Patent ID: 12212019

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes examples of systems and techniques directed to formation of wedge wire bonds in multiple directions using a continuous bond wire, where such approaches are referred to herein as multiple-direction wire bonding or multiple-direction wedge wire bonding. In some implementations, multiple-direction wire bonding can include forming, using a wire bonder head (e.g., a wedge wire bonder head), a first wire bond; moving the wire bonder head in a first direction of travel; forming a second wire bond; rotating the wire bonder head; moving the wire bonder head in a second direction of travel that is different than the first direction of travel; and forming a third wire bond. The subject matter described herein can improve the performance of corresponding electrical device assemblies, such as battery modules used in electric and/or hybrid vehicles. For example, electrical interconnects between electrical contact surfaces (e.g., terminals of electrochemical cells and/or busbars of a battery module) can have increased conductivity as a result of electrical resistance of being reduced. Such reduced resistance can be achieved as a result of a continuous length of bond wire being used to electrically connect a plurality of electrical contact surfaces arranged in different directions relative to one another, rather using individual bond wire segments (e.g., respective individual bond wire segments for each different direction).

Examples herein refer to bond wires (e.g., ribbon bond wires or ribbon wires). As used herein, a bond wire can have any number of different geometries, and can include one or more materials having respective conductivities. For instance, a bond wire can be a single layered bond wire, or can be a multi-layered bond wire that has a plurality of layers each having a respective conductivity. In some implementations, a bond wire can be a ribbon wire having a rectangular cross-section and having one or more layers. The one or more layers can include one or more electrically conductive materials, such as one or more metals and/or metal alloys. As used herein, a bond wire being coupled to a surface (e.g., a conductive surface, electrical contact surface, etc.) refers to the bond wire being electrically and/or physically coupled with that surface, unless otherwise indicated.

Examples herein refer to segments of a bond wire (e.g., bond wire segments). As used herein, a bond wire segment is a portion of a bond wire that extends between separate wire bonds (e.g., wedge wire bonds). For instance, in some implementations, a bond wire (e.g., a continuous bond wire) can include a first bond wire segment extending between a first wire bond and a second wire bond, and further include a second segment extending between the second wire bond and a third wire bond. In example implementations, the first bond wire segment and the second bond wire segment can define a non-zero angle. For instance, the angle can be less than about 45 degrees, or can be greater than about 135 degrees. A bond wire can also include additional bond wire segments and additional wire bonds.

Examples herein refer to wire loops. As used herein, a wire loop can be part of bond wire segment that extends between two wedge wire bonds. For instance, a wire loop can electrically connect a first wedge wire bond and its corresponding electrical contact surface with a second wedge wire bond and it corresponding electrical contact surface. In implementations, a wire loop can be flat, curved, arced, or a combination thereof.

Examples herein refer to electrochemical cells. As used herein, an electrochemical cell is a device that generates electrical energy from chemical reactions, or uses electrical energy to cause chemical reactions, or both. An electrochemical cell can include an electrolyte and two electrodes to store energy and deliver it when used. In some implementations, the electrochemical cell can be a rechargeable cell. For example, the electrochemical cell can be a lithium-ion cell. In some implementations, the electrochemical cell can act as a galvanic cell when being discharged, and as an electrolytic cell when being charged. The electrochemical cell can have at least one terminal for each of the electrodes. The terminals, or at least a portion thereof, can be positioned at one end of the electrolytic cell. For example, when the electrochemical cell has a cylindrical shape, one of the terminals can be provided in the center of the end of the cell, and the can that forms the cylinder can constitute the other terminal and therefore be present at the end as well. Other shapes of electrochemical cells can be used, including, but not limited to, prismatic shapes.

Examples herein refer to a battery module, which is an individual component configured for holding and managing multiple electrochemical cells during charging, storage, and use. The battery module can be intended as the sole power source for one or more loads (e.g., electric motors), or more than one battery module of the same or different type can be used. Two or more battery modules can be implemented in a system separately or as part of a larger energy storage unit. For example, a battery pack can include two or more battery modules of the same or different type. A battery module can include control circuitry for managing the charging, storage, and/or use of electrical energy in the electrochemical cells, or the battery module can be controlled by an external component. For example, a battery management system can be implemented on one or more circuit boards (e.g., a printed circuit board).

Examples herein refer to a busbar, where a corresponding battery module can have at least one busbar. The busbar is electrically conductive and is used for conducting electricity to the electrochemical cells when charging, or from the cells when discharging. The busbar is made of an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal) and has suitable dimensions considering the characteristics of the electrochemical cells and the intended use. In some implementations, the busbar comprises aluminum (e.g., an aluminum alloy). A busbar can be planar (e.g., flat) or can have one or more bends, depending on the shape and intended use of the battery module.

Examples herein may refer to a top or a bottom. These and similar expressions identify things or aspects in a relative way based on an express or arbitrary notion of perspective. That is, these terms are illustrative only, used for purposes of explanation, and do not necessarily indicate the only possible position, direction, and so on.

FIG.1is a diagram schematically illustrating an electrical device assembly100including multiple-direction wire bonds. As shown inFIG.1, the assembly100includes electrical contact surfaces101,103and105, and a bond wire (e.g., a ribbon bond wire)106that is coupled with the electrical contact surfaces101,103,105using multiple-direction wire bonding. As shown inFIG.1, the electrical contact surfaces101and105are spaced from the electrical contact surface103in a common direction along a line D. The bond wire106includes a segment107a, and a segment107b. In some implementations, each of the electrical contact surfaces101,103and105can be respectively included in one of a busbar or a battery terminal of a battery module, such as battery module used in an electric and/or hybrid vehicles.

In the assembly100, the bond wire106is coupled with the electrical contact surface101via a wedge wire bond108, is coupled with the electrical contact surface103via a wedge wire bond110, and is coupled with the electrical contact surface105via a wedge wire bond112. As shown inFIG.1, the segment107aof the bond wire106extends between the wedge wire bond108and the wedge wire bond110, while the segment107bof the bond wire106extends between the wedge bond110and the wedge bond112. The bond wire106includes a bend115that changes a direction of the bond wire106in the assembly100. In the present illustration, the segment107a, from the wedge bond108to the wedge bond110, generally extends left to right along the line D, while the segment107b, from the wedge bond110to the wedge bond112(e.g., after the bend115), generally extends right to left along the line D. As also shown inFIG.1, the bond wire106has a surface S1in the segment107athat is here upward facing, and a surface S2in the segment107bthat is also upward facing in this illustration. The surface S1of the bond wire106is opposite the surface S2in the geometry of the bond wire106. Accordingly, in this example, the surface S2faces (e.g., is wire bonded to) the electrical contact surfaces101and103, while the surface S1faces (e.g., is wire bonded to) the electrical contact surface105. In some implementation, the wire bonds108,110and112can be formed using ultrasonic vibration of the wedge to attach (e.g., fuse, bond, etc.) the bond wire206to the respective conductive surface. In other implementations, wire bonds used in multiple-direction wire bonding can be formed using other appropriate approaches, such as laser bonding.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an example of a wire bond operation200. In example implementations, the wire bond operation200can be used to perform multiple-direction wire bonding, such as in accordance with the example implementations described herein. In this example, as shown inFIG.2, a ribbon bond wire (ribbon wire, bond wire, or wire)206can be fed through a wedge wire bonder head, such that the bond wire206is disposed below a bonding wedge216. In some implementations, the wedge can be steel or another metal.

InFIG.2, the bond wire206is shown in a side view from an end of the bond wire206.FIG.2also illustrates a portion of a electrochemical cell208that can be included in a battery module, to which a wedge bond can be formed, e.g., as part of a multiple-direction wire bonding operation. Also shown inFIG.2are arrows204and206indicating, respectively, clockwise rotation of the wedge216(and an associated wedge bonder head) and counterclockwise rotation of the wedge216. Such rotation can be used to change a direction of travel of the wedge216and a corresponding direction in which the bond wire206is fed or deployed when performing multiple-direction wire bonding operations.

In example implementations, the bond wire206can be shaped (e.g., as a result of forming wire bonds, wire loops or segments, and/or bends) to be suitable for its intended use of forming multiple-direction wire bonds between separate electric contact surfaces (e.g., electrical contact surfaces101,103and105), which can also be referred to as conductive surfaces. In implementations, the conductive surfaces can be substantially parallel to each other (e.g., co-planar or in parallel planes), or the conductive surfaces can be oriented in different directions. As another example, the conductive surfaces can be positioned at substantially a same level relative to a reference level (e.g., co-planar), or the conductive surfaces can be positioned at different levels relative to the reference level (e.g., non-co-planar).

In some implementations, the shape of the ribbon bond wire206can result from the process by which the bond wire206is installed to electrically connect the associated conductive surfaces. For example, the bond wire206can initially be kept as stock material on a spool, and a suitable length of the bond wire206can be installed to form multiple-direction wire bonding that provides an electrical connection between two or more conductive surfaces, thereby assuming a shape suitable for connecting those surfaces, e.g., such as including appropriate wire loops between respective wedge bonds formed on the conductive surfaces, as well as bends for changing directions. Depending on the particular implementation, the bond wire206can include copper, aluminum, a copper alloy, an aluminum alloy, and/or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the bond wire206can be a multi-layered ribbon wire that includes layers of different material that are bonded to each other (e.g., laminated, swaged, adhesive attached, etc.).

In the example ofFIG.2, the bonding operation200can include electrically bonding the bond wire206to a portion of an electrochemical cell208of a battery module. Here, only an end210of the electrochemical cell208is shown for simplicity. In some implementations, the end210can be referred to as a top of the electrochemical cell208. For example, the electrochemical cell208can include a can (not shown) to hold active materials, and the end210can be formed by a cap that seals an opening of the can.

The electrochemical cell208can have multiple terminals. Here, a terminal212is shown as a structure positioned at a center of the end210. For example, the terminal212can be a positive terminal of the electrochemical cell208. Here, a rim214included in the end210is at least a part of another terminal of the electrochemical cell208. For example, the rim214(and a remainder of the can material, including a bottom of the can) may serve as a negative terminal of the electrochemical cell208. In such approaches, the terminal212and the rim214can be electrically insulated from one another.

The bonding operation200can include use of one or more tools. In some implementations, such as those described herein, a wedge wire bonding head can be used, where the wedge216can be included in the wedge wire bonding head. For instance, in this example the wedge216can be used to bond the bond wire206to the terminal212, or the rim214. In implementations, the wedge216can be made of metal. In implementations, after formation of formation of a first bond wire segment and its associated wedge wire bonds, the wedge216(and an associated bonder head) can be rotated (e.g., using a stepper motor, or other rotary motor) to change a direction of travel of the wedge216, as well as a direction in which a next bond wire segment is formed. For instance the wedge bonder head can be rotated clockwise (204) or counter-clockwise (205). After rotating the wedge bonder head, the wedge bonder head can move to a subsequent electrical contact surface, and the bond wire206(e.g., continuous from the previous wire bond) can be bonded to that subsequent electrical contact surface.

In some implementations, the bond wire206can, as part of a multiple-direction wire bonding operation, be wedge bonded to the rim214of the electrochemical cell208. In such implementations, the bond wire206can have any appropriate orientation relative to the rim214. For instance, in some implementations, the orientation of the bond wire206(e.g., a length of a corresponding bond wire segment) can be substantially radial relative to the rim214. In other implementations, the bond wire206can be oriented substantially in a tangential direction relative to the rim214. In still other implementations, other orientations of the bond wire206relative to the rim214can be used.

FIGS.3A-3Eare diagrams schematically illustrating examples of multiple-direction wedge wire bonding. Specifically, the examples ofFIGS.3A-3Eillustrate multiple-direction wire bonding in respective battery modules, or portions of respective battery modules300a,300b,300c,300dand300e. In the examples ofFIGS.3A-3E, for simplicity, respective multi-direction bond wires are shown, without explicitly showing the associated wire bonds and/or bends in the bond wires. In implementations, such aspects of the multi-direction wire bonds ofFIGS.3A-3Ecan be similar to those aspects of the multi-direction wire bonds shown inFIG.1and described above. In some implementations, the multiple-direction wire bonding approaches shown inFIGS.3A-3Ecan be implemented in conjunction with one another. That is, one or more aspects of one multiple-direction wire bonding approach can be combined with aspect of another multiple-direction wire bonding approach. In some implementations, an order in which wire bonds in a multiple-direction wire bonding operation are formed can be reversed from the example shown herein. That is, starting and ending electrical contact surfaces for multiple-direction wire bonding operations can be reversed.

FIG.3Aillustrates a battery module300a, which can be a portion of a battery module or battery pack. InFIG.3A, a busbar305a, an end310aof an electrochemical cell, and a bond wire306aof the battery module300aare shown. The end310aof the electrochemical cell includes a terminal312aand a rim314a, while the bond wire306aincludes a segments (bond wire segments)306a1and306a2.

In the battery module300a, the bond wire306aelectrically couples the busbar305awith the terminal312avia multiple-direction wire bonding. For instance, in this example, the segment306a1of the bond wire306ais wire bonded to the busbar305aand the terminal312a. Further in this example, the segment306a2is wire bonded to the bus busbar305a, where a bend in the bond wire306achanges a direction along which the segment306a2is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306a1is arranged.

That is, in this example, a first end of the bond wire306ais wire bonded to a first electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the busbar305a), a second end of the bond wire306ais wire bonded to a second electrical contact surface (e.g., that is also part of the busbar305a). Further in this example, a portion of the bond wire306athat is intermediate between its first end and its second end is wire bonded to a third electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312a).

In the battery module300a, the segment306a1and the segment306a2define an angle α1. In some implementations, the angle α1can be greater than zero degrees (0°) and less than about forty-five degrees (45°). In the examples ofFIGS.3B-3E, segments of bond wires used to implement multiple-direction wire bonds can define similar angles. For clarity and brevity, such angles may not be specifically indicated.

FIG.3Billustrates a battery module300b, which can be a portion of a battery module or battery pack. InFIG.3B, a busbar305b, an end310b1of a first electrochemical cell, an end310b2of a second electrochemical cell, and a bond wire306bof the battery module300bare shown. The end310b1of the first electrochemical cell includes a terminal312b1and a rim314b1. The end310b2of the second electrochemical cell includes a terminal312b2and a rim314b2. The bond wire306bincludes segments306b1and306b2.

In the battery module300b, the bond wire306belectrically couples the busbar305bwith the terminals312b1and312b2via multiple-direction wire bonding. For instance, in this example, the segment306b1of the bond wire306bis wire bonded to the terminal312b2and the busbar305b. Further in this example, the segment306b2is wire bonded to the terminal312b1, where a bend in the bond wire306bchanges a direction along which the segment306b2is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306b1is arranged.

That is, in this example, a first end of the bond wire306bis wire bonded to a first electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312b2), a second end of the bond wire306bis wire bonded to a second electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312b1). Further in this example, a portion of the bond wire306bthat is intermediate between its first end and its second end is wire bonded to a third electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the busbar305b).

FIG.3Cillustrates a battery module300c, which can be a portion of a battery module or battery pack. InFIG.3C, a busbar305c, an end310c1of a first electrochemical cell, an end310c2of a second electrochemical cell, and a bond wire306cof the battery module300care shown. The end310c1of the first electrochemical cell includes a terminal312c1and a rim314c1. The end310c2of the second electrochemical cell includes a terminal312c2and a rim314c2. The bond wire306cincludes segments306c1,306c2and306c3.

In the battery module300c, the bond wire306celectrically couples the busbar305cwith the terminals312c1and312b2via multiple-direction wire bonding. For instance, in this example, the segment306c1of the bond wire306cis wire bonded to the terminal312c2and the busbar305b. Further in this example, the segment306c2is wire bonded to the terminal312c1, where a first bend in the bond wire306cchanges a direction along which the segment306c2is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306c1is arranged. Still further in this example, the segment306c3is wire bonded to the busbar305c, where a second bend in the bond wire306cchanges a direction along which the segment306c3is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306c2is arranged.

That is, in this example, a first end of the bond wire306cis wire bonded to a first electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312c2), a second end of the bond wire306cis wire bonded to a second electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the busbar305). Further in this example, a portion of the bond wire306cthat is intermediate between its first end and its second end is wire bonded to a third electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the busbar305c) and a fourth electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312c1). The portion of the bond wire306cthat is intermediate between its first end and its second, in this example, includes the segments306c1,306c2and306c3.

FIG.3Dillustrates a battery module300d, which can be a portion of a battery module or battery pack. InFIG.3D, a busbar305d, an end310d1of a first electrochemical cell, an end310d2of a second electrochemical cell, an end310d3of a third electrochemical cell, and a bond wire306dof the battery module300dare illustrated. In this example, the end310d1of the first electrochemical cell includes a terminal312d1and a rim314d1. The end310d2of the second electrochemical cell includes a terminal312d2and a rim314d2. The end310d3of the third electrochemical cell includes a terminal312d3and a rim314d3. The bond wire306dincludes segments306d1,306d2,306d3and306d3.

In the battery module300d, the bond wire306delectrically couples the busbar305dwith the terminals312d1,312d2and312d3via multiple-direction wire bonding. For instance, the segment306d1of the bond wire306d, in this example, is wire bonded to the terminal312d3and the busbar305d. Further in this example, the segment306d2is wire bonded to the terminal312d1, where a first bend in the bond wire306dchanges a direction along which the segment306d2is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306d1is arranged. In this instance, the segment306d1and the segment306d2define an angle α2. In some implementations, the angle α2can be less than one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) and less than about one-hundred-thirty-five degrees (135°). In other implementations, segments of bond wires used to implement multiple-direction wire bonds can define similar angles. In this instance, the bend between the segments306d1and306d2may not invert the bond wire306d(e.g., will not change the surface of the bond wire that is wire bonded to the terminal312d1, as compared to the surface of the segment306d1that is wire bonded to the terminal312d3and the busbar305d).

Further in the example ofFIG.3D, the segment306d3is wire bonded to the busbar305d, where a second bend in the bond wire306dchanges a direction along which the segment306d3is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306d2is arranged. Additionally in the example ofFIG.3D, the segment306d4is wire bonded to the terminal312d2, where a third bend in the bond wire306dchanges a direction along which the segment306d4is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306d3is arranged.

That is, in this example, a first end of the bond wire306dis wire bonded to a first electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312d3), a second end of the bond wire306dis wire bonded to a second electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312d2). Further in this example, a portion of the bond wire306dthat is intermediate between its first end and its second end is wire bonded to a third electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the busbar305c), a fourth electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the terminal312d1), and a fifth electrical contact surface (e.g., this is part of the busbar305). The portion of the bond wire306dthat is intermediate between its first end and its second, in this example, includes the segments306d1,306d2,306d3and306d4.

FIG.3Eillustrates a battery module300e, which can be a portion of a battery module or battery pack. InFIG.3E, a busbar305e, an end310e1of a first electrochemical cell, an end310e2of a second electrochemical cell, and a bond wire306eof the battery module300eare shown. The end310e1of the first electrochemical cell includes a terminal312e1and a rim314e1. The end310e2of the second electrochemical cell includes a terminal312e2and a rim314e2. The bond wire306eincludes segments306e1and306e2.

In the battery module300e, the bond wire306eelectrically couples the busbar305ewith the rims314e1and314e2via multiple-direction wire bonding. For instance, the segment306e1of the bond wire306e, in this example, is wire bonded to the rim314e2and the busbar305e. Further in this example, the segment306e2is wire bonded to the rim312e1, where a bend in the bond wire306echanges a direction along which the segment306e2is arranged, relative to a direction along which the segment306e1is arranged.

That is, in this example, a first end of the bond wire306eis wire bonded to a first electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the rim314e2), a second end of the bond wire306eis wire bonded to a second electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the rim314e1). Further in this example, a portion of the bond wire306ethat is intermediate between its first end and its second end is wire bonded to a third electrical contact surface (e.g., that is part of the busbar305e).

FIGS.4A-4Bare diagrams illustrating an example wedge bonder head400for forming multiple-direction wedge wire bonds. The wire bonder head400can be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIGS.4A-4B, the wire bonder head400includes a wire guide404. The wire guide404is used for guiding (e.g., feeding) the bond wire402during a multiple-direction wire bonding operation. The wire guide404can be made of one or more materials, including, but not limited to, a metal or a synthetic material. A supply406of the ribbon bond wire402is illustrated as passing through the wire guide404. In some implementations, the supply406of the bond wire402can be provided from a spool408. For example, the spool408can be rotatably suspended in relation to the wire bonder head400so as to allow the supply406of the bond wire402to be obtained in a continuous or intermittent fashion, and such that the bond wire402has a particular orientation relative to, e.g., an electrochemical cell, busbar, or other electrical contact surface for bonding.

The wire bonder head400includes a wedge410. The wedge410can be used to bond the bond wire402to an electrical contact surface (not shown), such as the electrical contact surfaces described herein. For instance, ultrasonic vibration can be used to bond the bond wire to an electrical contact surface. In an example implementation, the wedge410can be made of metal. As can be seen inFIGS.4A and4B, the bond wire402is fed under the wedge from one side of the wedge. In current implementations, forming wedge bonds has been performed along a single, or linear path. In example implementations, the approaches described herein provide for multiple-direction wedge wire bonding, which can reduce resistance of wire bond interconnections and achieve improved performance of associated electrical assemblies, such as battery modules for use in vehicles, for example.

The wire bonder head400also includes a cutter412. The cutter412can be used to sever the bond wire402before, during, or after performing multiple-direction wire bonding. For example, the cutter412can be made of metal.

As also shown byFIGS.4A-4B, the wire bonder head400can have different directions of travel. By way of example, inFIG.4Aan arrow indicates a first direction of travel420, while inFIG.4B, an arrow indicates a second direction of travel430that is different than the first direction of travel. A particular direction of travel of the bonder head400can be achieved by rotating the bonder head400, such as described herein. The direction of travel of the bonder head when forming wire bonds during a multiple direction bonding operation will depend on the particular implementation, and can be established by an amount of rotation (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) of the bonder head400a previous orientation.

In example implementations, the bonder head400can be positioned (e.g., rotationally positioned) as shown inFIG.4A. A first wire bond can be formed and the bonder head400then can move along the first direction of travel420and a second wire bond can be formed. Subsequently, the bonder head400can be positioned (e.g., rotationally positioned) as shown inFIG.4B. The bonder head400can then move along the second direction of travel430and a third wire bond can be formed to produce multiple-direction wire bonds with a continuous bond wire (e.g., a continuous section of the bond wire402). After forming the multiple-direction wire bonds, the cutter412can be used to sever the bond wire402.

FIG.5shows an example of a method500. The method500can be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. More or fewer operations than shown can be performed. Two or more operations can be performed in a different order unless otherwise indicated.

At operation502, the method500can include forming a first wedge wire bond on a first electrical contact surface. At operation504, the method500can include feeding the bond wire (e.g., through a wire guide) to form or deploy a segment of the bond wire (e.g., form a wire loop). At operation506, the method500includes moving the wire bonder head in a first direction of travel. At operation508, the method500includes forming a second wedge wire bond between the bond wire and a second electrical contact surface.

At operation510, the method500includes feeding the bond wire to form or deploy another segment of the bond wire (e.g., form another wire loop). The method500further includes, at operation512, rotating the wire bonder head and, at operation514, moving the bonder head in a second direction of travel, the second direction of travel being different from the first direction of travel (506). At operation516, the method500includes forming a third wedge wire bond between the bond wire and a third electrical contact surface. At operation518, the method500includes forming additional wire bonds (e.g., in other directions), or cutting the bond wire to compete the multiple-direction wire bonding process.

At operation520, zero, one or more operations can be performed. In some implementations, the method500can end at operation520, e.g. after performing the operations502-518. In some implementations, some or all of the operations502-518can be performed at the operation(s)510regarding performing another multiple-direction wire bonding process.

The terms “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” used throughout this Specification are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%. Also, when used herein, an indefinite article such as “a” or “an” means “at least one.”

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the specification.

In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other processes may be provided, or processes may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the implementations. It should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components and/or features of the different implementations described.