External Electrode Protective Structure for Defect-Free Ceramic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a demand for significantly reducing defects in the coating layer of ceramic electronic components, particularly in the peripheral portion of external terminal electrodes.

Innovation Solution

The electronic component design includes a protective member that surrounds the base layer of the external electrode without projecting below the lower surface, featuring a depressed portion that overlaps with the protective member, reducing the risk of defects and facilitating plating layer formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the protective member projects below the lower surface to enhance protection, then the protective function is improved, but the risk of collision with circuit boards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective functionVSAvoidcollision with circuit board

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the protective member protrude outward to provide protection, the invention inverts the approach by ensuring the protective member does not project below the lower surface. The protection is achieved through the protective member being positioned at or above the lower surface level, eliminating the collision risk while maintaining protective function through alternative structural arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the coating layer is applied to the peripheral portion of the external terminal electrode, then the protection of the electrode is improved, but defects in the coating layer occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of external electrodeVSAvoiddefect of coating layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces the protective member as an intermediary element between the external electrode and the environment. This protective member, positioned along the external edge of the base layer, provides the necessary protection without requiring a coating layer that is prone to defects. The protective member acts as a mediator that fulfills the protective function while avoiding the manufacturing issues associated with coating layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the protective member surrounds the base layer completely, then the protection coverage is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by positioning the protective member specifically along the external edge of the base layer where protection is most needed. Rather than uniformly surrounding or covering the entire base layer with a complex structure, the protective member is strategically placed at the critical edge region, providing effective protection while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260018335A1Electronic component

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic component includes a component main body, an external electrode, and a protective member. The component main body has a lower surface. The external electrode includes a base layer. The base layer is in contact with the lower surface. The protective member is in contact with the lower surface and the base layer, is along an external edge of the base layer so as to surround the base layer, and does not project in a down direction below the lower surface.