Thick Surface Conductor Layout for Wider Trimming Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic components face challenges in adjusting electrical characteristics due to the difficulty in trimming thin conductors formed by methods like screen printing or photolithography, limiting the trimmable thickness and adjustment range of conductors.

Innovation Solution

The electronic component features a configuration with a surface conductor thicker than the insulating layers and internal conductors, allowing for large trimmable thickness and adjustment range, and includes a resin layer for protection and improved mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional thin conductor formation methods (screen printing, photolithography) are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the trimmable thickness of conductor is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductor formation precisionVSAvoidtrimmable thickness of conductor

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor is divided into two distinct parts: surface conductors formed on the outer surface of the insulating layer and internal conductors formed within the insulating layer. This segmentation allows each part to serve different functions - surface conductors can be trimmed for electrical characteristic adjustment while internal conductors provide stable structural support and electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional single-layer conductor formation to multi-dimensional conductor architecture. Surface conductors are formed on the two-dimensional outer surface, while internal conductors are embedded in the third dimension within the insulating layer, enabling independent optimization of trimming capability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If conductor thickness is increased to enable trimming, then trimmable thickness is improved, but electrical characteristic adjustment range is limited by conventional formation methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrimmable thickness of conductorVSAvoidelectrical characteristic adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the conductor system are assigned different properties: surface conductors have larger thickness for trimming capability and are positioned where electrical characteristic adjustment is needed, while internal conductors have optimized thickness for structural integrity and are positioned for stable electrical connections. This local differentiation enables both trimming and broad electrical characteristic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thickness parameter of conductors to be larger than the thickness of insulating layers, which is a significant departure from conventional thin conductor formation. This parameter change enables mechanical trimming while maintaining electrical performance, and the adjustable thickness provides broader electrical characteristic tuning range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If surface conductors are made thicker than insulating layers, then ease of operation for trimming is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductor trimming easeVSAvoidconductor layer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor system is segmented into surface conductors and internal conductors with distinct functions. Surface conductors are specifically designed with larger thickness for easy trimming operations, while internal conductors provide structural support. This segmentation allows the trimming-friendly surface conductors to exist without compromising overall device simplicity, as each segment serves its designated purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire conductor system thin for precision formation and accepting limited trimming capability, the invention inverts the approach by making surface conductors thicker than insulating layers. This inversion prioritizes trimming ease and electrical characteristic adjustability, while internal conductors maintain the necessary structural and electrical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12610848B2Electronic component and method for forming resin layer on electronic component

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic component includes a plurality of laminated insulating layers, one or more surface conductors formed on a surface of the insulating layer, and an internal conductor formed at a boundary portion between the adjacent insulating layers. A thickness of the surface conductor is larger than a thickness of a thinnest layer of the insulating layers and larger than a thickness of the internal conductor.