Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A power module having power circuits and control circuits, comprising: a ceramic substrate fixed to a heat dissipating base; a plurality of power circuits mounted to said ceramic substrate to form a lower level; a plurality of control circuits mounted to a desired substrate to form a middle level over said lower level; at least one electrically conductive spring means providing electrical connection between said lower and middle levels; said electrically conductive spring means being disposed substantially perpendicular to said lower and middle levels, said electrically conductive spring means being welded to desired positions in said lower level and said middle level; and at least one resin material embedding said lower and middle levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A power module having power circuits and control circuits, comprising: a ceramic substrate fixed to a heat dissipating base; a plurality of power circuits mounted to said ceramic substrate to form a lower level; a plurality of control circuits mounted to a desired substrate to form a middle level over said lower level; at least one electrically conductive spring means providing electrical connection between said lower and middle levels; said electrically conductive spring means being disposed substantially perpendicular to said lower and middle levels, said electrically conductive spring means being welded to desired positions in said lower level and said middle level; and at least one resin material embedding said lower and middle levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power module according to claim 1, further comprising a wall enclosing said lower and middle levels, said wall having a seat formed thereon for receiving said middle level substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power module according to claim 2 wherein said seat forms a dovetailed joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The power module according to claim 1, wherein said resin material is a soft resin material for absorbing any thermal expansion which occurs in said power circuits and wherein said electrically conductive spring means is a helical spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The power module according to claim 1, wherein said resin material comprises: a first layer of a soft resin material for absorbing any thermal expansion which occurs in said power circuits; said first layer embedding said lower level; and a second layer of a harder resin material embedding said middle level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of assembling a power module having power circuits and control circuits, comprising: fixing a ceramic substrate to a heat dissipating base; mounting a plurality of power circuits to said ceramic substrate a form a lower level; mounting a plurality of control circuits to a desired substrate to form a middle level over said lower level; electrically connecting said lower and middle levels with at least one electrically conductive spring means; fixing a wall which encloses said lower and middle levels to said heat dissipating base; and providing the portion of the module bounded by said wall and said base with at least a first layer of a soft resin material to absorb any thermal expansion which occurs in said power circuits.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of assembling a power module having power circuits and control circuits, comprising: fixing a ceramic substrate to a heat dissipating base; mounting a plurality of power circuits to said ceramic substrate a form a lower level; mounting a plurality of control circuits to a desired substrate to form a middle level over said lower level; electrically connecting said lower and middle levels with at least one electrically conductive spring means; fixing a wall which encloses said lower and middle levels to said heat dissipating base; and providing the portion of the module bounded by said wall and said base with at least a first layer of a soft resin material to absorb any thermal expansion which occurs in said power circuits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 6, further comprising: welding a lower end of said spring means to a desired position in said lower level; positioning said spring means with a guide plate means, said guide plate means having holes disposed therein to receive said spring means, said spring means comprising a helical spring; and welding an upper end of said spring means to a desired position on said middle level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 6, further comprising forming a seat on said wall to receive said middle level substrate.