Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Auxiliary Electrode Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors face issues with positional deviations of inner electrodes during manufacturing, leading to reduced capacitance generation and mounting stability, and compromised moisture resistance reliability due to the stacking of a large number of inner electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a ceramic body with inner electrodes and dielectric layers, where auxiliary electrodes are strategically placed between main and end surfaces, and the thickness of extension portions of inner electrodes is varied to minimize positional deviations, with boundary layers containing Mg and Mn to enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of inner electrodes is increased to achieve higher capacitance, then capacitance generation is improved, but the distance between inner electrodes and ceramic body surfaces is reduced causing fatal reduction in moisture resistance reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces auxiliary electrodes arranged in a different spatial dimension (at different positions along the stacking direction) to provide additional capacitance generation paths. This allows increasing the effective capacitance without necessarily increasing the number of inner electrodes in the conventional stacking direction, thereby maintaining adequate spacing and moisture resistance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrode structure into multiple types: first inner electrodes extending to the first end surface, second inner electrodes extending to the second end surface, and auxiliary electrodes positioned between main surfaces and inner electrodes. This segmentation creates multiple independent capacitance generation regions, allowing flexible design that maintains reliability while achieving higher capacitance.
2Manufacturing precision
If inner electrodes are stacked in multiple steps to achieve precise positioning, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the number of manufacturing steps increases causing productivity deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs homogeneous conductive paste composition and uniform stacking procedures for all electrode layers (first inner electrodes, second inner electrodes, and auxiliary electrodes). This homogeneity allows all electrode types to be manufactured using the same process parameters and stacking methods, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps for different electrode types and thereby maintaining high productivity while achieving precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking structure is designed so that first inner electrodes, second inner electrodes, and auxiliary electrodes can all be formed using the same stacking process and equipment. The universal stacking method applies to all electrode types, reducing the need for specialized manufacturing steps and improving overall manufacturing efficiency while maintaining positioning precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In a multilayer ceramic capacitor including outer electrodes electrically connected to inner electrodes of a ceramic body, a thickness of each of end portions of extension portions of the inner electrodes in a width direction is larger than a thickness of a corresponding one of middle regions in the width direction, and a distance from a first main surface of the ceramic body to a first auxiliary electrode closest to the first main surface is different from a distance from a second main surface of the ceramic body to a second auxiliary electrode closest to the second main surface in a stacking direction. Each of the first auxiliary electrode and the second auxiliary electrode has a continuity in the width direction of about 60% or more.