Laminated Ceramic Component Plating Electrode Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated ceramic capacitors face challenges in reducing size while maintaining insulation resistance and capacitance due to thick external electrodes formed by conductive paste, which leads to increased size and variations in electrical properties when using plating methods, and thick film portions can cause insulation resistance issues.
Innovation Solution
A laminated ceramic electronic component design with thick film portions at internal electrode exposures, where external electrodes are formed by plating, ensuring sufficient thickness and bonding strength, and specific geometric relationships between electrode extensions and ceramic layers to minimize variations in insulation resistance and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external electrodes are formed by applying conductive paste, then bonding strength is increased, but external dimensions are increased due to thick external electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the internal electrode: the exposed portion has increased thickness (thick film portion) to provide bonding strength, while the embedded portion maintains normal thickness. This local differentiation allows the thick film to be positioned only where needed for bonding, without increasing the overall external dimensions of the component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from forming external electrodes on the end surfaces (0-dimensional point contact) to forming thick film portions on the side surfaces where internal electrodes are exposed (1-dimensional linear contact). This dimensional change increases the bonding area and strength without proportionally increasing the external dimensions.
2Length of stationary object
If plating method is used to form external electrodes, then external dimensions are reduced, but fixing strength of external electrodes is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a thick film portion specifically at the exposed portion of the internal electrode where the plating will be applied. This localized thickness enhancement provides a stronger base for the plating film, improving fixing strength without requiring the entire external electrode structure to be thicker, thus maintaining reduced external dimensions.
3Strength
If thick film portion is provided at internal electrode exposure, then bonding strength is increased, but variations in insulation resistance occur due to blurred inner ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions to define the boundaries of the thick film portion before the thickening process. By pre-forming a pattern that defines the exact extent of the thick film portion, the inner ends are clearly demarcated before thickness increase, preventing blur or indistinct boundaries that would cause insulation resistance variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the internal electrode into distinct segments: the thick film portion at the exposed end and the normal thickness portion embedded in the ceramic. This segmentation with clear boundaries between regions prevents the blur effect that occurs in continuous structures, thereby maintaining consistent insulation resistance.
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
The design achieves a compact and stable laminated ceramic component with reduced variations in electrical properties by ensuring sufficient thickness and bonding strength of external electrodes, while maintaining reduced size and capacitance.
Implementation Method 1
A plating film is deposited on exposed portions 102a and 103a of the internal electrodes 102 and 103, and then grown.
Data Source
AI summary
A laminated ceramic electronic component includes first internal electrodes and second internal electrodes that overlap each other through ceramic layers, each of the first and second internal electrodes having first and second effective portions, first and second connecting portions, and first and second extended portions whose film thickness is greater than that of the first and second connecting portions and which are exposed at the outer surface of a ceramic element assembly. When distances from side surfaces of the ceramic assembly on which first and second external electrodes are provided to the inner edges of the first and second extended portions are defined as L1 and L2, respectively, and a distance between side surfaces and the end of the second internal electrode or the end of the first internal electrode is defined as G2 or G1, G2>L1 and G1>L2 are satisfied.