Locator Strip Geometry for Concentric Press Pack Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing press pack power semiconductor devices face challenges with non-concentric ring-like shapes of locator strips, difficult assembly, and potential wrist injuries due to manual bending, leading to inconsistent electrical connections and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A locator strip with alternating regions of varying cross-sectional areas and trenches for enhanced flexibility, allowing it to be deformed into a concentric ring-like shape within the housing, facilitating easy assembly and centered semiconductor placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the locator strip is bent or molded to fit within the modular housing, then it can be installed in the housing, but the resulting ring-like shape is non-concentric and abnormally deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The locator strip is segmented into multiple regions with different cross-sectional areas along its length. These regions include first regions with a first cross-sectional area and second regions with a second cross-sectional area, creating zones of varying flexibility that enable controlled deformation into a concentric ring shape during installation
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the locator strip are given different local properties through varying cross-sectional areas. The first regions have reduced cross-sectional areas making them more flexible, while the second regions have larger cross-sectional areas providing structural support, allowing the strip to deform locally while maintaining overall concentricity
2Ease of operation
If manual bending of the locator strip is performed during assembly, then the locator strip can be shaped to fit the housing, but this leads to potential misplacement, wrist injuries, and scratch generation
Solution Approach 1:
The locator strip is designed with dynamic flexibility characteristics through its varying cross-sectional areas. This allows the strip to deform easily during assembly without requiring forceful manual bending, reducing the risk of injuries and scratches while enabling proper installation
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area parameter is changed along the length of the locator strip to create regions of different flexibility. This parameter variation allows the strip to be deformed into the required shape with minimal manual force, improving ease of assembly while reducing harmful effects
3Device complexity
If the locator strip has uniform cross-sectional area, then it is structurally simple, but it cannot be easily deformed into a concentric ring-like shape
Solution Approach 1:
The locator strip structure is segmented into regions with different cross-sectional areas, creating a pattern of first regions and second regions along its length. This segmentation enables the strip to be deformed into a concentric ring shape while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The locator strip has non-uniform local properties with varying cross-sectional areas. The first regions have smaller cross-sectional areas for flexibility, while the second regions have larger cross-sectional areas for strength, creating an optimized structure that balances deformability with structural requirements
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 ensures concentricity of the locator strip with the housing and semiconductor, improving assembly safety, reducing injuries, and achieving consistent electrical connections, thereby enhancing productivity and yield.
Implementation Method 1
a locator strip deformed into a ring-like shape to concentrically fit within the housing and concentrically locate at least part of the semiconductor therein
Data Source
AI summary
A press pack power semiconductor device can include a housing, a semiconductor, and a locator strip deformed into a ring-like shape to concentrically fit within the housing and concentrically locate at least part of the semiconductor therein. The locator strip can include a first plurality of regions regularly interspersed with a second plurality of regions along a length of the locator strip, and each of the first plurality of regions can have a first cross-sectional area that can be smaller than a second cross-sectional area of each of the second plurality of regions.