Semiconductor Module Metal Frame Thermal Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor modules fail due to heat-related failures when the sealing resin carbonizes after an overcurrent, as even flame-retardant resins can be fully carbonized, leading to further failures.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor module design featuring a metal frame body that covers the sealing resin, combined with a flame-retardant outer resin, to prevent heat-related failures and enhance thermal dissipation, while suppressing high-frequency noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flame-retardant resin is used as sealing resin, then resistance to carbonization is improved, but complete carbonization still occurs under overcurrent leading to heat-related failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to carbonizationVSAvoidheat from carbonized resin
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure is segmented into two distinct parts: inner sealing resin that directly contacts and seals the electronic element, and an outer flame-retardant resin layer that provides thermal protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function - the inner resin ensures proper sealing while the outer layer prevents heat transmission even when carbonized

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner sealing resin acts as an intermediary between the electronic element and the outer flame-retardant resin. It provides the primary sealing function while the outer resin serves as a thermal barrier, mediating the thermal environment to prevent heat-related failures to the electronic element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If metal frame body is added to cover sealing resin, then thermal dissipation is improved and heat-related failures are prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metal frame body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the semiconductor module, acts as a heat dissipation pathway, and serves as a mechanical barrier. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved thermal management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal frame body merges structural support and thermal management functions into a single component. By combining these functions, the design avoids adding separate structural and thermal management components, thus limiting complexity increase while achieving both mechanical strength and thermal dissipation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The metal frame body effectively prevents heat-related failures by containing the carbonized sealing resin and providing high thermal dissipation, while the flame-retardant outer resin further reduces the risk of heat-induced failures, and suppresses noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

the frame body, which is made of metal and covers the overall sealing resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an outer resin, which is provided outside of the frame body and is made of a material with flame retardance compared with the sealing resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame retardance:

Data Source

PatentUS9892993B2Semiconductor module having stacked insulated substrate structures
Publication Date: 2018.02.13 SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • US9892993B2 patent drawing
  • US9892993B2 patent drawing
  • US9892993B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A semiconductor module (100) has a first insulating substrate (11); a first conductor layer (12) provided on a mounting surface of the first insulating substrate (11); a first electronic element (13) provided on the first conductor layer (12); a sealing resin (80), which covers an overall mounting region within the mounting surface of the first insulating substrate (11), the first conductor layer (12), and the first electronic element (13); and a frame body (70), which is made of metal and covers the overall sealing resin (80).