Patent Publication Number: US-2015075842-A1

Title: Semiconductor device component, semiconductor device, and semiconductor device terminal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-190796, filed Sep. 13, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a semiconductor device component, a semiconductor device, and a semiconductor device terminal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical pressure-welded semiconductor device is connected to a signal line and a shield line of a coaxial cable using two external terminals of the semiconductor device. Using this arrangement, if a long loop constituted by the signal line and the shield line occurs in the vicinity of the external terminals, it can cause a low inductance failure of the device or generation of noise in the output of the device. To overcome this problem, the use of a printed circuit board (mounting substrate) for connection with the external terminals is currently under consideration. However, the position and alignment of the external terminals on the pressure-welded semiconductor device is such that the two terminals extending in directions not parallel with each other (more specifically, in a radial direction from the center of the device) makes it difficult to directly connect the external terminals to the printed circuit board by soldering or other methods. It is therefore desired to provide connection terminals of a printed circuit board that are capable of being connected to the external terminals. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, illustrating the structure of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, illustrating the structure of a semiconductor device component according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating the structure of a second connection terminal according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating the structure of a semiconductor device component according to a modified example of the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments provide a semiconductor device component, a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device terminal that can be easily connected to external terminals not disposed in parallel with each other, and a mounting substrate. 
     According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device component includes: a mounting substrate; a first connection terminal disposed on the mounting substrate, having a shape extending in a first direction parallel with a surface of the mounting substrate, and including a first U-shaped (concave) portion having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape cut along a plane perpendicular to the first direction; and a second connection terminal, disposed on the mounting substrate, adjacent to the first connection terminal, having a shape extending in a second direction parallel with the surface of the mounting substrate and not parallel with the first direction, and including a second U-shaped (concave) portion having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape cut along a plane perpendicular to the second direction. The first connection terminal is disposed in such a position that the U-shape base of the first U-shaped portion is located on a second connection terminal side. The second connection terminal is disposed in such a position that the U-shape base of the second U-shaped portion is located on a first connection terminal side, i.e., the open sides of the U-shaped portions face one another. 
     An exemplary embodiment is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, illustrating the structure of a semiconductor device  1  according to a first embodiment.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the semiconductor device  1 , while  FIG. 1B  is a plan view of the semiconductor device  1 . 
     The semiconductor device  1  according to this embodiment is a pressure-welded semiconductor device, for example, and includes a main body  11 , and first and second external terminals  12  and  13 . 
     The main body  11  includes a semiconductor chip equipped with a power transistor such as an IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor), a housing case made of a ceramic for accommodating the semiconductor chip, and other components. In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an X direction and a Y direction are defined as directions extending in parallel with the front surface and the base surface of the main body  11  and crossing each other at right angles, while a Z direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the front surface and the base surface of the main body  11 . The planar shape of the main body  11  is substantially circular with the center of the circle located at a point C ( FIG. 1B ). 
     According to this disclosure, the +Z direction corresponds to the upward direction, while the −Z direction corresponds to the downward direction. For example, the upper surface of the main body  11  refers to the +Z side surface of the main body  11 , while the lower surface (the side surface not visible in  FIG. 1A ) of the main body  11  refers to the −Z side surface of the main body  11 . 
     The first external terminal  12  is provided on the side surface of the main body  11 , and has a bar shape extending radially, i.e., on a radius extending through the center point C, from the side surface of the main body  11 . The first external terminal  12  projects in direction A 3  as shown in  FIG. 1B . The cross-sectional shape of the first external terminal  12  in a plane perpendicular to the A 3  direction is concave. 
     The second external terminal  13  is disposed on the side surface of the main body  11  adjacent to the first external terminal  12 , and has a bar shape extending radially from the side surface of the main body  11 . The second external terminal  13  projects in direction A 4  which is not parallel with the A 3  direction, along a radius extending from the center point C. The cross-sectional shape of the second external terminal  13  in a plane perpendicular to the A 4  direction is semi-circular. 
     The reference symbol θ indicates the angle between the A 3  direction and the A 4  direction. The reference symbol W 1  indicates the distance between the first external terminal  12  and the second external terminal  13 . According to this embodiment, the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  extend radially, therefore the distance W 1  increases along the length of the terminals in the direction away from the main body  11  (away from center point C). 
     Reference symbol P 1  indicates a point located on the distal end surface of the first external terminal  12  at a position farthest from the second external terminal  13 . Similarly, reference symbol P 2  indicates a point located on the distal end surface of the second external terminal  13  at a position farthest from the first external terminal  12 . Reference symbol D 1  indicates a distance between the point P 1  and the point P 2 . The details of the point P 1 , the point P 2 , and the distance D 1  will be described later herein. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, illustrating the structure of a semiconductor device component  2  according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing the semiconductor device component  2 , while  FIG. 2B  is a plan view showing the semiconductor device component  2 . 
     The semiconductor device component  2  in this embodiment includes a mounting substrate  21 , first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  as an example of a semiconductor device terminal, a connector  24 , a cable  25 , and conductive films  26  and  27 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the semiconductor device component  2  disposed in such a position that a surface S of the mounting substrate  21  faces the +Z direction. The semiconductor device  1  in this embodiment is used with the semiconductor device component  2  connected with the first and second external terminals  12  and  13 . 
     The first connection terminal  22  is disposed on the surface S of the mounting substrate  21 , and includes a first U-shaped portion  22   a , a first support portion  22   b , a first extension portion  22   c , and one or more first insertion portions  22   d.    
     The first U-shaped portion  22   a  is a concave curved member generally formed by stamping or otherwise forming a flat piece of a conductive material such as a metal in a curved form, such that a surface thereof to which the terminal  12  will be connected via an electrically conductive adherent, such as by soldering with a solder and heat, has a curved surface the base B 1  (root) of which (the inner surface of the U closest to the second connection terminal  23 ) extends in an A 1  direction parallel with the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  and with direction A 3 . The cross-sectional shape of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  in a plane perpendicular to the A 1  direction is U-shaped. The first connection terminal  22  is disposed in a position such that a U-shaped base B 1  of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  is located closer to the second connection terminal  23  than the open front T 1  of the first U-shaped portion  22   a , which faces away from the second connection terminal  23 . The front T 1  of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  corresponds to an opening of the first connection terminal  22 . 
     The first support portion  22   b  is connected with, and extends from, a lower end (first end) of the first U-shaped portion  22   a , and is interposed between the lower end of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  and the mounting substrate  21  to support the first U-shaped portion  22   a  in position to receive terminal  10  ( FIG. 1 ) therein. The first support portion  22   b  extends in a direction not parallel with (more specifically, perpendicular to) the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  from the lower end of the first U-shaped portion  22   a . The cross-sectional shape of the first support portion  22   b  in a plane perpendicular to the A 1  is linear, i.e., the first support portion is flat. The first U-shaped portion  22   a  is supported on the mounting substrate  21  via the first support portion  22   b.    
     The first extension portion  22   c  is connected to, and extends from, an upper end (second end) of the first U-shaped portion  22   a , and extends in a direction generally parallel to the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  from the upper end of the first U-shaped portion  22   a . The cross-sectional shape of the first extension portion  22   c  in a plane perpendicular to the A 1  direction is linear, in other words, the first extension portion  22   c  is flat. 
     The first insertion portion  22   d  is connected with a lower end of the first support portion  22   b . Attachment of the first connection terminal  22  to the mounting substrate  21  is made by inserting of the first insertion portion  22   d  into a hole formed in the mounting substrate  21 , and thereafter soldering the first insertion portion  22   d  to the mounting substrate  21 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , two individual first insertion portions  22   d  extend into the mounting substrate  21  from the base of the first support portion  22   b.    
     The second connection terminal  23  is disposed on the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  adjacent to the first connection terminal  22 , and includes a second U-shaped portion  23   a , a second support portion  23   b , a second extension portion  23   c , and one or more second insertion portions  23   d.    
     The second U-shaped portion  23   a  is a concave curved member generally forming by stamping or otherwise forming a flat piece of a conductor such as a metal in a curved form, such that a surface thereof to which the terminal  13  will be connected via an electrically conductive adherent, such as by soldering with a solder and heat, has a curved surface at the base B 2  (root) thereof which has an inner surface that extends in an A 2  direction parallel with the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  and with direction A 4  not parallel to the direction A 1 . The cross-sectional shape of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  in a plane perpendicular to the A 2  direction is U-shaped. The second connection terminal  23  is disposed in a position such that the U-shaped base B 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  is located closer to the first connection terminal  22  side of the mounting substrate  21  than is the front T 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  having the opening thereof facing away from the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The front T 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  corresponds to an opening of the second connection terminal  23 . 
     The second support portion  23   b  is connected with, and extends from, a lower end (first end) of the second U-shaped portion  23   a , and is interposed between the lower end of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  and the mounting substrate  21 . The second support portion  23   b  extends in a direction not parallel with (more specifically, perpendicular to) the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  from the lower end of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The cross-sectional shape and the function of the second support portion  23   b  are similar to those of the first support portion  22   b.    
     The second extension portion  23   c  is connected with an upper end (second end) of the second U-shaped portion  23   a , and extends in a direction parallel with the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  from the upper end of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  and on the opening side thereof. The cross-sectional shape and the function of the second extension portion  23   c  are similar to those of the first extension portion  22   c.    
     The second insertion portion  23   d  is connected with a lower end of the second support portion  23   b . The shape, number and the function of the second insertion portion  23   d  are similar to those of the first insertion portion  22   d.    
     The first connection terminal  22  and the second connection terminal  23  in this embodiment have mirror-symmetric shapes. In this case, the first connection terminal  22  and the second connection terminal  23  are disposed in such positions as to be mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the surface S of the mounting substrate  21  (Y-Z plane in this embodiment). A reference sign θ indicates the angle formed by the A 1  direction and the A 2  direction. According to this embodiment, the angle formed by the A 1  direction and the A 2  direction is set to be equal to the angle formed by the A 3  direction and the A 4  direction. 
     The first connection terminal  22  and the second connection terminal  23  in this embodiment are shown disposed in the vicinity of, and spaced from, an end surface E of the mounting substrate  21  in  FIG. 2B . A reference sign W 2  indicates the distance between the first connection terminal  22  and the second connection terminal  23 . According to this embodiment, the distance W 2  between the first connection terminal  22  and the second connection terminal  23  decreases in the direction toward the end surface E. 
     A connector  24  is disposed on the surface S of the mounting substrate  21 , and has the function of electrically connecting the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  to the shield and signal lines in a cable  25 . The cable  25  is a coaxial cable including a signal line and a shield line, for example. The first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  are electrically connected with the connector  24  via conductive films  26  and  27  provided on the surface S of the mounting substrate  21 . 
     The first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  may be electrically connected with the connector  24  by conductive films provided on the surfaces of the mounting substrate  21  on both sides, and a through hole electrode (not shown) of the mounting substrate  21  for connecting the respective conductive films. 
     The semiconductor device component  2  in this embodiment is connected with the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  by insertion of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  into the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a . An arrow I indicates the movement direction of the semiconductor device component  2  at the time of insertion of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  into the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a . The I direction corresponds to the direction in which the semiconductor device component  2  approaches the semiconductor device  1 , or vice-versa. After being inserted into the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a , the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  in this embodiment are electrically and mechanically joined to the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a  by soldering them together. 
     The first connection terminal  22  in this embodiment is disposed in such a position that the front (opening) T 1  of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  faces away from the second connection terminal  23 . On the other hand, the front (opening) T 2  of the second connection terminal  23  in this embodiment faces away from the first connection terminal  22 . According to this embodiment, therefore, easy insertion of the radially disposed first and second external terminals  11  and  12  into the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a  is allowed by movement of the semiconductor device component  2  in the I direction, or of the semiconductor device  1  in the direction of the semiconductor device component  2  in opposition to the I direction. Because the surface of the bases B 1  and B 2  are parallel to the terminals  12  and  13  which extend along radii A 3  and A 4 , the sides of the terminals  12  and  13  will approach the root of the base and be received within the U shaped portion as the semiconductor device component  2  and the semiconductor device  1  are brought together. 
     Moreover, the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  in this embodiment have the first and second extension portions  22   c  and  23   c  connected with the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a , respectively, which in turn are secured in the mounting substrate  21 . Thus, the first and second extension portions  22   c  and  23   c  are in a fixed relatively position when placed on the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  during soldering of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13 , and the position of the semiconductor device component  2  and terminals  12 ,  13  are also relatively fixed during this step. Accordingly, the working efficiency of the soldering step in this embodiment improves, because secondary holding fixtures or the like are not needed to position the terminals  12 ,  13  in position to be soldered to the connection terminals  22  and  23  and thus the connector is inherently supported during the soldering step. 
     Additionally, if the solder at the first insertion portion  22   d  of the first connection terminal  22  is re-melted by heat generated during soldering of the first external terminal  12 , the second external terminal  13  supports the semiconductor device component  2  relative to the semiconductor device. When the re-melting occurs before the soldering of the second external terminal  13 , the semiconductor device component  2  is supported by engagement between the second extension portion  23   c  of the second connection terminal  23  and the second external terminal  13 . On the other hand, when the re-melting occurs after the soldering of the second external terminal  13 , the semiconductor device component  2  is supported by connection of the second external terminal  13  to the second connection terminal  23  via the solder. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating the structure of the second connection terminal  23  according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the second connection terminal  23 , while  FIG. 3B  is a side view of the second connection terminal  23 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the second connection terminal  23  disposed in such a position that the A 2  direction extends in the +Y direction. The following explanation is also applicable to the first connection terminal  22 . 
     As noted above, the second connection terminal  23  includes the second U-shaped portion  23   a , the second support portion  23   b , the second extension portion  23   c , and the one or more second insertion portions  23   d.    
     The second U-shaped portion  23   a  has a shape extending in the A 2  direction. The shape of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  in a plane perpendicular to the A 2  direction is U-shaped. An arrow A 5  indicates the direction from the U-shaped base B 2  toward the front T 2  of the second connector  23 .  FIG. 3A  shows the second connection terminal  23  disposed in such a position that the A 5  direction extends in the +X direction. 
     The second support portion  23   b  is connected with, and extends from, the lower end of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The shape of the second support portion  23   b  in a plane perpendicular to the A 2  direction is flat extending in a direction not parallel with (more specifically, perpendicular to) the A 5  direction. 
     The second extension portion  23   c  is connected with, and extends from, the upper end of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The shape of the second extension portion  23   c  in a plane perpendicular to the A 2  direction is flat extending in a direction parallel with the A 5  direction. 
     The second insertion portion  23   d  is connected with, and extends from, the lower end of the second support portion  23   b . The second insertion portion  23   d  has a bar shape extending in the same direction as the extension direction of the second support portion  23   b.    
       FIG. 3B  shows points K 1 , K 2 , and K 3  on the inner wall surface of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The point K 1  is located at the lower end (first end) of the second U-shaped portion  23   a , while the point K 2  is located at the upper end (second end) of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The point K 3  is located at the tip of the base B 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a.    
     A reference sign L 1  indicates a diameter of the second external terminal  13 . A reference sign L 2  indicates a distance between the point K 1  and the point K 2 , i.e., a distance between the lower end and the upper end of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . The distance L 2  corresponds to the opening width at the front (opening) T 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . According to this embodiment, the distance L 2  is greater than the diameter L 1  (L 2 &gt;L 1 ) so as to allow insertion and receipt of the second external terminal  13  into the second U-shaped portion  23   a.    
     A reference sign L 3  indicates a distance between the point K 1  (or K 2 ) and the point K 3  in the A 5  direction. The distance L 3  corresponds to the U-shaped depth of the second U-shaped portion  23   a . According to this embodiment, the distance L 3  is greater than the distance L 1  (L 2 &gt;L 1 ) so as to allow the second external terminal  13  to be fully received within the envelope of the second U-shaped portion  23   a , i.e., so that the terminal need not extend outwardly from a plane defined by an imaginary extension of the second extension portion along the dashed line extending across the front of the U-shaped opening in  FIG. 3B  (separating dimensions L 3  and L 4 . 
     Reference symbol L 4  indicates the length of the second extension portion  23   c  in the A 5  direction. It is preferable that the length L 4  is set at such a length allowing the second extension portion  23   c  to be easily located on the second external terminal  13  during the solder connection operation connecting the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  to terminals  12  and  13 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the semiconductor device component  2  according to a modified example of the first embodiment. The cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  shows the cross section of the semiconductor device component  2  in planes perpendicular to the A 1  and A z  directions and passing through the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23 . 
     For convenience of depiction of the figure, the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23  illustrated in  FIG. 4  are in such a condition that both the directions A 1  and A 2  extend in the +Y direction. However, it is assumed that the semiconductor device component  2  discussed in the following description is positioned such that the A 1  and A 2  directions extend in the directions shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     In this modified example, the first connection terminal  22  includes the first U-shaped portion  22   a , the first support portion  22   b , the first extension portion  22   c , the first insertion portion  22   d , and further a first bent portion  22   e . The first bent portion  22   e  is connected with, and extends from, an end of the first extension portion  22   c . The cross-sectional shape of the first bent portion  22   e  in a plane perpendicular to the A 1  direction is of a flat shape extending in a direction not parallel with (for example, perpendicular to) the first extension portion  22   c . The cross-sectional shape of the first bent portion  22   e  may be a shape other than the flat shape. 
     The second connection terminal  23  includes the second U-shaped portion  23   a , the second support portion  23   b , the second extension portion  23   c , the second insertion portion  23   d , and further a second bent portion  23   e . The second bent portion  23   e  is connected with an end of the second extension portion  23   c . The cross-sectional shape of the second bent portion  23   e  in a plane perpendicular to the A 2  direction is in a flat shape extending in a direction not parallel with (for example, perpendicular to) the second extension portion  23   c . The cross-sectional shape of the second bent portion  23   e  may be a shape other than the linear shape. 
     The reference sign P 1  indicates a point located on the distal end surface on the circumference of the first external terminal  12  at a position furthest from the base  23   a  of the second external terminal  13  (see  FIG. 1B ). Similarly, the reference sign P 2  indicates a point located on the distal end surface of the second external terminal  13  at a position on the circumference thereof furthest from the first external terminal  12 . The reference sign D 1  indicates the distance between the point P 1  and the point P 2 . 
     On the other hand, a reference sign P 3  indicates a point located at the end of the inner wall surface of the first bent portion  22   a  in the +X direction, while a reference sign P 4  indicates a point located at the end of the inner wall surface of the second bent portion  23   a  in the −X direction. A reference sign D 2  indicates a distance between the point P 3  and the point P 4 . 
     If the distance D 2  is shorter than the distance D 1 , insertion of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  into the first and second U-shaped portion  22   a  and  23   a  becomes difficult because the surfaces of the connection terminals  22 ,  23  will interferingly engage the ends of the terminals  12 ,  13 . According to this embodiment, therefore, the distance D 2  is set to be greater than the distance D 1  (D 2 &gt;D 1 ). 
     When the distance D 2  is greater than the distance D 1  with only a small difference between the distance D 1  and the distance D 2 , there is a high possibility of interference between the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  and the first and second bended portions  22   e  and  23   e  at the time of insertion. According to this embodiment, therefore, it is preferable that the distance D 2  is set to be sufficiently greater than the distance D 1  to avoid such interference. For example, it is preferable that the distance D 2  is set to be greater than the sum of the distance D 1  and the diameter L 1  of each of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  (D 2 &gt;D 1 +L 1 ). 
     In other words, according to this embodiment, the first and second bent portions  22   e  and  23   e  may be formed on the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23 , respectively, when this structure is configured to allow insertion of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  into the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a  without interference. In this case, it is preferable to set the distance D 2  sufficiently to be greater than the distance D 1  for easy insertion of the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  into the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a.    
     Accordingly, the first connection terminal  22  in this embodiment is disposed in such a position that the U-shaped base B 1  of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  is located adjacent to the second connection terminal  23 , and the U-shaped front T 1  of the first U-shaped portion  22   a  faces away from the second connection terminal  23 . 
     Moreover, the second connection terminal  23  in this embodiment is disposed in such a position that the U-shaped base B 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  is located adjacent to the first connection terminal  22 , and the U-shaped front T 2  of the second U-shaped portion  23   a  faces away from the first connection terminal  22 . 
     According to this embodiment, therefore, the first and second external terminals  12  and  13  extending not in parallel with each other are able to easily connect with the mounting substrate  21  by using the first and second connection terminals  22  and  23 . 
     The U shape of the cross-sectional shape of the first and second U-shaped portions  22   a  and  23   a  may be modified into other various shapes. For example, the U-shape may be constituted only by a semicircular shape, or a semicircular shape and two lines connected to two ends of the semicircular shape. The semicircular shape of the latter example may be modified into a shape formed by planes. In this case, the U-shape becomes a rectangular shape from which one side is removed. The semicircular shape of each of the former and the latter examples may be modified into a semielliptic shape. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.