Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor package. 
     The semiconductor package includes: a substrate having a semiconductor device mounted on a top portion thereof; a housing surrounding the semiconductor device and the substrate so as to isolate them from the outside; at least one lead frame disposed on the top portion of the substrate while being spaced apart from one another; and a clip electrically connecting the substrate with at least one lead frame.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0126760, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, entitled “Semiconductor Package,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a semiconductor package. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    As electronic devices are slim and small, a demand for high-density and high-integrated package that is a core component thereof has been increased. Therefore, a semiconductor package having various structures has been manufactured by using various types of substrates such as a lead frame, a printed circuit board, a circuit film, or the like. In the semiconductor package according to the prior art, a semiconductor device and a conductive track are connected with each other by a wire. In addition, the semiconductor package has a structure in which the conductive track and a lead frame are connected with each other by the wire (Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication, No. 10-2010-0120006). However, inter-metallic bonding such as wiring bonding or soldering for bonding the conductive track and the lead frame is vulnerable to factors such as thermal stress, or the like, due to a difference in thermal expansion rate between materials. That is, the bonding method between components configuring the semiconductor package according to the prior art affects the security of the long-term reliability of the semiconductor package. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a semiconductor package capable of stably transferring electrical signals. 
         [0007]    Further, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide a semiconductor package capable of securing long-term reliability from thermal and physical impact. 
         [0008]    In addition, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide a semiconductor package capable of improving productivity and yield by implementing electrical connection with a simple assembling process. 
         [0009]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package, including: a substrate having a semiconductor device mounted on a top portion thereof; a housing surrounding the semiconductor device and the substrate so as to isolate them from the outside; at least one lead frame disposed on the top portion of the substrate while being spaced apart from one another; and a clip electrically connecting the substrate with at least one lead frames. 
         [0010]    The clip may be made of conductive metals. 
         [0011]    The clip may be an elastic member. 
         [0012]    A top portion of the clip may be fastened with the lead frame by being inserted in a form surrounding both sides of an end of the lead frame. 
         [0013]    The top portion of the clip may be fastened with the lead frame by being inserted in a form surrounding both sides and the top portion of the end of the lead frame. 
         [0014]    The bottom portion of the clip may have at least one end contacting the substrate. 
         [0015]    The inside of the housing may be filled with an insulating resin. 
         [0016]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package, including: a first substrate having a first semiconductor device mounted on a top portion thereof; a second substrate formed so as to be spaced apart from the first substrate and having a second semiconductor device mounted thereon; a housing surrounding the first semiconductor device and the first substrate so as to isolate them from the outside; at least one lead frame disposed on a top portion of the substrate while being spaced apart from one another; a first clip electrically connecting the first substrate with at least one lead frame; and a second clip electrically connecting the first substrate with the second substrate. 
         [0017]    The semiconductor package may further include a third clip electrically connecting the second substrate with the at least one lead frame. 
         [0018]    The first clip to the third clip may be made of conductive metals. 
         [0019]    The first clip to the third clip may be an elastic member. 
         [0020]    The top portions of at least one of the first clip to the third clip may be fastened with each other by being inserted in a form surrounding both sides of the end of the at least one lead frame. 
         [0021]    The top portions of at least one of the first clip to the third clip may be fastened with each other by being inserted in a form surrounding both sides and the top portion of the end of the at least one lead frame. 
         [0022]    The bottom portions of at least one of the first clip to the third clip may have at least one contact end contacting the first substrate or the second substrate. 
         [0023]    The top portion of the second clip may have a contact end contacting the first substrate or the second substrate. 
         [0024]    The inside of the housing may be filled with an insulating resin. 
         [0025]    The semiconductor package may further include a molding surrounding the second substrate and the second semiconductor device so as to isolate them from the outside. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is an exemplified diagram showing a semiconductor package according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is an exemplified diagram showing a semiconductor package according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is an exemplified diagram showing a clip according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is an exemplified diagram showing a clip according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is an exemplified diagram showing a clip according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Various features and advantages of the present invention will be more obvious from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]    The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to typical meanings or dictionary definitions, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts relevant to the technical scope of the present invention based on the rule according to which an inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to describe most appropriately the best method he or she knows for carrying out the invention. 
         [0033]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from preferred embodiments and the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, in adding reference numerals to components throughout the drawings, it is to be noted that like reference numerals designate like components even though components are shown in different drawings. 
         [0034]    Further, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known art related to the present invention may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the description, the terms “first”, “second”, and so on are used to distinguish one element from another element, and the elements are not defined by the above terms. 
         [0035]    Hereinafter, a semiconductor package according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is an exemplified diagram showing a semiconductor package according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a semiconductor package  100  may include a substrate  110 , a semiconductor device  120 , a housing  130 , a lead frame  140 , and a clip  150 . 
         [0038]    The substrate  110  may include an insulating substrate  111  and a conductive track  112  formed on the insulating substrate  111 . The conductive track  112  may be made of conductive metals. The conductive track  112  may be electrically connected with the semiconductor device  120  formed on the substrate  110 . 
         [0039]    The semiconductor device  120  may include power devices  121  and control devices  122 . The semiconductor device  120  may be electrically connected with each other by wires  123 . In addition, the semiconductor device  120  may be mounted on the conductive track  112 . Further, the semiconductor device  120  may be bonded with the conductive track  112  by an adhesive. As the adhesive, conductive adhesives, such as solder, conductive epoxy, or the like, may be used. 
         [0040]    The housing  130  is configured to surround the semiconductor device  120  and the substrate  110  so as to isolate them from the outside. The housing  130  may be made of polymer materials such as plastic, or the like. The inside of the housing  130  may be filled with an insulating resin  131  so as to protect internal components such as the semiconductor device  120 , the substrate  110 , or the like. For example, the insulating resin  131  may be silicon. 
         [0041]    The lead frame  140  may be electrically connected with the substrate  110  to provide electrical signals of the semiconductor device  120 . The lead frame  140  may be formed to be protruded to the outside of the housing  130 . The position of the lead frame  140  protruded to the outside of the housing  130  may be changed according to a design. The lead frame  140  may be connected with the clip  150  according to the embodiment of the present invention to electrically connect with the substrate  110 . 
         [0042]    The clip  150  is configured to electrically connect the substrate  110  with the lead frame  140 . The clip  150  may be made of conductive metals. In addition, the clip  150  may be made of elastic materials having elastic force. In addition, the clip  150  may be thinly formed so as to be easily machined within a range in which the clip is not permanently deformed. The clip  150  may be connected with the substrate  110  and the lead frame  140  so as to electrically connect the substrate  110  and the lead frame  140  with each other. That is, the clip  150  may be connected with the substrate  110  and the lead frame  140  by an assembling manner rather than by a bonding manner. 
         [0043]    Although not shown in the drawing, the semiconductor package  100  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a radiating plate (not shown) on at least one of the top portion or the bottom portion of the housing  130 . 
         [0044]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention can stably transfer the electrical signals by using the clip  150  made of the conductive metals rather than using the wire bonding, so as to electrically connect between the lead frame  140  and the substrate  110 . In addition, the clip  150  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has the contact structure and thus, is stronger against the thermal and physical impact than the bonding such as the wire bonding, or the like, thereby achieving the long-term reliability. In addition, the clip  150  according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by the simple assembling process, thereby improving the productivity and yield of the semiconductor package. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is an exemplified diagram showing a semiconductor package according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a semiconductor package  200  may include a first substrate  210 , a second substrate  260 , a first semiconductor device  220 , a second semiconductor device  270 , a housing  230 , a first lead frame  241 , a second lead frame  242 , a first clip  251 , a second clip  252 , and a third clip  253 . 
         [0047]    The first substrate  210  may include the first insulating substrate  211  and the first conductive track  212  formed on the first insulating substrate  211 . The first conductive track  212  may be made of conductive metals. The first conductive track  212  may be electrically connected with the first semiconductor device  220  formed on the substrate  210 . 
         [0048]    The first semiconductor device  220  may include power devices  221  and control devices  222 . The first semiconductors  220  may be electrically connected with each other by wires  223 . In addition, the first semiconductor device  220  may be mounted on the first conductive track  212 . The first semiconductor device  220  may be bonded to the first conductive track  212  by an adhesive. As the adhesive, conductive adhesives, such as solder, conductive epoxy, or the like, may be used. 
         [0049]    The second substrate  260  may be formed on the first substrate  210  at a predetermined distance. 
         [0050]    The second substrate  260  may include a second insulating substrate  261 , a second conductive track  262  formed on the second insulating substrate  261 , and a connection pad  263  formed on the bottom portion of the second insulating substrate  261 . The second conductive track  262  and the connection pad  263  may be made of conductive metals. The second conductive track  262  may be electrically connected with the second semiconductor device  270  mounted on the second substrate  260 . In addition, the connection pad  263  formed on the bottom portion of the second insulating substrate  261  may be electrically connected with the first substrate  210 , the first lead frame  241 , or the second lead frame  242 . 
         [0051]    The second semiconductor device  270  may include at least one of a passive device  271  and active devices  272 . The second semiconductor device  270  is mounted in the second conductive track  262  and may be electrically connected with the second conductive track  262 . The second semiconductor device  270  may be bonded to the second conductive track  262  by an adhesive. As the adhesive, conductive adhesives, such as solder, conductive epoxy, or the like, may be used. In order to protect the second semiconductor device  270  as described above, a molding  280  surrounding the second semiconductor device  270  may be formed on the second substrate  260 . 
         [0052]    The housing  230  is configured to surround the first semiconductor device  220  and the first substrate  210  so as to isolate them from the outside. The housing  230  may be made of polymer materials such as plastic, or the like. The inside of the housing  230  may be filled with an insulating resin  231  so as to protect internal components such as the first semiconductor device  220 , the first substrate  210 , or the like. For example, the insulating resin  231  may be silicon. 
         [0053]    The first lead frame  241  to the third lead frame  243  are electrically connected with the first substrate  210  or the second substrate  260  to provide the electrical signals of the first semiconductor device  220  or the second semiconductor device  270 . At least one of the first lead frame  241  to the third lead frame  243  may be formed to be protruded to the outside of the housing  230 . Among the first lead frame  241  to the third lead frame  243 , the position of the lead frame protruded to the outside of the housing  230  may be changed according to the design. The first lead frame  241  to the third lead frame  243  may connect with a first clip  251  to a sixth clip  256  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention so as to electrically connect with the first substrate  210  or the second substrate  260 . Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention describes an example of the first lead frame  241 , the second lead frame  242 , and the third lead frame  243 , those skilled in the art can easily change the number, shape, position, or the like, of lead frames according to the design. 
         [0054]    The first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  may be electrically connected with the first substrate  210 , the second substrate  260 , the first lead frame  241 , or the third lead frame  243 . The first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  may be made of conductive metals. The first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  may be made of elastic materials having elastic force. In addition, the first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  may be thinly formed so as to be easily machined within a range in which the first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  are not permanently deformed. 
         [0055]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , one end of the first clip  251  contacts one end of the first lead frame  241  and the other end thereof may contact the first substrate  210 . 
         [0056]    One end of the second clip  252  may contact the first substrate  210  and the other end thereof may contact the second substrate  260 . 
         [0057]    One end of the third clip  253  may contact the second substrate  260  and the other end thereof may contact the first lead frame  241 . 
         [0058]    One end of the fourth clip  254  may contact the second lead frame  242  and the other end thereof may contact the second substrate  260 . 
         [0059]    One end of the fifth clip  255  may contact the first substrate  210  and the other end thereof may contact the third lead frame  243 . 
         [0060]    One end of the sixth clip  256  may contact the second substrate  260  and the other end thereof may contact the second lead frame. 
         [0061]    The first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  may be electrically connected with the first substrate  210 , the second substrate  260 , the first lead frame  241 , and the second lead frame  242  in a contact manner. That is, the first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  may be electrically connected with the first substrate  210 , the second substrate  260 , the first lead frame  241 , and the second lead frame  242  in an assembling manner rather than in a bonding manner. 
         [0062]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention describe the first clip  251  to the sixth clip  256  by way of example but are not limited thereto. That is, the number, shape, connection relation, or the like, of clips may be easily changed by the design of those skilled in the art. 
         [0063]    In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the semiconductor package  200  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a radiating plate (not shown) on the bottom portion of the housing  230 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 3  is an exemplified diagram showing a clip according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the clip  300  may include a fastening part  310  and a contact part  320 . 
         [0066]    The fastening part  310  is formed on the top portion of the clip  300 . The fastening part  310  is inserted with the end of the lead frame  610 . Since the clip  300  is made of conductive metals having elastic force, it is easy to insert the end of the lead frame  610  by the elastic force. The fastening part  310  fastens the lead frame  610  in a shape surrounding a side of the end of the lead frame  610  and may be electrically connected with the lead frame  610 . 
         [0067]    The contact part  320  is formed on the bottom portion of the clip  300 . The contact part  320  may contact the top surface of the conductive track  620 . The contact part  320  may contact the conductive track  620  and thus, may be electrically connected with the conductive track  620 . The contact part  320  may include a plurality of contact ends  321 . The contact part  320  may be formed in a plurality of curved shapes and thus, the plurality of contact ends  321  contacting the conductive track  620  may be formed. The contact end  321  may be formed in a curved shape so as to expand an area contacting the conductive track  620 . As described above, the electric conductivity may be further improved than the case in which the contact end  321  is only one by forming the plurality of contact ends  321 . In addition, the contact part  320  may contact the conductive track  620  and the bottom surface of the lead frame  610 . The contact part  320  contacts the top surface of the conductive track  620  and the bottom surface of the lead frame  610  in a zigzag form, thereby improving the electric conductivity between the conductive track  620  and the lead frame  610 . 
         [0068]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention describes an example that the contact part  320  contacts the conductive track  620 , but is not limited thereto. The contact part  320  may be connected with a pattern such as a connection pad, or the like, that may be electrically connected with the substrate. 
         [0069]      FIG. 4  is an exemplified diagram showing a clip according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the clip  400  may include a fastening part  410  and a contact part  420 . 
         [0071]    The fastening part  410  is formed on the top portion of the clip  400 . The fastening part  410  is inserted with the end of the lead frame  610 . Since the clip  400  is made of conductive metals having elastic force, it is easy to insert the end of the lead frame  610  by the elastic force. The fastening part  410  fastens the lead frame  610  in a form surrounding the side and the top surface of the end of the lead frame  610  and thus, may be electrically connected with the lead frame  610 . 
         [0072]    The contact part  420  is formed on the bottom portion of the clip  400 . The contact part  420  may contact the top surface of the conductive track  620 . The contact part  420  may contact the conductive track  620  and thus, may be electrically connected with the conductive track  620 . The contact part  420  may include a plurality of contact ends  421 . The contact part  420  may be formed in a plurality of curved forms and thus, the plurality of contact ends  421  contacting the conductive track  620  may be formed. The contact end  421  may be formed in a curved shape so as to expand an area contacting the conductive track  620 . As described above, the electric conductivity may be more improved than the case in which the contact end  421  is only one, by forming the plurality of contact ends  421 . In addition, the contact part  420  may contact the conductive track  620  and the bottom surface of the lead frame  610 . The contact part  420  contacts the top surface of the conductive track  620  and the bottom surface of the lead frame  610  in a zigzag form, thereby improving the electric conductivity between the conductive track  620  and the lead frame  610 . 
         [0073]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention describes an example that the contact part  420  contacts the conductive track  620 , but is not limited thereto. The contact part  420  may be connected with a pattern such as a connection pad, or the like, that may be electrically connected with the substrate. 
         [0074]      FIG. 5  is an exemplified diagram showing a clip according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a clip  500  may include a first contact part  510  and a second contact part  520 . 
         [0076]    The first contact part  510  is formed on the top portion of the clip  500 . The first contact part  510  may contact the first conductive track  631  formed on the substrate that is positioned on the top portion of the clip  500 . The first contact part  510  contacts the first conductive track  631  and thus, may be electrically connected with the substrate disposed on the top portion of the clip  500 . The first contact part  510  may include a plurality of first contact ends  511 . The first contact part  510  is formed in a plurality of curved shapes and may form a plurality of first contact ends  511  contacting the first conductive track  631 . The first contact end  511  may be formed in a curved shape so as to expand an area contacting the first conductive track  631 . As described above, the electric conductivity may be more improved than the case in which the first contact end  511  is only one, by forming the plurality of the first contact ends  511 . 
         [0077]    The second contact part  520  is formed on the bottom portion of the clip  500 . The second contact part  520  may contact the second conductive track  632  formed on the substrate that is positioned on the bottom portion of the clip  500 . The second contact part  520  contacts the second conductive track  632  and thus, may be electrically connected with the substrate disposed on the bottom portion of the clip  500 . The second contact part  520  may include a plurality of second contact ends  521 . The second contact part  520  is formed in a plurality of curved shapes and may form a plurality of second contact ends  511  contacting the second conductive track  632 . The second contact end  521  may be formed in a curved shape so as to expand an area contacting the second conductive track  632 . As described above, the electric conductivity may be more improved than the case in which the second contact end  521  is only one, by forming the plurality of second contact ends  521 . 
         [0078]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention show that the first contact part  510  and the second contact part  520  contact the first conductive track  631  and the second conductive track  632  but are not limited thereto. The first contact part  510  and the second contact part  520  may be connected with the pattern such as the connection pad, or the like, that may be electrically connected with the substrate disposed on the top and bottom portions of the clip  500 . 
         [0079]    The semiconductor package according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention can easily implement the stable transfer of electrical signals by using the clip using the member for electrical connection. The semiconductor package according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention has the contact structure of the clips and is stronger against the thermal and physical impact than the wire bonding or the soldering, thereby improving the long-term reliability. Further, the semiconductor package according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by the simple assembling process, thereby improving the productivity and yield of the semiconductor package. 
         [0080]    The semiconductor package according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention can easily implement the stable transfer of electrical signals by using the clip using the member for electrical connection. 
         [0081]    The semiconductor package according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention has the contact structure of the clips and is stronger against the thermal and physical impact than the wire bonding or the soldering, thereby improving the long-term reliability. 
         [0082]    The semiconductor package according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by the simple assembling process, thereby improving the productivity and yield of the semiconductor package. 
         [0083]    Although the embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated that a semiconductor package according to the invention is not limited thereby, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0084]    Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements should be considered to be within the scope of the invention, and the detailed scope of the invention will be disclosed by the accompanying claims.