Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device

A space having a certain thickness is provided between a metal base and a heat-dissipation fin set or the like. A semiconductor device is provided, including: a package portion; a metal base which is housed in the package portion and is exposed at a lower surface of the package portion; a semiconductor chip which is housed in the package portion and is placed above the metal base; and a frame portion provided to surround a penetration space penetrating the package portion, wherein a lower end of the frame portion protrudes below the lower surface of the package portion and a lower surface of the metal base. It is preferable that the frame portion is inserted in the penetration space after the penetration space is formed in the package portion.

The contents of the following Japanese patent application are incorporated herein by reference:NO. 2017-071556 filed on Mar. 31, 2017.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, semiconductor devices having a resin casing housing semiconductor chips are known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example). The semiconductor chip is directly or indirectly supported with a metal base such as a copper plate. The metal base is exposed at the lower surface of the resin casing and contacts a heat-dissipation fin set or the like.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-179376

It is preferable that, between the metal base and the heat-dissipation fin set or the like, there is a space having a predetermined thickness for providing thermal grease or the like to improve the thermal conduction property.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor device including a package portion. The semiconductor device may include a metal base housed in the package portion. The metal base may be exposed at a lower surface of the package portion. The semiconductor device may include a semiconductor chip housed in the package portion. The semiconductor chip may be placed above the metal base. The semiconductor device may include a frame portion provided to surround a penetration space penetrating the package portion. A lower end of the frame portion may protrude below the lower surface of the package portion and a lower surface of the metal base.

The frame portion may have a wider portion outside the package portion, the wider portion having a greater width than a portion inserted in the penetration space of the package portion. The wider portion may be provided above an upper surface of the package portion. The wider portion may be provided to contact the lower surface of the package portion.

The semiconductor device may further include a heat-dissipation portion provided below the lower surface of the metal base. The lower end of the frame portion may contact the heat-dissipation portion. The semiconductor device may further include thermal grease provided on the lower surface of the metal base.

An upper end of the frame portion may protrude above an upper surface of the package portion. A length by which the lower end of the frame portion protrudes below the lower surface of the metal base may be 50 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

The penetration space may be an open space provided extending from an end side of the package portion toward an inside of the package portion in a plane parallel to an upper surface of the package portion. The penetration space may have a curved shape at a tip portion farthest from the end side of the package portion in the plane parallel to the upper surface of the package portion.

The frame portion may have springiness. When the frame portion is inserted along an inner wall of the penetration space, a restoring force may be generated in a direction to press the inner wall of the penetration space.

A length by which the frame portion protrudes below the lower surface of the package portion may be greater at an outer portion closest to an end side of the package portion in a plane parallel to an upper surface of the package portion than at an inner portion farthest from an end side of the package portion in the plane.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device. The manufacturing method may include preparing a metal base and a semiconductor chip to be placed above the metal base. The manufacturing method may include forming a package portion which houses the metal base and the semiconductor chip, has a lower surface at which the metal base is exposed, and is provided with a penetration space penetrating an upper surface to the lower surface. The manufacturing method may include inserting a frame portion in the penetration space of the package portion. In inserting the frame portion, the frame portion may be inserted in the penetration space such that a lower end of the frame portion protrudes below the lower surface of the package portion and a lower surface of the metal base.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In this specification, one side in a direction parallel to the height direction of a semiconductor device is referred to as an “upper” side, and the other side is referred to as a “lower” side. One of two principal surfaces of a substrate, layer or another member is referred to as an upper surface, and the other surface is referred to as a lower surface. The “upper” and “lower” directions are not limited to the gravitational directions or directions when the semiconductor device is implemented.

In this specification, technical matters may be described using orthogonal coordinate axes of an X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. The orthogonal coordinate axes merely specify the relative position of components, and do not exclusively indicate specific directions. For example, the Z-axis does not exclusively indicate the height direction relative to the ground. Note that the positive Z-axis direction and the negative Z-axis direction are directions opposite to each other. When the Z-axis direction is referred to without specifying its positive and negative, it refers to a direction parallel to the positive Z-axis and the negative Z-axis.

FIG. 1shows an upper surface12and a lower surface14of a semiconductor device100according to one embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device100is, for example, a semiconductor module for electric power conversion. The semiconductor device100can be used in inverter devices, uninterruptible power supply devices, power conditioners, vehicles such as railway vehicles, machine tools, industrial robots and the like, but the usage of the semiconductor device100is not limited to the above.

The semiconductor device100includes a package portion10. The package portion10is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The package portion10has an upper surface12and a lower surface14. The upper surface12and the lower surface14refer to two principal surfaces that are among the surfaces of the package portion10and have greater areas than the other surfaces. The upper surface12and the lower surface14in the present example have a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction.

The longitudinal direction of the upper surface12and the lower surface14refers to a direction parallel to a side having the greatest length of the sides along the outline of the upper surface12and the lower surface14, and the lateral direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the example ofFIG. 1, the longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction, and the lateral direction is the Y-axis direction. Also, in the figures that follow, the height direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and the Y-axis is the Z-axis direction.

The package portion10houses one or more semiconductor chips. Also, the package portion10houses a metal base26that supports a semiconductor chip. The metal base26is formed of a metal material such as copper. The metal base26may be plate-shaped and have principal surfaces parallel to the X-Y plane. The metal base26is exposed at the lower surface14of the package portion10.

A plurality of outer connection pins18to be electrically connected to the semiconductor chips are arranged on the upper surface12of the package portion10. An outer connection pin18has a lower end provided inside the package portion10, and is electrically connected to a semiconductor chip. The upper end of the outer connection pin18is exposed at the upper surface12of the package portion10, and is electrically connected to an external circuit. The upper surface12of the package portion10may be provided with a supporting portion16which is formed along the outer perimeter of an outer connection pin18and supports the outer connection pin18. The supporting portion16may be formed of the same material as the package portion10.

One or more penetration spaces24are provided in the package portion10. The package portion10in the present example has a penetration space24at each of two ends in the longitudinal direction. The penetration space24is a space penetrating the package portion10from the upper surface12to the lower surface14. In the X-Y plane, the penetration space24may be a closed space surrounded by the package portion10, or may be an open space which is partially not surrounded by the package portion10as shown inFIG. 1.

For example, the penetration space24is an open space provided extending from the end side of the package portion10toward the inside of the package portion10in the X-Y plane. The open space refers to a space continuous with the space outside the package portion10in the X-Y plane.

The penetration space24may be a space of which the cross section parallel to the X-Y plane has a constant area from the upper surface12side to the lower surface14side of the package portion10, or may have a tapered shape with varying cross-sectional areas. The cross-sectional area of the penetration space24in the upper surface12may be greater or smaller than its cross-sectional area in the lower surface14.

The semiconductor device100further includes a frame portion22provided to surround each penetration space24. In the X-Y plane, the frame portion22may be a closed frame provided along the entire outer perimeter of the penetration space24, or may be an open frame not provided at part of the outer perimeter of the penetration space24. The frame portion22in the present example is not provided at the portion of the outer perimeter of the penetration space24in the X-Y plane, portion which is on the extension of an end side11of the package portion10. That is, the region surrounded by the frame portion22in the X-Y plane is continuous with the space outside the package portion10at the portion on the extension of the end side11of the package portion10.

The frame portion22is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the package portion10. The frame portion22may be formed of metal such as copper or aluminum. The frame portion22may be arranged along the wall of the package portion10exposed to the penetration space24. The frame portion22may be arranged from the upper surface12to the lower surface14of the package portion10.

The penetration space24and the frame portion22may be arranged at a recessed portion28provided in the upper surface12of the package portion10. In the upper surface12of the package portion10, the recessed portion28has a shape recessed in a direction toward the lower surface14. The distance between the upper surface12and the lower surface14at the recessed portion28is shorter than the distance between the upper surface12and the lower surface14at the other regions. That is, the penetration space24and the frame portion22may be provided at a region of the package portion10having a smaller thickness than the other regions. In this specification, the surface of the package portion10observed as seen from above is referred to as an upper surface12. The upper surface12may include surfaces having different heights in the Z-axis direction.

The package portion10may have a protruding portion20. The protruding portion20is provided to surround the penetration space24and the frame portion22on the upper surface12of the package portion10and to protrude above the upper surface12. It is preferable that the outer connection pin18is not arranged in the region surrounded by the protruding portion20. Providing the protruding portion20makes it possible to increase the creepage distance between the outer connection pin18and each of a fastening member such as a screw inserted in the penetration space24and the frame portion22.

FIG. 2shows an example of a cross section taken along A-A shown inFIG. 1. The cross section taken along A-A is an X-Z plane passing through the penetration space24. Note that, inFIG. 2, some members not arranged in the cross section taken along A-A (the outer connection pin18and the supporting portion16, for example) are shown as their projection onto the cross section taken along A-A.

The semiconductor device100is equipped with one or more semiconductor chips40. The semiconductor device100shown inFIG. 2is equipped with a plurality of semiconductor chips40. The semiconductor device100may be equipped with an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion of an inverter circuit. A plurality of semiconductor chips40may be included in each arm portion. The semiconductor chip40includes a power semiconductor switching element such as a MOSFET and an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

The semiconductor element included in the semiconductor chip40may be formed of semiconductor such as silicon, or may be formed of compound semiconductor having a wide band gap such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride. The semiconductor element may be a SiC-MOSFET, SiC-JFET, GaN-HEMT or the like.

Each semiconductor chip40is housed in the package portion10formed of an insulating material such as resin. The package portion10seals the semiconductor chip40such that the semiconductor chip40is not exposed.

The semiconductor chip40in the present example is arranged on a plate-shaped first metal base32formed of a conductive material such as copper. The first metal base32may be electrically connected to any terminal of the semiconductor chip40. The first metal base32in the present example is connected to a main terminal of the semiconductor chip40. The main terminal refers to, for example, a terminal connected to the source or drain of a MOSFET.

The first metal base32is arranged on a plate-shaped second metal base26with an insulating substrate30of ceramic or the like interposed therebetween. The first metal base32, the insulating substrate30and the second metal base26are housed in the package portion10. Note that a lower surface27of the second metal base26is exposed at the lower surface14of the package portion10. The lower surface27of the second metal base26may be arranged to be flush with the lower surface14of the package portion10, or may protrude below the lower surface14.

In the example ofFIG. 2, an example has been described where the insulating substrate30is provided between two metal bases, but the structure of the metal base is not limited by the example ofFIG. 2. It may be only required that the semiconductor chip40is placed above the metal base26exposed at the lower surface14of the package portion10, and the semiconductor chip40and the metal base26are thermally connected by metal, ceramic or the like having a higher thermal conductivity than resin.

The semiconductor device100in the present example includes an interconnection substrate41which is housed in the package portion10and is arranged to face the semiconductor chip40. The interconnection substrate41is, for example, a printed circuit board. In the interconnection substrate41, wiring is formed to electrically connect a circuit provided external to the semiconductor device100and a terminal of the semiconductor chip40. In the present example, the interconnection substrate41and each semiconductor chip40are electrically connected by one or more internal connection pins42. Also, the lower end of the outer connection pin18is connected to the interconnection substrate41. The interconnection substrate41may be connected to the first metal base32by the outer connection pin18or the like.

The penetration space24and the frame portion22are arranged closer to the end side11of the package portion10than the second metal base26and the semiconductor chip40. A lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below (beyond in the negative Z-axis direction) both the lower surface27of the second metal base26and the lower surface14of the package portion10. As the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below them, when the lower surface27of the second metal base26is connected to an external device such as a heat-dissipation fin set, a space having a certain thickness can be provided between the lower surface27and the external device. By providing thermal grease or the like in the space, variation in the thickness of the thermal grease or the like can be reduced, and variation in the efficiency of heat-dissipation or the like can be reduced.

FIG. 3is a perspective view showing an example of the shape of the frame portion22. The frame portion22has a shape along the inner wall of the penetration space24in the X-Y plane. The frame portion22in the present example has a U-shape in the X-Y plane. The frame portion22in the present example is formed continuously along the Z-axis. In the present example, the shape of the frame portion22in the X-Y cross section is the same at any position along the Z-axis.

FIG. 4is a schematic view showing an example where the semiconductor device100is placed on a heat-dissipation fin set200.FIG. 4shows the same cross section as the cross section shown inFIG. 2, but members provided in the package portion10other than the frame portion22and the metal base26are omitted. The heat-dissipation fin set200is an example of a heat-dissipation portion. The heat-dissipation fin set200may be included as a component of the semiconductor device100. The lower end50of the frame portion22contacts the upper surface of the heat-dissipation fin set200.

The lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower surface27of the metal base26, and therefore a space having a predetermined thickness T is provided between the lower surface27of the metal base26and the heat-dissipation fin set200. Also, a space is provided between the lower surface of the package portion10and the heat-dissipation fin set200. These spaces are filled with thermal grease202. The thickness T of the space is approximately equal to the length by which the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower end of the metal base26. Such a structure can reduce variation in the thickness T of the thermal grease202. Thus, variation in thermal conduction between the metal base26and the heat-dissipation fin set200can be reduced.

The length by which the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower end of the metal base26(that is, the thickness T) may be 50 μm or more and 100 μm or less. If the thickness T is excessively large, the thermal conduction property between the metal base26and the heat-dissipation fin set200is lowered. Also, if the thickness T is excessively small, it is difficult to fill the space between the metal base26and the heat-dissipation fin set200with the thermal grease202. The thickness T may be 60 μm or more, or may be 70 μm or more. The thickness T may be 90 μm or less, or may be 80 μm or less.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating some processes in a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device100. First, in Step S400, members to be housed in the package portion10such as the metal base26and the semiconductor chip40are prepared.

In Step S402, members such as the metal base26and the semiconductor chip40are arranged at a predetermined position relative to a mold for injection molding of the package portion10. Also, a tool for forming the penetration space24is arranged at a position where the penetration space24is to be formed. The outline of at least part of the tool is the same as the shape of the penetration space24. The tool may be formed of metal such as copper. With these members and the tool arranged, resin is injected into the mold. After injecting resin, irradiation of an ultraviolet ray or the like may be performed to cure the resin. In this manner, the package portion10is formed.

In Step S404, the tool for forming the penetration space24is removed from the package portion10. For example, the tool is taken out from the package portion10by pushing out or drawing out the tool. In this manner, the penetration space24is formed in the package portion10.

In Step S406, the frame portion22is inserted in the penetration space24. At this time, the frame portion22is inserted such that the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower surface27of the metal base26and the lower surface14of the package portion10. In Step S406, a receiving tool with a concave portion having a depth corresponding to the amount by which the frame portion22protrudes may be arranged on the lower surface14side of the package portion10, and then the frame portion22may be inserted in the penetration space24from the upper surface side of the package portion10.

The outline of the frame portion22may be the same as the shape of the penetration space24, as shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3. Also, the frame portion22has springiness, and the outline of the frame portion22may become the same as the shape of the penetration space24when the frame portion22is inserted in the penetration space24.

The semiconductor device100can be manufactured by such processes. Since the frame portion22is inserted in the penetration space24after the package portion10is formed, the resin does not remain in the penetration space24inside the frame portion22. Thus, a process of removing the resin from the inside of the frame portion22can be omitted, and generation of flaws in the inner surface of the frame portion22when removing the resin can be suppressed.

Also, since the frame portion22is inserted after the package portion10is formed, it is easy to allow the lower end50of the frame portion22to protrude from the lower surface27of the metal base26and the lower surface14of the package portion10, and the length by which it protrudes can be easily adjusted. Also, it is easy to allow the upper end of the frame portion22to protrude from the upper surface12of the package portion10.

FIG. 6is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the frame portion22in the cross section taken along A-A. InFIG. 6, for the frame portion22, only its cross section that is in the cross section taken along A-A is shown. InFIG. 6, a fastening member210inserted in the penetration space24surrounded by the frame portion22is also shown. The fastening member210is, for example, a screw.

In the present example, the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower surface14of the package portion10, and the upper end52of the frame portion22protrudes above the upper surface12of the package portion10(the bottom surface of the recessed portion28in the example ofFIG. 6). The length by which the lower end50protrudes from the lower surface14and the length by which the upper end52protrudes from the upper surface12(the bottom surface of the recessed portion28in the present example) may be the same, or may be different.

The upper end52of the frame portion22contacts the fastening member210. In this manner, the fastening member210does not contact the upper surface12of the package portion10(the bottom surface of the recessed portion28in the present example). Also, the lower end50of the frame portion22contacts an external device such as the heat-dissipation fin set200. The lower end of the fastening member210is inserted into a screw hole or the like provided in an external device such as the heat-dissipation fin set200. Thus, when the fastening member210is tightened, force to compress in the Z-axis direction may be applied to the frame portion22, but such compression force is not applied to the package portion10. Thus, the package portion10can be protected.

FIG. 7is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the frame portion22in a cross section taken along B-B inFIG. 1. The cross section taken along B-B is a cross section that is perpendicular to the cross section taken along A-A and is parallel to the Y-Z plane. As shown inFIG. 7, in the cross section taken along B-B, frame portions22are arranged on both sides of the fastening member210, and the upper end of each frame portion22contacts the fastening member210.

FIG. 8shows another example of the frame portion22in the cross section taken along B-B. The frame portion22in the present example has a wider portion53. A width W2of the wider portion53outside the package portion10is greater than a width W1of a portion55inserted in the penetration space24of the package portion10. The widths refer to widths in at least one direction in the X-Y plane. In the present example, the width W2of the wider portion53is greater than the width W1of the portion55in the Y-axis direction in the cross section taken along B-B.

The wider portion53in the present example is arranged above the upper surface12of the package portion10(the bottom surface of the recessed portion28inFIG. 8). The wider portion53may be arranged at the upper end52of the frame portion22. The upper surface of the wider portion53contacts the fastening member210. It is preferable that the lower surface of the wider portion53does not contact the upper surface of the package portion10(the bottom surface of the recessed portion28in the present example). In this manner, the package portion10can be protected while preventing the frame portion22from falling out of the penetration space24.

FIG. 9shows another example of the frame portion22in the cross section taken along B-B. The frame portion22in the present example has a wider portion53at the lower end50. It is preferable that the wider portion53is formed along the lower surface of the package portion10. That is, the upper surface of the wider portion53contacts the lower surface of the package portion10. It is preferable that the thickness of the wider portion53is the same as the length by which the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower surface of the package portion10.

Such a structure allows the thickness of the space between the semiconductor device100and an external device such as the heat-dissipation fin set200to be controlled more precisely. Also, the area in which the frame portion22contacts an external device such as the heat-dissipation fin set200can be increased, and therefore the stress applied to the external device can be dispersed. The width W2of the wider portion53shown inFIG. 8orFIG. 9may be 1.5 times or more, or two times or more of the width W1of the portion55.

FIG. 10shows an example of the shapes of the frame portion22and the penetration space24in the X-Y plane. As described above, the penetration space24in the present example is a U-shaped open space provided extending from the end side11of the package portion10toward the inside of the package portion10in the X-Y plane.

In the X-Y plane, the penetration space24may have a curved shape at a tip portion25farthest from the end side11of the package portion10. In the X-Y plane, the penetration space24has two connection portions29that connect the tip portion25and the end side11. The connection portions29may be provided in parallel and in a linear shape in the X-Y plane. The distance between the two connection portions29is referred to as W3.

The frame portion22has a tip portion23and two connection portions21. The tip portion23of the frame portion22has a curved shape similar to the tip portion25of the penetration space24. The connection portions21are provided extending from both respective ends of the tip portion23in the X-axis direction. The two connection portions21may be provided in parallel, or may not be provided in parallel, in the X-Y plane.

The frame portion22in the present example has springiness. That is, the frame portion22elastically deforms in response to applied force, and generates restoring force so as to be restored to its original shape. It is preferable that, when the frame portion22is inserted along the inner wall of the penetration space24, restoring force is generated in a direction to press the inner wall of the penetration space24. In this manner, the frame portion22falling out of the penetration space24can be suppressed.

In the present example, when the frame portion22is not inserted in the penetration space24(that is, when force is not applied thereto), a width W4between the ends of the two connection portions21opposite to the tip portion23is greater than the width W3between the two connection portions29of the penetration space24. The width between the portions of the two connection portions21connected to the tip portion23may be the same as the width W3between the connection portions29. As shown inFIG. 10, when the frame portion22is not inserted in the penetration space24, it has a shape in which the width between the two connection portions21increases as the distance from the tip portion23increases.

When the frame portion22having such a structure is inserted in the penetration space24, the two connection portions21are pressed so as to approach each other. In this manner, restoring force is generated such that the connection portions21of the frame portion22press the connection portions29of the penetration space24toward the outside.

FIG. 11Ashows another example of the shape of the lower end50of the frame portion22. Structures other than the shape of the lower end50of the frame portion22are the same as those of the semiconductor device100in any form described inFIG. 1toFIG. 10. InFIG. 11A, an example is shown where the shape of the lower end50of the frame portion22is altered from that in the structure shown inFIG. 2. In the present example, the lower end50of the frame portion22has a shape tilted in the X-Z plane, as shown inFIG. 11A.

FIG. 11Bis an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lower end50of the frame portion22shown inFIG. 11A. Note that, inFIG. 11B, the tip portion23and the connection portions21of the frame portion22shown inFIG. 10are both shown as their projection onto the same X-Z plane. In the present example, the length by which the frame portion22protrudes below the lower surface14of the package portion10is greater at an outer portion15closest to the end side11of the package portion10(that is, the end of the connection portion21opposite to the tip portion23) in the X-Y plane than at an inner portion13farthest from the end side11of the package portion10(that is, the tip portion23) in the X-Y plane. In the present example, when the length by which the inner portion13protrudes is referred to as T1and the length by which the outer portion15protrudes is referred to as T2, T2is greater than T1. Note that, in the X-Z plane, the lower end50between the inner portion13and the outer portion15has a linear shape, but the lower end50may have a curved shape. The length by which the lower end50protrudes may increase toward the outer portion15from the inner portion13.

In some cases, warping is generated in the semiconductor device100due to temperature change. In particular, relatively large warping may be generated in the longitudinal direction of the semiconductor device100(the X-axis direction in the present example). When warping is generated in the semiconductor device100, both ends of the package portion10are displaced in the upper direction. As the lower end50of the frame portion22has a tilted shape, warping in the semiconductor device100can be canceled.

FIG. 12shows another example of the semiconductor device100. According to the semiconductor device100in the present example, the shapes of the penetration space24and the frame portion22are different from those of the examples in theFIG. 1toFIG. 11B. Other structures are the same as those of the semiconductor device100in any aspect described inFIG. 1toFIG. 11B.

The penetration space24in the present example is a closed space that is not continuous with the space outside the package portion10in the X-Y plane. Note that, in the Z-axis direction, the penetration space24is continuous with the space outside the package portion10. For example, the shape of the penetration space24in the X-Y plane is a circle, but the shape of the penetration space24is not so limited.

The frame portion22is provided along the inner wall of the package portion10exposed to the penetration space24. In the X-Y plane, the outline of the frame portion22is the same as the outline of the penetration space24. For example, the shape of the frame portion22in the X-Y plane is circular, but the shape of the frame portion22is not so limited.

In the present example as well, the lower end50of the frame portion22protrudes below the lower surface27of the metal base26and the lower surface14of the package portion10. In the present example as well, it is possible to reduce variation in the thickness of the space between the semiconductor device100and an external device such as the heat-dissipation fin set200. The upper end52of the frame portion22may also protrude above the upper surface12of the package portion10.

Note that, if the penetration space24and the frame portion22have a closed shape, a remaining portion17having a relatively small thickness in the X-axis direction is provided between the frame portion22and the end side11of the package portion10. Since the remaining portion17has a small thickness, its strength is lower than the other portions. In contrast, the semiconductor device100in the examples ofFIG. 1toFIG. 11Bdoes not include the remaining portion17, and therefore the strength of the package portion10can be improved.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES