Curved Corner Relief Undercut for Die Carrier Chip-Out Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boat die aligner designs suffer from die corner chip-out issues during manual die placement, leading to die failures.

Innovation Solution

A die carrier with a recess featuring a central area defined by sidewalls and corner areas with curved walls having distinct centers of curvature is used to reduce die damage by preventing corner impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If one or two-sided undercuts are used for each corner of the die window opening, then die chip-out is prevented and die placement movement is restricted, but die corner chip-out still occurs frequently with existing designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedie placement stabilityVSAvoiddie corner chip-out
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the corner relief undercut design by creating curved surfaces at the corners of the die window opening. The curved corner relief undercuts follow the contour of the die corners, distributing stress more evenly and preventing chip-out. This curvature allows the die corners to be supported without creating sharp stress concentration points that lead to failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different undercut geometries at different locations: the corner relief undercuts have curved surfaces specifically at the corners, while the center relief undercut provides support in the central area. This localized differentiation of geometry provides targeted support where needed most (at the vulnerable corners) while maintaining overall die stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If traditional undercut designs are used to restrict die placement movement, then die positioning is controlled, but die corner chip-out still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedie placement controlVSAvoiddie corner integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The curved surfaces of the corner relief undercuts provide gradual transition zones that guide die placement while preventing sudden stress concentrations. The curved geometry allows for controlled die insertion and positioning while simultaneously protecting the die corners from chip-out during the placement operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The corner relief undercuts are designed with curved surfaces that provide gradual stress distribution before the die corner reaches the undercut region. This pre-cushioning effect prevents sudden impact and stress concentration at the die corners during manual placement, reducing the likelihood of chip-out.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4593070A1Corner relief undercut to reduce die damage
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 LITTELFUSE INC
  • EP4593070A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4593070A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4593070A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are dies carriers for receiving a plurality of circuit protection devices. In some embodiments, a die carrier may include a die body, and a recess in the die body, wherein the recess is operable to receive a die for a circuit protection device. The recess may include a central area defined by a set of sidewalls, and a plurality of corner areas extending from the central area, each of the corner areas defined by a first curved wall, a second curved wall connected to the first curved wall, and a third curved wall connected with the second curved wall, wherein a first center of curvature of the first curved wall is in a different location than a second center of curvature of the second curved wall.