Recessed External Electrodes in Coil Components for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in miniaturizing coil electronic components is exacerbated by the thickness of external electrodes, which increases the size of the components and requires additional processing steps, such as plating, complicating the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A coil electronic component design featuring recesses on the body with internal external electrodes connected to lead-out portions, allowing for a compact structure with increased contact areas and reduced thickness, enabling miniaturization while improving manufacturing efficiency and structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive paste is applied to form external electrodes, then electrode thickness increases, but component thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external electrode is nested within a recess formed in the body of the coil component. The recess has a bottom surface and side surfaces, and the electrode is formed inside this cavity, allowing the electrode to be contained within the component's overall footprint rather than adding to its external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is formed in three dimensions within the recess volume, extending from the bottom surface toward the opening and along the side surfaces. This volumetric arrangement allows sufficient electrode thickness for conductivity while maintaining compact overall component thickness.
2Reliability
If plating process is used to form external electrodes, then electrode quality improves, but number of processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The formation of the recess and the formation of the external electrode are combined into a single integrated structure. The recess is formed first, then the electrode is formed within it in a continuous manufacturing flow, eliminating the need for separate plating resist preparation and plating steps that would otherwise be required.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess is formed in advance before the external electrode is formed. This preliminary structuring of the body creates a predefined cavity that guides subsequent electrode formation, ensuring proper electrode placement and shape without requiring additional masking or resist processes.
3Volume of moving object
If component size is reduced for miniaturization, then device density improves, but electrode shape appropriateness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is positioned at a specific location on the body surface, and the external electrode is formed with a shape specifically adapted to fit this recess. The electrode can have different thicknesses and shapes at different locations within the recess, optimizing its electrical properties while maintaining compact component dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A coil electronic component includes a body having one surface and the other surface, opposing each other, and a plurality of wall surfaces respectively connecting the one surface and the other surface of the body, first and second recesses, respectively formed in both end surfaces of the body opposing each other among the plurality of wall surfaces of the body, extending to the one surface of the body, a wound coil, embedded in the body, including first and second lead-out portions, a first external electrode disposed along an internal wall of the first recess and the one surface of the body and connected to the first lead-out portion, and a second external electrode disposed along an internal wall of the second recess and the one surface of the body and connected to the first lead-out portion. The first and second external electrodes are spaced apart from each other.