Polyhedral Metal Particles in Electronic Component Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The contact properties between external electrodes and internal electrodes, as well as the body, are deteriorated due to delamination or aggregation phenomena caused by glass in electronic components, leading to decreased electrical connectivity and mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

The use of external electrodes containing polyhedral-shaped metal particles, such as nickel or copper, along with glass, improves contact properties and electrical connectivity by increasing the surface area and preventing delamination, while the glass composition is optimized to enhance bonding and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If glass material is used in external electrode paste, then external electrode can be formed, but delamination or aggregation phenomenon occurs leading to deteriorated contact properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact propertiesVSAvoidglass delamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle shape parameter of the glass material from conventional spherical or irregular shapes to polyhedral shapes with flat surfaces. This parameter change prevents glass particle aggregation and delamination, thereby improving contact properties between external electrodes and internal electrodes while maintaining electrode formation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite external electrode structure combining polyhedral glass particles with metal particles (such as silver, copper, or aluminum). The polyhedral glass provides structural stability and prevents delamination, while the metal particles ensure electrical conductivity, together resolving the contradiction between contact properties and composition stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional spherical metal particles are used, then external electrode formation is simple, but contact properties and mechanical strength are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact propertiesVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the shape parameter of metal particles from spherical to polyhedral forms. The polyhedral shape provides larger surface area and better interlocking capability compared to spherical particles, thereby improving both contact properties with internal electrodes and mechanical strength of the external electrode structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using non-spherical (polyhedral) particles instead of spherical ones. The flat surfaces and sharp edges of polyhedral particles enhance mechanical interlocking and contact area with internal electrodes, improving both contact properties and strength while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Volume of moving object

If external electrode thickness is reduced for miniaturization, then electronic component size decreases, but contact properties and electrical connectivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent sizeVSAvoidelectrical connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle shape parameter to polyhedral forms, which provide larger surface area to volume ratio compared to spherical particles. This allows thinner external electrode layers to maintain sufficient contact area with internal electrodes, achieving miniaturization while preserving electrical connectivity and contact properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a microstructured external electrode with polyhedral particles that form an optimized network structure. This structure provides efficient electrical pathways even in thin layers, enabling miniaturization without compromising electrical connectivity through the enhanced surface area and interparticle contact points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS11031185B2Electronic component
Publication Date: 2021.06.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD
  • US11031185B2 patent drawing
  • US11031185B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic component includes external electrodes formed on an external surface of a body to be electrically connected to internal electrodes, and containing metal particles and glass, wherein the metal particles include particles having a polyhedral shape.