Multilayer Capacitor Internal Conductor Width and Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer capacitors face challenges in increasing equivalent series resistance (ESR) while maintaining sufficient capacitance, especially as operating frequencies and load currents increase in digital electronic equipment, leading to unstable supply voltages and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a multilayer capacitor structure with internal conductors of varying widths and arrangements to enhance ESR while ensuring sufficient capacitance, including narrow lead portions and overlapping electrode configurations to reduce equivalent series inductance (ESL) and increase contact areas, allowing for high ESR and capacitance without increasing the number of laminated layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of laminated layers is increased to ensure sufficient capacitance, then the capacitance increases, but the equivalent series inductance (ESL) increases and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-layer electrode configuration to a three-dimensional multi-conductor arrangement where internal conductors are positioned at different heights (laminated layers) and lateral positions. This spatial dimensionality change allows multiple capacitance-forming regions to be stacked vertically while maintaining short current paths horizontally, thereby increasing capacitance without proportionally increasing ESL.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor is divided into multiple independent capacitance-forming regions, each created by pairs of adjacent internal conductors (first and second internal conductors, third and fourth internal conductors). Each region contributes to the total capacitance independently, allowing the overall capacitance to be increased by adding more segmented regions rather than simply enlarging a single region, which would increase ESL.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of laminated layers is increased to ensure sufficient capacitance, then the capacitance increases, but the equivalent series resistance (ESR) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different width dimensions to different portions of the internal conductors. Specifically, the first internal conductor has a first width in the longitudinal direction and a second width in the transverse direction, while the second internal conductor has a third width in the longitudinal direction and a fourth width in the transverse direction. This local variation in conductor dimensions allows optimization of ESR by creating narrow current paths in certain regions while maintaining adequate capacitance through broader regions, thereby increasing ESR without sacrificing capacitance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the terminal electrodes are disposed close together to reduce ESL, then the ESL decreases, but the capacitance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced capacitance area (resulting from close terminal electrode spacing) by utilizing the vertical dimension through multiple laminated layers. Internal conductors are arranged at different heights and lateral positions, creating multiple overlapping capacitance-forming regions that collectively provide sufficient total capacitance even when terminal electrodes are positioned close together to minimize current path length and ESL.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses ESL increase and achieves higher ESR, ensuring stable supply voltages and reduced noise across a wide frequency band, effectively addressing the challenges of increasing load currents and frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
the first portion of the first internal conductor is narrow and the first internal conductor has the thin portion. For this reason, the electric resistance of the first internal conductor is high and the ESR of the multilayer capacitor is also high.
Implementation Method 2
the main electrode portion of the third internal conductor overlaps with the main electrode portions of the second and fourth internal conductors... a capacitance is produced between the third internal conductor and the second internal conductor and another capacitance between the third internal conductor and the fourth internal conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A first internal conductor has a first portion. A second internal conductor has a lead portion and a main electrode portion. The second internal conductor is arranged in the same layer as the first internal conductor. A third internal conductor has a lead portion and a main electrode portion. The third internal conductor is arranged so as to be adjacent to the second internal conductor in a laminate direction. A fourth internal conductor has a lead portion and a main electrode portion. The fourth internal conductor is arranged so as to be adjacent to the third internal conductor in the laminate direction. When the laminate body is viewed from the laminate direction, the main electrode portion of the third internal conductor overlaps with the main electrode portions of the second and fourth internal conductors. A width of the first portion is smaller than a width of the main electrode portion of the second internal conductor in the longitudinal direction of the laminate body and a width of the main electrode portion of the second internal conductor in the transverse direction of the laminate body.