ESD Protection Device with Ceramic Multilayer Substrate and Mixture Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ESD protection devices are bulky due to the requirement of a significant space between discharge electrodes, making them difficult to miniaturize, and they suffer from short circuits and increased discharge starting voltage when subjected to repetitive high-voltage static electricity.
Innovation Solution
The ESD protection device incorporates a ceramic multilayer substrate with external electrodes acting as discharge electrodes, connected to in-plane and interlayer conductors, and a mixture portion containing metal and semiconductor materials, which reduces size, enhances discharge efficiency, and prevents overheating by dissipating heat externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discharge electrodes are disposed on both sides of the discharge space with sufficient spacing, then ESD protection function is achieved, but device size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the external electrode with one of the discharge electrodes, eliminating the need for separate discharge electrode structures. The external electrode is directly formed on the ceramic multilayer substrate and serves as one discharge electrode, while the other discharge electrode is formed on an internal layer. This integration reduces the number of components and allows for compact device design while maintaining adequate discharge spacing for ESD protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by disposing discharge electrodes on different layers of the ceramic multilayer substrate. One discharge electrode is formed on an external surface while the other is formed on an internal layer, creating a vertical discharge path. This layered approach allows for sufficient discharge spacing without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device, enabling size reduction while maintaining ESD protection capability.
2Volume of moving object
If discharge electrodes are closely spaced to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but discharge electrodes melt and short circuit under repetitive high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a ceramic multilayer substrate as the base material, which provides high thermal stability, electrical insulation, and mechanical strength. The ceramic material can withstand the high temperatures generated during repetitive discharge events without deforming or conducting electricity. This composite structure, combining ceramic substrate with metal electrode layers, enables the device to maintain structural integrity and electrical performance under repetitive high-voltage stress while allowing for compact dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If discharge electrodes are closely spaced to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but discharge starting voltage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a planar discharge configuration to a vertical layered configuration. By forming discharge electrodes on different layers of the ceramic multilayer substrate with sufficient vertical spacing, the device maintains an adequate discharge gap without increasing horizontal dimensions. This vertical arrangement allows for compact device size while preserving the electric field distribution necessary for achieving appropriate discharge starting voltage characteristics.
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 design allows for a compact ESD protection device with improved reliability and stable ESD characteristics, reducing the risk of short circuits and maintaining effective discharge performance even under repetitive high-voltage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
When a breakdown voltage is applied between the discharge electrodes 6, discharge is generated between the discharge electrodes of the ESD protection device, which leads the static electricity to the ground
Implementation Method 2
a ceramic multilayer substrate including a plurality of laminated insulating layers made of a ceramic material
Implementation Method 3
an in-plane connecting conductor arranged along a first principal surface of one of the insulating layers and an interlayer connecting conductor arranged so as to be disposed between the first principal surface and a second principal surface of the insulating layer, the in-plane connecting conductor and the interlayer connecting conductor having conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
An ESD protection device includes a ceramic multilayer substrate including a plurality of laminated insulating layers, an external electrode, at least one of an in-plane connecting conductor and an interlayer connecting conductor, and a mixture portion. The mixture portion is provided along a principal surface of one of the insulating layers and includes a dispersed material including at least one of metal and semiconductor; metal and ceramic; metal, semiconductor, and ceramic; semiconductor and ceramic; semiconductor; metal coated with an inorganic material; metal coated with an inorganic material and semiconductor; metal coated with an inorganic material and ceramic; and metal coated with an inorganic material, semiconductor, and ceramic. The mixture portion is connected to the external electrode and at least one of the in-plane connecting conductor and the interlayer connecting conductor.