Polymer-Filled QFN and SON Dimples to Prevent Singulation Burrs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional QFN and SON packages suffer from dimple burrs after singulation, which can impact solder joint reliability and require costly and time-consuming deburring processes, especially in fine pitch packages.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polymer material, such as polyimide, polyacrylate, or silicone, into the dimple of semiconductor packages to prevent burr formation during singulation, eliminating the need for additional deburring steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional singulation or saw processes are used, then semiconductor packages can be manufactured, but dimple burrs accumulate in the dimple affecting solder joint reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolder joint reliabilityVSAvoiddimple burr accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming a protective coating on the dimple surface before the singulation process. This coating prevents burr formation during cutting by protecting the dimple area from mechanical damage and material accumulation, thereby ensuring solder joint reliability without requiring post-processing deburring steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (protective coating) between the singulation process and the dimple surface. This coating acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the cutting tool and the dimple, eliminating burr accumulation while maintaining the integrity of the semiconductor package

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If deburring processes are added to remove burrs, then solder joint reliability improves, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolder joint reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for post-singulation deburring processes by implementing preliminary protective coating formation. This approach maintains solder joint reliability while avoiding the time-consuming and costly additional manufacturing steps that would otherwise be required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the deburring operation from the manufacturing process by preventing burr formation in the first place through the protective coating. This removes the need for separate deburring steps, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency without compromising product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of moving object

If fine pitch QFN and SON packages are manufactured, then device miniaturization is achieved, but burr accumulation becomes more severe and deburring becomes geometrically impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage pitchVSAvoidburr accumulation in dimple
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protective coating formation specifically targeted at the dimple area of fine pitch packages. This preventive measure is particularly effective for small geometries where post-processing deburring is impossible, allowing miniaturization to proceed without the compromising effect of burr accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing targeted protection only to the dimple area where burr accumulation occurs. The protective coating is applied selectively to the specific location needing protection, allowing fine pitch packages to be manufactured without burrs while maintaining the overall miniaturized geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4576205A1Semiconductor chip packaging defect free dimple process and device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 NXP BV
  • EP4576205A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4576205A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4576205A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate semiconductor chip packages, and more specifically, to Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN) burr free dimple packages, Small Outline No-lead (SON) burr free and defect free dimple packages, and a process scheme for producing a burr free dimple after singulation without additional deburring processes.