Electron and laser beam welding apparatus
AssigneeDelco Electronics Corporation
InventorsCharles T. Eytcheson, Donald E. Lake, deceased, Patrick E. Tonies
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for electron or laser beam welding of semiconductor subassemblies to larger terminal members, without exposing semiconductor chips in such subassemblies to detrimental welding "flash".
Claims10
A fixture for energy beam welding connector tabs on a plurality of semiconductor subassemblies in a circular array to an annular contact surface of a circular terminal member while protecting semiconductor device chips of said subassemblies from welding flash, said fixture comprising:
- a plate-like member having a circular aperture therein of a predetermined diameter for covering said semiconductor assemblies but not end portions of said connector tabs;
- a central circular member coaxial with said circular aperture and of a slightly smaller diameter than said predetermined diameter but large enough to cover tips of said tab end portions, effective to cover said terminal member but expose an annulus of alternating tab near-end portions and terminal contact surface portions;
- radial support means extending between said central and plate-like members over said annulus;
- means on said support means for masking said alternating terminal contact portions, effective to leave only said tab near-end portions exposed;
- means on said fixture for cooperation with said terminal member to clamp said central and plate-like members against said tabs on said terminal member contact surface and concurrently form a welding subassembly in which semiconductor devices are protected from welding flash.
A fixture for energy beam welding free ends of connector tabs, on a plurality of semiconductor subassemblies that are disposed in a linear array, to a line of corresponding terminal contact surface areas while protecting semiconductor device chips of said semiconductor subassemblies from welding flash, said fixture comprising:
- a conformal plate-like member for covering said semiconductor assemblies;
- an aperture in said plate-like member that exposes a selected portion of each connector tab;
- means on said plate-like member for covering terminal members upstanding on a support to which said semiconductor subassemblies are affixed;
- means for clamping said connector tabs between said plate-like member and said corresponding terminal contact surface areas;
- and
- means for masking portions of said plate-like member other than over said connector tabs from exposure to eroding force of an energy beam;
- effective to permit welding of said connector tabs to said corresponding terminal contact surface areas by a continuous energy beam without detrimental effects on said plate-like member or on semiconductor devices on said substrate subassemblies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.