Patent ID: 6242997
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H01C

Abstract:
An electronic device having first and second opposed end surfaces, the device comprising:first, second, and third conductive polymer layers, each having first and second opposed surfaces;the first and second conductive polymer layers being separated by a first internal electrode that is in electrical contact with the second surface of the first conductive polymer layer and with the first surface of the second conductive polymer layer;the second and third conductive polymer layers being separated by a second internal electrode that is in electrical contact with the second surface of the second conductive polymer layer and with the first surface of the third conductive polymer layer;a first external electrode having an internal surface in electrical contact with the first surface of the first conductive polymer layer and an external surface;a second external electrode having an internal surface in electrical contact with the second surface of the third conductive polymer layer and an external surface;a conductive metal layer having first and second end portions respectively covering the first and second end surfaces of the device so as to be in direct physical contact with the first, second, and third conductive polymer layers and in electrical contact with the first and second internal electrodes, respectively, and top and bottom portions respectively covering the external surfaces of the first and second external electrodes;a first terminal covering the first end portion, only a part of the top portion, and part of the bottom portion of the conductive metal layer so as to be in electrical contact with the first internal electrode and with the second external electrode through the conductive metal layer, the parts of the top and bottom portions of the metal layer covered by the first terminal being of equal area; anda second terminal covering the second end portion, only part of the bottom portion, and part of the top portion of the metal layer so as to be in electrical contact with the second internal electrode and the first external electrode through the conductive metal layer, the parts of the top and bottom portions of the conductive metal layer covered by the second terminal being of equal area.