Electronic Component Direction Identification via Light Transmissivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying the direction of electronic components, such as using markers or X-rays, increase costs due to the need for additional steps or equipment.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component design featuring an insulator portion with regions of different light transmissivity, including a conductor-containing layer and non-conductor layers with varying transmissivity, allowing direction identification using visible or infrared light without the need for additional facilities or costly equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a marker is provided on the electronic component to identify the direction, then the direction identification is achieved, but the cost increases due to the need for the step of forming the marker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection identification accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator portion is designed with regions of different light transmissivity (transparent and opaque regions) at specific locations. This local differentiation in optical properties enables direction identification without requiring additional markers, as the transparent region allows light to pass through while the opaque region blocks light, creating a visible distinction for orientation detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator portion itself serves the dual function of electrical insulation and direction identification. By incorporating transparent and opaque regions directly into the insulator structure, the component identifies its own direction without requiring external markers or additional facilities, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If an X ray is used to examine through the electronic component to identify the direction, then the direction identification is achieved, but the cost increases due to the need for an apparatus for emitting the X ray and a protection for blocking the X ray

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection identification accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex X-ray examination system with a simple visible light transmission method. The transparent and opaque regions in the insulator portion allow direction identification using ordinary light sources and cameras, eliminating the need for expensive X-ray emission apparatus and protective shielding while maintaining sufficient identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator portion utilizes optical property differences (transparent vs. opaque regions) that can be detected by visible light. This approach类似于 color or transparency changes, enabling direction identification through simple optical detection rather than complex X-ray imaging, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of manufacture

If regions with different transmissivities are formed in the insulator portion, then the direction identification becomes possible without additional facilities, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost reductionVSAvoidinsulator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the direction identification function with the insulator portion structure itself. The transparent and opaque regions are integrated into the insulator's design, combining structural support, insulation, and identification functions into a single component, thereby avoiding additional facilities while the complexity is managed through design integration rather than separate assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables cost-effective identification of the direction of electronic components by utilizing differences in light transmissivity, reducing the need for expensive equipment and facilities, while maintaining accurate direction determination.

Implementation Method 1

an insulator portion having a plurality of surfaces, the insulator portion including a plurality of regions having different transmissivities of a light beam entering one of the plurality of surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmissivity difference: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10636557B2Electronic component

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 TAIYO YUDEN KK

AI summary

One object of the present invention is to enable identification of the direction of an electronic component, while suppressing increase in cost. The present invention provides an electronic component comprising: an insulator portion having a plurality of surfaces (e.g., a top surface, a bottom surface, end surfaces, and side surfaces), the insulator portion including a plurality of regions having different transmissivities of a light beam entering one of the plurality of surfaces (e.g., a top surface, a bottom surface, end surfaces, and side surfaces); an internal conductor portion provided in the insulator portion; and external electrodes provided on the insulator portion and electrically connected to the internal conductor portion.