MLCC Cover Electrode Layout for Lower Equivalent Series Inductance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) face challenges in achieving low equivalent series inductance (ESL) at high frequencies, leading to increased mounting area and production time when connected in parallel.
Innovation Solution
The multilayer electronic component incorporates a body with a dielectric layer and alternately disposed internal electrodes, featuring external electrodes connected to the internal electrodes and cover electrodes with larger dimensions than the internal electrodes, positioned closer to the surface than the opposing surfaces, to create a shortened current conduction path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MLCCs are connected in parallel to lower ESL, then equivalent series inductance is reduced, but mounting area increases and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal electrodes are segmented into multiple sections along the current conduction path, with each section having different widths. The first internal electrode has a first width, the second internal electrode has a second width greater than the first, and the third internal electrode has a third width greater than the second. This segmentation allows the current to flow through progressively wider conductive paths, reducing inductance without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional current path to a multi-dimensional conductive structure by varying the width of internal electrodes in the second direction (perpendicular to the current flow direction). This creates a tapered or expanded conductive path that reduces inductance by providing multiple parallel current flow paths within a single component footprint.
2Reliability
If MLCCs are connected in parallel to lower ESL, then equivalent series inductance is reduced, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode structures into a single integrated multilayer component. Instead of using separate MLCCs connected in parallel, the invention combines multiple internal electrodes with varying widths within one component, achieving the same ESL reduction effect that would otherwise require multiple discrete components and their interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal electrodes are segmented into multiple sections along the current conduction path, with each section having different widths. The first internal electrode has a first width, the second internal electrode has a second width greater than the first, and the third internal electrode has a third width greater than the second. This segmentation allows the current to flow through progressively wider conductive paths, reducing inductance without requiring multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If cover electrode size is increased beyond internal electrode size, then current conduction path is shortened and ESL is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover electrode is designed with non-uniform width along the first direction, creating different local conductive properties. The width varies from the first end to the second end, providing optimized current distribution at different locations. This local variation in electrode geometry allows for reduced ESL while maintaining manufacturability through standard printing and sintering processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer electronic component includes: a body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes alternately disposed in a first direction while having the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; and first and second external electrodes disposed on opposite surfaces of the body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the body includes a main portion in which the first and second internal electrodes are alternately disposed in the first direction, a first cover portion disposed on one surface of the main portion in the first direction, and a second cover portion disposed on the other surface of the main portion in the first direction, one of the first and second cover portions includes a cover electrode whose average size in the second direction is larger than that of the first or second internal electrode.