Surface-Mount Component Terminal Protrusion Mounting Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Downsized surface-mount two-terminal electronic components often experience deviation in mounting position due to misalignment of solder resist on the substrate, particularly in the short side direction.

Innovation Solution

The surface-mount electronic component features terminal electrodes with a main area extending in the short side direction and a protruding part at the center, which protrudes to the end of the mounting surface in the long side direction. These terminal electrodes are designed to align with land patterns on the substrate, ensuring proper positioning during mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the electronic component is downsized, then the component size is reduced, but the mounting position deviation in the short side direction becomes more conspicuous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent sizeVSAvoidmounting position deviation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal electrode is divided into a main area extending in the short side direction and a protruding part extending in the long side direction. This segmentation allows the protruding part to serve as a positioning feature that prevents mounting position deviation in the short side direction, while the main area provides the necessary electrical connection surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal electrode structure extends into the long side direction with a protruding part, adding a dimensional feature that provides positioning capability. This protruding part creates an overlap region with the land pattern that acts as a mechanical stop, preventing deviation in the short side direction through dimensional interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the terminal electrode covers the entire width in the short side direction, then the electrical connection is maximized, but the mounting position deviation is not suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmounting position deviation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal electrode is segmented into a main area that extends across the short side direction for electrical connection and a protruding part that extends in the long side direction for positioning. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the terminal electrode have different functions: the main area provides electrical connection with maximum width, while the protruding part provides positioning functionality. This local differentiation of quality allows the terminal electrode to simultaneously achieve reliable electrical connection and suppress mounting position deviation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the solder resist is misaligned, then the manufacturing tolerance is within range, but the mounting position deviation becomes conspicuous for downsized components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolder resist alignment toleranceVSAvoidmounting position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding part of the terminal electrode is designed to preemptively counteract the effects of solder resist misalignment. By extending into the long side direction, it creates a positioning mechanism that compensates for potential deviations in the short side direction before mounting occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding part acts as an intermediary element between the terminal electrode and the land pattern. It creates an overlap region that serves as a mechanical stop, mediating the relationship between the component and substrate to prevent mounting position deviation even when solder resist alignment is not perfect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12273999B2Surface-mount electronic component and circuit board having the same

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 TDK CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a surface-mount electronic component that includes a main body part having a mounting surface, a first terminal electrode provided on one end side of the mounting surface in a long side direction thereof, and a second terminal electrode provided on other end side of the mounting surface in the long side direction thereof. Each of the first and second terminal electrode includes a main area extending in a short side direction of the mounting surface and a protruding part provided at a center portion in the short side direction so as to protrude from the main area to an end portion of the mounting surface in the long side direction.