Miniature Coil Terminal Electrode Anchoring for Secure Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coil components, particularly of miniature size, face issues with terminal electrodes not being adequately fixed to the core, leading to potential detachment when mounted on a substrate.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an anchor part into the terminal electrodes that is lodged in the core, such as being caught in gaps between core particles or extending outside the electrode's peripheral surface, ensures secure fixation of the terminal electrodes to the core.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the terminal electrodes are made small for miniaturization, then the size of the coil component is reduced, but the terminal electrodes become inadequately fixed to the core and may come off during mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of coil componentVSAvoidfixation strength of terminal electrode to core

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal electrode is segmented into two functional parts: the electrode main body part that provides electrical connection, and the anchor part that provides mechanical fixation. This segmentation allows the electrode to fulfill both electrical and mechanical functions without increasing overall size, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and fixation strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor part is nested within the core structure, extending from the electrode main body part and being lodged in the core. This nesting approach allows the anchor part to utilize the core's internal space for fixation without adding external dimensions, maintaining miniaturization while improving fixation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the anchor part extends outside the peripheral surface of the electrode main body part, then fixation to the core is improved, but the footprint of the component increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strength of terminal electrode to coreVSAvoidfootprint of coil component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor part extends in the thickness direction (vertical dimension) rather than expanding the footprint (horizontal dimension). By utilizing the Z-axis dimension to lodge into the core, the design achieves strong fixation without increasing the X-Y plane area, resolving the contradiction between fixation strength and footprint size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If plating is applied to the electrode main body part, then electrical conductivity is improved, but plating solution may infiltrate the interface between the electrode and core causing solder popping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivity of terminal electrodeVSAvoidsolder popping during mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor part serves as an intermediary structure that covers the interface between the electrode main body part and the core. This intermediary element prevents plating solution from reaching and infiltrating the interface, thereby eliminating the cause of solder popping while allowing plating to proceed on the electrode surface for good electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12548709B2Coil component

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A coil component includes a core, terminal electrodes, and a wire. The core includes a winding core and a pair of flanges. Each flange of the pair of flanges is disposed on the corresponding one of two ends of the winding core. The terminal electrodes are at the flanges. The wire is wound around the winding core. Two ends of the wire are electrically connected to the respective terminal electrodes. The terminal electrodes each include an electrode main body part and an anchor part that extends from the electrode main body part and is lodged in the core.