Laminated Ceramic Capacitor Asymmetric Electrode Direction Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated ceramic capacitors with belt-like side surface outer electrodes face challenges in accurately identifying the direction of internal electrodes due to reduced magnetic flux density, making precise directional alignment difficult during mounting on circuit substrates.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a belt-shaped side surface outer electrode with recognizable wrap-around electrode portions of different shapes, lengths, or positions to facilitate external observation and identification of internal electrode directions, allowing for accurate alignment during mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a belt-like side surface outer electrode is used to circle around the ceramic element body, then the capacitor achieves downsizing and capacity enlargement, but the direction of internal electrodes becomes difficult to identify from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the wrap-around electrode portions asymmetric in shape, length, or position. Specifically, at least one wrap-around electrode portion has a different shape, length, or position compared to others, creating an asymmetric external appearance that enables direction identification. This asymmetric design allows the capacitor to maintain its compact belt-like structure while providing visual cues for internal electrode orientation.
2Ease of manufacture
If Ni plating is performed on the side surface outer electrode to reduce magnetic substance interference, then manufacturing is simplified, but magnetic flux density difference decreases and directional alignment accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the asymmetric wrap-around electrode portions as an intermediary visual indicator system. Instead of relying on magnetic flux density differences for direction identification, the asymmetric electrode structures serve as optical intermediaries that provide directional information. This allows the use of Ni plating for manufacturing simplicity while maintaining directional alignment accuracy through visual rather than magnetic means.
3Extent of automation
If magnetic force is used for directional alignment, then automated mounting is enabled, but accuracy is reduced when belt-like side surface outer electrodes are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based alignment system with an optical detection system. Instead of using magnetic force to achieve directional alignment, the asymmetric wrap-around electrode portions are detected by optical sensors or vision systems during automated mounting. This substitution maintains automation capability while significantly improving directional alignment accuracy by eliminating the interference caused by belt-like side surface outer electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
In a laminated ceramic electronic component, a side surface outer electrode circles around a ceramic element body, a first electrode portion includes a first side surface electrode portion on first and second side surfaces of the ceramic element body and a first wrap-around electrode portion extending from the first side surface electrode portion and wraps around portions of third and fourth side surfaces, and a second electrode portion includes a second side surface electrode portion on the third and fourth side surfaces and a second wrap-around electrode portion extending from the second side surface electrode portion and wrap around portions of the first and second side surfaces. External appearance configurations in which the first and second wrap-around electrode portions are recognizable from outside are provided to the first and second wrap-around electrode portions.