Power module and air conditioner

Abstract

A power module is a power module having a PFC (power factor correction) function. The power module includes: IGBTs in a pair; first diodes in a pair connected to the IGBTs in a pair, the first diodes forming a reverse-conducting element; and second diodes in a pair connected to the IGBTs in a pair, the second diodes having a rectifying function. The power module further includes a driving IC that drives the IGBTs in a pair, and P terminals in a pair provided independently of each other. The P terminals are connected to one ends of the first diodes in a pair, respectively, the one ends being opposite to the other ends of the first diodes to which the IGBTs in a pair are connected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power module having a PFC (power factor correction) function, comprising:
 a pair of semiconductor switching elements including respective transistors made of a wide band gap material;   a pair of first diodes each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each first diode connected to a power terminal of a respective semiconductor switching element, the first diodes forming a reverse-conducting element;   a pair of second diodes each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each second diode connected to the power terminal of a respective semiconductor switching element, the second diodes having a rectifying function;   a driving part that drives said semiconductor switching elements;   a package covering said pair of semiconductor switching elements, said pair of first diodes, said pair of second diodes, and said driving part;   a pair of rectified output terminals extending independently of each other from the respective second ends of the first diodes to and outwardly from the periphery of the package, the rectified output terminals being different from said power terminals and connected to the second ends of said first diodes, respectively, the second ends of said first diodes being opposite to the first ends of said first diodes to which said semiconductor switching elements are connected; and   first and second AC power terminals for connecting each power terminal of said pair of semiconductor switching elements to an AC power supply via a pair of inductances,   
       wherein
 in one end of said package, said first AC power terminal is provided between said second AC power terminal and one of said pair of rectified output terminals which is connected to said second AC power terminal, and 
 in said one end of said package, said one of said pair of rectified output terminals is provided between other one of said pair of rectified output terminals and said first AC power terminal connected to said other one of said pair of rectified output terminals. 
 
     
     
         2 . An air conditioner, comprising:
 a power module;   a capacitive element; and   an inverter connected to said capacitive element, said power module being a power module having a PFC (power factor correction) function, including:
 a pair of semiconductor switching elements including respective transistors made of a wide band gap material; 
 a pair of first diodes each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each first diode connected to a power terminal of a respective semiconductor switching element, the first diodes forming a reverse-conducting element; 
 a pair of second diodes each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each second diode connected to the power terminal of a respective semiconductor switching element, the second diodes having a rectifying function; 
 a driving part that drives said semiconductor switching elements; 
 a package covering said pair of semiconductor switching elements, said pair of first diodes, said pair of second diodes, and said driving part; and 
 a pair of rectified output terminals extending independently of each other from the respective second ends of the first diodes to and outwardly from the periphery of the package, the rectified output terminals being different from said power terminals and connected to the second ends of said first diodes, respectively, the second ends of said first diodes being opposite to the first ends of said first diodes to which said semiconductor switching elements are connected; 
   a node between said capacitive element and said inverter connected to said pair of rectified output terminals; and   first and second AC power terminals for connecting each power terminal of said pair of semiconductor switching elements to an AC power supply via a pair of inductances, wherein   in one end of said package, said first AC power terminal is provided between said second AC power terminal and one of said pair of rectified output terminals which is connected to said second AC power terminal, and   in said one end of said package, said one of said pair of rectified output terminals is provided between other one of said pair of rectified output terminals and said first AC power terminal connected to said other one of said pair of rectified output terminals.   
     
     
         3 . A power module having a PFC (power factor correction) function responsive to an interleaved system, comprising:
 a pair of semiconductor switching elements including respective transistors made of a wide band gap material;   a pair of diodes each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each diode connected to a power terminal of a respective semiconductor switching element, the diodes forming a reverse-conducting element;   a driving part that drives said semiconductor switching elements;   a package covering said pair of semiconductor switching elements, said pair of diodes, and said driving part;   a pair of rectified output terminals extending independently of each other from the respective second ends of the diodes to and outwardly from the periphery of the package, the rectified output terminals being different from said power terminal and connected to the second ends of said diodes, respectively, the second ends being opposite to the first ends of said diodes to which said semiconductor switching elements are connected; and   first and second AC power terminals for connecting each power terminal of said pair of semiconductor switching elements to an AC power supply via a pair of inductances, wherein   in one end of said package, said first AC power terminal is provided between said second AC power terminal and one of said pair of rectified output terminals which is connected to said second AC power terminal, and   in said one end of said package, said one of said pair of rectified output terminals is provided between other one of said pair of rectified output terminals and said first AC power terminal connected to said other one of said pair of rectified output terminals.   
     
     
         4 . An air conditioner, comprising:
 a power module;   a capacitive element; and   an inverter connected to said capacitive element,   said power module being a power module having a PFC (power factor correction) function responsive to an interleaved system, including:
 a pair of semiconductor switching elements including respective transistors made of a wide band gap material; 
 a pair of diodes each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each diode connected to a power terminal of a respective semiconductor switching element, the diodes forming a reverse-conducting element; 
 a driving part that drives said semiconductor switching elements; 
 a package covering said pair of semiconductor switching elements, said pair of diodes, and said driving part; and 
 a pair of rectified output terminals extending independently of each other from the respective second ends of the diodes to and outwardly from the periphery of the package, the rectified output terminals being different from said power terminals and connected to the second ends of said diodes, respectively, the second ends being opposite to the first ends of said diodes to which said semiconductor switching elements are connected; 
   a node between said capacitive element and said inverter connected to said pair of rectified output terminals; and   first and second AC power terminals for connecting each power terminal of said pair of semiconductor switching elements to an AC power supply via a pair of inductances,   
       wherein
 in one end of said package, said first AC power terminal is provided between said second AC power terminal and one of said pair of rectified output terminals which is connected to said second AC power terminal, and 
 in said one end of said package, said one of said pair of rectified output terminals is provided between other one of said pair of rectified output terminals and said first AC power terminal connected to said other one of said pair of rectified output terminals.