SURFACE-MOUNTABLE DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTROSTATIC DAMAGE TO ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

摘要

The thin film, electrical device is a subminiature overvoltage circuit protection device in a surface mountable configuration for use in printed circuit board or thick film hybrid circuit technology. The surface mountable device (SMD) is designed to protect against electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic components. The circuit protection device comprises three material subassemblies. The first subassembly generally includes a substrate carrier, electrodes, and terminal pads for connecting the protection device 60 to a PC board. The second subassembly includes a voltage variable polymer material with non-linear resistance characteristics and the third subassembly includes a cover coat for protecting other elements of the circuit protection device. The devices of the present invention employ various electrode configurations and profiles to control the electrical field created between the electrodes and increase the active area of the electrodes in contact with the voltage variable material to enhance the electrical characteristics of the device.