Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Side-Gap Electrode Layout for Size Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing the size of multi-terminal multilayer ceramic capacitors with three or more terminals are difficult due to the challenge of providing side gap portions on lateral surfaces where external electrodes are needed.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer ceramic capacitor design with side gap portions that sandwich the inner layer portion and outer layer portions in the width direction, featuring a first external electrode with a main surface and lateral surface portion covered by dielectric material, allowing easy application of side gap portions even with multiple terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If side gap portions are provided later on lateral surfaces, then the size of the multilayer ceramic capacitor can be reduced, but it becomes difficult to apply this method to multi-terminal capacitors with three or more terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of multilayer ceramic capacitorVSAvoidease of providing side gap portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The side gap portions are formed in the green state (before firing) by removing portions of the outer layer portions, and then the external electrodes are formed on the lateral surfaces. This preliminary formation of side gap portions before electrode deposition enables easy application to multi-terminal capacitors while achieving size reduction, as the electrodes can be precisely formed on the exposed lateral surfaces after the gap portions are created.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If external electrodes are provided on lateral surfaces for multi-terminal capacitors, then the capacitor can have three or more terminals, but side gap portions cannot be easily provided on these lateral surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of terminalsVSAvoidease of providing side gap portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The side gap portions are formed in the green state by removing portions of the outer layer portions before the external electrodes are formed. This sequence allows external electrodes to be deposited on the lateral surfaces of the inner layer portion where the side gap portions are already present, enabling multi-terminal configuration while maintaining ease of manufacturing through a straightforward process flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The multilayer body is divided into an inner layer portion containing internal electrodes and outer layer portions that are partially removed to form side gap portions. This segmentation allows the lateral surfaces of the inner layer portion to be exposed for electrode formation while maintaining the protective function of the outer layer portions in other areas, enabling multi-terminal capability with easy side gap portion provision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the multilayer ceramic capacitor is reduced in size, then it can be mounted on smaller electronic devices, but the internal electrodes may become exposed on lateral surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of multilayer ceramic capacitorVSAvoidprotection of internal electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer layer portions are selectively removed only in specific regions to form side gap portions, while retaining the outer layer portions in other regions to protect the internal electrodes. This local differentiation allows the capacitor to be reduced in size by exposing lateral surfaces for electrode formation while maintaining reliability through protective outer layers in areas where internal electrodes could be exposed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The side gap portions act as intermediary structures that are formed by removing outer layer portions in the green state. These side gap portions enable size reduction and electrode formation on lateral surfaces while the remaining outer layer portions serve as protective barriers against internal electrode exposure, balancing size reduction with reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12469645B2Multilayer ceramic capacitor including external electrode covered with side gap portion

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including first and second dielectric layers, two main surfaces, two lateral surfaces, two end surfaces, and an inner layer portion including first and second internal electrodes laminated alternately therein with one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween, outer dielectric layer portions that sandwich the inner layer portion in a lamination direction, and side gap portions that sandwich the inner layer portion and the outer layer portions in a width direction. The multilayer body includes first and second external electrodes connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively. The first external electrode includes a main surface electrode portion on at least one of the two main surfaces, and a lateral surface electrode portion connected to at least one lateral surface side end portion of each of the first internal electrodes and is covered with one of the side gap portions.