Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Segmented Side Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-terminal multilayer ceramic capacitors face challenges in achieving a large-capacitance, low-inductance configuration due to thick side-surface external electrodes, which restrict the overall size and internal electrode width, making it difficult to minimize inductance and maximize capacitance.

Innovation Solution

The design features a ceramic main body with first and second internal electrodes laminated alternately, where the second internal electrodes have multiple drawn-out parts extending to the side surfaces, allowing for reduced distance between end and side-surface external electrodes, thereby minimizing inductance without thickening the side-surface external electrodes, and allowing for a wider internal electrode width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If side-surface external electrodes are made thick to ensure sufficient coverage and connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device size increases and internal electrode width is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The side-surface external electrode is divided into multiple separate electrode patterns arranged in the third direction (laminating direction). These segmented electrodes connect to multiple drawn-out parts of internal electrodes independently, maintaining reliable connections while reducing the overall thickness and allowing wider internal electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode connection strategy transitions from relying on increased thickness in the second direction to utilizing the third direction (laminating direction) by arranging multiple electrode patterns vertically. This dimensional shift allows sufficient connection area without increasing electrode thickness, thereby permitting wider internal electrodes and larger capacitance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If internal electrode width is increased to maximize capacitance, then static capacitance is improved, but side-surface external electrode thickness must increase to maintain connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic capacitanceVSAvoidelectrode thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrode patterns are segmented along the third direction, each connecting to corresponding drawn-out parts. This segmentation allows the total connection area to be distributed across multiple thinner electrodes rather than requiring a single thick electrode, enabling wider internal electrodes for higher capacitance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the arrangement parameters of electrodes by introducing multiple patterns in the third direction with specific spacing and positioning. This parameter optimization allows sufficient electrical connection without increasing thickness, freeing up space for wider internal electrodes to achieve higher capacitance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If distance between end-surface and side-surface external electrodes is reduced to minimize inductance, then inductance is improved, but electrode thickness increases to maintain connection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinductanceVSAvoidelectrode thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The side-surface external electrode is segmented into multiple patterns that can be positioned closer to the end-surface external electrodes in the first direction. This segmentation allows reduced spacing for lower inductance while distributing the connection function across multiple thinner electrodes rather than requiring a single thick electrode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the connection strategy from the second direction (thickness) to the third direction (laminating direction) by arranging multiple electrode patterns vertically. This allows reduced distance in the first direction for lower inductance without compromising connection reliability, as multiple segmented electrodes provide sufficient connection area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11587737B2Multilayer ceramic capacitor, circuit substrate and manufacture method therefor

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 TAIYO YUDEN KK

AI summary

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a ceramic main including first internal electrodes each drawn out to and reaching a pair of end surfaces and second internal electrodes each drawn out to and reaching a pair of side surfaces. A pair of end-surface external electrodes are respectively provided on the pair of end surfaces to be connected to the first internal electrodes, and a pair of side-surface external electrodes are respectively provided on the pair of side surfaces to be connected to the second internal electrodes. Each of the second internal electrodes has drawn-out parts that extend from an electrode main part and reach the pair of side surfaces, and with respect to each of the pair of side surfaces, two or more of the drawn-out parts are provided to extend from the electrode main part and reach the side surface.