Fuse Structures for Simultaneous Blowing via Thermal Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuse technologies are time-consuming as they require blowing fuses one at a time, necessitating a need for improved methods to enhance efficiency in reconfiguring memory and logic circuitry.

Innovation Solution

A novel fuse structure is designed with conductive strips and dielectric strips that utilize thermal expansion and contraction characteristics to break the fuse strip, eliminating the need for high current or laser energy, allowing multiple fuses to be blown simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fuse blowing methods are used (one fuse at a time), then each fuse can be reliably destroyed, but the process time becomes very long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuse blowing reliabilityVSAvoidfuse blowing process time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fuse structures are combined into a single integrated fuse structure where multiple fuse strips are positioned between common conductive strips. This allows simultaneous blowing of multiple fuses through a single heating operation, converting multiple sequential operations into one parallel operation, thereby dramatically reducing process time while maintaining reliable fuse destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating operation is applied continuously to the entire fuse structure rather than sequentially to individual fuses. The conductive strips distribute heat simultaneously across all fuse strips, ensuring continuous useful action throughout the structure, which eliminates idle time between individual fuse operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If high current or laser energy is used to blow fuses, then fuse destruction is achieved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuse destruction effectivenessVSAvoidfuse structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive strips serve a dual function: they are both structural elements of the fuse and heating elements that generate heat through resistive heating when current passes through them. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate laser systems or external heating apparatus, reducing device complexity while achieving reliable fuse destruction through controlled thermal expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fuse structure utilizes thermal expansion of the conductive strips as the primary mechanism for fuse destruction. When heated, the conductive strips expand and mechanically break the fuse strips, providing a simple yet effective destruction mechanism that avoids complex high-current pulsed systems or laser equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

3Productivity

If multiple fuses are blown simultaneously, then process time is reduced, but controlling individual fuse blowing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuse blowing throughputVSAvoidfuse selection and blowing control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fuse structure is segmented into multiple independent fuse strips that can be selectively broken. Each fuse strip represents an independent functional unit that can be individually addressed through selective heating zones or predetermined break points, allowing parallel processing while maintaining individual control capability through design features such as isolation dielectric strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fuse structure is pre-configured with conductive strips and dielectric isolation elements during manufacturing, establishing predetermined heating zones and break points before operation. This preliminary arrangement of structural elements enables selective and simultaneous fuse blowing by simply applying heat to specific regions, making parallel operation as easy as sequential operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces the process time and cost by enabling simultaneous blowing of multiple fuse structures, addressing the inefficiency of traditional fuse blowing methods.

Implementation Method 1

conductive strips and dielectric strips that utilize thermal expansion and contraction characteristics to break the fuse strip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9934925B2Fuse structures and forming and operation methods thereof

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

Fuse structures and forming and operation methods thereof are disclosed. One of the fuse structures includes a dielectric strip and a fuse strip extending in different directions. The dielectric strip is sandwiched by a first conductive strip and a second conductive strip. The fuse strip is insulated from each of the first conductive strip and the second conductive strip and has a blowing region corresponding to the dielectric strip.