Smart Card Module Solder Reflow for Lamination-Sensitive Components

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of electronic components into smart cards during lamination poses challenges such as component deterioration, excess thickness, and imprecision in positioning connection areas, which existing methods fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A method of manufacturing smart card modules involving a dielectric substrate with conductive layers, where an integrated circuit is connected using wire bonding or flip-chip technology with fusible solder material, allowing for the inclusion of sensitive electronic components without lamination-related issues, and featuring a solder mask to control solder material deposition and reflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are integrated into the smart card body during lamination, then the card can include functional components (chips, sensors, antennas), but the components may deteriorate during lamination, creating reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional components integrationVSAvoidcomponent integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the smart card structure into separate functional modules (electronic components) that are pre-assembled on individual substrates and then integrated into the final card body. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and tested independently, avoiding exposure to lamination processes that could cause deterioration, while still achieving the desired functional integration in the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are inserted between lamination layers, then the card body can house multiple components, but excess thickness results from the insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-component housingVSAvoidcard thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electronic components with the substrate layers through direct integration techniques, where components are mounted and connected on the same substrate plane rather than being inserted as separate layers. This merging approach eliminates the need for additional thickness to accommodate inserted components, as they become part of the integrated circuit structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are placed between lamination layers, then component integration is achieved, but imprecision occurs in positioning connection zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent integrationVSAvoidconnection zone positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary positioning actions during the substrate fabrication stage, where connection zones and component mounting areas are pre-defined with precise coordinates and alignment features. This preliminary action establishes accurate reference frames before component attachment, ensuring that connection zones are positioned with high precision and eliminating positioning errors that would occur with post-lamination insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the reliable integration of electronic components sensitive to lamination, reducing the risk of component degradation and excess thickness, while maintaining precise connection pad integrity, thus improving the manufacturing process for smart card modules.

Implementation Method 1

connecting at least one electronic component to second connection pads by reflowing the solder material previously deposited on the second connection pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflow soldering: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3992855B1Method for manufacturing a chip-card module with welded electronic component
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 LINXENS HOLDING SAS
  • EP3992855B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3992855B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3992855B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a smart card module. It comprises one or more operations in which a fusible solder material is deposited onto connection pads (16) formed in a layer of electrically conductive material located on the back side of a dielectric substrate (9), and at least one electronic component is connected to these connection pads (16) by reflowing the solder material. A smart card module obtained by this method. A smart card comprising such a module.