Abstract:
A semiconductor device fabrication method, including preparing a case having a plurality of connection terminals, and fitting a jig onto the case to protect the connection terminals, tips of the connection terminals protruding from the jig. The method further includes fitting a printed circuit board on the tips of the connection terminals protruding from the jig.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-122775, filed on Jun. 18, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The embodiments discussed herein are related to a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device fabrication method. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An inverter device for power including a plurality of semiconductor elements, such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a free wheeling diode (FWD), is widely used as one of semiconductor devices. 
         [0006]    Semiconductor elements included in such a semiconductor device are housed in a case and are connected in parallel in an electric circuit. The case has connection terminals for control terminals electrically connected to main electrodes of the semiconductor elements. A semiconductor device is formed by soldering a printed circuit board of an external circuit onto the connection terminals (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-053222). 
         [0007]    With the technique disclosed in, for example, the above Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-053222, however, a finger may touch a connection terminal or a shock may be provided to a connection terminal from the outside, depending on a way of handling the semiconductor device. In such a case, external force is exerted on the connection terminal and damages the connection terminal. For example, the connection terminal bends. As a result, a microcrack may appear inside the connection terminal. If a microcrack appears inside the connection terminal, it goes down due to vibration, shock, or thermal deformation at the time of the operation of the semiconductor device. This leads to a deterioration in the reliability of the semiconductor device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to an aspect, there is provided a semiconductor device including a semiconductor element, a case which houses the semiconductor element, connection terminals electrically connected to main electrodes of the semiconductor element and disposed on the case, and a jig which holds the connection terminals so as to protect the connection terminals and from which tips of the connection terminals protrude. 
         [0009]    The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
         [0010]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a method for fabricating the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a resin case in the first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A to 4D  illustrate a jig used for fabricating the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate fitting the jig on the resin case in the first embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a semiconductor module on which the jig in the first embodiment is fitted; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a printed circuit board in the first embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate fitting the printed circuit board on the semiconductor module on which the jig in the first embodiment is fitted; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9A to 9E  illustrate jigs in a second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0021]    First a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment will be described by the use of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment. 
         [0023]    A semiconductor device  10  includes a semiconductor module  20  in which a housed semiconductor element is sealed by the use of resin and a printed circuit board  30  fitted on the semiconductor module  20 . 
         [0024]    The semiconductor module  20  includes a resin case  21 . A main terminal  23   a , a main terminal  23   b , and a main terminal  23   c  are formed over a principal plane of the resin case  21 . The main terminal  23   a  is a U terminal, the main terminal  23   b  is an N terminal, and the main terminal  23   c  is a P terminal. Furthermore, the semiconductor module  20  includes guide pins  24  formed perpendicularly to the principal plane of the resin case  21  and connection terminals  25  for a gate terminal and a control terminal of a sense emitter terminal. A laminated substrate and a semiconductor element are laminated in order over a metal base  22  and are housed in the resin case  21 . The laminated substrate is obtained by forming conductive plates on the upper and under surfaces of an insulating board such as a ceramic board. The above principal plane means the upper surface (front in  FIG. 1 ) of the resin case  21 . Furthermore, the metal base  22  may not be used. 
         [0025]    The printed circuit board  30  includes an insulating substrate  31  which has a conductive plate on its principal plane (upper surface) and in which guide holes  32  and through holes  33  are made and integrated circuit (IC) chips  34  which are disposed over the principal plane of the insulating substrate  31  and on which drive circuits are formed. In  FIG. 1 , the IC chips  34  are disposed only on the upper surface of the printed circuit board  30 . However, the IC chips  34  may also disposed on an opposite principal plane (under surface) of the printed circuit board  30  at need. 
         [0026]    In the semiconductor device  10  the guide pins  24  of the semiconductor module  20  are inserted into the guide holes  32  of the printed circuit board  30  for alignment. Furthermore, the connection terminals  25  of the semiconductor module  20  are inserted into the through holes  33  of the printed circuit board  30  for electrical connection. 
         [0027]    The semiconductor module  20  and the printed circuit board  30  will be described again later. 
         [0028]    With the above semiconductor module  20 , an inverter circuit is formed by, for example, an IGBT and a FWD, which are semiconductor elements, and is sealed by the use of resin. Furthermore, a high potential terminal of an external power supply is connected to the main terminal  23   c  which is a P terminal, and a low potential terminal of the external power supply is connected to the main terminal  23   b  which is an N terminal. As a result, the external power supply is electrically connected to the main terminals of the semiconductor elements. Furthermore, a load (not illustrated) is connected to the main terminal  23   a  which is an output terminal (U terminal). In addition, a determined control signal from an IC chip  34  of the printed circuit board  30  is applied to a semiconductor element via the connection terminal  25  of the gate terminal. By doing so, the semiconductor device  10  functions as an inverter. 
         [0029]    A method for fabricating the above semiconductor device  10  will be described by the use of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a method for fabricating the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment. 
         [0031]    A method for fabricating the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment is divided into two processes, that is to say, a semiconductor module fabrication process from steps S 11  through S 15  and a printed circuit board mounting process from steps S 16  through S 18 . 
         [0032]    (Step S 11 ) A laminated substrate and a semiconductor element are laminated over a metal base and each of them is joined by soldering or the like. 
         [0033]    (Step S 12 ) The resin case  21  insert-molded with guide pins, connection terminals, and the like by the use of resin is prepared. 
         [0034]    The resin case  21  will be described by the use of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the resin case in the first embodiment. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the resin case  21 .  FIG. 3B  is a side view of the resin case  21 . 
         [0037]    The resin case  21  has the shape of frame having an open rectangular housing area  26  in which the semiconductor element disposed over the laminated substrate over the metal base in step S 11  is housed. The guide pins  24  are disposed at four corners of the housing area  26  perpendicularly to the upper surface of the resin case  21 . The guide pins  24  are 5 to 10 mm in diameter and are 20 to 25 mm in length. The connection terminals  25  are disposed between the guide pins  24 , which are disposed along sides in the longitudinal direction of the housing area  26 , perpendicularly to the upper surface of the resin case  21 . In this case, the connection terminals  25  are disposed in a line with respect to the guide pins  24 . The connection terminals  25  are made of, for example, brass, are 2.5 to 3.5 mm in diameter, and are 15 to 20 mm in length. In addition, the main terminals  23   a  which are U terminals, the main terminals  23   b  which are N terminals, and the main terminals  23   c  which are P terminals are disposed on the upper surface of the resin case  21 . Furthermore, terminals  27  electrically connected to the connection terminals  25  and terminals  28   a ,  28   b , and  28   c  electrically connected to the main terminals  23   a ,  23   b , and  23   c  respectively are fixed to the inside of the housing area  26 . Each terminal  27  may be an exposed end portion of a connection terminal  25  whose portion is buried in the resin case  21 . 
         [0038]    (Step S 13 ) A jig  40  is fitted on the resin case  21  prepared in step S 12 . 
         [0039]    The jig  40  for protecting the connection terminals  25  will be described by the use of  FIGS. 4A to 4D  before fitting the jig  40  on the resin case  21  is described. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4A to 4D  illustrate the jig used for fabricating the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of a pair of a plate portion (first plate portion, for example)  41  and a plate portion (second plate portion, for example)  45  which make up the jig  40 .  FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a fixing member  47  with which the plate portions  41  and  45  put together are fixed. Furthermore,  FIG. 4C  is a top view of the jig  40  made up of the plate portions  41  and  45  put together.  FIG. 4D  is a side view of the jig  40  made up of the plate portions  41  and  45  put together. 
         [0042]    The plate portions  41  and  45  are made of a metal material, a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin molding material, a polypropylene (PPT) resin molding material, a phenolic (PM) resin molding material, or the like which resists the curing temperature of sealing resin described later or solder temperature in soldering (whose heat resistant temperature is 160 to 350° C.). Furthermore, holding portions for holding the connection terminals  25  are formed in one of the plate portions  41  and  45 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , groove portions  42  and  43  are formed in one side of the plate portion  41  as examples of the holding portions. In addition, groove portions  44  are formed in the other side of the plate portion  41  and groove portions  46  are formed in one side of the plate portion  45 . If the semiconductor module  20  is connected to the printed circuit board  30 , the height of the plate portions  41  and  45  is smaller than the length of the connection terminals  25 . That is to say, end portions of the connection terminals  25  protrude from the jig  40 . If the connection terminals  25  are merely protected, the height of the plate portions  41  and  45  may be greater than the length of the connection terminals  25 . 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , a section of the fixing member  47  has the shape of the letter “U”. The fixing member  47  is made of the same heat-resistant material that is used for making the plate portions  41  and  45 . 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , the plate portion  41  and the plate portion  45  are put together to stop the groove portions  42  and  43  of the plate portion  41  with the plate portion  45 . The fixing members  47  are fitted in the groove portions  44  and  46 . By doing so, the jig  40  having protective holes  48  and positioning holes  49  is assembled. It is assumed that portions where the plate portions  41  and  45  are fixed with the fixing members  47  or the like are fixed portions. The shapes of the protective holes  48  and positioning holes  49  correspond to those of the connection terminals  25  and the guide pins  24 , respectively, disposed on the resin case  21 . In addition, tapers are formed at the lower entrances to the protective holes  48  and the positioning holes  49  (in  FIG. 4D ). The fixing members  47  may be fitted from the lower side of the plate portions  41  and  45  or be fitted from the upper side of the plate portions  41  and  45 . Furthermore, the fixing members  47  may be fitted from the side of the plate portions  41  and  45 . 
         [0045]    Fitting the above jig  40  on the resin case  21  will be described by the use of  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate fitting the jig on the resin case in the first embodiment. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5A  is a top view which illustrates fitting the jig  40  on the resin case  21 .  FIG. 5B  is a side view which illustrates fitting the jig  40  on the resin case  21 . 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the jigs  40  are disposed along the pair of sides (in the longitudinal direction) of the housing area  26 . The guide pins  24  of the resin case  21  are inserted into the positioning holes  49  to fix the jigs  40 , and the connection terminals  25  of the resin case  21  are inserted into the protective holes  48 . The jigs  40  may be inserted in this way from above the guide pins  24 . Alternatively, it is desirable to hold the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  by the plate portions  41  and  45  so as to surround them from the sides and to fix the plate portions  41  and  45  with the fixing members  47 . This method prevents bends of the connection terminals  25  or damage to the connection terminals  25  caused at insertion time. 
         [0049]    (Step S 14 ) The metal base  22  over which the laminated substrate and the semiconductor element are laminated in step S 11  is joined by the use of an adhesive to the housing area  26  of the resin case  21  on which the jig  40  is fitted in step S 13  to house the semiconductor element. 
         [0050]    Electrodes of the semiconductor element housed in the housing area  26  of the resin case  21  are electrically connected by wire bonding. Furthermore, the electrodes of the semiconductor element and the terminals  27 ,  28   a ,  28   b , and  28   c  are electrically connected by the wire bonding. By doing so, a circuit is formed. 
         [0051]    (Step S 15 ) Resin, such as silicone gel or epoxy resin, is injected into the housing area  26  in which the semiconductor element is housed in step S 14 , and is heated at curing temperature corresponding to the resin. By doing so, the injected resin is solidified and the housing area  26  is sealed. 
         [0052]    The semiconductor module  20  which is formed in this way and on which the jig  40  is fitted will be described by the use of  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the semiconductor module on which the jig in the first embodiment is fitted. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of the semiconductor module  20  on which the jig  40  is fitted.  FIG. 6B  is a side view of the semiconductor module  20  on which the jig  40  is fitted. 
         [0055]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the semiconductor module  20  is in a state in which the jig  40  is fitted on the resin case  21 . In this state, the metal base  22  over which the laminated substrate and the semiconductor element are laminated is joined to the housing area  26 , the semiconductor element is housed in the housing area  26 , and the housing area  26  is sealed by the use of resin  29 . 
         [0056]    The semiconductor module  20  is fabricated through the semiconductor module fabrication process from the above steps S 11  through S 15 . 
         [0057]    (Step S 16 ) The printed circuit board  30  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20  formed in step S 15 . 
         [0058]    The printed circuit board  30  will now be described by the use of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate the printed circuit board in the first embodiment. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of the printed circuit board  30 .  FIG. 7B  is a side view of the printed circuit board  30 . 
         [0061]    With the printed circuit board  30  the insulating substrate  31  on which the conductive plate (not illustrated) is formed has the guide holes  32  at its four corners and the through holes  33  made between the guide holes  32  along opposite sides (in the longitudinal direction) of the insulating substrate  31  and electrically connected to the conductive plate. The through holes  33  are acceptance portions. As described later, the through holes  33  accept the connection terminals  25 . By doing so, the connection terminals  25  are fitted. Furthermore, the IC chips  34  electrically connected to the conductive plate are disposed over the insulating substrate  31  of the printed circuit board  30 . The conductive plate is made of copper or the like. 
         [0062]    Furthermore, fitting the above printed circuit board  30  on the semiconductor module  20  will be described by the use of  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate fitting the printed circuit board on the semiconductor module on which the jig in the first embodiment is fitted. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8A  is a side view which illustrates a state at the time of fitting the printed circuit board  30  on the semiconductor module  20 .  FIG. 8B  is a side view which illustrates a state after fitting the printed circuit board  30  on the semiconductor module  20 . 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  of the semiconductor module  20  are inserted into the guide holes  32  and the through holes  33 , respectively, of the printed circuit board  30  to fit the printed circuit board  30  on the semiconductor module  20 . The through holes  33  of the printed circuit board  30  are fitted in this way on protrusions of the connection terminals  25 . The protrusions are end portions of the connection terminals  25  which protrude from the jig  40  after fitting the jig  40 . 
         [0066]    The printed circuit board  30  is fitted in this way on the semiconductor module  20  through the jig  40 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a case where the fixing members  47  are fitted from the lower side of the plate portions  41  and  45 . However, the fixing members  47  may be fitted from the upper side of the plate portions  41  and  45  or be fitted from the side of the plate portions  41  and  45 . 
         [0068]    (Step S 17 ) The connection terminals  25  which protrude from the through holes  33  of the printed circuit board  30  fitted on the semiconductor module  20  and the through holes  33  are soldered by the use of solder heated to a determined solder temperature. 
         [0069]    (Step S 18 ) The fixing members  47  are removed from the jig  40 , the plate portions  41  and  45  are separated, and the jig  40  is removed from the semiconductor module  20  on which the printed circuit board  30  is fitted. It does not matter if the jig  40  is not removed from the semiconductor module  20  on which the printed circuit board  30  is fitted. In this case, the rigidity of the semiconductor module  20  on which the printed circuit board  30  is fitted is improved. 
         [0070]    The semiconductor device  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is obtained through the printed circuit board mounting process from the above steps S 16  through S 18 . 
         [0071]    As has been described, the semiconductor device (semiconductor module  20 ) fabricated by the semiconductor module fabrication process (steps S 11  through S 15 ) includes the resin case  21  having the guide pins  24  disposed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the resin case  21  on peripheral edge portions of the housing area  26  in which the semiconductor element is housed and the connection terminals  25  disposed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the resin case  21  on the peripheral edge portions. Furthermore, the jig  40  having the positioning holes  49  into which the guide pins  24  are inserted and the protective holes  48  into which the connection terminals  25  are inserted is fitted on the resin case  21 . By doing so, the connection terminals  25  are protected by the jig  40  fixed by aligning two portions, that is to say, one end portion and the other end portion of the jig  40  with the resin case  21  by the guide pins  24 . As a result, when the resin case  21  is handled in, for example, the semiconductor module fabrication process from step S 13  on, direct contact with the connection terminals  25  or an external impact on the connection terminals  25  is prevented. This prevents damage to the connection terminals  25 . In particular, there is a case where the semiconductor module fabrication process (steps S 11  through S 15 ) and the printed circuit board mounting process (steps S 16  through S 18 ) are performed in different places. In this case, there is need to pack the semiconductor module  20  fabricated in the semiconductor module fabrication process and to convey it to the place where the printed circuit board mounting process is performed. Even in this situation the connection terminals  25  are protected by the jig  40 . This prevents direct contact with the connection terminals  25  or impact on the connection terminals  25  at packing time or conveyance time. Accordingly, damage to the connection terminals  25  is prevented. The resin case  21  may not have the guide pins  24  and may have only the connection terminals  25 . In this case, the jig  40  is fitted on the connection terminals  25 . 
         [0072]    Furthermore, with the semiconductor module  20  the jig  40  is fitted in this way. Accordingly, alignment between the jig  40  and the resin case  21  is performed. At this time the connection terminals  25  do not bend. As a result, when the printed circuit board  30  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20 , the jig  40  guides the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  to smoothly insert the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  into the guide holes  32  and the through holes  33 , respectively, of the printed circuit board  30 . Therefore, when the printed circuit board  30  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20 , there is no need to perform alignment or the like with fingers for making it easy to insert the connection terminals  25  into the through holes  33 . Because direct contact with the connection terminals  25  is not made, damage to the connection terminals  25  is prevented. 
         [0073]    In addition, by fitting the jig  40 , a certain distance is maintained between the upper surface of the semiconductor module  20  and the printed circuit board  30 . 
         [0074]    Because the connection terminals  25  are protected by the jig  40 , damage to the connection terminals  25  is prevented. This prevents deterioration in the reliability of the semiconductor device  10 . 
         [0075]    In the first embodiment a case where the connection terminals  25  of the resin case  21  are inserted into the through holes  33  of the printed circuit board  30  is described as an example. However, another case is possible. If socket connectors are applied to the printed circuit board  30 , the jig  40  can also be used as in the first embodiment. 
         [0076]    In addition, the jig  40  may be used in a fabrication method other than the above fabrication method. For example, as in step S 11 , a laminated substrate and a semiconductor element are laminated over a metal base and each of them is joined by soldering or the like. Next, guide pins, connection terminals, the metal base over which the laminated substrate and the semiconductor element are laminated in step S 11 , and the like are placed in a metal mold. Electrodes of the semiconductor element are electrically connected by wire bonding. Furthermore, the electrodes of the semiconductor element and terminals  27 ,  28   a ,  28   b , and  28   c  are electrically connected by the wire bonding. By doing so, a circuit is formed. Insert molding is then performed by the use of resin to integrally mold a semiconductor module  20 . After that, the jig  40  is fitted in the same way as with step S 13  on connection terminals  25  and the like of the semiconductor module  20  integrally molded in this way ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ). In addition, steps S 16  and S 17  are performed and a semiconductor device  10  including the jig  40  ( FIGS. 8A and 8B ) is delivered to a manufacturer or the like. When the semiconductor device  10  including the jig  40  is delivered to the manufacturer or the like, the semiconductor device  10  is packed and is conveyed to the manufacturer or the like. Even in this situation the connection terminals  25  are protected by the jig  40  in the semiconductor device  10  including the jig  40 . This prevents direct contact with the connection terminals  25  or impact on the connection terminals  25  at packing time or conveyance time. Accordingly, damage to the connection terminals  25  is prevented. Furthermore, after the semiconductor device  10  including the jig  40  is delivered to the manufacturer or the like, a step which is the same as step S 18  is performed to remove the jig  40 . 
         [0077]    Accordingly, even in this case, the connection terminals  25  are protected by the jig  40 . This prevents damage to the connection terminals  25  and therefore prevents deterioration in the reliability of the semiconductor device  10 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0078]    In a second embodiment three kinds of jigs other than the jig in the first embodiment will be described by the use of  FIGS. 9A to 9E . 
         [0079]      FIGS. 9A to 9E  illustrate jigs in a second embodiment. 
         [0080]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of a jig (first jig) other than the jig in the first embodiment.  FIG. 9B  is a top view of a jig (second jig) other than the jig in the first embodiment.  FIG. 9C  is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the jig (second jig) other than the jig in the first embodiment. Furthermore,  FIG. 9D  is a top view of a jig (third jig) other than the jig in the first embodiment.  FIG. 9E  is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the jig (third jig) other than the jig in the first embodiment. 
         [0081]    A jig  50  illustrated in  FIG. 9A  includes plate portions  51  and  55 . Groove portions  52  and  53  which are the same as the groove portions  42  and  43 , respectively, of the plate portion  41  of the jig  40  in the first embodiment are formed in the plate portion  51 . Furthermore, a groove portion  54  is formed in one end portion of the plate portion  51  of the jig  50  and a groove portion  56  is formed in one end portion of the plate portion  55  of the jig  50 . A fixing member  47  is fitted in the groove portions  54  and  56 . This is the same with the first embodiment. On the other hand, the other end portion of the plate portion  51  and the other end portion of the plate portion  55  are connected by a hinge  58 . That is to say, the hinge  58  is one of fixed portions. The plate portions  51  and  55  can be opened or closed with the hinge  58  as an axis. With the jig  50 , the plate portions  51  and  55  are closed with the hinge  58  as an axis so that they will be put together. The fixing member  47  is fitted in the groove portions  54  and  56 . By doing so, positioning holes and protective holes are formed. This is the same with the jig  40  in the first embodiment. The above jig  50  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20  by inserting the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  of the semiconductor module  20  into the positioning holes and the protective holes respectively. This is the same with the jig  40  in the first embodiment. Furthermore, after the printed circuit board  30  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20 , the fixing member  47  is removed from the jig  50  and the plate portions  51  and  55  are opened with the hinge  58  as an axis. By doing so, the jig  50  is removed from the semiconductor module  20  (semiconductor device  10 ). 
         [0082]    Because the other end portion of the plate portion  51  and the other end portion of the plate portion  55  are connected by the hinge  58 , the jig  50  is removed from the semiconductor device  10  by removing the fixing member  47  fitted in the groove portions  54  and  56  and opening the one end portion of the plate portion  51  and the one end portion of the plate portion  55 . The jig  50  is removed from the semiconductor device  10  in a state in which the other end portion of the plate portion  51  and the other end portion of the plate portion  55  are connected by the hinge  58 . The jig  50  does not completely separate into the two plate portions. As a result, it is easy to handle the jig  50 . 
         [0083]    Next, a jig  60  illustrated in  FIG. 9B  includes plate portions  61  and  65 . Groove portions  63  and  67  are formed in surfaces opposite facing surfaces of the plate portions  61  and  65  respectively. In addition, groove portions  62  and  66  are formed in the facing surfaces of the plate portions  61  and  65  respectively. That is to say, irregularities (whose sections have the shape of a mountain) are formed in the facing surfaces of the plate portions  61  and  65 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9C , the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  of the resin case  21  are put between concavities (or convexities) of the groove portions  62  of the plate portion  61  and convexities (or concavities) of the groove portions  66  of the plate portion  65  and fixing members  47  are fitted in the groove portions  63  and  67 . By doing so, the jig  60  is fitted on the resin case  21 . Furthermore, after the printed circuit board  30  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20 , the fixing members  47  are removed from the jig  60  and the plate portions  61  and  65  are separated. By doing so, the jig  60  is removed from the semiconductor module  20  (semiconductor device  10 ). Moreover, it is desirable that the distance between the convexities of the plate portion  61  and the convexities of the plate portion  65  at the time of putting together the plate portions  61  and  65  of the jig  60  be greater than the diameter of the connection terminals  25 . 
         [0084]    With the jig  60  the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  are put between the irregularities of the groove portions  62  and  66  of the plate portions  61  and  65 . Accordingly, in particular, the perpendicularity of the connection terminals  25  disposed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the resin case  21  is maintained. Furthermore, it is possible to fix the connection terminals  25  by means of the irregularities of the groove portions  62  and  66  of the plate portions  61  and  65  without forming groove portions at positions corresponding to the connection terminals  25 . Therefore, the jig  60  is applicable to resin cases  21  of various types. 
         [0085]    Next, a jig  70  illustrated in  FIG. 9D  includes plate portions  71  and  75 . Groove portions  72  and  76  are formed in surfaces opposite facing surfaces of the plate portions  71  and  75  respectively. Furthermore, the plate portions  71  and  75  are made of an elastic body, such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber, which resists the curing temperature of sealing resin or solder temperature in soldering. For example, the Shore hardness of these elastic bodies is greater than or equal to about 20 and smaller than or equal to about 90. Preferably, the Shore hardness of these elastic bodies is greater than or equal to about 30 and smaller than or equal to about 90. If an elastic body is too soft, then it has low durability and it is impossible to adequately hold the connection terminals  25 . Furthermore, if an elastic body is too hard, then elastic deformation is insufficient and it is impossible to hold the connection terminals  25 . The Shore hardness is a value indicative of the hardness of an elastic body and is obtained by pushing a penetrator (pressing or an indenter) into the surface of an object to be measured (elastic body) to deform the penetrator, measuring a deformation amount (push-in depth) of the penetrator, and converting the deformation amount into a numerical value. The Shore hardness is measured by the use of a type A durometer (spring-type rubber hardness meter) on the basis of JIS K6253-3 “Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic—Determination of hardness—Part 3: Durometer method”. 
         [0086]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9E , the guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  of the resin case  21  are put between the plate portions  71  and  75  made of an elastic body and the elastic body functions as holding portions. Fixing members  47  are fitted in the groove portions  72  and  76 . By doing so, the jig  70  is fitted on the resin case  21 . Furthermore, after the printed circuit board  30  is fitted on the semiconductor module  20 , the fixing members  47  are removed from the jig  70  and the plate portions  71  and  75  are separated. By doing so, the jig  70  is removed from the semiconductor module  20  (semiconductor device  10 ). 
         [0087]    The guide pins  24  and the connection terminals  25  are not always disposed in a line. That is to say, the disposition of the guide pins  24  may be shifted from the disposition of the connection terminals  25 , for example, in an upward or downward direction in  FIG. 9E . Even in such a case, the connection terminals  25  are reliably put between the plate portions  71  and  75  of the jig  70  for protection. In addition, with the jig  70  it is possible to fix the connection terminals  25  without forming groove portions at positions corresponding to the connection terminals  25 . Therefore, the jig  70  is applicable to resin cases  21  of various types. 
         [0088]    Even if the above jig  50 ,  60 , or  70  in the second embodiment is fitted on the resin case  21  in place of the jig  40  in the first embodiment, the same effect that is obtained in the first embodiment is achieved. 
         [0089]    The jig  60  or  70  is divided in the above way. However, one end portion of one plate portion and one end portion of the other plate portion may be connected by a hinge. In this case, the other end portions can be opened or closed. This is the same with the jig  50 . 
         [0090]    According to the semiconductor device having the above structure and the semiconductor device fabrication method, damage to connection terminals is prevented and therefore deterioration in the reliability of a semiconductor device is prevented. 
         [0091]    All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.