Laser Welding of Electrolytic Capacitors
AssigneeAVX Corporation
InventorsLeos Dvorak, Ales Vyroubal, Rene Kalas, Jozef Honec, Petr Honec
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Abstract
A technique for laser welding an anode lead to an anode termination of an electrolytic capacitor is provided. The technique involves directing a laser beam through one or more refraction elements before it contacts the lead and anode termination. By selectively controlling the index of refraction and thickness of the refraction element, the angle at which the refraction element is positioned relative to the laser beam, etc., the laser beam may be directed to a precise weld location without substantially contacting and damaging other parts of the capacitor.
Claims25
A method for forming an electrolytic capacitor, the method comprising:
- positioning an anode lead of an electrolytic capacitor element adjacent to an anode termination, the electrolytic capacitor element comprising an anode, dielectric film, and electrolyte, wherein the anode lead extends outwardly from a surface of the anode;
- directing a laser beam through a refraction element to laser weld the anode lead to the anode termination, wherein the refraction element is oriented at an angle of from 0° C. to about 45° relative to an axis that is perpendicular to the direction of the beam;
- electrically connecting the capacitor element to a cathode termination;
- and
- encapsulating the capacitor element within a case so that at least a portion of the anode termination and cathode termination remain exposed.
A system for attaching an anode termination to an electrolytic capacitor element, the system comprising:
- an electrolytic capacitor element comprising an anode, dielectric film, and electrolyte, wherein an anode lead extends outwardly from a surface of the anode;
- an anode termination;
- and
- a laser welding apparatus for electrically connecting the anode termination to the anode lead, wherein the laser welding apparatus includes a laser beam generator for producing a laser beam and a refraction element, wherein the refraction element is oriented at an angle of from 0° C. to about 45° relative to an axis that is perpendicular to the direction the beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.