Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode Thickness Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors face an imbalance in current density between internal electrodes due to varying distances from the mounting board, leading to reliability issues as components are miniaturized and high capacitance is demanded.
Innovation Solution
The multilayer electronic component design includes internal electrodes of varying thicknesses, with the thickest electrode on one outermost side and the thinnest on the opposing side, and each intermediate electrode having a thickness equal to or greater than its adjacent electrode, or electrodes that gradually decrease in thickness from one outermost side to the other, to distribute current density evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of laminated internal electrodes is increased to achieve high capacitance, then capacitance is improved, but current density imbalance between internal electrodes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of internal electrodes based on their position. Internal electrodes adjacent to the mounting board are made thicker to compensate for current concentration, while those farther away are thinner. This localized adjustment of electrode thickness addresses the current density imbalance problem while maintaining high capacitance through increased electrode count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of electrode thickness to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the thickness parameter of internal electrodes according to their position in the lamination stack, the patent optimizes current distribution. Specifically, electrodes closer to the mounting board have greater thickness to handle higher current density, while distant electrodes have reduced thickness, thereby balancing current flow across all electrodes.
2Quantity of substance
If internal electrodes are disposed at different distances from the mounting board to increase capacitance, then electrical path deviation increases, but current concentration in adjacent internal electrodes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making internal electrodes adjacent to the mounting board thicker than those farther away. This localized thickness variation compensates for the current concentration effect caused by shorter electrical paths near the mounting board, thereby reducing harmful current concentration while maintaining the multi-layer high-capacitance structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by using increased electrode thickness near the mounting board to counterbalance the current concentration effect. The thicker electrodes act as a compensatory measure that offsets the harmful current concentration caused by shorter electrical paths, thereby achieving more uniform current distribution across all internal electrodes.
3Volume of moving object
If component size is reduced for miniaturization, then mounting ease is improved, but current density imbalance between internal electrodes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains miniaturization while addressing current density imbalance by applying local quality through position-dependent electrode thickness. Even in a compact multilayer structure, electrodes near the mounting board are made thicker than those farther away, enabling the patent to achieve both small size and reduced current density imbalance through localized structural optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer electronic component includes a body including a dielectric layer and a plurality of internal electrodes laminated with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; and an external electrode disposed on the body and connected to the plurality of internal electrodes. The plurality of internal electrodes includes two or more internal electrodes having different thicknesses, a most thick internal electrode having a greatest thickness and a least thick internal electrode having a lowest thickness among the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed on first and second outermost sides opposing each other in a lamination direction of the plurality of internal electrodes. Each internal electrode disposed between the most thick internal electrode and the least thick internal electrode has a thickness the same as or greater than a thickness of an adjacent internal electrode, which is adjacent to that internal electrode in the lamination direction toward the second outermost side.