Multilayer Capacitor Terminal Electrode Design for Strain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer capacitors experience mechanical strains due to the electrostrictive effect when a voltage is applied, leading to vibrations and noise when mounted on boards, primarily at the contact points between the capacitor and the board, due to the electrostrictive effect affecting the terminal electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The design of the multilayer capacitor includes terminal electrodes with specific electrode parts arranged on the side faces in a manner that they do not overlap the element part, thereby reducing the influence of mechanical strains caused by the electrostrictive effect, and additional electrode parts are positioned to facilitate easier connection to land electrodes without overlapping the element part, thus minimizing the impact of electrostrictive expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If terminal electrodes are arranged to cover the side faces of the element body, then the connection area to land electrodes is increased, but the mechanical strain caused by the electrostrictive effect is amplified at the terminal electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones on the side faces of the element body. Specifically, it designates certain areas as electrode parts (for electrical connection) and other areas as non-electrode parts (to avoid mechanical strain). This spatial differentiation allows the terminal electrode to have sufficient connection area in non-strained regions while minimizing exposure to electrostrictive effects. The side face is thus divided into functional zones with different properties: some areas serve for electrical connection, others serve for strain isolation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the terminal electrode area is reduced to avoid mechanical strain, then the influence on the board is reduced, but the connection area to land electrodes is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the area contradiction by utilizing the three-dimensional structure of the element body. Instead of simply reducing the two-dimensional electrode area, it strategically positions electrode parts on specific regions of the side faces (such as edge regions or specific zones) that are less susceptible to electrostrictive strain. This spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space allows maintaining adequate connection area while avoiding the strained zones, effectively using dimensional positioning to overcome the area trade-off.
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 configuration effectively suppresses mechanical strains near the terminal electrodes, reducing noise and vibration when the capacitor is mounted, and allows for easier connection to land electrodes by minimizing the area of terminal electrodes, thereby reducing the influence of electrostrictive effects on the board.
Implementation Method 1
there occurs a problem that a mechanical strain having a magnitude proportional to the applied voltage is caused in the element body because of the electrostrictive effect
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer capacitor has a capacitor element, inner electrodes arranged within the capacitor element, and first terminal electrodes and second terminal electrodes arranged on the capacitor element. The capacitor element has an element part held between the inner electrodes. The first terminal electrodes and second terminal electrodes have electrode parts. When seen in a second direction, the electrode parts are arranged on first and second side faces in any of a plurality of areas holding the element part therebetween in a third direction and not overlapping the element part.