The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a resistor.
Patent Literature 1 discloses an invention that relates to a resistor, and a method of manufacturing the resistor. The resistor disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a resistive body, electrode plates which are positioned at both sides of the resistive body, respectively, and bent toward the lower surface side of the resistive body, and an electrically non-conductive filler interposed between the resistive body and the electrode plates.
The filler serves to adhere the resistive body to the electrode plates. In the resistor as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, heat is conducted from the resistive body to the electrode plates via the filler to obtain a reliable heat dissipation capability.
In Patent Literature 1, the filler in an uncured and unsolidified state is disposed on the surface of the resistive body, and the electrode plates are bent into contact with the filler. Thereafter, the filler is cured and solidified.
In Patent Literature 1, the filler remains uncured, and therefore exhibits a high fluidity where the filler comes into contact with the bent electrode plates. The high fluidity of the filler is likely to cause variations in thickness of the filler between the resistive body and the electrode plates. Accordingly, the resistor disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a problem in that the heat dissipation property and adhesive strength are likely to vary.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problem. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a resistor, which is capable of suppressing thickness variations of the thermally conductive layer interposed between the resistive body and the electrode plates.
A method for manufacturing a resistor according to the present invention includes a step of forming an unhardened (uncured) thermally conductive layer on a surface of a resistive body, a step of bringing the thermally conductive layer into a semi-hardened (semi-cured) state, and a step of bending electrode plates respectively disposed at both sides of the resistive body, further hardening (curing) the thermally conductive layer, and performing adhesion between the resistive body and the electrode plates via the thermally conductive layer.
Compared to a background art method, a method for manufacturing a resistor according to the present invention ensures that variations in thickness of a thermally conductive layer between a resistive body and electrode plates are suppressed. The method allows for manufacturing a resistor with reduced variations in the heat dissipation property and the adhesive strength.
An embodiment according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as an “embodiment”) will be described in detail. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, but may be implemented in various modifications within the scope of the present invention.
(Method for Manufacturing a Resistor)
Referring to the drawings, individual steps included in the method for manufacturing a resistor are described in the order they are performed.
In the step depicted in
In the step depicted in
In the embodiment, the thickness of each of the resistive body 2 and the electrode plate 3 is not limited. For example, the resistive body 2 may be formed to have a thickness ranging from several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm approximately. The resistive body 2 may have either substantially the same thickness as, or a different thickness from, that of the electrode plate 3.
In the embodiment, existing material may be used for forming the resistive body 2 and the electrode plate 3 in a non-restrictive manner. For example, it is possible to use a metallic resistance material, such as copper-nickel and nickel-chrome, a structure formed by applying a metal film onto the surface of an insulating base, a conductive ceramic substrate, and the like for forming the resistive body 2. For example, it is possible to use copper, silver, nickel, chrome, and composite material thereof for forming the electrode plate 3.
When bonding the electrode plates 3 to both sides of the resistive body 2, each end surface of the resistive body 2 may be brought into abutment on the corresponding end surface of the electrode plates 3, as shown in
The resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 may be integrally formed. That is, it is possible to use a single metal resistance plate as the material for forming both the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3. Alternatively, instead, those portions of a metal resistance plate which serve as electrode plates 3 may be coated, for example, by plating with a low-resistance metallic material, so as to obtain the electrode plate 3 on the plated surface of the metal resistance plate.
Subsequently, in the step depicted in
The unhardened (uncured) thermally conductive layer 4 may be in the form of a film or a paste. In the case of the film, the unhardened (uncured) thermally conductive resin film is adhered onto the surface of the resistive body 2. In the case of the paste, the unhardened (uncured) thermally conductive resin paste is applied to or printed on the surface of the resistive body 2. Alternatively, the thermally conductive layer 4 may be formed by inkjet process.
In the embodiment, the thickness of the thermally conductive layer 4 is not limited, and may be determined considering the thermal conductivity of the resistor as a finished product, and secure fixation between the resistive body and the electrode plates. For example, preferably, the thickness of the thermally conductive layer 4 is in the range from approximately 10 μm to 200 μm.
As used herein, the term “unhardened (uncured)” refers to the state where the layer is not completely hardened or cured. Specifically, the unhardened (uncured) state represents a state where curing reaction has hardly proceeded such that the thermally conductive layer retains substantially the same fluidity as that exhibited upon initial formation, or in the case of obtaining a thermally conductive layer as a pre-manufactured, purchased product, the unhardened (uncured) state represents the state of the product as shipped where the thermally conductive layer is not completely hardened or cured. The term “hardened (completely hardened)” or “cured (completely cured)” refers to the state where the layer has lost the fluidity owing to polymerization that proceeds by linkage of molecules. For example, where the thermally conductive layer 4 is formed as a thermally conductive resin film, pre-processing (temporary pressure-bonding) is performed after placing the thermally conductive layer 4 on the resistive body 2 as shown in
When using a thermally conductive resin film for the thermally conductive layer 4, the thermally conductive layer 4 is in the unhardened and solidified state. The term “solidified” refers to the state of having become solid.
Meanwhile, when using a thermally conductive resin paste for the thermally conductive layer 4, the thermally conductive layer 4 is in the unhardened (uncured) and unsolidified state. The term “unsolidified” refers to the state where the solid component is partially or entirely dispersed in the solvent, and may include the state or material such as a slurry or ink.
In the embodiment, the thermally conductive layer 4 may be formed only on the surface of the resistive body 2, as shown in
Forming the thermally conductive layer 4 not only on the surface of the resistive body 2 but also on the surfaces of the electrode plates 3 as depicted in
Thereafter, the unhardened thermally conductive layer 4 is heated into a semi-hardened (semi-cured) state. The term “semi-hardened (semi-cured)” refers to an intermediate hardened state that occurs between the “unhardened (uncured)” state and the “completely hardened (cured)” state. Determination as to whether or not the layer is in the semi-hardened (semi-cured) state may be made in accordance with the degree of cure (hardness), viscosity, thermal processing conditions or the like. It is possible to use a degree of cure calculated from the calorific value derived from the measurement utilizing the differential scanning calorimeter, for example. The semi-hardened (semi-cured) state represents a transition state in which hardening or curing has proceeded further from the previous state (i.e., the unhardened state, or the state before the heating process for semi-curing) but only to the extent that further hardening or curing is possible. As such, where the semi-hardened (semi-cured) state is determined based on the degree of cure, a state in which the degree of cure has become higher than the one in the previous state may be included in the semi-hardened state. As a non-limiting example, the semi-hardened (semi-cured) state may represent a state in which the degree of cure is in the range from 5% to 70%, or a state generally called “B stage”. Moreover, determination as to whether or not the layer is in the “completely hardened (cured) state” may be made in accordance with the degree of cure, the thermal processing condition or the like. It is possible to use the degree of cure (hardness) calculated from the calorific value derived from the measurement utilizing the differential scanning calorimeter. Complete hardening (curing) refers to a state where the degree of cure is equal to or higher than 70%, or a state generally called “C stage”.
As the unhardened (uncured) thermally conductive layer 4 is brought into the semi-hardened state as described above, the fluidity of the thermally conductive layer 4 may be lowered.
Although the thermal processing condition for semi-hardening (semi-curing) the thermally conductive layer 4 is not limited in the embodiment, it is preferable to apply heat to the thermally conductive layer 4 at the application temperature ranging from approximately 100° C. to 250° C. for approximately 5 to 60 minutes. For example, the same application temperature of the complete hardening (curing) condition and the application time approximately 10% to 50% of the one set for complete hardening (curing) may be used for semi-hardening (semi-curing). The application temperature and the application time required for hardening (curing) vary depending on the material for forming the thermally conductive layer 4. Therefore, if the thermally conductive layer 4 is a pre-manufactured, purchased product, the thermal processing may be performed in accordance with the application temperature and the application time as prescribed by the manufacturer.
A resistor intermediate 10 is cut out from the bonded body 1 having the semi-hardened (semi-cured) thermally conductive layer 4, as depicted in
As the belt-like bonded body 1 depicted in
The resistor intermediate 10 comprises the resistive body 2 having a rectangular outer shape, and the pair of electrode plates 3 each having a rectangular outer shape provided at the respective opposite sides of the resistive body 2. The outer shape of the resistor intermediate 10 depicted in
Subsequently, in the step depicted in
Thereafter, the electrode plates 3 are bent toward the surface of the resistive body 2, on which the thermally conductive layer 4 is laminated, as depicted in
As depicted in
Meanwhile,
The thermally conductive layer 4, which has remained in the semi-hardened state, is thereafter heated to be completely hardened or cured. For the definition of the term “complete hardening (complete curing),” refer to the explanation described earlier in the present application.
Although the thermal processing condition for completely hardening the thermally conductive layer 4 is not limited herein, it is preferable to apply heat to the thermally conductive layer 4 at the application temperature from approximately 150° C. to 250° C. for approximately 0.5 to 2 hours. The temperature and the time required for hardening vary depending on the material for forming the thermally conductive layer 4. The curing (hardening) condition for the thermally conductive layer 4 as a pre-manufactured, purchased product is specified in accordance with the temperature and the time as prescribed by the manufacturer. For example, for a resin used in experiments described hereinbelow, the application temperature may be adjusted as needed in a range from approximately 160° C. to 200° C., and the application time may be adjusted as needed in a range from approximately 70 minutes to 30 minutes (that is, the lower the application temperature is, the longer the application time is set).
In the embodiment, it is preferable to completely harden (cure) the thermally conductive layer 4 while pressing the bent electrode plates 3 toward the resistive body 2. That is, in the example depicted in
Then, in the step depicted in
It is possible to provide a seal or stamping on the surface of the surface protective layer 7a.
As depicted in
(Resistor)
The resistor 11 manufactured through the above-described manufacturing steps includes the resistive body 2, the electrode plates 3 disposed at opposite, both sides of the resistive body 2 while being bent toward the lower surface side of the resistive body 2, and the hardened thermally conductive layer(s) 4 interposed between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3, as depicted in
The thermally conductive layer 4 interposed between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 has a thickness (which represents the total thickness of the double layers in the example depicted in
The method of manufacturing the resistor 11 according to the embodiment is characterized by the manufacturing process wherein the thermally conductive layer 4 is initially semi-hardened (semi-cured), followed by bending the electrode plates 3 and thereafter further hardening (curing) the thermally conductive layer 4.
The above-described manufacturing process allows for suppression of variations in the thickness of the thermally conductive layer 4 between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 in comparison with background art process. That is, upon bending the electrode plates 3 and execution of the heating process, the thermally conductive layer 4 is in the semi-hardened (semi-cured) state, that is, it is not unhardened (uncured), but not completely hardened (cured). It is therefore possible to reduce the thickness variations in the thermally conductive layer 4 owing to fluidity thereof to be less than the case where the entire thermally conductive layer between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 is in the unhardened (uncured) state.
As described above, in the embodiment, the capability to suppress variations in the thickness of the thermally conductive layer 4 between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 makes it possible to make the thickness between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 further uniform, and to suppress variations in the heat dissipation property, thereby enabling manufacturing of the resistor 11 with excellent heat dissipation property. The further uniform thickness between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3 may suppress generation of a gap or the like between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3, resulting in improved adhesive, bonding strength therebetween.
An unhardened (uncured) and solidified material, specifically, a thermally conductive resin film may be preferably used for forming the thermally conductive layer 4.
When using an unhardened (uncured) and unsolidified material, specifically, a thermally conductive resin paste for forming the thermally conductive layer 4, the thickness of the thermally conductive layer in the applied state is likely to vary. The use of the thermally conductive resin film in the unhardened (uncured) and solidified state for forming the thermally conductive layer 4 allows for a better controlled, more uniform thickness between the resistive body 2 and the electrode plates 3.
In the step depicted in
The present invention will be described in more detail based on an example implemented to exhibit the advantageous effect of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the example as described below.
In an experiment, the following resin was used, and the thermal analysis was carried out using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).
[Resin]
The DSC curve and the DDSC curve were obtained at the temperature elevation rate of 10° C./min in the experiment.
As
In accordance with the experimental result, the applied temperature was determined to be in the range from 160° C. to 220° C.
Next, the temperature was fixed to 170° C. to obtain the curing (hardening) start temperature and the curing (hardening) end temperature from the DSC curve in accordance with the holding time. The obtained experimental results are shown in
The above-described experimental results have clarified that the curing (hardening) condition of 170° C. for approximately 60 minutes is required when using the resin specified above. This curing (hardening) condition coincided with the curing condition recommended by the manufacturer of the resin.
As the curing (hardening) condition is established at 170° C. for 60 minutes, the curing (hardening) condition in the temperature range as shown in
It is considered that the semi-curing (semi-hardening) condition is established by setting the application time to be in the range from approximately 10% to 50% of the above described condition while keeping the temperature unchanged. Accordingly, at the application temperature of 170° C., the application time may be set to approximately 6 to 30 minutes.
The resistor according to the present invention exhibits excellent heat dissipation property while allowing a reduction in the height. The resistor may be surface-mounted so as to be mounted to various types of circuit boards.
The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP2017-237821 filed on Dec. 12, 2017, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2017-237821 | Dec 2017 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2018/045457 | 12/11/2018 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2019/117128 | 6/20/2019 | WO | A |
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Decision to Grant a Patent dated Jul. 16, 2019, issued in counterpart JP application No. 2017-237821, with English translation (5 pages). |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200343028 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |