Semiconductor Device Parallel Lead Terminals Inductance Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor devices face challenges in reducing wiring inductances, leading to increased size and weakened mechanical strength due to misaligned metal foil pieces and external lead terminals, which results in higher surge voltages during switching operations.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device design featuring an insulating substrate with conductive patterns and conductive pins, where positive-electrode and negative-electrode external lead terminals are disposed adjacent to each other in parallel, and conductive pins are fixed to semiconductor elements and patterns, reducing wiring inductances and device size by opposing metal foil pieces on the printed circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If metal foil pieces are disposed on the printed circuit board to reduce wiring inductances, then wiring inductances are reduced, but the device size increases due to misalignment with semiconductor chips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring inductancesVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Metal foil pieces are disposed on both the front and rear surfaces of the printed circuit board, utilizing the third dimension (depth/layering) to reduce wiring inductances without increasing the device's footprint area.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of metal foil pieces on the front and rear surfaces of the printed circuit board. The foil pieces are strategically positioned to align with semiconductor chip locations, creating an asymmetric but optimized current path that reduces inductances while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If external lead terminals are connected to the printed circuit board, then electrical connections are established, but the mechanical strengths of connecting parts are weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical connection function with the structural support function by integrating external lead terminals directly into the printed circuit board assembly. The metal foil pieces and terminals are combined with the board structure to create a unified component that provides both electrical connectivity and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If external lead terminals are disposed in parallel to reduce wiring inductances, then wiring inductances are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring inductancesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printed circuit board in the patent serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, establishes electrical connections, reduces wiring inductances through parallel terminal arrangement, and positions metal foil pieces for optimal current paths. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the parallel terminal configuration.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2814059B1Semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP2814059B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2814059B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2814059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Semiconductor chips 9 to 12 are disposed on an insulating substrate with conductive patterns 1, and a printed circuit board with metal pins 13 is disposed above the insulating substrate with conductive patterns 1, with the semiconductor chips 9 to 12 therebetween. A plurality of external lead terminals 21, 22, 23 are fixed to the insulating substrate with conductive patterns 1, with the plurality of external lead terminals 21, 22 disposed adjacent to each other in parallel. Furthermore, metal foil pieces 15, 16, formed on front and rear surfaces of the printed circuit board with metal pins 13 respectively so as to oppose each other, are disposed above the semiconductor chips 9 to 12.