Over-voltage Protection Device With Depression Under Discharge Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air discharge techniques for over-voltage protection in electronic devices suffer from leakage issues and decreased performance due to electrode formation on substrates, which increases the risk of damage from electrostatic discharges, especially in compact portable electronics.
Innovation Solution
An over-voltage protection device utilizing an air discharge technique is designed with a substrate, an insulation layer, a conductor layer having first and second electrodes forming a discharge path, and a depression under the path, along with a gasket and protection layer to prevent short circuits and enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are formed on the substrate using conventional air discharge technique, then electrostatic discharge protection is provided, but leakage occurs and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a planar electrode configuration to a three-dimensional structure by forming a depression in the insulation layer and positioning electrodes at different heights. The first electrode extends into the depression while the second electrode remains on the surface, creating a vertical discharge path that prevents leakage along the substrate surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation layer with a depression acts as an intermediary structure between the two electrodes. This intermediate structure provides electrical isolation while guiding the discharge path through air, preventing direct contact and leakage between electrodes that would occur in conventional planar configurations.
2Ease of operation
If electrodes are formed on the substrate, then discharge path is created, but electrode piece accumulation occurs causing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The depression creates a localized region with different electrical properties. By confining the discharge path within the depression, electrode pieces generated during discharge are contained in this specific location rather than accumulating on the general substrate surface, preventing short circuits while maintaining effective discharge functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional air discharge technique is used, then over-voltage protection is achieved, but leakage and performance degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a vertical discharge path through the depressed insulation layer structure, the invention directs energy discharge through air in the third dimension rather than along the substrate surface. This dimensional change eliminates leakage losses while maintaining the over-voltage protection function.
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
The solution effectively prevents short circuits and improves the performance of electrostatic discharge protection by allowing air discharge while preventing electrode piece accumulation, thus ensuring reliable protection against abnormal voltages and electrostatic discharges.
Implementation Method 1
an over-voltage protection device utilizing an air discharge technique
Data Source
AI summary
An over-voltage protection device includes a substrate, an insulation layer having a depression over the substrate, a conductor layer having a first electrode and a second electrode over the insulation layer, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode form a discharge path, and the depression is under the discharge path. A method for preparing the over-voltage protection device includes the steps of forming an insulation layer over a substrate; forming a depression in the insulation layer; forming a photoresist pattern filling the depression and protruding the insulation layer; forming a conductor layer over the insulation layer; and removing the photoresist pattern, wherein the photoresist pattern divides the conductor layer into a first electrode and a second electrode that form a discharge path, and the depression is under the discharge path after the removal of the photoresist pattern.