Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode Bending Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multilayer ceramic capacitors are prone to short-circuiting due to internal electrode bending caused by height differences between the internal electrode and dielectric layers, leading to reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a bent portion where dielectric layers and internal electrodes are bent within specific dimensions, located in a region away from the effective area, with external electrodes comprising Ni and Sn layers to prevent contact between adjacent internal electrodes, reducing the likelihood of short-circuiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the internal electrode layer has a smaller two-dimensional area than the dielectric layer, then the capacitor structure is more compact, but the internal electrode may bend due to height difference and short-circuiting may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the height difference issue by extending the internal electrode in the width direction beyond the dielectric layer boundaries. This dimensional extension allows the electrode to reach the side surfaces where external electrodes are formed, eliminating the need for vertical bending while maintaining compactness. The electrode pattern is designed to extend beyond the dielectric layer projection area, creating a planar solution rather than a vertical one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prevents short-circuiting by pre-positioning the external electrodes on the side surfaces at locations that correspond to where the internal electrode extends. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the internal electrode is formed extending beyond the dielectric layer, it naturally connects to the external electrodes without bending or contact with adjacent electrodes, thus preventing short-circuits before they can occur.
2Reliability
If the internal electrode extends to the side surface of the multilayer body, then connection to external electrode is improved, but bending of internal electrode may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the internal electrode to bend vertically to reach the side surface, the patent extends the electrode horizontally in the width direction beyond the dielectric layer boundaries. This planar extension in another dimension eliminates the need for vertical bending while achieving the same connection objective. The electrode maintains a flat, bent-free configuration by utilizing the width direction space.
3Ease of manufacture
If external electrodes are formed on end surfaces only, then manufacturing is simpler, but electrode connection and reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side surfaces of the multilayer body serve dual functions: they provide mechanical support and structural stability, and simultaneously serve as mounting surfaces for external electrodes. By utilizing the side surfaces for electrode formation, the patent enhances electrical connection reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, as the side surface electrode formation follows similar steps to end surface electrode formation.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including dielectric layers and layered internal electrodes, first and second main surfaces, first and second side surfaces, first and second end surfaces, and an external electrode connected to the internal electrodes and provided on each of the first and second end surfaces. A region where the internal electrodes are superimposed is defined as an effective region, regions respectively located on sides of the first and second end surfaces relative to the effective region are defined as first and second regions, and a bent portion where the dielectric layers and the internal electrodes are bent is located in the first region. In the bent portion, all vertices in the stacking direction are located within a range that extends by about 25 μm to about 35 μm in a length direction from the effective region of the multilayer body.