Within the electronics industry, optimizing industrial processes and using electricity economically are of great importance.
Power modules are mainly used for the frequency control of electrical DC and AC motors, ranging from those with approx. 300 watts up to those with several hundred thousand watts. The motors are used in a wide range of industrial applications, such as washing machines, pumps, fans, conveyors, agitators and machine tools.
The increased use of power modules is, among others, due to the continuous intention of saving electrical energy. Also within this area, our customized power modules are designed to meet the exact requirements of our customers. When less cooling performance is necessary, refrigerator compressors can be operated with a smaller number of revolutions. Simply switching on or off the regulation of the compressor is waste of energy and limits the lifespan of motors, which also goes for circulation pumps or fans. Depending on the operating point of the actual system, up to 30% electricity can be saved directly by the consumer. Intelligent power modules also have important functions, such as overload protection, temperature and current control as well as short circuit protection. In the years to come, systems with electric drives and actuators with intelligent electronics will be of special importance. More specifically, they will contribute to ensuring and improving more reliable products. Thus, in the future, motors with integrated frequency converters and power modules are passed on to the customers.
Danfoss Silicon Power is aware of this tendency and, as a matter of fact, also working on the development, as do other industries. Thus, the worldwide auto industry increasingly plans and implements components for electrical operation of power steering systems, pumping and lighting controls. Furthermore, it also works on substituting hydraulic systems in motor vehicles with electrically supported-end brakes. In order to realize this, a power module that can control high currents is demanded.
Further growth opportunities involve the implementation of primary electric drives into small vehicles, passenger vehicles as well as commercial motor and agricultural vehicles.