Surveillance Tag Capacitors Parallel Series Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveillance devices, such as EAS tags, face challenges in fabricating capacitors with high precision capacitance and low breakdown voltage, especially when using inorganic dielectric films, and in achieving small dimensions with high precision.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple capacitors connected in parallel or series to achieve high-precision capacitance and low breakdown voltage, with specific manufacturing methods involving dielectric films and electrode configurations, allowing for easier deactivation and improved fabrication precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a capacitor with thin dielectric is fabricated to achieve low breakdown voltage, then deactivation becomes easier, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreakdown voltageVSAvoidcapacitance precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single capacitor into multiple capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor can have its own dielectric layer, allowing one capacitor to have a thin dielectric for low breakdown voltage while other capacitors have thicker dielectrics for precise capacitance control. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the functions of low breakdown voltage and high precision capacitance across different capacitor units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different capacitors within the parallel configuration can have different dielectric thicknesses tailored to their specific functions. The capacitor intended for deactivation has a thin dielectric for low breakdown voltage, while other capacitors have optimized dielectric thickness for precise capacitance values. This local differentiation of quality parameters resolves the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If capacitor dimensions are reduced to achieve small tag size, then device compactness improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor sizeVSAvoidcapacitance precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple capacitors connected in parallel to achieve the required total capacitance. Each individual capacitor can be fabricated with larger dimensions that are within the precision capabilities of existing manufacturing processes, while the overall device remains compact due to the efficient parallel configuration. This segmentation allows larger, more precisely manufacturable capacitor units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple capacitors are combined in parallel to achieve the required total capacitance value. This merging approach allows each individual capacitor to be fabricated with dimensions and tolerances that are achievable with current manufacturing precision, while the combined parallel structure provides the necessary electrical performance in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple capacitors are added to achieve high precision capacitance, then capacitance precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitance precisionVSAvoidcapacitor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple capacitors are merged in parallel to achieve high precision capacitance. The parallel configuration allows the capacitors to share common electrical connections and control signals, reducing the overall system complexity compared to series configurations or independently controlled capacitor banks. This merging approach achieves precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple capacitors in parallel serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the required precise capacitance value, offer redundancy for reliable deactivation (since any single capacitor failure doesn't prevent deactivation), and can be fabricated using standard manufacturing processes. This multi-functionality justifies the increased component count while managing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach enables reliable tag deactivation and precise manufacturing of capacitors with small dimensions, enhancing the reliability and precision of surveillance devices.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor dielectric film in the opening, the capacitor dielectric film having a significantly smaller thickness than the first dielectric film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric breakdown: Avalanche Breakdown

Data Source

PatentEP2286391B1Surveillance devices with multiple capacitors
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 THIN FILM ELECTRONICS ASA
  • EP2286391B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2286391B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP2286391B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention relates to surveillance and/or identification devices having capacitors connected in parallel or in series, and methods of making and using such devices. Devices with capacitors connected in parallel, where one capacitor is fabricated with a relatively thick capacitor dielectric and another is fabricated with a relatively thin capacitor dielectric achieve both a high-precision capacitance and a low breakdown voltage for relatively easy surveillance tag deactivation. Devices with capacitors connected in series result in increased lateral dimensions of a small capacitor. This makes the capacitor easier to fabricate using techniques that may have relatively limited resolution capabilities.