SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE SUITABLE FOR HIGH VOLTAGE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

A semiconductor package has a structure in which a leadframe pad to which a semiconductor die is attached and inner leads electrically connected to the leadframe pad are covered by a molded housing, and outer leads extending from the inner leads protrude from a side surface of the molded housing to the outside. The outer leads include a first outer lead disposed in a central portion of the molded housing, second and third outer leads respectively disposed in a right and left of the first outer lead. The second and third outer leads each have bent portions in portions where they are adjacent to the side surface of the molded housing, the bent portions protruding to increase a space between the first outer lead and the bent portions in the molded housing. At least one of the bent portions of the second and third outer leads is covered by an extended portion of the molded housing.

Description

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/762,075 filed Jan. 21, 2004, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-4025, filed on Jan. 21, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor package, and more particularly, to a semiconductor package suitable for high voltage applications.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, semiconductor devices such as diodes, thyristors, or MOS gate devices, for example, metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT), are formed in a silicon semiconductor die including a device junction. The die includes a metal drain electrode at its lower portion, a metal source electrode, and a gate electrode. The die is attached to a surface of a leadframe pad, and electrodes are electrically connected to the leadframe by a wire bonding. Consequently, the electrodes are electrically connected to outer leads of the leadframe. The outer leads protrude out of a molded housing. The silicon semiconductor die and the wire are completely molded in the housing.

Creepage distance is the distance along a path that begins at one exposed lead, travels along the surface of the one exposed lead and the package and ends at the adjacent exposed lead. In a semiconductor package having a structure in which outer leads protrude out of a molded housing, there must be enough creepage distance to ensure a high voltage. If the creepage distance is insufficient, it is well-known in the art that the maximum application voltage of the semiconductor package is limited.

FIG. 1 is a plane view of an embodiment of a conventional semiconductor package having a structure ensuring a creepage distance as long as possible. FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the semiconductor package of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the conventional semiconductor package 20 includes a plastic molded housing 21. The molded housing 21 completely surrounds a semiconductor die 22 which is denoted by dotted line in FIG. 2. Three outer leads 25, 26, and 27 protrude out of front side surface 28 of the molded housing 21. The above outer leads may be a gate, a source, and a drain of the MOS transistor. The outer leads 25 and 27 disposed on an edge portion include bent portions 30 and 31 which increase spaces from the outer lead 26 on a center portion. The bent portion 30 of the outer lead 25 is bent toward a direction opposite to the outer lead 26, and accordingly, the creepage distance increases. The bent portion 31 of the outer lead 27 is bent toward a direction opposite to the outer lead 26, and therefore, the creepage distance also increases.

Since the creepage distance between the outer leads can be increased, a higher voltage can be applied to the conventional semiconductor package. However, in order to ensure the longer creepage distance, side surface 28 in FIG. 3 of the molded housing, that is, a body of the package should be increased, and consequently, an entire size of the package increases.

FIG. 4 is a plane view of another embodiment of the conventional semiconductor package having the structure ensuring the maximum creepage distance. FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an inner lead in the semiconductor package in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, outer leads 45 and 47 of the conventional semiconductor package 40 are inclined toward directions opposite to a central outer lead 46 at the portions adjacent to a side surface 48 of the molded housing 41. Also, the molded housing has depressed structures between the outer lead 45 and the outer lead 46, and between the outer lead 47 and the outer lead 45. Inner leads 55, 56, and 57 extended from the outer leads 45, 46, and 47 and located in the molded housing 41 are connected to a leadframe pad 59 in the molded housing without any change in their structures.

In the semiconductor package having the above structure, the creepage distance 52 between the outer lead 45 and the outer lead 46 increases, and the creepage distance 53 between the outer lead 47 and the outer lead 45 also increases. However, as in the semiconductor package of FIGS. 1 through 3, the side surface 48 of the molded housing, that is, the body of the package, should be increased to obtain larger creepage distance. Consequently, the entire size of the package increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a semiconductor package suitable for high voltage applications, having a structure in which a creepage distance between outer leads is increased without increasing a size of the semiconductor package.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package in which a leadframe pad to which a semiconductor die is attached and inner leads electrically connected to the leadframe pad are covered by a molded housing, and outer leads extended from the inner leads protrude from a side surface of the molded housing to the outside. The outer leads include a first outer lead disposed in a central portion of the molded housing, and second and third outer leads respectively disposed in a right and left portions of the first outer lead. The second and third outer leads each have bent portions in portions where they are adjacent to the side surface of the molded housing, the bent portions protruding to increase a space between the first outer lead and the bent portions in the molded housing. Also, at least one of the bent portions of the second and third outer leads is covered by an extended portion of the molded housing.

A portion where the first outer lead is adjacent to the side surface of the molded housing may be covered by the extended portion of the molded housing. In this case, a distance between a surface of the molded housing covering the portion of the first outer lead and a surface of the molded housing covering at least one of the bent portions of the second and third outer leads may be 1 mm or more.

A depression toward a body of the molded housing may be formed on at least one of a surface of the molded housing between the first outer lead and the second outer lead and a surface of the molded housing between the first outer lead and the third outer lead.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package in which a leadframe pad to which a semiconductor die is attached and inner leads electrically connected to the leadframe pad are covered by a molded housing, and outer leads extended from the inner leads protrude from a side surface of the molded housing to the outside. The outer leads include a first outer lead disposed in a central portion of the molded housing, second and third outer leads respectively disposed in a right and left of the first outer lead. The second and third outer leads each include inclinations in which a distance between the first outer lead and the inclinations becomes larger as a distance between the inclinations and the side surface of the molded housing becomes smaller. And at least one of the inclinations of the second and third outer leads is covered by an extended portion of the molded housing.

A portion where the first outer lead is adjacent to the side surface of the molded housing may be covered by the extended portion of the molded housing. In this case, a distance between a surface of the molded housing covering the portion of the first outer lead and a surface of the molded housing covering at least one of the inclinations of the second and third outer leads may be 1 mm or more.

A depression toward a body of the molded housing may be formed on at least one of a surface of the molded housing between the first outer lead and the second outer lead and a surface of the molded housing between the first outer lead and the third outer lead.

At least one of the inclinations of the second and third outer leads may include a portion which is perpendicular to a surface of the molded housing and a flat portion which is larger than a thickness of the molded housing covering the inclinations in a boundary between the inclinations and the molded housing,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plane view of an embodiment of a conventional semiconductor package;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the semiconductor package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another side view of the semiconductor package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of another embodiment of the conventional semiconductor package;

FIG. 5 is a view of a configuration of an inner lead in the semiconductor package of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plane view of an embodiment of a semiconductor package according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plane view of another embodiment of the semiconductor package according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8A through 8G are views illustrating various modifications of the semiconductor package of FIG. 6B

FIGS. 9A through 9G are views illustrating various modifications of the semiconductor package of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view showing another modification of the semiconductor package of FIG. 7, in which a pitch between outer leads is not changed, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a third outer lead in a portion A of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 6 is a plane view of an embodiment of a semiconductor package according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the semiconductor package 100 according to the present invention has a structure in which three outer leads 121, 122 and 123 protrude out of a molded housing 110. Among those three outer leads 121, 122 and 123, a first outer lead 121 is disposed in a central portion of a side surface 112 of the molded housing 110. A second outer lead 122 and a third outer lead 123 are disposed on edge portions on the side surface 112 of the molded housing 110 to be respectively separated from the first outer lead 121 by a predetermined distance. Although it is not shown in FIG. 6, a semiconductor device such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) is buried in the molded housing 110, and respective electrodes of the semiconductor device are electrically connected to inner leads (not shown) which are extended from the outer leads 121, 122 and 123 via wires (not shown) in the molded housing.

The second and third outer leads 122 and 123 disposed at the edge portion include bent portions 124 and 126 protruding toward directions opposite to the first outer lead 121 in portions adjacent to the molded housing 110. That is, a surface of the second outer lead 122 facing the first outer lead 121 is depressed to be apart from the first outer lead 121 on one side surface 112 of the molded housing 110, and accordingly, the second outer lead 122 protrudes from the surface opposing the above surface of the second outer lead 122. A surface of the third outer lead 123 facing the first outer lead 121 is depressed to be apart from the first outer lead 121 on one side surface 112 of the molded housing 110, and accordingly, the third outer lead 123 protrudes from the surface opposing the above surface of the third outer lead 123.

The bent portions 124 and 126 of the second and third outer leads 122 and 123 are covered by the molded housing 110. Also, a portion of the first outer lead 121 is covered by the molded housing 110. That is, the molded housing 110 extends at some parts thereof so as to cover a portion of the first outer lead 121 and the bent portions 124 and 126 of the second and third outer leads 122 and 123. The thickness of the molded housing 110 covering a part of the first outer lead 121 and the bent portions 124 and 126 is not necessarily thick, but it is appropriate that the thickness of the molded housing 110 is relatively thin. A distance (d) between a surface of extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the first outer lead 121 and a surface of extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the bent portion 126 of the third outer lead 123 is about 1 mm or more.

In the semiconductor package 100 having the above described structure, the creepage distance (de) (as shown by the dotted line) between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 is a surface distance of the molded housing 110 measured from a first point (a) of the first outer lead 121 to a second point (b) of the second outer lead 122. Therefore, the semiconductor package is capable of ensuring a creepage distance larger than that of the conventional semiconductor package as long as the length of extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the surface of the bent portion 124 of the second outer lead 122. The creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 also increases. In the semiconductor package 100 according to the present embodiment, a size of the semiconductor package does not increase in spite of the increase of creepage distance (de). This is because the increase of the creepage distance (de) is achieved using a structure in which a portion of the molded housing 110 extends to cover the bent portions 124 and 126 of the second and third outer leads 122 and 123.

FIG. 7 is a plane view of another embodiment of the semiconductor package according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, same reference numerals as those of FIG. 6 denote the same elements, and therefore, explanations thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, the second and third leads 122 and 123 disposed on the edge portions of the semiconductor package 200 respectively include inclinations 224 and 226 so that a distance between the first outer lead 121 and the inclinations 224 and 226 becomes larger as a distance between the inclinations 224 and 226 and the side surface 112 of the molded housing 110 becomes smaller. That is, the largest distance between the second outer lead 122 and the first outer lead 121 is between an upper left corner of the second outer lead and an upper left corner of the first outer lead 121, and the largest distance between the second outer lead 122 and the first outer lead 121 is between an upper right corner of the second outer lead 122 and an upper right corner of the first outer lead 121.

The inclinations 224 and 226 of the second and third outer leads 122 and 123 are covered by the molded housing 110. Also, a portion of the first outer lead 121 is covered by the molded housing 110. That is, the molded housing 110 extends so as to cover the portion of the first outer lead 121 and the inclinations 224 and 226 of the second and third leads 122 and 123. The thickness of the molded housing 110 covering the portion of the first outer lead 121 and the inclinations 224 and 226 is relatively small. An interval (d′) between a surface of extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the first outer lead 121 and a surface of extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the inclination 226 of the third outer lead 123 is about 1 mm or more.

In the semiconductor package 200 having the above described structure, the creepage distance (dc′) between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 is the surface distance from a first point (a′) of the first outer lead 121 to a second point (b′) of the second outer lead 122. Therefore, a length corresponding to the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering a surface of the inclination 224 of the second outer lead 122 can be ensured as the creepage distance longer than that of the conventional art. The creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 also increases. In the semiconductor package 200 according to the present embodiment, a size of the semiconductor package 200 does not increase in spite of the increase of the creepage distance (dc′). This is because that the increase of the creepage distance (do′) can be achieved by extending a part of the molded housing 110 so as to cover the inclinations 224 and 226 of the second and third outer leads 122 and 123.

FIGS. 8A through 8G are views of various modifications of the semiconductor package in FIG. 6. Same reference numerals in FIGS. 8A through 8G as those of FIG. 6 denote the same elements.

In the semiconductor package in FIG, 8A, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering a portion of the first outer lead 121 is removed, and consequently, the first outer lead 121 is completely exposed out of the molded housing 110. Thus, the semiconductor package in FIG. 8A has reduced creepage distance, however, it becomes easier to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 8A than to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 6.

In the semiconductor package of FIG. 8B, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the bent portion 124 of the second outer lead 122 is removed, thus completely exposing the bent portion 124 of the second outer lead 122 out of the molded housing 110. Therefore, the semiconductor package of FIG. 8B has the same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 6, however, the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 becomes smaller than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 6. Thus, the semiconductor package of FIG. 8B is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 8C is same as that of FIG. 8B, however, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the bent portion 126 of the third outer lead 123 is removed instead of removing that on the bent portion 124 of the second outer lead 122. Therefore, in the semiconductor package of FIG. 8C, the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 can be maintained to be same as that of the semiconductor package 100 of FIG. 6. However, the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 becomes smaller than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 6. Thus, the semiconductor package of FIG. 8C is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 8D has same structure as that of the semiconductor package 100 of FIG. 6 except that grooves 114 and 116 are formed on a surface of the molded housing 110 between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 and on a surface of the molded housing 110 between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123. The grooves 114 and 116 increase the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 and the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 as much as the surface distances of the grooves 114 and 116.

The semiconductor package in FIG. 8E has same structure as that of FIG. 8D, but is different in that the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering a portion of the first outer lead 121 is removed. Therefore, the first outer lead 121 in the semiconductor package of FIG. 8E is completely exposed out of the molded housing 110. Although the semiconductor package of FIG. 8E has the creepage distance shorter than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D, it becomes easier to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 8E than to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D.

In the semiconductor package of FIG. 8F, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the bent portion 124 of the second outer lead 122 when it is compared to the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D, and consequently, the bent portion 124 of the second outer lead 122 is completely exposed out of the molded housing 110. Therefore, the semiconductor package of FIG. 8F has same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D, but has smaller creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D. The semiconductor package of FIG. 8F is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 8G is same as that of FIG. 8F except that the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the bent portion 126 of the third outer lead 123 is removed, instead of removing the protrusion 124 of the second outer lead 122. Therefore, the semiconductor package of FIG. 8G has same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D, but has smaller creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 8D. The semiconductor package of FIG. 8G is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122.

FIGS. 9A through 9G are views of various modifications of the semiconductor package of FIG. 7. Same reference numerals of FIGS. 9A through 9G as those of FIG. 7 denote the same elements.

In the semiconductor of FIG. 9A, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering a portion of the first outer lead 121 is removed, thus completely exposing the first outer lead 121 out of the molded housing 110. Therefore, the semiconductor package of FIG. 9A has reduced creepage distance, however, it becomes easier to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 9A than to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 7.

In the semiconductor package of FIG. 9B, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the inclination 224 of the second outer lead 122 is removed, thus completely exposing the inclination 224 of the second outer lead 122 out of the molded housing 110. Therefore, the semiconductor package of FIG. 9B has same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 7. However the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 becomes smaller than that of the semiconductor package 200 of FIG. 7. The semiconductor package of FIG. 9B is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 9C has same structure as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9B except that the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the inclination 226 of the third outer lead 123 is removed. The semiconductor package of FIG. 9C has same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 as that of the semiconductor package 200 of FIG. 7, but has shorter creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 than that of the semiconductor package 200 of FIG. 7. The semiconductor package of FIG. 9C is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 9D has same structure as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 7 except that grooves 114 and 116 are formed on a surface of the molded housing 110 between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 and on a surface of the molded housing 110 between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123. The grooves 114 and 116 increase the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 and the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 as much as the surface distances of the grooves 114 and 116.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 9E has same structure as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9D except that the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering a portion of the first outer lead 121 is removed. Thus, the first outer lead 121 of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9E is completely exposed out of the molded housing 110. Although the creepage distance is shorter than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9D, it becomes easier to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 9E than to fabricate the semiconductor package of FIG. 9D.

In the semiconductor package of FIG. 9F, the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the inclination 224 of the second outer lead 122 is removed. Consequently, the inclination 224 of the second outer lead 122 is completely exposed out of the molded housing 110. Thus, the semiconductor package of FIG. 9F has same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9D, however, has shorter creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9D. Therefore it is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123.

The semiconductor package of FIG. 9G has same structure as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9F except that the extended portion of the molded housing 110 covering the inclination 226 of the third outer lead 123 is removed instead of removing the inclination 224 of the second outer lead 122. The semiconductor package of FIG. 9G has same creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122 as that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9D. However, the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 becomes smaller than that of the semiconductor package of FIG. 9G. The semiconductor package of FIG. 9G is suitable for a case where a relatively high voltage should be applied between the first outer lead 121 and the second outer lead 122.

FIG. 10 is a view of a structure restraining the pitch between outer leads from changing by modifying the semiconductor package of FIG. 7. In addition, FIG. 11 is a view of enlarged third outer lead in part A of FIG. 10. Same reference numerals of FIGS. 10 and 11 as those of FIG. 7 denote the same elements.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the semiconductor package has nearly same structure as that of the semiconductor package 200 of FIG. 7, but is different from the semiconductor package of FIG. 7 in configurations of inclination 324 of the second outer lead 122 and inclination 326 of the third outer lead 123. More particularly, in the inclination 326 of the third outer lead 123, a flat portion 326a, an inclined portion 326b and a perpendicular portion 326c are disposed on the surface facing the first outer lead 121 sequentially toward the molded housing 110. The inclined portion 326b and the perpendicular portion 326c increase the creepage distance between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123, and the flat portion 326a restrains the pitch between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 from being reduced. That is, since the inclination 326 of the third outer lead 123 is covered by the molded housing 110, the pitch between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 is reduced as much as the thickness of the molded housing 110. However, when the flat portion 326a is included as in the present embodiment, the molded housing 110 is capable of covering the inclination 326 within the range of the flat portion 326a. Accordingly, the pitch between the first outer lead 121 and the third outer lead 123 is not reduced. The second outer lead 122 has same structure as that of the third outer lead 123, and detailed description is omitted,

As described above, according to the semiconductor package of the present invention, the bent portion or the inclination is formed on some parts of the outer leads which connect with a side surface of the molded housing, and the extended portion of the molded housing is covered thereon to increase the creepage distances between outer leads. Accordingly, rated voltage applicable to the outer leads of the semiconductor package can be increased, thus providing the structure suitable to the high voltage application.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A semiconductor package having a molded housing comprising:

a) first and second leads extending both inside and outside said molded housing, said first lead having a surface between two edges of said lead;

b) said surface having a lateral bend which is inside said molded housing and proximate to an edge of said molded housing abutting said first lead, said lateral bend being in a direction to increase the creepage distance between said surface and said second lead; and

c) said molded housing having an edge that extends on said lateral bend and which substantially follows the contour of said lateral bend.

11. The semiconductor package of claim 10 wherein an edge of said molded housing abutting said second lead extends in a direction parallel with said longitudinal axis of said second lead.

12. The semiconductor package of claim 10 further including a third lead which is positioned laterally next to said second lead away from said first lead.

13. The semiconductor Package of claim 12 wherein said third lead has a surface between two edges of said lead, said surface of said third lead having a lateral bend which is inside said molded housing, said lateral bend in said third lead being in a direction to increase the creepage distance between said surface of said third lead and said second lead, and said molded housing having an edge that extends on said lateral bend of said third lead and which substantially follows the contour of said lateral bend of said third lead.

14. The semiconductor package of claim 13 wherein an edge of said molded housing abutting said second lead extends in a direction parallel with the extended edge of said molded housing abutting said third lead.

15. The semiconductor package of claim 10 wherein an edge of said molded housing between said first and second leads has an indentation to increase the creepage distance between said first and second leads.

16. The semiconductor package of claim 12 wherein an edge of said molded housing between said second and third leads has an indentation to increase the creepage distance between said second and third leads.

17. A semiconductor package having a molded housing comprising:

a) first and second leads extending both inside and outside said molded housing, said first lead having a surface between two edges of said lead;

b) said surface having a bend which is inside said molded housing and proximate to an edge of said molded housing abutting said first lead, said lateral bend being in a direction to increase the creepage distance between said surface and said second lead; and

c) said molded housing having an edge that extends with a substantially constant thickness on said lateral bend of said first lead.

18. The semiconductor package of claim 17 wherein an edge of said molded housing abutting said second lead extends in a direction parallel with said longitudinal axis of said second lead.

19. The semiconductor package of claim 17 further including a third lead which is positioned laterally next to said second lead away from said first lead.

20. The semiconductor package of claim 17 wherein said third lead has a surface between two edges of said third lead, said surface of said third lead having a lateral bend which is inside said molded housing, said lateral bend in said third lead being in a direction to increase the creepage distance between said surface of said third lead and said second lead, and said molded housing having an edge that extends with a substantially constant thickness on said lateral bend of said third lead.

21. The semiconductor package of claim 20 wherein an edge of said molded housing abutting said second lead extends in a direction parallel with said longitudinal axis of said second lead equal to the extended edge of said molded housing abutting said third lead.

22. The semiconductor package of claim 17 wherein an edge of said molded housing between said first and second leads has an indentation to increase the creepage distance between said first and second leads.

23. The semiconductor package of claim 22 wherein an edge of said molded housing between said second and third leads has an indentation to increase the creepage distance between said second and third leads.