Electronic Component Code Formation via Metal Particle Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in confirming the history of electronic components, preventing mechanical strength degradation, and ensuring accurate traceability, especially for small components and those with complex manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

The development of an electronic component with metal particles or recesses forming a code on the element body, along with a manufacturing method using a probe to deposit metal particles or form recesses, and a traceability system that reads these codes to determine treatment methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a code is formed by scraping the element body with laser processing, then traceability is improved, but mechanical strength decreases and contamination adsorption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraceability accuracyVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The code formation process is extracted from the element body scraping operation. Instead of removing material from the element body, the code is formed by depositing metal particles on the surface or forming recesses in the green sheet, separating the traceability function from the structural integrity of the component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The code is formed in advance during the manufacturing process, specifically in the green sheet stage before firing. This preliminary action allows traceability to be established before the component undergoes subsequent processing steps that could affect its mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If laser scraping is used to form a code, then identification accuracy is improved, but appearance defects and contamination adsorption occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidappearance defect and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The green sheet material, which is soft and easily deformable, is converted from a potential source of deformation issues into a beneficial medium for code formation. The code is formed by pressing or dissolving the green sheet, and any deformation during firing actually helps the code conform to the final component shape without affecting readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of time

If code processing is performed on unfired green sheet, then traceability is established early, but deformation after firing may deteriorate identification accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraceability establishment timingVSAvoididentification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The physical state and properties of the green sheet are utilized during code formation, and the code's characteristics are allowed to change with the material during firing. The code transitions from being formed in the soft green sheet to being embedded in the fired component, with its dimensions and position adjusting to match the final component geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional printing or coating methods are used, then code formation is simple, but the area required is too large for small components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode formation simplicityVSAvoidcode area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Conventional mechanical printing and coating systems are replaced with a probe-based system that uses localized pressing or dissolution of the green sheet. This substitution enables code formation with much finer resolution and smaller area requirements, making it suitable for small electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution effectively suppresses mechanical strength degradation, enhances traceability, and prevents counterfeit labeling, while allowing for accurate identification and treatment of electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

applying a voltage between an external electrode of the electronic component and the electrode in a state where the meniscus is formed to deposit a metal particle on the element body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrodeposition: Electrodeposition

Implementation Method 2

dissolving a part of the element body in a state where the meniscus is formed to form a recess on the element body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentUS20250173533A1Electronic component, method for manufacturing electronic component, and traceability system

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic component including an element body and external electrodes provided on the element body, in which metal particles having a particle radius of 10 nm or more and 1000 nm or less are disposed on the element body so as to form a code.