Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode with Voids for Impact Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Multilayer ceramic capacitors produced by existing methods are susceptible to impact and do not meet desired characteristics, lacking sufficient resistance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The electronic component features a laminated body with fired electrode layers, where the surface state is modified by applying a conductive paste, baking, and a surface treatment process involving vibration energy to form regions with varying densities of metal and voids, including a dense second region on the surface for improved impact resistance and plating adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conductive paste is applied and sintered to form an external electrode, then the electrode is formed on the laminated body, but the resulting capacitor is susceptible to impact and does not satisfy characteristic requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidelectrode formation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fired electrode layer is designed with non-uniform composition: a first region containing voids and glass for shock absorption, and a second region with smaller amounts of voids and glass for adhesion. This local differentiation allows the electrode to simultaneously provide impact resistance and manufacturing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fired electrode layer is formed as a composite material containing metal particles, glass, and voids. The combination of these components creates a structure that absorbs impact energy while maintaining adhesion to the laminated body, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the fired electrode layer contains voids and glass for impact absorption, then impact resistance is improved, but the surface state may compromise plating adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidplating adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fired electrode layer is designed with non-uniform composition: a first region containing voids and glass for shock absorption, and a second region with smaller amounts of voids and glass for adhesion. This local differentiation allows the electrode to simultaneously provide impact resistance and manufacturing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fired electrode layer is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a first region for impact absorption and a second region for plating adhesion. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the surface of the fired electrode layer is made dense for better plating adhesion, then manufacturing precision is improved, but impact resistance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplating adhesionVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fired electrode layer is designed with non-uniform composition: a first region containing voids and glass for shock absorption, and a second region with smaller amounts of voids and glass for adhesion. This local differentiation allows the electrode to simultaneously provide impact resistance and manufacturing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fired electrode layer is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a first region for impact absorption and a second region for plating adhesion. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 modified surface state enhances impact resistance, reduces chipping and cracking, and improves the reliability and moisture resistance of the multilayer ceramic capacitors, while ensuring effective plating continuity and adhesion.

Implementation Method 1

the conductive paste is sintered

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 2

a surface treatment process involving vibration energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10497516B2Electronic component with external electrodes including a fired electrode layer including glass and voids

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic component includes a laminated body including first and second end surfaces, first and second side surfaces, and first and second principal surfaces, a first fired electrode layer on the first end surface, and a second fired electrode layer on the second end surface; a first external electrode on the first end surface; and a second external electrode on the second end surface. The first external electrode includes a first fired electrode layer, the second external electrode includes a second fired electrode layer, each of the first and second fired electrode layers includes a first region on the laminated body and a second region covering the first region, the first region includes voids and glass, and the second region includes less voids and glass than in the first region.