As part of their strategic cooperation, ROHM and Schaeffler began mass producing a new high-voltage inverter brick that was equipped with ROHM’s SiC (silicon carbide) MOSFET bare chips. A significant Chinese car manufacturer are the target market for the inverter brick.
To regulate the electric drive using logic signals, the Schaeffler inverter subassembly is a crucial power device building part. The high-frequency current pulses that start the car’s electric motor are generated here.
The inverter brick currently in production has remarkable performance characteristics: By raising the maximum battery voltage to far higher than the standard 800 V and using RMS currents of up to 650 A, Schaeffler was able to boost the brick’s output and transform the sub-module into a compact power pack.
Modularity and scalability as the key to easy integration
A brick, a fundamental part of an inverter, must adhere to stringent specifications. The sub-module’s features reflect the elements that contributed to the launch of volume production and the current sales success: Because of its modular and scalable design, ROHM’s silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors allow the frame-mounted sub-module with high power density to be small, effective, and easily incorporated into a variety of inverters.
The sub-module includes a DC link capacitor, a DC link, a cooler, and a power module for pulse width modulation (PWM) of the current pulses. Additionally, a car with 800 V architecture can be charged at a 400 V charging station at 800 V thanks to the brick’s DC boost capability.
The strategic partnership of Schaeffler (originally initiated under Vitesco Technologies) with ROHM has existed since 2020. This partnership was solidified in June 2023 with a long-term supply agreement that safeguards capacity for energy efficient SiC power semiconductors.
Leadership Comments
“Through our strategic approach of incorporating scalability and modularity into our e-mobility solutions – from individual components to a highly integrated electric axle – we developed the readily integrated inverter brick. Based on our generic platform development, it took us just one year to bring this optimal product for the popular X-in-1 architectures to volume production readiness,” says Thomas Stierle, CEO of the E-Mobility Division at Schaeffler.
Executive Officer at ROHM
“We are glad about the launch of volume production for Schaeffler’s inverter brick with our 4th generation SiC MOSFET,” says Dr. Kazuhide Ino, Member of the Board and Managing Executive Officer at ROHM. “With our SiC technology we are making a substantial contribution to increasing the efficiency and performance of electric cars. Working with Schaeffler as our partner, we are thus fostering innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry,” Dr. Ino adds.
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