MLCC SiO2 Coating for Electrode Coverage Without Side Gaps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multilayer ceramic capacitors with internal electrodes having the same width as ceramic layers face productivity issues due to the complexity of forming a side gap ceramic layer to cover exposed electrodes, making the manufacturing process difficult and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

The use of SiO2 films on the outer surfaces of the capacitive element to cover the internal electrodes, which are exposed on the side surfaces, allowing for easier manufacturing by eliminating the need for a separate side gap ceramic layer, and ensuring electrical connections are maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the dimensions in the width direction of the first internal electrodes and the second internal electrodes are made the same as the dimensions in the width direction of the ceramic layers to increase capacitance, then the capacitance of the multilayer ceramic capacitor is improved, but the first internal electrodes and the second internal electrodes are exposed on the side surface of the capacitive element, requiring additional side gap ceramic layers that complicate the manufacturing process and reduce productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacitanceVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the side gap ceramic layer from the manufacturing process by making the internal electrode dimensions smaller than the ceramic layer dimensions in the width direction. This eliminates the need for additional side gap ceramic layers to cover exposed electrodes, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and improving productivity while maintaining adequate capacitance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a stepped structure where the internal electrodes are positioned at the center of the ceramic layers in the width direction, creating different dimensional relationships at different locations. This allows the internal electrodes to be narrower than the ceramic layers at the sides (avoiding exposure) while maintaining optimal capacitance in the central region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a side gap ceramic layer is provided on the side surface of the capacitive element to cover the exposed internal electrodes, then the electrode coverage is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the side gap ceramic layer from the device structure by designing the internal electrodes to be narrower than the ceramic layers in the width direction. This extraction eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps to form side gap ceramic layers, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring complete electrode coverage through the stepped configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding side gap ceramic layers to cover exposed electrodes (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by making the internal electrodes smaller than the ceramic layers, allowing the ceramic layers themselves to provide the coverage function that would otherwise require separate side gap layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach enhances productivity by simplifying the manufacturing process and reduces moisture ingress, while maintaining electrode coverage and electrical connectivity, thus increasing capacitance potential.

Implementation Method 1

an SiO2 film is provided on outer surfaces of a capacitive element... at least a portion of the first side surface, at least a portion of the second side surface, a portion of the first end surface, and a portion of the second end surface respectively include a SiO2 film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier (film coating): Coatings

Implementation Method 2

the SiO2 films reduce or prevent moisture from entering the interior of the capacitive element from the first side surface, the second side surface, the first end surface, and the second end surface of the capacitive element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic barrier: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS12518930B2Multilayer ceramic capacitor including SiO2 film on surfaces thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a capacitive element including ceramic layers, first and second internal electrodes, first and second main surfaces, end surfaces, and side surfaces. A portion of the first and second side surfaces, and a portion of the first and second end surfaces include SiO2 films. The SiO2 films on the first and second side surfaces cover the first and second internal electrodes, respectively exposed on the first and second side surfaces. First and second external electrodes are respectively provided at least on an outer surface of the first end surface on which the SiO2 film is not provided and an outer surface of the SiO2 film provided on the first end surface and on at least on an outer surface of the second end surface on which the SiO2 film is not provided and an outer surface of the SiO2 film provided on the second end surface.