Ribbed Molded Body Structure for High-Voltage Creepage Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical components with flat molded bodies are inadequate for high voltage applications, as they do not provide sufficient insulation and creepage distance, leading to potential performance degradation and safety issues under high voltage conditions.

Innovation Solution

The development of an electrical component with a ribbed molded body, featuring a plurality of ribs along its surface, which increases the creepage distance and enhances insulation, allowing for higher voltage applications by using a mold compound with a comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600V, thereby meeting stricter voltage rating requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flat molded body is used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is easy, but the insulation performance and creepage distance are insufficient for high voltage applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidmolded body structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transitioning from a flat molded body surface to a ribbed surface with multiple raised ridges. These ribs create a three-dimensional textured structure that increases the surface path length between electrical leads, thereby enhancing creepage distance and insulation performance without fundamentally changing the basic package geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds dimensional complexity by introducing ribs that protrude from the flat surface, creating a multi-level topography. This dimensional change transforms the two-dimensional flat surface into a three-dimensional ribbed structure, effectively increasing the electrical creepage path while maintaining a compact overall package size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If a flat molded body is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the creepage distance between leads is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecreepage distanceVSAvoidmolded body fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The molded body surface is segmented into multiple rib structures that divide and extend the electrical creepage path. Instead of a single flat surface, the ribs create multiple segments that force the electrical discharge to follow a longer, more tortuous path, effectively increasing creepage distance through geometric segmentation rather than simply enlarging the overall package

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a ribbed molded body is implemented, then the insulation and creepage distance are enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh voltage performanceVSAvoidmolded body geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The ribbed structure is applied locally to specific regions of the molded body where creepage enhancement is most needed, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized application of geometric complexity allows the design to maintain simplicity in areas where it is not required while providing enhanced insulation performance where high voltage stress occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3332421B1Electrical device having a molded body for high voltage applications and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 VISHAY DALE ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3332421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3332421B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrical device comprising a ribbed molded body housing an electrical component is provided. The ribbed molded body includes at least one surface or portion having a plurality of ribs along at least a portion of the surface. The electrical component may be a passive or active electrical component. The electrical component may be connected to a lead frame and molded into the ribbed molded body.