Rounded Corner Encapsulation for Radiation Detector Mechanical Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for detecting electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared or terahertz, face challenges in mechanical strength of hermetic cavities, which can lead to rupture and functional loss of thermal detectors.

Innovation Solution

A device with a thin encapsulation layer having a peripheral wall with rounded corners and internal support portions that bear directly on the substrate, enhancing mechanical strength and adhesion, while maintaining hermeticity through a sealing layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the capsule shape has right-angled corners to maximize filling rate, then the filling rate is improved, but the mechanical strength of the capsule deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling rateVSAvoidmechanical strength of capsule
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rounding the corners of the capsule instead of using sharp right-angled corners. This rounded corner design distributes mechanical stress more evenly across the capsule structure, preventing stress concentration at sharp corners while maintaining the compact square/rectangular overall shape needed for high filling rate in detector arrays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If the encapsulation layer is made thin to maximize detector surface area, then the filling rate is improved, but the mechanical strength of the encapsulation structure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling rateVSAvoidmechanical strength of encapsulation layer
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the encapsulation layer across different regions. The layer is thinnest at the center where detector surface area is maximized, and progressively thicker toward the edges and corners where mechanical strength is most needed. This gradient thickness distribution simultaneously achieves high filling rate and adequate mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the capsule size is reduced to increase detector density, then the productivity is improved, but the mechanical strength of the capsule deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector densityVSAvoidmechanical strength of capsule
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded corner design becomes increasingly important as capsule size decreases. In smaller capsules, the rounded corners represent a larger proportion of the overall perimeter, providing continuous stress distribution along the entire capsule boundary rather than concentrated stress at discrete corner points, thereby maintaining strength at reduced sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3067676B1Device for detecting radiation comprising an encapsulation structure with improved mechanical strength
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3067676B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3067676B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3067676B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an electromagnetic radiation detection device, comprising: - a substrate (3), - at least one thermal detector (2), disposed on the substrate, - an encapsulation structure (5) of the detector, comprising a thin encapsulation layer (6) of a material transparent to said radiation, extending around and above the detector so as to define with the substrate a cavity (4) in which the detector is located, characterized in that the thin encapsulation layer comprises a peripheral wall (6a) which surrounds the detector, and which has a cross-section, in a plane parallel to the plane of the substrate, of square or rectangular shape, the corners (6a-3) of which are rounded.