Inductor

Abstract

An inductor (100) is provided with: a coil (20); a core (30) including the coil (20) therein; two, i.e., a pair of terminals (40) that are electrically connected to the coil (20); and a conductor shield (10) that covers the surface of the core (30). The conductor shield (10) covers at least a part of the upper surface or the side surface of the core (30). The conductor shield (10) is directly electrically connected to any one of the pair of terminals (40). In addition, the conductor shield (10) and the other terminal are indirectly electrically connected via the coil (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inductor. Background Art

[0002] Among inductors, there are inductors having a shield for shielding a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the inductor.

[0003] Regarding such a technique, in Patent Document 1 below, an inductor is disclosed which includes a core body (115) surrounding a coil (310), terminals (lead portions (120) in Patent Document 1) electrically connected to the coil (310), and a conductive body shield (shield device (500) in Patent Document 1) covering at least a part of the outer surface of the core body (115).

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the conductive body shield is electrically connected to a pad (900), the terminals are electrically connected to a pad (910) different from the pad (900) to which the conductive body shield is connected, and the inductor is grounded.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-516246 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] When a current flows through the coil to generate a magnetic field, eddy currents are generated in the conductive body shield. In Patent Document 1, these eddy currents flow into the circuit via the pad (900). However, in such a structure, a dedicated circuit for allowing the eddy currents to flow needs to be provided around the inductor, and there is a problem of imposing restrictions on the circuit design.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an inductor that does not impair the freedom of circuit design.

[0011] Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The present invention provides an inductor having: a coil; a core containing the coil therein; two, i.e., a pair of terminals, electrically connected to the coil; and a conductive body shield covering the surface of the core, characterized in that the conductive body shield covers at least a part of the upper surface or side surface of the core, the conductive body shield is directly electrically connected to any one of the pair of terminals, and the conductive body shield is indirectly electrically connected to the other terminal via the coil.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] In the inductor according to the present invention, since the conductor shield and the terminal are electrically connected to cause eddy currents to flow in the circuit to which the terminal is connected, there is no need to additionally provide a circuit for the eddy currents to flow. Thus, the degree of freedom in the design of the electronic circuit around the inductor can be maintained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will be further clarified by the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view showing an example of the inductor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The illustration of the brazing material is omitted.

[0017] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view showing the coil and the terminal of the inductor according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 (a) of Figure 3 and (b) of FIG. are top views of the inductor according to the first embodiment. In Figure 3 (a) of Figure 3 and (b) of FIG., the illustration of the brazing material is omitted. In Figure 3 (b) of FIG., the illustration of the conductor shield is omitted.

[0019] Figure 4 (a) of Figure 4 and (b) of FIG. are front views of the inductor according to the first embodiment. In Figure 4 (a) of FIG., the illustration of the brazing material is omitted.

[0020] Figure 5 (a) of FIG. is a rear view of the inductor according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 (b) of FIG. is a right view of the inductor according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 (a) of FIG. is a longitudinal sectional view of the inductor according to the first embodiment when viewed along the single-dot chain line shown in FIG. (a) in the direction of the arrow line VI-VI shown in FIG. (a). Figure 3 in FIG. (a) Figure 3 and FIG. (a) is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the single-dot chain line shown in FIG. (a). Figure 6 (b) of FIG. is Figure 6 an enlarged view of the X portion shown by the dashed line in FIG. (a) of FIG.

[0022] Figure 7 FIG. is a front view of the inductor according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 FIG. is a longitudinal sectional view of the inductor according to the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9It is a perspective view of the inductor of the fourth embodiment.

[0025] Figure 10 is the inductor of the fourth embodiment viewed from the direction of the arrow line X-X shown in Figure 9 and along the cross-section of the single-dot chain line shown in Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view.

[0026] Figure 11 (a) is a top view of the inductor of the fourth embodiment. Figure 11 (b) is a rear view of the inductor of the fourth embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0027] Various constituent elements of the inductor of the present invention do not have to exist independently. It allows for cases where multiple constituent elements are formed as one component, one constituent element is formed by multiple components, a certain constituent element is a part of another constituent element, a part of a certain constituent element overlaps with a part of another constituent element, etc.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, common reference numerals are assigned to corresponding constituent elements, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0029] In addition, in the present embodiment, the directions of front, rear, left, right, up, and down are defined and described as shown in the figure. However, this is a convenience provision for simply explaining the relative relationship of the constituent elements and does not limit the directions during the manufacturing and use of the product implementing the present invention. Additionally, the center side of the inductor is sometimes referred to as the inner side, the opposite side as the outer side, the direction from the surface of the inductor towards the center as inwards, and the opposite direction as outwards.

[0030] In addition, the plane referred to in the present invention means a physically formed shape targeted at a plane, and of course, it does not need to be a plane in the strict geometric sense.

[0031] <First Embodiment>

[0032] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an example of the inductor of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] First, the outline of the inductor of the present embodiment will be described.

[0034] The inductor 100 has: a coil 20; a core 30 that contains the coil 20 inside; two, i.e., a pair of terminals 40 that are electrically connected to the coil 20; and a conductor shield 10 that covers the surface of the core 30. The conductor shield 10 covers at least a part of the upper surface or the side surface of the core 30. The conductor shield 10 is directly electrically connected to any one of the pair of terminals (front terminal 41). In addition, the conductor shield 10 and the other terminal (rear terminal 42) are indirectly electrically connected via the coil 20.

[0035] Next, the inductor 100 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0036] As Figure 2 shown, the coil 20 is wound with a wire (coil wire, etc.) made of a conductive material such as metal. Sometimes, the part of the coil 20 where the wire is wound is particularly referred to as the winding portion 21. In Figure 2 , illustrations of each turn of the wound wire are omitted. The wire can be a wire having a circular cross-section or a wire having a flat cross-section (e.g., an ellipse, a rectangle with a longer horizontal side). In the present embodiment, the winding axis direction of the coil 20 is the up-down direction, but it is not limited thereto. The winding axis direction of the coil 20 can also be the left-right direction, the front-back direction, etc.

[0037] As Figure 1 shown, the coil 20 is internally contained in the core 30. Here, internally contained means that the coil 20 is disposed substantially entirely inside the envelope volume of the core 30. It can also be a state where a part of the coil 20 is not covered by the core 30 and can be visually recognized from the outside. For example, the lead-out portion 22 (the portion led out from the winding portion 21), which is one end of the wire of the coil 20, can also be disposed outside the core 30. Preferably, the entire winding portion 21 of the coil 20 or the entire coil 20 including the winding portion 21 and the lead-out portion 22 (both ends of the coil wire, etc.) is covered by the core 30.

[0038] The core 30 is a magnetic member that surrounds the coil 20. As the magnetic material forming the core 30, for example, ferrite, etc. can be exemplified. In the present embodiment, the core 30 also enters the inner side in the radial direction of the coil 20 and forms a closed loop as a whole. More specifically, the core 30 of the present embodiment is integrally formed by setting the coil 20 and the terminals 40 in a mold and pouring a resin containing a magnetic material such as ferrite into the mold. That is, the inductor 100 in the present embodiment is a molded coil.

[0039] Alternatively, as described in the modification example later, the core 30 may be divided into a plurality of parts instead of the present embodiment.

[0040] The core 30 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. As Figure 4 in (a) or Figure 6As shown in (a) of , the core 30 has an upper surface 30c facing upward, a lower surface 30d facing downward, a front surface 30e facing forward, a rear surface 30f facing backward, a left surface 30g facing left, and a right surface 30h facing right. The areas of the upper surface 30c and the lower surface 30d of the core 30 are each larger than the areas of the front surface 30e, the rear surface 30f, the left surface 30g, and the right surface 30h, and it has a flat shape as a whole.

[0041] The shape of the core 30 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped. For example, it can also be a cylinder or a prism with a polygon as the base. The surfaces constituting the core 30 do not have to be strictly planar, and can also be curved or skewed.

[0042] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 (b) of Figure 6 and (a) of , the front surface 30e and the rear surface 30f of the core 30 are formed in a single-step shape. That is, for example, the front surface 30e (refer to Figure 6 (a) of ) includes a concave surface 30e2 formed on the inner side in the front-rear direction, a stepped surface 30e1 facing upward, and a convex surface 30e3 formed on the outer side in the front-rear direction, as illustrated in (b) of Figure 6 . The rear surface 30f also includes a concave surface, a stepped surface, and a convex surface in the same manner.

[0043] Instead of this embodiment, the front surface 30e and the rear surface 30f can also be formed without steps. As shown in (b) of Figure 6 , in this embodiment, the concave surface 30e2 is slightly inclined outward in the front-rear direction as it goes downward, and the convex surface 30e3 is slightly inclined inward in the front-rear direction as it goes downward.

[0044] The inductor 100 has two terminals 40, namely a front terminal 41 and a rear terminal 42. Here, the inductor 100 having two terminals 40 means that it has at least a pair of terminals 40 respectively connected to both ends of the coil wire. The inductor 100 can also have terminals in addition to this pair of terminals. The front terminal 41 and the rear terminal 42 are respectively electrically connected to one end and the other end of the coil 20. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2As shown, the end portion of the terminal 40 (connection support portion 46a described later) inserted into the core 30 is bent into a U-shape, gripping one end or the other end of the holding coil 20 and sandwiching one end of the coil 20 in the vertical direction. One end of the coil 20 and the terminal 40 are joined by methods such as laser welding or resistance welding. The conduction form between the coil 20 and the terminal 40 is not limited to such direct contact. The coil 20 and the terminal 40 can also be conducted through other components. For example, one end of the wire forming the coil can be wound around a winding terminal of a component different from the terminal 40, and the winding terminal is connected to the terminal 40, so that the coil 20 and the terminal 40 are electrically connected via the winding terminal. In addition, the coil 20 and the terminal 40 can also be integrally formed from the same component.

[0045] As Figure 2 shown, the terminal 40 includes: a mounting portion 43 that engages with a mounting substrate (not shown); an outer surface arrangement portion 44 that extends along the side surface of the core 30 (the front surface 30e or the rear surface 30f in the present embodiment); and an insertion portion 45 that is inserted into the interior of the core 30. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the terminal 40 is the insertion portion 45, the lower end portion is the mounting portion 43, and a part between the insertion portion 45 and the mounting portion 43 is the outer surface arrangement portion 44.

[0046] The insertion portion 45 corresponding to the upper end portion of the terminal 40 is inserted into the core 30. As Figure 6 shown in (b) of, the terminal upper surface 45a of the insertion portion 45 is flush with the step surface 30e1 in the front surface 30e of the core 30.

[0047] As Figure 6 shown in (a) of, the terminal 40 protrudes forward or backward from the side surface (front surface 30e or rear surface 30f) of the core 30. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the protruding direction of the terminal 40. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the portion of the terminal 40 protruding outward from the core 30 is bent with respect to the insertion portion 45, and a part (outer surface arrangement portion 44) protruding from the core 30 is arranged along the front surface 30e or the rear surface 30f of the core 30.

[0048] In addition, the terminal 40 is bent between the mounting portion 43 and the outer surface arrangement portion 44. The mounting portion 43 as the lower end portion of the terminal 40 extends substantially parallel to the lower surface 30d of the core 30. As Figure 6 shown in (a) of, a part of the mounting portion 43 is arranged inside a terminal arrangement portion 30i formed by being recessed upward in the lower surface 30d of the core 30. The lower surface of the mounting portion 43 is arranged at a position lower than the lower surface 30d of the core 30 so that the mounting portion 43 protrudes more than the lower surface 30d of the core 30.

[0049] As Figure 2As shown, the upper end portion of the terminal 40 branches as described later to form two or more branch portions 46 (the connection branch portion 46a and the non-contact branch portion 46b described later). As Figure 4 in (a) of Figure 5 and (a) of

[0050] As Figure 4 in (a) of Figure 5 or (a) of

[0051] shown, at the base end of the branch portion 46, a convex portion 48 formed in an upward convex shape is provided between the connection branch portion 46a and the non-contact branch portion 46b. The convex portion 48 does not bend like the branch portion 46, but protrudes along the side surface of the core 30. In addition, concave portions 47 are formed between the convex portion 48 and the connection branch portion 46a, and between the convex portion 48 and the non-contact branch portion 46b, which are recessed downward.

[0050] As Figure 4 in (a) of or (a) of Figure 5 shown, the upper side of the outer surface arrangement portion 44 is a wide portion with a wider width, and the lower side has a width narrower than the wide portion, so it has a T-shaped overall. A part of the wide portion connected to the non-contact branch portion 46b described later is C-chamfered to form an inclined surface 44b, while a part connected to the connection branch portion 46a is not C-chamfered and has a corner portion.

[0051] The width of the outer surface arrangement portion 44 (the width of the portion with a narrower width in the outer surface arrangement portion 44) is preferably one-third or more or one-half or more of the lateral width of the second surface or the third surface of the core 30 described later. By making the width of the outer surface arrangement portion 44 larger, the second surface or the third surface is covered by the outer surface arrangement portion 44 to a greater extent, and thus the leakage magnetic flux is blocked by the outer surface arrangement portion 44.

[0052] The inductor 100 is grounded to the mounting substrate with the mounting portion 43 in contact with the mounting substrate. The mounting portion 43 and the mounting substrate are electrically connected by bonding such as soldering.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the terminal is a terminal for surface mounting with a flat mounting portion, but it is not limited thereto. The terminal 40 may also be a terminal with a needle-shaped mounting portion 43.

[0054] The conductor shield 10 is made of a conductive thin plate. As the conductive material, metals such as copper can be exemplified. In the present embodiment, the conductor shield 10 covers a part of each of the upper surface 30c, the left surface 30g, the right surface 30h, the front surface 30e, and the rear surface 30f of the core 30 as described later. The conductor shield 10 may also cover only a part of the upper surface or only a part of the side surface. As described in the modification example later, the conductor shield 10 may also cover the entire surface of the core 30.

[0055] More specifically, as Figure 1As shown, the conductor shield 10 is formed by bending a thin metal plate, covering the upper surface and the side surface of the core 30. The thin metal plate is formed in an X shape. As shown in (a) of Figure 3 , the central portion of the X shape (the lid portion 11 described later) covers substantially the entire upper surface 30c of the core 30. As shown in (a) of Figure 6 and (b) of Figure 6 , a part of the conductor shield 10 that extends forward from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 (the front lip 12 described later) is bent near the boundary between the upper surface 30c and the front surface 30e of the core 30, covering the front surface 30e of the core 30. The length of the front lip 12 (the dimension going downward with respect to the upper surface 30c of the core 30 as a reference) is preferably the same as or larger than the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 as a reference to the upper surface 45a of the terminal of the front terminal 41. In other words, the length of the front lip 12 is preferably the same as or greater than the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 as a reference to the stepped surface 30e1 of the front surface 30e. In the present embodiment, the length of the front lip 12 is equal to the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 as a reference to the upper surface 45a of the front terminal 41, and is also equal to the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 as a reference to the stepped surface 30e1.

[0056] As shown in (b) of Figure 5 , a part of the conductor shield 10 that extends backward and bends from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 (the rear lip 14) covers a part of the rear surface 30f of the core 30. It is preferable that the length of the rear lip 14 is smaller than the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 as a reference to the upper surface 45a of the front terminal 41. As shown in (a) of Figure 4 and (b) of Figure 5 , a part of the conductor shield 10 that extends rightward or leftward from the upper surface 30c and is bent (the right lip 15 or the left lip 16) covers the right surface 30h or the left surface 30g of the core 30. The lengths of the right lip 15 and the left lip 16 are preferably more than half of the thickness of the core 30, and more preferably more than two-thirds. In (b) of Figure 5 , a right view of the inductor 100 is shown, but the right surface of the inductor 100 is mirror-symmetrical to the left surface.

[0057] The conductor shield 10 covers not only the upper surface 30c of the core 30 but also the side surfaces (the front surface 30e, the rear surface 30f, the right surface 30h or the left surface 30g). Thus, in addition to being able to shield the magnetic flux leaking from the side surfaces, it is also possible to prevent the position shift of the conductor shield 10.

[0058] As an alternative to the present embodiment, the conductive body shield 10 may not have the lips (front lip 12, rear lip 14, right lip 15, and left lip 16), and may only include a cover portion 11 that covers the upper surface 30c (the first surface described later). Additionally, the conductive body shield 10 may not cover all four sides, i.e., the side surfaces, and may only cover a part of the side surfaces using the lips.

[0059] As Figure 3 shown in (a) of, a notch portion 17 is provided between the front lip 12, rear lip 14, right lip 15, and left lip 16, and these lips project independently from the cover portion 11. By providing the notch portion 17, the conductive body shield 10 can be deformed softly to cover the core 30.

[0060] Alternatively, instead of this embodiment, the notch portion 17 may not be provided, and the portions covering the respective side surfaces of the conductive body shield 10 may be connected continuously to each other.

[0061] Here, the direct conduction between the conductive body shield 10 and the front terminal 41 means that the conductive body shield 10 and the front terminal 41 are conducted without passing through the coil 20. In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the conductive body shield 10 (front lip 12) contacts the terminal 40, and the conductive body shield 10 and the terminal 40 are directly conducted, but it is not limited thereto. The conductive body shield 10 and the front terminal 41 may also be conducted through other components other than the coil 20. For example, the conductive body shield 10 may not have the front lip 12, and the cover portion 11 of the conductive body shield 10 and the terminal 40 may be conducted through a wire.

[0062] The indirect conduction between the conductive body shield 10 and the rear terminal 42 means conduction through the coil 20. More specifically, the conductive body shield 10 and the rear terminal 42 are conducted through the front terminal 41 and the coil 20. When the conductive body shield 10 and the rear terminal 42 are conducted through a path that does not pass through the coil 20, the front terminal 41 and the rear terminal 42 are conducted through two paths, i.e., a path including the conductive body shield 10 and a path including the coil 20, and the circuit is short-circuited. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown in (a) of, the conductive body shield 10 does not contact the rear terminal 42, so no short circuit occurs.

[0063] When current flows through the inductor 100, magnetic flux tends to leak to the outside of the core 30. If this leakage magnetic flux is blocked by the conductive body shield 10, eddy currents are generated in the conductive body shield 10. The magnetic field lines generated by these eddy currents cancel out the leakage magnetic flux and suppress the influence on components on the substrate, etc. Since the conductive body shield 10 is conducted with the front terminal 41, the generated eddy currents can flow into the circuit including the front terminal 41, the coil 20, and the rear terminal 42.

[0064] Therefore, there is no need to design a circuit that includes pads (910) for eddy current flow in addition to pads (900) for connecting the inductor 100 as in Patent Document 1. That is, the degree of freedom in the circuit design around the inductor 100 can be ensured.

[0065] The core 30 has a first surface facing the end face of the coil 20 (winding portion 21). In the present embodiment, as shown in (a) of Figure 2 and Figure 6 , the end face of the coil 20 faces upward or downward, and the first surface refers to the upper surface 30c or the lower surface 30d of the core 30. The first surface in the present embodiment is the upper surface 30c of the core 30. Instead of this embodiment, when the end face of the coil 20 faces forward, backward, left, or right, the first surface becomes the front surface 30e or the rear surface 30f, or the left surface 30g or the right surface 30h.

[0066] The conductor shield 10 has a cover portion 11 that covers at least a part of the first surface (upper surface 30c). In the present embodiment, as shown in (a) of Figure 3 , the cover portion 11 covers substantially the entire upper surface 30c. However, since a notch portion 17 is provided in the cover portion 11, the corner portions of the rectangular upper surface 30c are partially exposed from the cover portion 11 in a top view. Instead of this embodiment, the cover portion 11 may cover the entire upper surface 30c, or the cover portion 11 may cover a smaller part of the upper surface 30c in terms of shape and size. Preferably, when viewed from the reel direction of the coil (the vertical direction in the present embodiment), the end face of the coil 20 overlaps with the cover portion 11. And more preferably, when viewed from the reel direction of the coil, the end face of the coil 20 is covered by the cover portion 11.

[0067] When current flows through the inductor 100, the magnetic field lines emitted from the end face of the coil 20 become the main cause of the leakage flux from the inductor 100. By covering the surface of the core 30 facing the end face of the coil 20 with the conductor shield 10, the magnetic field lines emitted from the end face of the coil 20 and leaking to the outside of the core 30 are shielded, and the leakage of magnetic flux to the outside of the inductor 100 is well prevented.

[0068] The core 30 has a second surface for one terminal (front terminal 41) to extend. When the cover portion 11 covers the upper surface 30c of the core 30, the second surface is a part of the side surface. Here, the surface of the core 30 for the terminal 40 to extend more specifically refers to the surface for the outer surface arrangement portion 44 of the terminal 40 to extend. In the present embodiment, the outer surface arrangement portion 44 of the front terminal 41 is arranged along the front surface 30e of the core 30. The second surface in the present embodiment refers to the front surface 30e of the core 30. The second surface may also be other surfaces of the side surface (right surface 30h, left surface 30g, or rear surface 30f).

[0069] A part (front lip 12) of the conductor shield 10 covers a part of the second surface (front surface 30e). As shown in (a) of Figure 4 , the front lip 12 covers substantially the entire part of the front surface 30e of the core 30 that is located at a position higher than the terminal upper surface 45a of the front terminal 41 (refer to Figure 6 (b) of

[0070] As shown in (a) of Figure 6 , the conductor shield 10 (front lip 12) covering the second surface (front surface 30e) is in contact with one terminal (front terminal 41). In the present embodiment, as shown in (b) of Figure 6 , as will be described later, the upper surface (terminal upper surface 45a) of the front terminal 41 is in surface contact with the end face 12b of the front lip 12. As described in the third embodiment, the front terminal 41 and the front lip 12 may also be substantially in line contact. In addition, the front terminal 41 and the front lip 12 may also be in point contact. By covering a part of the second surface (front surface 30e) with the conductor shield 10, the magnetic flux leaking from the core 30 can be better shielded.

[0071] As shown in (a) of Figure 6 and (b) of Figure 6 , the inner side surface (lip inner side surface 12a) of the part (front lip 12) of the conductor shield 10 covering the second surface (front surface 30e) of the core 30 is arranged at a position closer to the center side of the inductor 100 when viewed from above than the inner side surface (terminal inner side surface 44c) of one terminal (front terminal 41) along the second surface. More precisely, the lip inner side surface 12a is arranged at a position closer to the inner side in the protruding direction (front-rear direction) of the terminal 40 than the terminal inner side surface 44c. The terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41 along the front surface 30e is the inner side surface of the outer surface arrangement part 44 of the front terminal 41.

[0072] Being arranged at a position closer to the inner side when viewed from above means being arranged on the center side of the inductor 100 when viewed from above. The top view is not limited to the case where it can be directly visually recognized. For example, when observing in a vertical cross-section as shown in (b) of Figure 6 , it is sufficient that the lip inner side surface 12a is arranged at a position closer to the inner side in the front-rear direction than the terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41.

[0073] As shown in Figure 6As shown in (b), the portion between the insertion part 45 and the outer surface arrangement part 44 of the terminal 40 is bent, and the outer side surface of the bent portion becomes the curved surface 44d. By arranging the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion at a position inner in the terminal protruding direction than the terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41, as Figure 6 shown in (b), at least a part of the end surface 12b (including the sides of the rectangular end surface 12b) of the front lip portion 12 contacts the upper surface (terminal upper surface 45a) of the insertion part 45 of the front terminal 41. In the present embodiment, a part inner in the terminal protruding direction of the end surface 12b of the front lip portion 12 contacts the horizontal terminal upper surface 45a of the insertion part 45, and the other part outer in the terminal protruding direction of the end surface 12b faces the curved surface 44d separately. The entire end surface 12b of the front lip portion 12 may also contact the terminal upper surface 45a of the insertion part 45. In this case, the outer side surface of the front lip portion 12 may be arranged at a position inner in the terminal protruding direction than the terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41, or arranged on the same plane as the terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41.

[0074] In this way, the inner side surface 12a of the front lip portion 12 and the terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41 are offset from each other in the front-rear direction, and the front lip portion 12 and the front terminal 41 are in surface contact at the end surface 12b, whereby the front terminal 41 and the conductor shield are well-conducted. In addition, a part of the end surface 12b of the front lip portion 12 faces the curved surface 44d of the front terminal 41, thereby forming a recess having a shape surrounded by the end surface 12b of the front lip portion 12 and the curved surface 44d of the front terminal 41 and narrowing toward the inner side in the terminal protruding direction. By allowing the solder 50 described later to enter this recess, the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 are firmly connected.

[0075] The distance between the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion and the terminal inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41 ( Figure 6 distance Z1 in (b)) is preferably one-fourth or more of the thickness (dimension in the front-rear direction) of the front lip portion 12 or one-half or more of this thickness. In other words, the thickness of the front lip portion 12 refers to the front-rear width of the end surface 12b of the front lip portion 12. In addition, it is preferable that the maximum value of this distance Z1 is equal to or smaller than the thickness of the front lip portion 12. Here, the distance between the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion and the terminal inner side surface 44c is the distance in the terminal protruding direction between the lower end of the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion and the upper end of the terminal inner side surface 44c.

[0076] In the present embodiment, as Figure 6 shown in (b), the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion and the upper end of the convex surface 30e3 of the front surface 30e of the core 30 are arranged on the same plane.

[0077] The conductor shield 10 may also contact a portion other than the inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41 (such as the bent surface 44d) instead of this embodiment.

[0078] Alternatively, the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion and the inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41 may be arranged on the same plane, or the inner side surface 12a of the front lip portion 12 may also be arranged at a position outside the inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41, instead of this embodiment. In this case, since the conductor shield 10 is substantially in line contact with or not in contact with the front terminal 41, it is preferable to ensure sufficient conduction between the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 by soldering such as soft soldering.

[0079] As Figure 6 shown in (b) of, a part (shield covering portion 30a) of the second surface (front surface 30e) of the core 30 covered by the conductor shield 10 is formed at a position inside the part (terminal covering portion 30b) of the second surface covered by one terminal in a top view. The shield covering portion 30a is the area of the front surface 30e of the core 30 covered by the conductor shield 10. In this embodiment, substantially the whole of the portion of the front surface 30e of the core 30 above the stepped surface 30e1, except for a part exposed from the notch portion 17, is the shield covering portion 30a.

[0080] The distance between the shield covering portion 30a and the terminal covering portion 30b ( Figure 6 Z2 in (b) of) is preferably of the same order as or larger than the distance Z1 between the inner side surface 44c of the front terminal 41 and the inner side surface 12a of the lip portion. Here, of the same order means that the distance Z2 is more than half and less than twice the distance Z1. In addition, the distance between the shield covering portion 30a and the terminal covering portion 30b means the distance in the terminal protruding direction between the lower end of the shield covering portion 30a and the upper end of the terminal covering portion 30b.

[0081] In this embodiment, as Figure 6 shown in (a) of and Figure 6As shown in FIG. (b), the entire portion (concave surface 30e2) of the front surface 30e of the core 30 that is above the stepped surface 30e1 is disposed at a position that is inward in the terminal protruding direction relative to the entire portion (convex surface 30e3) of the front surface 30e of the core 30 that is below the stepped surface 30e1. Instead of this embodiment, the following configuration may be adopted: in the front surface 30e, only the shield covering portion 30a is recessed rearward, and the recessed shield covering portion 30a is disposed at a position that is inward in the terminal protruding direction relative to the terminal covering portion 30b. Conversely, in the front surface 30e of the core 30, only the terminal covering portion 30b protrudes forward, and the protruding terminal covering portion 30b is disposed at a position that is outward in the terminal protruding direction relative to the shield covering portion 30a. In the front surface 30e of the core 30, the portion not covered by the front lip 12 may be located at a position that is outward in the terminal protruding direction relative to the terminal covering portion 30b, or may be located at a position that is inward in the terminal protruding direction relative to the terminal covering portion 30b.

[0082] Thus, by offsetting the positions of the shield covering portion 30a and the terminal covering portion 30b in the second surface, it is easy to dispose the front lip 12 at a position that is inward of the front terminal 41 in a top view. In other words, the end surface 12b of the front lip 12 is easily in surface contact with the front terminal 41, and it is easy to maintain good conduction between the conductive body shield 10 and the front terminal 41.

[0083] In this embodiment, as Figure 6 shown in FIG. (a), the inner surface of the cover portion 11 (cover portion inner surface 11a) is disposed substantially parallel to the upper surface 30c of the core 30.

[0084] An insulating material may or may not be disposed on a part of the surface of the core 30 covered by the conductive body shield 10 (a part of the upper surface and the side surface) or substantially the entire area of the inner surface of the conductive body shield 10 by coating or the like. When an insulating material is disposed between the core 30 and the conductive body shield 10, the insulating material is disposed along the cover portion inner surface 11a of the cover portion 11 and the upper surface 30c of the core 30 with the insulating material sandwiched therebetween. When the insulating material is not disposed, the center and the periphery of the surface of the cover portion inner surface 11a of the cover portion 11 are in direct contact with the upper surface 30c of the core 30.

[0085] In the inductor of Patent Document 1, in order to shield the inductor from noise from the pad (910) connected to the conductive body shield, it is necessary to coat an insulating material on the inner surface of the conductive body shield or the surface of the core (115). In this embodiment, since such noise does not flow into the conductive body shield 10, it is not necessary to coat an insulating material between the core 30 and the conductive body shield 10. Therefore, the process of coating the insulating material can be omitted, and the inductor 100 can be manufactured inexpensively and easily.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the conductor shield 10 and one terminal (front terminal 41) are joined by welding or brazing. Examples of welding include fusion welding using a laser or gas. Examples of brazing include soft brazing using solder or the like and hard brazing using other metal brazing materials. In the present embodiment, the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 are brazed using solder 50.

[0087] As described later, the conductor shield 10 may be brazed or welded to two branches 46 of the front terminal 41 described later, or may be brazed or welded to only one branch.

[0088] By joining the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 by welding or brazing, separation of the conductor shield 10 from the front terminal 41 is prevented, and conduction between the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 is ensured.

[0089] Instead of this embodiment, the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 may be joined without brazing or welding. For example, the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 may be brought into contact to ensure conduction. The conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41 may also be fixed using an adhesive.

[0090] As Figure 2 shown, one terminal (front terminal 41) has two or more branches formed by branching one end portion. In the present embodiment, the front terminal 41 has two branches 46. The branches 46 are formed so as to project upward from the outer surface arrangement portion 44, in other words, the branches 46 are formed by the terminal 40 branching at the upper portion of the outer surface arrangement portion 44. That is, in the front terminal 41, a connection branch 46a described later is formed from the upper right of the outer surface arrangement portion 44, and a non-contact branch 46b described later is formed from the upper left of the outer surface arrangement portion 44. The shape of the branch 46 is not limited to this, for example, the branch 46 may be formed by branching from the middle of the outer surface arrangement portion 44, or may be formed by branching from the middle of the insertion portion 45. In addition, as Figure 4 shown in (a) of

[0091] As Figure 2 shown, a part of each of the branches 46 is inserted into the core 30. In the present embodiment, substantially the entire branch 46 is inserted into the core 30, and a part of the base end side of the branch 46 is arranged outside the core 30. In the present embodiment, the branch 46 is the same as the insertion portion 45.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the other terminal (rear terminal 42) is also branched in the same manner as the front terminal 41 to form a branch portion 46, and a part of the branch portion 46 is inserted into the core 30. The front terminal 41 and the rear terminal 42 have mirror-symmetrical shapes with respect to each other.

[0093] As Figure 2 shown, one branch portion (connecting branch portion 46a) is directly electrically connected to the coil 20, and at least one of the other branch portions (non-contact branch portion 46b) is indirectly electrically connected to the coil 20 via one branch portion (connecting branch portion 46a). Here, the non-contact branch portion 46b being indirectly electrically connected to the coil 20 means being electrically connected via the connecting branch portion 46a. In other words, the entire non-contact branch portion 46b does not come into contact with the coil 20. In the present embodiment, the non-contact branch portion 46b is electrically connected to the coil 20 via the connecting branch portion 46a and the outer surface arrangement portion 44.

[0094] As Figure 4 shown in (b), the other branch portion ( Figure 4 the non-contact branch portion 46b shown in (a)) comes into contact with the conductor shield 10 and is joined by soldering or welding. In the present embodiment, the non-contact branch portion 46b is soldered to the conductor shield 10 using solder 50. The solder 50 enters the gap between the front terminal 41 and the conductor shield 10 and is also arranged, for example, as Figure 6 shown in (b) between the end face 12b of the front lip 12 and the bent surface 44d of the front terminal 41.

[0095] In the present embodiment, the connecting branch portion 46a comes into contact with the conductor shield 10, but it may not. It is preferable that the connecting branch portion 46a is not joined to the conductor shield 10. In the present embodiment, no solder 50 is arranged between the contact portions 13, 13 described later, but solder 50 may be arranged.

[0096] In this way, by joining the non-contact branch portion 46b that is not directly electrically connected to the coil 20 and the conductor shield 10, it is not necessary to join the connecting branch portion 46a that is directly electrically connected to the coil 20 and the conductor shield 10. Thereby, the thermal load on the connecting branch portion 46a can be suppressed to the minimum.

[0097] As an alternative to the present embodiment, the following form may be adopted: the connecting branch portion 46a is joined to the conductor shield 10, and the non-contact branch portion 46b is not joined to the conductor shield 10.

[0098] <Second Embodiment>

[0099] This embodiment is an embodiment that is different from the first embodiment only in the joining form between the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41. The conductor shield 10, the coil 20, the core 30, and the terminal 40 of the inductor 100 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the conductor shield 10 is joined to one terminal (front terminal 41) by welding or soldering.

[0101] In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, one terminal (front terminal 41) has two or more branches 46 formed by branching one end portion, and a part of each of the branches 46 is inserted into the core 30. As Figure 7 shown, each of the two or more branches 46 ( Figure 4 the connecting branch 46a and the non-contact branch 46b shown in (a)) is joined to the conductor shield 10. When soldering the front terminal 41 and the conductor shield 10, the solder 50 that joins the connecting branch 46a and the conductor shield 10 and the solder 50 that joins the non-contact branch 46b and the conductor shield 10 can be continuous or disconnected as described later.

[0102] In this way, each of the two or more branches 46 is joined to the conductor shield 10, so that the front terminal 41 and the conductor shield 10 are firmly connected.

[0103] In the present embodiment, similarly to Figure 4 the first embodiment shown in (a), one terminal (front terminal 41) contacts the conductor shield 10 at two or more contact portions 13 that are separated from each other. In other words, at one contact portion 13a, the connecting branch 46a contacts the conductor shield 10, and at another contact portion 13b, the non-contact branch 46b contacts the conductor shield 10. The contact portion 13 refers to a part of the front terminal 41 that contacts the conductor shield 10 and a part in the vicinity thereof. In the present embodiment, it refers to a part of the upper surface 45a of the terminal of the front terminal 41 and a part in the vicinity thereof. In other words, the contact portion 13 in the present embodiment is a part on the base end side of the branch 46 (the front end of the insertion portion 45 and a part of the bend between the insertion portion 45 and the outer surface arrangement portion 44).

[0104] As Figure 7 shown, a soldering material (solder 50) is disposed between one contact portion 13a (refer to Figure 4 (a)) and another contact portion 13b (refer to Figure 4 (a)). That is, a part of the solder 50 is disposed between the opposing end faces 13c, 13c (refer to Figure 4 (a)) where the contact portions 13 face each other. In other words, as Figure 4 (a) shows, in the terminal 40, there are formed by one contact portion 13a, the upper end face 44a of the front terminal 41 that forms the concave portion 47 and the convex portion 48 (refer to Figure 2 orFigure 6 and a recess surrounded by the other contact portion 13b, as Figure 7 shown, the solder 50 enters and accumulates in the recess. More specifically, the solder 50 contacts the upper end surface 44a of the front terminal 41 (refer to Figure 6 (b) of FIG. Figure 4 (a)), the end surface 12b of the front lip 12, and the opposite end surface 13c of the contact portion 13 (refer to

[0105] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 4 (a) of FIG. Figure 7 shown, the solder 50 joins the upper end surface 44a of the front terminal 41 (refer to Figure 6 (b) of FIG.

[0106] to the end surface 12b of the front lip 12. That is, one contact portion 13a, the other contact portion 13b, and the portion between one contact portion 13a and the other contact portion 13b in one terminal (front terminal 41) are all joined to the conductive body shield 10 by a brazing material (solder 50). In addition, the solder 50 that joins the one contact portion 13a, the other contact portion 13b, and the portion between one contact portion 13a and the other contact portion 13b in one terminal (front terminal 41) to the conductive body shield 10 is continuously arranged.

[0107] By arranging the solder 50 between the contact portions 13, 13, the solder 50 can accumulate on the upper end surface 44a of the front terminal 41, particularly in the recess 47, and it is possible to prevent the liquid solder 50 from flowing down when brazing the front terminal 41 and the conductive body shield 10.

[0108] In addition, the solder 50 not only contacts the curved surface 44d of the front terminal 41 but also contacts the upper end surface 44a where the recess 47 and the protrusion 48 are formed, so that the solder 50 contacts the front terminal 41 in various directions. Thereby, the solder 50 is prevented from peeling off from the front terminal 41.

[0109] <Third Embodiment>

[0110] Figure 8 The present embodiment shown is different from the first embodiment or the second embodiment only in the mounting form of the conductor shield 10. The conductor shield 10, coil 20, core 30, terminals 40, and solder 50 of the inductor 100 in the present embodiment are the same as those of the inductor 100 in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the shape in a plan view is substantially the same as that of the inductor 100 of the first embodiment shown in (a) of Figure 3 . Figure 8 FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inductor 100 of the third embodiment. Figure 8 The position and viewing direction of the longitudinal section shown are the same as the arrow line VI-VI shown in (a) of the first embodiment of Figure 3 .

[0111] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 8 , a part of the lid portion 11 (core contact portion 11b) is in contact with the core 30, and a hollow portion 60 is provided between another part of the lid portion 11 (separation portion 11c) and a part of the first surface (upper surface 30c). More specifically, in the present embodiment, the length of the front lip 12 is greater than the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 to the upper surface 45a of the terminal of the front terminal 41. Therefore, the front lip 12 abuts against the front terminal 41, and as a result, a part of the second surface side of the inner surface 11a of the lid portion (refer to Figure 6 (a)) is separated from a part of the upper surface 30c of the core 30. At this time, the inner end of the end surface 12b of the front lip 12 in the terminal protruding direction (for example, the inner side edge of the rectangular end surface 12b in the terminal protruding direction) is in contact with the front terminal 41. The front lip 12 is in contact with the upper surface 45a or the curved surface 44d of the front terminal 41. However, the height of the hollow portion 60 is exaggerated in Figure 8 . The maximum height of the hollow portion 60 (the dimension from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 to the highest point of the hollow portion 60) is preferably less than the plate thickness of the conductor shield 10 (lid portion 11).

[0112] The core contact portion 11b in contact with the core 30 is a part on the rear side of the lid portion 11, and the separation portion 11c is a part on the front side (second surface side) of the lid portion 11 that is closer to the front than the core contact portion 11b. In the present embodiment, the core contact portion 11b is in contact with the corner portion that forms the boundary between the upper surface 30c and the rear surface 30f of the core 30.

[0113] In the present embodiment, for the conductor shield 10, in addition to being in contact with the core contact portion 11b, it is also in contact with the lower end of the inner surface of the rear lip 14 and the inner lip surface 12a of the front lip 12 (refer to Figure 6contacts a part of (b) thereof. The lower end of the inner side surface of the rear lip 14 contacts the rear surface 30f of the core 30, and the lip inner side surface 12a of the front lip 12 (refer to Figure 6 of (b)) contacts the corner portion that is the boundary between the upper surface 30c and the front surface 30e of the core 30.

[0114] The hollow portion 60 is a space delimited by the separation portion 11c, the lip inner side surface 12a of the front lip 12, the first surface (upper surface 30c), and the inner side surfaces of the right lip 15 and the left lip 16.

[0115] Alternatively to this embodiment, the hollow portion 60 may be provided in such a manner that the inner side surface 11a of the lid portion does not contact the core 30. For example, the inner side surface 11a of the lid portion may not contact the corner portion that is the boundary between the upper surface 30c and the rear surface 30f of the core 30, and the lower end of the rear lip 14 may contact the core 30.

[0116] By having the hollow portion 60 between the core 30 and the lid portion 11, even if an insulating material is not coated on the surface of the core 30 covered by the lid portion 11 or on the inner side surface 11a of the lid portion, the core 30 and the lid portion 11 can be insulated by the air in the hollow portion 60.

[0117] The lid portion 11 is inclined downward so as to approach the first surface (upper surface 30c) from the other part (separation portion 11c) toward a part (core contact portion 11b). The downward inclination does not necessarily mean a downward inclination in the actual up and down relationship, but means an inclination in a manner of approaching the first surface with the first surface as a reference. In other words, the lid portion 11 intersects the first surface. The thickness (dimension in the up and down direction) of the hollow portion 60 gradually increases toward the second surface (front surface 30e) and gradually decreases toward the rear surface 30f of the core 30.

[0118] As described above, by making the length of the front lip 12 greater than the distance from the upper surface 30c of the core 30 to the front terminal 41 and arranging the conductor shield 10 with the lid portion 11 inclined downward, the front lip 12 can be reliably brought into contact with the front terminal 41.

[0119] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0120] As Figure 9 shown, this embodiment is different from the first, second, or third embodiment in that it has not only the conductor shield 10 but also a second conductor shield 70. The coil 20, core 30, terminals 40, and solder 50 in the inductor 100 of this embodiment are the same as those in the first, second, or third embodiment.

[0121] The inductor 100 of the present embodiment has a second conductor shield (second conductor shield 70). The second conductor shield 70 covers at least a part of the upper surface or side surface of the core. The second conductor shield 70 is directly electrically connected to another terminal (rear terminal 42), and the second conductor shield 70 is indirectly electrically connected to one terminal (front terminal 41) via the coil 20. The second conductor shield 70 being directly electrically connected to the rear terminal 42 means that the second conductor shield 70 is electrically connected to the rear terminal 42 through a path that does not pass through the coil 20. The second conductor shield 70 and the rear terminal 42 may also be electrically connected through a component other than the coil 20 (such as a wire, etc.).

[0122] As Figure 11 shown in (a) of Figure 11 and (b) of

[0123] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown in (b) of

[0124] In this embodiment, as Figure 11 shown in (a) of

[0125] Instead of this embodiment, either the size of the cover portion 11 of the conductor shield 10 or the size of the second cover portion 71 of the second conductor shield 70 that covers the first surface may be larger or smaller. Either the conductor shield 10 or the second conductor shield 70 may cover the center of the upper surface 30c, or either the conductor shield 10 or the second conductor shield 70 may overlap with the end face of the coil 20 when viewed from the reel direction of the coil 20.

[0126] In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the conductor shield 10 covers the front side of the upper surface 30c of the core 30, and the second conductor shield 70 covers the rear side, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the conductor shield 10 may cover the right side of the upper surface 30c of the core 30, and the second conductor shield 70 may cover the left side.

[0127] As Figure 10 shown, in the present embodiment, the second lid portion 71 is substantially parallel to the first surface (upper surface 30c), and substantially all of the inner surface of the second lid portion 71 is in contact with the upper surface 30c. Alternatively, a part of the second lid portion 71 may be in contact with the core 30, and a hollow portion may be provided between another part of the second lid portion 71 and a part of the upper surface 30c. In the case where the hollow portion is provided, one end on the front side of the second lid portion 71 is in contact with the upper surface 30c of the core 30, and the second lid portion 71 is inclined downward with respect to the first surface (upper surface 30c) from one end portion on the third surface (rear surface 30f) side toward the other end portion on the second surface (front surface 30e) side.

[0128] In the present embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, substantially all of the lid portion 11 of the conductor shield 10 is in contact with the front half of the upper surface 30c of the core 30. In the case where a hollow portion is provided between the conductor shield 10 and the core 30, one end on the rear side of the conductor shield 10 is in contact with the upper surface 30c of the core 30.

[0129] The second conductor shield 70 and the rear terminal 42 are joined by welding or brazing. For the form of joining, similar to the joining of the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41, the rear terminal 42 has two or more branches 46, and each of the two or more branches 46 may be joined to the second conductor shield 70, or only one branch 46 may be joined to the conductor shield 10.

[0130] Similar to the arrangement relationship between the conductor shield 10 and the front terminal 41, the inner surface of the rear lip portion 72 covering the rear surface 30f as the third surface is preferably arranged at a position inside the inner surface of the rear terminal 42 along the rear surface 30f in a top view. In addition, a part of the third surface covered by the second conductor shield 70 is preferably formed at a position inside another part of the third surface covered by the rear terminal 42 in a top view. Thereby, the second conductor shield 70 is in surface contact with the rear terminal 42, and good conduction is achieved.

[0131] In addition, the conductor shield 10 and the second conductor shield 70 are separated from each other. The conductor shield 10 and the second conductor shield 70 maintain a sufficient creepage distance so that they are not directly electrically connected. In the present embodiment, the rearward-facing end surface of the conductor shield 10 faces the forward-facing end surface of the second conductor shield 70 while being separated from each other. The conductor shield 10 and the second conductor shield 70 are arranged such that their respective end surfaces face each other and are substantially parallel, and the distance between the conductor shield 10 and the second conductor shield 70 is substantially uniform.

[0132] In the present embodiment, as Figure 11 shown in (b), compared with the first, second, and third embodiments, the length of the rear lip 72 can be increased. Thereby, the leakage magnetic flux can be blocked in a larger area of the rear surface 30f of the core 30.

[0133] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and also includes various modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention.

[0134] The following modification examples can be appropriately combined.

[0135] In the above-described embodiment, the conductor shield 10 covers a part of the surface of the core 30, but is not limited thereto, and may also cover the entire surface of the core 30. For example, the conductor shield 10 may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a cavity capable of internally containing the entire core 30, and only the mounting portion 43 is exposed outside the conductor shield 10. In this case, the conductor shield 10 and the rear terminal 42 maintain a sufficient creepage distance so that they are not directly electrically connected without passing through the coil 20.

[0136] The front lip 12 and the front terminal 41 may also not be in contact. In this case, the front lip 12 and the front terminal 41 are electrically connected via another member. For example, the front lip 12 and the front terminal 41 are joined by solder 50, so that the front lip 12 and the front terminal 41 are electrically connected via the solder 50.

[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the terminal 40 having the branch portion 46 is illustrated, but is not limited thereto. The terminal 40 may not have the branch portion 46 and may be in contact with the conductor shield 10 at one contact portion 13. When the front terminal 41 is joined to the conductor shield 10 at one contact portion, the front terminal 41 may be joined to the conductor shield 10 over the entire contact portion 13, or the front terminal 41 may be joined to the conductor shield 10 at a part of the contact portion 13 and not joined to the conductor shield 10 at the other part of the contact portion 13.

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, a form in which the core 30 is integrally formed is shown, but it is not limited thereto, and the core 30 may also be composed of a plurality of components. For example, it may also be divided into an upper core and a lower core with a stepped surface 30e1 (refer to Figure 6 (b)) provided on the core 30 to be described later as a boundary. In addition to this, the core 30 may also be a can-shaped core. For example, the core 30 may be formed by combining a core that covers the circumferential surface and one end surface of the coil 20, a columnar core inserted through the center of the coil 20, and a plate-shaped core that covers the other end surface of the coil 20. In this case, for example, the conductor shield 10 may be arranged so as to cover the upper side of the plate-shaped core.

[0139] The above-described embodiment includes the following technical ideas.

[0140] (1) An inductor having: a coil; a core that contains the coil inside; two, i.e., a pair of terminals that are electrically connected to the coil; and a conductor shield that covers the surface of the core, wherein the conductor shield covers at least a part of the upper surface or the side surface of the core, the conductor shield is directly electrically connected to any one of the pair of terminals, and the conductor shield is indirectly electrically connected to the other terminal via the coil.

[0141] (2) The inductor according to (1), wherein the core has a first surface facing the end surface of the coil, and the conductor shield has a lid portion that covers at least a part of the first surface.

[0142] (3) The inductor according to (1) or (2), wherein the core has a second surface for the extension of one terminal, and a part of the conductor shield covers a part of the second surface, and the conductor shield covering the second surface is in contact with the one terminal.

[0143] (4) The inductor according to (3), wherein the inner side surface of the part of the conductor shield covering the second surface is arranged at a position closer to the inside than the inner side surface of the one terminal along the second surface.

[0144] (5) The inductor according to (4), wherein a part of the second surface covered by the conductor shield is arranged at a position closer to the inside than another part of the second surface covered by the one terminal.

[0145] (6) The inductor according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein a part of the lid portion is in contact with the core, and a hollow portion is provided between another part of the lid portion and a part of the first surface.

[0146] (7) The inductor according to (6), wherein the cover portion is inclined downward in a manner of approaching the first surface from the other portion toward the one portion.

[0147] (8) The inductor according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the conductive body shield is joined to the one terminal by welding or brazing.

[0148] (9) The inductor according to (8), wherein the one terminal has two or more branches formed by branching one end portion, a part of each of the branches is inserted into the core, one of the branches is directly electrically connected to the coil, at least one of the other branches is indirectly electrically connected to the coil via the one branch, and the other branch contacts and joins with the conductive body shield.

[0149] (10) The inductor according to (8), wherein the one terminal has two or more branches formed by branching one end portion, a part of each of the branches is inserted into the core, and each of the two or more branches joins with the conductive body shield.

[0150] (11) The inductor according to (10), wherein the one terminal contacts the conductive body shield at each of two or more separated contact portions, a brazing material is disposed between one of the contact portions and another of the contact portions, and the one contact portion, the other contact portion, and the portion between the one contact portion and the other contact portion of the one terminal are all joined to the conductive body shield by the brazing material.

[0151] (12) The inductor according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the inductor has a second conductive body shield that covers at least a part of the upper surface or side surface of the core, the second conductive body shield is directly electrically connected to the other terminal, the second conductive body shield is indirectly electrically connected to the one terminal via the coil, and the conductive body shield and the second conductive body shield are separated from each other.

[0152] (13) An inductor, wherein the length of the part of the conductive body shield that covers the second surface is the same as or greater than the distance to the one terminal based on the first surface.

[0153] (14) An inductor, wherein at least a part of the end face of the part of the conductive body shield that covers the second surface is in surface contact with the one terminal surface.

[0154] (15) The inductor according to (14), wherein the terminal projects outward from the core, and in the projecting direction of the terminal, a part of the inner side of the end face contacts one terminal surface, and the other part of the outer side in the projecting direction faces the bent surface of the bent one terminal.

[0155] (16) An inductor, wherein the distance between the inner side surface of a part of the conductive body shield covering the second surface and the inner side surface of the one terminal is more than one - fourth and less than or equal to the thickness of the part of the conductive body shield covering the second surface.

[0156] (17) The inductor according to (15), wherein the brazing material for joining the conductive body shield and the one terminal is disposed between the end face of the conductive body shield and the bent surface of the one terminal.

[0157] (18) The inductor according to (9), wherein the one branch is a non - joined portion where the conductive body shield and the one terminal are not joined.

[0158] (19) The inductor according to (11), wherein the brazing materials for joining at the one contact portion, the other contact portion, and between the one contact portion and the other contact portion of the one terminal are continuous.

[0159] Description of Reference Numerals

[0160] 100. Inductor; 10. Conductor shield; 11. Cover part; 11a. Inner side surface of the cover part; 11b. Core contact part; 11c. Separation part; 12. Front lip; 12a. Inner side surface of the lip; 12b. End face; 13. Contact part; 13a. One contact part; 13b. The other contact part; 13c. Opposite end face; 14. Rear lip; 15. Right lip; 16. Left lip; 17. Notch part; 20. Coil; 21. Winding part; 22. Lead-out part; 30. Core; 30a. Shield covering part; 30b. Terminal covering part; 30c. Upper surface; 30d. Lower surface; 30e. Front surface; 30e1. Step surface; 30e2. Concave surface; 30e3. Convex surface; 30f. Rear surface; 30g. Left surface; 30h. Right surface; 30i. Terminal arrangement part; 40. Terminal; 41. Front terminal; 42. Rear terminal; 43. Mounting part; 44. Outer surface arrangement part; 44a. Upper end face; 44b. Inclined surface; 44c. Inner side surface of the terminal; 44d. Bending surface; 45. Insertion part; 45a. Upper surface of the terminal; 46. Branch part; 46a. Connecting branch part; 46b. Non-contact branch part; 47. Concave part; 48. Convex part; 50. Solder; 60. Hollow part; 70. Second conductor shield; 71. Second cover part; 72. Rear lip; 73. Right lip; 74. Left lip.

Claims

1. An inductor having: a coil; a core containing the coil therein; two, i.e., a pair of terminals electrically connected to the coil; and a conductive shield covering the surface of the core, wherein, the conductive shield covers at least a part of the upper surface or the side surface of the core, the conductive shield is directly electrically connected to any one of the pair of terminals, the conductive shield is indirectly electrically connected to the other terminal via the coil.

2. The inductor according to claim 1, wherein, the core has a first surface facing the end surface of the coil, the conductive shield has a cover portion covering at least a part of the first surface.

3. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the core has a second surface through which one terminal extends, a part of the conductive shield covers a part of the second surface, the conductive shield covering the second surface is in contact with the one terminal.

4. The inductor according to claim 3, wherein, the inner side surface of the part of the conductive shield covering the second surface is disposed at a position closer to the inside than the inner side surface of the one terminal along the second surface in a plan view.

5. The inductor according to claim 4, wherein, a part of the second surface covered by the conductive shield is formed at a position closer to the inside than another part of the second surface covered by the one terminal in a plan view.

6. The inductor according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, a part of the cover portion is in contact with the core, a hollow portion is provided between another part of the cover portion and a part of the first surface.

7. The inductor according to claim 6, wherein, the cover portion is inclined downward so as to approach the first surface from the another part toward the one part.

8. The inductor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the conductive shield and the one terminal are joined by welding or brazing.

9. The inductor according to claim 8, wherein, the one terminal has two or more branches formed by branching one end portion, a part of each of the branches is inserted into the core, one of the branches is directly electrically connected to the coil, at least one of the other branches is indirectly electrically connected to the coil via the one branch, the other branches are in contact with and joined to the conductive shield.

10. The inductor according to claim 8, wherein, the one terminal has two or more branches formed by branching one end portion, a part of each of the branches is inserted into the core, each of the two or more branches is joined to the conductive shield.

11. The inductor according to claim 10, wherein, the one terminal is in contact with the conductive shield at each of two or more separated contact portions, A brazing material is disposed between one of the contact portions and the other contact portion, and the one contact portion of the one terminal, the other contact portion, and the portion between the one contact portion and the other contact portion are all joined to the conductive body shield by the brazing material.

12. The inductor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, the inductor has a second conductive body shield, the second conductive body shield covers at least a part of the upper surface or the side surface of the core, the second conductive body shield is directly electrically connected to the other terminal, the second conductive body shield is indirectly electrically connected to the one terminal via the coil, the conductive body shield and the second conductive body shield are separated from each other.

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