MLCC External Electrode Plated Layer Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for forming external electrodes in miniaturized multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) face challenges such as increased mounting area and contact defects due to the shrinking size, leading to higher equivalent series inductance (ESL) and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The capacitor component employs a structure with first and second external electrodes including a connection metal layer, ceramic layer, and metal layer, sequentially disposed on the body, with the plated layer extended to contact the end surfaces of these layers, preventing contact defects and improving sealing characteristics, while maintaining miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of MLCC is reduced according to miniaturization demand, then the capacitor component achieves smaller size, but the external electrodes may contact with each other causing reliability problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the plated layer in the first direction (length direction) beyond the end surfaces of the metal layer, creating an overlapping structure where the plated layer of one external electrode overlaps with the plated layer of the adjacent external electrode. This dimensional extension in the length direction provides electrical isolation and prevents contact between adjacent external electrodes while maintaining compact width and height dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plated layer serves as an intermediary structure between adjacent external electrodes. By extending the plated layer beyond the metal layer boundaries, it creates an intermediate protective zone that electrically isolates adjacent electrodes and prevents direct contact, thereby ensuring reliability in miniaturized capacitors.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional external electrode forming method is used in miniaturized MLCC, then manufacturing is simpler, but contact defects occur between external electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The plated layer is formed in advance to extend beyond the end surfaces of the metal layer before final electrode assembly. This preliminary extension of the plated layer creates built-in spacing and isolation between adjacent external electrodes, preventing contact defects without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments or precise spacing control during assembly.
3Reliability
If three-terminal type MLCC is used to reduce ESL, then equivalent series inductance decreases, but mounting area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the length direction (first direction) more effectively by extending the plated layer along this dimension. This allows the external electrodes to be arranged in a compact footprint while maintaining the three-terminal configuration for low ESL performance, thereby reducing the required mounting area compared to conventional layouts.
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitor component includes a body including a dielectric layer, and a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode disposed to oppose each other in a first direction with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; a first external electrode and a second external electrode disposed on the body, and respectively connected to the first internal electrode; and a third external electrode and a fourth external electrode disposed on the body, and respectively connected to the second internal electrode, wherein the first and second external electrodes include a connection metal layer, a ceramic layer, a metal layer, and a plated layer, respectively, sequentially disposed on the body, wherein the plated layer is extended and disposed to contact end surfaces of the connection metal layer, the ceramic layer, and the metal layer in the first direction, respectively.