Enhancing Overcurrent Capability in Phase Change Material Integrated Power Modules for Electric Vehicles: An Experimental Investigation Based on Mission Profiles

A PCM-integrated half-bridge power module for EV applications was fabricated to investigate its overcurrent capability. The instantaneous overcurrent and the long-time overcurrent were applied to represent the rapid acceleration and uphill driving mission profiles respectively. The experimental results show that the junction temperature can track the gradual rise in long-time overcurrent. The junction temperature and its fluctuations of the PCM power module are both reduced compared with no PCM module for both overcurrent conditions, which therefore enhances the overcurrent capability and potentially increases the lifetime of the power module.