The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device.
Semiconductor devices with power switching elements such as MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) or IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) are conventionally known. These semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic equipment, including industrial equipment, home appliances, information terminals, and automotive equipment. A conventional semiconductor device (power module) is disclosed in JP-A-2015-220382. The semiconductor device disclosed in JP-A-2015-220382 includes a semiconductor element and a support substrate (ceramic substrate). The semiconductor element is, for example, an IGBT made of Si (silicon). The support substrate supports the semiconductor element. The support substrate includes an insulating base and conductive layers provided on opposite sides of the base. The base is made of ceramic, for example. The conductive layers are made of Cu (copper), for example. The semiconductor element is bonded to one of the conductive layers.
The following describes preferred embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings.
In the present disclosure, the terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose ordinal requirements on the items to which these terms refer.
In the present disclosure, the phrases “an object A is formed in an object B” and “an object A is formed on an object B” include, unless otherwise specified, “an object A is formed directly in/on the object B” and “an object A is formed in/on the object B with another object interposed between the object A and the object B”. Similarly, the phrases “an object A is disposed in an object B” and “an object A is disposed on an object B” include, unless otherwise specified, “an object A is disposed directly in/on the object B” and “an object A is disposed in/on the object B with another object interposed between the object A and the object B”. Similarly, the phrase “an object A is located on an object B” includes, unless otherwise specified, “an object A is located on an object B in contact with the object B” and “an object A is located an object B with another object interposed between the object A and the object B”. Also, the phrase “an object A overlaps with an object B as viewed in a certain direction” includes, unless otherwise specified, “an object A overlaps with the entirety of an object B” and “an object A overlaps with a portion of an object B”.
For the convenience of description, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as an x direction, a y direction, and a z direction. The z direction is, for example, the thickness direction of the semiconductor device A1. The x direction is the horizontal direction in a plan view (see
Each of the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B is an electronic component as a core for the function of the semiconductor device A1. The constituent material of the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B is, for example, a semiconductor material mainly composed of SiC (silicon carbide). The semiconductor material is not limited to SiC and may be Si (silicon), GaN (gallium nitride) or C (diamond). Each of the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B is a power semiconductor chip having a switching function, such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor). The first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B are MOSFETs in the present embodiment, but are not limited to these and may be other transistors such as IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors). The first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B are all identical with each other. Each of the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B is, for example, an n-channel MOSFET, but may be a p-channel MOSFET.
As shown in
In the present embodiment, the semiconductor device A1 includes four first semiconductor elements 10A and four second semiconductor elements 10B. The number of first semiconductor elements 10A and the number of second semiconductor elements 10B are not limited to this configuration, and may be may be changed as appropriate in accordance with the performance required of the semiconductor device A1. In the example shown in
The semiconductor device A1 may be configured as a half-bridge type switching circuit. In this case, in the semiconductor device A1, the second semiconductor elements 10B constitute the upper arm circuit, and the first semiconductor elements 10A constitute the lower arm circuit. In the upper arm circuit, the second semiconductor elements 10B are connected in parallel with each other. In the lower arm circuit, the first semiconductor elements 10A are connected in parallel with each other. Each second semiconductor element 10B and a relevant one of the first semiconductor elements 10A are connected in series to form a bridge layer.
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B has a first obverse electrode 11, a second obverse electrode 12, a third obverse electrode 13, and a reverse electrode 15. The configurations of the first obverse electrode 11, the second obverse electrode 12, the third obverse electrode 13 and the reverse electrode 15 described below are common to the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B. The first obverse electrode 11, the second obverse electrode 12 and the third obverse electrode 13 are provided on the element obverse surface 101. The first obverse electrode 11, the second obverse electrode 12 and the third obverse electrode 13 are insulated from each other by an insulating film, not shown. The reverse electrode 15 is provided on the element reverse surface 102.
The first obverse electrode 11 is, for example, a gate electrode, through which a drive signal (e.g., gate voltage) for driving the first semiconductor element 10A (the second semiconductor element 10B) is input. In each first semiconductor element 10A (each second semiconductor element 10B), the second obverse electrode 12 is, for example, a source electrode, through which source current flows. The third obverse electrode 13 is, for example, a source sense electrode, through which source current flows. The reverse electrode 15 is, for example, a drain electrode, through which drain current flows. The reverse electrode 15 covers the entire (or almost entire) element reverse surface 102. The reverse electrode 15 is formed by Ag (silver) plating, for example.
Each of the first semiconductor elements 10A (the second semiconductor elements 10B) switches between a conducting state and a disconnected state in response to a drive signal (gate voltage) inputted to the first obverse electrode 11 (the gate electrode). In the conducting state, a current flows from the reverse electrode 15 (the drain electrode) to the second obverse electrode 12 (the source electrode). In the disconnected state, this current does not flow. That is, each first semiconductor element 10A (each second semiconductor element 10B) performs a switching operation. The semiconductor device A1 use the switching function of the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B to convert the DC voltage inputted between the single fourth terminal 44 and the two, i.e., the first and the second terminals 41 and 42 into e.g. AC voltage and outputs the AC voltage from the third terminal 43.
As shown in
The conductive substrate 2 supports the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B. The conductive substrate 2 is bonded on the support substrate 3 via a conductive bonding material 29. The conductive substrate 2 is, for example, rectangular in plan view. The conductive substrate 2, together with the first conductive member 5 and the second conductive member 6, constitutes a path for the main circuit current switched by the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B.
The conductive substrate 2 includes a first conductive portion 2A and a second conductive portion 2B. Each of the first conductive portion 2A and the second conductive portion 2B is a plate made of a metal. The metal may be Cu (copper) or a copper alloy, for example. The first conductive portion 2A and the second conductive portion 2B, together with the first terminal 41, the second terminal 42, the third terminals 43 and the fourth terminal 44, constitute a conduction path to the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B. As shown in
The conductive substrate 2 has an obverse surface 201 and a reverse surface 202. As shown in
The support substrate supports the conductive substrate 2. The support substrate 3 is provided by an AMB (Active Metal Brazing) substrate. The support substrate 3 includes an insulating layer 31, a first metal layer 32, and a second metal layer 33.
The insulating layer 31 may be ceramics having excellent thermal conductivity, for example. Examples of such ceramics include SiN (silicon nitride). The insulating layer 31 is not limited to ceramics and may be a sheet of insulating resin, for example. The insulating layer 31 is, for example, rectangular in plan view.
The first metal layer 32 is formed on the upper surface (the surface facing in the z2 direction) of the insulating layer 31. The constituent material of the first metal layer 32 includes Cu, for example. The constituent material may include A1 (aluminum) rather than Cu. The first metal layer 32 includes a first portion 32A and a second portion 32B. The first portion 32A and the second portion 32B are spaced apart from each other in the x direction. The first portion 32A is located on the x1 side of the second portion 32B. The first conductive portion 2A is bonded to and supported by the first portion 32A. The second conductive portion 2B is bonded to and supported by the second portion 32B. Each of the first portion 32A and the second portion 32B is, for example, rectangular in plan view.
The second metal layer 33 is formed on the lower surface (the surface facing in the z1 direction) of the insulating layer 31. The constituent material of the second metal layer 33 is the same as the constituent material of the first metal layer 32. In the example shown in
As shown in
Each of the first terminal 41, the second terminal 42, the third terminals 43, and the fourth terminal 44 is provided by a plate made of a metal. The constituent material of the metal plate is, for example, Cu or a Cu alloy. In the example shown in
The DC voltage to be converted is inputted to the first terminal 41, the second terminal 42 and the fourth terminal 44. The fourth terminal 44 is a positive electrode (P terminal), and each of the first terminal 41 and the second terminal 42 is a negative electrode (N terminal). The AC voltage converted by the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B is outputted from the third terminals 43. Each of the first terminal 41, the second terminal 42, the third terminals 43 and the fourth terminal 44 includes a portion covered with the sealing resin 8 and a portion exposed from the sealing resin 8.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As will be understood from
Each of the control terminals 45 is a pin-shaped terminal for controlling the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B. The control terminals 45 include a plurality of first control terminals 46A to 46E and a plurality of second control terminals 47A to 47E. The first control terminals 46A to 46E are used to control the first semiconductor elements 10A, for example. The second control terminals 47A to 47E are used to control the second semiconductor elements 10B, for example.
The first control terminals 46A to 46E are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. As shown in
The first control terminal 46A is a terminal (a gate terminal) for inputting a drive signal for the first semiconductor elements 10A. A drive signal for driving the first semiconductor elements 10A is inputted (e.g., a gate voltage is applied) to the first control terminal 46A.
The first control terminal 46B is a terminal (a source sense terminal) for detecting a source signal of the first semiconductor elements 10A. The voltage applied to the second obverse electrode 12 (the source electrode) of each first semiconductor element 10A (the voltage corresponding to the source current) is detected from the first control terminal 46B.
The first control terminal 46C and the first control terminal 46D are terminals electrically connected to a thermistor 17.
The first control terminal 46E is a terminal (a drain sense terminal) for detecting a drain signal of the first semiconductor elements 10A. The voltage applied to the reverse electrode 15 (the drain electrode) of each first semiconductor element 10A (the voltage corresponding to the drain current) is detected from the first control terminal 46E.
The second control terminals 47A to 47E are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. As shown in
The second control terminal 47A is a terminal (a gate terminal) for inputting a drive signal for the second semiconductor elements 10B. A drive signal for driving the second semiconductor elements 10B is inputted (e.g., a gate voltage is applied) to the second control terminal 47A. The second control terminal 47B is a terminal (a source sense terminal) for detecting a source signal of the second semiconductor elements 10B. The voltage applied to the second obverse electrode 12 (the source electrode) of each second semiconductor element 10B (the voltage corresponding to the source current) is detected from the second control terminal 47B. The second control terminal 47C and the second control terminal 47D are terminals electrically connected to a thermistor 17. The second control terminal 47E is a terminal (a drain sense terminal) for detecting a drain signal of the second semiconductor elements 10B. The voltage applied to the reverse electrode 15 (the drain electrode) of each second semiconductor element 10B (the voltage corresponding to the drain current) is detected from the second control terminal 47E.
Each of the control terminals 45 (the first control terminals 46A to 46E and the second control terminals 47A to 47E) includes a holder 451 and a metal pin 452.
The holders 451 are made of an electrically conductive material. As shown in
The metal pins 452 are bar-shaped members extending in the z direction. The metal pins 452 are supported by being press-fitted into the holders 451. The metal pins 452 are electrically connected to the control terminal support 48 (the first metal layer 482, described below) at least via the holders 451. When the lower ends (the ends on the z1 side) of the metal pins 452 are in contact with the conductive bonding material 459 within the through-holes of the holders 451 as in the example shown in
The control terminal support 48 supports the plurality of control terminals 45. The control terminal support 48 is interposed between the obverse surface 201 (the conductive substrate 2) and the control terminals 45 in the z direction.
The control terminal support 48 includes a first support portion 48A and a second support portion 48B. The first support portion 48A is disposed on the first conductive portion 2A of the conductive substrate 2 and supports the first control terminals 46A to 46E of the control terminals 45. As shown in
The control terminal support 48 (each of the first support portion 48A and the second support portion 48B) is provided by a DBC substrate, for example. The control terminal support 48 includes an insulating layer 481, a first metal layer 482 and a second metal layer 483 laminated on top of each other.
The insulating layer 481 is made of ceramics, for example. The insulating layer 481 may be rectangular in plan view.
As shown in
The first portion 482A, to which a plurality of wires 71 are bonded, is electrically connected to the first obverse electrodes 11 (gate electrodes) of the first semiconductor elements 10A (the second semiconductor elements 10B) via the wires 71. The first portion 482A and the sixth portion 482F are connected to each other via a plurality of wires 73. Thus, the sixth portion 482F is electrically connected to the first obverse electrodes 11 (gate electrodes) of the first semiconductor elements 10A (the second semiconductor elements 10B) via the wires 73 and the wires 71. As shown in
The second portion 482B, to which a plurality of wires 72 are bonded, is electrically connected to the second obverse electrodes 12 (source electrodes) of the first semiconductor elements 10A (the second semiconductor elements 10B) via the wires 72. As shown in
A thermistor 17 is bonded to the third portion 482C and the fourth portion 482D. As shown in
The fifth portion 482E of the first support portion 48A, to which a wire 74 is bonded, is electrically connected to the first conductive portion 2A via the wire 74. The fifth portion 482E of the second support portion 48B, to which a wire 74 is bonded, is electrically connected to the second conductive portion 2B via the wire 74. As shown in
As shown in
The first conductive member 5 and the second conductive member 6, together with the conductive substrate 2, constitute a path for the main circuit current switched by the first semiconductor elements 10A and the second semiconductor elements 10B. The first conductive member 5 and the second conductive member 6 are spaced apart from the obverse surface 201 (the conductive substrate 2) in the z2 direction and overlap with the obverse surface 201 in plan view. In the present embodiment, each of the first conductive member 5 and the second conductive member 6 is provided by a plate made of a metal. The metal is Cu or a Cu alloy, for example. Specifically, each of the first conductive member 5 and the second conductive member 6 is a metal plate bent as appropriate.
The first conductive member 5 is connected to the second obverse electrode 12 (the source electrode) of each first semiconductor element 10A and the first and the second terminals 41 and 42 to electrically connect the second obverse electrode 12 of each first semiconductor element 10A and the first and the second terminals 41 and 42 to each other. The first conductive member 5 constitutes a path for the main circuit current switched by the first semiconductor elements 10A. The first conductive member 5 has a maximum dimension in the x direction of 25 mm to 40 mm, for example, and a maximum dimension in the y direction of 30 mm to 45 mm, for example. As shown in
The first wiring portion 51 includes a first end 511, a second end 512, a first connecting part 513, a first part 514, and a second part 515. The first end 511 is connected to the first terminal 41. The first end 511 and the first terminal 41 are bonded together with a conductive bonding material 59. The first wiring portion 51 as a whole has a band shape extending in the x direction in plan view.
The second end 512 is spaced apart from the first end 511 in the x direction. As shown in
The first part 514 is located between the first connecting part 513 and the first end 511 and connected to both of the first end 511 and the second part 515. The first part 514 overlaps with the second conductive portion 2B in plan view. The second part 515 is located between the first connecting part 513 and the second end 512 and connected to the second end 512. The second part 515 overlaps with both of the second conductive portion 2B and the first conductive portion 2A in plan view.
In the present embodiment, the first part 514 has a first main section 514A and a first extension 514B. The first main section 514A is located on the z2 side with respect to the obverse surface 201 (the conductive substrate 2). The first main section 514A overlaps with the second conductive portion 2B (the conductive substrate 2) in plan view. As shown in
The first extension 514B is connected to the first main section 514A in the y2 direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The second wiring portion 52 has a first band portion 521 and a second band portion 522. The first band portion 521 has a band shape extending in the y direction in plan view. The first band portion 521 is connected to the first wiring portion 51 between the first end 511 and the second end 512. The first band portion 521 extends from the first connecting part 513 in the y1 direction. The first band portion 521 overlaps with the second semiconductor elements 10B in in plan view.
The second wiring portion 52 has at least one second band portion 522. In the present embodiment, the second wiring portion 52 has a plurality of (three) second band portions 522. Each of the second band portions 522 has a band shape extending in the x direction in plan view. The second band portions 522 are spaced apart from each other in the y direction and disposed parallel (or generally parallel) with each other. In plan view, each of the second band portions 522 is connected at one end thereof to the first band portion 521 at a location between two second semiconductor elements 10B that are adjacent to each other in the y direction, and extends in the x1 direction.
The third wiring portion 53 includes a third end 531, a fourth end 532, a second connecting part 533, a third part 534, and a fourth part 535. The third end 531 is connected to the second terminal 42. The third end 531 and the second terminal 42 are bonded together with a conductive bonding material 59. The third wiring portion 53 as a whole has a band shape extending in the x direction in plan view. The first wiring portion 51 and the third wiring portion 53 are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. The third wiring portion 53 is located on the y1 side with respect to the first wiring portion 51.
The fourth end 532 is spaced apart from the third end 531 in the x direction. As shown in
The third part 534 is located between the second connecting part 533 and the third end 531 and connected to both of the third end 531 and the fourth part 535. The third part 534 overlaps with the second conductive portion 2B in plan view. The fourth part 535 is located between the second connecting part 533 and the fourth end 532 and connected to the fourth end 532. The fourth part 535 overlaps with both of the second conductive portion 2B and the first conductive portion 2A in plan view.
In the present embodiment, the third part 534 has a second main section 534A and a second extension 534B. The second main section 534A is located on the z2 side with respect to the obverse surface 201 (the conductive substrate 2). The second main section 534A overlaps with the second conductive portion 2B (the conductive substrate 2) in plan view. As shown in
The second extension 534B is connected to the second main section 534A in the y1 direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
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In the present embodiment, as shown in
The fourth wiring portion 54 is connected to both of the first wiring portion 51 (the second end 512) and the third wiring portion 53 (the fourth end 532). The fourth wiring portion 54 as a whole has a band shape extending in the y direction in plan view. As will be understood from
The second conductive member 6 is connected to the second obverse electrode 12 (the source electrode) of each second semiconductor element 10B and the first conductive portion 2A to electrically connect the second obverse electrode 12 of each second semiconductor element 10B and the first conductive portion 2A to each other. The second conductive member 6 constitutes a path for the main circuit current switched by the second semiconductor elements 10B. As shown in
The main part 61 is located between the second semiconductor elements 10B and the first conductive portion 2A in the x direction and has a band shape extending in the y direction in plan view. As shown in
The first connecting ends 62 and the second connecting ends 63 are connected to the main part 61 and disposed correspondingly to the second semiconductor elements 10B. As shown in
The sealing resin 8 covers the first semiconductor elements 10A, the second semiconductor elements 10B, the conductive substrate 2, the support substrate 3 (excluding the bottom surface 302), a part of each of the first terminal 41, the second terminal 42, the third terminals 43 and the fourth terminal 44, a part of each of the control terminals 45, the first conductive member 5, the second conductive member 6, and the wires 71 to 74. The sealing resin 8 is made of black epoxy resin, for example. The sealing resin 8 is made by molding, for example. The sealing resin 8 has dimensions of, for example, about 35 mm to 60 mm in the x direction, about 35 mm to 50 mm in the y direction, and about 4 mm to 15 mm in the z direction. These dimensions are the size of the largest portion along each direction. The sealing resin 8 has a resin obverse surface 81, a resin reverse surface 82, and a plurality of resin side surfaces 831 to 834.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The first protrusions 851 protrude from the resin obverse surface 81 in the z direction. In plan view, the first protrusions 851 are disposed at four corners of the sealing resin 8. Each of the first protrusions 851 has a first-protrusion end surface 851a at its extremity (the end on the z2 side). The first-protrusion end surfaces 851a of the first protrusions 851 are parallel (or generally parallel) with the resin obverse surface 81 and located on the same plane (x-y plane). Each of the first protrusions 851 may have the shape of a hollow conical frustum with a bottom, for example. The first protrusions 851 are used as spacers when the semiconductor device A1 is mounted on a control circuit board or the like of a device configured to use the power produced by the semiconductor device A1. Each of the first protrusions 851 has a recess 851b and an inner wall surface 851c formed around the recess 851b. The shape of each first protrusion 851 may be columnar, and preferably cylindrical. The shape of the recess 851b may be cylindrical. Preferably, the inner wall surface 851c may be a single perfect circle in plan view.
The semiconductor device A1 may be mechanically fixed to a control circuit board or the like by screwing, for example. In such a case, female threads can be formed on the inner wall surfaces 851c of the recesses 851b of the first protrusions 851. Insert nuts may be embedded in the recesses 851b of the first protrusions 851.
As shown in
As shown in
Though illustration is omitted, the resin void portions 86 are formed, for example, because the flowable resin material could not flow into these areas as a result of these areas being occupied by pressing members during the molding process of the sealing resin 8. Such pressing members are used to apply pressing force to the obverse surface 201 of the conductive substrate 2 during the molding process and inserted into the first opening 514c, the openings 515a, the second opening 534c and the openings 535a of the first conductive member 5. In this way, the pressing members hold the conductive substrate 2 without interference with the first conductive member 5, and warpage of the support substrate 3, to which the conductive substrate 2 is bonded, is suppressed.
In the present embodiment, the semiconductor device A1 includes resin fill portions 88 as shown in
The advantages of the present embodiment are described below.
The semiconductor device A1 includes the first semiconductor elements 10A, the conductive substrate 2, the first terminal 41, and the first conductive member 5. The first conductive member 5 constitutes a path for the main circuit current switched by the first semiconductor elements 10A and is connected to the first semiconductor elements 10A and the first terminal 41. The first conductive member 5 includes the first wiring portion 51 and the second wiring portion 52. The first wiring portion 51 has the first end 511 connected to the first terminal 41 and the second end 512 spaced apart from the first end 511 in the x direction. The second wiring portion 52 (the second band portion 522) is connected to the first wiring portion 51 between the first end 511 and the second end 512. The first wiring portion 51 has the first part 514 and the second part 515. The first part 514 is located between the first connecting part 513, to which the second wiring portion 52 (the second band portion 522) is connected, and the first end 511. The second part 515 is located between the first connecting part 513 and the second end 512.
The main circuit current flowing through the first conductive member 5 flows from the first semiconductor elements 10A toward the first terminal 41. In the present embodiment, the main circuit current in the first conductive member 5 is distributed between the second part 515 of the first wiring portion 51 and the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521). The current flowing through the second part 515 and the current flowing through the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521) merge at the first connecting part 513, and the merged current flows through the first part 514 toward the first terminal 41. The size of the first part 514 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the first dimension L1) is larger than the size of the second part 515 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the second dimension L2). With such a configuration, the cross-sectional area of the first part 514, through which the current after merging flows, is increased in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the second part 515, through which the current before merging flows, and an increase in current density in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, when a large current flows in the semiconductor device A1 (the first semiconductor elements 10A), self-heating in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, the semiconductor device A1 has a structure favorable for flowing a large current.
The second wiring portion 52 includes a first band portion 521 extending from the first connecting part 513 in the y1 direction. The first conductive member 5 includes the third wiring portion 53 located on the y1 side with respect to the first band portion 521. The second terminal 42 is disposed on the x2 side with respect to the conductive substrate 2. The third wiring portion 53 has the third end 531 connected to the second terminal 42 and the fourth end 532 spaced apart from the third end 531 in the x direction. The second band portion 522 is connected to the third wiring portion 53 between the third end 531 and the fourth end 532. The third wiring portion 53 has the third part 534 and the fourth part 535. The third part 534 is located between the second connecting part 533, to which the second band portion 522 is connected, and the third end 531. The fourth part 535 is located between the second connecting part 533 and the fourth end 532. The main circuit current in the first conductive member 5 is distributed among the second part 515 of the first wiring portion 51, the fourth part 535 of the third wiring portion 53, and the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521). The current flowing through the fourth part 535 and the current flowing through the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521) merge at the second connecting part 533, and the merged current flows through the third part 534 toward the second terminal 42. The size of the third part 534 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the third dimension L3) is larger than the size of the fourth part 535 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the fourth dimension L4). With such a configuration, the cross-sectional area of the third part 534, through which the current after merging flows, is increased in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the fourth part 535, through which the current before merging flows, and an increase in current density in the third part 534 after merging is suppressed. When a large current flows in the semiconductor device A1 (the first semiconductor elements 10A), the current can be distributed among a larger number of paths while self-heating after merging is suppressed in both the first part 514 and the third part 534. Thus, the semiconductor device A1 has a structure favorable for flowing a large current.
The first part 514 of the first wiring portion 51 has the first main section 514A and the first extension 514B. The first main section 514A is parallel to the obverse surface 201 and overlaps with the second part 515 as viewed in the x direction. The first extension 514B is connected to the first main section 514A in the y2 direction. The third part 534 of the third wiring portion 53 has the second main section 534A and the second extension 534B. The second main section 534A is parallel to the obverse surface 201 and overlaps with the fourth part 535 as viewed in the x direction. The second extension 534B is connected to the second main section 534A in the y1 direction. With such a configuration, the distance of the first part 514 (the first wiring portion 51) and the third part 534 (the third wiring portion 53) from the obverse surface 201 (the conductive substrate 2) is prevented from increasing. Therefore, the semiconductor device A1 can be made compact.
The first part 514 of the first wiring portion 51 and the third part 534 of the third wiring portion 53 overlap with the first band portion 521 of the second wiring portion 52 as viewed in the y direction. With such a configuration, the cross-sectional area of the current merging area can be appropriately increased near the first connecting part 513 of the first wiring portion 51 and near the second connecting part 533 of the third wiring portion 53. Thus, an increase in current density after merging of the current is reliably suppressed in both the first part 514 and the third part 534. The semiconductor device A1 having such a configuration is more favorable for flowing a large current.
The first extension 514B bends from the first main section 514A and extends in the z1 direction. The second extension 534B bends from the second main section 534A and extends in the z1 direction. With such a configuration, the dimensions in the z direction and the dimension in the y direction of the first conductive member 5 are not increased by the provision of the first extension 514B and the second extension 534B to increase the cross-sectional area of the first part 514 and the third part 534. The semiconductor device A1 having such a configuration is favorable for downsizing and for flowing a large current.
The first main section 514A and the second main section 534A overlap with the second conductive portion 2B (the conductive substrate 2) in plan view. The first extension 514B and the second extension 534B do not overlap with the second conductive portion 2B (the conductive substrate 2) in plan view, but overlap with the second conductive portion 2B (the conductive substrate 2) as viewed in the y direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to further increase the cross-sectional areas of the first part 514 (the first main section 514A and the first extension 514B) and the third part 534 (the second main section 534A and the second extension 534B) while making the semiconductor device A1 compact.
The semiconductor device A2 of the present variation differs from the foregoing embodiment in configuration of the first conductive member 5, and mainly in configuration of the first part 514 (the first wiring portion 51) and the third part 534 (the third wiring portion 53). The first part 514 does not have the bent first extension 514B, and the third part 534 does not have the second extension 534B. Also, the first wiring portion 51 and the third wiring portion 53 do not have the first opening 514c, the opening 515a, the second opening 534c, and the opening 535a. The control terminals 45 are omitted.
In the semiconductor device A2, the main circuit current flowing through the first conductive member 5 flows from the first semiconductor elements 10A toward the first terminal 41. The main circuit current in the first conductive member 5 is distributed between the second part 515 of the first wiring portion 51 and the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521). The current flowing through the second part 515 and the current flowing through the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521) merge at the first connecting part 513, and the merged current flows through the first part 514 toward the first terminal 41. The size of the first part 514 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the first dimension L1) is larger than the size of the second part 515 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the second dimension L2). With such a configuration, the cross-sectional area of the first part 514, through which the current after merging flows, is increased in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the second part 515, through which the current before merging flows, and an increase in current density in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, when a large current flows in the semiconductor device A2 (the first semiconductor devices 10A), self-heating in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, the semiconductor device A2 has a structure favorable for flowing a large current. Furthermore, the semiconductor device A2 has the same effect as the semiconductor device A1 of the foregoing embodiment within the same configuration as the foregoing embodiment.
In the semiconductor device A3 of the present variation, the configuration of the first conductive member 5 differs significantly from the foregoing embodiment, and various changes have been made accordingly. Unlike the foregoing embodiment, the first conductive member 5 of the present variation does not have the third wiring portion 53. Also, the semiconductor device A3 does not include the second terminal 42 of the foregoing embodiment and includes three first semiconductor elements 10A and three second semiconductor elements 10B. The first wiring portion 51 does not have the first opening 514cc and the opening 515a. The control terminals 45 are omitted.
In the semiconductor device A3, the main circuit current flowing through the first conductive member 5 flows from the first semiconductor elements 10A toward the first terminal 41. The main circuit current in the first conductive member 5 is distributed between the second part 515 of the first wiring portion 51 and the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521). The current flowing through the second part 515 and the current flowing through the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521) merge at the first connecting part 513, and the merged current flows through the first part 514 toward the first terminal 41. The size of the first part 514 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the first dimension L1) is larger than the size of the second part 515 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the second dimension L2). With such a configuration, the cross-sectional area of the first part 514, through which the current after merging flows, is increased in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the second part 515, through which the current before merging flows, and an increase in current density in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, when a large current flows in the semiconductor device A3 (the first semiconductor elements 10A), self-heating in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, the semiconductor device A3 has a structure favorable for flowing a large current. Furthermore, the semiconductor device A3 has the same effect as the semiconductor device A1 of the foregoing embodiment within the same configuration as the foregoing embodiment.
In the semiconductor device A4 of the present variation, only one third terminal 43 is provided. The third terminal 43 is connected to the middle part in the y direction of the first conductive portion 2A. The dimension in the y direction of the third terminal 43 in the present variation may be approximately the same as or may be larger than the dimension in the y direction of each third terminal 43 in the semiconductor device A1 of the foregoing embodiment. The configuration of the semiconductor device A4 is the same as that of the semiconductor device A1 except the third terminal 43.
In the semiconductor device A4, the main circuit current flowing through the first conductive member 5 flows from the first semiconductor elements 10A toward the first terminal 41. The main circuit current in the first conductive member 5 is distributed between the second part 515 of the first wiring portion 51 and the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521). The current flowing through the second part 515 and the current flowing through the second wiring portion 52 (the first band portion 521) merge at the first connecting part 513, and the merged current flows through the first part 514 toward the first terminal 41. The size of the first part 514 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the first dimension L1) is larger than the size of the second part 515 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the main circuit current (the second dimension L2). With such a configuration, the cross-sectional area of the first part 514, through which the current after merging flows, is increased in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the second part 515, through which the current before merging flows, and an increase in current density in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, when a large current flows in the semiconductor device A4 (the first semiconductor elements 10A), self-heating in the first part 514 after merging is suppressed. Thus, the semiconductor device A4 has a structure favorable for flowing a large current. Other effects of the semiconductor device A1 of the foregoing embodiment are also achieved.
The semiconductor device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. The specific configuration of each part of the semiconductor device according to the present disclosure can be varied in design in many ways.
The present disclosure includes the embodiments described in the following clauses.
Clause 1.
A semiconductor device comprising:
Clause 2.
The semiconductor device according to clause 1, wherein the first conductive member comprises a plate made of a metal,
Clause 3.
The semiconductor device according to clause 2, further comprising a second terminal, wherein
Clause 4.
The semiconductor device according to clause 3, wherein the second wiring portion includes at least one second band portion connected to the first band portion and extending from the first band portion toward a second side in the first direction.
Clause 5.
The semiconductor device according to clause 4, wherein the first part includes a first main section located on a first side in the thickness direction with respect to the obverse surface and a first extension connected to the first main section on the first side in the second direction,
Clause 6.
The semiconductor device according to clause 5, wherein the first part and the third part overlap with the first band portion as viewed in the second direction.
Clause 7.
The semiconductor device according to clause 5 or 6, wherein the first extension bends from the first main section and extends toward a second side in the thickness direction, and
Clause 8.
The semiconductor device according to clause 7, wherein the first main section and the second main section overlap with the conductive substrate as viewed in the thickness direction, and
Clause 9.
The semiconductor device according to clause 8, wherein the first extension and the second extension overlap with the conductive substrate as viewed in the second direction.
Clause 10.
The semiconductor device according to clause 8 or 9, further comprising:
Clause 11.
The semiconductor device according to clause 10, wherein the first opening is an arcuate notch recessed in the first main section from an end on the second side in the second direction toward the first side in the second direction,
Clause 12.
The semiconductor device according to any one of clauses 4 to 11, wherein the plurality of first semiconductor elements are spaced apart from each other in the second direction,
Clause 13.
The semiconductor device according to clause 12, wherein the conductive substrate includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion disposed on the second side and on the first side, respectively, in the first direction in a mutually spaced manner,
Clause 14.
The semiconductor device according to clause 13, wherein the second conductive member overlaps with the second band portion as viewed in the thickness direction.
Clause 15.
The semiconductor device according to clause 14, wherein the plurality of second semiconductor element are spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-099537 | Jun 2021 | JP | national |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2022/022584 | Jun 2022 | US |
Child | 18491355 | US |