Patent Application
20120061880
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. ยง119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0090536, filed on Sep. 15, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
1. Technical Field
The inventive concept relates to a molding apparatus for packaging a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a molding apparatus for packaging a semiconductor device which may improve the flowability of molding resin in a molding process.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
An integrated circuit including a chip on a semiconductor wafer undergoes a series of packaging processes. One of these packaging processes is a molding process.
In the molding process, the outside of a semiconductor chip and wires connected to the semiconductor chip are molded using a molding resin such as, for example, an epoxy molding compound (EMC). The molding process may be referred to as an encapsulation process.
According to a method for molding a semiconductor package, molding resin is injected at a constant pressure into a mold having a cavity configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB), which includes an attached semiconductor chip. Since the injection of the molding resin relies only on injection pressure, an incomplete void (e.g., a space that is not filled with the molding resin) may be generated, resulting in molding defects.
An ultrasonic transducer may be attached to an outer wall of the mold to generate ultrasonic vibrations in the mold. This may improve the flowability of the molding resin by generating vibrations in all of the molding resin, however, incomplete voids may still be generated. For example, even when vibrations are generated in all of the molding resin, the flowability of the molding resin may decrease in areas of the PCB where a large number of NAND stacks exists, generating incomplete voids and resulting in molding defects.
Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept provide a molding apparatus for packaging a semiconductor device which may improve the overall flowability of molding resin by improving flowability of molding resin in a local area having poor flowability, which may remove incomplete voids in the molding.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a molding apparatus for packaging a semiconductor device includes an upper mold having a first cavity, a lower mold having a second cavity, and a selective flow facilitation unit. The first and second cavities are configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB). The selective flow facilitation unit is configured to increase a flow of a molding resin in a selective area of the PCB. The flow of the molding resin in the selective area is faster than the flow of the molding resin in a non-selective area of the PCB.
The selective flow facilitation unit may include an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasonic wave oscillation unit that generate ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit that receives the ultrasonic waves.
The ultrasonic wave oscillation unit may include a pair of ultrasonic wave oscillators arranged near each other and adjusting a direction in which pressure is applied to the molding resin in the selective area.
At least a portion of the ultrasonic wave oscillator may contact the molding resin to generate vibrations directly in the molding resin.
The ultrasonic wave oscillator may be disposed in one of the upper or lower molds to apply pressure to the molding resin in a direction in which the molding resin flows.
The molding apparatus may include a ram coupled to one of the upper or lower molds configured to supply the molding resin to an area between the upper mold and the lower mold.
A heater for phase-shifting solid molding resin into liquid molding resin may be provided in least one of the upper mold and the lower mold, and the molding resin may be epoxy molding compound (EMC).
The ultrasonic transducer may be arranged at a position of the upper mold such that it partially contacts the liquid molding resin.
The ultrasonic wave oscillation unit may be provided in a first groove of a first protruding portion that is adjacent to the first cavity, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit may be provided in a second groove of a second protruding portion located at the opposite side of the first protruding portion, with the first cavity interposed therebetween.
The selective area may be an area that includes a large number of NAND stacks.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a molding apparatus for packaging a semiconductor device includes a molding mold having at least one cavity in which a PCB having a semiconductor chip attached thereto is received, and to the inside of which molding resin molded around the PCB to protect the semiconductor chip on the PCB is provided. The molding apparatus may further include a flow direction direct pressing unit provided in the molding mold and applying pressure directly to the molding mold in a direction in which the molding resin flows.
The flow direction direct pressing unit may be an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of ultrasonic wave oscillation units that generate ultrasonic waves.
Each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave oscillation units may include a pair of ultrasonic wave oscillators arranged near each other.
The molding mold may include an upper mold having a first cavity, a lower mold driven to relatively move towards or away from the upper mold and having a second cavity at a position corresponding to the first cavity, and a ram coupled to the lower mold capable of being relatively moved and transferring the molding resin to a center area of the upper mold and the lower mold.
A heater for phase-shifting solid molding resin into liquid molding resin may be provided in at least one of the upper mold and the lower mold, and the molding resin may be EMC.
The ultrasonic transducer may be arranged at a position of the upper mold such that it partially contacts the liquid molding resin.
Each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave oscillation units may be provided in a first groove of a first protruding portion that is adjacent to the first cavity, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit may be provided in a second groove of a second protruding portion located at the opposite side of the first protruding portion with the first cavity interposed therebetween.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a molding method for packaging a semiconductor device includes receiving a PCB having a semiconductor chip attached thereto in a molding mold to the inside of which molding resin molded around the PCB is provided to protect the semiconductor chip on the PCB, and performing molding while making flow of a selective area needing facilitation of flow of the molding resin faster than that of a non-selective area other than the selective area.
The flow in the selective area may be made faster than that of the non-selective area by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the selective area.
The molding process may be performed as an ultrasonic transducer contacts the molding resin and generates ultrasonic vibrations directly to the molding resin.
The molding process may be performed as the ultrasonic vibrations are generated in the molding resin to apply pressure in a direction in which the molding resin flows.
The selective area may be an area having a large number of NAND stacks.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a molding method for packaging a semiconductor device includes receiving a PCB having a semiconductor chip attached thereto in a molding mold to the inside of which molding resin molded around the PCB is provided to protect the semiconductor chip on the PCB, and performing molding while applying pressure directly to the molding resin in a direction in which the molding resin flows.
The molding process may be performed while contacting the molding resin and generating ultrasonic vibrations in the direction in which the molding resin flows.
The molding process may be performed while making flow of a selective area needing facilitation of flow of the molding resin faster than that of a non-selective area other then the selective area.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a selective flow facilitation unit for a molding apparatus includes an ultrasonic wave oscillation unit disposed in the molding apparatus and configured to generate an ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit disposed in the molding apparatus and configured to receive the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is applied directly to a molding resin in a selective area of a PCB in a direction in which the molding resin flows.
The selective flow facilitation unit may include a first groove disposed adjacent to a first side of a cavity in the molding apparatus, and a second groove disposed adjacent to a second side of the cavity in the molding apparatus. The ultrasonic wave oscillation unit is disposed in the first groove, the ultrasonic wave receiving unit is disposed in the second groove, the second side of the cavity opposes the first side of the cavity, and the PCB is received into the cavity.
The ultrasonic wave oscillation unit may include a pair of ultrasonic wave oscillators configured to adjust a direction in which pressure is applied to the molding resin in the selective area of the PCB.
The ultrasonic wave oscillation unit may make contact with the molding resin.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a molding method for packaging a semiconductor device includes receiving a PCB into a cavity disposed between an upper mold and a lower mold of a molding apparatus, and supplying a liquid molding resin to the PCB. A flow rate of the liquid molding resin supplied to a selective area of the PCB is faster than a flow rate of the liquid molding resin supplied to a non-selective area of the PCB.
The molding method may further include supplying a solid molding resin to an area between the upper mold and the lower mold, and phase-shifting the solid molding resin into the liquid molding resin.
The molding method may further include applying pressure directly to the liquid molding resin in a direction in which the liquid molding resin flows.
The pressure may be applied by generating an ultrasonic vibration directly in the liquid molding resin.
The above and other features of the present inventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the accompanying drawings.
In an exemplary embodiment, a molding apparatus 110 for packaging a semiconductor device includes an upper mold 120 having a first cavity 121, a lower mold 130 having a second cavity 131, and a selective flow facilitation unit 150. The first and second cavities 121 and 131 are configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB) 10. A semiconductor chip 2 is attached to the PCB 10. Molding resin is disposed around the PCB 10 to protect the semiconductor chip 2 mounted on the PCB 10. The selective flow facilitation unit 150 causes the flow of molding resin in a selective area to be faster than the flow of molding resin in a non-selective area (e.g., an area other than the selective area).
In an exemplary embodiment, the selective flow facilitation unit 150 is a flow direction direct pressing unit. The flow direction direct pressing unit applies pressure directly to molding resin in a direction in which the molding resin flows. As a result, the resin flow may be faster in a selective area than in a non-selective area. In another exemplary embodiment, the flow direction direct pressing unit applies pressure directly to all of the molding resin in the direction in which the molding resin flows without causing the resin flow in a selective area to be faster than the resin flow in a non-selective area. In another exemplary embodiment, the selective flow facilitation unit 150 causes the resin flow in a selective area to be faster than the resin flow in a non-selective area without directly applying pressure to the molding resin in the direction in which the molding resin flows.
The molding apparatus 110 is used to perform a molding process on the PCB 10 including the semiconductor chip 2. The semiconductor chip 2 is mounted on a lead frame 1 by wires W. The molding apparatus 110 may have a variety of shapes and structures, and the shape and structure is not limited to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
The molding apparatus 110 includes an upper mold 120 having a first cavity 121, a lower mold 130 having a second cavity 131 corresponding to the first cavity 121, and a ram 140. An upper area of the PCB 10 is located in the first cavity 121. The lower mold 130 is driven to move towards or away from the upper mold 120. The ram 140 is coupled to the lower mold 130, and is capable of relatively moving with respect to the lower mold 130 and supplying a solid molding resin A to an area between the upper mold 120 and the lower mold 130.
The upper mold 120 and the lower mold 130 have a substantially similar structure. When the upper mold 120 and the lower mold 130 are separated from each other as illustrated in
Thus, to perform the molding process, one of the upper mold 120 and the lower mold 130 moves towards or away from the other mold. For example, the molding process may be performed by fixing the lower mold 130 and moving the upper mold 120 towards or away from the lower mold 130. Conversely, the molding process may be performed by fixing the upper mold 120 and moving the lower mold 130 towards or away from the upper mold 120. Although
The lower mold 130 is moved towards or away from the upper mold 120 using a driving unit (not shown) coupled to the lower mold 130. The driving unit may be, for example, a cylinder, a linear motor, or a combination of a general motor and a ball screw, however the driving unit is not limited thereto.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, an upper exterior frame 122 is coupled to the outside of the upper mold 120 and a lower exterior frame 132 is coupled to the outside of the lower mold 130. In another exemplary embodiment, the upper exterior frame 122 and the lower exterior frame 132 are not included.
As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the molding apparatus 110 pushes the solid molding resin A upward towards an area between the upper mold 120 and the lower mold 130 and liquidizes the solid molding resin A, causing the liquid molding resin B to flow, thereby performing the molding process.
In an exemplary embodiment, the molding apparatus 110 includes a heater 114 for phase-shifting the solid molding resin A into the liquid molding resin B. In
The molding resin may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, epoxy molding compound (EMC). For example, when the molding resin is EMC, the solid molding resin A shown in
The molding resin protects the PCB 10 from the external environment (e.g., external shocks, vibrations, moisture, or radiation), provides electrical insulation from the external environment, effectively emits heat generated during the operation of a device, and facilitates surface mounting. The PCB may be used to form, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), a large scale integration (LSI) IC, or a very large scale integration (VLSI) IC.
The utilization of molding resin such as, for example, EMC accounts for a large portion of the semiconductor manufacturing process.
As shown in
Rather than generating vibrations in all of the molding resin by generating ultrasonic vibrations in the upper mold 120 and/or the lower mold 130, the selective flow facilitation unit 150 may locally or selectively improve the flowability of a specific portion of the molding resin where the flowability is poor. Accordingly, molding defects caused by the generation of incomplete voids (e.g., spaces that do not receive molding resin) may be reduced.
In an exemplary embodiment, the selective flow facilitation unit 150 functions as a flow direction direct pressing unit. The flow direction direct pressing unit applies pressure directly to molding resin in a direction in which the molding resin flows. Since pressure is applied directly to the molding resin in a direction in which the molding resin flows rather than being applied indirectly to the molding resin via ultrasonic vibrations generated in the upper mold 120 and/or the lower mold 130, the flowability of the molding resin may be improved.
In an exemplary embodiment, the selective flow facilitation unit 150 is an ultrasonic transducer 150. The ultrasonic transducer 150 may be classified as, for example, a magnetostrictive type transducer, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive type transducer, or an electronic type transducer. In an exemplary embodiment, a bolt-clamped langevin transducer (BLT), which is classified as a piezoelectric/electrostrictive type transducer, is employed.
The ultrasonic transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations by directly contacting molding resin in a direction in which the molding resin (e.g., EMC) flows toward the PCB 10 to be molded. For example, when the selective flow facilitation unit 150 shown in
As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer is provided in the upper mold 120 such that it partially contacts the molding resin (e.g., EMC), as shown in
When the ultrasonic transducer is provided in the upper mold 120, the ultrasonic wave oscillation unit 151 is provided in a first groove 153 disposed near the first cavity 121, and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 152 is provided in a second groove 154 at the opposite side of the first cavity 121.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic wave oscillation unit 151 and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 152 are forcibly inserted into the first groove 153 and the second groove 154, respectively. In another exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic wave oscillation unit 151 and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 152 are detachably installed in the first groove 153 and the second groove 154, respectively, in the form of a kit. The first groove 153 and the second groove 154 may be large enough to allow the ultrasonic wave oscillation unit 151 and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 152 to be respectively seated in the first groove 153 and the second groove 154. An additional stopper (not shown) provided in each of the first groove 153 and the second groove 154 may be used to adjust the respective positions of the ultrasonic wave oscillation unit 151 and the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 152.
As illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, the flow rate of the molding resin B (e.g., EMC) is V1 when no chip and wires are present on a lead frame 1a, as illustrated in
There are a number of factors that can cause molding defects. For example, when the flow rate of the molding resin decreases, the direction of resin flow may change and the molding process may not be properly performed. As a result, even when the amount and flow rate of the molding resin is consistent, the molding process may not be timely completed, which can result in voids (e.g., spaces or areas) that do not receive the molding resin.
Referring to
As described above, as more chips 2c are arranged in a path where the molding resin flows, the flow rate of the molding resin becomes more disturbed. For example, in row C in
Referring to
For example, the flowability is locally poor in the areas shown in
A molding method of packaging a semiconductor device according to an exemplary embodiment is described with reference to
The solid molding resin A disposed between the upper mold 120 and the lower mold 130 is phase-shifted by the heater 114 into a liquid molding resin B (S30). The liquid molding resin B flows towards the first and second cavities 121 and 131 via a passage (e.g., runners 112), and is molded around the PCB 10. Ultrasonic vibrations are generated using an ultrasonic transducer to apply pressure directly to the liquid molding resin B in a selective area in the direction in which the liquid molding resin B flows (S40).
Referring to
As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept, the overall flowability of molding resin may be improved by improving the flowability of molding resin in a local area where the flowability of molding resin is poor. The flowability of molding resin may be improved by applying pressure directly to the molding resin in a selective area in a direction in which the molding resin flows. As a result, the generation of incomplete voids may be reduced, thus, reducing molding defects.
While the present inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2010-0090536 | Sep 2010 | KR | national |
