The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 10, 1997
Randy H. Y. Lo, Campbell, CA (US);
Boonmi Mekdhanasarn, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Daniel P. Tracy, San Jose, CA (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and structure for attaching a lead frame to a heat sink are provided. In one embodiment, a layer of thermally conductive, electrically insulating epoxy is formed on a heat sink and the epoxy layer is fully cured. A thermoplastic adhesive layer is formed on the epoxy layer, and the heat sink is clamped to the lead frame such that the thermoplastic layer contacts the lead frame. The thermoplastic layer is heated to its melting point and then cooled, thereby joining the heat sink and the lead frame. In a variation, a partially cured B-stage epoxy layer is used to replace the thermoplastic layer. The B-stage epoxy layer is fully cured to connect the lead frame to the heat sink.