Laminated Capacitor Integrated Connector Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control apparatuses with built-in capacitors face challenges in size and weight due to increased functionality, and difficulty in precisely adjusting capacitor capacitances in connectors with laminated capacitors formed through sintering processes.

Innovation Solution

A laminated capacitor design where terminal dielectric sheets and ground dielectric sheets with printed circuit patterns are alternately laminated, allowing for easy adjustment of capacitor capacitances by modifying electrode patterns, integrated into a connector to connect electronic components and external devices or wires, enabling a compact and lightweight solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of input/output terminals is increased to improve control apparatus functionality, then the control functionality is improved, but the size and weight of the control apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidcontrol apparatus weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the connector by integrating capacitors directly into its structure. The connector housing incorporates capacitor mounting portions that electrically connect power source terminals and earth terminals through built-in capacitors, allowing noise filtering functionality to be merged with the connection function, thereby avoiding additional separate capacitor components and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both connection and noise filtering capabilities. The connector housing serves as both a mechanical connector and a housing for noise-filtering capacitors, while the circuit board integrates both signal routing and capacitor mounting functions, allowing a single component to perform multiple roles and reduce the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional sintering processes are used to form laminated capacitors, then the capacitor structure is formed, but precise adjustment of capacitor capacitances becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor formationVSAvoidcapacitance adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor mounting portions are pre-formed on the circuit board with specific geometries and positions before the capacitors are mounted. These pre-formed structures include conductive patterns and mounting areas that are designed in advance to achieve the desired capacitance values, allowing precise capacitance control to be built into the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls capacitor capacitance by varying geometric parameters of the conductor patterns and dielectric structures. By changing the area, thickness, or spacing of conductive layers and dielectric materials in the pre-formed capacitor mounting portions, precise capacitance values are achieved directly during manufacturing without requiring traditional sintering processes or post-fabrication adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The design allows for easy adjustment of capacitor capacitances and results in a smaller, lighter control apparatus and connector, effectively addressing the size and weight issues while maintaining high functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a laminated capacitor in which a terminal dielectric sheet on which a terminal circuit pattern is printed and a ground dielectric sheet on which a ground circuit pattern is printed are alternately laminated into one body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the capacitors block or reduce noise and static electricity which are caused by operations of a motor and an injector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3000664B1Control apparatus, connector, and laminated capacitor for connector
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP3000664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3000664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3000664B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provide are a control apparatus, a connector, and a laminated capacitor for connector which are small and light and in which the capacitor capacitances on the terminals can be easily adjusted. A laminated capacitor 113 is integrally formed by laminating: a terminal dielectric sheet 123a on which is printed a terminal circuit pattern P10a having terminal connecting patterns P12a electrically connected to a plurality of connection terminals 111 and terminal-side electrode patterns P11a connected to the terminal connecting patterns P12a; and a ground dielectric sheet 123b on which is printed a ground circuit pattern P10b having ground-side electrode patterns P11b disposed to face the terminal-side electrode patterns P11a and a ground pattern P12b connected to the ground-side electrode patterns P11b.