SiC power devices - a key technology of the hybrid drive system

[2009, July 14]

In the automotive industry continues to slump, hybrid cars’ popularity is very high. Honda’s sales of “Insight” were top in April at Japanese Market. And Toyota’s sales of “Prius” ware top in all cars in May and June at Japanese market.
Hybrid cars are getting more popular, there is a new technology while the equipment is not expected. One of them was equipped with a nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of lithium ion batteries in the battery, the inverter driven motor is the one and SiC (silicon carbide) and not the wide-gap semiconductors, the semiconductors used in conventional Si - be.”
Wide-gap semiconductors, high-intensity conventional Si semiconductor system breakdown than can achieve miniaturization and equipment to reduce power dissipation. Therefore, it is hoped to expand the application equipment and hybrid inverter. Number of published patents related to the SiC switching device with a clear increase in 2001 and in subsequent years, to know that there is sustainable development. Major players in the area are Hitachi, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, Kansai Electric Power. On the other hand, transport related companies “Nissan and Denso” stand out from the applicant. Technical areas of patent application is also relatively close to their area, suggests the continuing development of severe competition.
Hybrid cars were not equipped with the SiC inverter is coming, when the advent of automobiles and major automobile and electric power load plug-in-hybrid may be equipped with lithium-ion batteries is huge. ROHM and Honda have jointly developed as a SiC power module, or form how the manufacturers and automobile manufacturers with the technology, the attention is moving in the future.

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