Positive temperature coefficient (ptc) component and method for the production thereof
AssigneeEpcos AG
InventorLutz Kirsten
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a component with a basic body (8) comprising stacked ceramic layers (4) that are separated from one another by electrode layers (5), wherein the ceramic layers (4) contain a ceramic material that has a positive temperature coefficient at least in one part of the R/T characteristic line, with the following steps: a) Production of a stack of layers of ceramic green sheets (1) with interposed electrode layers (5), b) Binder removal and sintering of the layer stack in an atmosphere having a lowered oxygen content in relation to air. It is possible to manufacture PTC components with small volume and low resistance.
Claims19
An electrical component having a positive temperature coefficient, the electrical component comprising:
- a base comprised of ceramic layers and electrode layers, the electrode layers separating adjacent ceramic layers, ceramic layers comprising a ceramic material that has a positive temperature coefficient in at least one part of an R/T characteristic curve;
- and
- a first collector electrode attached to a first side of the electrical component and a second collector electrode attached to a second side of the electrical component, wherein the first collector electrode and the second collector electrode contact alternate electrode layers;
- wherein the electrical component has a volume V and a resistance R, the resistance R being measured between collector electrodes at a temperature of between 0° C. and 40° C.;
- and
- wherein V·R<600 Ω·mm3.
A method of manufacturing an electrical component having a positive temperature coefficient, the electrical component comprising:
- (a) a base comprised of ceramic layers and electrode layers, the electrode layers separating adjacent ceramic layers, the ceramic layers comprising a ceramic material that has a positive temperature coefficient in at least one part of an R/T characteristic curve, and (b) a first collector electrode attached to a first side of the electrical component and a second collector electrode attached to a second side of the electrical component, wherein the first collector electrode and the second collector electrode contact alternate electrode layers, wherein the electrical component has a volume V and a resistance R, the resistance R being measured between collector electrodes at a temperature of between 0° C. and 40° C., and wherein V·R<600 Ω·mm3.
- wherein the method comprises:
- forming the base using ceramic green sheets interspersed with the electrode layers, the ceramic green sheets comprising the ceramic layers;
- and
- removing a binder from, and sintering, the base in an environment having an oxygen content that is lower than an oxygen content of air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.