Solid state drive apparatus and data storage system having the same

A solid state drive apparatus includes a housing having an inner space and a plurality of vent channels penetrating a first side wall at a first side of the housing and a connector opening penetrating a second side wall at a second side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing, and a package substrate module in the inner space and having a package base substrate and a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the package base substrate. Each of the plurality of vent channels extends inwardly from an outer surface of the first side wall to an inner surface of the first side wall such that a vertical level of at least a portion of each of the plurality of vent channels varies between the outer surface and the inner surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0001683, filed on Jan. 5, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concept relates to a solid state drive apparatus and a data storage system having the same, and more particularly, to a solid state drive apparatus including a housing having vent holes, and a data storage system having the solid state drive apparatus.

Solid state drive apparatuses are gaining attention as a next-generation storage device to replace hard disk drives. The solid state drive apparatuses are storage devices based on a non-volatile memory and have low power consumption and a high storage density. In addition, solid state drive apparatuses used as a storage device allow for the input and output of a large amount of data at a high speed, and thus, a higher demand for the solid state drive apparatuses is expected.

Accordingly, data storage systems having a solid state drive apparatus are also being developed. However, as the capacity of the solid state drive apparatuses increases, heat generation also increases.

SUMMARY

The inventive concept provides a solid state drive apparatus having increased reliability by maximizing heat dissipation, and a data storage system having the solid state drive apparatus.

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a solid state drive apparatus including: a housing having an inner space and a plurality of vent channels penetrating a first side wall at a first side of the housing and a connector opening penetrating a second side wall at a second side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing; and a package substrate module in the inner space and having a package base substrate and a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the package base substrate. Each of the plurality of vent channels extends inwardly from an outer surface of the first side wall to an inner surface of the first side wall such that a vertical level of at least a portion of each of the plurality of vent channels varies between the outer surface and the inner surface.

According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a solid state drive apparatus including: a housing defining an inner space and a plurality of vent channels defined in a first side wall at a first side of the housing and a connector opening defining in a second side wall at a second side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing; a first package substrate module in the inner space and including a first package base substrate and a plurality of first memory semiconductor chips and at least one controller chip mounted on the first package base substrate; and a second package substrate module in the inner space and including a second package base substrate and a plurality of second memory semiconductor chips mounted on the second package base substrate. Each of the plurality of vent channels extends inwardly and upwardly from an outer surface of the first side wall to an inner surface of the first side wall.

According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a data storage system including a solid state drive apparatus, including: a main board; a plurality of solid state drive apparatuses each including a housing having an inner space and a plurality of vent holes penetrating a first side wall at a first side of the housing and a connector opening penetrating a second side wall at a second side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing, a package substrate module in the inner space and having a package base substrate and a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the package base substrate, wherein the second side wall faces the main board and is connected to the main board; and at least one cooling fan arranged adjacent to the first side wall of each of the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses. For each of the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses, each of the plurality of vent holes extends inwardly from an outer surface of the first side wall to an inner surface of the first side wall such that a vertical level of at least a portion of each of the plurality of vent holes varies between the outer surface and the inner surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1Bare perspective views from different directions of a solid state drive apparatus1according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 1Cis a cross-sectional view illustrating the solid state drive apparatus1according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 1Dis a side view of the solid state drive apparatus1according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. In detail,FIG. 1Cis a cross-sectional view cut along line IC-IC′ ofFIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring toFIGS. 1A through 1D, the solid state drive apparatus1includes a housing100and a package substrate module400mounted in the housing100.

The housing100may be formed of a single material or different materials combined with one another considering heat transfer characteristics. The housing100may be formed of a metal, a carbon-based material, a polymer material, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The housing100may be formed of, for example, copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), stainless steel or a clad metal including these. Alternatively, the housing100may be formed of, for example, graphite, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon nanotube (CNT) composite, or the like. Alternatively, the housing100may be formed of a polymer material such as epoxy resin, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), or the like.

The housing100may include an upper cover102and a lower cover104coupled to the upper cover102. The housing100may include an inner space or cavity108which is defined or enclosed by the upper cover102and the lower cover104and in which the package substrate module400is received.

The housing100may have a first side wall SW1and a second side wall SW2which are opposite to each other. In this specification, most portions of the first side wall SW1and the second side wall SW2are shown as portions of the upper cover102. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and various modifications in the form may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art such that most portions of the first side wall SW1and the second side wall SW2of the housing100are portions of the lower cover104or the first side wall SW1and the second side wall SW2of the housing100are respectively a portion of the upper cover102and a portion of the lower cover104. However, for convenience of description, the present description will focus on an embodiment where most portions of the first side wall SW1and the second side wall SW2are portions of the upper cover102.

The housing100may have a plurality of vent holes or channels110defined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110may penetrate the first side wall SW1so as to communicate the outside of the housing100with the inner space108. In other words, the inner space108and the area outside of the housing100may be in fluid communication via the vent holes110. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to extend in an oblique direction or at an oblique angle with respect to each of an upper surface of the housing100and a surface of the first side wall SW1. A vertical cross-section of each of the plurality of vent holes110may be, for example, a bar shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, the vertical cross-section of each of the plurality of vent holes110may have various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, and a rectangle.

The plurality of vent holes110will be described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2C.

The housing100may have a connector groove or opening120defined in the second side wall SW2. The connector groove120may penetrate the second side wall SW2so as to communicate the outside of the housing100with the inner space108. The connector groove120may be formed to pass through, for example, the upper cover102. An external connector200connected to the package substrate module400may be disposed in the connector groove120.

The external connector200may include a terminal portion210electrically connected to the package substrate module400and a connector body portion220supporting the terminal portion210. The external connector200may connect the solid state drive apparatus1with an external host to exchange signals and/or receive power. The external connector200may be configured to be connectable to an external device in accordance with, for example, a parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA) standard, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) standard, a small computer system interface (SCSI) standard, or a PCI Express (PCIe) Connector. The SATA standard covers not only SATA-1 but also all SATA-related standards such as SATA-2, SATA-3, and external SATA (e-SATA). The PCIe standard covers not only PCIe 1.0, but also all PCIe family standards such as PCIe 2.0, PCIe 2.1, PCIe 3.0, and PCIe 4.0. The SCSI standard encompasses all SCSI family standards such as parallel SCSI, serial-attached SA-SCSI (SAS), and iSCSI. In some embodiments, the external connector200may be a connector configured to support an M2 interface, an mSATA interface, or a 2.5″ interface.

The package substrate module400may include a package base substrate410and a plurality of semiconductor chips420mounted on the package base substrate410. The package substrate module400may be or include, for example, a single in-line memory module (SIMM) mounted on an upper surface of the package base substrate410, but is not limited thereto. The package substrate module400may be or include, for example, a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) mounted on each of upper and lower surfaces of the package base substrate410.

A method of mounting the plurality of semiconductor chips420on the package base substrate410may be a ball grid array (BGA) method, a pin grid array (PGA) method, a tape carrier package (TCP) method, a chip-on-board (COB) method, a quad flat no-lead (QFN) method, a quad flat package (QFP) method, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the package base substrate410may be a printed circuit board. For example, the package base substrate410may be a double-sided printed circuit board or a multi-layer printed circuit board. The package base substrate410may include a substrate base formed of at least one material selected from a phenol resin, an epoxy resin, and polyimide. The substrate base may be formed of at least one material selected from a phenol resin, an epoxy resin, and polyimide. The substrate base may be formed of, for example, Frame Retardant 4 (FR4), tetrafunctional epoxy, polyphenylene ether, epoxy/polyphenylene oxide, bismaleimide triazine (BT), thermount, a cyanate ester, polyimide, and a liquid crystal polymer.

The package base substrate410may have a wiring pattern formed on upper and lower surfaces of the substrate base. In some embodiments, when the substrate base includes a plurality of layers, the wiring pattern may be formed between each of the plurality of layers of the substrate base. A conductive via connecting the wiring patterns may be formed in the substrate base of the package base substrate410. The conductive via may penetrate the entire substrate base or a portion of the substrate base to electrically connect the wiring patterns. The wiring patterns and/or the conductive via may be formed of copper, nickel, stainless steel, or beryllium copper.

A solder resist layer may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the package base substrate410to cover at least a portion of the wiring patterns disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate base. A portion of the wiring patterns disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate base and not covered by the solder resist layer may be used as a pad to be electrically connected with the plurality of semiconductor chips420, an active element or a passive element attached to the upper surface and/or lower surface of the package base substrate410.

The plurality of semiconductor chips420may include a plurality of memory semiconductor chips422and at least one controller chip424.

The plurality of memory semiconductor chips422and the controller chip424may each include a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate may include, for example, silicon (Si). Alternatively, the semiconductor substrate may include a semiconductor element such as germanium or a compound semiconductor such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium arsenide (InAs), and indium phosphide (InP). The semiconductor substrate may have an active surface and an inactive surface opposite to the active surface. A semiconductor device including a plurality of individual devices of various kinds on the active surface may be formed in each of the plurality of memory semiconductor chips422and the controller chip424.

The plurality of memory semiconductor chips422may be a non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device may be implemented as, for example, a flash memory, phase-change RAM (PRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), and the like, but is not limited thereto. The flash memory may be, for example, a NAND flash memory. The flash memory may be, for example, a V-NAND flash memory. The non-volatile memory device may include one semiconductor die or a stack of several semiconductor dies.

In some embodiments, some of the plurality of memory semiconductor chips422may be volatile memory devices. The volatile memory device may be, for example, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, DDR RAM, RDRAM, and the like, but is not limited thereto. The volatile memory device provides a cache function for storing data that is frequently used when the external host accesses the solid state drive apparatus1, thereby scaling an access time and data transfer performance according to process performance of the external host connected to the solid state drive apparatus1.

The controller chip424may be used to control the plurality of memory semiconductor chips422. A controller may be mounted in the controller chip424. The controller may control access to data stored in the nonvolatile memory device. That is, the controller may control write/read operations of the nonvolatile memory device such as a flash memory according to a control command of an external host. The controller may be a separate control semiconductor chip such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The controller may be designed to be automatically executed by an operating system of the external host when, for example, the solid state drive apparatus1is connected to the external host. The controller may provide standard protocols such as PATA, SATA, SCSI, or PCIe. Also, the controller may perform wear leveling, garbage collection, bad block management, and error correcting code (ECC) for the nonvolatile memory device. In this case, the controller may include a script for automatic execution and an application program that may be executed in the external host.

Although not illustrated, the package substrate module400may further include an active element or a passive element such as a chip resistor, a chip capacitor, an inductor, a switch, a temperature sensor, a DC-DC converter, a quartz for generating a clock signal or a voltage regulator, which are mounted on the package base substrate410.

The housing100may have a test groove or opening130defined in the first side wall SW1. The test groove130may penetrate the first side wall SW1so as to communicate the outside of the housing100with the inner space108. The test groove130may be formed to pass through, for example, the upper cover102. The test groove130may be spaced apart from each of the plurality of vent holes110.

A test connector300corresponding to or accessible through the test groove130may be mounted on the package base substrate410. The solid state drive apparatus1may be tested through the test connector300even when the solid state drive apparatus1is connected to an external host via the external connector200.

Tests will now be briefly described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 11. While the solid state drive apparatus1is connected to a main board700, the test connector300corresponds to the test groove130of the first side wall SW1opposite to the second side wall SW2facing the main board700. A test on the solid state drive apparatus1may be conducted using the test connector300without disconnecting the solid state drive apparatus1from the main board700.

FIG. 2Ais an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;FIG. 2Bis an enlarged partial side view of a solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 2Cis an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vent hole of the solid state drive apparatus. In detail,FIG. 2Ais an enlarged view of a region A ofFIG. 1C; andFIG. 2Bis an enlarged view of a portion B ofFIG. 1D. In addition,FIG. 2Cis a separate enlarged view of a portion C ofFIG. 2A.

Referring toFIGS. 2A to 2Ctogether, the housing100may have a plurality of vent holes or channels110defined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110may pass through the first side wall SW1to communicate the outside of the housing100with the inner space108. In other words, the inner space108and the area outside of the housing100may be in fluid communication via the vent holes110. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to pass through, for example, the upper cover102. The plurality of vent holes110may extend between an inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and an outer surface117of the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to extend in an oblique direction or at an oblique angle with respect to each of an upper surface of the housing100and a surface of the first side wall SW1(e.g., the inner surface115or the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1). Each of the plurality of vent holes110may extend while a level of at least a portion of the housing110is varied from the outside to the inside of the housing100. In some embodiments, the plurality of vent holes110may be formed to extend from the outside to the inside of the housing100in an oblique direction in which a level rises. For example, each vent hole110may be inclined and extend upwardly from the outer surface117to the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of vent holes110may be formed to extend from the outside to the inside of the housing100in an oblique direction in which a level decreases. That is, each vent hole110may be inclined and extend downwardly from the outer surface117to the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1.

For example, an inclination (0) of the housing100in an extension direction of the vent holes110with respect to a thickness direction of the first side wall SW1may have a value of arcsin(HR/CT)±5°. Here, CT is a thickness of the first side wall SW1of the housing100, and HR is a diameter of the vent holes110. As used herein, diameter may mean a distance or spacing between an upper end of the vent hole110and a lower end of the vent hole110.

An outer side portion112and an inner side portion114may be formed at a first or outer side and a second or inner side of each of the plurality of vent holes110, respectively. The outer side portion112and the inner side portion114may be portions of the housing100adjacent to the vent holes110that define the vent holes110. The outer side portion112may be a portion of the housing100defining the vent holes110outside the housing100, and the inner side portion114may be a portion of the housing100defining the vent holes110at the inner space108of the housing100. For example, the inner side portion114may include the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer side portion112may include the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1. In some embodiments, the inner side portion114of each of the plurality of vent holes110may be overall at a higher level than the outer side portion112. That is, the inner side portion114of each of the plurality of vent holes110may be at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than the outer side portion112. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the inner side portion114of each of the plurality of vent holes110may be overall at a lower level than the outer side portion112. That is, the inner side portion114of each of the plurality of vent holes110may be at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than the outer side portion112.

In detail, the inner side portion114located overall at a higher level than the outer side portion112indicates that an upper end of the inner side portion114has a higher level than an upper end of the outer side portion112, and a lower end of the inner side portion114also has a higher level than a lower end of the outer side portion112. That is, an upper end of the inner side portion114is at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than an upper end the outer side portion112, and a lower end of the inner side portion114is also at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than a lower end of the of the outer side portion112. Likewise, the inner side portion114located overall at a lower level than the outer side portion112indicates that an upper end of the inner side portion114has a lower level than an upper end of the outer side portion112, and a lower end of the inner side portion114also has a lower level than a lower end of the outer side portion112. That is, an upper end of the inner side portion114is at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than an upper end the outer side portion112, and a lower end of the inner side portion114is also at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than a lower end of the of the outer side portion112.

In some embodiments, a first level, height, or vertical position L1, which is a level of the upper end of the outer side portion112, may be equal to or lower than the second level, height, or vertical position L2, which is a level of the lower end of the inner side portion114. In this case, an inclination of the vent holes110in an extension direction thereof may have a value of about arcsin(HR/CT) to about arcsin (HR/CT)+5°. In some embodiments, in some of the plurality of vent holes110, the second level L2may be lower than the upper surface of the package base substrate410and higher than the lower surface of the package base substrate410. For the rest of the plurality of vent holes110, the second level L2may be higher than an upper surface of the semiconductor chip420.

When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100in a horizontal direction, an observer viewing the vent holes110from the outside of the housing100may observe only an inner surface of the vent holes110through the outer side portion112. Accordingly, the observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108of the housing100through the vent holes110.

FIGS. 3A to 6Bare modified embodiments of the solid state drive apparatus1described with reference toFIGS. 1A to 2C, and common reference numerals ofFIGS. 1A to 2Cmay be referred to together here.

FIG. 3Ais an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 3Bis an enlarged partial side view of the solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. In detail,FIG. 3Ais an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the region A ofFIG. 1C, andFIG. 3Bis an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the portion B ofFIG. 1D.

Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a housing100amay include an upper cover102aand a lower cover104acoupled to the upper cover102a. The housing100amay have a plurality of vent holes or channels110adefined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110amay penetrate the first side wall SW1and communicate with the inner space108with the outside of the housing100a. In other words, the inner space108and the area outside of the housing100amay be in fluid communication via the vent holes110a. The plurality of vent holes110amay be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102a. The plurality of vent holes110amay extend between an inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and an outer surface117of the first side wall SW1. Each of the plurality of vent holes110amay extend while a level or vertical position of at least a portion thereof is varied from the outside to the inside of the housing100. For example, the plurality of vent holes110amay be formed to extend from the outside to the inside of the housing100ain an oblique direction or at an oblique angle with respect to each of an upper surface of the housing100aand a surface of the first side wall SW1(e.g., the inner surface115or the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1). In some embodiments, the plurality of vent holes110amay be formed to extend from the outside to the inside of the housing100ain an oblique direction in which a level rises. For example, each vent hole110amay be inclined and extend upwardly from the outer surface117to the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1.

An outer side portion112aand an inner side portion114amay be formed at a first side and a second side of each of the plurality of vent holes110a, respectively. The outer side portion112aand the inner side portion114amay be portions of the housing100aadjacent to the vent holes110aand defining the vent holes110a. The outer side portion112amay be a portion of the housing100adefining the vent holes110aoutside the housing100b, and the inner side portion114amay be a portion of the housing100adefining the vent holes110aat the inner space108of the housing100a. For example, the inner side portion114amay include the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer side portion112amay include the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1.

In some embodiments, the inner side portion114aof each of the plurality of vent holes110amay be overall at a higher level than the outer side portion112a. That is, the inner side portion114aof each of the plurality of vent holes110amay be at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than the outer side portion112a. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the inner side portion114aof each of the plurality of vent holes110amay be overall at a lower level than the outer side portion112a. That is, the inner side portion114aof each of the plurality of vent holes110amay be at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than the outer side portion112a.

In detail, the inner side portion114alocated overall at a higher level than the outer side portion112aindicates that an upper end of the inner side portion114ahas a higher level than an upper end of the outer side portion112a, and a lower end of the inner side portion114aalso has a higher level than a lower end of the outer side portion112a. That is, an upper end of the inner side portion114ais at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than an upper end the outer side portion112a, and a lower end of the inner side portion114ais also at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than a lower end of the of the outer side portion112a. Likewise, the inner side portion114alocated overall at a lower level than the outer side portion112aindicates that an upper end of the inner side portion114ahas a lower level than an upper end of the outer side portion112a, and a lower end of the inner side portion114aalso has a lower level than a lower end of the outer side portion112a. That is, an upper end of the inner side portion114ais at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than an upper end the outer side portion112a, and a lower end of the inner side portion114ais also at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than a lower end of the of the outer side portion112a.

In some embodiments, a first level, height, or vertical position L1aat the upper end of the outer side portion112amay have a level higher than a second level, height, or vertical position L2awhich is a level of the lower end of the inner side portion114a. In this case, the inclination (0) of the vent holes110ain the extension direction (seeFIG. 2C) may have a value of about arcsin(HR/CT) to about arcsin(HR/CT)−5°. CT here denotes a thickness of the first side wall SW1of the housing100a, and HR (seeFIG. 2C) is a diameter of the vent holes110a. In some embodiments, the second level L2ain some of the plurality of vent holes110amay be lower than the upper surface of the package base substrate410and higher than the lower surface of the package base substrate410. The second level L2amay be higher than the upper surface of the semiconductor chip420for the rest of the plurality of vent holes110a.

When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100ain a horizontal direction, an observer viewing the vent holes110afrom the outside of the housing100amay observe only a side surface of the package base substrate410or the inner space108of the housing100athrough the outer side portion112a. Accordingly, the observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108of the housing100athrough the vent holes110a.

FIG. 4Ais an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 4Bis an enlarged partial side view of the solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. In detail,FIG. 4Ais an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the region A ofFIG. 1C, andFIG. 4Bis an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the portion B ofFIG. 1D.

Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, a housing100bmay include an upper cover102band a lower cover104bcoupled to the upper cover102b. The housing100bmay have a plurality of vent holes or channels110bdefined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110bmay penetrate the first side wall SW1and communicate the outside of the housing100bwith the inner space108. In other words, the inner space108and the area outside of the housing100bmay be in fluid communication via the vent holes110b. The plurality of vent holes110bmay be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102b. The plurality of vent holes110bmay extend between an inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and an outer surface117of the first side wall SW1. Each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay extend from the outside of the housing100btoward the inside of the housing100bwhile a level or height of at least a portion of the plurality of vent holes110bis varied. Each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay include an inner vent hole110b-I and an outer vent hole110b-O that communicate with each other. The inner vent hole110b-I may inwardly extend into an inner portion of the first side wall SW1in a horizontal direction from the inner space108of the housing100b, and the outer vent hole110b-I may inwardly extend into the inner portion of the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100bsuch that that the inner vent hole110b-I and the outer vent hole110b-O communicate with each other. The inner vent hole110b-I and the outer vent hole110b-O of each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay have different levels overall and may inwardly extend into the inner portion of the housing100bin a horizontal direction from the inside and the outside of the housing100b. The inner vent hole110b-I of each vent hole110bmay extend from the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer vent hole110b-O of each vent hole110bmay extend from the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1.

An outer side portion112band an inner side portion114bmay be formed at a first side and a second side of each of the plurality of vent holes110b, respectively. The outer side portion112band the inner side portion114bmay be portions of the housing100badjacent to the vent holes110band defining the vent holes110b. The outer side portion112bmay be a portion of the housing100bdefining the vent holes110boutside the housing100b, that is, defining the outer vent holes110b-O, and the inner side portion114bmay be a portion of the housing100bdefining the vent holes110bat the inner space108of the housing100b, that is, defining the inner vent holes110b-I. For example, the inner side portion114bmay include the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer side portion112bmay include the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1.

In some embodiments, the inner side portion114bof each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay be overall at a lower level than the outer side portion112b. That is, the inner side portion114bof each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay be at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than the outer side portion112b. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the inner side portion114bof each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay be overall at a higher level than the outer side portion112b. That is, the inner side portion114bof each of the plurality of vent holes110bmay be at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than the outer side portion112b.

In detail, the inner side portion114blocated overall at a higher level than the outer side portion112bindicates that an upper end of the inner side portion114bhas a higher level than an upper end of the outer side portion112b, and a lower end of the inner side portion114balso has a higher level than a lower end of the outer side portion112b. That is, an upper end of the inner side portion114bis at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than an upper end the outer side portion112b, and a lower end of the inner side portion114bis also at a higher vertical position on the first side wall SW1than a lower end of the of the outer side portion112b. Likewise, the inner side portion114blocated overall at a lower level than the outer side portion112bindicates that an upper end of the inner side portion114bhas a lower level than an upper end of the outer side portion112b, and a lower end of the inner side portion114balso has a lower level than a lower end of the outer side portion112b. That is, an upper end of the inner side portion114bis at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than an upper end the outer side portion112b, and a lower end of the inner side portion114bis also at a lower vertical position on the first side wall SW1than a lower end of the of the outer side portion112b.

In some embodiments, a first level, height, or vertical position L1bwhich is a level of an upper end of the outer side portion112band a second level, height, or vertical position L2bwhich is a level of a lower end of the inner side portion114bmay have the same or substantially the same level as each other. When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100bin a horizontal direction, an observer viewing the vent holes110bfrom the outside of the housing100bmay observe only a portion of the housing100bin the outer vent hole110b-O through the outer side portion112b. Accordingly, the observer is not able to observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108of the housing100bthrough the vent holes110b.

In some of the plurality of vent holes110b, the first level L1band the second level L2bmay be at a level lower than the upper surface of the package base substrate410and at a higher level than the lower surface of the package base substrate410. For the rest of the plurality of vent holes110b, the first level L1band the second level L2bmay be at a higher level than the upper surface of the semiconductor chip420.

In other embodiments, the first level L1bwhich is the level of the upper end of the outer side portion112bmay have a lower level than the second level L2bwhich is the level of the lower end of the inner side portion114b. When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100bin a horizontal direction, an observer viewing the vent holes110bfrom the outside of the housing100bmay observe only a side surface of the package base substrate410in the housing100bor the inner space108of the housing100bthrough the outer side portion112b. Accordingly, the observer is not able to observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108of the housing100bthrough the vent holes110b.

FIG. 5Ais an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 5Bis an enlarged partial side view of the solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. In detail,FIG. 5Ais an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the region A ofFIG. 1C, andFIG. 5Bis an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the portion B ofFIG. 1D.

Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, a housing100cmay include an upper cover102cand a lower cover104ccoupled to the upper cover102c. The housing100cmay have a plurality of vent holes or channels110cdefined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110cmay penetrate the first side wall SW1and communicate the outside of the housing100cwith the inner space108. In other words, the inner space108and the area outside of the housing100cmay be in fluid communication via the vent holes110c. The plurality of vent holes110cmay be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102c. The plurality of vent holes110cmay extend between an inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and an outer surface117of the first side wall SW1. Each of the plurality of vent holes110cmay inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100cwhile a level or height in at least a portion of the vent holes110cis varied. Each of the plurality of vent holes110cmay include an inner vent hole110c-I and an outer vent hole110c-O that communicate with each other. The inner vent hole110c-I may extend from the inner space108of the housing100ctoward an inner portion of the first side wall SW1of the housing100cin an oblique direction or at an oblique angle, and the outer vent hole110c-I may extend from the outside of the housing100ctoward the inner portion of the first side wall SW1of the housing100cin an oblique direction or at an oblique angle such that the inner vent hole110c-I and the outer vent hole110c-O communicate with each other. The inner vent hole110c-I of each vent hole110cmay extend from the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer vent hole110c-O of each vent hole110cmay extend from the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1.

In some embodiments, the inner vent hole110c-I of the plurality of vent holes110cmay inwardly extend from the inside of the housing100cor the inner surface115in an oblique direction in which a level decreases, and the outer vent hole110c-O of the plurality of vent holes110cmay inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100cor the outer surface117in an oblique direction in which a level decreases, so that the vent holes110cextend from the outside to the inside of the housing100cin a V-shape.

In some embodiments, the inner vent hole110c-I of the plurality of vent holes110cmay inwardly extend from the inside of the housing100cor the inner surface115in an oblique direction in which a level rises, and the outer vent hole110c-O of the plurality of vent holes110cmay inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100cor the outer surface117in an oblique direction in which a level rises, so that the plurality of vent holes110chave a {circumflex over ( )} or inverse V-shape.

An outer side portion112cand an inner side portion114cmay be formed at a first side and a second side of each of the plurality of vent holes110c, respectively. The outer side portion112cand the inner side portion114cmay be portions of the housing100cadjacent to the vent holes110cand defining the vent holes110c. The outer side portion112cmay be a portion of the housing100cdefining the vent holes110coutside the housing100c, that is, the outer vent holes110c-O, and the inner side portion114cmay be a portion of the housing100cdefining the vent holes110cat the inner space108of the housing100c, that is, the inner vent holes110c-I. For example, the inner side portion114cmay include the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer side portion112cmay include the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1.

In some embodiments, the inner side portion114cof each of the plurality of vent holes110cmay be overall at a higher level or vertical position than the outer side portion112cor at an identical level or vertical position to the outer side portion112cor at a lower level or vertical position than the outer side portion112c.

In some embodiments, a first level, height, or vertical position L1c, which is a level of an upper end of the outer side portion112c, may have a higher level than a third level, height, or vertical position L3c, which is a level of an upper end of the vent holes110cwhere the outer vent holes110c-O and the inner vent holes110c-I meet, and the third level L3cmay have a higher level than a second level, height, or vertical position L2c, which is a level of a lower end of the inner side portion114c.

When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100cin a horizontal direction, an observer viewing the vent holes110cfrom the outside of the housing100cmay observe only a side surface of the package base substrate410or the inner space108of the housing100cthrough the outer side portion112. Accordingly, the observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108of the housing100cthrough the vent holes110c.

In another embodiments, when the first level L1chas an identical level to or a lower level than the third level L3c, or the second level L2chas an identical level to or a higher level than the third level L3c, an observer who views the vent holes110cfrom the outside of the housing100cin a horizontal direction may observe only the housing100cin the inner vent holes110c-I. Accordingly, the observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108in the housing100cthrough the vent holes110c.

FIG. 6Ais an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 6Bis an enlarged partial side view of the solid state drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. In detail,FIG. 6Ais an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the region A ofFIG. 1C, andFIG. 6Bis an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to the portion B ofFIG. 1D.

Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, a housing100dmay include an upper cover102dand a lower cover104dcoupled to the upper cover102d. The housing100dmay have a plurality of vent holes or channels110ddefined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110dmay penetrate the first side wall SW1and communicate the outside of the housing100dwith the inner space108. In other words, the inner space108and the area outside of the housing100dmay be in fluid communication via the vent holes110d. The plurality of vent holes110dmay be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102d. The plurality of vent holes110dmay extend between an inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and an outer surface117of the first side wall SW1. Each of the plurality of vent holes110dmay inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100dwhile a level or height of at least a portion of the vent holes110dis varied. The plurality of vent holes110dmay be formed to extend in an oblique direction or at an oblique angle with respect to each of an upper surface of the housing100dand a surface of the first side wall SW1(e.g., the inner surface115or the outer surface117). In some embodiments, the plurality of vent holes110dmay be formed so as to extend from the outside to the inside of the housing100din an oblique direction in which a level rises. For example, each vent hole110dmay be inclined and extend upwardly from the outer surface117to the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1.

An outer side portion112dand an inner side portion114dmay be formed at a first side and a second side of each of the plurality of vent holes110d, respectively. The outer side portion112dand the inner side portion114dmay be a portion of the housing100aadjacent to the vent holes110dand defining the vent holes110d. The outer side portion112dmay be a portion of the housing100ddefining the vent holes110doutside the housing100d, and the inner side portion114dmay be a portion of the housing100ddefining the vent holes110aat the inner space108of the housing100d. For example, the inner side portion114dmay include the inner surface115of the first side wall SW1and the outer side portion112dmay include the outer surface117of the first side wall SW1.

In some embodiments, a first diameter HRa which is a diameter of the outer side portion112dof each of the vent holes110dmay be greater than a second diameter HRb which is a diameter of the inner side portion114d. In some embodiments, the vent holes110dmay inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100and with a decreasing diameter or height. For example, the vent holes110dmay extend from the outer surface117to the inner surface115with decreasing diameter. As used herein, diameter may mean a distance or spacing between an upper end and a lower end of the outer side portion112dor the inner side portion114d.

As the second diameter HRb which is an inner diameter of the vent holes110dis smaller than the first diameter HRa which is an outer diameter, when viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100din a horizontal direction, an observer viewing the vent holes110dfrom the outside of the housing100dmay observe only an inner surface of the vent holes110dthrough the outer side portion112b. Accordingly, the observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420located in the inner space108of the housing100dthrough the vent holes110d.

Referring toFIGS. 1A through 6Btogether, an observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420from the outside of the solid state drive apparatus1according to the inventive concept. In detail, in the solid state drive apparatus1according to the inventive concept, air may pass through the vent holes110,110a,110b,110c, and110dand the connector groove120formed in each of the first side wall SW1and the second side wall SW2arranged opposite to each other, and thus, heat generated in the solid state drive apparatus1may be easily dissipated, and at the same time, the security effects of preventing leakage of information from the solid state drive apparatus1by inserting a probe from the outside of the solid state drive apparatus1into the vent holes110,110a,110b,110c, and110dmay be provided.

FIG. 7is a side view of a solid state drive apparatus1aaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 7, a label150completely covering a test groove130may be adhered to the first side wall SW1of the housing100of the solid state drive apparatus1a. In some embodiments, the label150may be adhered to extend from the first side wall SW1of the housing100to a lower surface of the housing100. The label150may be, for example, a sticker coated with an adhesive.

As the label150completely covers the test groove130, the test connector300may not be exposed to the outside. Accordingly, leakage of information in the solid state drive apparatus1athrough the test connector300from the outside of the solid state drive apparatus1amay be prevented.

In some embodiments, the label150may be a void label. Accordingly, after removing the label150, if information in the solid state drive apparatus1ais leaked through the test connector300from the outside of the solid state drive apparatus1a, a portion of the label150may remain on a surface of the housing100as a void marking so that whether information is leaked or not may be determined.

FIG. 8Ais a cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus2according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, andFIG. 8Bis a side view of the solid state drive apparatus2according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8Btogether, the solid state drive apparatus2includes a housing100and a first package substrate module400aand a second package substrate module500mounted in the housing100.

The first package substrate module400amay include a first package base substrate410aand a plurality of first semiconductor chips420amounted on the first package base substrate410.

The plurality of first semiconductor chips420amay include a plurality of first memory semiconductor chips422aand at least one controller chip424a. The first package substrate module400a, the first package base substrate410a, the first memory semiconductor chip422a, and the controller chip424aare respectively similar to the package substrate module400, the package base substrate410, the memory semiconductor chip422, and the controller chip424described with reference toFIGS. 1A through 1D, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

While a location where the plurality of first semiconductor chips420aare mounted in the first package substrate module400ais different from that of the plurality of semiconductor chips420of the package substrate module400illustrated inFIG. 1C, the location is an example, and the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of first memory semiconductor chips422amay be mounted only on an upper surface of the first package base substrate410a, or some of them may be mounted on each of upper and lower surfaces of the first package base substrate410a. In addition, for example, at least one controller chip424amay be mounted only on the upper surface of the first package base substrate410aor only on the lower surface of the first package base substrate410a.

The second package substrate module500may include a second package base substrate510and a plurality of second memory semiconductor chips520mounted on the second package base substrate510. The second package base substrate510and the second memory semiconductor chips520are respectively similar to the first package base substrate410and the memory semiconductor chips422described with reference toFIGS. 1A through 1D, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. A spacer600may couple and space apart the first package base substrate410aand the second package base substrate510.

The second package substrate module500may be, for example, a DIMM in which a plurality of second memory semiconductor chips520are respectively mounted on upper and lower surfaces of the second package base substrate510, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second package substrate module500may be a SIMM in which a plurality of second memory semiconductor chips520are mounted on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the second package base substrate510.

The housing100may have a plurality of vent holes or channels110defined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110may penetrate the first side wall SW1and communicate the outside of the housing100with the inner space108. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to extend in an oblique direction or at an oblique angle with respect to each of an upper surface of the housing100and a surface of the first side wall SW1. In some embodiments, the plurality of vent holes110may be formed to inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100in an oblique direction in which a level rises, but are not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of vent holes110may be formed to extend from the outside to the inside of the housing100in an oblique direction in which a level decreases.

When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100, an observer viewing the vent holes110from the outside of the housing100may observe only an inner surface of the vent holes110through the outer side portion112. Accordingly, the observer may not observe the first semiconductor chip420alocated in the inner space108of the housing100through the vent holes110.

FIG. 9is a side view of a solid state drive apparatus2aaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 9, the solid state drive apparatus2aincludes a housing100a. Similarly to the solid state drive apparatus2ofFIG. 8A, the solid state drive apparatus2aincludes a first package substrate module400aand a second package substrate module500mounted in the housing100a.

The housing100amay include an upper cover102aand a lower cover104acoupled to the upper cover102a. The housing100amay have a plurality of vent holes or channels110adefined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110amay penetrate the first side wall SW1and communicate the outside of the housing100awith the inner space108. The plurality of vent holes110amay be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102a. The plurality of vent holes110amay be formed to extend in an oblique direction or at an oblique angle with respect to each of an upper surface of the housing100aand a surface of the first side wall SW1. In some embodiments, the plurality of vent holes110amay be formed to inwardly extend from the outside of the housing100ain an oblique direction in which a level rises.

When viewing the first side wall SW1from the outside of the housing100a, an observer viewing the vent holes110afrom the outside of the housing100amay observe a side surface of the first package base substrate410aand a side surface of the second package base substrate510through the vent holes110a. In detail, the observer may observe the side surface of the first package base substrate410athrough some of the plurality of vent holes110aand the side surface of the second package base substrate510through the rest of the vent holes110a.

Accordingly, the observer may not observe a first semiconductor chip420aand a second memory semiconductor chip520located in the inner space108(seeFIG. 8B) of the housing100athrough the vent holes110a.

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view of a solid state drive apparatus3according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 10, the solid state drive apparatus3includes a housing100eand a package substrate module400mounted in the housing100e. The housing100emay include an upper cover102eand a lower cover104ecoupled to the upper cover102e.

The solid state drive apparatus3is similar to the solid state drive apparatus1described inFIGS. 1A to 1Dexcept for the housing100e. The lower cover104eis similar to the lower cover104described with reference toFIGS. 1A to 1D, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The housing100emay have a first side wall SW1and a second side wall SW2opposite to each other. The housing100emay have a plurality of vent holes or channels110defined in the first side wall SW1. The plurality of vent holes110may be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102e. The housing100emay have a connector groove or opening120in the second side wall SW2. The connector groove120may be formed to penetrate, for example, the upper cover102e.

The upper cover102emay have at least one downward protrusion or projection102e-P. The at least one protrusion102e-P may be disposed on a side of the upper cover102efacing the inner space108. In detail, a surface of the upper cover102efacing an upper outer side may have a flat shape, and a surface of the upper cover102efacing the inner space108may have a shape where the at least one protrusion102e-P protrudes towards the package substrate module400. The at least one protrusion102e-P may be arranged to correspond to or align with a plurality of semiconductor chips420.

A thermal interface material (TIM)160may be disposed between the at least one protrusion102e-P and the plurality of semiconductor chips420. The at least one protrusion102e-P and the plurality of semiconductor chips420may be in thermal contact with the upper cover102ethrough the TIM160. The TIM160may be, for example, a gel, a pad or a particle filled epoxy formed of, for example, a grease, a thermally conductive adhesive, a mineral oil, a gap filler putty, or a phase-change material. For example, commercially available greases include ShinEtsu G750, ShinEtsu G751, ShinEtsu G765, Berquist TIC-7500; commercially available phase-change materials include Thermax HF60110-BT, Chromerics T725, Chromerics T443, Chromerics T454, Thermagon T-Berquist 200U, Berquist HiFlow 225-U, and Berquist HiFlow 225-UT; and commercially available thermally conductive adhesives include Chromerics therm-A-form T642 as thermally conductive adhesives. However, the TIM160is not limited to these materials

The at least one protrusion102e-P may include a first protrusion102e-P1corresponding to and/or above the plurality of memory semiconductor chips422and a second protrusion102e-P2corresponding to and/or above the at least one controller chip424. The TIM160may include a first TIM162disposed between the first protrusion102e-P1and the plurality of memory semiconductor chips422and a second TIM164disposed between the second protrusions102e-P2and the at least one controller chip424.

The number of the at least one protrusions102e-P may be variously configured in consideration of an upper surface area and arrangement of each of the plurality of semiconductor chips420. In some embodiments, the upper cover102emay have one protrusion102e-P that corresponds to the plurality of semiconductor chips420. In some embodiments, a plurality of first protrusions102e-P1respectively corresponding to the plurality of memory semiconductor chips422may be included.

FIG. 11is a structural diagram of a system1000according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 11, the system1000includes a plurality of solid state drive apparatuses1connected to a main board700and at least one cooling fan800. The system1000may be, for example, a data storage system such as Network-Attached Storage (NAS). The system1000may include a rack in which the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses1are installed, a case surrounding the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses1and the at least one cooling fan800, and a power supply unit.

Each of the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses1may be electrically connected to the main board700through a signal transmission medium750coupled to an external connector200. In the system1000, a second side wall SW2of each of the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses1may face the main board700. The signal transmission medium750may be, for example, a film cable, a Board-to-Board (BtoB) connector, a flat flexible cable (FFC) connector, or a flexible printed circuitry (FPC) connector.

The at least one cooling fan800may be disposed adjacent to the first side wall SW1of the plurality of solid state drive apparatuses1. The at least one cooling fan800may form a forced convection environment in the system1000. The flow of the air formed in the system1000by the at least one cooling fan800may be transmitted through the plurality of vent holes110of the first side wall SW1of the solid state drive apparatuses1and into the solid state drive apparatuses1and then transferred to the outside of the solid state drive apparatuses1through the connector groove120of the second side wall SW2.

Accordingly, the solid state drive apparatuses1may be cooled by the flow of the air that is transferred into the solid state drive apparatuses1through the plurality of vent holes110of the first side wall SW1and then transmitted to the outside through the connector groove120of the second side wall SW2.

Here, an observer may not observe the semiconductor chip420from the outside of the solid state drive apparatuses1through the plurality of vent holes110. Accordingly, the security effects of preventing leakage of information from the solid state drive apparatuses1by inserting a probe into the vent hole110from outside the solid state drive apparatuses1may be obtained.

While the system1000is illustrated as including the solid state drive apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 1A through 2C, the system1000is not limited thereto. For example, the system1000may include at least one of the solid state drive apparatuses1a,2,2a, and3illustrated inFIGS. 7A through 10. The solid state drive apparatus1of the system1000is shown as having the plurality of vent holes110illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 2C, but is not limited thereto. The solid state drive apparatus1may include one of the vent holes110a,101b,110c, and110dillustrated inFIGS. 3A through 6B.

According to the solid state drive apparatus of the inventive concept, an observer may not view a semiconductor chip from the outside of the solid state drive apparatus. In detail, according to the solid state drive apparatus, the air may pass through vent holes and connector grooves in each of a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other, and thus, heat generated in the solid state drive apparatus may be easily discharged, and at the same time, the security effects of preventing leakage of information from the solid state drive apparatus from the outside of the solid state drive apparatus by inserting a probe into the vent holes may be obtained.