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistance element R1) having a large on-resistance value, so that the variation in the threshold voltage VT1 of the transistor Q1 is caused by the drain current of the transistor Q1. This is because it is possible to reduce the influence on the variation of the image.

  Hereinafter, various modifications of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of an inverter that is a modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, this inverter includes switches SW1 and SW2 connected in series between a line of DC power supply voltage VCC and a line of ground voltage GND, an output terminal T1 provided between the switches SW1 and SW2, and a DC power supply. Switches SW3 and SW4 connected in series between the voltage VCC line and the ground voltage GND line, and an output terminal T2 provided between the switches SW3 and SW4. In addition, a diode (not shown) is connected in antiparallel to each switch SW. Each switch SW includes the semiconductor device shown in FIG. A load circuit 10 is connected between the output terminals T1 and T2.

  When the switches SW1 and SW4 are turned on, a current flows from the DC power supply voltage VCC line to the ground voltage GND line via the switch SW1, the load circuit 10, and the switch SW4. When the switches SW3 and SW2 are turned on, a current flows from the DC power supply voltage VCC line to the ground voltage GND line via the switch SW3, the load circuit 10, and the switch SW2. Therefore, the DC power can be converted into AC power and supplied to the load circuit 10 by alternately turning on the switches SW1, SW4 and the switches SW2, SW3 at a desired cycle. In this modified example, the variation in the turn-on time of the switch SW can be suppressed small. In this modified example, the case where the semiconductor device of the first embodiment is applied to a single-phase inverter has been described. However, the semiconductor device of the first embodiment is applied to a multi-phase inverter (for example, a three-phase inverter). It goes without saying that is also applicable.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a converter according to another modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, this converter includes switches SW11 and SW12 connected in series between a node N10 and a ground voltage GND line, an input terminal T11 provided between the switches SW11 and SW12, a node N10, and a ground voltage GND. The switches SW13 and SW14 connected in series with each other line, the input terminal T12 provided between the switches SW13 and SW14, the output terminal T13, and the node N10 and the output terminal T13 connected in the forward direction. A diode 11 and a smoothing capacitor 12 connected between the output terminal T13 and the ground voltage GND line are provided. Each switch SW includes the semiconductor device shown in FIG. An AC power supply 13 is connected between the input terminals T11 and T12. A load circuit 14 is connected between the output terminal T13 and the ground voltage GND line.

  An AC voltage is supplied from the AC power supply 13 between the input terminals T11 and T12. The switches SW11 and SW14 are turned on while the voltage at the input terminal T11 is higher than the voltage at the input terminal T12, and the switches SW12 and SW13 are turned on when the voltage at the input terminal T12 is higher than the voltage at the input terminal T11.

  When the switches SW11 and SW14 are turned on, a current flows from the AC power supply 13 to the smoothing capacitor 12 via the switch SW11 and the diode 11, and the smoothing capacitor 12 is charged. When the switches SW12 and SW13 are turned on, current flows from the AC power supply 13 to the smoothing capacitor 12 via the switch SW13 and the diode 11, and the smoothing capacitor 12 is charged. Therefore, by turning on the switches SW11 and SW14 and the switches SW12 and SW13 in synchronization with the AC voltage, the AC power can be converted into DC power and supplied to the load circuit 14. In this modified example, the variation in the turn-on time of the switch SW can be suppressed small.

  FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing still another modification of the first embodiment, and is a diagram to be compared with FIG. In FIG. 8, this semiconductor device is different from the semiconductor device of FIG. 1 in that a resistance element R1 and a transistor Q2 are connected in reverse. That is, the drain of the transistor Q2 is connected to the source of the transistor Q1, and the resistance element R1 is connected between the source of the transistor Q2 and the node N2. Transistor Q3 is connected between the source of transistor Q1 and node N2. Even in this modified example, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing still another modification of the first embodiment, and is a diagram to be compared with FIG. 9, this semiconductor device is different from the semiconductor device of FIG. 1 in that control signal CNT1 is applied to the gates of N channel MOS transistors Q2 and Q3, and threshold voltage VT3 of transistor Q3 is the threshold voltage of transistor Q2. This is a point higher than the voltage VT2. Therefore, when the control signal CNT rises from the “L” level to the “H” level, the transistor Q3 is turned on after the transistor Q2 is turned on. When the control signal CNT is raised from the “H” level to the “L” level, the transistor Q2 is turned off and then the transistor Q2 is turned off. In this modified example, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the number of control signals CNT can be reduced.

  Each of N channel MOS transistors Q1-Q3 may be replaced with a bipolar transistor or IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). For example, first to third NPN bipolar transistors may be used in place of N channel MOS transistors Q1 to Q3, respectively. In this case, the collector of the first NPN bipolar transistor is connected to the node N1, and the collector of the second NPN bipolar transistor is connected to the emitter of the first NPN bipolar transistor via the resistor element R1. The collector of the third NPN bipolar transistor is connected to the emitter of the first NPN bipolar transistor, and the emitter of the third NPN bipolar transistor is connected to the node N2. The bases of the first NPN bipolar transistors receive DC voltage V3, and the bases of the second and third NPN bipolar transistors receive control signals CNT1 and CNT2, respectively. The breakdown voltage between the collector and emitter of the first NPN bipolar transistor is higher than the breakdown voltage between the collector and emitter of each of the second and third NPN bipolar transistors. In this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, an IGBT may be used instead of the first NPN bipolar transistor. In this case, the collector of the IGBT is connected to the node N1. The emitter of the IGBT is connected to the second NPN bipolar transistor via the resistance element R1 and to the collector of the third NPN bipolar transistor. The gate of the IGBT receives a DC voltage V3. The breakdown voltage between the collector and emitter of the IGBT is higher than the breakdown voltage between the collector and emitter of each of the second and third NPN bipolar transistors. In this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the semiconductor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is compared with FIG. In FIG. 10, this semiconductor device is different from the semiconductor device of FIG. 1 in that an N-channel MOS transistor Q1 is replaced with a normally-on transistor Q4. As the normally-on transistor Q4, for example, a heterojunction field effect GaN transistor is used.

  N-channel MOS transistor Q1 has a positive threshold voltage VT1 and is turned off when the gate-source voltage is 0 V, so it is called a normally-off transistor. On the other hand, the normally-on type transistor Q4 has a negative threshold voltage VT4 and is turned on when the gate-source voltage is 0V. The transistor Q4 is a high breakdown voltage transistor.

  The threshold voltage VT4 of the commercially available transistor Q4 varies within a range of −3V to −6V. Each of threshold voltages VT2 and VT3 of commercially available transistors Q2 and Q3 varies within a range of 1V to 3V. The transistors Q2 and Q3 are transistors of the same type and the same characteristics.

  When the control signals CNT1 and CNT2 are at “L” level, the transistors Q2 and Q3 are off. At this time, the voltage of the source (node N3) of normally-on transistor Q4 is higher than the voltage obtained by adding the absolute value of threshold voltage VT4 to the voltage of node N2 due to the leakage current of transistor Q4. For this reason, the transistor Q4 is off.

  Next, when the control signal CNT1 rises from the “L” level to the “H” level, the transistor Q2 is turned on, and the voltage at the node N3 decreases. When the voltage difference between nodes N3 and N2 becomes smaller than the absolute value of threshold voltage VT4 of transistor Q4, transistor Q4 is turned on, and nodes N1 and N2 become conductive. Next, when the control signal CNT2 rises from the “L” level to the “H” level, the transistor Q3 is turned on, and the resistance value between the nodes N1 and N2 decreases.

  In order to make the nodes N1 and N2 nonconductive, the control signal CNT2 is first lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level to turn off the transistor Q3. Next, the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level to turn off the transistor Q2. When the transistors Q2 and Q3 are turned off, the voltage at the node N3 increases due to the leakage current of the transistor Q4. When the voltage difference between nodes N3 and N2 becomes larger than the absolute value of threshold voltage VT4 of transistor Q4, transistor Q4 is turned off and nodes N1 and N2 are rendered non-conductive.

  In the second embodiment, high-breakdown-voltage transistor Q4 is switched by the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistance element R1) having a large on-resistance value, whereby the variation in threshold voltage VT4 of transistor Q4 is reduced. The influence of Q4 on the variation in drain current can be reduced, and the variation in turn-on time can be reduced.

  Further, by turning on the low breakdown voltage transistor Q2 having a small variation in the threshold voltage VT2, the high breakdown voltage transistor Q4 having a large variation in the threshold voltage VT4 is turned on. Can do.

  In the second embodiment, the resistance element R1 and the transistor Q2 may be connected in reverse as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the threshold voltage VT3 of the transistor Q3 may be made higher than the threshold voltage VT2 of the transistor Q2, and the control signal CNT1 may be applied to the gates of the transistors Q2 and Q3.

  FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a step-up chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 10, and is a diagram contrasted with FIG. Normally-on transistor Q4 is connected between nodes N1 and N3, and its gate is connected to the line of ground voltage GND through gate resistance element R1. The gate resistance element R1 may be removed and the gate of the transistor Q4 may be directly grounded.

  When the transistors Q2 to Q4 are turned on, a DC current flows from the DC power source 1 through the reactor 3 and the transistors Q2 to Q4 to the ground voltage GND line, and electromagnetic energy is stored in the reactor 3. When the transistors Q <b> 2 to Q <b> 4 are turned off, electromagnetic energy stored in the reactor 3 is released to the capacitor 5 through the diode 4. The terminal voltage of the capacitor 5, that is, the output voltage of the boost chopper is a voltage obtained by adding the terminal voltage of the reactor 3 to the output voltage of the DC power supply 1.

  In this step-up chopper, the high-breakdown-voltage transistor Q4 is switched by the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistance element R1) having a large on-resistance value, so that the variation in the threshold voltage VT4 of the transistor Q4 can be reduced. The influence on the variation in the drain current can be reduced, and the variation in the rise time of the current of the boost chopper can be suppressed small.

  Further, by turning on / off the transistor Q2 having a small variation in the threshold voltage VT2, the transistor Q4 having a large absolute value of the threshold voltage VT4 is turned on / off. Variations in the rise time of the current of the step-up chopper can be suppressed small.

  Note that the normally-on transistor Q4 may be replaced with an IGBT. Also in this case, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[Embodiment 3]
A semiconductor device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention includes a plurality of switching circuits connected in parallel between first and second nodes. Each of the plurality of switching circuits includes: a first switching element having a first electrode connected to the first node; a first electrode connected to the second electrode of the first switching element; A second switching element having an electrode connected to the second node; and a third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element. The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements. The on-resistance value of the second switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element. The control electrodes of the plurality of first switching elements are all connected to the first control terminal, the control electrodes of the plurality of second switching elements are all connected to the second control terminal, and the plurality of third switching elements Both control electrodes are connected to the third control terminal. Hereinafter, the semiconductor device according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the semiconductor device according to the third embodiment, and is a diagram to be compared with FIG. In FIG. 12, this semiconductor device is obtained by connecting a plurality of the semiconductor devices of FIG. 10 in parallel. That is, the drains of the plurality of transistors Q4 are all connected to the node N1, and their gates are both connected to the node N2. The sources of the plurality of transistors Q2 are all connected to the node N2, and their gates both receive the control signal CNT1. The sources of the plurality of transistors Q3 are all connected to node N2, and their gates both receive control signal CNT2.

  When the control signal CNT1 rises from the “L” level to the “H” level, all the transistors Q2 are turned on and all the transistors Q4 are turned on. At this time, since the high breakdown voltage transistor Q4 is turned on by the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistor element R1) having a large on-resistance value, all the transistors Q4 can be turned on. Note that when the resistor element R1 is removed and the node N3 and the drain of the transistor Q2 are connected, the current is concentrated in one transistor Q4, and the current may not flow in the other transistor Q4.

  Since the current driving capability of the second switching element (the transistor Q2 and the resistance element R1) is smaller than the current driving capability of the transistor Q4, the capability of the transistor Q4 cannot be fully exhibited as it is. Therefore, next, the control signal CNT2 is raised from “L” level to “H” level, and the low breakdown voltage transistor Q3 is turned on. As a result, the nodes N1 and N2 become conductive.

  In order to make the nodes N1 and N2 non-conductive, first, the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level, and all the transistors Q3 are turned off. Next, the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level to turn off all the transistors Q2 and Q4.

  In the third embodiment, the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistance element R1) having a large on-resistance value is turned on to turn on the high breakdown voltage transistor Q4, and then the low breakdown voltage transistor Q3 is turned on. The current can be distributed to all the transistors Q4, and the current can be prevented from being concentrated on one transistor Q4. In addition, since there is no need to provide a current sensor or the like as in Patent Document 1, the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a boost chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 12, and is a diagram contrasted with FIG. In FIG. 13, three semiconductor devices shown in FIG. 10 are connected in parallel. Each of the gates of the three normally-on transistors Q4 is connected to the node N2 via the gate resistance element R2. Each of the gates of the three transistors Q2 is connected to the output node of the control signal source S1 via the gate resistance element R3. Each of the gates of the three transistors Q3 is connected to the output node of the control signal source S2 via the gate resistance element R4.

  The threshold voltages VT4 of the three transistors Q4 are −5.1V, −4.6V, and −4.6V, respectively. The threshold voltages VT2 of the three transistors Q2 are 2.17V, 2.62V, and 2.62V, respectively. The threshold voltages VT3 of the three transistors Q3 are 2.4V, 2.6V, and 2.6V, respectively. The resistance value of the gate resistance element R1 is 1Ω, and the resistance values of the gate resistance elements R2 to R4 are both 100Ω.

  When the transistors Q2 to Q4 are turned on, a DC current flows from the DC power source 1 through the reactor 3 and the transistors Q2 to Q4 to the ground voltage GND line, and electromagnetic energy is stored in the reactor 3. When the transistors Q <b> 2 to Q <b> 4 are turned off, electromagnetic energy stored in the reactor 3 is released to the capacitor 5 through the diode 4. The terminal voltage of the capacitor 5, that is, the output voltage of the boost chopper is a voltage obtained by adding the terminal voltage of the reactor 3 to the output voltage of the DC power supply 1.

  FIG. 14A is a time chart showing waveforms of a current IA flowing through the left transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 and a current IB flowing through the center transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 when the transistors Q2 to Q4 are turned on. . In FIG. 14A, when the transistors Q1, Q2, and Q4 are turned on at a certain time, both currents IA and IB increase.

  FIG. 14B is a time chart showing waveforms of a current IA flowing in the left transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 and a current IB flowing in the center transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 when the transistors Q2 to Q4 are turned off. is there. In FIG. 14B, when the transistors Q1, Q2, and Q4 are turned off at a certain time, the currents IA and IB are both reduced. As can be seen from FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), currents of substantially the same value flowed through the two transistors Q4 at substantially the same timing both at turn-on and at turn-off.

  FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a conventional boost chopper which is a comparative example of the third embodiment, and is a diagram to be compared with FIG. Referring to FIG. 15, in this step-up chopper, three N-channel MOS transistors Q10 are connected in parallel between nodes N1 and N2. Each of the gates of the three transistors Q10 is connected to the output node of the control signal source S10 via the gate resistance element R10. The control signal source S10 outputs a control signal CNT10 that is a 10 KHz rectangular wave signal. The ground node of the control signal source S10 is grounded.

  The threshold voltages VT10 of the three transistors Q10 are 3.8V, 5.3V, and 5.3V, respectively. The resistance values of the three gate resistance elements R10 are both 100Ω. The parasitic inductances of the gates of the three transistors Q10 are the same, the parasitic inductances of their drains are the same, and the parasitic inductances of their sources are the same.

  When control signal S10 rises from “L” level (for example, 0 V) to “H” level (for example, 8 V), transistor Q10 is turned on and electromagnetic energy is stored in reactor 3. When the control signal S10 falls from the “H” level to the “L” level, the transistor Q10 is turned off, and the electromagnetic energy of the reactor 3 is released to the capacitor 5.

  FIG. 16A is a time chart showing waveforms of a current IA flowing through the left transistor Q10 in FIG. 15 and a current IB flowing through the center transistor Q10 in FIG. 15 when the transistor Q10 is turned on. In FIG. 16A, when the control signal CNT10 rises from the “L” level to the “H” level at a certain time, the left transistor Q10 having a low threshold voltage is turned on before the central transistor Q10. The current IA of the left transistor Q10 suddenly increases. Next, when the central transistor Q10 having a high threshold voltage is turned on and the current IB of the central transistor Q10 increases, the current IA of the left transistor Q10 decreases.

  FIG. 16B is a time chart showing waveforms of a current IA flowing in the left transistor Q10 in FIG. 15 and a current IB flowing in the center transistor Q10 in FIG. 15 when the transistor Q10 is turned off. In FIG. 16B, when the control signal CNT10 falls from the “H” level to the “L” level at a certain time, the central transistor Q10 having a high threshold voltage is turned off before the left transistor Q10. As the current IB decreases, the current IA increases rapidly. Next, the left transistor Q10 having a low threshold voltage is turned off, and the current IA decreases.

  Thus, in the conventional step-up chopper, current concentrates on one transistor Q10 having a low threshold voltage among the plurality of transistors Q10 connected in parallel. Although a method of measuring the threshold voltage of the transistor Q10 in advance and constructing a boost chopper using a plurality of transistors Q10 having the same threshold voltage is conceivable, the cost increases. Moreover, in the method of patent document 1, as above-mentioned, an apparatus structure becomes complicated and it becomes expensive.

  On the other hand, in the step-up chopper according to the present invention, it is possible to allow current to flow uniformly to the plurality of transistors Q4 with a simple configuration at low cost, and to prevent the transistor Q4 from being damaged due to current concentration.

  In the third embodiment, the resistance element R2 and the transistor Q2 are connected in series between the source of the transistor Q4 and the node N2, but when the resistance element R2 and the transistor Q2 are connected in reverse, that is, the source of the transistor Q4 The same effect was obtained even when the transistor Q2 and the resistor element R2 were connected in series between the nodes N2. FIG. 17A shows the current IA flowing in the left transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 and the central transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 when the transistors Q2 to Q4 are turned on when the resistance element R2 and the transistor Q2 are connected in reverse. It is a time chart which shows the waveform with the electric current IB which flows into. FIG. 17B shows the current IA flowing in the left transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 and the central transistor Q4 in FIG. 13 when the transistors Q2 to Q4 are turned off when the resistance element R2 and the transistor Q2 are connected in reverse. It is a time chart which shows the waveform with the electric current IB which flows into. As can be seen from FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b), even in this modified example, it was possible to allow the current to flow evenly through the plurality of transistors Q4.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the semiconductor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is compared with FIG. In FIG. 18, this semiconductor device is obtained by connecting a plurality of the semiconductor devices of FIG. 1 in parallel. That is, the drains of the plurality of transistors Q1 are all connected to node N1, and their gates both receive DC voltage V3. The sources of the plurality of transistors Q2 are all connected to the node N2, and their gates both receive the control signal CNT1. The sources of the plurality of transistors Q3 are all connected to node N2, and their gates both receive control signal CNT2.

  When the control signal CNT1 rises from the “L” level to the “H” level, all the transistors Q2 are turned on and all the transistors Q1 are turned on. At this time, since the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistor element R1) having a large on-resistance value is turned on to turn on the high-breakdown-voltage transistor Q1, all the transistors Q1 can be turned on. Note that when the resistor element R1 is removed and the node N3 and the drain of the transistor Q2 are connected, the current is concentrated in one transistor Q1, and the current may not flow in the other transistor Q1.

  Since the current driving capability of the second switching element (the transistor Q2 and the resistance element R1) is smaller than the current driving capability of the transistor Q1, the capability of the transistor Q1 cannot be fully exhibited as it is. Therefore, next, the control signal CNT2 is raised from “L” level to “H” level, and the low breakdown voltage transistor Q3 is turned on. As a result, the nodes N1 and N2 become conductive.

  In order to make the nodes N1 and N2 non-conductive, first, the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level, and all the transistors Q3 are turned off. Next, the control signal CNT2 is lowered from the “H” level to the “L” level to turn off all the transistors Q1 and Q2.

  In the fourth embodiment, the second switching element (transistor Q2 and resistor element R1) is turned on to turn on the high breakdown voltage transistor Q1, and then the low breakdown voltage transistor Q3 is turned on. The current can be dispersed, and the current can be prevented from concentrating on one transistor Q1. In addition, since there is no need to provide a current sensor or the like as in Patent Document 1, the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  19 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a step-up chopper using the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 18, and is a diagram to be compared with FIG. In FIG. 19, three semiconductor devices shown in FIG. 1 are connected in parallel. Each of the gates of the three transistors Q1 is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power source 2 via the gate resistance element R2, and receives the DC voltage V3. Each of the gates of the three transistors Q2 is connected to the output node of the control signal source S1. Each of the gates of the three transistors Q3 is connected to the output node of the control signal source S2.

  The threshold voltages VT1 of the three transistors Q1 are 4.2V, 4.0V, and 4.0V, respectively. The threshold voltages VT2 of the three transistors Q2 are 1.2V, 1.4V, and 1.4V, respectively. The threshold voltages VT3 of the three transistors Q3 are 1.4V, 1.6V, and 1.6V, respectively. The resistance value of the gate resistance element R2 is 10Ω.

  When the transistors Q1 to Q3 are turned on, a direct current flows from the DC power source 1 to the ground voltage GND line via the reactor 3 and the transistors Q1 to Q3, and electromagnetic energy is stored in the reactor 3. When the transistors Q <b> 1 to Q <b> 3 are turned off, electromagnetic energy stored in the reactor 3 is released to the capacitor 5 through the diode 4. The terminal voltage of the capacitor 5, that is, the output voltage of the boost chopper is a voltage obtained by adding the terminal voltage of the reactor 3 to the output voltage of the DC power supply 1. In this step-up chopper as well, as in the step-up chopper of the third embodiment, current flows evenly through the three transistors Q1.

  Needless to say, Embodiments 1 to 4 may be combined with various modifications as appropriate.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  Q1-Q3, Q10 N-channel MOS transistor, 1, 2 DC power supply, 3 reactor, 4,11 diode, 5,12 capacitor, 6, 10, 14 load circuit, 13 AC power supply, S1, S2, S10 control signal source, R1 resistance element, R2 to R4 gate resistance element, SW1 to SW4, SW11 to SW14 switch, Q4 normally-on type transistor.

Claims (13)

Comprising a plurality of switching circuits connected in parallel between the first and second nodes;
Each of the plurality of switching circuits is
A first switching element having a first electrode connected to the first node;
A second switching element having a first electrode connected to a second electrode of the first switching element and a second electrode connected to the second node;
A third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element,
The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements,
The on-resistance value of the second switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element,
The control electrodes of the plurality of first switching elements are both connected to the first control terminal,
The control electrodes of the plurality of second switching elements are both connected to the second control terminal,
A semiconductor device, wherein control electrodes of the plurality of third switching elements are all connected to a third control terminal. Comprising a plurality of switching circuits connected in parallel between the first and second nodes;
Each of the plurality of switching circuits is
A first switching element having a first electrode connected to the first node;
A second switching element having a first electrode connected to a second electrode of the first switching element and a second electrode connected to the second node;
A third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element,
The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements,
The control electrodes of the plurality of first switching elements are both connected to the first control terminal,
The control electrodes of the plurality of second switching elements are both connected to the second control terminal,
The control electrodes of the plurality of third switching elements are all connected to a third control terminal,
The first switching element is a first transistor;
The second switching element is a first resistance element and a second transistor connected in series,
It said third switching element is a third transistor, a semi conductor device.   The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first to third transistors is a normally-off transistor. The first transistor is a normally-on transistor;
The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein each of the second and third transistors is a normally-off transistor. A second resistance element provided corresponding to each of the first switching elements and interposed between the control electrode of the corresponding first switching element and the first control terminal;
A third resistance element provided corresponding to each of the second switching elements and interposed between the control electrode of the corresponding second switching element and the second control terminal;
A fourth resistance element provided corresponding to each of the third switching elements and interposed between a control electrode of the corresponding third switching element and the third control terminal. The semiconductor device according to claim 1. The first node receives a first voltage;
The second node receives a second voltage;
The first control terminal receives a third voltage;
A first control signal for ON / OFF control of the second switching element is provided to the second control terminal;
6. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a second control signal for controlling on / off of the third switching element is supplied to the third control terminal. 7. The first node receives a first voltage;
The second node receives a second voltage;
The first control terminal receives a third voltage;
The threshold voltage of the second switching element is lower than the threshold voltage of the third switching element,
6. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a control signal for ON / OFF control of the second and third switching elements is applied to the second and third control terminals. 7.   When conducting between the first and second nodes, the plurality of second switching elements are turned on to turn on the plurality of first switching elements, and then the plurality of third switching elements are turned on. The semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:   When non-conducting between the first and second nodes, the plurality of first switching elements are turned off by turning off the plurality of second switching elements after turning off the plurality of third switching elements. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device is turned off. A first switching element having a first electrode connected to a first node;
A second switching element having a first electrode connected to a second electrode of the first switching element and a second electrode connected to a second node;
A third switching element connected in parallel to the second switching element,
The withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of the first switching element is higher than the withstand voltage between the first and second electrodes of each of the second and third switching elements,
The on-resistance value of the second switching element is larger than the on-resistance value of the third switching element,
A semiconductor device in which, when conducting between the first and second nodes, the third switching element is turned on after the second switching element is turned on and the first switching element is turned on.   A converter comprising the semiconductor device according to claim 1.   An inverter comprising the semiconductor device according to claim 1.   A power converter device comprising the semiconductor device according to claim 1.

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