US 5,353,194 A · Modular power circuit assembly

Abstract

A modular construction power circuit arrangement is disclosed which comprises a thin metal plate performing holder and heat sink functions, a multiplicity of electronic devices in the form of semiconductor material chips having metalized pads as their terminals, a printed circuit board attached to the thin metal plate, electric conductors between the metalized pads and the printed circuit on the board, terminating connectors which form a part of the printed circuit board for connecting the circuit arrangement to external circuits, and a plastics material body which conglomerates a portion of the thin metal plate, the semiconductor material chips, and the printed circuit board. At least one of the semiconductor material chips is attached directly to the thin metal plate and extends therefrom through an opening in the printed circuit board.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A modular construction power circuit assembly comprising;

a thin metal plate with holder and heat sink functions;
a plurality of electronic devices having metallized pads as terminals thereof;
means of electrical interconnection comprising conductors which are connected to said metallized pads;
terminating connectors for connecting the circuit assembly to external electric circuits;
a unitary plastics material body enclosing the electronic devices and the electrical interconnection means and coupled to the thin metal plate to leave at least a surface portion of one of its faces and the terminating connectors exposed and covering the electronic devices;
and
a printed circuit board joined to the thin metal plate, the printed circuit on said board carrying some of the interconnection means including the terminating connectors, and having at least one of the electronic devices attached directly to the thin metal plate extending therefrom through an opening in the printed circuit board;
wherein the printed circuit board is joined to the thin metal plate by posts secured to the thin metal plate and the posts providing a gap between the board and the plate, and the plastics body extends in the gap provided between the board and the plate by the posts.

5 more elements

A modular power circuit assembly comprising:

a metal base plate adapted to be a heat sink;
a printed circuit board having conductive areas on a surface thereof, said circuit board being attached to said metal base plate;
a plurality of electrical interconnections formed on said printed circuit board and electrically connected to said conductive areas;
an aperture extending completely through said printed circuit board to expose said metal base plate through said circuit board;
a plurality of semiconductor chips electrically connected to the conductive areas of said printed circuit board, a first one of said semiconductor chips being positioned within said aperture, passing through said circuit board and being attached directly to said metal base plate;
and
a unitary plastic cover extending over said printed circuit board to enclose said semiconductor chips and said conductive areas within the unitary plastic cover and the base plate.
a plurality of stand-off posts extending through said circuit board and having enlarged base support areas which support said printed circuit board a selected distance above said base plate.

5 more elements

A modular power circuit assembly comprising:

a metal base plate;
a substantially rigid printed circuit board having metallic areas formed on a surface thereof and an aperture extending through the circuit board, the circuit board being attached to the metal base plate;
a metallic path formed on the printed circuit board and electrically connected to at least two of the metallic areas;
a first semiconductor chip electrically connected to one of the metallic areas of the printed circuit board, the first semiconductor chip being positioned within the aperture, passing through the circuit board, and attached directly to the metal base plate,
a second semiconductor chip directly electrically connected and mounted on one of the metallic areas on the printed circuit board;
a plurality of electrical connectors integral with and extending from the printed circuit board, the electrical connectors being metallized parts of the printed circuit board, being electrically connected to a plurality of the metallic paths and being adapted to be connected to electric devices positioned external to the printed circuit board;
and
a unitary plastic cover extending over the printed circuit board to totally enclose the semiconductor chips, the metallic areas, and the metallic path between the unitary plastic cover and the base plate.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular power circuit assembly

Life of this patent

Modular power circuit assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22