Semiconductor power module and drive system for electric motor

Abstract

Erroneous mounting of a semiconductor power module can be more easily detected. A semiconductor power module ( 9 ) according to the present invention includes: a status signal generation unit ( 90 ) configured to detect a status in the semiconductor power module ( 9 ) and generate and output a status signal indicating the detected status; an identification information storage unit ( 91 ) configured to preliminarily store identification information for identifying the semiconductor power module ( 9 ) and output an identification signal indicating the identification information; and a switching unit ( 92 ) configured to select one of the status signal output from the status signal generation unit ( 90 ) and the identification signal output from the identification information storage unit ( 91 ) and output the selected signal to an outside of the semiconductor power module ( 9 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A semiconductor power module configured to drive an electric motor, the semiconductor power module comprising:
 a temperature signal generation unit configured to detect a temperature in the semiconductor power module, generate a signal indicating the detected temperature, and output the signal;   an identification information storage unit configured to preliminarily store identification information for identifying the semiconductor power module, and output an identification signal indicating the identification information;   a switching unit configured to select one of the signal output from the temperature signal generation unit and the identification signal output from the identification information storage unit, and output the selected signal outside of the semiconductor power module;   a fault output signal generation unit configured to generate a fault output signal indicating whether or not the semiconductor power module is abnormal, and output the fault output signal to the outside of the semiconductor power module; and   a rising edge detection unit configured to detect that the fault output signal output from the fault output signal generation unit is switched from a status indicating that the semiconductor power module is abnormal to a status indicating that the semiconductor power module is normal,   wherein the switching unit selects the identification signal during a predetermined period after the semiconductor power module is restored to a normal operational state,   wherein the rising edge detection unit outputs, to the switching unit, an indication signal indicating selection of the identification signal during a predetermined period after the detection that the fault output signal is switched from the status indicating that the semiconductor power module is abnormal to the status indicating that the semiconductor power module is normal, and   wherein the switching unit selects the identification signal during a period in which the indication signal is output from the rising edge detection unit, the period being set as a predetermined period after the semiconductor power module is restored to the normal operational state.