Lockable Bond Head Modules for Heavy Wire Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bonding apparatuses for large wires face issues with instability during wire bonding due to insufficient rigidity, unreliable wire cutting, and unreliable bond strength testing, particularly when dealing with wires of varying sizes and materials.

Innovation Solution

A bonding apparatus comprising a first module drivable along a linear axis with a second module slidably mounted, featuring a coupling mechanism for locking and unlocking positions, a wire cutter, and a bonding tool, allowing precise control during bonding and cutting, and an integrated force sensor for real-time bond testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexural disk is used to provide flexible support for the bonding tool, then the cutter can move relative to the bonding tool for wire cutting, but the bonding tool has insufficient rigidity during wire bonding operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of bonding toolVSAvoidrigidity of bonding tool
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding apparatus is divided into two separate modules: a first module for wire cutting and a second module for bonding operations. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently - the first module can provide flexibility for cutting while the second module maintains rigidity for stable bonding, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and rigidity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the cutter is rigidly mounted to the bond head, then the cutter can cut the wire effectively, but the cutter may damage hard surfaces such as the substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire cutting efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to substrate surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wire cutting function is separated from the bonding head into a独立的 first module. This allows the cutter to be positioned and controlled independently, enabling effective wire cutting while preventing damage to the substrate through separate control of cutting depth and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first module acts as an intermediary between the bonding head and the wire cutting operation. It provides a dedicated platform for the cutter with independent positioning capabilities, serving as a mediator that enables cutting functionality while protecting the main bonding head and substrate from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a universal elastic mount is used for the cutter, then the design is simplified, but the peak force limit varies with material and cannot accommodate wires of different types and sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different wire types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The first module is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities that allow the cutter's peak force limit and positioning to be adjusted based on the specific wire type and size being processed. This dynamic adaptability enables a single design to handle various wire specifications effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for parameter changes in the first module's positioning and force application based on the wire being processed. By adjusting parameters such as cutter position, approach speed, and peak force limit according to wire specifications, the system maintains both design simplicity and adaptability to different wire types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2189235B1Bond head for heavy wire bonder with first module and second lockable/unlockabe module
Publication Date: 2011.09.21 ASM ASSEMBLY AUTOMATION LTD
  • EP2189235B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2189235B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2189235B1 patent drawingFigure 6A~6B

AI summary

A bonding apparatus (10) for bonding a length of wire comprises a first module (14) which is drivable along a linear axis towards and away from a bonding point and a second module (16) slidably mounted to the first module (14). A wire cutter (36) is mounted to the first module (14) and a bonding tool (32) is mounted to the second module (16). A coupling mechanism is operative to lock the second module (16) in fixed relative position to the first module (14), and to unlock the second module (16) from its fixed relative position to the first module (14) so that the second module (16) is slidable relative to the first module (14) in directions parallel to the linear axis.