Semiconductor Terminal Electrode Rotation Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing semiconductor devices face challenges in reducing size while preventing terminal electrode rotations during external wiring connection, which hinders the reduction in size and increases thermal disadvantages due to constraints on wiring design and electronic component mountability.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a terminal electrode placement member with a substrate-fixed portion and an external wiring connection portion, where the rotation suppressing portion includes a pair of walls that prevent terminal electrode rotation by sandwiching it, eliminating the need for positioning holes on the substrate and allowing for increased electronic component density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the number of positions at which each terminal electrode is secured to the substrate is reduced to one, then the area for mounting terminal electrodes on the substrate is reduced, but the terminal electrode may rotate on the substrate about the secured position due to forces exerted during external wiring connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea for mounting terminal electrodesVSAvoidrotational stability of terminal electrode
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal electrode is divided into two distinct portions: a substrate-fixed portion that is secured to the substrate at one position, and an external wiring connection portion that is positioned away from the substrate. This segmentation allows the terminal electrode to be secured at a single point while maintaining stability through the offset positioning of the connection portion, resolving the contradiction between reducing mounting area and preventing rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary structural relationship where the terminal electrode itself acts as a mediator between the substrate and external wiring. By positioning the external wiring connection portion away from the substrate and securing only the substrate-fixed portion to the substrate, the terminal electrode mediates the connection while its eccentric structure prevents rotation, eliminating the need for additional positioning features on the substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If positioning holes are formed on the substrate to prevent terminal electrode rotation, then rotation is prevented, but electronic components cannot be mounted in areas where positioning holes are formed and around these areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational stability of terminal electrodeVSAvoidelectronic component mountability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rotation prevention function from the substrate and relocates it to the terminal electrode structure itself. By implementing the eccentric positioning of the substrate-fixed portion and external wiring connection portion, the terminal electrode inherently prevents rotation without requiring positioning holes on the substrate. This extraction of the rotation prevention function from the substrate restores the substrate's full area for electronic component mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If positioning holes are formed around terminal electrode connection portions to prevent rotation, then rotation is prevented, but wiring design is constrained and thermal disadvantages occur due to shortage of wiring widths or congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational stability of terminal electrodeVSAvoidwiring design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rotation prevention function from the substrate wiring area and relocates it to the terminal electrode structure. By positioning the external wiring connection portion away from the substrate and using the eccentric structure for rotation prevention, the substrate area around terminal electrode connection portions remains free for wiring design. This eliminates constraints on wiring width and routing, avoiding thermal disadvantages associated with congested or narrow wiring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2897276B1Semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP2897276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2897276B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2897276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes a terminal electrode (4) and a terminal electrode placement member (21). The terminal electrode includes a substrate-fixed portion (31) secured to the circuit substrate (11) through a fastening member (36), and an external wiring connection portion (30) to which an external wiring is connected. The terminal electrode placement member includes a plurality of securing portions (122) which are secured to the circuit substrate, and a rotation suppressing portion (21) configured to suppress rotations of the terminal electrode. The rotation suppressing portion is provided with a penetration hole (121b) for penetrating the substrate-fixed portion therethrough. The rotation suppressing portion includes a pair of walls (121a) which are opposed to each other and also are positioned in opposite sides beside the terminal electrode which is inserted into the penetration hole at the substrate-fixed portion. The terminal electrode comes into contact with these walls, thereby suppressing the rotation of the terminal electrode.