Inductor component

Abstract

This inductor component is provided with: a green body; the coil conductor is located in the blank body; and an external electrode located on the outer surface of the body and electrically connected to the coil conductor. The green body has a lower surface and side surfaces. The external electrode includes a lower portion provided on the lower surface, and a side portion provided on the side surface so as to be continuous with the lower portion. The coil conductor is provided with: a plurality of conductor patterns which are provided so as to intersect both the lower surface and the side surface, and which form a part of an annular track on each of a plurality of dummy inner surfaces arranged at intervals; and a connection conductor connecting two adjacent conductor patterns. When the shortest distance between the coil conductor and a boundary portion between the lower portion and the side portion is defined as distance A, and the shortest distance between the coil conductor and an end portion of the lower portion on the opposite side from the boundary portion is defined as distance B, B / A is 0.2-0.6 inclusive.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inductor component in which a coil conductor is provided inside a green body. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an inductor component, which includes a substantially rectangular blank and an external electrode exposed outside the blank. A coil structure is provided inside the blank. The external electrode is formed in an L shape over the bottom and side surfaces of the blank and is electrically connected to the coil structure.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-98356

[0004] In the inductor component disclosed in Patent Document 1, by increasing the inner diameter of the coil structure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of obtaining the L value of the inductor component.

[0005] However, if the inner diameter of the coil structure increases, the distance between the coil structure and the external electrode becomes closer. As a result, parasitic capacitance may be generated between the coil structure and the external electrode. If parasitic capacitance is generated, the self-resonant frequency (SRF: Self Resonant Frequency) of the inductor component may decrease. If the self-resonant frequency decreases, the Q value of the inductor component may decrease. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an inductor component capable of ensuring a high self-resonant frequency and suppressing the generation of parasitic capacitance.

[0007] An inductor component, comprising: a base body formed of an insulator; a coil conductor provided inside the base body; and an external electrode provided on the outer surface of the base body and electrically connected to the coil conductor, the base body comprising a lower surface and a side surface connected to the lower surface, the external electrode having an L-shape formed by a lower portion provided on the lower surface and a side portion provided on the side surface continuously with the lower portion, the coil conductor comprising: a plurality of conductor patterns provided inside the base body so as to intersect both the lower surface and the side surface, and a plurality of virtual inner surfaces arranged at intervals each forming a part of a ring-shaped track; and a connecting conductor electrically connecting two adjacent conductor patterns among the plurality of conductor patterns, wherein when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the virtual inner surface, when the shortest distance between the boundary portion between the lower portion and the side portion and the coil conductor is defined as a distance A, and when the shortest distance between the end portion of the lower portion opposite to the boundary portion and the coil conductor is defined as a distance B, B / A obtained by dividing the distance B by the distance A is not less than 0.2 and not more than 0.6.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an inductor component capable of ensuring a high self-resonant frequency and suppressing the generation of parasitic capacitance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the appearance of an inductor component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the inductor components is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the AA section.

[0012] Figure 4 It is perspective in the direction of the central axis of the coil conductor Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the inductor components is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an inductor component viewed from the center axis of the coil conductor.

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded top view of the inductor components is shown.

[0015] Figure 7 It means that the Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a graph showing the result of a change in the self-resonant frequency of the inductor component relative to a value obtained by dividing the distance B by the distance A. FIG.

[0016] Figure 8 It means that the Figure 5 A graph showing the results of the variation of the self-resonant frequency in the inductor component with respect to the distance B is shown.

[0017] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram showing an inductor component viewed from the center axis of the coil conductor.

[0018] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 An exploded top view of the inductor components is shown.

[0019] Fig.11 It means that the Fig. 9 A graph showing the results of the variation of the Q value in the inductor component with respect to the distance A is shown.

[0020] Fig.12 It means that the Fig. 9 A graph showing the results of the variation of the L value with respect to the distance A in the inductor component is shown.

[0021] Fig.13 It means that the Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of changes in the Q value of the inductor component relative to the internal angle formed by the oblique side portion and the lower surface.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1…inductor component; 15…external electrode; 151…lower portion; 152…side portion; 15a…inner corner portion (boundary portion); 16…external electrode; 161…lower portion; 162…side portion; 16a…inner corner portion (boundary portion); 2…body; 2A…outer surface; 2B…virtual inner surface; 12…coil conductor; 4…lower surface; 7…left side surface (side surface); 8…right side surface (side surface); 10A…conductor pattern; 10B…conductor pattern; 10C…conductor pattern; 10D…conductor pattern; 10E…conductor pattern; 11A…connecting conductor; 11B…connecting conductor; 11C…connecting conductor; 11D…connecting conductor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Below, an example of the present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description is essentially merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applicable objects, or its uses. In addition, the accompanying drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the various dimensions may not be consistent with the actual situation. In addition, in the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions are used as needed (for example, terms including "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", and "back"). However, the use of terms indicating specific directions or positions is to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the meaning of these terms.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the appearance of an inductor component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] like Figure 1As shown, an inductor component 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a blank 2. In the present embodiment, the blank 2 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. In the present embodiment, an outer surface 2A of the blank 2 includes an upper surface 3 facing upward, a lower surface 4 facing downward, a front side surface 5 connecting the upper surface 3 and the lower surface 4, a rear side surface 6, a left side surface 7, and a right side surface 8. The left side surface 7 and the right side surface 8 are examples of side surfaces. The front side surface 5 faces forward, and the rear side surface 6 faces backward. The left side surface 7 faces left, and the right side surface 8 faces right. The front side surface 5, the rear side surface 6, the left side surface 7, and the right side surface 8 each extend from the upper surface 3 to the lower side perpendicular to the upper surface 3, and extend from the lower surface 4 to the upper side perpendicular to the lower surface 4. That is, in a cross section of the blank 2 cut along the vertical direction, the outer surface 2A of the blank 2 includes the lower surface 4, the left side surface 7 and the right side surface 8 extending from the lower surface 4 to the upper side perpendicular to the lower surface 4. The vertical direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the inductor components is shown.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the base body 2 has a laminated structure in which a plurality of insulating layers 9A to 9F are laminated. The base body 2 is made of an insulator. The insulating layers 9A to 9F are disposed on the front side surface 5 and the rear side surface 6 (see Figure 1 ) are stacked in a direction (front-back direction) orthogonal to the direction of FIG. In addition, among the insulating layers 9A to 9F, the insulating layers 9A and 9F located at the two ends are thicker than the remaining insulating layers 9B to 9E, and thus the figure shows a stacked body composed of a plurality of insulating layers.

[0029] The inductor component 1 includes a coil conductor 12 inside a base body 2. The coil conductor 12 includes a plurality of (five in this embodiment) conductor patterns 10A to 10E and one or more (four in this embodiment) connection conductors 11A to 11D.

[0030] The plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E each extend to form a portion of an annular track along any interface between the insulating layers 9A to 9F. Here, the interface can also be said to be a plurality of virtual inner surfaces 2B that extend in the up-down direction and the left-right direction and are arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction inside the blank 2. In this case, the virtual inner surface 2B intersects with the lower surface 4, the left side surface 7, and the right side surface 8. The plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E are arranged to form a portion of an annular track on the plurality of virtual inner surfaces 2B. In addition, the annular track can be any shape as long as it is annular. For example, in the present embodiment, the annular track is hexagonal, but is not limited to hexagonal, and can also be circular, quadrilateral, etc.

[0031] The plurality of connection conductors 11A to 11D each electrically connect two adjacent conductor patterns among the plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E. In the present embodiment, the plurality of connection conductors 11A to 11D are through-hole conductors that penetrate any one of the insulating layers 9B to 9E in the thickness direction. In addition, the plurality of connection conductors 11A to 11D are not limited to through-hole conductors, and may be formed in the insulating layers 9B to 9E by, for example, printing or the like. In addition, the plurality of connection conductors may also be formed in the insulating layers 9A and 9F.

[0032] The coil conductor 12 is formed by alternately connecting a plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E and one or more connection conductors 11A to 11D to extend in a spiral shape.

[0033] The conductor patterns 10A to 10E have relatively wide pads 13A to 13H at the connection portions with the connection conductors 11A to 11D.

[0034] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 2 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, T / W obtained by dividing the thickness T of the conductor pattern 10B by the width W of the conductor pattern 10B is greater than 0.8. Here, the thickness T of the conductor pattern is the length of the conductor pattern along the axial direction of the coil conductor 12. The width W of the conductor pattern is the length of the conductor pattern along the direction orthogonal to both the direction in which the conductor pattern extends and the axial direction of the coil conductor 12. In the present embodiment, with respect to the other conductor patterns 10A, 10C to 10E, T / W is greater than 0.8. That is, in the present embodiment, with respect to all the conductor patterns 10A to 10E possessed by the coil conductor 12, T / W is greater than 0.8.

[0035] In addition, T / W may be 0.8 or more only for a portion of the conductor patterns 10A to 10E included in the coil conductor 12. That is, T / W may be 0.8 or more for at least a portion of the conductor patterns 10A to 10E.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the coil conductor 12 is formed by sequentially connecting the conductor pattern 10A, the connection conductor 11A, the conductor pattern 10B, the connection conductor 11B, the conductor pattern 10C, the connection conductor 11C, the conductor pattern 10D, the connection conductor 11D, and the conductor pattern 10E.

[0037] The connection conductor 11A is connected to the conductor pattern 10A via the pad 13A, and is connected to the conductor pattern 10B via the pad 13B.

[0038] The connection conductor 11B is connected to the conductor pattern 10B via the pad 13C, and is connected to the conductor pattern 10C via the pad 13D.

[0039] The connection conductor 11C is connected to the conductor pattern 10C via the pad 13E, and is connected to the conductor pattern 10D via the pad 13F.

[0040] The connection conductor 11D is connected to the conductor pattern 10D via the pad 13G, and is connected to the conductor pattern 10E via the pad 13H.

[0041] The shortest distance L between two adjacent conductor patterns 10A to 10E is 7 μm or more. In the present embodiment, the shortest distance L is the thickness of each insulator layer 9B to 9E. For example, the shortest distance L between two adjacent conductor patterns 10A and 10B is the thickness of the insulator layer 9B. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the conductor pattern 10B is described as being separated from the insulating layer 9B. However, in reality, the conductor pattern 10B is in contact with the insulating layer 9B. The same applies to other conductor patterns.

[0042] In addition, as described above, the insulating layers 9A and 9F located at both ends are shown as a laminate composed of a plurality of insulating layers. Therefore, for example, when a conductor pattern is located inside the insulating layer 9A, the shortest distance between the conductor pattern and the adjacent conductor pattern 10A is 7 μm or more.

[0043] The number of conductor patterns 10A to 10E and connection conductors 11A to 11D sequentially connected to form coil conductor 12 , the number of turns of coil conductor 12 , and the number of stacked insulating layers 9A to 9F are not limited to the numbers shown in the figure, and may be any number.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the inductor component 1 includes two external electrodes 15 and 16 on the outer surface 2A of the base body 2. The external electrode 15 has an L-shape formed by a lower portion 151 provided on the left portion of the lower surface 4 and a side portion 152 provided continuously with the lower portion 151 on the left side surface 7. The external electrode 16 has an L-shape formed by a lower portion 161 provided on the right portion of the lower surface 4 and a side portion 162 provided continuously with the lower portion 161 on the right side surface 8. The lower portion 151 of the external electrode 15 is provided at a distance from the lower portion 161 of the external electrode 16. The side portion 152 of the external electrode 15 extends upward from the lower portion 151 to the middle of the left side surface 7. The side portion 162 of the external electrode 16 extends upward from the lower portion 161 to the middle of the right side surface 8.

[0045] The lower portions 151 and 161 of the external electrodes 15 and 16 are exposed to the outside of the green body 2 at the lower surface 4. The side portion 152 of the external electrode 15 is exposed to the outside of the green body 2 at the left side surface 7. The side portion 162 of the external electrode 16 is exposed to the outside of the green body 2 at the right side surface 8. In the present embodiment, the external electrodes 15 and 16 are each buried inside the green body 2 except for the exposed portion. In addition, the external electrodes 15 and 16 may be completely buried inside the green body 2, or a portion may be made to protrude from the green body 2 and only a portion may be buried inside the green body 2.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the lead conductor pattern 17 integrally extending from the conductor pattern 10A provided along the interface between the insulating layers 9A and 9B is connected to the external electrode 15. The lead conductor pattern 18 integrally extending from the conductor pattern 10E provided along the interface between the insulating layers 9E and 9F is connected to the external electrode 16. In this way, one end of the coil conductor 12 is electrically connected to the external electrode 15 via the lead conductor pattern 17, and the other end of the coil conductor 12 is electrically connected to the external electrode 16 via the lead conductor pattern 18. In addition, the coil conductor 12 may be electrically connected to the external electrodes 15 and 16 at portions other than the one end and the other end.

[0047] When the inductor component 1 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), the lower surface 4 is a mounting surface facing the circuit board. Therefore, in this embodiment, the direction of the magnetic flux provided by the coil conductor 12 is parallel to the mounting surface.

[0048] The inductor component 1 is manufactured, for example, as follows.

[0049] Basically, the following four technologies are applied. The first technology is a technology of applying a photosensitive insulating paste having, for example, borosilicate glass as a main component on a carrier film by printing, thereby forming a plurality of insulating paste layers that should become insulating layers 9A to 9F. The second technology is a technology of forming a plurality of wiring conductors such as conductor patterns 10A to 10E in a specific insulating paste layer using, for example, a photosensitive conductive paste having silver (Ag) as a metal main component. The third technology is a technology of forming holes or grooves for configuring connecting conductors 11A to 11D or external electrodes 15 and 16 in a specific insulating paste layer. The fourth technology is a technology of stacking a plurality of insulating paste layers, cutting them into a specified size, and then firing them.

[0050] 1. In order to make Figure 2 The insulating layer 9A shown is formed by repeatedly printing the above-mentioned photosensitive insulating paste on a carrier film to form a photosensitive insulating paste layer consisting of a plurality of layers.

[0051] Here, the entire surface of the photosensitive insulator paste layer, which is a part of the insulator layer 9A and is to be the outermost insulator layer, is exposed to ultraviolet light. In addition, the insulator layer to be the outermost layer may be colored differently from other insulator layers in order to facilitate detection of rollover during mounting of the inductor component 1.

[0052] In the remaining portion of the insulating layer 9A, which is the photosensitive insulating paste layer that is to form the external electrodes 15 and 16, a groove for arranging the external electrodes 15 and 16 is formed by applying the photolithography technique. The groove is filled with the photosensitive conductive paste.

[0053] 2. In order to make Figure 2 The insulating layers 9B to 9E shown are photosensitive insulating paste layers to be the insulating layers 9B to 9E respectively formed on a carrier film. In addition, holes for arranging the connecting conductors 11A to 11D and grooves for arranging the external electrodes 15 and 16 are formed in the photosensitive insulating paste layers using photolithography technology.

[0054] Next, a photosensitive conductive paste layer is applied on the photosensitive insulator paste layer by printing. At this time, the photosensitive conductive paste is filled in the holes for arranging the connection conductors 11A to 11D and the grooves for arranging the external electrodes 15 and 16. Next, the photosensitive conductive paste layer is patterned by applying photolithography technology to obtain conductor patterns 10A to 10D having pads 13A to 13G.

[0055] 3. In order to make Figure 2 Insulator layer 9F shown in the figure is obtained by repeatedly printing the above-mentioned photosensitive insulator paste on a carrier film, thereby forming a photosensitive insulator paste layer constituting a plurality of layers.

[0056] Here, in the photosensitive insulator paste layer which is a part of the insulator layer 9F and is to be the outermost insulator layer, the entire surface is exposed to ultraviolet rays as in the case of the above-mentioned insulator layer 9A. In this case, it is also possible to perform coloring different from other insulator layers.

[0057] In the remaining portion of the insulating layer 9F, which is the photosensitive insulating paste layer that is to be the insulating layer for forming only the external electrodes 15 and 16, a groove for arranging the external electrodes 15 and 16 is formed by applying the photolithography technique. The groove is filled with the photosensitive conductive paste.

[0058] In addition, in the photosensitive insulator paste layer in which the conductor pattern 10E having the external electrodes 15 and 16 and the pad 13H is to be formed, the photosensitive insulator paste layer is firstly formed with grooves for arranging the external electrodes 15 and 16 by applying the photolithography technique. Then, the photosensitive conductive paste layer is applied by printing on the photosensitive insulator paste layer. At this time, the photosensitive conductive paste is filled in the grooves for arranging the above-mentioned external electrodes 15 and 16. Then, the photosensitive conductive paste layer is patterned by applying the photolithography technique to obtain the conductor pattern 10E having the pad 13H.

[0059] 4. Next, the above-mentioned photosensitive insulator paste layers are stacked in order to Figure 2 The insulating layers 9A to 9F are stacked in the order shown. Thus, a mother laminate is obtained.

[0060] 5. The mother laminate is cut by dicing or press cutting to obtain a plurality of unfired component bodies. The external electrodes 15 and 16 are exposed on the cut surfaces obtained by the cutting.

[0061] 6. The unfired component body is fired under predetermined conditions to obtain a green body 2. The green body 2 shrinks due to the firing. The green body 2 is subjected to barrel grinding, for example.

[0062] 7. If necessary, a plating film is formed on the portions of the external electrodes 15 and 16 exposed from the base body 2. The plating film is composed of, for example, a Ni plating layer or a Cu plating layer and a Sn plating layer thereon.

[0063] 8. As described above, the inductor component 1 is completed.

[0064] Below, we mainly refer to Figure 4 The structure of the inductor component 1 will be described. Figure 4 It is perspective in the direction of the central axis of the coil conductor Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the inductor components is shown. That is, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the inductor component 1 viewed from a direction perpendicular to the virtual inner surface 2B. Figure 4 In the figure, only the external electrodes 15 and 16 and the conductor patterns 10A to 10E in the coil conductor 12 are shown, and the connecting conductors 11A to 11D, the lead conductor patterns 17 and 18, and the pads 13A to 13H are omitted. Figure 4 In the figure, the conductor patterns 10A to 10E that overlap each other are collectively referred to by the reference numeral “10”.

[0065] like Figure 4As shown, the conductor pattern 10 included in the inductor component 1 is formed in a hexagonal shape having a lower side portion 19 , two side sides 20 , 21 , two oblique side portions 22 , 23 , and an upper side portion 24 .

[0066] The lower side portion 19 extends linearly in parallel with the lower surface 4 .

[0067] The lower side portion 19 is located above the lower portion 151 of the external electrode 15 and the lower portion 161 of the external electrode 16. Here, the lower side portion 19 is located at the lowest position in the coil conductor 12. That is, the coil conductor 12 is located on the opposite side of the lower surface 4 relative to the portion where the lower portions 151 and 161 are buried in the vertical direction perpendicular to the lower surface 4.

[0068] The two side portions 20 and 21 extend linearly in parallel with the left side surface 7 and the right side surface 8 , respectively.

[0069] The oblique side portion 22 connects the end of the left side surface 7 side of the lower side portion 19 and the lower end of the side portion 20 in a direction inclined relative to the lower surface 4. In detail, the oblique side portion 22 extends upward as it goes to the left. That is, the oblique side portion 22 extends so as to get closer to the left side surface 7 in the left-right direction parallel to the lower surface 4 and further away from the lower surface 4 in the up-down direction perpendicular to the lower surface 4.

[0070] The oblique side portion 23 connects the end of the right side surface 8 of the lower side portion 19 and the lower end of the side portion 21 in a direction inclined relative to the lower surface 4. In detail, the oblique side portion 23 extends upward as it goes to the right. That is, the oblique side portion 23 extends so as to be closer to the right side surface 8 in the left-right direction and away from the lower surface 4 in the up-down direction.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, from Figure 4 The oblique sides 22 and 23 have a shape extending in a straight line, and are shaped to connect both ends of the lower side 19 in the left-right direction and the lower ends of the side sides 20 and 21 at the shortest distance.

[0072] The upper side portion 24 extends linearly parallel to the upper surface 3 .

[0073] In addition, the shapes of the lower side portion 19 , the two side portions 20 , 21 , the two oblique side portions 22 , 23 , and the upper side portion 24 are not limited to the above-mentioned shapes, and are arbitrary.

[0074] For example, the lower side 19 and the upper side 24 may not extend parallel to the lower surface 4, and may not be in a straight line. For example, the lower side 19 and the upper side 24 may extend obliquely relative to the lower surface 4, and may be in a curved line such as an arc or a wave line. The upper side 24 is relatively far from the external electrodes 15 and 16. Therefore, the upper side 24 does not have much influence on the above-mentioned parasitic capacitance problem compared with the lower side 19.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the structure in which all the plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E included in the inductor component 1 include the oblique side portions 22 and 23 is described. However, a portion of the plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E (for example, the conductor patterns 10A and 10B) may include the oblique side portions 22 and 23, while the remaining portions (for example, the conductor patterns 10C to 10E) may not include the oblique side portions 22 and 23. In other words, at least a portion of the plurality of conductor patterns 10A to 10E may include the oblique side portions 22 and 23.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the length A1 of a perpendicular line dropped from the L-shaped inner corner 15a of the external electrode 15 to the outer peripheral edge 22a of the oblique side portion 22, and the length A2 of a perpendicular line dropped from the L-shaped inner corner 16a of the external electrode 16 to the outer peripheral edge 23a of the oblique side portion 23 are both greater than 57 μm and less than 78 μm. The inner corner 15a is the boundary between the lower portion 151 and the side portion 152 of the external electrode 15. The inner corner 16a is the boundary between the lower portion 161 and the side portion 162 of the external electrode 16. The length A1 is the shortest distance between the inner corner 15a and the coil conductor 12. The length A2 is the shortest distance between the inner corner 16a and the coil conductor 12. The lengths A1 and A2 are examples of the distance A.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the length B1 of the perpendicular line from the end 15b on the opposite side of the inner corner 15a in the lower portion 151 of the external electrode 15 to the outer peripheral edge 22a of the oblique side portion 22, and the length B2 of the perpendicular line from the end 16b on the opposite side of the inner corner 16a in the lower portion 161 of the external electrode 16 to the outer peripheral edge 23a of the oblique side portion 23 are both 14 μm or more and 45 μm or less. The length B1 is the shortest distance between the end 15b and the coil conductor 12. The length B2 is the shortest distance between the end 16b and the coil conductor 12. The lengths B1 and B2 are examples of the distance B.

[0078] In the inductor component 1 , a value obtained by dividing the distance B by the distance A, that is, B / A, is greater than or equal to 0.2 and less than or equal to 0.6.

[0079] In this embodiment, from Figure 4In the bilaterally symmetrical geometric form, it is known that the length A1 is equal to the length A2, and the length B1 is equal to the length B2. However, the length A1 and the length A2 may be different, and the length B1 and the length B2 may be different.

[0080] In addition, when the inner corners 15a and 16a of the external electrodes 15 and 16 that serve as the starting points of the lengths A1 and A2 are rounded, the starting point is located at the rounded portion of the inner corners. In addition, when the ends 15b and 16b of the external electrodes 15 and 16 that serve as the starting points of the lengths B1 and B2 are rounded, the starting point is located at the rounded portion of the ends.

[0081] In addition, the conductor patterns 10A to 10E included in the inductor component may have a configuration that extends in a spiral shape with more than one turn on one interface between the insulating layers. In this case, the outer peripheral edges 22a and 23a of the oblique sides 22 and 23 that are the end points of the lengths A1 and A2 and the lengths B1 and B2 are provided by the outer peripheral edge of the outermost wound conductor layer.

[0082] In this embodiment, the internal angle θ1 formed by the oblique side portion 22 and the lower surface 4 and the internal angle θ2 formed by the oblique side portion 23 and the lower surface 4 are 15° to 40°. In this embodiment, the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are equal, but the internal angles θ1 and θ2 may be different.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the size M1 of the annular track in the vertical direction perpendicular to the lower surface 4 is greater than or equal to 0.6 times and less than or equal to 0.85 times the size M2 of the blank 2 in the vertical direction. Here, the size M1 of the annular track in the vertical direction refers to the maximum size of the annular track in the vertical direction, and the size M2 of the blank 2 in the vertical direction refers to the maximum size of the blank 2 in the vertical direction.

[0084] For the inductor component 100 (refer to Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 ) and the inductor component 200 (refer to Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 ), and the simulation described later is performed. In the inductor components 100 and 200, the same components as those of the inductor component 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the inductor component 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0085] First, the structure of the inductor component 100 will be described.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an inductor component viewed from the center axis of the coil conductor. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded top view of the inductor components is shown.

[0087] The inductor component 100 is different from the inductor component 100 in terms of the number of insulating layers, the number of turns of the coil conductor 112, and the shapes of the conductor patterns 110A to 110L of the coil conductor 112. Figure 1 to Figure 4 Although detailed description is omitted, the inductor component 100 also differs from the inductor component 1 in the number and position of pads (not shown) and the number and position of connection conductors 111A to 111K according to the above-mentioned differences.

[0088] like Figure 6 As shown, the inductor component 100 is provided with a coil conductor 112 having a 10.5-turn structure on a base body 102 having a 12-layer structure. The coil conductor 112 includes conductor patterns 110A to 110L and connecting conductors 111A to 111K. The connecting conductors 111A to 111K each electrically connect two adjacent conductor patterns among the conductor patterns 110A to 110L. Thus, the coil conductor 112 is in a form extending in a spiral shape by alternately connecting a plurality of conductor patterns 110A to 110L and a plurality of connecting conductors 111A to 111K.

[0089] The conductor pattern 110A is electrically connected to the external electrode 115 via the conductor pattern 117 . The conductor pattern 110L is electrically connected to the external electrode 116 via the conductor pattern 118 .

[0090] The conductor patterns 10A to 10E of the inductor component 1 described above are formed into a hexagon having six bent portions. In contrast, the conductor patterns 110A to 110L of the inductor component 100 have bent portions instead of the six bent portions described above. That is, the conductor patterns 110A to 110L are smoothly bent at the boundaries between the two side portions, the two oblique portions, and the upper portion. In this respect, the shapes of the conductor patterns 110A to 110L are different from the shapes of the conductor patterns 10A to 10E.

[0091] Next, a simulation performed in the inductor component 100 will be described.

[0092] Figure 7 It means that the Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a graph showing the result of a change in the self-resonant frequency of the inductor component relative to a value obtained by dividing the distance B by the distance A. FIG.

[0093] For the inductor component 100, an electromagnetic field simulator was used to simulate how the self-resonant frequency changes by changing at least one of the distance A and the distance B so that B / A fluctuates within a range of approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.25. Figure 7 As shown, as B / A decreases, the self-resonant frequency decreases.

[0094] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the ratio of the reduction in the self-resonant frequency to the reduction in B / A when B / A is less than 0.2 is greater than the ratio when B / A is greater than 0.2. In the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, since B / A is greater than 0.2, the reduction in the self-resonant frequency can be reduced compared to the structure in which B / A is less than 0.2. As a result, a higher self-resonant frequency can be ensured.

[0095] Figure 8 It means that the Figure 5 A graph showing the results of the variation of the self-resonant frequency in the inductor component with respect to the distance B is shown.

[0096] Regarding the inductor component 100, an electromagnetic field simulator was used to simulate how the self-resonant frequency changes when the distance B is fluctuated within a range of approximately 7 μm to approximately 20 μm. Figure 8 As shown, as the distance B decreases, the self-resonant frequency decreases.

[0097] When the distance B is less than 14 μm, the ratio of the reduction in the self-resonant frequency to the reduction in the distance B is greater than the ratio when the distance B is 14 μm or more. According to the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, since the distance B is 14 μm or more, the reduction in the self-resonant frequency can be reduced compared to the structure in which the distance B is less than 14 μm.

[0098] Furthermore, when the simulation was performed on an inductor component having a shape different from that of the inductor component 100 (for example, an inductor component 200 described later), the same results as those of FIG. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 Same result.

[0099] Next, the structure of the inductor component 200 will be described.

[0100] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram showing an inductor component viewed from the center axis of the coil conductor. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 An exploded top view of the inductor components is shown.

[0101] The inductor component 200 is different from the inductor component 200 in terms of the number of insulating layers, the number of turns of the coil conductor 212, and the shapes of the conductor patterns 210A to 210I of the coil conductor 212. Figure 1 to Figure 4 The inductor component 200 is different from the inductor component 1. In addition, due to the above-mentioned differences, the number and position of pads (not shown) and the number and position of connection conductors 211A to 211I are also different from the inductor component 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0102] like Fig.10As shown, the inductor component 200 is provided with a coil conductor 212 having a 6.5-turn structure on a base body 202 having a 9-layer structure. The coil conductor 212 includes conductor patterns 210A to 210I and connecting conductors 211A to 211I. The connecting conductors 211A to 211I each electrically connect two adjacent conductor patterns among the conductor patterns 210A to 210I. Thus, the coil conductor 212 is in a form extending in a spiral shape by alternately connecting a plurality of conductor patterns 210A to 210I and a plurality of connecting conductors 211A to 211I.

[0103] The conductor pattern 210A is electrically connected to the external electrode 215 via the conductor pattern 217. The conductor pattern 210I is electrically connected to the external electrode 216 via the conductor pattern 218. In addition, similar to the external electrodes 15 and 16 of the inductor component 1, the external electrode 215 has an L-shape composed of a lower portion 2151 and a side portion 2152, and the external electrode 216 has an L-shape composed of a lower portion 2161 and a side portion 2162 (see FIG. Fig. 9 ).

[0104] like Fig. 9 As shown, the conductor patterns 210A to 210I included in the inductor component 200 of the modification example have a lower side portion 219 , two side portions 220 and 221 , two oblique side portions 222 and 223 , and an upper side portion 224 , similarly to the conductor patterns 10A to 10E included in the above-described inductor component 1 .

[0105] In the inductor component 200 , the extended portions 222A and 223A, which are virtually extended oblique side portions 222 and 223 , intersect with the side portions 2152 and 2162 of the external electrodes 215 and 216 . Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the extensions 222A and 223A are indicated by dotted lines.

[0106] Next, a simulation performed in the inductor component 200 will be described.

[0107] Fig.11 It means that the Fig. 9 A graph showing the results of the variation of the Q value in the inductor component with respect to the distance A is shown.

[0108] Regarding the inductor component 200, an electromagnetic field simulator was used to simulate how the Q value changes when the distance A is fluctuated within a range of approximately 40 μm to approximately 110 μm. Fig.11 As shown, when the distance A is larger than 78 μm, the Q value decreases as the distance A increases, and when the distance A is smaller than 78 μm, the Q value decreases as the distance A decreases.

[0109] When the distance A is less than 57 μm, the Q value of the inductor component decreases sharply as the distance A decreases. When the distance A is greater than 78 μm, the Q value of the inductor component decreases sharply as the distance A increases. On the other hand, when the distance A is greater than 57 μm and less than 78 μm as in the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, the Q value of the inductor component is maintained at a higher value than when the distance A is less than 57 μm and when the distance A is greater than 8 μm. That is, according to the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, a higher Q value can be ensured.

[0110] Fig.12 It means that the Fig. 9 A graph showing the results of the variation of the L value with respect to the distance A in the inductor component is shown.

[0111] Regarding the inductor component 200, an electromagnetic field simulator was used to simulate how the L value changes when the distance A is fluctuated within a range of approximately 40 μm to approximately 110 μm. Fig.12 As shown, the L value decreases as the distance A increases.

[0112] When the distance A is greater than 78 μm, the ratio of the decrease in the L value of the inductor component to the increase in the distance A is greater than the ratio when the distance A is 78 μm or less. According to the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, since the distance A is 78 μm or less, the decrease in the L value can be reduced compared to the structure in which the distance A is greater than 78 μm. As a result, a high L value can be ensured.

[0113] Fig.13 It means that the Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results of changes in the Q value of the inductor component with respect to the internal angles θ1 and θ2 formed between the oblique side and the bottom surface.

[0114] Regarding the inductor component 200, an electromagnetic field simulator was used to simulate how the Q value changes when the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are swung within a range of approximately 15° to approximately 40°. Fig.13 As shown, when the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are smaller than 15°, the Q value decreases as the internal angles θ1 and θ2 become smaller, and when the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are larger than 40°, the Q value decreases as the internal angles θ1 and θ2 become larger. On the other hand, when the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are 15° to 40°, the internal angles θ1 and θ2 maintain a larger Q value than when the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are less than 15° and when the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are greater than 40°.

[0115] When the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 formed by the oblique side and the lower surface are less than 15°, the Q value of the inductor component decreases sharply as the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 decrease. When the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are greater than 40°, the Q value of the inductor component decreases sharply as the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 increase. On the other hand, when the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are greater than 15° and less than 40° as in the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, the Q value of the inductor component 1 is maintained at a higher value than when the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are less than 15° and when the angles of the internal angles θ1 and θ2 are greater than 40°. That is, according to the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, a higher Q value can be ensured.

[0116] Furthermore, when the simulation was performed on an inductor component having a shape different from that of the inductor component 200 (for example, the above-mentioned inductor component 100), the same results as those obtained were obtained. Figure 11 to Figure 13 Same result.

[0117] Other effects of this embodiment will be described below.

[0118] As B / A increases, the positional relationship between the lower portions 151 and 161 of the external electrodes 15 and 16 and the lower surface portion of the conductor pattern (the oblique side portions 22 and 23) approaches parallelism. As a result, parasitic capacitance is easily generated between the lower portion of the external electrode and the lower surface portion of the conductor pattern. In the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, B / A is 0.6 or less, so the generation of the above-mentioned parasitic capacitance can be suppressed compared to a structure in which B / A is larger than 0.6.

[0119] As the distance B increases, the inner diameter of the coil conductor decreases, and the L value decreases. According to the inductor component 1 of the present embodiment, the distance B is 45 μm or less. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inner diameter of the coil conductor from becoming too small.

[0120] According to the present embodiment, the oblique side portions 22 and 23 extend obliquely with respect to the lower surface 4, the left side surface 7, and the right side surface 8. On the other hand, the external electrodes 15 and 16 are provided along the lower surface 4, the left side surface 7, and the right side surface 8. Therefore, compared with the conventional structure in which the conductor patterns 10A to 10E do not have the oblique side portions 22 and 23 and are provided parallel to the lower surface 4, the distance between the conductor patterns 10A to 10E (oblique side portions 22 and 23) and the external electrodes 15 and 16 can be increased. As a result, the generation of parasitic capacitance between the oblique side portions 22 and 23 and the external electrodes 15 and 16 can be reduced.

[0121] When the distance between the conductor patterns 10A to 10E and the external electrodes 15 and 16 is the same in this embodiment and the above-mentioned conventional structure, the present embodiment having the oblique sides 22 and 23 can increase the inner diameter of the coil conductor 12 compared to the conventional structure without the oblique sides 22 and 23 .

[0122] In the structure in which the extension portions 222A and 223A intersect the side portions 152 and 162 , the inner diameter of the coil conductor 12 can be increased compared to the structure in which the extension portions 222A and 223A do not intersect the side portions 152 and 162 .

[0123] According to the present embodiment, the dimension M1 of the annular track in the vertical direction perpendicular to the lower surface 4 is 0.6 times or more the dimension M2 of the base body 2 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the inner diameter of the coil conductor 12 can be increased compared with a configuration where the dimension M1 is less than 0.6 times.

[0124] When the size M1 of the annular track in the vertical direction perpendicular to the lower surface 4 is close to (in other words, close to 1 times) the size M2 of the blank 2 in the vertical direction, the possibility of the conductor patterns 10A to 10E being exposed to the outside of the blank 2 due to manufacturing variations increases. According to the present embodiment, the size M1 of the annular track in the vertical direction is 0.85 times or less of the size M2 of the blank 2 in the vertical direction. Therefore, compared with a structure where the size M1 of the annular track in the vertical direction is greater than 0.85 times, the possibility of the conductor patterns 10A to 10E being exposed to the outside of the blank 2 increases.

[0125] In the case of a structure in which a portion of the coil conductor 12 overlaps with the portion in which the lower portions 151 and 161 are embedded in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as an overlapping structure), the coil conductor 12 is close to the lower surface 4, so the distance between the coil conductor 12 and the lower surface 4 is shortened. As a result, the possibility that the coil conductor 12 is exposed to the lower surface 4 of the blank 2 due to manufacturing deviation increases. According to the present embodiment, the coil conductor 12 is located on the opposite side of the lower surface 4 relative to the portion in which the lower portions 151 and 161 are embedded in the vertical direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the distance between the coil conductor 12 and the lower surface 4 is longer than in the above-mentioned overlapping structure. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the possibility that the coil conductor 12 is exposed to the lower surface 4 of the blank 2 can be reduced compared to the above-mentioned overlapping structure.

[0126] According to the present embodiment, compared with a configuration in which T / W is less than 0.8, the resistance of the coil conductor 12 at high frequencies can be reduced.

[0127] According to this embodiment, compared with a structure in which the distance between two adjacent conductor patterns is less than 7 μm, the generation of parasitic capacitance between the two conductor patterns can be reduced. As a result, a high self-resonant frequency can be ensured.

[0128] In the present embodiment, an example in which the inductor component 1 includes two external electrodes 15 and 16 is described. However, the number of external electrodes 15 and 16 included in the inductor component 1 is not limited to two.

[0129] In this embodiment, an example in which each conductor pattern 10A to 10E is formed into a hexagon with six bent portions is described, but the structure of each conductor pattern 10A to 10E is not limited to a hexagon. For example, each conductor pattern 10A to 10E may have a curved portion instead of a bent portion, as in each conductor pattern 110A to 110L provided in the above-mentioned inductor component 100. In addition, for example, the number of oblique sides provided in each conductor pattern 10A to 10E is not limited to two.

[0130] In the present embodiment, an example in which the blank 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped is described, but the blank 2 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the blank 2 is cylindrical and may also have an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface connecting the upper surface and the lower surface. In this case, as in the present embodiment, it can be understood that in a cross section in which the blank 2 is cut in the up-down direction, the outer surface of the blank 2 has a lower surface, a left side surface extending upward from the lower surface and perpendicular to the lower surface, and a right side surface. In addition, external electrodes may be provided on the left side surface and the right side surface, respectively. That is, in the case in which the blank 2 is cylindrical, the inductor component 1 has two external electrodes on one side surface.

[0131] The inductor component described above can be expressed as follows. (1)

[0133] An inductor component according to one technical solution of the present disclosure includes:

[0134] A body, composed of an insulator;

[0135] A coil conductor is disposed inside the blank; and

[0136] The external electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the green body and is electrically connected to the coil conductor.

[0137] The blank comprises a lower surface and a side surface connected to the lower surface.

[0138] The external electrode has an L-shape consisting of a lower portion provided on the lower surface and a side portion provided on the side surface continuously with the lower portion.

[0139] The coil conductor comprises: a plurality of conductor patterns arranged to intersect both the lower surface and the side surface inside the body, and each of a plurality of virtual inner surfaces arranged at intervals forms a part of a ring-shaped track; and a connecting conductor electrically connecting two adjacent conductor patterns among the plurality of conductor patterns.

[0140] When observed from a direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned virtual inner surface, with the shortest distance between the boundary between the above-mentioned lower portion and the above-mentioned side portion and the above-mentioned coil conductor being set to distance A, and with the shortest distance between the end portion of the above-mentioned lower portion on the opposite side of the above-mentioned boundary portion and the above-mentioned coil conductor being set to distance B, B / A obtained by dividing the above-mentioned distance B by the above-mentioned distance A is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.6. (2)

[0142] In the inductor component of (1),

[0143] The distance A may be greater than or equal to 57 μm and less than or equal to 78 μm. (3)

[0145] In the inductor component of (1) or (2),

[0146] The distance B may be greater than or equal to 14 μm and less than or equal to 45 μm. (4)

[0148] In any one of the inductor components (1) to (3),

[0149] At least a part of the plurality of conductor patterns may include an oblique side portion extending so as to be separated from the lower surface in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface as approaching the side surface in a direction parallel to the lower surface. (5)

[0151] In the inductor component of (4),

[0152] When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the virtual inner surface, an inner angle formed by the oblique side portion and the lower surface may be greater than or equal to 15° and less than or equal to 40°. (6)

[0154] In the inductor component of (4) or (5),

[0155] An extended portion obtained by virtually extending the oblique side portion may intersect the side portion. (7)

[0157] In any one of the inductor components (1) to (6),

[0158] The dimension of the annular track in the direction perpendicular to the lower surface may be greater than or equal to 0.6 times and less than or equal to 0.85 times the dimension of the blank in the direction perpendicular to the lower surface. (8)

[0160] In any one of the inductor components (1) to (7),

[0161] Alternatively, at least a portion of the lower portion may be embedded in the green body.

[0162] The coil conductor is located on the opposite side of the lower surface with respect to a portion in which the lower portion is buried in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface. (9)

[0164] In any one of the inductor components (1) to (8),

[0165] In at least some of the plurality of conductor patterns, T / W obtained by dividing a thickness T of the at least some of the conductor patterns by a width W of the at least some of the conductor patterns may be greater than or equal to 0.8. (10)

[0167] In any one of the inductor components (1) to (9),

[0168] The shortest distance between two adjacent conductor patterns among the plurality of conductor patterns may be 7 μm or more.

[0169] In addition, by appropriately combining any of the various embodiments described above, the effects possessed by each can be exhibited.

[0170] The present invention is appropriately referred to the attached Figure 1 Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not depart from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An inductor component, wherein: have: A body, composed of an insulator; A coil conductor is disposed inside the blank; and An external electrode is disposed on the outer surface of the blank and is electrically connected to the coil conductor. The blank comprises a lower surface and a side surface connected to the lower surface, The external electrode has an L-shape, the L-shape being composed of a lower portion provided on the lower surface and a side portion provided on the side surface continuously with the lower portion, The coil conductor comprises: a plurality of conductor patterns arranged to intersect both the lower surface and the side surface inside the body, and each of a plurality of virtual inner surfaces arranged at intervals forms a part of a ring-shaped track; and a connecting conductor for electrically connecting two adjacent conductor patterns among the plurality of conductor patterns, When observed from a direction orthogonal to the virtual inner surface, with the shortest distance between the boundary between the lower portion and the side portion and the coil conductor being distance A, and the shortest distance between the end portion of the lower portion opposite to the boundary portion and the coil conductor being distance B, B / A obtained by dividing the distance B by the distance A is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.

6.

2. The inductor component according to claim 1, wherein The distance A is greater than or equal to 57 μm and less than or equal to 78 μm.

3. The inductor component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The distance B is greater than or equal to 14 μm and less than or equal to 45 μm.

4. The inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least a part of the plurality of conductor patterns includes an oblique side portion extending so as to be separated from the lower surface in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface as approaching the side surface in a direction parallel to the lower surface.

5. The inductor component according to claim 4, wherein When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the virtual inner surface, an inner angle formed by the oblique side portion and the lower surface is greater than or equal to 15° and less than or equal to 40°.

6. The inductor component according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: An extended portion, which is a virtual extension of the oblique side portion, intersects the side portion.

7. The inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: A dimension of the annular track in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface is not less than 0.6 times and not more than 0.85 times a dimension of the blank in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface.

8. The inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: At least a portion of the lower portion is embedded in the blank, The coil conductor is located on the opposite side of the lower surface with respect to the portion in which the lower portion is buried in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface.

9. The inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: In at least some of the plurality of conductor patterns, T / W obtained by dividing a thickness T of the at least some of the conductor patterns by a width W of the at least some of the conductor patterns is greater than or equal to 0.

8.

10. The inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The shortest distance between two adjacent conductor patterns among the plurality of conductor patterns is 7 μm or more.

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