Semiconductor-based power switch for controlling electric motor of e.g. electric power steering apparatus of motor vehicle, has electrical heating element arranged in area of bond connection for thermally releasing bond connection

摘要

The switch (200) has a semiconductor structure comprising a bond connection (230) that lies in a current path, where the current path is switchable by the power switch. An electrical heating element (270) is arranged in an area of the bond connection for thermally releasing the bond connection. The heating element is galvanically separated from the bond connection, and a metal layer (220) is arranged below a surface metallization layer (210). The heating element has terminals (280, 290) that lie adjacent to each other, where voltage is applied between the terminals. An independent claim is also included for a method for disconnecting a current circuit running through a power switch.