Patent ID: 6201679
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An integrated thermal overload protection apparatus for an electrical device which is formed on an underlying structure, the apparatus comprising:a first and second contact area integrally formed on the underlying structure, the contact areas being separated by a gap area;underbump metallurgy layers overlying each of the first and second contact areas and separated by the gap area, each underbump metallurgy layer having an upper surface with at least a portion of each upper surface covered by a wettable material defining a wettable area;a solder bump formed on the wettable areas, the solder bump forming a solder bridge between the contact areas;wherein an overload condition applied across the first and second contact areas and through the solder bridge will cause the solder bridge to melt, and the wettable material will draw the molten solder out of the gap area and onto the wettable areas, thereby opening the electrical connection between the contact areas.