PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10925164-B2
Application Number: US-201715702046-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Stackable passive component

Abstract:
Methods and systems for producing circuitry using stackable passive components are discussed. More specifically, the present disclosure provides designs and fabrication methods for production of stackable devices that may be used as components in circuitry such as filters and impedance matching adaptors. Such components may be used to save space in printed circuit boards. Moreover, stackable passive components may be dual components, which may be improve the electrical performance in certain types of circuits such as matched component filters.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrical device comprising:
 a first electrical component comprising:
 a first electrode disposed within the first electrical component and coupled to a first electrical terminal on a first side of the first electrical component and a second electrical terminal on a second side of the first electrical component; and 
 a second electrode disposed within the first electrical component next to the first electrode and coupled to only a third electrical terminal on the first side of the first electrical component; and 
 
 a second electrical component stacked above the first electrical component, wherein the second electrical component comprises a fourth electrical terminal coupled to the second electrical terminal, wherein the second electrical component is physically separated from a substrate. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrical device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
       3. The electrical device of  claim 1 , comprising a filter that comprises the first electrical component and the second electrical component. 
     
     
       4. The electrical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrical component comprises a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       5. The electrical device of  claim 1 , comprising a dual component device that comprises the first electrical component and a passive component. 
     
     
       6. The electrical device of  claim 5 , wherein the first electrical component comprises a first capacitor and the passive component comprises a second capacitor. 
     
     
       7. The electrical device of  claim 6 , wherein the second electrical component comprises an inductor, and wherein the electrical device comprises a pi filter that comprises the first capacitor, the second capacitor, and the inductor. 
     
     
       8. The electrical device of  claim 6 , wherein a capacitance of the first capacitor is substantially similar to a capacitance of the second capacitor. 
     
     
       9. A dual component device comprising:
 a first passive electrical component comprising:
 a first terminal on a first surface of the dual component device; 
 a second terminal on the first surface next to the first terminal; and 
 a third terminal on a second surface of the dual component device that is opposite the first surface of the dual component device, wherein the third terminal is opposite the first terminal and the second terminal; and 
 
 a second passive electrical component comprising:
 a fourth terminal on the first surface next to the first terminal; 
 a fifth terminal on the first surface next to the second terminal and the fourth terminal; and 
 a sixth terminal on the second surface next to the third terminal, the sixth terminal opposite the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, the fourth terminal, and the fifth terminal are disposed in a grid pattern on the first surface. 
     
     
       11. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the first passive electrical component comprises a first capacitor, wherein the second passive electrical component comprises a second capacitor, and wherein a capacitance of the first capacitor and the second capacitor are set to a fixed ratio. 
     
     
       12. The dual component device of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed ratio is 1. 
     
     
       13. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the first passive electrical component comprises an inductor or a resistor. 
     
     
       14. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the dual component device comprises ceramic layers. 
     
     
       15. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the second terminal and the third terminal are directly coupled and the first terminal and the second terminal are capacitively coupled. 
     
     
       16. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the fifth terminal and the sixth terminal are coupled through a low resistance route disposed inside the dual component device. 
     
     
       17. The dual component device of  claim 16 , wherein the second passive electrical component comprises a set of electrodes arranged in a vertical direction, and wherein the low resistance route is an electrode of the set of electrodes extending from the fifth terminal to the sixth terminal. 
     
     
       18. The dual component device of  claim 9 , wherein the second surface of the dual component device is configured to be coupled to an electrical component via the third terminal and the sixth terminal. 
     
     
       19. A method to assemble filter circuitry comprising:
 producing a dual component device comprising:
 a passive component comprising:
 a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a first electrode disposed within the dual component device extending from the first surface to the second surface; and 
 a second electrode disposed within the dual component device, the second electrode terminating within the passive component; and 
 
 
 attaching an electrical component to the dual component device such that a terminal of the electrical component is coupled to the second surface of the passive component via the first electrode; and 
 attaching the dual component device to a printed circuit board, wherein the electrical component is physically separated from the printed circuit board, and the first surface of the passive component is coupled to the printed circuit board via the first electrode. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the passive component comprises a capacitor and the electrical component comprises an inductor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/398,679, entitled “STACKABLE PASSIVE COMPONENT”, filed Sep. 23, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to stackable passive components for electrical circuitry. More specifically, this disclosure relates to designs of components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors that may be used for the construction of electrical circuits that may occupy less space and/or present improved electrical performance. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Many electrical devices may employ circuitries implemented using passive components. Some of these circuitries, such as filters and impedance matching adaptors, may include in their design multiple components that may have similar characteristics. For example, a filter may have a design that employs two capacitors having substantially similar specifications for a capacitance. Variations in the production of electrical components may lead to deviations in the characteristic of component from its specification, leading ultimately to loss of performance in the circuitry. Moreover, circuitries that employ multiple passive components may reserve a pad in a substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) of a device. This arrangement may occupy a significant space in the printed circuit board of the electrical device. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     In a first example, an electrical device is described. The electrical device may include a passive component having two electrical terminals. The first terminal may be used to couple the passive component to the substrate. The electrical device may have an electrical component that has a third terminal coupled to the second terminal of the passive component. The arrangement of the passive component, the electrical component, and the substrate is such that that the electrical component is physically disconnected from the substrate. 
     In another example, a dual component device is described. The device may have a first passive electrical component having two terminals disposed in first and second surfaces of the dual component device that are opposite to each other. The dual component device may also have a second passive electrical component comprising two terminal disposed in the same first and second surfaces of the dual component device as the first passive electrical component. 
     A method to produce a filter circuitry is also discussed. The method may have a process for producing a dual component device having a first passive component having a first and a second terminal, and a second passive component having a third and fourth terminal. The method may also have a process for attaching an electrical component to the dual component device such that a fifth terminal of the electrical component may be coupled to the first terminal and a sixth terminal of the electrical component may be coupled to the third terminal. The method may have also a process for attaching the dual component device to a printed circuit board such that the electrical component is physically disconnected from the printed circuit board, and the second and fourth terminals of the dual component device are coupled to the printed circuit board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an electrical device that may benefit from the inclusion of stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a notebook computer that may benefit from the inclusion of stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a hand-held device that may benefit from the inclusion of stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of portable tablet computer that may benefit from the inclusion of stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of a desktop computer that may benefit from the inclusion of stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  presents a front and a side view of a wearable electrical device that may benefit from the inclusion of stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  presents a perspective view of a termination layout of a stackable passive component, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  presents a side view of a stackable dual capacitor component that may have a layout similar to the one of  FIG. 7A , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8A  presents an implementation of a filter circuitry employing stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  presents an electrical diagram of the filter circuitry of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9A  presents a perspective view of another layout for a stackable passive component, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  presents a side view of stackable dual capacitor component that may have a layout similar to the one of  FIG. 9A , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9C  presents a front view of a stackable dual capacitor component of  FIG. 9B , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10A  presents an implementation of a filter circuitry that employs stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10B  presents an electrical diagram of the filter circuitry of  FIG. 10A , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  presents a method to produce a filter using stackable passive components, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 12  presents a method to produce a stackable capacitor, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Many electrical devices include circuitries that may use multiple passive components. In some circuitries, the passive components may be implemented as discrete components. For example, a circuitry may be design to include discrete inductors, resistors, or capacitors soldered to a printed circuit board. Examples provided herein provide descriptions of passive components that may be stacked. For example, a passive component may configured such that it may be coupled to a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board) through electrical terminations in the bottom of the passive component, and directly to another electrical component through the electrical terminations in the top of the passive component. 
     This architecture may present space saving features. In many cases, discrete passive components may each occupy a footprint in the printed circuit board, which may lead to an enlarge printed circuit board. By using stackable components, a discrete electrical component may be stacked above another passive component, which may be itself attached to a printed circuit board. Since the first electrical component is physically disconnected from the printed circuit board, as it is stacked above another printed circuit board, the footprint of a circuitry may be reduced by employing stackable passive components, as described herein. 
     Moreover, some circuitries may employ multiple passive components having substantially similar specifications. For example, a filter may be designed such that they include two capacitors having similar specifications. Minor deviations in the production of the capacitors may lead to reduction in the performance of the filter. More generally, minor variations in the passive discrete components may lead to reduction in the performance of the electrical circuitry that employs them. In some of the examples described herein, packaged stackable devices may include multiple components that may be matched. Production of multiple components in the same package may substantially reduce the variations between the multiple components, improving their matching and, ultimately the performance of the circuitry employing them. 
     With the preceding in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices that may employ stackable passive components as the ones described herein is provided.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device  10  may include, among other things, one or more processor(s)  12 , memory  14 , storage or nonvolatile storage  16 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , an input/output (I/O) interface  24 , network interface  26 , and a power source  28 . The various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium), or a combination of both hardware and software elements. Many of the circuitry of the hardware elements of the various functional blocks of  FIG. 1  may employ stackable passive components to improve the efficiency in space utilization and/or to improve matching between multiple components within the hardware elements. It should be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in electronic device  10 . 
     By way of example, the electronic device  10  may represent a block diagram of a notebook computer  30 A depicted in  FIG. 2 , handheld devices  30 B,  30 C depicted in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a desktop computer  30 D depicted in  FIG. 5 , a wearable electronic device  30 E depicted in  FIG. 6 , or similar devices. It should be noted that the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be generally referred to herein as “data processing circuitry.” Such data processing circuitry may be embodied wholly or in part as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the data processing circuitry may be a single contained processing module or may be incorporated wholly or partially within any of the other elements within the electronic device  10 . 
     In the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be operably coupled with the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  to perform various algorithms. Such programs or instructions executed by the processor(s)  12  may be stored in any suitable article of manufacture or computer program product that includes one or more tangible, computer-readable media at least collectively storing the instructions or routines, such as the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16 . The memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  may include any suitable articles of manufacture for storing data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, and optical discs. Moreover, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on the memory  14  or the nonvolatile storage  16  may also include instructions that may be executed by the processor(s)  12  to allow the electronic device  10  to provide various functionalities. 
     In certain embodiments, the display  18  may be a liquid crystal display (e.g., LCD), which may allow users to view images generated on the electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the display  18  may include a touch screen, which may allow users to interact with a user interface of the electronic device  10 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the display  18  may include one or more light emitting diode (e.g., LED, OLED, AMOLED, etc.) displays, or some combination of LCD panels and LED panels. 
     The input structures  22  of the electronic device  10  may allow a user to interact with the electronic device  10  (e.g., pressing a button to increase or decrease a volume level). The I/O interface  24  may allow electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices. The I/O interface  24  may include various communications interfaces, such as universal serial bus (USB) ports, serial communications ports (e.g., RS232), Apple&#39;s Lightning® connector, or other communications interfaces. The network interface  26  may also allow electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices and may include, for example, interfaces for a personal area network (e.g., PAN), such as a Bluetooth network, for a local area network (e.g., LAN) or wireless local area network (e.g., WLAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, and/or for a wide area network (e.g., WAN), such as a 3rd generation (e.g., 3G) cellular network, 4th generation (e.g., 4G) cellular network, or long term evolution (e.g., LTE) cellular network. The network interface  26  may include an interface for, for example, broadband fixed wireless access networks (e.g., WiMAX), mobile broadband Wireless networks (e.g., mobile WiMAX), asynchronous digital subscriber lines (e.g., ADSL, VDSL), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) and its extension DVB Handheld (DVB-H), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), alternating current (AC) power lines, and so forth. 
     In some applications, input structures  22 , the I/O interfaces  24  and/or network interfaces  26  may employ radiofrequency (RF) circuitry modules. The I/O interfaces  24  and network interfaces  26  may include high-frequency circuitries to implement certain functions related with data communication. In some of these systems, a filter may be employed to prevent undesired behavior from noise or external interference. To that end, filters employing stackable passive components with improved matching specifications may be used to obtain improved performance and reduced footprint in the electrical device. As further illustrated, the electronic device  10  may include a power source  28 . The power source  28  may include any suitable source of power, such as a rechargeable lithium polymer (e.g., Li-poly) battery and/or an alternating current (e.g., AC) power converter. The power source  28  may be removable, such as replaceable battery cell. 
     In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  may take the form of a computer, a portable electronic device, a wearable electronic device, or other type of electronic device. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (e.g., such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (e.g., such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  in the form of a computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. By way of example, the electronic device  10 , taking the form of the notebook computer  30 A, is illustrated in  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted computer  30 A may include a housing or enclosure  32 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , and ports of the I/O interface  24 . In one embodiment, the input structures  22  (e.g., such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may be used to interact with the computer  30 A, such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications running on computer  30 A. For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on display  18 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a handheld device  30 B, which represents an embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  30 B may represent, for example, a portable phone, a media player, a personal data organizer, a handheld game platform, or any combination of such devices. By way of example, the handheld device  30 B may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.  FIG. 4  depicts a front view of another handheld device  30 C, which represents another embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  30 C may represent, for example, a tablet computer, or one of various portable computing devices. By way of example, the handheld device  30 C may be a tablet-sized embodiment of the electronic device  10 , which may be, for example, a model of an iPad® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     The handheld devices  30 B and  30 C may each include similar components. For example, an enclosure  36  may protect interior components from physical damage. Enclosure  36  may also shield the handheld devices  30 B and  30 C from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure  36  may surround the display  18 , which may display indicator icons  39 . The indicator icons  39  may indicate, among other things, a cellular signal strength, Bluetooth connection, and/or battery life. The I/O interfaces  24  may open through the enclosure  36  and may include, for example, an I/O port for a hard wired connection for charging and/or content manipulation using a connector and protocol, such as the Lightning connector provided by Apple Inc., a universal service bus (e.g., USB), one or more conducted radio frequency connectors, or other connectors and protocols. 
     User input structures  22 ,  40 , in combination with the display  18 , may allow a user to control the handheld devices  30 B or  30 C. For example, the input structure  40  may activate or deactivate the handheld device  30 B or  30 C, one of the input structures  22  may navigate a user interface of the handheld device  30 B or  30 C to a home screen, a user-configurable application screen, and/or activate a voice-recognition feature of the handheld device  30 B or  30 C, while other of the input structures  22  may provide volume control, or may toggle between vibrate and ring modes. In the case of the handheld device  30 B, additional input structures  22  may also include a microphone may obtain a user&#39;s voice for various voice-related features, and a speaker to allow for audio playback and/or certain phone capabilities. Portable devices  30 B and  30 C may include the stackable passive components described herein to improve the efficiency in space utilization. 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , a computer  30 D may represent another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The computer  30 D may take any suitable form of computer, such as a desktop computer, a server, or a notebook computer, but may also be a standalone media player or video gaming machine. By way of example, the computer  30 D may be an iMac®, a MacBook®, or other similar device by Apple Inc. It should be noted that the computer  30 D may also represent a personal computer (e.g., PC) by another manufacturer. A similar enclosure  36  may be provided to protect and enclose internal components of the computer  30 D such as a dual-layer display. In certain embodiments, a user of the computer  30 D may interact with the computer  30 D using various peripheral input devices, such as input structures  22  (e.g., the keyboard or mouse  38 ), which may connect to the computer  30 D via a wired I/O interface  24  and/or wireless I/O interface. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 6  depicts a wearable electronic device  30 E representing another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  that may be configured to operate using the techniques described herein. By way of example, the wearable electronic device  30 E, which may include a wristband  44 , may be an Apple Watch® by Apple, Inc. However, in other embodiments, the wearable electronic device  30 E may include any wearable electronic device such as, for example, a wearable exercise monitoring device (e.g., pedometer, accelerometer, heart rate monitor), or other device by another manufacturer. The display  18  of the wearable electronic device  30 E may include a touch screen (e.g., LCD, OLED display, active-matrix organic light emitting diode (e.g., AMOLED) display, and so forth), which may allow users to interact with a user interface of the wearable electronic device  30 E. 
     With the preceding in mind, the diagram  100  in  FIG. 7A  depicts a perspective view of a stackable passive component  102 . The perspective view is illustrated with respect to a horizontal direction  150 , a transversal direction  152 , and a vertical direction  154 . Stackable passive component  102  may include a first passive electrical component with a top terminal  104  and a bottom terminal  106 . Stackable passive component  102  may also include a second electrical component having a top terminal  108  and a bottom terminal  110 . In some implementations, the stackable passive component  102  may be mounted to a pad of a printed circuit board, and top terminals  104  and  108  may be pads for another electrical component. Note that multiple stackable passive components may be stacked based on the desired electrical circuitry. 
     The stackable passive component  102  illustrated includes two passive electrical components. Passive electrical components may be two capacitors, two inductors, a capacitor and an inductor, a resistor and a capacitor or any other set of passive electrical components. For example, if using multilayer ceramic techniques in the construction, the first component may be an inductor between terminals  104  and  106 , and may be implemented by a route within stackable passive component  102  having a desired inductance between terminals  104  and  106 . 
     Diagram  101  in  FIG. 7B  depicts a side view (i.e., along the direction of horizontal direction  150 ) of a stackable passive component  102 . Specifically, diagram  101  illustrates a stackable dual capacitor  103  having terminals similar to that of stackable passive component  102 . Stackable dual capacitor  103  may have a first capacitor between terminals  104  and  106  that is formed by electrodes  112  that are coupled to bottom terminal  106  and electrodes  114  that are coupled to top terminal  104 . Stackable dual capacitor  103  may also have a second capacitor formed between terminals  108  and  110 . This capacitor is formed by electrodes  116  that are coupled to terminal  110 , and electrodes  118  that are coupled to terminal  108 . 
     Note that the stackable dual capacitor  103  may be a single package. The stackable dual capacitor  103  may be formed from solid-state materials in some implementations. In other implementations, ceramic sheets may be used to form a multilayer ceramic capacitor device having ceramic materials as dielectric between electrodes  112  and  114  and electrodes  116  and  118 . Since the fabrication of both capacitors is very similar, as both capacitors are part of the same stackable dual capacitor  103 , the characteristics of the capacitor may be matched to a high degree. This may lead to improved performance when using the stackable dual capacitor  103  in a filter. 
     Moreover, since the parameters of a capacitor are related to the distance between electrodes and the dimensions of each electrode, the fabrication of stackable dual capacitor  103  may be adjusted to produce a system where the capacitance measured between terminals  104  and  106  may be a multiple (e.g., the same, double, triple, etc.) of the capacitance measured between terminals  108  and  110 . Other fixed ratios may also be chosen. As discussed above, the uniformity in fabrication may lead to improved accuracy in the chosen ratios. 
     As an example of a circuitry employing stackable passive components,  FIG. 8A  illustrates an implementation of a pi filter  200  mounted on a printed circuit board  201 . Pi filter  200  may be constructed from capacitor  204  and  206  in series with inductor  208 . Both capacitors  204  and  206  may be implemented within a stackable dual capacitor  103 . Inductor  208  may then be used to close the circuit. As detailed below and illustrated in electrical diagram  202  for pi filter  200 , the circuit of pi filter  200  goes from terminal  212  to terminal  214  through capacitor  206 , from terminal  214  to terminal  216  through inductor  208  and from terminal  216  to terminal  218  through capacitor  204 . 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 7B , each of capacitors  204  and  206  may have a bottom terminal and a top terminal. In this example, bottom terminal for capacitor  206  may be coupled to the printed circuit board  201  in terminal  212 . Similarly, bottom terminal for capacitor  204  may be coupled to the printed circuit board  201  in terminal  218 . Terminals  214  and  216  located in the top of the stackable dual capacitor  103  provide a pad for attachment of inductor  208 . Note that inductor  208  do not occupy any additional footprint in printed circuit board  201 . Note further that, as discussed above, capacitors  204  and  206  may have substantially matched capacitances, resulting in a pi filter  200  with improved performance. 
     A diagram  300  in  FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view of another example of stackable passive component  303 . This perspective view is illustrated with respect to a horizontal direction  150 , a transversal direction  152 , and a vertical direction  154 . Stackable passive component  303  may include two components and each component may be associated with three terminals. Top terminal  306  and bottom terminals  308  and  310  may be substantially coupled with the first component of the stackable passive component  303 . Similarly, top terminal  312  and bottom terminals  314  and  316  may be substantially coupled to the second component of the stackable passive component  303 . 
     The two components in the stackable passive component  303  may be two-terminal components. In such implementations, terminal  306  and  310  may be coupled internally through a low resistance route (e.g.,  318 ) and/or terminal  312  and  316  may be coupled internally through a low resistance route (e.g.,  318 ), as detailed below. With this implementation, both terminals of the components in the stackable passive component  303  may be coupled to a printed circuit board. This may allow circuits in which the passive component may be arranged in parallel (e.g., parallel circuit branch) with a component stacked above stackable passive component  303 . 
       FIGS. 9B and 9C  provide a side view  301  and a front view  302  of a stackable package capacitor  304  that may have a terminal layout similar to the one of stackable passive component  303 . The capacitor may have a set of electrodes  318  that are coupled to top terminal  306  and bottom terminal  310 . The capacitor may also have a set of electrodes  320  that are coupled to bottom terminal  308 . As can be seen in front view  302 , both sets of electrodes  318  and  320  present a separation along the transversal direction  152 , which creates the capacitive coupling of the capacitor. Note further that, as can be seen in side view  301 , both terminals  308  and  310  present a separation along the horizontal direction  150 , which prevents short circuit between both terminals. Finally, as can be seen in side view  301 , note that electrodes  318  connect to both top terminal  306  and bottom terminal  310 , producing a low resistance connection between terminals  306  and  310 , as discussed above. 
       FIG. 10A  depicts an implementation of a pi filter  400  that employs a stackable dual packaging capacitor  304  coupled to an inductor  404  and a printed circuit board  406 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates an electrical diagram  402  of the pi filter  400 . The circuit may be have four terminals  412 ,  414 ,  416  and  418  of the pi filter connected directly to the printed circuit board  406 . A capacitor  408  is disposed between terminals  412  and  414 , a capacitor  410  is disposed between terminals  416  and  418 , and inductor  404  may be disposed between terminals  414  and  416 . 
     Note that, as can be seen in electrical diagram  402 , pi filter  400  has inductor terminals  414  and  416  connected to a route of the printed circuit board, in contrast with pi filter  200  of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  in which only terminals  212  and  218  are connected to a printed circuit board  406 . This implementation may be realized using a stackable dual packaging capacitor  304  in which terminals  414 A and  414 B are internally coupled and terminals  416 A and  416 B are internally coupled, as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 9A-C . Note further that terminal  412  and  418  are also available for routing in the printed circuit board  406 . In some implementations, terminals  412  and  418  may be coupled to a ground connection of the printed circuit board  406 , such as ground layer. This implementation for pi filter  400  reduces the footprint of the circuitry in the printed circuit board  406  relative to a similar implementation without stacking, while still allowing all terminals  412 ,  414 ,  416 , and  418  to be connected to the printed circuit board. 
     A method  500  to produce a filter using passive components, such as the ones illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 10A , is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The method may have a process to provide a stackable capacitor component (block  502 ). The capacitor component may be attached to a stackable inductor component (block  504 ). Attachment may be realized through direct welding of terminals, solder ball, or any other method appropriate with the package of the stackable capacitor component and the stackable inductor component. The stack may then be soldered to a printed circuit board (block  506 ). Note that stackable capacitor component and stackable inductor components may be a part of a stackable dual passive component package, as discussed above. Note also that the components may be chosen based on the electrical circuitry that is appropriate for the application. 
     Moreover, a method  550  to produce stackable dual capacitors such as the ones illustrated in  FIG. 7B  and  FIGS. 9B-C  is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . This method may be used to produce, for example stackable dual capacitors using multilayer ceramic technology. The method may have a process to arrange layers of a capacitor (box  552 ). The layers may be dielectric layers or electrode layers, and they may be disposed to form capacitive structures, such as the arrangements of electrodes illustrated in  FIG. 7B  and in  FIGS. 9B-C . While the figures illustrated provide arrangements having vertical electrodes, horizontal electrodes are also contemplated. 
     Once the body of the capacitor is formed, terminals for the first capacitor (box  554 ) may be provided through deposition of a metal in the appropriate regions of the capacitor. Terminal for the second capacitor may also be provided (box  556 ) through a similar process. Care may be taken to avoid unintended short-circuits between the terminals of the first and the second capacitors. 
     Method  550  may be modified for the production of stackable dual inductor packages and stackable dual resistor packages, as well as more general dual components, as discussed above. To that end, the conductive regions of the ceramic layers may be arranged in the appropriate manner to form a resistor, or an inductor. For example, a dual package having one capacitor and one resistor may be produced using a modification of method  550 . 
     Benefits of some of the examples illustrated herein include the use of packaging mechanisms that may save footprint of passive component circuitry in printed circuit boards. Some examples may also improve the matching of characteristics of passive components (e.g., resistance, inductance, capacitance, etc . . . ) through the use packaging having dual components. As a result, improved electrical performance and reduced dimensions may be expected from electrical devices employing the systems and methods described herein. 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170912
Publication Date: 20210216
Grant Date: 20210216
Priority Date: 20160923
Inventors: MARTINEZ, PAUL A.
MEAD, CURTIS C.
MORRISON, SCOTT D.
DE LA CRUZ, GIANCARLO F.
CHEN, LIN
WANG, ALBERT
SIMERAL, BRAD W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H03H2001/0085", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/29", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/3436", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H7/0115", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H7/38", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10515", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G2/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10015", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10515", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/3436", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/228", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H1/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10015", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02P70/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10636", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G2/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02P70/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H1/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10636", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10515", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/228", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H1/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G2/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02P70/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10015", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/3436", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H7/38", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01G4/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/29", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H2001/0085", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03H7/0115", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61686012