Variable Capacitor Using Deformable Conductor for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable capacitors are limited by fixed capacitance, large size, and high production costs due to complex processing requirements, making them unsuitable for applications requiring adjustable capacitance and compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A variable capacitor design utilizing a multi-layer ceramic capacitor with external electrodes as fixed electrodes, featuring a deformable electrical conductor that varies capacitance with pressure, and an auxiliary insulation member for extended lifespan and precise capacitance adjustment, allowing for series or parallel connections and array applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional variable capacitor uses a deformable disc-like member and dielectric disc with air gap, then the capacitance can be varied by pressure, but the capacitance value is too low (less than 0.1 pf) to be conveniently measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, hard sintered-ceramic materials requiring polishing and metal coating with a soft, conductive polymer-based electrical conductor that can be directly formed into desired shapes through molding, eliminating complex processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves measurable capacitance values by changing the dielectric material from air (ε=1.00053) to a polymer dielectric with higher relative dielectric constant, and by eliminating the air gap through direct contact between the deformable conductor and dielectric disc
2Reliability
If TiO2Sr4Oy ceramic material is used for the dielectric disc, then the capacitance can reach 31.01 pf, but the material is very hard requiring polishing and complicated metal coating processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, hard sintered-ceramic materials requiring polishing and metal coating with a soft, conductive polymer-based electrical conductor that can be directly formed into desired shapes through molding, eliminating complex processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a soft conductive polymer electrical conductor with a polymer dielectric material, replacing the traditional hard ceramic material to achieve both manufacturability and functional performance
3Volume of moving object
If ceramic material is precisely cut and processed for electronic pen applications, then the sensor fits the limited space, but the processing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a soft, deformable electrical conductor made of conductive polymer that can be molded into precise shapes and sizes needed for electronic pen applications, replacing hard ceramic that requires expensive precision cutting and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material state from hard ceramic requiring precision machining to soft conductive polymer allowing precision molding, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to create precisely sized components for limited spaces
4Device complexity
If a multi-layer ceramic capacitor is used with external electrodes as fixed electrodes, then the device becomes compact and cost-effective, but the capacitance adjustment mechanism must be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the air gap from the traditional variable capacitor structure, allowing direct contact between the deformable electrical conductor and the dielectric disc, which simplifies the capacitance adjustment mechanism while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the deformable electrical conductor directly with the dielectric disc through contact, eliminating the need for separate air gap control mechanisms and simplifying the overall structure while enabling capacitance adjustment through pressure application
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 provides a cost-effective, compact, and adjustable variable capacitor with a wide capacitance range, enabling repeated operation and linear capacitance adjustment, while reducing production costs and simplifying manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
an area of the electrical conductor in contact with the ceramic dielectric varies in accordance with the pressure applied thereon
Implementation Method 2
varying a capacitance value between the external electrode(s) and the electrical conductor
Implementation Method 3
The variable capacitor further includes an auxiliary insulation member provided between the multi-layer ceramic capacitor member and the electrical conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A variable capacitor is disclosed. The variable capacitor includes a multi-layer ceramic capacitor member, and a capacitance varying mechanism. The multi-layer ceramic capacitor member includes one or two external electrode(s), a ceramic dielectric, and a plurality of electrode layers positioned inside the ceramic dielectric. The capacitance varying mechanism includes an electrical conductor positioned aside and approximate to the ceramic dielectric. The electrical conductor is deformable responsive to a pressure applied thereon, and an area of the electrical conductor in contact with the ceramic dielectric varies in accordance with the pressure, thus varying a capacitance value between the external electrode(s) and the electrical conductor. In general, the external electrode(s) of the multi-layer ceramic capacitor member serve(s) as fixed electrode(s) of the variable capacitor.