Parallel Electrode Structure for Low-Inductance Insulation Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor devices with parallel electrodes suffer from reduced insulation reliability and increased inductance due to damage of insulating materials by electrode corners, leading to insulation deterioration.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating chamfered or burr parts on electrode corners and using thin insulating materials to prevent damage, thereby maintaining insulation and reducing inductance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the distance between electrodes is reduced to lower inductance, then inductance of current route is reduced, but the insulating material is damaged by electrode corners and insulation properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductance of current routeVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of electrode corners from the main electrode surfaces. Chamfered or burr parts are specifically formed at corner portions of the electrodes to prevent insulating material damage, while the rest of the electrode surfaces maintain their original properties for optimal electrical contact. This localized modification resolves the contradiction by protecting insulation at critical corners without compromising overall inductance performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfered or burr parts are formed on electrode corners in advance during the electrode manufacturing process, before the insulating material is positioned between the electrodes. This preliminary action prevents potential damage to the insulating material during assembly and operation, allowing the electrodes to be placed close together for low inductance while maintaining insulation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If standard electrode corners are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but insulating material is damaged and insulation reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode fabricationVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying all electrode surfaces, the patent applies chamfering or burr formation only at corner portions. This localized approach maintains manufacturing simplicity for the majority of the electrode surface while providing targeted protection at corners where insulating material damage is most likely to occur during assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful sharp corners of electrodes into beneficial chamfered or burr parts that protect the insulating material. By intentionally modifying the corner geometry, the electrode structure itself becomes protective rather than damaging, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and insulation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250316544A1Semiconductor device and power conversion apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.09 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • US20250316544A1 patent drawing
  • US20250316544A1 patent drawing
  • US20250316544A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A first electrode includes an elongated first contact surface. A second electrode includes the second contact surface provided to face the first contact surface and extend in parallel to the first contact surface. An insulating material is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The insulating material extends between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and has contact with the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The first electrode includes a first corner part located in an end portion of the first contact surface in a width direction. The second electrode includes a second corner part located in an end portion of the second contact surface in a width direction. Each of the first corner part and the second corner part includes any one of a chamfered part and a burr part.