Patents by Inventor Atsunobu Kawamoto
Atsunobu Kawamoto has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220139794Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including: a semiconductor substrate having: an active region through which a main current flows; and a termination region around the active region; a polyimide film disposed in the active region and the termination region; and a passivation film disposed as a film underlying the polyimide film, wherein the termination region includes, in order from a side of the active region, a breakdown voltage holding region and an outermost peripheral region, the polyimide film is disposed except for a dicing remaining portion of the outermost peripheral region, and the passivation film is disposed, as the underlying film, at least in a region where the polyimide film is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro NISHIMURA, Makoto UENO, Shintaro ARAKI, Atsunobu KAWAMOTO, Masanori TOMIOKA
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Patent number: 10651113Abstract: An end of a high-voltage electrode (5) is connected to a high-voltage terminal of a semiconductor device (1). An end of a low-voltage electrode (6) is connected to a low-voltage terminal of the semiconductor device (1). A resin (15) seals the semiconductor device (1), the end of the high-voltage electrode (5), and the end of the low-voltage electrode (6). A first discharge electrode (16) is provided to a portion of the high-voltage electrode (5) not covered by the resin (15). A second discharge electrode (17) is provided to a portion of the low-voltage electrode (6) not covered by the resin (15). The first and second discharge electrodes (16,17) protrude to face each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro Nishimura, Atsunobu Kawamoto, Koji Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20190080986Abstract: An end of a high-voltage electrode (5) is connected to a high-voltage terminal of a semiconductor device (1). An end of a low-voltage electrode (6) is connected to a low-voltage terminal of the semiconductor device (1). A resin (15) seals the semiconductor device (1), the end of the high-voltage electrode (5), and the end of the low-voltage electrode (6). A first discharge electrode (16) is provided to a portion of the high-voltage electrode (5) not covered by the resin (15). A second discharge electrode (17) is provided to a portion of the low-voltage electrode (6) not covered by the resin (15). The first and second discharge electrodes (16,17) protrude to face each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: March 14, 2019Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro NISHIMURA, Atsunobu KAWAMOTO, Koji YAMAMOTO
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Patent number: 10128735Abstract: A control circuit for a semiconductor switching element includes a control terminal, a main electrode terminal, and a current sensing terminal, and controls the semiconductor switching element including a diode connected to the main electrode terminal or the current sensing terminal. The control circuit includes an overheat detection circuit, a current detection circuit, and an interruption circuit. The overheat detection circuit outputs an overheat detection signal when a temperature detected based on an output of the diode is equal to or higher than a predetermined set temperature. The current detection circuit outputs a current detection signal when an output value of the current sensing terminal is equal to or greater than a predetermined set current value. The interruption circuit turns off the semiconductor switching element when both the overheat detection signal from the overheat detection circuit and the current detection signal from the current detection circuit are input.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji Yamamoto, Atsunobu Kawamoto, Shinsuke Godo
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Publication number: 20180062499Abstract: A control circuit for a semiconductor switching element includes a control terminal, a main electrode terminal, and a current sensing terminal, and controls the semiconductor switching element including a diode connected to the main electrode terminal or the current sensing terminal. The control circuit includes an overheat detection circuit, a current detection circuit, and an interruption circuit. The overheat detection circuit outputs an overheat detection signal when a temperature detected based on an output of the diode is equal to or higher than a predetermined set temperature. The current detection circuit outputs a current detection signal when an output value of the current sensing terminal is equal to or greater than a predetermined set current value. The interruption circuit turns off the semiconductor switching element when both the overheat detection signal from the overheat detection circuit and the current detection signal from the current detection circuit are input.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji YAMAMOTO, Atsunobu KAWAMOTO, Shinsuke GODO
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Patent number: 9859238Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device capable of eliminating unevenness of current distribution in a plane. A semiconductor device according to the present invention is a semiconductor device including a transistor cell region where a plurality of transistor cells is arranged on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor device including an electrode pad which is arranged avoiding the transistor cell region on the semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to a one-side current electrode of each of the cells, in which the transistor cell region contains a plurality of regions each of which has a different current drive capability from each other depending on a distance from the electrode pad.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shinsuke Godo, Atsunobu Kawamoto, Koji Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20160358869Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device capable of eliminating unevenness of current distribution in a plane. A semiconductor device according to the present invention is a semiconductor device including a transistor cell region where a plurality of transistor cells is arranged on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor device including an electrode pad which is arranged avoiding the transistor cell region on the semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to a one-side current electrode of each of the cells, in which the transistor cell region contains a plurality of regions each of which has a different current drive capability from each other depending on a distance from the electrode pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinsuke GODO, Atsunobu KAWAMOTO, Koji YAMAMOTO
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Patent number: 8605408Abstract: A power semiconductor device for an igniter comprises: a first semiconductor switching device; and an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes: a second semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switching device and having a smaller current capacity than a current capacity of the first semiconductor switching device; a delay circuit delaying a control input signal so that the second semiconductor switching device is energized prior to the first semiconductor switching device; a third semiconductor switching device including a thyristor structure connected to a high voltage side main terminal of the second semiconductor switching device and being made conductive by a part of a main current flowing through the energized second semiconductor switching device; and a first excess voltage detection circuit stopping the first semiconductor switching device when voltage on the high voltage side main terminal is equal to or more than a predetermined voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shinsuke Godo, Yukio Yasuda, Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 8570780Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a parallel connection structure 1 between a first node and a second node; a first snubber device and a second snubber device having a clamp level that is the same as or higher than the output voltage of a power source section. One terminal of the first snubber device is connected through the first node to one end of the parallel connection structure, the opposite terminal of the first snubber device is connected through a third node to one terminal of the second snubber device, and the opposite terminal of the second snubber device is connected through the second node to the opposite end of the parallel connection structure. Electric power is fed back to the power source section through the second and third nodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shinsuke Godo, Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 8536655Abstract: Even in the case where negative current flows in a semiconductor device, the potential of a semiconductor substrate is prevented from becoming lower than the potential of a deep semiconductor layer which is a component of a circuit element, and a parasitic element is prevented from operating, which accordingly prevents malfunction of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes the n-type semiconductor substrate, a power element, the circuit element, and an external circuit. The external circuit includes a power supply, a resistive element having one end connected to the power supply, and a diode having its anode electrode connected to the other end of the resistive element and its cathode electrode connected to the ground. To the other end of the resistive element, a semiconductor layer is connected.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji Yamamoto, Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20130106499Abstract: Even in the case where negative current flows in a semiconductor device, the potential of a semiconductor substrate is prevented from becoming lower than the potential of a deep semiconductor layer which is a component of a circuit element, and a parasitic element is prevented from operating, which accordingly prevents malfunction of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes the n-type semiconductor substrate, a power element, the circuit element, and an external circuit. The external circuit includes a power supply, a resistive element having one end connected to the power supply, and a diode having its anode electrode connected to the other end of the resistive element and its cathode electrode connected to the ground. To the other end of the resistive element, a semiconductor layer is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji YAMAMOTO, Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20120307532Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a parallel connection structure 1 between a first node and a second node; a first snubber device and a second snubber device having a clamp level that is the same as or higher than the output voltage of a power source section. One terminal of the first snubber device is connected through the first node to one end of the parallel connection structure, the opposite terminal of the first snubber device is connected through a third node to one terminal of the second snubber device, and the opposite terminal of the second snubber device is connected through the second node to the opposite end of the parallel connection structure. Electric power is fed back to the power source section through the second and third nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinsuke Godo, Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20110141640Abstract: A power semiconductor device for an igniter comprises: a first semiconductor switching device; and an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes: a second semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switching device and having a smaller current capacity than a current capacity of the first semiconductor switching device; a delay circuit delaying a control input signal so that the second semiconductor switching device is energized prior to the first semiconductor switching device; a third semiconductor switching device including a thyristor structure connected to a high voltage side main terminal of the second semiconductor switching device and being made conductive by a part of a main current flowing through the energized second semiconductor switching device; and a first excess voltage detection circuit stopping the first semiconductor switching device when voltage on the high voltage side main terminal is equal to or more than predetermined voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinsuke GODO, Yukio YASUDA, Atsunobu KAWAMOTO
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Publication number: 20110134581Abstract: A power semiconductor device for an igniter comprises: a semiconductor switching device causing a current to flow through a primary side of an ignition coil or shutting off the current flowing through the primary side of the ignition coil; an integrated circuit driving and controlling the semiconductor switching device; and a temperature sensing element sensing temperature of the semiconductor switching device, wherein the integrated circuit including an overheat protection circuit limiting a current through the semiconductor switching device to a value lower than a current through the semiconductor switching device during normal operation, when temperature sensed by the temperature sensing element is over predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinsuke GODO, Yukio Yasuda, Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 7910949Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a conductive board and a switching element mounted on the conductive board and electrically connected thereto. The power semiconductor device also includes an integrated circuit mounted on the conductive board at a distance from the switching element and electrically connected thereto. The switching element turns ON/OFF a connection between first and second main electrodes in response to a control signal inputted to a control electrode. The integrated circuit includes a control circuit which controls ON/OFF the switching element and a back side voltage detection element which detects a voltage of the back side of the integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yukio Yasuda, Atsunobu Kawamoto, Shinsuke Goudo
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Patent number: 7368825Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power semiconductor device in which a control circuit controls a power switching element, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a capacitor disposed on the front surface side of the semiconductor substrate and being comprised of a stacked structure of a first conductive layer, an insulation film and a second conductive layer; and a bonding pad which is disposed on the front surface side to the capacitor and to which a bonding wire being connected, wherein the bonding pad are arranged overlapping the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20080100147Abstract: The power semiconductor device of the present invention is provided with a conductive board 3, a switching element 1 mounted on the conductive board 3 and electrically connected thereto and an integrated circuit 4 mounted on the conductive board 3 at a distance from the switching element 1 and electrically connected thereto. The switching element 1 turns ON/OFF a connection between first and second main electrodes in response to a control signal inputted to a control electrode. The integrated circuit 4 has a control circuit 72 which controls ON/OFF of the switching element 1 and a back side voltage detection element 31 which detects a voltage of the back side of the integrated circuit 4.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yukio Yasuda, Atsunobu Kawamoto, Shinsuke Goudo
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Publication number: 20060138635Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power semiconductor device in which a control circuit controls a power switching element, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a capacitor disposed on the front surface side of the semiconductor substrate and being comprised of a stacked structure of a first conductive layer, an insulation film and a second conductive layer; and a bonding pad which is disposed on the front surface side to the capacitor and to which a bonding wire being connected, wherein the bonding pad are arranged overlapping the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: June 29, 2006Inventor: Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 6762461Abstract: A protective circuit for protecting an IGBT from a stress due to application of an overvoltage which is induced by a surge such as static electricity is provided. The protective circuit allows for improvement in a voltage tolerance to a stress due to application of an overvoltage induced by a surge while ensuring a current tolerance to flow of a direct current from an external power supply when the external power supply is improperly connected in a direction contrary to a normal direction. The protective circuit includes a resistor having one end connected to a terminal for connecting to the external power supply and the other end connected to a semiconductor element, and a first zener diode including a cathode connected to the other end of the resistor. The protective circuit further includes a plurality of second zener diodes connected in series between the one end of the resistor and a generator of a constant potential such as a ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsunobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20040012052Abstract: A protective circuit for protecting an IGBT from a stress due to application of an overvoltage which is induced by a surge such as static electricity is provided. The protective circuit allows for improvement in a voltage tolerance to a stress due to application of an overvoltage induced by a surge while ensuring a current tolerance to flow of a direct current from an external power supply when the external power supply is improperly connected in a direction contrary to a normal direction. The protective circuit includes a resistor having one end connected to a terminal for connecting to the external power supply and the other end connected to a semiconductor element, and a first zener diode including a cathode connected to the other end of the resistor. The protective circuit further includes a plurality of second zener diodes connected in series between the one end of the resistor and a generator of a constant potential such as a ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsunobu Kawamoto