A semiconductor module includes: a switching device including a gate pad; an output unit including an output pad connected with the gate pad of the switching device through a wire and outputting a drive signal from the output pad to the switching device; a temperature protection circuit detecting temperature and performing protection operation; and a heat conduction pattern connected with the output pad, extending from the output pad toward the temperature protection circuit, and conducting heat generated at the switching device to the temperature protection circuit.

A semiconductor module includes: a switching device including a gate pad; an output unit including an output pad connected with the gate pad of the switching device through a wire and outputting a drive signal from the output pad to the switching device; a temperature protection circuit detecting temperature and performing protection operation; and a heat conduction pattern connected with the output pad, extending from the output pad toward the temperature protection circuit, and conducting heat generated at the switching device to the temperature protection circuit.

A power module includes a plurality of conductive wire groups and a sealing member. The plurality of conductive wire groups each include a first bonded portion and a second bonded portion. A maximum gap between intermediate portions of a pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other is larger than a first gap between the first bonded portions of the pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other. The maximum gap between the intermediate portions of the pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other is larger than a second gap between the second bonded portions of the pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other. Therefore, the power module is improved in reliability.

A power module includes a plurality of conductive wire groups and a sealing member. The plurality of conductive wire groups each include a first bonded portion and a second bonded portion. A maximum gap between intermediate portions of a pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other is larger than a first gap between the first bonded portions of the pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other. The maximum gap between the intermediate portions of the pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other is larger than a second gap between the second bonded portions of the pair of conductive wire groups adjacent to each other. Therefore, the power module is improved in reliability.

There is provided a copper bonding wire having an improved storage life in the atmosphere. There is specifically provided a copper bonding wire for semiconductor devices characterized in that a density of crystal grain boundary on a surface of the wire is 0.6 (μm/μm.sup.2) or more and 1.6 (μm/μm.sup.2) or less.

There is provided a copper bonding wire having an improved storage life in the atmosphere. There is specifically provided a copper bonding wire for semiconductor devices characterized in that a density of crystal grain boundary on a surface of the wire is 0.6 (μm/μm.sup.2) or more and 1.6 (μm/μm.sup.2) or less.

A semiconductor device includes first semiconductor chips that each include a first control electrode and a first output electrode, second semiconductor chips each include a second control electrode and a second output electrode, first and second input circuit patterns on which the first and second input electrodes are disposed, respectively, first and second control circuit patterns electrically connected to the first and second control electrodes, respectively, first and second resistive elements, and a first inter-board wiring member. The first control electrodes and first resistive element are electrically connected via the first control circuit pattern, the second control electrodes and second resistive element are electrically connected via the second control circuit pattern, and at least one of the first output electrodes and at least one of the second output electrodes are electrically connected to each other via the first inter-board wiring member.

A semiconductor device includes first semiconductor chips that each include a first control electrode and a first output electrode, second semiconductor chips each include a second control electrode and a second output electrode, first and second input circuit patterns on which the first and second input electrodes are disposed, respectively, first and second control circuit patterns electrically connected to the first and second control electrodes, respectively, first and second resistive elements, and a first inter-board wiring member. The first control electrodes and first resistive element are electrically connected via the first control circuit pattern, the second control electrodes and second resistive element are electrically connected via the second control circuit pattern, and at least one of the first output electrodes and at least one of the second output electrodes are electrically connected to each other via the first inter-board wiring member.

A semiconductor device, having a substrate including an insulating plate and a circuit board provided on a front surface of the insulating plate. The circuit board has a first disposition area and a second disposition area with a gap therebetween, and a groove portion, of which a longitudinal direction is parallel to the gap, formed in the gap. The semiconductor device further includes a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip located on the circuit board in the first disposition area and the second disposition area, respectively, and a blocking member located in the gap across the groove portion in parallel to the longitudinal direction in a plan view of the semiconductor device.

A semiconductor device, having a substrate including an insulating plate and a circuit board provided on a front surface of the insulating plate. The circuit board has a first disposition area and a second disposition area with a gap therebetween, and a groove portion, of which a longitudinal direction is parallel to the gap, formed in the gap. The semiconductor device further includes a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip located on the circuit board in the first disposition area and the second disposition area, respectively, and a blocking member located in the gap across the groove portion in parallel to the longitudinal direction in a plan view of the semiconductor device.