Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Tapered Body Electrode Wrapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors with external electrodes on one height-direction surface experience weaker separation strength, leading to potential separation from the capacitor body when mounted on a circuit board, especially when smaller in size.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tapered part on the capacitor body with engagement parts on the external electrodes that wrap around the tapered part's width-direction outer surfaces, enhancing the electrodes' engagement with the capacitor body and preventing displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the first external electrode and second external electrode are provided on one height-direction surface of the capacitor body, then the capacitance is increased by maximizing the external dimensions and internal electrode layer area, but the separation strength of the external electrodes from the capacitor body is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the external electrodes to wrap around the corner portions of the capacitor body. Specifically, the first external electrode wraps around the first corner portion and the second external electrode wraps around the second corner portion. This curved/wrapping configuration increases the contact area between the electrodes and the capacitor body, thereby enhancing separation strength while maintaining the single-side electrode arrangement that maximizes capacitance.
2Volume of moving object
If the multilayer ceramic capacitor is made smaller, then the external dimensions are reduced, but the separation strength is further weakened due to reduced contact area and increased displacement risk
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping configuration of the external electrodes around the corner portions becomes particularly effective in miniaturized capacitors. The curved path allows the electrodes to conform to the reduced dimensions while maintaining adequate contact area. This geometric adaptation ensures that even in smaller capacitors, the electrodes remain securely attached and resist displacement forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar electrode arrangement to a three-dimensional wrapping configuration. By extending the electrodes along the corner portions in multiple directions, the contact area is increased in additional spatial dimensions. This dimensional expansion compensates for the overall size reduction, maintaining separation strength despite smaller capacitor dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the external electrodes have planar contact surfaces, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the electrodes are prone to displacement and separation under applied forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrode geometry from planar to curved/wrapping, which enhances reliability through increased contact area and mechanical interlocking. While this adds some manufacturing complexity, it remains relatively simple compared to alternative solutions, as it involves forming the electrodes to follow the contour of the capacitor body corners during the electrode deposition process.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a capacitor body 11 of a multilayer ceramic capacitor 10 has, at a position adjoining a lower height-direction surface f6, a tapered part 11a whose width gradually decreases toward the lower height-direction surface f6 over the entire length of the part. Also, the first external electrode 12 and second external electrode 13 have, at their two ends in the width direction, engagement parts 12a, 13a that wrap around onto the width-direction outer surfaces f3a, f4a of the tapered part 11a, respectively. The multilayer ceramic capacitor, after it has been mounted on a circuit board, can mitigate the phenomenon of the first external electrode and second external electrode separating from the capacitor body without reducing the benefit of capacitance increase.