Search

EP-4742537-A1 - POWER CONTROL APPARATUS

EP4742537A1EP 4742537 A1EP4742537 A1EP 4742537A1EP-4742537-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power control apparatus for controlling an electrical current between an input terminal and an output terminal. The current in the path between these two terminals can be monitored by an arrangement comprising two coils, positioned in the current path and magnetically coupled so that the magnetic fields of the two coils superimpose constructively.

Inventors

  • Först, Bernhard

Assignees

  • Future Systems Besitz GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241217

Claims (14)

  1. A power control apparatus (1) for controlling electrical power supplied to a connected load (3), said power control apparatus (1) comprising: an input terminal (11) configured to be connected to an electrical power source (2); an output terminal (12) configured to be connected to the load (3); a semiconductor switching stage (20) through which the connected load (3) receives a load current, wherein the semiconductor switching stage (2) comprises two power switches arranged in series between the input terminal (11) and the output terminal (12), and wherein the two power switches have opposite orientations, a first coil (312) arranged in a current path between the input terminal (11) and the semiconductor switching stage (20) ; a second coil (322), in a current path between the semiconductor switching stage (20) and the output terminal (12), wherein the first coil (312) and the second coil (322) are magnetically coupled; a current evaluation circuit (40) adapted to evaluate a current between the input terminal (11) and the output terminal (12) based on a voltage drop over the first coil (312) and/or the second coil (322).
  2. The power control apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the windings of the first coil (312) and the second coil (322) have a same winding direction, so that the magnetic fields are superimposed constructively when a current flows between the input terminal (1) and the output terminal (12).
  3. The power control apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a number of windings of the first coil (312) corresponds to a number of windings of the second coil (322) .
  4. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first coil (312) and the second coil (322) are arranged one over the other.
  5. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the windings of first coil (312) and the second coil (322) have a bifilar configuration.
  6. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first coil (312) and the second coil (322) are arranged above the semiconductor switching stage (20).
  7. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second coil (322) is coupled to the first coil (312) by means of a magnetic core (330).
  8. The power control apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein the magnetic core (330) is configured to dissipate heat away from the semiconductor switching stage (20) and/or the first coil (312) and/or the second coil (322).
  9. The power control apparatus (1) according to claim 8, comprising a cooling element (340), the cooling element is thermically coupled to the magnetic core (330) .
  10. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the magnetic (340) core is electrically isolated from the semiconductor switching stage (20).
  11. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second coil (322) is coupled to the first coil (312) without a magnetic core.
  12. The power control apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first coil (312) and the second coil (322) have an at least similar shape, in particular a rectangular or cylindrical shape.
  13. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first coil (312) and/or the second coil (322) are embedded in a moulding material.
  14. The power control apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the current evaluation (40) circuit comprises a rectifier circuit (42) configured to rectify an output voltage of the second coil.

Description

Technical Field The invention relates to a power control apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that controls power supply by evaluating the current supplied by the power control apparatus. Electrical loads connected to a power supply system often require control of the supplied electrical power, particularly to protect the connected electrical loads. Such loads may need protection from overload and overcurrent. Additionally, electrical loads connected to a power supply system must sometimes be turned on or off. Therefore, the electrical power supplied to these loads needs to be conditioned during both the turn-on and turn-off phases. A connected load may also have different operational modes, each requiring adaptation or conditioning of the supplied electrical power. Conventional electrical protection devices often use current sensors to measure the current flowing to the connected load, enabling detection of critical situations and automatic triggering of an electronic or electromechanical switch if a critical situation is detected. A current measurement element, such as a Hall sensor, can measure the electrical current and provide corresponding measurement values to an integrated controller, which may switch off relevant components of the protection device if the measured current values exceed a predetermined threshold. Some conventional protection devices use semiconductor switches, such as MOSFETs, to protect connected loads against overcurrents or overloads. However, these conventional protection devices typically require sensor elements in the current supply path to measure the electrical current flowing to the connected load. These sensor elements can cause additional energy losses and may hinder the miniaturization of the electrical protection device. In particular, when electrical current is monitored by a lossy electrically conductive component, such as an inductor, it may result in energy losses that must then be dissipated as heat. Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a power control apparatus that controls the electrical power supplied to the connected load while mitigating these effects, thereby reducing energy losses. This objective is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims Summary In an aspect of the present invention, a power control apparatus is provided. The power control apparatus may be configured for controlling electrical power supplied to a connected load. The apparatus comprises an input terminal, an output terminal, a semiconductor switching stage through which a connected load receives a load current, a first coil, a second coil and an evaluation circuit. The input terminal may be configured to be connected to an electrical power source. The output terminal may be configured to be connected to the load. The semiconductor switching stage comprises two power switching modules. Each power switching module may comprise one or more power switching elements such as a semiconductor switch. The individual switching elements of a power switching module may be arranged in parallel. The two power switching modules may be arranged in series between the input terminal and the output terminal. In particular, the two power switching modules have opposite orientations. Accordingly, by this opposite orientation of the two power switching modules the power switching stage is in the position to interrupt an electrical current independent of the polarity of the applied voltage. The first coil is arranged in a current path between the input terminal and the semiconductor switching stage. The second coil is arranged in a current path between the semiconductor switching stage and the output terminal. In particular, the first coil and the second coil are magnetically coupled with each other. The evaluation circuit is adapted to evaluate a current between the input terminal and the output terminal. In particular, the evaluation circuit may be adapted to evaluate the current between the input terminal and the output terminal based on a voltage drop over the first coil and/or the second coil. Accordingly, by evaluating this voltage drop, is also possible to evaluate the voltage drop over the semiconductor switching stage. The present invention is based on the finding that electrical current may be analysed by a voltage drop along an electrically conducting element. In particular, current changes over time may be monitored by means of an electrically component having inductive properties such as a coil or a conductive structure forming one or more windings. However, such electrically conducting elements usually may have resistive properties which may lead to electrical losses. The present invention therefore takes into account these findings and aims to provide a concept for analysing an electrical current through a power control apparatus with reduced elect