Optoelectronic component and method of producing an optoelectronic component

An optoelectronic component includes a first lead frame section and a second lead frame section spaced apart from one another, and having an optoelectronic semiconductor chip arranged on the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section, wherein the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section respectively have an upper side, a lower side and a first side flank extending between the upper side and the lower side, a first lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component is formed on the first side flank of the first lead frame section, and the first lateral solder contact surface is formed by a recess arranged on the first side flank of the first lead frame section and extends from the upper side to the lower side of the first lead frame section.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an optoelectronic component, a method of producing an optoelectronic component and a method of producing an optoelectronic arrangement.

BACKGROUND

Various housing shapes for optoelectronic components are known. In known housings of optoelectronic components, an optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component is arranged in a gap, bounded by a housing wall, of the housing. Minimum thickness of the housing walls and minimum distances between the housing walls and the optoelectronic semiconductor, required for mechanical reasons, in this case limit the possibilities for miniaturization in the optoelectronic components.

SUMMARY

We provide an optoelectronic component including a first lead frame section and a second lead frame section spaced apart from one another, and an optoelectronic semiconductor chip arranged on the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section, wherein the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section respectively have an upper side, a lower side and a first side flank extending between the upper side and the lower side, a first lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component is formed on the first side flank of the first lead frame section, the first lateral solder contact surface is formed by a recess arranged on the first side flank of the first lead frame section and extends from the upper side to the lower side of the first lead frame section.

We also provide a method of producing an optoelectronic component including providing a lead frame having an upper side and a lower side, the lead frame including a first lead frame section and a second lead frame section; forming a through-opening, extending from the upper side to the lower side, in the lead frame; arranging an optoelectronic semiconductor chip on the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section; and dividing the lead frame to individualize the optoelectronic component, a separating plane extending through the through-opening during division of the lead frame, a first side flank extending from the upper side to the lower side respectively being formed by the division at the first lead frame section and at the second lead frame section on the separating plane, a first lateral solder contact surface being formed by a wall of the through-opening on the first side flank of the first lead frame section.

We further provide a method of producing an optoelectronic arrangement including producing an optoelectronic component by the method of producing an optoelectronic component including providing a lead frame having an upper side and a lower side, the lead frame including a first lead frame section and a second lead frame section; forming a through-opening, extending from the upper side to the lower side, in the lead frame; arranging an optoelectronic semiconductor chip on the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section; and dividing the lead frame to individualize the optoelectronic component, a separating plane extending through the through-opening during division of the lead frame, a first side flank extending from the upper side to the lower side respectively being formed by the division at the first lead frame section and at the second lead frame section on the separating plane, a first lateral solder contact surface being formed by a wall of the through-opening on the first side flank of the first lead frame section; and arranging the optoelectronic component on a circuit board, the first side flanks of the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section facing toward the circuit board.

LIST OF REFERENCES

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Our optoelectronic component comprises a first lead frame section and a second lead frame section spaced apart from one another. The optoelectronic component furthermore comprises an optoelectronic semiconductor chip arranged on the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section. The first lead frame section and the second lead frame section in this case respectively have an upper side, a lower side and a first side flank extending between the upper side and the lower side. A first lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component is formed on the first side flank of the first lead frame section.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component may, for example, be a light-emitting diode chip (LED chip). The first lateral solder contact surface, formed on the first side flank of the first lead frame section of the optoelectronic component, permits an arrangement of the optoelectronic component in which a radiation-emitting upper side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip is oriented perpendicularly to a mounting plane of the optoelectronic component so that radiation emission by the optoelectronic component takes place in a direction parallel to the mounting plane. The optoelectronic component may advantageously have extremely compact dimensions and be produced in a simple and economical way. A second lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may be formed on the first side flank of the second lead frame section.

The first lateral solder contact surface may be formed by a recess arranged on the first side flank of the first lead frame section and extending from the upper side to the lower side of the first lead frame section. Correspondingly, a second lateral solder contact surface extends from the upper side to the lower side of the second lead frame section and may also be formed by a recess arranged on the first side flank of the second lead frame section. In the region of the recesses, the first side flanks of the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section may have solderable coatings.

Formation of the lateral solder contact surfaces by recesses arranged on the first side flanks advantageously allows simple control of a quality of solder connections formed between the lateral solder contact surfaces of the optoelectronic component and the associated solder contact surfaces of a circuit board, or of another carrier. The recesses arranged on the first side flanks of the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section are thus additionally used as solder monitoring structures in this case.

Owing to the fact that the recesses arranged on the first side flanks of the lead frame sections respectively extend from the upper side to the lower side of the lead frame sections, the lateral solder contact surfaces, formed by the recesses, of the optoelectronic component allow autonomous alignment of the optoelectronic component during a soldering process for electrical contacting of the optoelectronic component. The lateral solder contact surfaces, formed by the recesses, of the optoelectronic component are also used as solder alignment structures in this case.

The first lead frame section and the second lead frame section respectively may have a second side flank lying opposite the first side flank. A third lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may in this case be formed on the second side flank of the first lead frame section. Correspondingly, a fourth lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may also be formed on the second side flank of the second lead frame section. The third lateral solder contact surface, formed on the second side flank of the first lead frame section, allows mounting of the optoelectronic component in an orientation in which the second side flanks of the first lead frame section and of the second lead frame section of the optoelectronic component face toward a mounting surface. In this way, the optoelectronic component is advantageously particularly flexibly usable.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip may be arranged closer to the first side flank than to the second side flank of the lead frame section. In a mounting orientation of the optoelectronic component in which the first side flanks of the lead frame sections face toward a mounting carrier, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component is therefore arranged especially close to the mounting side of the mounting carrier.

A first lower solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may be formed on the lower side of first lead frame section. Correspondingly, a second lower solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may also be arranged on the lower side of the second lead frame section of the optoelectronic component. Advantageously, the optoelectronic component therefore also allows mounting of the optoelectronic component in an orientation in which the lower sides of the lead frame sections of the optoelectronic component face toward a mounting surface of the mounting carrier. In this orientation, a radiation-emitting upper side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component may be oriented parallel to the mounting surface of the mounting carrier so that light emission by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component takes place in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the mounting carrier. In this way, the optoelectronic component is advantageously particularly flexibly usable.

The optoelectronic component may have no further supporting housing parts apart from the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section. The first lead frame section and the second lead frame section may in this case connect to one another mechanically stably by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component. Advantageously, a particularly simple and compact structure of the optoelectronic component is in this case obtained.

The first lead frame section and the second lead frame section may be embedded together in a molded body. Embedding the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section in the molded body may, for example, be carried out by a molding process. The molded body may ensure mechanically stable connection of the lead frame sections of the optoelectronic component to one another so that a very compact housing is formed. Advantageously, it is therefore not necessary to configure the optoelectronic component with further supporting housing parts. This allows the optoelectronic component to be configured with very compact external dimensions and produced in a simple and economical way.

The lower side of the first lead frame section and the lower side of the second lead frame section may be flush with a lower side of the molded body. Advantageously, this leads to particularly compact external dimensions of the optoelectronic component. If a first lower solder contact surface is formed on the lower side of the first lead frame section then the optoelectronic component may advantageously be suitable as an SMT component for surface mounting.

The first side flank of the first lead frame section and the first side flank of the second lead frame section may be flush with a first side flank of the molded body. Advantageously, the optoelectronic component may therefore have compact external dimensions. The first lateral solder contact surface, exposed on the first side flank of the first lead frame section, of the optoelectronic component allows SMT mounting of the optoelectronic component by a surface mounting method.

At least a part of the upper side of the first lead frame section and at least a part of the upper side of the second lead frame section may be flush with an upper side of the molded body. Advantageously, particularly compact external dimensions of the optoelectronic component are obtained in this way.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip may be arranged over the upper side of the molded body. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip may in this case, for example, be configured as a volume-emitting semiconductor chip. The upper side of the molded body and/or the upper sides of the lead frame sections embedded in the molded body may be used as a reflector for electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip in the direction of the upper side of the molded body. Advantageously, this optoelectronic component may be formed with particularly small external dimensions. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip may in this case be arranged particularly close to a mounting surface of a mounting carrier supporting the optoelectronic component.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip may be embedded in the molded body. An upper side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip is in this case flush with the upper side of the molded body. The upper side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip in this case forms a radiation emission surface of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip. Advantageously, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip of this optoelectronic component is protected against damage by external effects by its embedding in the molded body.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip may be configured as a volume-emitting sapphire flip chip. Advantageously, the optoelectronic component therefore allows emission of light in a large solid angle range.

The optoelectronic component may have a further lead frame section spaced apart from the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section. A further optoelectronic semiconductor chip is in this case arranged on the second lead frame section and on the further lead frame section.

A second lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may be formed on a first side flank of the further lead frame section. Correspondingly, a fourth lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may be formed on a second side flank, lying opposite the first side flank, of the further lead frame section. Furthermore, a second lower solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may be formed on the lower side of the further lead frame section of the optoelectronic component. The second lead frame section of the optoelectronic component does not need to have solder contact surfaces in this example. It is, however, also possible for solder contact surfaces to be provided on the second lead frame section of the optoelectronic component. These may, for example, remain uncontacted during mounting of the optoelectronic component.

It is likewise possible to configure the optoelectronic component with yet other lead frame sections and yet other optoelectronic semiconductor chips. The individual optoelectronic semiconductor chips of the optoelectronic component may in this case be arranged linearly behind one another in the form of a chain. Such chains of different length may in this case be produced simultaneously in common production steps. The optoelectronic component comprising a multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips in a linear arrangement may, for example, be used for lateral backlighting of liquid-crystal display screens.

A method of producing an optoelectronic component comprises steps of providing a lead frame having an upper side and a lower side, the lead frame comprising a first lead frame section and a second lead frame section, arranging an optoelectronic semiconductor chip on the first lead frame section and on the second lead frame section, and dividing the lead frame to individualize the optoelectronic component, a first side flank extending from the upper side to the lower side respectively being formed by the division at the first lead frame section and at the second lead frame section on a separating plane, a first lateral solder contact surface being formed on the first side flank of the first lead frame section. Correspondingly, a second lateral solder contact surface of the optoelectronic component may be formed on the first side flank of the second lead frame section.

Advantageously, this method allows simple and economical production of an optoelectronic component with very compact external dimensions. The lateral solder contact surfaces formed on the side flanks of the lead frame sections of the optoelectronic component allow mounting of the optoelectronic component obtainable by the method in a side-looker arrangement, in which the optoelectronic component emits electromagnetic radiation in a direction parallel to the mounting surface.

The method may comprise a further step of embedding the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section in a molded body. The molded body may connect the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section of the optoelectronic component obtainable by the method to one another in a mechanically robust way. Further supporting housing components do not need to be provided in this case so that compact external dimensions of the optoelectronic component obtainable by the method may be obtained.

The method may comprise a further step of forming a through-opening, extending from the upper side to the lower side, in the lead frame, the separating plane extending through the through-opening during the division of the lead frame, the first lateral solder contact surface being formed by a wall of the through-opening. Advantageously, a recess in the first side flank formed on the separating plane and forming the first lateral solder contact surface, of the first lead frame section is obtained during division of the lead frame on the separating plane in the region of the through-opening. This recess may in addition also be used as a solder monitoring structure and as a solder alignment structure in the optoelectronic component obtainable by the method.

The method may comprise a further step of arranging a solderable coating on the wall of the through-opening. Advantageously, the recess, forming the first lateral solder contact surface, on the first side flank of the first lead frame section then likewise has the solderable coating so that electrical contacting of the optoelectronic component obtainable by the method by a soldering method is made possible.

The method may comprise a further step of applying a wavelength-converting coating onto the optoelectronic semiconductor chip by a spray method. The wavelength-converting coating may be used to convert electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip of the optoelectronic component obtainable by the method at least partially into electromagnetic radiation of another wavelength. In this way, for example, light with a wavelength in the blue or ultraviolet spectral range may be converted into light which has a white color impression.

A method of producing an optoelectronic arrangement comprises steps of producing an optoelectronic component by a method of the type mentioned above, and arranging the optoelectronic component on a circuit board, the first side flanks of the first lead frame section and the second lead frame section facing toward the circuit board. Advantageously, emission of light in a direction parallel to the circuit board takes place in the optoelectronic arrangement obtainable by this method. The radiation emission may in this case advantageously take place at a short distance from the circuit board. The entire optoelectronic arrangement obtainable by the method may advantageously have very compact external dimensions.

The above-described properties, features and advantages, as well as the way in which they are achieved, will become more clearly and readily comprehensible in conjunction with the following description of examples, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

FIG. 1shows a schematic perspective representation of a part of the lead frame100. The lead frame100has an essentially flat and planar shape and may, for example, be produced from a thin metal sheet by etching and/or stamping. The lead frame100consists of an electrically conductive material, preferably a metal.

The lead frame100has an upper side110and a lower side120, lying opposite the upper side110. The upper side110has elevated regions111and regions112depressed relative to the elevated regions111. The depressed regions112may, for example, be formed by removing part of the material of the lead frame100on the upper side110.

The lead frame100has a multiplicity of first lead frame sections200, all of which are configured identically to one another. Furthermore, the lead frame100has a multiplicity of second lead frame sections300, all of which are likewise configured identically to one another.

In each case, a first lead frame section200and a second lead frame section300form an associated pair.FIG. 2shows a schematic representation of such a pair of a first lead frame section200and a second lead frame section300. The first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300of an associated pair are not connected directly to one another. On the panel of the lead frame100, however, all the lead frame sections200,300connect to one another by further neighboring lead frame sections200,300and an edge (shown inFIG. 1) of the lead frame100.

The associated pairs of first lead frame sections200and second lead frame sections300may be individualized by dividing the lead frame100on horizontal separating planes130and on vertical separating planes140. The horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140are in this case oriented perpendicularly to the upper side110and the lower side120of the lead frame100.

Each first lead frame section200has an upper side210and a lower side220lying opposite the upper side210. The upper side210and the lower side220are formed by sections of the upper side110and of the lower side120of the lead frame100. The upper side210of each first lead frame section200has elevated regions211and regions212depressed relative to the elevated regions211. Correspondingly, each second lead frame section300of the lead frame100also has an upper side310and a lower side320lying opposite the upper side310, the upper side310having depressed regions312and regions311depressed relative to the depressed regions312.

The depressed regions212,312on the upper sides210,310of the first lead frame sections200and of the second lead frame sections300are respectively configured as trenches arranged between elevated regions211,311. In this case, the trenches on the upper side210of a first lead frame section200and the trenches on the upper side310of the second lead frame section300associated with the first lead frame section200are arranged collinearly such that the two trenches continue one another.

The lead frame100has through-openings150extending from the upper side110to the lower side120of the lead frame100. The through-openings150may respectively have an approximately cylindrical shape, for example, an approximately circular-cylindrical shape. The through-openings150may, for example, be formed by an etching process.

A solderable coating160may be arranged on the inner walls151of the through-openings150. The solderable coating160may be referred to as plating, and preferably comprises an electrically conductive metal that can be wetted well by a solder. The solderable coating160may also extend over other regions of the upper side110and/or of the lower side120of the lead frame100.

The through-openings150and the solderable coating160arranged on the walls151of the through-openings150are formed before division of the lead frame100along the horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140.

By division of the lead frame100on the horizontal separating planes130a first side flank230extending between the upper side210and the lower side220of the respective first lead frame section200is formed on each first lead frame section200on a first horizontal separating plane130. A second side flank260extending from the upper side210to the lower side220of the respective first lead frame section200and lying opposite the first side flank230is formed on a second horizontal separating plane130. Correspondingly, a first side flank330and a second side flank360lying opposite the first side flank330, which respectively extend from the upper side310of the respective second lead frame section300to the lower side320of the respective second lead frame section300, are also formed on each second lead frame section300.

The horizontal separating planes130provided for division of the lead frame100to individualize the pairs of first lead frame sections200and the second lead frame sections300extend through the through-openings150in the lead frame110. The through-openings150separated by division of the lead frame100on the horizontal separating planes130form recesses in the side flanks230,260,330,360, formed during division of the lead frame100, of the lead frame sections200,300. The first side flank230of each first lead frame section200has a recess240. The second side flank260of each first lead frame section200has a recess270. The first side flank330of each second lead frame section300has a recess340. The second side flank360of each second lead frame section300has a recess370. The recesses240,270,340,370respectively extend from the elevated regions211,311of the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections200,300to the lower sides220,320of the lead frame sections200,300.

The side flanks230,260,330,360, formed during division of the lead frame100, of the lead frame sections200,300have the solderable coating160only in the region of the recesses240,270,340,370formed by the walls151of the through-openings150. The recess240on the first side flank230of each first lead frame section200therefore forms a first lateral solder contact surface250of this first lead frame section200. The recess270on the second side flank260of each first lead frame section200forms a third lateral solder contact surface280. The recess340on the first side flank330of each second lead frame section200forms a second lateral solder contact surface350. The recess370on the second side flank360of each second lead frame section300forms a fourth lateral solder contact surface380.

FIG. 3shows another perspective representation of the pair shown inFIG. 2of a first lead frame section200and a second lead frame section300. In the representation ofFIG. 3, an optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is arranged on the first lead frame section200and on the second lead frame section300.

Arrangement of the optoelectronic semiconductor chips400is carried out before division of the lead frame100along the horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140. In this case, one optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is respectively arranged on each pair of a first lead frame section200and a second lead frame section300.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may, for example, be configured as a light-emitting diode chip (LED chip). The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400has an upper side410and a lower side420lying opposite the upper side410. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation on its upper side410. The upper side410therefore forms a radiation emission surface of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may also be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation on other surfaces.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is arranged in the trench formed by the depressed regions212,312on the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections200,300. In this case, the lower side420of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400faces toward the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections200,300. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400, therefore, contacts both the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300, and bridges the distance lying between the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300. The lower side420of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may, for example, connect to the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300by a solder connection or an adhesive bond.

Preferably, the thickness of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400as measured between its upper side410and its lower side420corresponds approximately to the depth of the depressed regions212,312of the lead frame sections200,300so that the upper side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400lies approximately at the same height as the elevated regions211,311of the lead frame sections200,300.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400electrically conductively connects to the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300. To this end, for example, electrical contacts of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may be formed on the lower side420of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400, these contacts being electrically conductively connected by solder connections to the first lead frame section200and to the second lead frame section300. As an alternative, however, electrical contacts of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may also electrically conductively connect to the lead frame sections200,300by bond connections (not shown inFIG. 3).

FIG. 4shows a schematic perspective representation of the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300ofFIG. 3in a representation of the processing state chronologically following the representation ofFIG. 3. The first lead frame section200, the second lead frame section300and the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400arranged on the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300have been embedded together in a molded body500. An optoelectronic component10has in this way been formed.

The molded body500comprises an electrically insulating molding material, for example, an epoxy resin. The molded body500may, for example, be produced by compression molding or transfer molding, in particular by film-assisted transfer molding. The molded body500may also be produced by another molding method.

The molded body500is formed before division of the lead frame300along the horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140. In this case, all the first lead frame sections200and second lead frame sections300and the optoelectronic semiconductor chips400arranged thereon are embedded in a common molded body. Subsequently, the molded body together with the lead frame100is divided along the horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140.

The molded body500has an upper side510and a lower side520lying opposite the upper side510. A first side flank530of the molded body500and a second side flank560, lying opposite the first side flank530, extend between the upper side510and the lower side520. The first side flank530and the second side flank560have been formed by the division of the original large molded body and the lead frame100embedded therein on the horizontal separating planes130.

On the first side flank530of the molded body500, the first side flank230of the first lead frame section200and the first side flank330of the second lead frame section300are exposed. The first lateral solder contact surface250and the second lateral solder contact surface350are therefore accessible on the first side flank530of the molded body500. The first side flank230of the first lead frame section200and the first side flank330of the second lead frame section300are flush with the first side flank530of the molded body500. Correspondingly, the second side flank260of the first lead frame section200and the second side flank360of the second lead frame section300are also exposed on the second side flank560of the molded body500and flush with the second side flank560of the molded body500. The third lateral contact surface280and the fourth lateral solder contact surface380of the optoelectronic component10are therefore accessible on the second side flank560of the molded body500.

The elevated regions211,311of the upper sides210,310of the first lead frame section200and of the second lead frame section300and the upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400are exposed on the upper side510of the molded body500and essentially flush with the upper side510of the molded body500. In this way, electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400on its upper side410can be emitted by the optoelectronic component10on the upper side510of the molded body500. The upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may, for example, be covered by a film during formation of the molded body500and therefore protected from being covered by the material of the molded body500.

Preferably, the lower sides220,320of the first lead frame section200and the second lead frame section300are also exposed on the lower side520of the molded body500and flush with the lower side520of the molded body500. In this case, a first lower solder contact surface290of the optoelectronic component10may be formed on the lower side220of the first lead frame section200, and a second lower solder contact surface390of the optoelectronic component10may be formed on the lower side320of the second lead frame section300. Preferably, the first lower solder contact surface290and the second lower solder contact surface390have the solderable coating160.

A wavelength-converting coating600may be arranged on the upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400and, optionally, also in other regions on the upper side510of the molded body500and the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections200,300. The wavelength-converting coating600may be provided to convert electromagnetic radiation emit-ted by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400at least partially into electromagnetic radiation of another wavelength. In this way, for example, light having a white color impression may be generated from electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the blue or ultraviolet spectral range. The wavelength-converting coating600may preferably already be applied before division of the molded body500and of the lead frame100, for example, by a spray method. The wavelength-converting coating600may, however, also be omitted. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400may also already have a wavelength-converting element arranged on its upper side410before the embedding of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400in the molded body500. In this case, after the embedding the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400, the wavelength-converting element is flush with the upper side510of the molded body500.

FIG. 5shows a schematic perspective representation of an optoelectronic arrangement consisting of a circuit board700and the optoelectronic component10arranged thereon. The circuit board700may, for example, be a printed circuit board (PCB) and has electrical contacts (not represented in detail inFIG. 5) on its upper side for electrical contacting of the optoelectronic component10. Instead of the circuit board700, another type of carrier can also be provided.

The optoelectronic component10is arranged on the upper side of the circuit board700such that the first side flank230,330of the first lead frame section200and of the second lead frame section300face toward the circuit board700. The first lateral solder contact surface250, arranged on the first side flank230of the first lead frame section200, of the optoelectronic component10and the second lateral solder contact surface350, arranged on the first side flank330of the second lead frame section300, of the optoelectronic component10electrically conductively connect by solder connections to the contact surfaces arranged on the upper side of the circuit board700although this is not represented in detail inFIG. 5.

The recesses240,340, forming the lateral solder contact surfaces250,350, on the first side flanks230,330of the lead frame sections200,300may be used as solder monitoring structures which allow optical inspection of the quality of the solder connections between the lateral solder contact surfaces250,350of the optoelectronic component10and the contact surfaces of the circuit board700. Preferably, the recesses240,340are fully closed by the solder during the production of the solder connections so that it is no longer possible to see through the recesses240,340.

Since the recesses240,340forming the lateral solder contact surfaces250,350respectively extend symmetrically from the upper sides210,310to the lower sides220,320over the entire height of the side flanks230,330of the lead frame sections200,300of the optoelectronic component10, the recesses240,340forming the lateral solder contact surfaces250,350may be used as solder alignment structures to align the optoelectronic component10on the upper side of the circuit board700. Wetting the lateral solder contact surfaces250,350, obtained during production of the solder connection between the lateral solder contact surfaces250,350of the optoelectronic component10and the contact surfaces of the circuit board700, may lead to alignment of the inclination and/or the position of the optoelectronic component10on the upper side of the circuit board700.

Owing to the fact that the first side flanks230,330of the lead frame sections200,300of the optoelectronic component10in the optoelectronic arrangement ofFIG. 5face toward the upper side of the circuit board700, the upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component10is oriented perpendicularly to the upper side of the circuit board700. Emission of electromagnetic radiation by the optoelectronic component10takes place in a direction parallel to the upper side of the circuit board700. The optoelectronic component10is therefore in a side-looker arrangement.

As an alternative to the arrangement of the optoelectronic component10represented inFIG. 5, it is also possible to arrange the optoelectronic component10on the upper side of the circuit board700such that the second side flank260of the first lead frame section200and the second side flank360of the second lead frame section300of the optoelectronic component10face toward the upper side of the circuit board700. The optoelectronic component10will in this case be electrically contacted by the third lateral solder contact surface280and the fourth lateral solder contact surface380. In this case as well, the optoelectronic component10is in a side-looker arrangement.

A further possibility consists in arranging the optoelectronic component10on the circuit board700such that the lower side220of the first lead frame section200and the lower side320of the second lead frame section300of the optoelectronic component10face toward the upper side of the circuit board700. In this case, the optoelectronic component10will be electrically contacted by the first lower solder contact surface290on the lower side220of the first lead frame section200and by the second lower solder contact surface390on the lower side320of the second lead frame section300. In this arrangement of the optoelectronic component10, the upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component10is oriented parallel to the upper side of the circuit board700. Emission of electromagnetic radiation by the optoelectronic component10takes place in a direction perpendicular to the upper side of the circuit board700. The optoelectronic component10is therefore in a top-looker arrangement.

FIG. 6shows a schematic perspective representation of a lead frame1100according to an alternative example. The lead frame1100has a multiplicity of first lead frame sections1200and second lead frame sections1300. The lead frame1100and its first lead frame sections1200and second lead frame sections1300essentially correspond in shape and function to the lead frame100represented inFIG. 1with the first lead frame sections200and the second lead frame sections300. Components of the lead frame1100corresponding to components present in the lead frame100are therefore provided with the same references inFIG. 6as inFIG. 1, and will not be described again in detail below. The rest of the description is limited to a presentation of the differences between the lead frame1100and the lead frame100.

FIG. 7shows a schematic perspective representation of a pair of a first lead frame section1200and a second lead frame section1300of the lead frame1100. The lead frame sections1200,1300of the lead frame1100differ from the lead frame sections200,300of the lead frame100essentially in that the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections1200,1300are not subdivided into elevated regions and depressed regions. Instead, the entire upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections1200,1300of the lead frame1100are essentially configured to be planar.

FIG. 8shows a schematic perspective representation of the first lead frame section1200and of the second lead frame section1300in a processing state chronologically following the representation ofFIG. 7. The first lead frame section1200and the second lead frame section1300have been embedded in a molded body1500configured in essentially the same way as the molded body500ofFIG. 4. All the first lead frame sections1200and second lead frame sections1300of the lead frame1100are embedded before the division of the lead frame1100in a common large molded body, which is divided in a subsequent method step, together with the lead frame1100, on the horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140.

The upper sides210,310of the first lead frame section1200and of the second lead frame section1300are exposed on the upper side510of the molded body1500and are flush with the upper side510of the molded body1500. An optoelectronic semiconductor chip is not embedded in the molded body1500.

FIG. 9shows a schematic perspective representation of the molded body1500with the embedded lead frame sections1200,1300in a processing state chronologically following the representation ofFIG. 8. Over the upper side510of the molded body1500, an optoelectronic semiconductor chip400has been arranged on the upper side210of the first lead frame section1200and on the upper side310of the second lead frame section1300. An optoelectronic component20has in this way been formed. Preferably, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400was arranged on the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections1200,1300even before the division of the lead frame1100and the molded body.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component20ofFIG. 9may be configured in the same way as the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4. In particular, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component20may also be configured as a volume-emitting semiconductor chip, for example, as a volume-emitting sapphire flip chip.

In the example shown inFIG. 9, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is arranged closer to the first side flank530of the molded body1500than to the second side flank560of the molded body1500. In this way, during mounting of the optoelectronic component20with first side flanks230,330of the lead frame sections1200,1300facing toward the upper side of a circuit board, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is arranged particularly close to the upper side of the circuit board. It would, however, also be possible to arrange the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400on the upper side510of the molded body1500, centrally between the first side flank530and the second side flank560or closer to the second side flank560than to the first side flank530.

A wavelength-converting coating600may in turn be arranged on the upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400, and optionally also in regions of the upper side510of the molded body1500and of the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections1200,1300of the optoelectronic component20.

FIG. 10shows a schematic perspective representation of a part of a lead frame2100according to another example. The lead frame2100comprises a multiplicity of first lead frame sections2200and second lead frame sections2300. The lead frame2100with the first lead frame sections2200and the second lead frame sections2300is configured in essentially the same way as the lead frame1100with the first lead frame sections1200and the second lead frame sections1300. In particular, the upper sides210,310of the first lead frame sections2200and of the second lead frame sections2300are also configured to be essentially planar and without elevated and depressed regions in the lead frame2100. In other regards, the lead frame2100essentially corresponds in shape and function to the lead frame100ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 11shows a schematic perspective representation of a pair formed by one of the first lead frame sections2200and one of the second lead frame sections2300of the lead frame2100.

FIG. 12shows a schematic perspective representation of an optoelectronic component30. The optoelectronic component30comprises the first lead frame section2200and the second lead frame section2300ofFIG. 11, as well as an optoelectronic semiconductor chip400arranged on the upper side210of the first lead frame section2200and on the upper side310of the second lead frame section2300. The optoelectronic component30ofFIG. 12does not have a molded body, and has no other further supporting housing parts.

The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component30is configured in the same way as the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4and as the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component20ofFIG. 9. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component30may be configured as a volume-emitting sapphire flip chip. The lower side420of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400faces toward the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections2200,2300, and connects thereto by solder connections or adhesive bonds. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400therefore establishes a mechanical connection between the lead frame sections2200,2300of the optoelectronic component30.

Arrangement of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip300on the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections2200,2300is carried out before the division of the lead frame2100on the horizontal separating planes130and the vertical separating planes140.

A wavelength-converting coating600may also be arranged on the upper side410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400and, optionally, also on the other parts of the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections1200,1300in the optoelectronic component30ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 13shows a schematic perspective representation of an optoelectronic component40according to another example. The optoelectronic component40comprises a first lead frame section3200and a second lead frame section3300having been formed in a similar way to the lead frame sections200,300of the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4from a lead frame having a multiplicity of such first lead frame sections3200and such second lead frame sections3300. Like the lead frame sections200,300of the optoelectronic component10, the upper sides210,310of the lead frame sections3200,3300have elevated regions211,311and depressed regions212,312.

An optoelectronic semiconductor chip400configured in the same way as the optoelectronic semiconductor chips400of the optoelectronic components10,20,30is arranged on the depressed regions212,312of the first lead frame section3200and of the second lead frame section3300of the optoelectronic component40.

Like the optoelectronic component30, the optoelectronic component40does not have a molded body. The optoelectronic component40has no further supporting housing parts apart from the first lead frame section3200and the second lead frame section3300and the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400.

During production of the optoelectronic component40, besides the horizontal separating planes130, the vertical separating planes140also extend through the through-openings arranged in the lead frame. The recesses240,270,340,370forming the lateral solder contact surfaces250,280,350,380are therefore arranged in corner regions in the lead frame sections3200,3300of the optoelectronic component40.

In another example not represented in the figures, the lead frame sections3200,3300and the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400of the optoelectronic component40may be embedded in a common molded body, as in the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 14shows a schematic perspective representation of an optoelectronic component50according to another example. The optoelectronic component50has great similarities with the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4. Only the differences between the optoelectronic component50and the optoelectronic component10will be explained below.

The optoelectronic component50has a first lead frame section4200, a second lead frame section4300and a further lead frame section4350. An optoelectronic semiconductor chip400is arranged on the first lead frame section4200and the second lead frame section4300. In addition, a further optoelectronic semiconductor chip4400, which may be configured in the same way as the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400, is arranged on the second lead frame section4300and on the further lead frame section4350. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400electrically conductively connects to the first lead frame section4200and the second lead frame section4300. The further optoelectronic semiconductor chip4400electrically conductively connects to the second lead frame section4300and the further lead frame section4350. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip400and the further optoelectronic semiconductor chip4400thus electrically connect in series between the first lead frame section4200and the further lead frame section4350.

The first lead frame section4200of the optoelectronic component50is configured in the same way as the first lead frame section200of the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4. The further lead frame section4350of the optoelectronic component50is configured in the same way as the second lead frame section300of the optoelectronic component10. The second lead frame section4300of the optoelectronic component50is configured in the same way as a second lead frame section300and a first lead frame section200of the lead frame100, which have not been separated along the vertical separating plane140arranged between them. This makes it possible to produce the optoelectronic component50from the same lead frame100as the optoelectronic component10ofFIG. 4.

The first lead frame section4200, the second lead frame section4300and the further lead frame section4350, as well as the optoelectronic semiconductor chip400and the further optoelectronic semiconductor chip4400, are embedded in a common molded body4500. In this case, the elevated regions211,311of the lead frame sections4200,4300,4350and the upper sides410of the optoelectronic semiconductor chips400,4400are flush with the upper side510of the molded body4500.

It is possible to configure an optoelectronic component with yet further lead frame sections and yet further optoelectronic semiconductor chips. The lead frame100ofFIG. 1advantageously makes it possible to produce optoelectronic components which are formed from arbitrarily long chains of lead frame sections4200,4300,4350and optoelectronic semiconductor chips400,4400.

Our components and methods have been illustrated and described in detail with the aid of preferred examples. This disclosure is not, however, restricted to the examples disclosed. Rather, other variants may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the protective scope of the appended claims.

This application claims priority of DE 10 2014 116 133.5, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.