Device for encapsulating electronic components

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for encapsulating electronic components, mounted on so-called lead frames, in a mould assembled from two mould halves movable relative to each other and closable onto each other, comprising: means for causing the mould halves to move and to close, and means for exerting pressure on encapsulating material which can be placed in cavities of the mould, wherein the means for exerting pressure on the encapsulating material comprise at least two screw spindles, which screw spindles are driven by a cental drive and which by rotation of the screw spindles, support a displaceable fixing point for at least one plunger.

Description: The invention relates to a device for encapsulating electronic components according the preamble of claim 1. US 5,330,347 discloses a molding press for an injection molding device comprising an upper and a lower mold half being movable with respect to each other. The molding press can accommodate a leadframe containing an integrated circuit. For the molding a plastic material is introduced in a mold cavity by pressing a pellet using a press plunger. For the movement of the plunger use is made of a double construction; a carriage driven by a single leadscrew and on top of the carriage a lever arm driven by an air cylinder. First the carriage is moved upward in a working position and subsequently the working pressure on the plastic is generated by means of the air cylinder. The present invention has for its object to provide an improved device with which electronic components can be encapsulated with higher speed and with less chance of breakdown, and with an encapsulating device that has a simple construction. This object is achieved according to the invention by the device as defined in claim 1. Particular embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The screw spindles are preferably driven by a central motor with interposing of belts. Two screw spindles at a time preferably also support a beam which is displaceable by rotation of the screw spindles and on which at least one plunger is mountable. Instead of using a transfer plate on which the plungers engage, generally with interposing of a plunger block, a plunger displacement using screw spindles according to this invention has the advantage that it takes up very limited space. Another advantage of the centrally driven screw spindles is that this results in an exactly similar placing of the plungers, which in turn results in an improved quality of the encapsulated products. The Japanese patent JP 62 069521 discloses a cleaner-elevation mechanism to perform the elevation of a cleaner without irregular movement. Use is made of four synchronously rotating screw-shafts with timing belts. However the requirements and functionality for the movement of a cleaner device can and will not be compared with the movement of means for exerting pressure on encapsulating material. US 4 767 302 discloses an exchangeable multiplunger transfer molding die apparatus. A single screw rod drives the movement of the multiplunger unit, there is no disclosure of the use of multiple screw rods in this document. The present invention will be further elucidated with reference to the non-limitative embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein : Fig. 1 shows a partly cut-away perspective view of an encapsulating device incorporating the invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of means for exerting pressure on encapsulating material with four screw spindles. Figure 1 shows an encapsulating device 1 depicted in a pressing position. Fixed in encapsulating device 1 are two mould halves 2, 3 in which the actual encapsulating process takes place. The upper mould halve 2 is partly broken away to give a better view of the lower mould halve 3. In the lower mould halve 3 recesses 4 are visible in which encapsulating material can be placed. By means of plungers not shown in this figure the encapsulating material placed in recesses 4 can then be placed under pressure such that it is urged toward mould cavities likewise not shown in this figure. The lower mould halve 3 is vertically displaceable in a frame 5 of encapsulating device 1 for opening and closing mould halves 2, 3. This opening is necessary for placing of the electronic components for encapsulating, arranging encapsulating material and removing the encapsulated products after the encapsulating operation. Accommodated in the frame 5 of encapsulating device 1 is a geared motor 6 for causing lower mould half 3 to move vertically. Figure 2 shows the means 31 for exerting pressure on encapsulating material placed in recesses 4. These means are also recognizable in the encapsulating device 1 as shown in figure 1. The means 31 for exerting pressure comprise four vertical screw spindles 32-35 which are driven by a central motor 37 by means of belts 36. By means of rotating screw spindles 32-35 horizontal beams 38, 39 are horizontally displaceable in synchronous manner. Plungers (not shown here) can subsequently engage on these horizontal beams 38, 39, optionally with interposing of other elements such as plunger blocks, which plungers fall into the recesses 4 on the underside of lower mould half 3. By rotating screw spindles 32-35 the encapsulating material placed in recesses 4 can thus be placed under pressure. The means 31 for exerting pressure on the encapsulating material are constructed such that they take up relatively little space in encapsulating device 1.

Claims: Device (1) for encapsulating electronic components, mounted on so-called lead frames, in a mould assembled from two mould halves (2, 3) movable relative to each other and closable onto each other, comprising: means (6) for causing the mould halves (2, 3) to move and to close, and means (31) for exerting pressure on encapsulating material which can be placed in cavities (4) of the mould, characterised in that the means (31) for exerting pressure on the encapsulating material comprise at least two screw spindles (32, 33, 34, 35) which screw spindles (32, 33, 34, 35) are driven by a central drive (37) and which by rotation of the screw spindles (32, 33, 34, 35) support plunger engaging means (38, 39) for at least one plunger. Encapsulating device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the screw spindles (32, 33, 34, 35) are driven by a central motor (37) with interposing of belts (36). Encapsulating device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two screw spindles (32, 33, 34, 35) at a time support a beam (38, 39) which is displaceable by rotation of the screw spindles (32, 33, 34, 35) and on which at least one plunger can engage.

Inventors: HARMSEN WILHELMUS HENDRIKUS JO, VAN HAREN LAMBERTUS FRANCISCUS, VENROOIJ JOHANNES LAMBERTUS GE, HARMSEN, WILHELMUS HENDRIKUS JOHANNES, VAN HAREN, LAMBERTUS FRANCISCUS WILHELMUS, VENROOIJ, JOHANNES LAMBERTUS GERARDUS MARIA
Applicants: FICO BV, FICO B.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H01L21
IPC codes: H01L21, B29C45