Conductive Submount for Electrical Surge Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack protection from electrical surges and electrostatic discharges, which can cause failure, and current solutions require additional circuit elements increasing cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A conductive mounting structure electrically connected to the electronic device provides an alternative path during electrical surges, using materials like semi-insulating silicon carbide or group-III nitride, acting as a parallel leakage path without impacting normal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional circuit elements (such as Zener diodes, p-i-n diodes, or Schottky diodes) are included to protect electronic devices from electrical surges, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the protection function with the existing submount structure by making the submount itself conductive. This merges the mechanical support function and the electrical protection function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate protection circuit elements and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The submount is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the electronic device, acts as a heat sink for thermal management, and simultaneously provides electrical surge protection through its conductive properties. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protection components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the submount is made conductive to provide surge protection, then protection capability is improved, but the risk of shorting electronic device contacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidshorting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The submount is designed with non-uniform conductivity distribution, being conductive in areas that provide surge protection paths while maintaining insulating properties in regions that contact electronic device terminals. This localized differentiation allows the submount to provide protection without creating short circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate conductive layer or pattern on the submount that acts as a mediator between the conductive submount material and the electronic device contacts. This intermediary structure provides controlled electrical pathways for surge protection while preventing direct shorting between device contacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a conductive submount is used to divert electrical surges, then protection capability is improved, but thermal conductivity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidheat removal efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The submount employs composite material structures that combine materials with different properties. The composite design allows certain regions to have high conductivity for surge protection while other regions maintain high thermal conductivity for heat removal, optimizing both protection and thermal management functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 conductive mounting structure effectively diverts transient spikes and reduces current through the device, protecting it from electrical surges without the need for additional circuit elements, while maintaining efficient heat removal and operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The mounting structure comprises a conductive material and is electrically connected to the protected electrical device. The conductive material and/or mounting structure can have one or more properties that prevent the mounting structure from adversely impacting operation of the electronic device during normal operation, but enables the mounting structure to provide an alternative electrical path during the electrical surge.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

Typically, the submount will have good thermal conductivity to provide for efficient heat removal, thereby avoiding overheating and subsequent failure of the electronic device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8030575B2Mounting structure providing electrical surge protection

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 SENSOR ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A solution for protecting an electronic device from an electrical surge using a mounting structure is provided. In particular, the mounting structure comprises a conductive material and is electrically connected to the protected electrical device. The conductive material and/or mounting structure can have one or more properties that prevent the mounting structure from adversely impacting operation of the electronic device during normal operation, but enables the mounting structure to provide an alternative electrical path during the electrical surge.