Component Carrier Through-Hole Coating for Delamination Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component carriers face challenges in providing mechanical robustness and electrical reliability, especially under harsh conditions, with conventional methods failing to achieve precise and homogeneous coating on through holes due to uncontrolled sidewall thickness and potential delamination.

Innovation Solution

A component carrier with a through hole design featuring lateral constriction in its sidewalls, formed by laser drilling from both sides, and an electrically insulating coating applied using a roller or pair of rollers to ensure homogeneous coverage, enhancing mechanical integrity and adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional drilling methods are used to form through holes, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but coating homogeneity and manufacturing precision deteriorate due to uncontrolled sidewall thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating homogeneityVSAvoidthrough hole structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through hole is designed with asymmetric sidewalls featuring a lateral constriction (narrowing) at a specific depth, creating an hourglass-like shape. This asymmetric geometry controls coating material flow and distribution, ensuring uniform coating thickness on the sidewalls while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through laser drilling processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the through hole has vertical sidewalls, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but mechanical strength and reliability worsen due to potential delamination under harsh conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical integrityVSAvoidthrough hole formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The through hole sidewalls incorporate curved surfaces with lateral constriction rather than straight vertical walls. This curvature design enhances mechanical interlocking between the coating and substrate, improves stress distribution, and prevents delamination under thermal and mechanical stress, while being achievable through laser drilling technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Manufacturing precision

If the through hole is drilled from one side only, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision worsens due to inability to achieve symmetric coating distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating symmetryVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The through hole formation process is segmented into two separate drilling operations: one from the first main surface and another from the second main surface. This segmentation enables precise control of the lateral constriction position and symmetry, ensuring uniform coating distribution on sidewalls while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through optimized laser drilling parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution achieves a highly symmetric and homogeneous coating, reducing warpage and delamination risks, while providing enhanced protection against corrosion and oxidation, and allowing for efficient accommodation of components like optical sensors.

Implementation Method 1

forming a through hole extending vertically through the stack and being delimited by sidewalls of the stack having a lateral constriction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4611491A1Component carrier and method for manufacturing the component carrier
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 AT & S AUSTRIA TECHNOLOGIE & SYSTEMTECHNIK AG
  • EP4611491A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4611491A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4611491A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The present application provides a component carrier and method for manufacturing the component carrier. The component carrier (100) comprises a stack (102) comprising at least one electrically conductive layer structure (104) and at least one electrically insulating layer structure (106), a through hole (108) extending vertically through the stack (102) and being delimited by sidewalls (110) of the stack (102) having a lateral constriction (130) in between opposing main surfaces (114, 116) of the stack (102), and an electrically insulating coating (112) covering part of said opposing main surfaces (114, 116) and at least part of said sidewalls (110) of the stack (102).