Method and device for removing bubbles from flexible electrode layer

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, and belongs to the technical field of electronic component manufacturing, and the method comprises the following steps: S1, obtaining a product with a flexible electrode layer after end coating; s2, vibration is applied to the product; s3, negative pressure extraction is conducted on the environment where the product is located; s4, performing the step S2 and then performing the step S3, or performing the step S3 and then performing the step S2, or performing the step S2 and the step S3 at the same time; and S5, curing the flexible electrode layer. Through application of vibration and negative pressure extraction, the bubble removal process is more standardized and controllable, dependence and errors of manual operation are reduced, and therefore production efficiency and product consistency are improved, the overall performance of products is improved, meanwhile, the reduction of bubble residues also directly improves the yield of products, and the production cost is reduced. And the rejection rate and the reworking cost are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electronic component manufacturing, and in particular to a method and device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer. Background Art

[0002] Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) are high-performance, high-integration key components that are widely used in consumer electronics, automotive electronics, aerospace and other fields. With the development of technology, the performance requirements for MLCC are increasing, especially the stability under extreme environmental conditions such as vibration resistance and impact resistance has become an important consideration. Therefore, flexible terminal electrode structure products came into being, which significantly improved the reliability of MLCC in complex vibration environments by enhancing the flexibility and bending resistance of the terminal electrodes.

[0003] Traditional MLCC terminal electrode structures mostly use rigid materials, which are difficult to adapt to the needs of large vibration environments. The flexible terminal electrode structure, on the other hand, forms a flexible electrode layer by coating a layer of flexible slurry on the surface of the bottom metal layer and curing it at high temperature, which effectively improves the product's anti-bending ability and environmental adaptability. However, this innovative structure faces a major challenge in the manufacturing process - the problem of residual bubbles inside the slurry.

[0004] In the process of making flexible terminal electrodes, a certain proportion of bubbles often remain inside the slurry after the end coating process. The presence of these bubbles not only affects the production quality of the flexible electrode layer, but is also directly related to the smooth progress of subsequent processes and the final performance of the product. Specifically, when there are more bubbles remaining inside the slurry, the plating solution is more likely to penetrate into the terminal electrode in the subsequent electroplating process, reducing the reliability of the product. In addition, bubbles cannot be effectively removed during the high-temperature curing process, and will form hole defects inside and on the surface of the flexible layer, which need to be selected and removed later, increasing the manufacturing cost and defect rate of the product.

[0005] At present, the widely used coating method in the market has limited effect in removing bubbles inside the slurry, resulting in the problem of residual bubbles in the flexible layer. This not only increases the workload of product screening and removal, but also makes the product more prone to quality problems during the post-processing process, which seriously restricts the further promotion and application of MLCC flexible terminal electrode structure products.

[0006] In view of this, developing a method that can effectively remove bubbles inside the MLCC flexible terminal electrode is of great significance for improving the production quality of the flexible electrode layer, reducing product manufacturing costs, and improving product reliability. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. By adopting vibration and extracting negative pressure, the residual bubbles inside the flexible electrode layer are reduced, thereby significantly improving the overall performance of the flexible electrode layer structure product.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0009] The present invention provides a method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, comprising the following steps:

[0010] S1. Obtaining a product having a flexible electrode layer after coating;

[0011] S2. applying vibration to the product;

[0012] S3, extracting negative pressure from the environment where the product is located;

[0013] S4, perform step S2 first and then step S3, or perform step S3 first and then step S2, or perform step S2 and step S3 simultaneously;

[0014] S5. Curing the flexible electrode layer.

[0015] Preferably, in step S2, the vibration frequency is set to 5-20 Hz.

[0016] Preferably, in step S3, the pressure is stabilized at 0.02-0.09 MPa.

[0017] Preferably, the vibration lasts for 20 to 80 seconds, and negative pressure is extracted after the vibration ends, with the pressure stabilizing for 5 to 60 seconds.

[0018] Preferably, the extraction of negative pressure begins after vibration for 10 to 30 seconds, and the vibration and the extraction of negative pressure are performed simultaneously for 5 to 60 seconds.

[0019] Preferably, in step S5, the baking temperature is 100-300° C., and the baking time is 10-100 min.

[0020] The present invention also provides a device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, which is used to implement the method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer as described above, comprising a box body, a vibration table arranged in the box body, and a vent connected to the box body, the vibration table is used to place the coated product, and the vent is used to connect a vacuum pumping device.

[0021] Preferably, it also includes a vibration frame, which includes a frame body and a carrier plate installed on the frame body, and the coated product is placed on the carrier plate.

[0022] Preferably, the frame body comprises supporting plates arranged opposite to each other, a strip-shaped groove is arranged on the inner side of the supporting plates, and the carrier plate is slidably arranged in the strip-shaped groove.

[0023] Preferably, the carrier includes a rigid body and a flexible jacket, the rigid body is provided with a mounting hole, the flexible jacket is fixed in the mounting hole, the inner diameter side of the flexible jacket is used to mount the coated product, and the flexible electrode layers of the product are respectively located above and below the carrier.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects:

[0025] The present invention makes the bubble removal process more standardized and controllable through the application of vibration and negative pressure extraction, reduces the reliance on and errors of manual operation, thereby improving production efficiency and product consistency, and improving the overall performance of the product. At the same time, the reduction of bubble residue problems also directly improves the product yield and reduces the scrap rate and rework costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0027] Figure 1 This is an external structural diagram of the device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is the internal structure diagram of the device of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the vibration frame of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram before removing bubbles from the product;

[0031] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the product after removing bubbles;

[0032] Among them, 1. box body; 11. vent; 2. box door; 3. pressure display gauge; 4. vibration table control panel; 5. temperature control panel; 6. vibration table; 7. vibration frame; 71. frame body; 72. carrier board; 8. product; 81. bottom metal layer; 82. flexible electrode layer; 821. bubbles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer to solve the problems existing in the prior art. By adopting vibration and extracting negative pressure, the residual bubbles inside the flexible electrode layer are reduced, thereby significantly improving the overall performance of the flexible electrode layer structure product.

[0035] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the present invention provides a method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, which is mainly used in the manufacturing process of a flexible electrode layer 82 of an MLCC, can reduce or eliminate bubbles 821 in the flexible electrode layer 82, and improve the quality of the product 8. Of course, it can also be applied to other situations where a flexible electrode layer 82 is provided. The method for removing bubbles 821 includes the following steps:

[0037] S1, obtaining a product 8 having a flexible electrode layer 82 after coating, wherein the coating process is to coat a layer of flexible slurry on the surface of the metal layer 81 at the bottom of the end of the product 8 through a coating process, and the flexible electrode layer 82 is formed after the flexible slurry is cured;

[0038] S2. Apply vibration to the product 8. When applying vibration, the product 8 can be mounted on a vibration frame 7, and the vibration frame 7 is mounted on a vibration table 6. The structure of the vibration frame 7 is not specifically required, as long as the product 8 can be fixed so that it does not affect the flexible electrode layer 82 during the vibration process and different products 8 do not affect each other. In addition, it should be noted that in order to effectively eliminate bubbles 821, the flexible electrode layer 82 during the vibration process should not be fully cured, and the vibration process should be kept within a reasonable vibration frequency range to ensure that the flexible electrode layer 82 that is not fully cured does not cause the flexible slurry to shift and have defects such as uneven thickness due to vibration;

[0039] S3, extracting negative pressure from the environment where the product 8 is located, the product 8 can be placed in the box 1, the box door 2 is closed, and negative pressure is extracted from the environment in the box 1;

[0040] S4, in the process of removing bubbles 821, step S2 can be performed first and then step S3, or step S3 can be performed first and then step S2, or step S2 and step S3 can be performed simultaneously, that is, when removing bubbles 821, vibration can be performed first or negative pressure can be extracted first, or both can be performed simultaneously, as long as the vibration and negative pressure extraction operations are performed after the coating end but before solidification;

[0041] S5, curing the flexible electrode layer 82. The flexible slurry is a thermosetting material. The flexible slurry can be cured by heating to finally form a flexible electrode layer 82 containing no or few bubbles 821.

[0042] In step S2, the vibration frequency is set to 5-20 Hz, and the amplitude should not be too large. The bubbles 821 are moved in the flexible electrode layer 82 by vibration. Within the vibration frequency range, the speed and efficiency of the bubbles 821 moving outward can be improved.

[0043] In step S3, the pressure is stabilized at 0.02-0.09 MPa, and an excessively low vacuum degree is not required. This pressure range does not place high demands on the sealing performance of the equipment and the vacuum pumping equipment. Moreover, within this pressure range, the bubbles 821 can be effectively urged to move outward.

[0044] One of the solutions for combining vibration and extraction of negative pressure is to use the aforementioned vibration frequency, and after the vibration lasts for 20 to 80 seconds, start to extract negative pressure, and the pressure parameter uses the aforementioned pressure range, and the pressure stabilization time is 5 to 60 seconds. Within the aforementioned vibration duration and pressure stabilization time, the bubbles 821 can be removed efficiently. If the vibration lasts for a long time, the efficiency of removing the bubbles 821 is greatly reduced. At this time, the bubbles 821 have been basically removed, and it is meaningless to continue for too long.

[0045] Another scheme for coordinating vibration and extraction of negative pressure is to use the aforementioned vibration frequency, start to extract negative pressure after vibration for 10 to 30 seconds, use the aforementioned pressure range for pressure parameters, and vibrate and extract negative pressure synchronously for 5 to 60 seconds. Within the aforementioned vibration duration and pressure stabilization time, bubbles 821 can be removed efficiently. If the above range is exceeded, the efficiency of removing bubbles 821 is greatly reduced. At this time, bubbles 821 have been basically removed, and it is meaningless to continue for too long.

[0046] In step S5, an oven may be used for baking, the baking temperature is 100-300° C., and the baking time is 10-100 minutes. Under the above conditions, the flexible electrode layer 82 can be fully cured.

[0047] like Figure 4 and Figure 5FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the number of bubbles 821 in the flexible electrode layer 82 before and after the technical solution of the present invention is adopted. In actual production, the number of bubbles 821 in the flexible electrode layer 82 can be determined by X-ray scanning, and the compactness of the flexible electrode layer 82 can also be determined by DPA (Destructive Physical Analysis).

[0048] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the present invention also provides a device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, which is used to implement the method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer as described above, including a box body 1, a vibration table 6 arranged in the box body 1, and a vent 11 connected to the box body 1, the box body 1 is connected to a door 2, and the door 2 can be tightly connected to the box body 1. After the door 2 is tightly closed, a closed environment that can maintain negative pressure is formed in the box body 1. The vibration table 6 adopts existing equipment and can generate a certain range of vibration frequencies. The vibration table 6 is used to place the product 8 after coating, so as to use the vibration table 6 to achieve vibration of the product 8. The vent 11 can adopt a pipeline connected to the internal space of the box body 1, and the end of the vent 11 away from the box body 1 is used to connect the vacuum equipment. The vent 11 can also be used as an exhaust valve (inlet valve). After the negative pressure is exhausted, gas is added to the box body 1 to facilitate the opening of the door 2. Of course, an exhaust valve can also be set at other positions of the box body 1, and the vent 11 is only used to extract negative pressure.

[0049] In order to control the environment and vibration parameters inside the box 1, the box 1 may also be provided with a pressure display gauge 3 for displaying the internal pressure of the box 1, a vibration table control panel 4 for controlling the vibration table 6, and a temperature control panel 5 for regulating the temperature inside the box 1.

[0050] It also includes a vibration frame 7, which includes a frame body 71 and a carrier plate 72 installed on the frame body 71. The frame body 71 is used to support the carrier plate 72 and transmit vibration to the carrier plate 72. The coated product 8 is placed on the carrier plate 72. It should be noted that when the product 8 is placed on the carrier plate 72, the flexible electrode layer 82 should be prevented from contacting the carrier plate 72. The product 8 can be fixed by fixing the middle of the product 8.

[0051] In a further solution, the frame 71 may include supporting plates arranged opposite to each other, the supporting plates being arranged vertically and connected to the vibration part of the vibration table 6 through legs. A strip groove is arranged inside the supporting plate, and the carrier plate 72 is slidably arranged in the strip groove in a horizontal state, so as to facilitate the placement and removal of the carrier plate 72.

[0052] The carrier 72 may include a rigid body and a flexible jacket. The rigid body is provided with a plurality of mounting holes, which are distributed in a matrix, and each mounting hole can be installed with a product 8. The flexible jacket is fixed in the mounting hole. Through the setting of the flexible jacket, after the product 8 is inserted into the flexible jacket, the elasticity of the flexible jacket can be used to clamp the product 8, so that the product 8 can be fixed on the inner diameter side of the flexible jacket, and the vibration can be transmitted to the product 8. The product 8 is vertically inserted into the flexible jacket. At this time, the flexible jacket clamps the middle of the product 8, and the flexible electrode layers 82 at both ends of the product 8 are located above and below the carrier 72, respectively. It should be noted that the shape of the flexible electrode layer 82 formed after the flexible slurry is coated is fixed, and it usually needs external force to contact and squeeze to deform. The vibration frequency recorded in the present invention, that is, controlled within the range of 5 to 20 Hz, will not cause slurry displacement and uneven thickness defects. Therefore, the vertical placement of the product 8 effectively increases the capacity of the carrier 72, increases the amount of product 8 processed in a single time, and improves the processing efficiency.

[0053] The present invention provides specific embodiments as follows:

[0054] Embodiment 1:

[0055] Taking the 0402 size MLCC as an example, it has a flexible electrode layer 82 through the coating end, and the specific implementation steps are as follows.

[0056] Step 1: Preparation before coating, implant the product 8 to be coated into the carrier 72, and lay the flexible electrode slurry in the coating machine;

[0057] Step 2: Coat the end of the product 8, and transfer the coated product 8 along with the carrier plate 72 to the vibration frame 7 of the vibration table 6 in the box 1;

[0058] Step 3: Turn on the vibration table 6, and the product 8 starts to vibrate. The vibration frequency is set to 5-20 Hz, and the vibration lasts for 20-80 seconds. After the vibration ends, negative pressure is extracted, and the pressure is stabilized at 0.02-0.09 MPa. The stabilization time is 5-60 seconds. Open the exhaust valve on the box 1, close the vibration table 6, and take out the product 8;

[0059] Step 4: Transfer the product 8 to an oven to cure the flexible electrode layer 82, the oven temperature is 100 to 300° C., and the baking time is 10 to 100 minutes;

[0060] Step 5: The cured product 8 is taken out of the oven and naturally cooled to room temperature.

[0061] Embodiment 2:

[0062] Taking the MLCC of size 2220 as an example, it has a flexible electrode layer 82 through the coating end, and the specific implementation steps are as follows.

[0063] Step 1: Preparation before coating, implant the product 8 to be coated into the carrier 72, and lay the flexible electrode slurry in the coating machine;

[0064] Step 2: Coat the end of the product 8, and transfer the coated product 8 along with the carrier plate 72 to the vibration frame 7 of the vibration table 6 in the box 1;

[0065] Step 3: Turn on the vibration table 6, the product 8 starts to vibrate, the vibration frequency is set to 5-20Hz, and after vibrating for 10-30s, the negative pressure is extracted, and the pressure is stabilized at 0.02-0.09Mpa. The vibration and the extraction of negative pressure are carried out simultaneously for 5-60s, and the exhaust valve on the box 1 is opened, the vibration table 6 is closed, and the product 8 is taken out;

[0066] Step 4: Transfer the product 8 to an oven to cure the flexible electrode layer 82, the oven temperature is 100-300° C., and the baking time is 10-100 min;

[0067] Step 5: The cured product 8 is taken out of the oven and naturally cooled to room temperature.

[0068] The present invention uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only used to help understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. Obtaining a product having a flexible electrode layer after coating; S2. applying vibration to the product; S3, extracting negative pressure from the environment where the product is located; S4, perform step S2 first and then step S3, or perform step S3 first and then step S2, or perform step S2 and step S3 simultaneously; S5. Curing the flexible electrode layer.

2. The method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, the vibration frequency is set to 5 to 20 Hz.

3. The method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S3, the pressure is stabilized at 0.02-0.09 MPa.

4. The method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vibration lasts for 20 to 80 seconds. After the vibration ends, negative pressure is drawn and the pressure stabilizes for 5 to 60 seconds.

5. The method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 3, characterized in that: After vibrating for 10 to 30 seconds, the negative pressure extraction begins, and the vibration and the negative pressure extraction are performed simultaneously for 5 to 60 seconds.

6. The method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S5, the baking temperature is 100-300° C., and the baking time is 10-100 minutes.

7. A device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer, characterized in that: The method for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprises a box, a vibration table disposed in the box, and a vent connected to the box, wherein the vibration table is used to place the coated product, and the vent is used to connect a vacuum pump.

8. The device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a vibration frame, which includes a frame body and a carrier plate installed on the frame body, and the coated product is placed on the carrier plate.

9. The device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The frame body comprises supporting plates which are arranged opposite to each other, the inner side of the supporting plates is provided with a strip groove, and the carrying plate is slidably arranged in the strip groove.

10. The device for removing bubbles from a flexible electrode layer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The carrier includes a rigid body and a flexible jacket. The rigid body is provided with a mounting hole. The flexible jacket is fixed in the mounting hole. The inner diameter side of the flexible jacket is used to mount the coated product. The flexible electrode layers of the product are respectively located above and below the carrier.

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