Semiconductor Switching Terminal Layout With Equal Wire Lengths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching devices experience changes in properties when the layout of terminals is altered, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A switching device design that includes a switching element, a die pad, and power terminals arranged in specific orthogonal directions, with gate and power terminals connected by wires of equal length to maintain consistent properties despite terminal layout changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the layout of terminals is changed to meet different usage conditions, then the adaptability of the switching device is improved, but the properties of the switching device change leading to increased manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal layout adaptabilityVSAvoidswitching device properties consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the terminal connections into two types: integral connections (die pad directly connected to first power terminal) and non-integral connections (die pad connected to second power terminal via wire). This segmentation allows different terminal layouts to be achieved while maintaining consistent wire lengths from the switching element to each terminal type, thereby preserving switching device properties across different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching element is designed with multiple gate pads that can be selectively connected to different terminals depending on the desired terminal layout. This multi-functionality enables the same switching element to support various terminal configurations (different usage conditions) while maintaining consistent electrical characteristics through controlled wire length connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different terminal layouts are designed for different usage conditions, then the versatility of the switching device is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage condition adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the switching element with multiple gate pads that can be selectively connected to different terminals based on the desired configuration. This universal design allows a single switching element structure to serve multiple usage conditions, eliminating the need for different switching element designs for different terminal layouts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the connection method into integral and non-integral types with controlled wire lengths, the patent enables flexible terminal layout selection without requiring multiple types of switching elements. This reduces inventory complexity and manufacturing costs associated with producing different switching element variants for different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If wire lengths between terminals are varied to accommodate different layouts, then the terminal layout flexibility is improved, but the switching properties change

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal layout flexibilityVSAvoidswitching properties consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies equipotentiality by ensuring that all wire connections from the switching element to the terminals have equal lengths. This equalizes the electrical characteristics (such as inductance and resistance) of different terminal connections, maintaining consistent switching properties regardless of which terminal layout configuration is used, thereby ensuring reliability across different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS12532753B2Switching device, semiconductor device, and switching device manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A switching device includes: a switching element; a die pad; a gate terminal; a first power terminal integral with the die pad; and a second power terminal, the gate terminal, the first power terminal, and the second power terminal are located on a side of a first direction of the die pad, the gate terminal, the first power terminal, and the second power terminal are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in the following order: the gate terminal, the first power terminal, and the second power terminal or the second power terminal, the first power terminal, and the gate terminal, the switching element includes a first and a second gate pad, the first gate pad is closer to the gate terminal than the second gate pad is, the second gate pad is closer to the second power terminal than the first gate pad is.