Electronic Component Module High-Temperature Brazing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional soldering methods fail to securely fix high-temperature electronic components like SiC elements and thermoelectric modules on circuit boards, leading to peeling and reliability issues under high-temperature environments, and there is a need for lead-free solder solutions with improved manufacturability and thermal stability.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component module design using a ceramic substrate with metal plates bonded via brazing material layers of higher melting points, specifically Ag-Cu and Al-based brazing materials, to ensure stable bonding and heat management, while maintaining a lead-free composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional soldering is used to fix SiC elements on circuit board, then manufacturing process is simple, but fixing state becomes unstable at high temperature causing peeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing state stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bonding parameters by using brazing instead of soldering, with brazing materials having melting points of 600°C or higher. This parameter change enables stable bonding at high temperatures (300-500°C) where conventional soldering fails, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established brazing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces brazing material layers as intermediary substances between the SiC elements and the circuit board. These brazing materials serve as mediators that can withstand high temperatures and provide stable bonding, unlike conventional solder that softens and causes peeling at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If high temperature solder without lead is used, then operating temperature can be increased, but bonding characteristic deteriorates and manufacturability becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidbonding characteristic
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bonding method from soldering to brazing, using materials with melting points of 600°C or higher. This parameter change enables operation at 300-500°C while maintaining excellent bonding characteristics, avoiding the degradation issues associated with lead-free high-temperature solder

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite brazing material layers with specific compositions (such as Ag-Cu alloys or Al-based materials) that combine high-temperature resistance with good bonding characteristics. These composite materials achieve both high operating temperature capability and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If element size is miniaturized to increase mounting number, then productivity increases, but thermal deformation and oscillation increase causing easier peeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of elements mountedVSAvoidresistance to thermal deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bonding method to brazing with high-melting-point materials, which provides stronger and more rigid bonds that can withstand thermal deformation and oscillation. This enables miniaturization and increased mounting density without compromising reliability against peeling from thermal stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If titanium layer is used as intermediate layer for thermoelectric element, then diffusion and stress release are prevented, but manufacturability becomes difficult due to thermal spraying method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of diffusion and stressVSAvoidmanufacturability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses brazing material layers as intermediaries between thermoelectric elements and electrodes, replacing the titanium intermediate layer. These brazing materials prevent diffusion and stress issues while enabling manufacturing through conventional brazing processes instead of complex thermal spraying methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the thermal spraying process with conventional brazing technology. This replacement maintains the protective function of preventing diffusion and stress while dramatically improving manufacturability through established, simpler manufacturing processes

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

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 effectively suppresses peeling and characteristic deterioration of electronic components, enhancing reliability and heat cycle performance, and allows for higher operating temperatures, even in extreme environments up to 500°C, with improved manufacturability and reduced thermal resistance.

Implementation Method 1

bonded to each other via a brazing material layer (8), which is formed of a brazing material having a melting point higher than a operating temperature of the electronic component (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrazing: Brazing

Data Source

PatentEP2006895B1Electronic component module
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2006895B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2006895B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic component module 1 has a circuit board 2 in which metal plates 5 and 7 are bonded to both surfaces of a ceramic substrate 3, and an electronic component 9 that is bonded to at least one surface of the metal plate 5 and is operable at least 125°C. The electronic component 9 is bonded to the metal plate 5 via a brazing material layer 8 having a higher melting point than a operating temperature of the electronic component 9.