Folded Tape Package for Electronic Devices Reducing Warpage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic device packaging technologies face challenges in minimizing device size, reducing substrate warpage, and increasing yield, particularly in camera modules, due to the complexity of signal routing and component stacking.

Innovation Solution

A folded tape package using a flexible tape substrate with two end sections and a middle section, where the end sections are folded parallel to the middle section to encapsulate dies and passive components, eliminating the need for through-silicon vias and reducing substrate thickness, thereby minimizing device footprint and warpage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid substrates are used for mounting multiple components, then component stacking is possible, but substrate warpage increases and device footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate warpageVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible tape substrate that can be folded to accommodate multiple components in a compact arrangement. The flexible nature of the substrate allows it to conform to the stacked component layout without experiencing the warpage issues associated with rigid substrates, while maintaining a small device footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional substrate layout to a three-dimensional folded structure. By folding the flexible substrate, components are arranged in multiple layers vertically, reducing the horizontal footprint while maintaining reliable electrical connections without substrate warpage

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

2Reliability

If through-silicon vias are used for signal routing in stacked dies, then electrical connections between layers are achieved, but manufacturing complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for through-silicon vias by using the flexible substrate itself as the interconnection medium. The substrate's inherent flexibility and conductive properties provide the necessary electrical connections between stacked components without requiring additional via formation processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, enables signal routing between layers, and facilitates thermal management. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate through-silicon via structures, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable electrical connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If substrate thickness is reduced to minimize device size, then device footprint decreases, but manufacturing precision and yield become more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate thicknessVSAvoidyield
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a flexible tape substrate that can be manufactured at reduced thickness while maintaining structural integrity through its inherent flexibility. The flexible nature allows the thin substrate to accommodate manufacturing tolerances better than rigid thin substrates, maintaining yield and manufacturing precision despite the reduced thickness necessary for compact device footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2575176B1Folded tape package for electronic devices
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 FLEXTRONICS AP LLC
  • EP2575176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575176B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Described herein is a folded tape package for electronic devices. The folded tape package uses a flexible tape substrate having two end sections for passive components and a middle section for connecting and stacking multiple dies. The stacked dies are encapsulated or covered with a mold. One side may be left exposed for device functionality and operation with additional components or devices. The passive components may also be covered with a mold. The end sections are folded such that the end sections are in a parallel configuration with the middle section. The flexible tape substrate may be a high density interconnect flexible tape substrate with two layers. A silicon substrate may be used to interconnect a die stack to the flexible tape substrate. The folded tape package has a reduced device footprint, lower substrate warpage effects, and higher substrate yields.