Corner crack arrest slot undercut to reduce grain damage

Abstract

The invention discloses a corner crack arrest slot undercut to reduce grain damage. A die carrier for accommodating a plurality of circuit protection devices is disclosed. In some embodiments, a die carrier may include a die body and a recess in the die body, where the recess is operable to receive a die of a circuit protection device. The recess may include a central region defined by a set of sidewalls and a plurality of corner regions extending from the central region, each of the corner regions defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall and a second center of curvature of the second curved wall are at different positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of manufacturing circuit protection devices. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a corner relief undercut design for reducing die damage. Background Art

[0002] Existing designs of boat die aligners for die window openings typically use single-sided or double-sided undercuts for each of the four corners, aiming to prevent chip-out while still providing limited movement for die placement manually inserted by an operator. However, for existing undercut designs, die failures are still common.

[0003] Therefore, an improved relief undercut is needed to eliminate die corner chip-out associated with die aligners in discrete manual line assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The Summary of the Invention is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary of the Invention is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one method, a die carrier may include a recess operable to receive a die, the recess including a central region defined by a set of sidewalls and a plurality of corner regions extending from the central region. Each of the corner regions may be defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall is in a different position from a second center of curvature of the second curved wall.

[0006] In another method, a die carrier may include a die body and a recess in the die body, wherein the recess is operable to receive a circuit protection device among a plurality of circuit protection devices. The recess may include a central region defined by a set of sidewalls and a plurality of corner regions extending from the central region, each of the corner regions being defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall is in a different position from a second center of curvature of the second curved wall.

[0007] In yet another method, a die carrier for accommodating a plurality of dies of circuit protection devices may include a die body and a recess in the die body, wherein the recess is operable to accommodate a circuit protection device among the plurality of circuit protection devices. The recess may include a central region defined by a set of sidewalls and a plurality of corner regions extending from the central region. Each of the corner regions may be defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall is at a different position from a second center of curvature of the second curved wall and at a different position from a third center of curvature of the third curved wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings illustrate exemplary methods of the disclosed embodiments designed thus far for practical application of their principles, and wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 A top view of a die carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted;

[0010] Figure 2 A close-up view of a portion of an opening of a die carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted;

[0011] Figure 3 A close-up view of a corner region of the opening according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted; and Figures 4A to 4B A top view of a die carrier and a die according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0012] The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to depict specific parameters of the present disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and should not therefore be regarded as limiting in scope. In the drawings, like numerals represent like elements.

[0013] In addition, for clarity of illustration, certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted or not shown to scale. Cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slice" or "near-sighted" cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines that would otherwise be visible in a "true" cross-sectional view, for clarity of illustration. In addition, for clarity, some reference numerals may be omitted in certain figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Components, devices, systems, and methods according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. The components, devices, systems, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0015] Turning toFigure 1 , the die carrier 100 will be described. As shown, the die carrier 100 may include a body 102 having a plurality of recesses or openings 104 formed therein. Each of the openings 104 may represent an area 120 where a die may be positioned, such as a die used during the manufacture of a circuit protection device. As shown, each of the openings 104 may be recessed below the upper surface 108 of the body 104. Although only five openings 104 are shown, it will be understood that more or fewer openings 104 may be present in other embodiments.

[0016] Figure 2 An example area 120 is shown in more detail. As shown, the opening 104 may include a central region 112 defined by a set of sidewalls. More specifically, the set of sidewalls may include a first sidewall 114 opposite a second sidewall 116 and a top sidewall 118 opposite a bottom sidewall 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sidewall 114 and the second sidewall 116 are parallel to each other, and the top sidewall 118 and the bottom sidewall 122 are also parallel to each other. Thus, the central region 112 generally has a square shape.

[0017] As further shown, the opening 104 includes a plurality of corner regions 125 extending from the central region 104. More specifically, each corner region 125 is connected to two adjacent sidewalls of the set of sidewalls. As will be described in more detail herein, each of the corner regions 125 defines a first curved wall 131, a second curved wall 132 connected to the first curved wall 131, and a third curved wall 133 connected to the second curved wall 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the depth of the plurality of corner regions 125 is the same as or substantially the same as the depth of the central region 104. In other embodiments, the depth of the plurality of corner regions 125 may be different from the depth of the central region 104.

[0018] Figure 3 One of the corner regions 125 is shown in more detail. As shown, the first curved wall 131 defines a first radius of curvature 141, a first center of curvature 142, and a first imaginary circle 143. Similarly, the second curved wall 132 defines a second radius of curvature 144, a second center of curvature 145, and a second imaginary circle 146. The third curved wall 133 defines a third radius of curvature 148, a third center of curvature 149, and a third imaginary circle 150. As shown, the first imaginary circle, the second imaginary circle, and the third imaginary circles 143, 146, 150 overlap or intersect each other. The first center of curvature 142, the second center of curvature 145, and the third center of curvature 149 are arranged at different positions, where the second center of curvature 145 is positioned farthest from the center of the central region 104.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first curved wall 131, the second curved wall 132, and the third curved wall 133 may have the same or substantially the same length and have a constant radius of curvature. Accordingly, the areas of the first imaginary circle, the second imaginary circle, and the third imaginary circles 143, 146, 150 may be the same or substantially the same. In other embodiments, the areas of the first imaginary circle, the second imaginary circle, and the third imaginary circles 143, 146, 150 may be different.

[0020] Figures 4A to 4B The benefits of the corner regions 125 during use with the die 155 are shown. As illustrated, the die 155 may be positioned obliquely within the opening 104. However, due to the size and geometry of each of the corner regions 125, the corners 158 of the die 155 may not affect any of the first sidewall 131, the second sidewall 132, or the third sidewall 133, thereby reducing (or eliminating) the likelihood of damage to the corners 158.

[0021] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” is understood to not exclude plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Further, a reference to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure is not to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0022] The use of the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” or “has,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to cover the listed items and their equivalents as well as additional items. Thus, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” or “has,” and variations thereof are open-ended expressions and may be used interchangeably herein.

[0023] As used herein, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or” are open-ended expressions and are conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, the statements “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and / or C” mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.

[0024] All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are for identification purposes only to assist the reader in understanding the present disclosure. The directional references do not create limitations, particularly with respect to the position, orientation, or use of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated, connective references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) shall be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between assemblies of elements and relative movement between elements. Thus, a connective reference does not necessarily infer that the two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to each other.

[0025] Additionally, identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or precedence and are used to distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for illustrative purposes, and the dimensions, positions, orders, and relative sizes reflected in the attached drawings may vary.

[0026] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the terms "substantially" or "approximately" and the terms "nearly" or "about" may be used interchangeably and may be described using any relative measure acceptable to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, these terms may be used as a comparison to a referenced parameter to indicate a deviation that can provide the desired function. While non-limiting, the deviation from the referenced parameter may be, for example, an amount less than 1%, less than 3%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, and the like.

[0027] While certain embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, as the present disclosure is as broad as the art will permit and the specification may be read accordingly. Thus, the foregoing description should not be construed as limiting. Instead, the foregoing description is merely exemplary of particular embodiments. Other modifications will be envisioned by those skilled in the art within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A die carrier, comprising: A recess operable to receive a die, the recess comprising: A central region defined by a set of sidewalls; and A plurality of corner regions extending from the central region, each of the corner regions being defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall and a second center of curvature of the second curved wall are in different positions.

2. The die carrier according to claim 1, wherein, A third center of curvature of the third curved wall is in a different position from the first center of curvature and the second center of curvature.

3. The die carrier according to claim 1, wherein, The set of sidewalls includes: A first sidewall opposite a second sidewall; and A top sidewall opposite a bottom sidewall, wherein the top sidewall and the bottom sidewall are connected to the first sidewall and the second wall through the plurality of corner regions.

4. The die carrier according to claim 1, wherein, The first curved wall defines a first radius of curvature, wherein the second curved wall defines a second radius of curvature, and wherein the third curved wall defines a third radius of curvature.

5. The die carrier according to claim 4, wherein, The first radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature all have the same length.

6. The die carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a second recess operable to receive a second die.

7. The die carrier according to claim 1, wherein, The second curved wall is positioned farther from the central region than the first curved wall and the third curved wall.

8. The die carrier according to claim 1, wherein, The recess extends below an upper surface of the die body.

9. A die carrier for receiving a plurality of dies of circuit protection devices, the die carrier comprising: A die body; And A recess in the die body, wherein the recess is operable to receive a circuit protection device among a plurality of circuit protection devices, and wherein the recess comprises: A central region defined by a set of sidewalls; and A plurality of corner regions extending from the central region, each of the corner regions being defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall and a second center of curvature of the second curved wall are in different positions.

10. The die carrier according to claim 9, wherein, A third center of curvature of the third curved wall is in a different position from the first center of curvature and the second center of curvature.

11. The die carrier according to claim 9, wherein, The set of sidewalls includes: A first sidewall opposite a second sidewall; and A top sidewall opposite a bottom sidewall, wherein the top sidewall and the bottom sidewall are connected to the first sidewall and the second wall through the plurality of corner regions.

12. The die carrier according to claim 9, wherein, The first curved wall defines a first radius of curvature, wherein the second curved wall defines a second radius of curvature, and wherein the third curved wall defines a third radius of curvature.

13. The die carrier according to claim 12, wherein, The first radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature all have the same length.

14. The die carrier according to claim 9, wherein, The second curved wall is positioned farther from the central region than the first curved wall and the third curved wall.

15. A die carrier for receiving a plurality of dies, the die carrier comprising: A die body; And A recess in the die body, wherein the recess is operable to receive a circuit protection device among a plurality of circuit protection devices, and wherein the recess comprises: A central region defined by a set of sidewalls; and A plurality of corner regions extending from the central region, each of the corner regions being defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected to the second curved wall, wherein a first curvature center of the first curved wall is in a different position from a second curvature center of the second curved wall and is in a different position from a third curvature center of the third curved wall.

16. The die carrier according to claim 15, wherein, The set of sidewalls includes: A first sidewall opposite a second sidewall; and A top sidewall opposite a bottom sidewall, wherein the top sidewall and the bottom sidewall are connected to the first sidewall and the second wall by the plurality of corner regions.

17. The die carrier according to claim 15, wherein, The first curved wall defines a first radius of curvature, wherein the second curved wall defines a second radius of curvature, and wherein the third curved wall defines a third radius of curvature.

18. The die carrier according to claim 17, wherein, The first radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature all have the same length.

19. The die carrier according to claim 17, wherein, The first radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature are all constant.

20. The die carrier according to claim 15, wherein, The second curved wall is positioned farther from the central region than the first curved wall and the third curved wall.

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