Embedded Component Carrier With Pre-Connected Pillars for Dense Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in efficiently embedding components within component carriers while ensuring mechanical robustness, electrical reliability, and effective heat dissipation, particularly as components become more miniaturized and densely packed.

Innovation Solution

A method of manufacturing a component carrier involves galvanically depositing electrically conductive pillars on components and inserting them into an electrically insulating layer structure, providing a robust and precise embedding solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electronic components are miniaturized and densely packed to increase functionality, then the number of components and contacts increases, but heat dissipation becomes increasingly difficult and mechanical robustness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent densityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar heat dissipation to three-dimensional heat management by embedding components vertically within the component carrier. Multiple layers of conductive pillars and thermal pathways are created in the vertical dimension, allowing heat to be conducted away from densely packed components through depth rather than only across the surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The component carrier employs composite structures combining electrically conductive materials (for electrical connectivity) with thermally conductive materials (for heat dissipation). The conductive pillars and layer structures are designed to simultaneously provide both electrical connection and thermal management functions, resolving the contradiction between component density and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If electronic components are miniaturized with smaller spacing between contacts, then component density increases, but manufacturing precision requirements become more stringent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent densityVSAvoidcontact spacing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive pillars are pre-formed on component surfaces before embedding, establishing precise electrical connection points in advance. This preliminary structuring of conductive pathways allows for controlled, precise spacing that maintains manufacturing feasibility even as component density increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional parameters of conductive structures from two-dimensional traces to three-dimensional pillars with specific height, diameter, and spacing parameters. This parameter transformation enables precise control over electrical connectivity and thermal conduction while maintaining manufacturability through standardized pillar geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If components are embedded deeper in the component carrier for better mechanical robustness, then structural stability improves, but electrical connectivity and heat dissipation efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical robustnessVSAvoidelectrical connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive pillars serve as intermediary structures that extend from the component surface through the embedding medium to establish electrical and thermal pathways. These pillars act as mediators that maintain electrical connectivity and heat dissipation efficiency even when components are embedded at optimal depths for mechanical robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Components are nested within cavities of the component carrier, with conductive pillars nested within the embedding medium. This nested configuration allows components to be securely positioned for mechanical stability while conductive pathways are simultaneously established through the embedding material, maintaining both robustness and connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This approach enables the creation of component carriers with high positional accuracy and efficient electrical connectivity, addressing the challenges of miniaturization and heat management.

Implementation Method 1

galvanically depositing at least part of at least one electrically conductive pillar on a component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic deposition: Electroplating

Implementation Method 2

the at least one electrically conductive pillar is formed by sputtering a base portion of a first material on the component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSputtering: Sputtering

Data Source

PatentEP3478033B1Embedding component with pre-connected pillar in component carrier
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 AT & S AUSTRIA TECHNOLOGIE & SYSTEMTECHNIK AG
  • EP3478033B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3478033B1 patent drawingFigure 4~10
  • EP3478033B1 patent drawingFigure 11~16

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a component carrier (100), wherein the method comprises galvanically depositing at least part of at least one electrically conductive pillar (104) on a component (102), and inserting the at least one electrically conductive pillar (104) and an electrically insulating layer structure (106) into one another.