Torque Controlled Driver for Simultaneous Fastener Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of attaching thermal transfer devices to semiconductor packages using screw tightening introduces skewed loading, which can crack the dies due to high pressure applied unevenly, and often requires sequential tightening that prevents simultaneous use of adjacent torque screwdrivers due to spacing constraints.
Innovation Solution
A torque-controlled simultaneous driver system with multiple motors and a gearbox allows for simultaneous tightening of fasteners, using a gear arrangement and motor setup to maintain rotational engagement and apply controlled torque, enabling the use of multiple torque screwdrivers to tighten fasteners closer than their central distance, thus reducing pressure peaks and enabling simultaneous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If sequential screw tightening is used to minimize peak pressure, then the applied pressure on dies is reduced, but the process time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple torque screwdrivers into a single integrated apparatus with a common control system and power source. This merging enables simultaneous operation of multiple drivers while maintaining coordinated torque control, resolving the contradiction by allowing parallel processing (higher productivity) while preserving the pressure control benefits through unified torque management
2Productivity
If multiple torque screwdrivers are used to tighten fasteners simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the gap between screws must be larger than the minimum central distance between adjacent drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple torque screwdrivers within a single integrated apparatus structure. The drivers are positioned and controlled through a common housing and control system, allowing them to operate in close proximity without requiring large gaps between fasteners. This nesting enables simultaneous tightening of closely spaced fasteners while maintaining individual torque control
3Device complexity
If sequential tightening is used, then torque control is simpler, but the process requires more steps and takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system that manages multiple torque screwdrivers through a single controller and power source. This multi-functional approach allows the system to perform sequential or simultaneous tightening operations without requiring separate control systems for each driver, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling parallel operation to decrease total processing time
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to torque controlled drivers to simultaneously drive fasteners to secure a thermal transfer device to an integrated circuit package. In various embodiments, a torque controlled driver may include a gearbox, a driver with a torque controller and a motor with a rotating shank, a motor gear coupled concentrically with the rotating shank, a bit drive gear in rotational engagement with the motor gear to drive a bit sized to drive a fastener to secure a thermal transfer device to an integrated circuit package, where the gearbox is to hold the motor gear in a position about a motor gear rotational axis and the drive gear about a drive gear rotational axis such that the motor gear and the bit drive gear maintain rotational engagement as the motor gear rotates. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.