COF Package Sub-Module Layout for Fine-Pitch Chip Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The miniaturization of electronic products, such as display apparatus, requires a finer pitch implementation of metal patterns in chip-on-film (COF) semiconductor packages, which existing technologies struggle to achieve without causing deformation or damage to the semiconductor chips and conductive wires.

Innovation Solution

A COF semiconductor package design featuring a main film substrate with module attachment regions and sub-film substrates, each with semiconductor chips, connected via conductive layers, allowing for fine pitch implementation without deformation or damage, using a configuration where sub-modules are attached to the main film substrate to maintain separation and prevent warpage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If metal patterns are implemented with fine pitch in COF semiconductor packages, then miniaturization and integration density are improved, but deformation and damage to semiconductor chips and conductive wires occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidchip integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the COF semiconductor package into multiple independent sub-modules (first sub-module, second sub-module, etc.), each containing its own semiconductor chip and conductive wire connections. This segmentation allows each module to be processed and mounted independently, reducing stress concentration and preventing deformation across the entire package when implementing fine pitch metal patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a film substrate as an intermediary layer between the semiconductor chips and the external environment. This film substrate provides mechanical support and stress distribution, acting as a buffer that prevents direct transmission of deformation forces to the semiconductor chips and conductive wires during fine pitch implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple semiconductor chips are mounted on a single film substrate, then integration density is improved, but warpage and deformation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidsubstrate flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the package structure into multiple independent sub-modules, each with its own semiconductor chip mounted on the film substrate. This segmentation distributes the thermal and mechanical stresses across separate modules rather than concentrating them on a single large substrate, thereby maintaining substrate flatness while achieving high integration density through multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural configurations to different regions of the package. Each sub-module can have optimized local structures (such as varying conductive wire layouts, chip orientations, or mounting positions) that are specifically designed to minimize warpage in that particular region, while the overall package achieves high integration density through the combination of multiple such locally-optimized modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230326930A1Chip-on-film semiconductor package and display apparatus including the same
Publication Date: 2023.10.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US20230326930A1 patent drawing
  • US20230326930A1 patent drawing
  • US20230326930A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A chip-on-film (COF) semiconductor package includes: a main film substrate having at least two module attachment regions spaced apart from each other; at least two sub-modules respectively attached to the at least two module attachment regions and spaced apart from each other on the main film substrate, wherein each of the at least two sub-modules comprise a sub-film substrate and a semiconductor chip mounted on the sub-film substrate; and at least two connection conductive layers provided between the main film substrate and the sub-film substrate, which is included in each of the at least two sub-modules, and electrically connecting the main film substrate to the at least two sub-modules.