Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode Layout for High Voltage Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors with series configurations face a trade-off between high voltage resistance and capacitance, where increasing capacitance often requires larger sizes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates first and second internal electrode layers with extension portions connecting to external electrodes, and intermediate electrode layers that form series-connected capacitor elements without extending to the ends, allowing for higher capacitance without increasing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a series configuration is used to improve voltage resistance, then voltage resistance is improved, but capacitance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is divided into multiple capacitor elements connected in series, with intermediate electrode layers segmented to extend toward the first and second end surfaces. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to voltage resistance while the extended intermediate electrodes create additional counter portions that increase overall capacitance through optimized electric field distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate electrode layers are designed to extend in the lamination direction toward the end surfaces, creating additional overlapping areas (counter portions) between adjacent internal electrode layers. This dimensional extension in the lamination direction increases the effective capacitance-generating area without increasing the planar footprint of the capacitor.
2Quantity of substance
If the size of the multilayer ceramic capacitor is increased to increase capacitance, then capacitance increases, but the physical dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate electrode layers have different extension characteristics: they extend toward the end surfaces to form larger counter portions with adjacent internal electrode layers, creating local areas of increased capacitance density. This local quality enhancement increases overall capacitance without requiring a proportional increase in the total volume of the capacitor.
Solution Approach 2:
Capacitance is increased by utilizing the lamination direction more effectively. The intermediate electrode layers extend in the lamination direction to create additional overlapping areas, transforming the capacitance enhancement from a planar expansion problem to a layered stacking solution, thereby increasing capacitance without increasing planar dimensions.
3Quantity of substance
If intermediate electrode layers are extended to increase capacitance, then capacitance increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate electrode layers are segmented into different functional portions: extension portions that extend toward the end surfaces to form counter portions, and connection portions that maintain electrical continuity. This segmentation is achieved through standard printing and firing processes, making the complex geometry manufacturable using conventional techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate electrode layers serve multiple functions: they provide electrical connection between adjacent capacitor elements, create additional counter portions to increase capacitance, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified manufacturing process that forms all these features in a single printing and firing cycle, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Provided are multilayer ceramic capacitors that are each able to increase the capacitance without increasing the size of the multilayer ceramic capacitor, even in multilayer ceramic capacitors each with high voltage resistance specifications. In a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, a plurality of internal electrode layers include first internal electrode layers 31, second internal electrode layers 32, and intermediate electrode layers 33. At least a portion of each of the intermediate electrode layers 33 has a coverage higher than the coverage of a region of a first counter portion 31A of each of the first internal electrode layers 31 adjacent to the first end surface LS1, and a coverage higher than the coverage of a region of the second counter portion 32A of each of the second internal electrode layers 32 adjacent to the second end surface LS2.