Acoustic Trap Transfer of Electronic Components With Orientation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current semiconductor assembly equipment is complex and expensive due to its reliance on heavy mechanical and mechatronic modules, and self-assembly technologies using fluidic processes face challenges in accurately positioning small components, leading to random placement and loss of component traceability.

Innovation Solution

A transfer device with a container filled with transfer liquid and equipped with acoustic transducers that create an acoustic trap to capture and manipulate electronic components for precise placement on a substrate, allowing for simultaneous control of position and orientation, potentially eliminating the need for alignment features on the substrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If self-assembly or fluidic process principles are used to transfer components in transfer liquid, then equipment complexity and cost are reduced, but manufacturing precision and component traceability are lost due to random placement order

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment complexityVSAvoidcomponent placement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical and mechatronic modules with a fluidic self-assembly system using acoustic fields. Acoustic transducers generate acoustic radiation pressure to manipulate components in transfer liquid, eliminating complex mechanical pick-and-place mechanisms while achieving precise component positioning through acoustic trapping and release at target locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the transfer environment by using acoustic fields to control component behavior in liquid. By adjusting acoustic frequency and intensity, the system can precisely control component position and orientation in the transfer liquid, enabling accurate placement without mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If acoustic transducers are used to create acoustic traps for capturing and positioning electronic components, then manufacturing precision and component orientation control are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple acoustic transducers and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent placement precisionVSAvoidacoustic transducer system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the acoustic transducer system multi-functional by using the same acoustic fields for both capturing components in the transfer liquid and positioning them at target locations on the substrate. The acoustic transducers serve multiple purposes: trapping, transporting, orienting, and releasing components, thereby reducing the need for separate mechanical systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the acoustic field to self-regulate component positioning by creating acoustic radiation pressure that automatically guides components to stable equilibrium positions. The acoustic trap naturally captures and holds components without active feedback control, and the acoustic field automatically releases components at target locations, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and efficient placement of electronic components, simplifying the assembly process and reducing equipment complexity by using acoustic traps to control the position and orientation of components in a fluidic self-assembly system.

Implementation Method 1

the controller is configured to control the plurality of acoustic transducers to create an acoustic trap in the transfer liquid for capturing the electronic component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

manipulate the position and/or orientation of the acoustic trap for the purpose of positioning the electronic component at the placement position on the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP4290560A1Transfer device for transferring an electronic component
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 NEXPERIA BV
  • EP4290560A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4290560A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4290560A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a transfer device, system, and method for transferring an electronic component onto a placement position on a substrate. The transfer device is based on a fluidic process principle in which electronic components are transferred in a transfer liquid. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the transfer device further comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers, and a controller for controlling the plurality of acoustic transducers. The controller is configured to control the plurality of acoustic transducers to create an acoustic trap in the transfer liquid for capturing an electronic component when it is released in the transfer liquid and to subsequently manipulate the position and/orientation of the acoustic trap for the purpose of positioning the electronic component at the placement position on the substrate.