Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode Pattern Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) face challenges in achieving high capacitance and mounting density while effectively canceling high-frequency noise, as their equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL) components can reduce the functionality of bypass capacitors, especially in compact electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer ceramic capacitor design featuring a ceramic body with internal electrodes having pattern and non-pattern portions, where the pattern portions are exposed and form metal oxide regions of specific width, and external electrodes are formed to enhance capacitance and mounting density, with a manufacturing method involving ceramic green sheets, lamination, firing, and oxidation to create these metal oxide regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the MLCC size is reduced to increase mounting density, then the mounting density is improved, but the capacitance and noise canceling function are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting densityVSAvoidcapacitance and noise canceling function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the lateral surfaces of the ceramic body to expose internal electrode pattern portions, transitioning from traditional end-surface-only exposure to multi-surface exposure. This dimensional change allows external electrodes to be positioned more efficiently in three-dimensional space, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining capacitance and noise canceling performance through optimized electrode geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the internal electrode pattern portions are exposed to reduce ESL, then the noise canceling function is improved, but the risk of short-circuit and capacity loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise canceling functionVSAvoidshort-circuit risk and capacity loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different treatments to different regions of the internal electrodes: pattern portions are exposed to form metal oxide regions for noise canceling, while non-pattern portions remain covered by dielectric layers for insulation. This local differentiation allows the same component to simultaneously achieve low ESL and prevent short-circuits through spatially varying properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful exposure of internal electrodes (which could lead to short-circuits) into a beneficial feature by forming metal oxide regions through controlled oxidation. These metal oxide regions reduce ESL and improve noise canceling function while the non-pattern portions maintain insulation, transforming a risk into a performance enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If metal oxide regions are formed to protect internal electrodes, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of internal electrodesVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates metal oxide region formation as an integrated step within the existing sintering process rather than as a separate post-processing step. The oxidation occurs during the high-temperature sintering stage when the ceramic body is already being formed, preliminary protecting the internal electrodes before final assembly. This preliminary action reduces manufacturing complexity by combining protection formation with the primary fabrication process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 increases capacitance and reduces equivalent series inductance, allowing for effective noise cancellation and improved mounting density, while the metal oxide regions protect internal electrodes and prevent short-circuits, maintaining capacity and stability.

Implementation Method 1

the metal oxide region may be formed by oxidizing metal included in the first and second internal electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS9218910B2Multilayer ceramic capacitor, manufacturing method of the same, and circuit board with multilayer ceramic capacitor mounted thereon

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including: a ceramic body including a dielectric layer; a first internal electrode having a first non-pattern portion and a first pattern portion having one end exposed to one or more of surfaces of the ceramic body; a second internal electrode having an overlap region with the first pattern portion with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween and having a second non-pattern portion and a second pattern portion having one end exposed to one or more of surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively, wherein the first and second pattern portions have a metal oxide region having a predetermined width from an exposed end portion of a region thereof not connected to the first or the second external electrode, among exposed end portions, toward a central portion thereof, respectively.