Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Internal Electrode Shielding for Arc-Over Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors face challenges in achieving high voltage breakdown and resistance to arc-over, with existing solutions either reducing capacitance or being costly and incompatible with certain electronic applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates internal electrode shields extending inwardly from the ceramic capacitor body to provide shielding, including top, bottom, and side shields, which help prevent arc-over and enhance voltage breakdown while maintaining high capacitance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a series design with floating electrodes is used to reduce internal voltage, then voltage breakdown resistance is improved, but effective overlap area is reduced and capacitance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is divided into multiple functional zones: active electrode regions for capacitance storage and shield electrode regions for voltage breakdown protection. The electrodes are segmented into alternating active and shield layers, allowing independent optimization of capacitance and voltage resistance without trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the capacitor have different functions: inner regions contain active electrodes for high capacitance with full overlap area, while outer regions contain shield electrodes for voltage breakdown protection. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both capacitance and voltage resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If exposed electrodes are used to simplify structure, then manufacturing is easier, but arc-over resistance decreases and corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Shield electrodes serve as intermediary elements between the active electrodes and the external environment. These shield electrodes prevent direct exposure of active electrodes to arcs and corrosive environments, while maintaining the simplified monolithic structure without requiring additional coating processes.
3Reliability
If organic coating is applied to prevent surface flashover, then arc-over resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and compatibility with circuit board assembly processes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor structure provides its own arc-over protection through the integrated shield electrode system, eliminating the need for external organic coatings. The shield electrodes inherently prevent surface flashover paths, making the capacitor self-protecting and compatible with standard electronic manufacturing processes.
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 solution effectively increases the voltage breakdown of multilayer ceramic capacitors, minimizes arc-over occurrences, and allows for miniaturization of circuits while maintaining high capacitance, with improved manufacturing convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
internal electrode shields within the ceramic capacitor body to thereby assist in providing resistance to arc-over
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitor includes a ceramic capacitor body having opposite ends and comprised of a plurality of electrode layers and dielectric layers and first and second external terminals attached to the ceramic capacitor body. The internal active electrodes within the ceramic capacitor body are configured in an alternating manner. Internal electrode shields within the ceramic capacitor body are used to assist in providing resistance to arc-over. The shields can include a top internal electrode shield and an opposite bottom internal electrode shield wherein the top internal electrode shield and the opposite bottom internal electrode shield are on opposite sides of the plurality of internal active electrodes and each internal electrode shield extends inwardly to or beyond a corresponding external terminal to thereby provide shielding. Side shields are used. The capacitor provides improved resistance to arc-over, high voltage breakdown in air, and allows for small case size.