ELECTROMOBILITY DENSO develops its first inverter using SiC power semiconductors

Related Vendors

Rogers Corporation

Koki Deutschland Niederlassung KOKI Europe A/S

Microchip LTD

DENSO CORPORATION, a mobility supplier, announced it has developed its first-ever inverter with silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. This inverter, which is incorporated in the eAxle, an electric driving module developed by BluE Nexus Corporation, will be used in the new Lexus RZ, the automaker’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) model and released March 30.

SiC power semiconductors consist of silicon and carbon that significantly reduce power loss compared to silicon (Si) power semiconductors. A cruising test conducted under specific conditions by BEV using SiC semiconductor inverters demonstrated inverters with SiC power semiconductor reduce power loss less than half of ones with Si semiconductor. As a result, the energy efficiency of BEVs is improved and cruising range is extended.

Key elements of developing the new inverter

SiC power semiconductors with DENSO’s unique trench-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structure¹⁾ improve the output per chip as they reduce power loss caused by heat generated. The unique structure achieved high voltage and low on-resistance²⁾ operation.

sponsoredE-BOOK

Semiconductors: A Comprehensive Guide

Key elements of manufacturing the new inverter

Based on the high-quality technology jointly developed by DENSO and Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc., DENSO utilizes SiC epitaxial wafers³⁾ that incorporate the results of work commissioned by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). As a result, DENSO has halved the number of crystal defects that prevent the device from operating normally due to the disorder of the atomic arrangement of the crystal.By reducing crystal defects, the quality of SiC power semiconductor devices used in vehicles and their stable production are ensured.

DENSO calls its SiC technology “REVOSIC®,” and uses it to comprehensively develop technologies for products ranging from wafers to semiconductor devices and modules such as power cards. DENSO will contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society through development aimed at more efficient energy management for vehicles, while also utilizing the grant from Green Innovation Fund (GI Fund)⁴⁾, which was adopted in 2022.

¹⁾ DENSO’s unique trench-type MOS structure: Semiconductor devices with a trench gate using DENSO’s patented electric field relaxation technology.
²⁾ On-resistance: A measure of the ease of current flow; the lower the value, the lower the power loss.
³⁾ SiC epitaxial wafers: SiC single crystalline wafers with SiC epitaxially grown thin layer.
⁴⁾ Green Innovation Fund (GI Fund): GI Fund was created by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and assigned to NEDO with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. DENSO has been selected to received subsidies for a project to develop manufacturing technology for next-generation power semiconductor devices (for electric vehicles).

Experience the trends E-Mobility & Energy Storage for power electronics firsthand

(Source: Mesago)

Are you explicitly looking for power electronics products and systems for electromobility or energy storage? Then become part of the largest PCIM Europe ever from 9 – 11 May 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany. There, you can experience a special zone including a networking area and stage with top-class presentations as well as Live Product Presentations at the stand of specialized exhibitors.

Learn more

(ID:49328562)