Semiconductor Heatsink Pad Segmentation for Floating Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor packages with heatsinks face challenges in detecting heatsink floating, which can deteriorate heat spreading efficiency and electromagnetic shielding performance.

Innovation Solution

The semiconductor package incorporates a heatsink with a roof portion and connecting portions mounted on a substrate, where the connection pad is split into two portions electrically coupled to different voltage signals, allowing for detection of heatsink floating during final testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional heatsink is installed in a semiconductor package, then heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding are improved, but the ability to detect heatsink floating is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidheatsink floating detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The connection pad is divided into two separate portions: a first connection pad for electrical connection and a second connection pad for detection purposes. This segmentation allows the detection circuit to independently monitor heatsink attachment status without interfering with the primary electrical function, enabling floating detection while maintaining heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detection circuit is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors the attachment status of the heatsink by detecting electrical continuity between the heatsink and the substrate through the second connection pad. This intermediary detection mechanism enables floating detection without directly affecting the heatsink's thermal or electromagnetic shielding performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional heatsink is installed in a semiconductor package, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but the ability to detect heatsink floating is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic shielding performanceVSAvoidheatsink floating detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The connection pad is divided into two separate portions: a first connection pad for electrical connection and a second connection pad for detection purposes. This segmentation allows the detection circuit to independently monitor heatsink attachment status without interfering with the primary electrical function, enabling floating detection while maintaining heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detection circuit is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors the attachment status of the heatsink by detecting electrical continuity between the heatsink and the substrate through the second connection pad. This intermediary detection mechanism enables floating detection without directly affecting the heatsink's thermal or electromagnetic shielding performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the connection pad is split into two portions for detection, then heatsink floating detection is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheatsink floating detectionVSAvoidconnection pad structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is merged into the existing substrate structure by integrating the second connection pad and detection circuit directly into the substrate. This merging approach enables floating detection without adding separate external components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect heatsink floating status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate itself provides the detection capability through its integrated circuitry and the second connection pad, eliminating the need for external detection devices. The substrate performs the detection function autonomously, reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate external sensors or monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration enables effective detection of heatsink floating, ensuring proper heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding, thereby improving the overall performance of the semiconductor package.

Implementation Method 1

A first conductive adhesion layer is disposed in the first solder mask opening and the second conductive adhesion layer is disposed in the second solder mask opening, respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

When the PBGA product is operated, considerable heat is generated in the integrated circuit chip. Typically, a heatsink is installed to effectively radiate the heat to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

In addition, the heatsink exhibits a ground effect for electromagnetic (EM) shielding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3923319B1Semiconductor package with heatsink
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP3923319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3923319B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A semiconductor package (1) includes a substrate (100), a semiconductor die (10) mounted on the substrate (100), and a heatsink (20) over the semiconductor die (10). The heatsink (20) includes a roof portion (201) and at least one connecting portion (203) extending between the roof portion (201) and the substrate (100). The at least one connecting portion (203) includes a connection lead (205) mounted on a connection pad (110) of the substrate (100). The connection pad (110) includes a first portion (110a) and a second portion (110b) spaced apart from each other, which are configured to electrically couple to different voltage signals, respectively, for detecting heatsink floating.