Chip piezoresistor

Abstract

The chip varistor includes an element body including a first side surface and a second side surface, and a plurality of internal electrodes disposed in the element body and facing each other. The plurality of internal electrodes includes a first internal electrode exposed on the first side surface, a second internal electrode exposed on the second side surface, a third internal electrode separated from the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode, and a fourth internal electrode configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode. And a fifth internal electrode configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the second internal electrode and the third internal electrode. The mutually opposed internal electrodes among the plurality of internal electrodes have different widths from each other at mutually opposed end portions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a chip varistor. Background Art

[0002] Known chip varistors include a body and a plurality of internal electrodes disposed in the body and facing each other (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-546809). The body includes, for example, a pair of side surfaces. The plurality of internal electrodes include, for example, a pair of internal electrodes respectively exposed on the corresponding side surfaces in the pair of side surfaces, and a plurality of internal electrodes configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the pair of internal electrodes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a chip varistor, varistors are formed between internal electrodes facing each other among the plurality of internal electrodes. The characteristics of the varistor are affected, for example, by the area of the region where the internal electrodes facing each other overlap. Sometimes this area is simply referred to as the "overlap area". For example, when the overlap area decreases, the characteristics of the varistor, that is, the characteristics of the chip varistor, may deteriorate. In a chip varistor in which the overlap area has decreased, desired characteristics may not be obtained.

[0004] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a chip varistor capable of obtaining desired characteristics.

[0005] The chip varistor according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a body including a first side surface and a second side surface; and a plurality of internal electrodes disposed in the body and facing each other. The plurality of internal electrodes include: a first internal electrode exposed on the first side surface; a second internal electrode exposed on the second side surface; a third internal electrode separated from the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode; a fourth internal electrode configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode; and a fifth internal electrode configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the second internal electrode and the third internal electrode. The internal electrodes facing each other among the plurality of internal electrodes have different widths at their facing ends.

[0006] In the above aspect, the internal electrodes facing each other among the plurality of internal electrodes have different widths at their facing ends. Therefore, even when the relative position in the width direction between the internal electrodes facing each other changes, the overlap area is hardly changed. As a result, the above aspect can obtain desired characteristics.

[0007] The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus should not be regarded as limiting the present invention.

[0008] The further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating examples of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only. Accordingly, various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chip varistor of one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of the chip varistor of the present embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0012] Figure 4 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0013] Figure 5 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0014] Figure 6 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0015] Figure 7 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0016] Figure 8 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0017] Figure 9 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of a chip varistor according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 10 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of a chip varistor according to another modified example of the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 11 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0020] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a chip varistor according to still another modified example of the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 13 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0022] Figure 14 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0024] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 to describe the structure of the chip varistor 1 of the present embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the chip varistor of the present embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the chip varistor of the present embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes.

[0025] As Figure 1 shown, the chip varistor 1 is a three-terminal chip varistor. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the chip varistor 1 includes a body 2, a plurality of external electrodes 3, 4, and a plurality of internal electrodes. In the present embodiment, the chip varistor 1 includes a pair of external electrodes 3 and a pair of external electrodes 4. The plurality of internal electrodes include, for example, an internal electrode 51, an internal electrode 52, an internal electrode 61, an internal electrode 62, an internal electrode 71, and an internal electrode 72.

[0026] The body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape includes, for example, the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with chamfered corners and edges, and the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with rounded corners and edges. The body 2 includes a pair of opposite side surfaces 2a, 2b, a pair of opposite side surfaces 2c, 2d, and a pair of opposite side surfaces 2e, 2f. In the present embodiment, the pair of side surfaces 2a, 2b face each other in the first direction D1, the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d face each other in the second direction D2, and the pair of side surfaces 2e, 2f face each other in the third direction D3. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 intersect each other, for example. In the present embodiment, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are orthogonal to each other.

[0027] The pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d and the pair of side surfaces 2e, 2f connect the side surface 2a and the side surface 2b. The pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d connect the side surface 2a and the side surface 2b and extend along the first direction D1. The pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d also extend along the third direction D3. The pair of side surfaces 2e, 2f connect the side surface 2a and the side surface 2b and extend along the first direction D1. The pair of side surfaces 2e, 2f also extend along the second direction D2.

[0028] The element body 2 includes a stacked structure in which a plurality of ceramic layers are stacked. The stacking direction of the plurality of ceramic layers includes, for example, a second direction D2. Each ceramic layer includes a sintered body that exhibits the characteristics of a varistor. The element body 2 includes, for example, a semiconductor ceramic material. In an actual element body 2, each ceramic layer is integrated to the extent that the boundary between the ceramic layers cannot be recognized. The element body 2 includes a varistor element body.

[0029] The element body 2 contains ZnO (zinc oxide) as the main component. As sub-components, the element body 2 contains, for example, Co, rare earth metal elements, group IIIb elements, Si, Cr, Mo, alkali metal elements, and metal monomers containing alkaline earth metal elements. The rare earth metal elements contain Pr. The rare earth metal elements can exhibit the characteristics of a varistor. The group IIIb elements contain B, Al, Ga, and In. The alkali metal elements contain K, Rb, and Cs. The alkaline earth metal elements contain Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. As sub-components, the element body 2 may also contain oxides of the above metal monomers. In the present embodiment, as sub-components, the element body 2 contains Co, Pr, Cr, Ca, K, and Al.

[0030] The first direction D1 is the length direction of the element body 2. The second direction D2 is the width direction of the element body 2. The third direction D3 is the height direction of the element body 2. The length of the element body 2 is, for example, 0.95 mm or more and 1.95 mm or less. The width of the element body 2 is, for example, 0.45 mm or more and 1.20 mm or less. The height of the element body 2 is, for example, 0.35 mm or more and 0.85 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the length of the element body 2 is 1.55 mm, the width of the element body 2 is 0.75 mm, and the height of the element body 2 is 0.55 mm.

[0031] A pair of external electrodes 3 and a pair of external electrodes 4 are disposed on the element body 2. In the present embodiment, the pair of external electrodes 3 and the pair of external electrodes 4 are separated from each other.

[0032] The pair of external electrodes 3 are disposed on the element body 2 so as to face each other in the first direction D1. Each external electrode 3 is disposed at both ends of the element body 2 in the first direction D1. The pair of external electrodes 3 are separated from each other in the first direction D1.

[0033] One of the pair of external electrodes 3 is disposed on the side surface 2a. The other external electrode 3 of the pair of external electrodes 3 is disposed on the side surface 2b. That is, each external electrode 3 is disposed on the corresponding side surface of the pair of side surfaces 2a and 2b. The external electrode 3 covers the corresponding side surface. The external electrode 3 also covers a part of each of the side surfaces 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2f. The part of the side surface 2c covered by the external electrode 3 is located closer to the corresponding side surface. The part of the side surface 2d covered by the external electrode 3 is located closer to the corresponding side surface. The part of the side surface 2e covered by the external electrode 3 is located closer to the corresponding side surface. The part of the side surface 2f covered by the external electrode 3 is located closer to the corresponding side surface.

[0034] A pair of external electrodes 4 are disposed on the element body 2 so as to face each other in the second direction D2. Each external electrode 4 is disposed on the element body 2 so as to be located between the pair of external electrodes 3 in the first direction D1. That is, the pair of external electrodes 4 are separated from each external electrode 3 in the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the pair of external electrodes 4 are disposed on the element body 2 so as to be located substantially in the middle of the pair of external electrodes 3 in the first direction D1. The pair of external electrodes 4 are separated from each other in the second direction D2.

[0035] One of the pair of external electrodes 4 is disposed on the side surface 2c. The other external electrode 4 of the pair of external electrodes 4 is disposed on the side surface 2d. That is, each external electrode 4 is disposed on the corresponding side surface of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. The external electrode 4 covers a part of the corresponding side surface. The part of the side surface 2c covered by the external electrode 4 is located substantially at the center of the side surface 2c in the first direction D1, and extends from one end of the side surface 2c in the third direction D3 to the other end. The part of the side surface 2d covered by the external electrode 4 is located substantially at the center of the side surface 2d in the first direction D1, and extends from one end of the side surface 2d in the third direction D3 to the other end.

[0036] The external electrode 4 also covers a part of each of the side surfaces 2e and 2f. The part of the side surface 2e covered by the external electrode 4 is located substantially at the center of the side surface 2e in the first direction D1, and is located closer to the corresponding side surfaces 2c and 2d on the side surface 2e. The part of the side surface 2f covered by the external electrode 4 is located substantially at the center of the side surface 2f in the first direction D1, and is located closer to the corresponding side surfaces 2c and 2d on the side surface 2f.

[0037] The external electrodes 3 and 4 are formed, for example, by a conductive paste applied to the surface of the green body 2 by firing. The above-mentioned conductive paste contains, for example, a powder made of metal, a glass component, an organic binder, and an organic solvent. The above-mentioned metal contains, for example, Pd, Cu, Ag, or an Ag-Pd alloy. A plating layer may also be formed on each of the external electrodes 3 and 4. The above-mentioned plating layer may also contain, for example, a Ni plating layer and a Sn plating layer formed on the Ni plating layer.

[0038] A plurality of internal electrodes are arranged in the green body 2 and face each other. The plurality of internal electrodes face each other in the third direction D3. As Figure 2 shown, the plurality of internal electrodes include an internal electrode layer 5, an internal electrode layer 6, and an internal electrode layer 7.

[0039] The internal electrode layers 5, 6, and 7 are arranged in the green body 2. The internal electrode layers 5, 6, and 7 are arranged at different positions in the third direction D3 within the green body 2. The internal electrode layer 6 is adjacent to the internal electrode layer 5. The internal electrode layer 6 is adjacent to the internal electrode layer 5 in the third direction D3, for example. The internal electrode layer 7 is adjacent to the internal electrode layer 6 such that the internal electrode layer 6 is located between the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 7. That is, the internal electrode layer 6 is located between the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 7. The internal electrode layer 7 is adjacent to the internal electrode layer 6 such that the internal electrode layer 6 is located between the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 7 in the third direction D3, for example.

[0040] In the present embodiment, within the green body 2, the internal electrode layer 5, the internal electrode layer 6, and the internal electrode layer 7 are arranged in sequence in the third direction D3. The positions of the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 7 in the third direction D3 may also be opposite to the above order. That is, within the green body 2, the internal electrode layer 7, the internal electrode layer 6, and the internal electrode layer 5 may also be arranged in sequence in the third direction D3.

[0041] The internal electrode layer 5 includes an internal electrode 51 and an internal electrode 52. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode layer 5 includes a pair of internal electrodes 51 and one internal electrode 52. The internal electrodes 51 and 52 extend along the first direction D1. The internal electrodes 51 and 52 are located on the same layer within the green body 2. The internal electrodes 51 and 52 are arranged at the same position in the third direction D3. The pair of internal electrodes 51 are arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of side surfaces 2a and 2b and are exposed on the corresponding side surfaces 2a and 2b. The internal electrode 52 is separated from the pair of internal electrodes 51 and is exposed on the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 52 is located between the pair of internal electrodes 51 in the first direction D1.

[0042] The internal electrode layer 6 includes internal electrodes 61 and 62. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode layer 6 includes one internal electrode 61 and one internal electrode 62. The internal electrodes 61 and 62 extend along the first direction D1. The internal electrodes 61 and 62 are located in the same layer within the body 2. The internal electrodes 61 and 62 are disposed at the same position in the third direction D3. The internal electrodes 61 and 62 are separated from each other in the same layer and are not exposed on the outer surface of the body 2. The internal electrodes 61 and 62 face each other in the first direction D1 in the same layer.

[0043] The internal electrode layer 7 includes internal electrodes 71 and 72. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode layer 7 includes a pair of internal electrodes 71 and one internal electrode 72. The internal electrodes 71 and 72 extend along the first direction D1. The internal electrodes 71 and 72 are located in the same layer within the body 2. The internal electrodes 71 and 72 are disposed at the same position in the third direction D3. The pair of internal electrodes 71 are disposed at positions corresponding to the respective side surfaces 2a and 2b among the pair of side surfaces 2a and 2b and are exposed on the corresponding side surfaces 2a and 2b. The internal electrode 72 is separated from the pair of internal electrodes 71 and is exposed on the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 72 is located between the pair of internal electrodes 71 in the first direction D1.

[0044] Each of the internal electrodes 51, 52, 61, 62, 71, and 72 included in the internal electrode layers 5, 6, and 7 faces the corresponding internal electrode among the internal electrodes included in the adjacent internal electrode layer in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, in the relationship between the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 6, the internal electrode 61 faces the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3. In the relationship between the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 6, the internal electrode 62 faces the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3.

[0045] In the relationship between the internal electrode layer 6 and the internal electrode layer 7, the internal electrode 61 faces the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3. In the relationship between the internal electrode layer 6 and the internal electrode layer 7, the internal electrode 62 faces the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3.

[0046] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the internal electrode 51 includes a pair of end portions 51a and 51b, a pair of end edges 51c and 51d facing each other, and a pair of surfaces 51e and 51f facing each other. Figure 3It is a view of a pair of internal electrodes 51 and 52 and internal electrodes 61 and 62 when observed in the direction from side surface 2e toward side surface 2f in the third direction D3.

[0047] A pair of end portions 51a and 51b define both ends in the first direction D1 of the internal electrode 51. The end portion 51a is exposed on the corresponding side surfaces 2a and 2b among the pair of side surfaces 2a and 2b. The end portion 51a is connected to the external electrode 3 disposed on the corresponding side surfaces 2a and 2b. That is, the end portion 51a is connected to the corresponding external electrode 3 among the pair of external electrodes 3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 51a is directly connected to the external electrode 3. The end portion 51a constitutes a connection end connected to the external electrode 3.

[0048] The end portion 51b is located inside the element body 2 and is not exposed on the outer surface of the element body 2. The end portion 51b is separated from each of the side surfaces 2a and 2b. The internal electrode 51 faces the corresponding internal electrodes 61 and 62 among the internal electrodes 61 and 62 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 51b. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a faces the internal electrode 62 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 51b, and the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b faces the internal electrode 61 in the third direction D3. The end portion 51b includes a region that overlaps the corresponding internal electrodes 61 and 62 when observed from the third direction D3.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 62 when observed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, when observed from the third direction D3, the above region of the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 51 to the front end of the end portion 62a of the internal electrode 62. In the present embodiment, the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 61 when observed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, when observed from the third direction D3, the above region of the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 51 to the front end of the end portion 61b of the internal electrode 61.

[0050] That is, the end portion 51b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 51 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 51. Therefore, the end portion 51b has the above-specified length in the first direction D1. The end portion 51b is buried in the element body 2 and is in contact with only the element body 2.

[0051] A pair of end edges 51c and 51d face each other in the second direction D2, and a pair of surfaces 51e and 51f face each other in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end edge 51c is located at a position closer to the side surface 2c, and the end edge 51d is located at a position closer to the side surface 2d. In the present embodiment, the surface 51e is located at a position closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 51f is located at a position closer to the side surface 2f. Each of the end edges 51c and 51d may also form a surface. Each of the end edges 51c and 51d is adjacent to the surfaces 51e and 51f, and connects the surfaces 51e and 51f.

[0052] As Figure 3 shown, the internal electrode 51 has a length L1. The length L1 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 51 in the first direction D1. The length L1 is, for example, 0.25 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The length L1 in the present embodiment is 0.405 mm. In the present embodiment, the pair of internal electrodes 51 have the same value of the length L1. The pair of internal electrodes 51 may also have different values of the length L1.

[0053] The internal electrode 51 has a width W1 at the end portion 51b. The width W1 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 51 in the second direction D2 at the end portion 51b. The width W1 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The width W1 in the present embodiment is 0.5 mm.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 51 has the width W1 not only at the end portion 51b but also as a whole. It is sufficient that the internal electrode 51 has the width W1 at the end portion 51b. For example, the internal electrode 51 may also have a width different from the width W1 at a position other than the end portion 51b. In the present embodiment, the pair of internal electrodes 51 have the same value of the width W1 at each end portion 51b. The pair of internal electrodes 51 may also have different values of the width W1 at each end portion 51b.

[0055] In the internal electrode layer 5, the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 and the outer surface of the substrate 2 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less. The distance d1 in the present embodiment is 0.2 mm. The distance d1 is defined, for example, by the distance between the pair of end edges 51c and 51d and the corresponding side surfaces 2c and 2d in the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the substrate 2 is the same value as the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the substrate 2. The distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the substrate 2 and the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the substrate 2 may also be different values.

[0056] In the internal electrode layer 5, the distance d2 between the internal electrode 51 and the external electrode 4 is, for example, 0.21 mm or more and 0.57 mm or less. The distance d2 in the present embodiment is 0.36 mm. The distance d2 is defined, for example, by the shortest distance between each corner of the internal electrode 51 in the end portion 51b and the external electrode 4 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the distance d2 between the corner of the internal electrode 51 in the end portion 51b that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4, and the distance d2 between the corner of the internal electrode 51 in the end portion 51b that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 are the same value. The distance d2 between the corner of the internal electrode 51 in the end portion 51b that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4, and the distance d2 between the corner of the internal electrode 51 in the end portion 51b that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 may also be different values.

[0057] The internal electrode 52 includes a pair of end portions 52a, 52b, a pair of end portions 52c, 52d, a pair of end edges 52e, 52f, and a pair of opposing surfaces 52g, 52h.

[0058] A pair of end portions 52a, 52b define both ends of the internal electrode 52 in the first direction D1. The end portions 52a and 52b are located inside the substrate 2 and do not expose on the outer surface of the substrate 2. The end portions 52a and 52b are separated from the respective side surfaces 2a, 2b. The end portion 52a is located closer to the side surface 2a, and the end portion 52b is located closer to the side surface 2b. The end portion 52a is opposed to the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 that is exposed on the side surface 2a in the first direction D1. The end portion 52b is opposed to the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 that is exposed on the side surface 2b in the first direction D1.

[0059] The internal electrode 52 is opposed to the internal electrode 62 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 52a. The end portion 52a includes a region that overlaps with the internal electrode 62 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 52a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 52 in the end portion 52a to the front end of the end portion 62b of the internal electrode 62. That is, the end portion 52a includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 52 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 52.

[0060] The internal electrode 52 is opposite to the internal electrode 61 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 52b. When observed from the third direction D3, the end portion 52b includes a region overlapping with the internal electrode 61. In the present embodiment, when observed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 52b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 52 in the end portion 52b to the front end of the end portion 61a of the internal electrode 61. That is, the end portion 52b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 52 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 52.

[0061] A pair of end portions 52c and 52d define both ends of the internal electrode 52 in the second direction D2. The end portion 52c is exposed on the side surface 2c. The end portion 52c is connected to the external electrode 4 disposed on the side surface 2c. That is, the end portion 52c is connected to the corresponding external electrode 4 among the pair of external electrodes 4. In the present embodiment, the end portion 52c is directly connected to the external electrode 4. The end portion 52c constitutes a connection end connected to the external electrode 4.

[0062] The end portion 52d is exposed on the side surface 2d. The end portion 52d is connected to the external electrode 4 disposed on the side surface 2d. That is, the end portion 52d is connected to the corresponding external electrode 4 among the pair of external electrodes 4. In the present embodiment, the end portion 52d is directly connected to the external electrode 4. The end portion 52d constitutes a connection end connected to the external electrode 4.

[0063] A pair of surfaces 52g and 52h face each other in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the surface 52g is located at a position closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 52h is located at a position closer to the side surface 2f. In the present embodiment, in order to realize the structure in which the end portions 52c and 52d are exposed on the corresponding side surfaces 2c and 2d, the surfaces 52g and 52h include a surface region R1 and a pair of surface regions R2. The surface region R1 is in a rectangular shape that includes the second direction D2 in the long side direction and the first direction D1 in the short side direction. The pair of surface regions R2 are in a rectangular shape that includes the second direction D2 in the long side direction and the first direction D1 in the short side direction, and extend from the corresponding short side of the surface region R1 in the second direction D2. The rectangular shape includes, for example, a shape with chamfered corners or a shape with rounded corners.

[0064] For example, a part of the surface region R1 is included in the end portion 52a, and another part of the surface region R1 on the side opposite to the above-mentioned part in the first direction D1 is included in the end portion 52b. For example, a part of one of the pair of surface regions R2 is included in the end portion 52c, and a part of the other surface region R2 of the pair of surface regions R2 is included in the end portion 52d. Each of the end edges 52e and 52f is adjacent to the surfaces 52g and 52h and connects the surfaces 52g and 52h.

[0065] As Figure 3As shown, the internal electrode 52 has a length L2. The length L2 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 52 in the first direction D1. The length L2 is, for example, 0.3 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. The length L2 in the present embodiment is 0.44 mm.

[0066] The internal electrode 52 has a width W2 at the end portions 52a and 52b. The width W2 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 52 in the second direction D2 at the end portions 52a and 52b. The width W2 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The width W2 in the present embodiment is 0.5 mm. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 52 has the same value of the width W2 at each of the end portions 52a and 52b. The internal electrode 52 may also have different values of the width W2 at each of the end portions 52a and 52b.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 52 has a width W2 not only at the end portions 52a and 52b but also over the whole. The internal electrode 52 only needs to have a width W2 at the end portions 52a and 52b. For example, the internal electrode 52 may also have a width different from the width W2 at positions other than the end portions 52a and 52b.

[0068] In the internal electrode layer 5, the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 is, for example, 0.2 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less. The distance d3 in the present embodiment is 0.3 mm. The distance d3 is defined, for example, by the distance between the front end of the internal electrode 51 at the end portion 51b and the front end of the internal electrode 52 at the corresponding end portions 52a and 52b in the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 exposed on the side surface 2a and the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 exposed on the side surface 2b are the same value. The distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 exposed on the side surface 2a and the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 exposed on the side surface 2b may also be different values.

[0069] The internal electrode 61 includes a pair of end portions 61a and 61b, a pair of end edges 61c and 61d that face each other, and a pair of faces 61e and 61f that face each other. The pair of end portions 61a and 61b define both ends of the internal electrode 61 in the first direction D1. The end portions 61a and 61b are located inside the substrate 2 and do not expose on the outer surface of the substrate 2. The end portions 61a and 61b are separated from the respective side surfaces 2a and 2b. The end portion 61a is located at a position closer to the side surface 2a. The end portion 61b is located on the opposite side of the end portion 61a and faces the internal electrode 62 in the first direction D1.

[0070] The internal electrode 61 is opposed to the internal electrode 52 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 61a. In the present embodiment, the end portion 61a is opposed to the end portion 52b of the internal electrode 52 in the third direction D3. The end portion 61a includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 52 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 61a includes a region that overlaps the end portion 52b when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 52b and the end portion 61a overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 61a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61a to the front end of the end portion 52b of the internal electrode 52. That is, the end portion 61a includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 61 but also a region with a predetermined length from the front end of the internal electrode 61.

[0071] The internal electrode 61 is opposed to the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3 at the end portion 61b. In the present embodiment, the end portion 61b is opposed to the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3. The end portion 61b includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 61b includes a region that overlaps the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b and the end portion 61b overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 61b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61b to the front end of the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b. That is, the end portion 61b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 61 but also a region with a predetermined length from the front end of the internal electrode 61.

[0072] A pair of end edges 61c, 61d face each other in the second direction D2, and a pair of surfaces 61e, 61f face each other in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end edge 61c is located closer to the side surface 2c, and the end edge 61d is located closer to the side surface 2d. In the present embodiment, the surface 61e is located closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 61f is located closer to the side surface 2f. Each of the end edges 61c, 61d may also form a surface. Each of the end edges 61c, 61d is adjacent to each of the surfaces 61e and 61f and connects the surfaces 61e and 61f.

[0073] The internal electrode 61 has a length L3. The length L3 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 61 in the first direction D1. The length L3 is, for example, 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The length L3 in the present embodiment is 0.5 mm.

[0074] The internal electrode 61 has a width W3 at the end portions 61a and 61b. The width W3 is defined, for example, by the length in the second direction D2 that the internal electrode 61 has at the end portions 61a and 61b. The width W3 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The width W3 in the present embodiment is 0.2 mm. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 61 has the same value of the width W3 at each of the end portions 61a and 61b. The internal electrode 61 may also have different values of the width W3 at each of the end portions 61a and 61b.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 61 has the width W3 not only at the end portions 61a and 61b but also over the whole. It is sufficient that the internal electrode 61 has the width W3 at the end portions 61a and 61b. For example, the internal electrode 61 may also have a width different from the width W3 at positions other than the end portions 61a and 61b.

[0076] The internal electrode 62 includes a pair of end portions 62a and 62b, a pair of end edges 62c and 62d that face each other, and a pair of surfaces 62e and 62f that face each other. The pair of end portions 62a and 62b define both ends in the first direction D1 of the internal electrode 62. The end portions 62a and 62b are located inside the substrate 2 and do not expose on the outer surface of the substrate 2. The end portions 62a and 62b are separated from the respective side surfaces 2a and 2b. The end portion 62a is located at a position closer to the side surface 2b. The end portion 62b is located on the side opposite to the end portion 61a and faces the internal electrode 61 in the first direction D1.

[0077] The internal electrode 62 faces, at the end portion 62a, the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 62a faces the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3. The end portion 62a includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 62a includes a region that overlaps the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a and the end portion 62a overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 62a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 62a to the front end of the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a. That is, the end portion 62a includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 62 but also a region up to a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 62.

[0078] The internal electrode 62 is opposite to the internal electrode 52 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 62b. In the present embodiment, the end portion 62b is opposite to the end portion 52a of the internal electrode 52 in the third direction D3. The end portion 62b includes a region that overlaps with the internal electrode 52 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 62b includes a region that overlaps with the end portion 52a when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 62b and the end portion 52a overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 62b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 62 in the end portion 62b to the front end of the end portion 52a of the internal electrode 52. That is, the end portion 62b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 62 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 62.

[0079] A pair of end edges 62c, 62d face each other in the second direction D2, and a pair of surfaces 62e, 62f face each other in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end edge 62c is located at a position closer to the side surface 2c, and the end edge 62d is located at a position closer to the side surface 2d. In the present embodiment, the surface 62e is located at a position closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 62f is located at a position closer to the side surface 2f. Each of the end edges 62c, 62d may also form a surface. Each of the end edges 62c, 62d is adjacent to each of the surfaces 62e and 62f and connects the surfaces 62e and 62f.

[0080] The internal electrode 62 has a length L4. The length L4 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 62 in the first direction D1. The length L4 is, for example, 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The length L4 in the present embodiment is 0.5 mm.

[0081] The internal electrode 62 has a width W4 at the end portions 62a, 62b. The width W4 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 62 in the second direction D2 at the end portions 62a, 62b. The width W4 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The width W4 in the present embodiment is 0.2 mm. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 62 has the same value of the width W4 at each of the end portions 62a, 62b. The internal electrode 62 may also have different values of the width W4 at each of the end portions 62a, 62b.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 62 has a width W4 not only at the end portions 62a, 62b but also as a whole. The internal electrode 62 only needs to have a width W4 at the end portions 62a, 62b. For example, the internal electrode 62 may also have a width different from the width W4 at positions other than the end portions 62a, 62b.

[0083] As Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the internal electrode 71 includes a pair of end portions 71a and 71b, a pair of end edges 71c and 71d that face each other, and a pair of surfaces 71e and 71f that face each other. Figure 4 It is a view of the internal electrodes 61 and 62, the pair of internal electrodes 71, and the internal electrode 72 when observed in the direction from the side surface 2f toward the side surface 2e in the third direction D3.

[0084] The pair of end portions 71a and 71b define both ends of the internal electrode 71 in the first direction D1. The end portion 71a is exposed on the side surface 2a. The end portion 71a is connected to the external electrode 3 disposed on the side surface 2a. That is, the end portion 71a is connected to the corresponding external electrode 3 among the pair of external electrodes 3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 71a is directly connected to the external electrode 3. The end portion 71a constitutes a connection end connected to the external electrode 3. The end portion 71a may also constitute a front end face.

[0085] The end portion 71b is located inside the element body 2 and is not exposed on the outer surface of the element body 2. The end portion 71b is separated from the side surfaces 2a and 2b. The internal electrode 71 is opposed to the corresponding internal electrodes 61 and 62 among the internal electrodes 61 and 62 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 71b. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is opposed to the internal electrode 61 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 71b, and the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b is opposed to the internal electrode 62 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 71b. The end portion 71b includes a region that overlaps the corresponding internal electrodes 61 and 62 when observed from the third direction D3.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is opposed to the end portion 62a of the internal electrode 62 in the third direction D3. The end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 62 when observed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a includes a region that overlaps the end portion 62a of the internal electrode 62 when observed from the third direction D3. That is, when observed from the third direction D3, the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the end portion 62a overlap. In the present embodiment, when observed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 71 to the front end of the end portion 62a of the internal electrode 62.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b faces the end portion 61b of the internal electrode 61 in the third direction D3. The end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b includes a region overlapping the internal electrode 61 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b includes a region overlapping the end portion 61b of the internal electrode 61 when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the end portion 61b overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 71 to the front end of the end portion 61b of the internal electrode 61.

[0088] That is, the end portion 71b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 71 but also a region of a predetermined length from the front end of the internal electrode 71. Therefore, the end portion 71b has the above-mentioned predetermined length in the first direction D1. The end portion 71b is buried in the substrate 2 and contacts only the substrate 2.

[0089] A pair of end edges 71c, 71d face each other in the second direction D2, and a pair of surfaces 71e, 71f face each other in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end edge 71c is located closer to the side surface 2c, and the end edge 71d is located closer to the side surface 2d. In the present embodiment, the surface 71e is located closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 71f is located closer to the side surface 2f. Each of the end edges 71c, 71d may also form a surface. Each of the end edges 71c, 71d is adjacent to each of the surfaces 71e and 71f and connects the surfaces 71e and 71f.

[0090] As Figure 4 shown, the internal electrode 71 has a length L5. The length L5 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 71 in the first direction D1. The length L5 is, for example, 0.25 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the length L5 is 0.405 mm. In the present embodiment, the pair of internal electrodes 71 have the same value of the length L5. The pair of internal electrodes 71 may also have different values of the length L5.

[0091] The internal electrode 71 has a width W5 at the end portion 71b. The width W5 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 51 in the second direction D2 at the end portion 71b. The width W5 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the width W5 is 0.5 mm.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 71 has a width W5 not only at the end portion 71b but also over the entire length. The internal electrode 71 only needs to have a width W5 at the end portion 71b. For example, the internal electrode 71 may also have a width different from the width W5 at a position other than the end portion 71b. In the present embodiment, the pair of internal electrodes 71 have the same value of width W5 at their respective end portions 71b. The pair of internal electrodes 71 may also have different values of width W5 at their respective end portions 71b.

[0093] In the internal electrode layer 7, the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 and the outer surface of the body 2 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the distance d4 is 0.2 mm. The distance d4 is defined, for example, by the distance between a pair of end edges 71c, 71d and the corresponding side surfaces 2c, 2d in the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the body 2 and the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the body 2 are the same value. The distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the body 2 and the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the body 2 may also be different values.

[0094] In the internal electrode layer 7, the distance d5 between the internal electrode 71 and the external electrode 4 is, for example, 0.21 mm or more and 0.57 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the distance d5 is 0.36 mm. The distance d5 is defined, for example, by the shortest distance between each corner of the internal electrode 71 in the end portion 71b and the external electrode 4 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the distance d5 between the corner of the internal electrode 71 in the end portion 71b that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4 and the distance d5 between the corner of the internal electrode 71 in the end portion 71b that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 are the same value. The distance d5 between the corner of the internal electrode 71 in the end portion 71b that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4 and the distance d5 between the corner of the internal electrode 71 in the end portion 71b that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 may also be different values.

[0095] The internal electrode 72 includes a pair of end portions 72a, 72b, a pair of end portions 72c, 72d, a pair of end edges 72e, 72f, and a pair of surfaces 72g, 72h that face each other.

[0096] A pair of end portions 72a and 72b define both ends in the first direction D1 of the internal electrode 72. The end portions 72a and 72b are located inside the base body 2 and are not exposed on the outer surface of the base body 2. The end portions 72a and 72b are separated from the respective side surfaces 2a and 2b. The end portion 72a is located at a position close to the side surface 2a, and the end portion 72b is located at a position close to the side surface 2b. The end portion 72a faces the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a in the first direction D1. The end portion 72b faces the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b in the first direction D1.

[0097] The internal electrode 72 faces the internal electrode 62 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 72a. In the present embodiment, the end portion 72a faces the end portion 62b of the internal electrode 62 in the third direction D3. The end portion 72a includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 62 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 72a includes a region that overlaps the end portion 62b when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 72b and the end portion 62b overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 72a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 72 in the end portion 72a to the front end of the end portion 62b of the internal electrode 62. That is, the end portion 72a includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 72 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 72. Therefore, the end portion 72a has the above-mentioned specified length in the first direction D1. The end portion 72a is buried in the base body 2 and contacts only the base body 2.

[0098] The internal electrode 72 faces the internal electrode 61 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 72b. In the present embodiment, the end portion 72b faces the end portion 61a of the internal electrode 61 in the third direction D3. The end portion 72b includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 61 when viewed from the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the end portion 72b includes a region that overlaps the end portion 61a when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 72a and the end portion 61a overlap. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 72b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 72 in the end portion 72b to the front end of the end portion 61a of the internal electrode 61. That is, the end portion 72b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 72 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 72. Therefore, the end portion 72b has the above-mentioned specified length in the first direction D1. The end portion 72b is buried in the base body 2 and contacts only the base body 2.

[0099] A pair of end portions 72c and 72d define both ends of the internal electrode 72 in the second direction D2. The end portion 72c is exposed on the side surface 2c. The end portion 72c is connected to the external electrode 4 disposed on the side surface 2c. That is, the end portion 72c is connected to the corresponding external electrode 4 among the pair of external electrodes 4. In the present embodiment, the end portion 72c is directly connected to the external electrode 4. The end portion 72c constitutes a connection end connected to the external electrode 4. The end portion 72d is exposed on the side surface 2d. The end portion 72d is connected to the external electrode 4 disposed on the side surface 2d. That is, the end portion 72d is connected to the corresponding external electrode 4 among the pair of external electrodes 4. In the present embodiment, the end portion 72d is directly connected to the external electrode 4. The end portion 72d constitutes a connection end connected to the external electrode 4.

[0100] A pair of surfaces 72g and 72h face each other in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the surface 72g is located closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 72h is located closer to the side surface 2d. In the present embodiment, in order to achieve a structure in which the end portions 72c and 72d are exposed on the corresponding side surfaces 2c and 2d, the surfaces 72g and 72h include a surface region R3 and a pair of surface regions R4. The surface region R3 has a rectangular shape including the second direction D2 in the long side direction and the first direction D1 in the short side direction. The pair of surface regions R4 have a rectangular shape including the second direction D2 in the long side direction and the first direction D1 in the short side direction, and extend from the corresponding short side of the surface region R1 in the second direction D2.

[0101] For example, a part of the surface region R3 is included in the end portion 72a, and another part of the surface region R3 located on the side opposite to the above part in the first direction D1 is included in the end portion 72b. For example, a part of one surface region R2 of the pair of surface regions R4 is included in the end portion 72c, and a part of the other surface region R4 of the pair of surface regions R4 is included in the end portion 72d. Each of the end edges 72e and 72f is adjacent to the surfaces 72g and 72h, and connects the surfaces 72g and 72h.

[0102] As Figure 4 shown, the internal electrode 72 has a length L6. The length L6 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 72 in the first direction D1. The length L6 is, for example, 0.3 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. The length L6 in the present embodiment is 0.44 mm.

[0103] The internal electrode 72 has a width W6 at the ends 72a and 72b. The width W6 is defined, for example, by the length in the second direction D2 that the internal electrode 72 has at the ends 72a and 72b. The width W6 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The width W6 in the present embodiment is 0.5 mm. In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 72 has the same value of the width W6 at each of the ends 72a and 72b. The internal electrode 72 may also have different values of the width W6 at each of the ends 72a and 72b.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the internal electrode 72 has a width W6 not only at the ends 72a and 72b but also over the whole. It is sufficient that the internal electrode 72 has a width W6 at the ends 72a and 72b. For example, the internal electrode 72 may also have a width different from the width W6 at positions other than the ends 72a and 72b.

[0105] In the internal electrode layer 7, the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72 is, for example, 0.2 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less. The distance d6 in the present embodiment is 0.3 mm. The distance d6 is defined, for example, by the distance in the first direction D1 between the front end of the internal electrode 71 at the end 71b and the front end of the internal electrode 72 at the corresponding ends 72a and 72b. In the present embodiment, the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72 exposed on the side surface 2a and the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72 exposed on the side surface 2b are the same value. The distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72 exposed on the side surface 2a and the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72 exposed on the side surface 2b may also be different values.

[0106] In the chip varistor 1, a varistor is formed between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrodes 51 and 52. In the present embodiment, the end 61b, the end 51b opposite to the end 61b, and the region sandwiched by the end 61b of the body 2 and the end 51b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrode 51. The end 61a, the end 52b, and the region sandwiched by the end 61a of the body 2 and the end 52b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrode 52. These varistors are connected in series via the internal electrode 61. That is, the internal electrode 61 is arranged to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0107] In the chip varistor 1, a varistor is formed between the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrodes 51 and 52. In the present embodiment, the end portion 62a, the end portion 51b opposite to the end portion 62a, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 62a of the body 2 and the end portion 51b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrode 51. The end portion 62b, the end portion 52a, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 62b of the body 2 and the end portion 52a function as a varistor between the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrode 52. These varistors are connected in series via the internal electrode 62. That is, the internal electrode 62 is configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2a.

[0108] In the chip varistor 1, a varistor is formed between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72. In the present embodiment, the end portion 61b, the end portion 71b opposite to the end portion 61b, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 61b of the body 2 and the end portion 71b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrode 71. The end portion 61a, the end portion 72b, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 61a of the body 2 and the end portion 72b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrode 72. These varistors are connected in series via the internal electrode 61. That is, the internal electrode 61 is configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0109] In the chip varistor 1, a varistor is formed between the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72. In the present embodiment, the end portion 62a, the end portion 71b opposite to the end portion 62a, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 62a of the body 2 and the end portion 71b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrode 71. The end portion 62b, the end portion 72a, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 62b of the body 2 and the end portion 72a function as a varistor between the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrode 72. These varistors are connected in series via the internal electrode 62. That is, the internal electrode 62 is configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2a.

[0110] Figure 2 The distance d7 between the internal electrode layer 5 and the internal electrode layer 6 shown, for example, is 0.06 mm or more and 0.18 mm or less. The distance d8 between the internal electrode layer 6 and the internal electrode layer 7 is, for example, 0.06 mm or more and 0.18 mm or less. The distance d7 and the distance d8 may also be 0.09 mm or more and 0.12 mm or less. The distance d7 and the distance d8 in the present embodiment are 0.09 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d7 and the distance d8 are the same value as each other.

[0111] The distance d7 is defined, for example, by the shortest distance between the mutually opposing surfaces 51f and 62e in the third direction D3. The distance d8 is defined, for example, by the shortest distance between the mutually opposing surfaces 62f and 71e in the third direction D3. The distance d7 can also be defined by the shortest distance between the mutually opposing surfaces 52h and 62e in the third direction D3, and the distance d8 can also be defined by the shortest distance between the mutually opposing surfaces 62f and 72g in the third direction D3.

[0112] For example, the distance d7 and the distance d8 are different from the distance d2 between the internal electrode 51 and the external electrode 4 and the distance d5 between the internal electrode 71 and the external electrode 4. In the present embodiment, the distance d2 and the distance d5 are greater than the distance d7 and the distance d8. The distance d2 and the distance d5 are, for example, more than twice the distance d7 and the distance d8.

[0113] For example, the distance d7 and the distance d8 are different from the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 and the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72. In the present embodiment, the distance d3 and the distance d6 are greater than the distance d7 and the distance d8. The distance d3 and the distance d6 are, for example, more than twice the distance d7 and the distance d8.

[0114] For example, the length of the end portion 61a in the first direction D1 is different from the length L2 of the internal electrode 52, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is different from the length L1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b. In the present embodiment, the length of the end portion 61a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L2, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0115] For example, the length of the end portion 62a in the first direction D1 is different from the length L1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a, and the length of the end portion 62b in the first direction D1 is different from the length L2 of the internal electrode 52. In the present embodiment, the length of the end portion 62a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L2.

[0116] For example, the length of the end portion 61a in the first direction D1 is different from the length L6 of the internal electrode 72, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is different from the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b. In the present embodiment, the length of the end portion 61a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L6, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0117] For example, the length of the end portion 62a in the first direction D1 and the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a are different from each other, and the length of the end portion 62b in the first direction D1 and the length L6 of the internal electrode 72 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the length of the end portion 62a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L6.

[0118] The width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a and the width W4 of the end portion 62a are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 51c, 51d of the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a are located outside a pair of end edges 62c, 62d of the end portion 62a. The distance d9 between the end edge 51c and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 51d and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2, that is, the distance d9, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d9 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d9 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d9 between the end edge 51c and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d9 between the end edge 51d and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d9 between the end edge 51c and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d9 between the end edge 51d and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0119] The width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b and the width W3 of the end portion 61b are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b is greater than the width W3 of the end portion 61b. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 51c, 51d of the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b are located outside the pair of end edges 61c, 61d of the end portion 61b. The distance d10 between the end edge 51c and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d10 between the end edge 51d and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2, that is, the distance d10, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d10 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d10 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d10 between the end edge 51c and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d10 between the end edge 51d and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d10 between the end edge 51c and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d10 between the end edge 51d and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0120] For example, the length L1 of the pair of internal electrodes 51, the length L3 of the internal electrode 61, and the length L4 of the internal electrode 62 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the length L3 and the length L4 are greater than the length L1. For example, the width W3 of the internal electrode 61, the width W4 of the internal electrode 62, and the distance d1 between the pair of internal electrodes 51 and the outer surface of the substrate 2 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W3 and the width W4 are greater than the distance d1.

[0121] The width W2 of the end portion 52a and the width W4 of the end portion 62b are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W2 of the end portion 52a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 52e, 52f of the end portion 52a are located outside a pair of end edges 62c, 62d of the end portion 62b. The distance between the end edge 52e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 52f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2, that is, the distance d11, are, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d11 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d11 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d11 between the end edge 52e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d11 between the end edge 52f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d11 between the end edge 52e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d11 between the end edge 52f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0122] The width W2 of the end portion 52b and the width W4 of the end portion 61a are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W2 of the end portion 52b is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 61a. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 52e, 52f of the end portion 52b are located outside a pair of end edges 61c, 61d of the end portion 61a. The distance between the end edge 52e and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 52f and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2, that is, the distance d12, are, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d12 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d12 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d12 between the end edge 52e and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d12 between the end edge 52f and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d12 between the end edge 52e and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d12 between the end edge 52f and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0123] The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the width W4 of the end portion 62a are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 71c, 71d in the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 62a. The distances between the end edge 71c and the end edge 62c and between the end edge 71d and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 in the end portions 71b, 62a, that is, the distance d13, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d13 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d13 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d13 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d13 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d13 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d13 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0124] The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the width W3 of the end portion 61b are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b is greater than the width W3 of the end portion 61b. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 71c, 71d in the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b are located outside of a pair of end edges 61c, 61d in the end portion 61b. The distances between the end edge 71c and the end edge 61c and between the end edge 71d and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 in the end portions 71b, 61b, that is, the distance d14, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d14 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d14 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d14 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d14 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d14 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 61c in the second direction D2 and the distance d14 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 61d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0125] For example, the length L5 of a pair of internal electrodes 71, the length L3 of internal electrode 61, and the length L4 of internal electrode 62 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the length L3 and the length L4 are greater than the length L5. For example, the width W3 of internal electrode 61, the width W4 of internal electrode 62, and the distance d4 between the pair of internal electrodes 71 and the outer surface of the body 2 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W3 and the width W4 are greater than the distance d4.

[0126] The width W6 of the end portion 72a and the width W4 of the end portion 62b are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W6 of the end portion 72a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 72e, 72f in the end portion 72a are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 62b. The distance between the end edge 72e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 72f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 in the end portions 72a, 62b, that is, the distance d15, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d15 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d15 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d15 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d11 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d15 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d15 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0127] The width W6 of the end portion 72b and the width W3 of the end portion 61a are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the width W6 of the end portion 72b is greater than the width W3 of the end portion 61a. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 72e, 72f in the end portion 72b are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 61a. The distance between the end edge 72e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 72f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 in the end portions 72b, 61a, that is, the distance d16, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d16 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d16 in the present embodiment is 0.15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance d16 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d16 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d16 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 62c in the second direction D2 and the distance d16 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 62d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0128] For example, when the side surface 2a constitutes the first side surface, the side surface 2b constitutes the second side surface. For example, when the internal electrode layer 5 constitutes the first internal electrode layer, the internal electrode layer 6 constitutes the second internal electrode layer, and the internal electrode layer 7 constitutes the third internal electrode layer. For example, when the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a constitutes the first internal electrode, and the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b constitutes the second internal electrode, the internal electrode 52 constitutes the third internal electrode, the internal electrode 62 constitutes the fourth internal electrode, the internal electrode 61 constitutes the fifth internal electrode, the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a constitutes the sixth internal electrode, the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b constitutes the seventh internal electrode, and the internal electrode 72 constitutes the eighth internal electrode.

[0129] As described above, in the chip varistor 1, among the plurality of internal electrodes 51, 52, 61, 62, 71, 72, the mutually opposed internal electrodes have different widths at their mutually opposed ends.

[0130] In the present embodiment, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a is different from the width W4 of the internal electrode 62 at the end portion 62a. Therefore, even when the relative position of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a and the internal electrode 62 changes in the second direction D2, the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 51b and 62a is hardly changed. As a result, even when the relative position of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 51 and 62 changes in the second direction D2, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0131] In the present embodiment, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b is different from the width W3 of the internal electrode 61 at the end portion 61b. Therefore, even when the relative position of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b and the internal electrode 61 changes in the second direction D2, the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 51b and 61b is hardly changed. As a result, even when the relative position of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 51 and 61 changes in the second direction D2, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0132] In the present embodiment, the width W2 of the internal electrode 52 at the end portion 52a is different from the width W4 of the internal electrode 62 at the end portion 62b. Therefore, even when the relative position of the internal electrode 52 and the internal electrode 62 changes in the second direction D2, the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 52a and 62b is hardly changed. As a result, even when the relative position of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 52 and 62 changes in the second direction D2, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0133] In the present embodiment, the width W2 of the internal electrode 52 at the end portion 52b is different from the width W3 of the internal electrode 61 at the end portion 61a. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 52 and the internal electrode 61 changes, it is difficult for the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 52b and 61a to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 52 and 61 changes with respect to each other, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0134] In the present embodiment, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is different from the width W4 of the internal electrode 62 at the end portion 62a. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the internal electrode 62 changes, it is difficult for the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 71b and 62a to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 71 and 62 changes with respect to each other, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0135] In the present embodiment, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b is different from the width W3 of the internal electrode 61 at the end portion 61b. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the internal electrode 61 changes, it is difficult for the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 71b and 61b to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 71 and 61 changes with respect to each other, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0136] In the present embodiment, the width W6 of the internal electrode 72 at the end portion 72a is different from the width W4 of the internal electrode 62 at the end portion 62b. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 72 and the internal electrode 62 changes, it is difficult for the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 72a and 62b to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 72 and 62 changes with respect to each other, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the width W6 of the internal electrode 72 at the end 72b is different from the width W3 of the internal electrode 61 at the end 61a. Therefore, even when the relative position of the internal electrode 72 and the internal electrode 61 changes in the second direction D2, it is difficult for the area of the overlapping region between the opposing ends 72b and 61a to change. As a result, even when the relative position of the opposing internal electrodes 72 and 61 changes in the second direction D2, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0138] In the chip varistor 1, the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W1 and W2, and the width W4 is smaller than the corresponding widths W1 and W2. When the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W1 and W2, it is difficult for discharge to occur between the internal electrode 61 and the external electrode 4 and between the internal electrode 61 and the ends 52c and 52d of the internal electrode 52. When the width W4 is smaller than the corresponding widths W1 and W2, it is difficult for discharge to occur between the internal electrode 62 and the external electrode 4 and between the internal electrode 62 and the ends 52c and 52d of the internal electrode 52. As a result, the chip varistor 1 can suppress deterioration of characteristics.

[0139] In the chip varistor 1, the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5 and W6, and the width W4 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5 and W6. When the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5 and W6, it is difficult for discharge to occur between the internal electrode 61 and the external electrode 4 and between the internal electrode 61 and the ends 72c and 72d of the internal electrode 72. When the width W4 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5 and W6, it is difficult for discharge to occur between the internal electrode 62 and the external electrode 4 and between the internal electrode 62 and the ends 72c and 72d of the internal electrode 72. As a result, the chip varistor 1 can further suppress deterioration of characteristics.

[0140] In the chip varistor 1, the width W1 of the pair of internal electrodes 51 and the width W2 of the internal electrode 52 are the same as each other. The chip varistor 1 can easily form the pair of internal electrodes 51 and the internal electrode 52. In the chip varistor 1, the width W5 of the pair of internal electrodes 71 and the width W6 of the internal electrode 72 are the same as each other. The chip varistor 1 can easily form the pair of internal electrodes 71 and the internal electrode 72.

[0141] The chip varistor 1 includes a plurality of external electrodes 3 and 4 connected to the corresponding internal electrodes among the pair of internal electrodes 51 and the internal electrode 52. The chip varistor 1 can also obtain desired characteristics in a three-terminal chip varistor.

[0142] In the chip varistor 1, the plurality of internal electrodes include internal electrode layers 5, 6, and 7. Compared with the structure in which the plurality of internal electrodes only include internal electrode layers 5 and 6, the chip varistor 1 has an improved tolerance against electrostatic discharge.

[0143] In the chip varistor 1, the length of the end portion 61a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L2, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b. Therefore, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2b in the first direction D1 change, the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the mutually opposing end portions 61b and 51b and the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the mutually opposing end portions 61a and 52b are difficult to change. As a result, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2b in the first direction D1 change, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0144] In the chip varistor 1, the length of the end portion 62a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L2. Therefore, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2a in the first direction D1 change, the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the mutually opposing end portions 62a and 51b and the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the mutually opposing end portions 62b and 52a are difficult to change. As a result, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrodes 51 and 52 exposed on the side surface 2a in the first direction D1 change, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0145] In the chip varistor 1, the length of the end portion 61a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L6, and the length of the end portion 61b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b. Therefore, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2b in the first direction D1 change, the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the mutually opposing end portions 61b and 71b and the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the mutually opposing end portions 61a and 72b are difficult to change. As a result, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2b in the first direction D1 change, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0146] In the chip varistor 1, the length of the end portion 62a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b, and the length of the end portion 62b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L6. Therefore, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2a change in the first direction D1, it is difficult for the sum of the areas of the overlapping regions of the opposing end portions 62a and 71b and the areas of the overlapping regions of the opposing end portions 62b and 72a to change. As a result, even when the relative positions of the internal electrode 62 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2a change in the first direction D1, the chip varistor 1 can obtain desired characteristics.

[0147] In the chip varistor 1, the distances d2 and d5 are more than twice the distances d7 and d8. When the distances d2 and d5 are more than twice the distances d7 and d8, it is difficult for discharge to occur between the internal electrode 51 and the external electrode 4 and between the internal electrode 71 and the external electrode 4. Therefore, the chip varistor 1 can further suppress deterioration of characteristics.

[0148] In the chip varistor 1, the distances d3 and d6 are, for example, more than twice the distances d7 and d8. When the distances d3 and d6 are more than twice the distances d7 and d8, it is difficult for discharge to occur between the internal electrode 51 and the internal electrode 52 and between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72. Therefore, the chip varistor 1 can more reliably suppress deterioration of characteristics.

[0149] In the chip varistor 1, the end portions 52c and 52d each include exposed ends exposed on the corresponding side surfaces among the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. The widths of the exposed ends of the end portions 52c and 52d, that is, the lengths of the exposed ends of the end portions 52c and 52d in the first direction D1 may also be less than the length L2. Even when the internal electrode 52 is misaligned, the structure in which the widths of the above-described exposed ends of the end portions 52c and 52d are less than the length L2 ensures the connectivity between the internal electrode 52 and the external electrode 4. Therefore, the structure in which the widths of the exposed ends of the end portions 52c and 52d are less than the length L2 reliably improves the tolerance to electrostatic discharge.

[0150] In the chip varistor 1, the end portions 72c and 72d each include exposed ends that are exposed at corresponding sides among a pair of sides 2c and 2d. The widths of the exposed ends of the end portions 72c and 72d, that is, the lengths of the exposed ends of the end portions 72c and 72d in the first direction D1 may also be less than the length L2. Even when misalignment occurs in the internal electrode 72, the structure in which the widths of the above-described exposed ends of the end portions 72c and 72d are less than the length L2 ensures the connectivity between the internal electrode 72 and the external electrode 4. Therefore, the structure in which the widths of the exposed ends of the end portions 72c and 72d are less than the length L2 reliably improves the tolerance against electrostatic discharge.

[0151] Next, with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 the structure of the chip varistor 1A of the first modification of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes, and is a diagram of observing a pair of internal electrodes 51 and 52 and internal electrodes 61 and 62 in the direction from side 2e toward side 2f in the third direction D3. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes, and is a diagram of observing internal electrodes 61 and 62 and a pair of internal electrodes 71 and 72 in the direction from side 2f toward side 2e in the third direction D3. In the chip varistor 1A, the values of the lengths L1 to L6 and the widths W1 to W6 and the magnitude relationships of the widths W1 to W6 are different from those of the above-described chip varistor 1. Hereinafter, the differences between the above-described chip varistor 1 and the chip varistor 1A will be mainly described.

[0152] In this modification, the length L1 is 0.28 mm and the width W1 is 0.2 mm. In this modification, the pair of internal electrodes 51 also have the same value of length L1 and the same value of width W1.

[0153] In this modification, the distance d1 is 0.36 mm. In this modification, the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed at side 2a and the outer surface of the body 2 is the same value as the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed at side 2b and the outer surface of the body 2.

[0154] In this modification, the length L2 is 0.69 mm and the width W2 is 0.2 mm. In this modification, the internal electrode 52 also has the same value of length L2 and the same value of width W2 at each of the end portions 52a and 52b. In this modification, the distance d3 is 0.3 mm. In this modification, the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 exposed at side 2a and the internal electrode 52 is the same value as the distance d3 between the internal electrode 51 exposed at side 2b and the internal electrode 52.

[0155] In this modification example, the length L3 is 0.5 mm and the width W3 is 0.5 mm. In this modification example, the internal electrodes 61 also have the same value of length L3 and the same value of width W3 at the respective end portions 61a and 61b.

[0156] In this modification example, the length L4 is 0.5 mm and the width W4 is 0.5 mm. In this modification example, the internal electrodes 62 also have the same value of length L4 and the same value of width W4 at the respective end portions 62a and 62b.

[0157] In this modification example, the length L5 is 0.28 mm and the width W5 is 0.2 mm. In this modification example, the pair of internal electrodes 71 also have the same value of length L5 and the same value of width W5 with respect to each other.

[0158] In this modification example, the distance d4 is 0.36 mm. In this modification example, the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the substrate 2 and the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the substrate 2 are also the same value with respect to each other.

[0159] In this modification example, the length L6 is 0.69 mm and the width W6 is 0.2 mm. In this modification example, the internal electrode 72 also has the same value of length L6 and the same value of width W6 at the respective end portions 72a and 72b.

[0160] In this modification example, the distance d6 is 0.3 mm. In this modification example, the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the internal electrode 72 and the distance d6 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the internal electrode 72 are also the same value with respect to each other.

[0161] In the internal electrode layer 6, the distance d17 between the internal electrode 61 and the external electrode 4 and the distance d18 between the internal electrode 62 and the external electrode 4 are, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.35 mm or less. In this modification example, the distance d17 and the distance d18 are 0.21 mm. In this modification example, the distance d17 and the distance d18 are greater than the distance d7 and the distance d8. The distance d17 and the distance d18 are, for example, 2 times or more the distance d7 and the distance d8.

[0162] The distance d17 is defined, for example, as the shortest distance between each corner of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61a and the external electrode 4 when viewed from the third direction D3. In this modified example, the distance d17 between the corner of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61a that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4, and the distance d17 between the corner of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61a that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 are the same value. The distance d17 between the corner of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61a that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4, and the distance d17 between the corner of the internal electrode 61 in the end portion 61a that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 may also be different values.

[0163] The distance d18 is defined, for example, as the shortest distance between each corner of the internal electrode 62 in the end portion 62b and the external electrode 4 when viewed from the third direction D3. In this modified example, the distance d18 between the corner of the internal electrode 62 in the end portion 62b that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4, and the distance d18 between the corner of the internal electrode 62 in the end portion 62b that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 are the same value. The distance d18 between the corner of the internal electrode 62 in the end portion 62b that is located closer to the side surface 2c and the external electrode 4, and the distance d18 between the corner of the internal electrode 62 in the end portion 62b that is located closer to the side surface 2d and the external electrode 4 may also be different values.

[0164] Different from the above-described embodiment, in this modified example, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a is smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. Therefore, when viewed from the third direction D3, the pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 62a are located outside of the pair of end edges 51c, 51d in the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a.

[0165] In this modified example, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b is smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61b. Therefore, in this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, the pair of end edges 61c, 61d in the end portion 61b are located outside of the pair of end edges 51c, 51d in the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0166] In this modified example, the width W2 of the end portion 52a is smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. Therefore, when viewed from the third direction D3, the pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 62b are located outside of the pair of end edges 52e, 52f in the end portion 52a.

[0167] In this modified example, the width W2 of the end portion 52b is smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 61a. Therefore, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 61a are located outside of a pair of end edges 52e, 52f in the end portion 52b.

[0168] In this modified example, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. Therefore, in this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 62a are located outside of a pair of end edges 71c, 71d in the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a.

[0169] In this modified example, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b is smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61b. Therefore, in this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 61c, 61d in the end portion 61b are located outside of a pair of end edges 71c, 71d in the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0170] In this modified example, the width W6 of the end portion 72a is larger than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. Therefore, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 62b are located outside of a pair of end edges 72e, 72f in the end portion 72a.

[0171] In this modified example, the width W6 of the end portion 72b is larger than the width W3 of the end portion 61a. Therefore, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 62c, 62d in the end portion 61a are located outside of a pair of end edges 72e, 72f in the end portion 72b.

[0172] In the chip varistor 1A, the width W3 is larger than the corresponding widths W1, W2, and the width W4 is larger than the corresponding widths W1, W2. When the width W3 is larger than the corresponding widths W1, W2, compared with the case where the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W1, W2, the internal electrode paste used for forming the plurality of internal electrodes 51, 52, 61, 62 can be reduced. Therefore, the chip varistor 1A can easily form the plurality of internal electrodes 51, 52, 61, 62.

[0173] In the chip varistor 1A, the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5, W6, and the width W4 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5, W6. When the width W3 is larger than the corresponding widths W5, W6, compared with the case where the width W3 is smaller than the corresponding widths W5, W6, the internal electrode paste used for forming the plurality of internal electrodes 61, 62, 71, 72 can be reduced. Therefore, the chip varistor 1A can easily form the plurality of internal electrodes 61, 62, 71, 72.

[0174] In the chip varistor 1A, the distances d17 and d18 are more than twice the distances d7 and d8. When the distances d17 and d18 are more than twice the distances d7 and d8, it is difficult to generate discharges between the internal electrode 61 and the external electrode 4 and between the internal electrode 62 and the external electrode 4. Therefore, the chip varistor 1A can further suppress the deterioration of characteristics.

[0175] Next, with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 the structure of the chip varistor 1B of the second modification of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes, and is a diagram of observing a pair of internal electrodes 51 and internal electrode 52 and internal electrodes 61 and 62 in the direction from the side surface 2e toward the side surface 2f in the third direction D3. Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes, and is a diagram of observing internal electrodes 61 and 62 and a pair of internal electrodes 71 and internal electrode 72 in the direction from the side surface 2f toward the side surface 2e in the third direction D3. In the chip varistor 1B, the values of the widths W1, W2, W4, W5, and W6 and the magnitude relationship of the widths W1 to W6 are different from those of the above-described chip varistor 1A. Hereinafter, the differences between the above-described chip varistor 1A and the chip varistor 1B will be mainly described.

[0176] The widths W1 and W2 in this modification are 0.3 mm. In this modification, the pair of internal electrodes 51 also have the same value of width W1, and the internal electrode 52 has the same value of length L2 and the same value of width W2 at each end portion 52a and 52b. The width W4 in this modification is 0.2 mm. In this modification, the internal electrode 62 also has the same value of width W4 at each end portion 62a and 62b. The widths W5 and W6 in this modification are 0.3 mm. In this modification, the pair of internal electrodes 71 also have the same value of width W5, and the internal electrode 72 has the same value of width W6 at each end portion 72a and 72b.

[0177] The distance d1 in this modification is 0.31 mm. In this modification, the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the body 2 and the distance d1 between the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the body 2 are also the same value. The distance d4 in this modification is 0.31 mm. In this modification, the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the outer surface of the body 2 and the distance d4 between the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the outer surface of the body 2 are also the same value.

[0178] In this modified example, the width W3 is also greater than the corresponding widths W1 and W2. However, the value of the width W3 is the same as the value of the width W3 in the first modified example. On the other hand, the value of the width W1 in this modified example is different from the values of the widths W1 and W2 in the first modified example. Therefore, in this modified example, the values of the distances d10 and d12 are also different from the values of the distances d10 and d12 in the first modified example. The distances d10 and d12 in this modified example are 0.1 mm.

[0179] In this modified example, the width W3 is also greater than the corresponding widths W5 and W6. However, the value of the width W3 is the same as the value of the width W3 in the first modified example. On the other hand, the values of the widths W5 and W6 in this modified example are different from the values of the widths W5 and W6 in the first modified example. Therefore, in this modified example, the values of the distances d14 and d16 are also different from the values of the distances d14 and d16 in the first modified example. The distances d14 and d16 in this modified example are 0.1 mm.

[0180] Different from the above first modified example, in this modified example, the width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. Therefore, when observed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 51c and 51d in the end portion 51b of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c and 62d in the end portion 62a. The distance d9 in this modified example is 0.05 mm.

[0181] In this modified example, the width W2 of the end portion 52a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. Therefore, when observed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 52e and 52f in the end portion 52a are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c and 62d in the end portion 62b. The distance d11 in this modified example is 0.05 mm.

[0182] In this modified example, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. Therefore, when observed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 71c and 71d in the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c and 62d in the end portion 62a. The distance d13 in this modified example is 0.05 mm.

[0183] In this modified example, the width W6 of the end portion 72a is greater than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. Therefore, when observed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 72e and 72f in the end portion 72a are located outside of a pair of end edges 62c and 62d in the end portion 62b. The distance d15 in this modified example is 0.05 mm.

[0184] Thus, in this modified example, the magnitude relationships of the widths W1, W2, and W3 near the side surface 2a and the magnitude relationships of the widths W1, W2, and W4 near the side surface 2b are reversed. Similarly, the magnitude relationships of the widths W5, W6, and W3 near the side surface 2a and the magnitude relationships of the widths W5, W6, and W4 near the side surface 2b are reversed.

[0185] Next, with reference to Figure 9 the structure of the chip varistor 1C of the third modified example of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a chip varistor according to a modified example of the first embodiment. In the chip varistor 1C, the structures of the plurality of internal electrodes are different from those of the above-described chip varistor 1. Hereinafter, the differences between the above-described chip varistor 1 and the chip varistor 1C will be mainly described.

[0186] In this modified example, the plurality of internal electrodes include a plurality of internal electrode layers 6 and 7. That is, in the chip varistor 1C, the plurality of internal electrodes do not include the plurality of internal electrode layers 5. The internal electrode layers 6 and 7 are disposed in the body 2. As Figure 9 shown, in this modified example, in the body 2, the internal electrode layer 6 and the internal electrode layer 7 are arranged in sequence in the third direction D3.

[0187] In this modified example, any one of the magnitude relationships of the widths W3 to W6 in the chip varistors 1, 1A, and 1B may be adopted. The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a may be smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62a or may be larger than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b may be smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61b or may be larger than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. The width W6 of the end portion 72a may be smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62b or may be larger than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. The width W6 of the end portion 72b may be smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61a or may be larger than the width W3 of the end portion 61a.

[0188] In this modified example, the internal electrodes 61 and 62 are located in the same layer, and the internal electrodes 71 and 72 are located in the same layer. However, the positional relationships of the respective internal electrodes 61, 62, 71, and 72 are not limited to the above positional relationships. For example, the respective internal electrodes 61, 62, 71, and 72 may be located in different layers. When the respective internal electrodes 61, 62, 71, and 72 are located in different layers, when viewed from the second direction D2, the respective internal electrodes 61, 62, 71, and 72 may also be arranged in a direction inclined toward the third direction D3.

[0189] Next, with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11 the structure of the chip varistor 1D of the fourth modified example of the present embodiment will be described.Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of a chip varistor representing another modified example of the present embodiment. Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes. In the chip varistor 1D, the structure of the plurality of internal electrodes is different from that of the above-described chip varistor 1. Hereinafter, the differences between the above-described chip varistor 1 and the chip varistor 1D will be mainly described.

[0190] In this modified example, the plurality of internal electrodes include, in addition to the internal electrode layers 5, 6, and 7, an internal electrode layer 8. The internal electrode layer 8 is disposed within the body 2. The internal electrode layer 8 is disposed at a position different from that of the internal electrode layers 5, 6, and 7 in the third direction D3 within the body 2. The internal electrode layer 8 is adjacent to the internal electrode layer 7 in such a manner that the internal electrode layer 7 is located between the internal electrode layer 6. That is, in this modified example, the internal electrode layer 7 is located between the internal electrode layer 6 and the internal electrode layer 8. In this modified example, within the body 2, the internal electrode layer 5, the internal electrode layer 6, the internal electrode layer 7, and the internal electrode layer 8 are arranged in sequence in the third direction D3. Within the body 2, the internal electrode layer 8, the internal electrode layer 7, the internal electrode layer 6, and the internal electrode layer 5 may also be arranged in sequence in the third direction D3.

[0191] The internal electrode layer 8 includes an internal electrode 81 and an internal electrode 82. In this modified example, the internal electrode layer 8 includes one internal electrode 81 and one internal electrode 82. The internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 82 extend along the first direction D1. The internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 82 are located in the same layer within the body 2. The internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 82 are disposed at the same position in the third direction D3. The internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 82 are separated from each other in the above-described same layer and do not expose on the outer surface of the body 2. The internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 82 are opposed to each other in the first direction D1 in the above-described same layer.

[0192] The internal electrodes 81 and 82 included in the internal electrode layer 8 are opposed to the internal electrodes 71 and 72 included in the internal electrode layer 7 adjacent in the third direction D3 in the third direction D3. In this modified example, in the relationship between the internal electrode layer 7 and the internal electrode layer 8, the internal electrode 81 is opposed to the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3. In the relationship between the internal electrode layer 7 and the internal electrode layer 8, the internal electrode 82 is opposed to the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3.

[0193] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, the internal electrode 81 includes a pair of end portions 81a and 81b, a pair of opposite end edges 81c and 81d, and a pair of opposite surfaces 81e and 81f. Figure 11It is a view of a pair of internal electrodes 71 and 72 and internal electrodes 81 and 82 when observed in the direction from side surface 2f toward 2e in the third direction D3.

[0194] A pair of end portions 81a and 81b define both ends in the first direction D1 of the internal electrode 81. The end portion 81a and the end portion 81b are located inside the element body 2 and are not exposed on the outer surface of the element body 2. The end portion 81a and the end portion 81b are separated from the respective side surfaces 2a and 2b. The end portion 81a is located at a position closer to the side surface 2a. The end portion 81b is located on the opposite side of the end portion 81a and faces the internal electrode 82 in the first direction D1.

[0195] The internal electrode 81 faces the internal electrode 72 in the third direction D3 at the end portion 81a. In this modified example, the end portion 81a faces the end portion 72b of the internal electrode 72 in the third direction D3. The end portion 81a includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 72 when observed in the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end portion 81a includes a region that overlaps the end portion 72b when observed in the third direction D3. That is, when observed in the third direction D3, the end portion 81a and the end portion 72b overlap. In this modified example, when observed in the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 81a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 81 in the end portion 81a to the front end of the end portion 72b of the internal electrode 72. That is, the end portion 81a includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 81 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 81.

[0196] The internal electrode 81 faces the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3 at the end portion 81b. In this modified example, the end portion 81b faces the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b in the third direction D3. The end portion 81b includes a region that overlaps the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b when observed in the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end portion 81b includes a region that overlaps the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b when observed in the third direction D3. That is, when observed in the third direction D3, the end portion 81b and the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b overlap. In this modified example, when observed in the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 81b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 81 in the end portion 81b to the front end of the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b. That is, the end portion 81b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 81 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 81.

[0197] A pair of end edges 81c and 81d face each other in the second direction D2, and a pair of surfaces 81e and 81f face each other in the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end edge 81c is located at a position closer to the side surface 2c, and the end edge 81d is located at a position closer to the side surface 2d. In this modified example, the surface 81e is located at a position closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 81f is located at a position closer to the side surface 2f. Each of the end edges 81c and 81d may also form a surface. Each of the end edges 81c and 81d is adjacent to the surface 81e and the surface 81f, and connects the surface 81e and the surface 81f.

[0198] The internal electrode 81 has a length L7. The length L7 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 81 in the first direction D1. The length L7 is, for example, 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The length L7 in this modified example is 0.5 mm.

[0199] The internal electrode 81 has a width W7 at the end portions 81a and 81b. The width W7 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 81 in the second direction D2 at the end portions 81a and 81b. The width W7 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The width W7 in this modified example is 0.2 mm. In this modified example, the internal electrode 81 has the same value of the width W7 at each of the end portions 81a and 81b. The internal electrode 81 may also have different values of the width W7 at each of the end portions 81a and 81b.

[0200] In this modified example, the internal electrode 81 has the width W7 not only at the end portions 81a and 81b but also over the whole. The internal electrode 81 only needs to have the width W7 at the end portions 81a and 81b. For example, the internal electrode 81 may also have a width different from the width W7 at positions other than the end portions 81a and 81b.

[0201] The internal electrode 82 includes a pair of end portions 82a and 82b, a pair of end edges 82c and 82d facing each other, and a pair of surfaces 82e and 82f facing each other. The pair of end portions 82a and 82b define both ends of the internal electrode 82 in the first direction D1. The end portion 82a and the end portion 82b are located inside the substrate 2 and do not expose on the outer surface of the substrate 2. The end portion 82a and the end portion 82b are separated from the respective side surfaces 2a and 2b. The end portion 82a is located at a position closer to the side surface 2a. The end portion 82b is located on the side opposite to the end portion 81a and faces the internal electrode 81 in the first direction D1.

[0202] The internal electrode 82 at the end portion 82a faces the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end portion 82a faces the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a in the third direction D3. The end portion 82a includes a region that overlaps with the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a when viewed from the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end portion 82a includes a region that overlaps with the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 82a and the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a overlap. In this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 82a extends from the front end of the internal electrode 81 in the end portion 82a to the front end of the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a. That is, the end portion 82a includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 82 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 82.

[0203] The internal electrode 82 at the end portion 82b faces the internal electrode 72 in the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end portion 82b faces the end portion 72a of the internal electrode 72 in the third direction D3. The end portion 82b includes a region that overlaps with the internal electrode 72 when viewed from the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end portion 82b includes a region that overlaps with the end portion 72a when viewed from the third direction D3. That is, when viewed from the third direction D3, the end portion 82b and the end portion 72a overlap. In this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, the above-mentioned region of the end portion 82b extends from the front end of the internal electrode 82 in the end portion 82b to the front end of the end portion 72a of the internal electrode 72. That is, the end portion 82b includes not only the front end of the internal electrode 82 but also a region with a specified length from the front end of the internal electrode 82.

[0204] A pair of end edges 82c and 82d face each other in the second direction D2, and a pair of surfaces 82e and 82f face each other in the third direction D3. In this modified example, the end edge 82c is located closer to the side surface 2c, and the end edge 82d is located closer to the side surface 2d. In this modified example, the surface 82e is located closer to the side surface 2e, and the surface 82f is located closer to the side surface 2f. Each of the end edges 82c and 82d may also form a surface. Each of the end edges 82c and 82d is adjacent to each of the surfaces 82e and 82f and connects the surfaces 82e and 82f.

[0205] The internal electrode 82 has a length L8. The length L8 is defined, for example, by the length of the internal electrode 82 in the first direction D1. The length L8 is, for example, 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The length L8 in this modified example is 0.5 mm.

[0206] The internal electrode 82 has a width W8 at the end portions 82a and 82b. The width W8 is defined, for example, by the length in the second direction D2 that the internal electrode 82 has at the end portions 82a and 82b. The width W8 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The width W8 in this modification example is 0.2 mm. In this modification example, the internal electrode 82 has the same value of the width W8 at each of the end portions 82a and 82b. The internal electrode 82 may also have different values of the width W8 at each of the end portions 82a and 82b.

[0207] In this modification example, the internal electrode 82 has the width W8 not only at the end portions 82a and 82b but also over the whole. It is sufficient that the internal electrode 82 has the width W8 at the end portions 82a and 82b. For example, the internal electrode 82 may also have a width different from the width W8 at positions other than the end portions 82a and 82b.

[0208] Figure 10 The distance d19 between the internal electrode layer 7 and the internal electrode layer 8 shown, for example, is 0.06 mm or more and 0.18 mm or less. The distance d19 may also be 0.09 mm or more and 0.12 mm or less. In this modification example, the distance d19 is 0.09 mm.

[0209] For example, the distance d19, the distance d2 between the internal electrode 71 and the external electrode 4, and the distance d5 between the internal electrode 71 and the external electrode 4 are different from each other. In this modification example, the distances d2 and d5 are greater than the distance d19. The distances d2 and d5 are, for example, 2 times or more the distance d19.

[0210] For example, the distance d19, the distance d3 between the internal electrodes 51 and 52, and the distance d6 between the internal electrodes 71 and 72 are different from each other. In this modification example, the distances d3 and d6 are greater than the distance d19. The distances d3 and d6 are, for example, 2 times or more the distance d19.

[0211] In the chip varistor 1D, a varistor is formed between the internal electrode 81 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72. In this modification example, the end portion 81b, the end portion 71b opposite to the end portion 81b, and the region sandwiched by the end portion 81b of the body 2 and the end portion 71b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 71. The end portion 81a, the end portion 72b, and the region sandwiched by the end portion 81a of the body 2 and the end portion 72b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 72. These varistors are connected in series via the internal electrode 81. That is, the internal electrode 81 is arranged to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the internal electrodes 71 and 72 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0212] In the chip varistor 1D, a varistor is formed between the internal electrode 82 and the internal electrodes 71 and 72. In this modification, the end portion 82a, the end portion 71b opposite to the end portion 82a, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 82a of the body 2 and the end portion 71b function as a varistor between the internal electrode 82 and the internal electrode 71. The end portion 82b, the end portion 72a opposite to the end portion 82a, and the region sandwiched between the end portion 82b of the body 2 and the end portion 72a function as a varistor between the internal electrode 82 and the internal electrode 72. These varistors are connected in series via the internal electrode 82. That is, the internal electrode 82 is configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 72 exposed on the side surface 2a.

[0213] The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a and the width W8 of the end portion 82a are different from each other. In this modification, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is greater than the width W8 of the end portion 82a. In this modification, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 71c and 71d in the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a are located outside of a pair of end edges 82c and 82d in the end portion 82a. The distance d20 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 71d and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2, that is, the distance d20, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d20 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d20 in this modification is 0.15 mm. That is, in this modification, the distance d20 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance d20 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d20 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance d20 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0214] The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b and the width W7 of the end portion 81b are different from each other. In this modified example, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b is greater than the width W7 of the end portion 81b. In this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 71c, 71d of the end portion 71b of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b are located outside the pair of end edges 81c, 81d of the end portion 81b. The distance d21 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 81c in the second direction D2 and the distance between the end edge 71d and the end edge 81d in the second direction D2, that is, the distance d21, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d21 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d21 in this modified example is 0.15 mm. That is, in this modified example, the distance d21 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 81c in the second direction D2 and the distance d21 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 81d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d21 between the end edge 71c and the end edge 81c in the second direction D2 and the distance d21 between the end edge 71d and the end edge 81d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0215] For example, the length L5 of the pair of internal electrodes 71, the length L7 of the internal electrode 81, and the length L8 of the internal electrode 82 are different from each other. In this modified example, the length L7 and the length L8 are greater than the length L5. For example, the width W7 of the internal electrode 81, the width W8 of the internal electrode 82, and the distance d4 between the pair of internal electrodes 71 and the outer surface of the matrix 2 are different from each other. In this modified example, the width W5 and the width W6 are greater than each distance d4.

[0216] For example, the length of the end portion 81a in the first direction D1 and the length L6 of the internal electrode 72 are different from each other, and the length of the end portion 81b in the first direction D1 and the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b are different from each other. In this modified example, the length of the end portion 81a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L6, and the length of the end portion 81b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b.

[0217] For example, the length of the end portion 82a in the first direction D1 and the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a are different from each other, and the length of the end portion 82b in the first direction D1 and the length L6 of the internal electrode 72 are different from each other. In this modified example, the length of the end portion 82a in the first direction D1 is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b, and the length of the end portion 81b in the first direction D1 is less than the length L6.

[0218] The width W6 of the end portion 72a and the width W8 of the end portion 82b are different from each other. In this modified example, the width W6 of the end portion 72a is greater than the width W8 of the end portion 82b. In this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 72e, 72f in the end portion 72a are located outside a pair of end edges 82c, 82d in the end portion 82b. The distances between the end edge 72e and the end edge 82c and between the end edge 72f and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 in the end portions 72a, 82b, that is, the distance d22, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d22 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d22 in this modified example is 0.15 mm. That is, in this modified example, the distance d22 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance d22 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d22 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance d22 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0219] The width W6 of the end portion 72b and the width W7 of the end portion 81a are different from each other. In this modified example, the width W6 of the end portion 72b is greater than the width W7 of the end portion 81a. In this modified example, when viewed from the third direction D3, a pair of end edges 72e, 72f in the end portion 72b are located outside a pair of end edges 82c, 82d in the end portion 81a. The distances between the end edge 72e and the end edge 82c and between the end edge 72f and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 in the end portions 72b, 81a, that is, the distance d23, is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.20 mm or less. The distance d23 may also be 0.10 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. Each distance d23 in this modified example is 0.15 mm. That is, in this modified example, the distance d23 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance d23 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 are the same value. The distance d23 between the end edge 72e and the end edge 82c in the second direction D2 and the distance d23 between the end edge 72f and the end edge 82d in the second direction D2 may also be different values.

[0220] In this modified example, regarding the size relationship of each of the widths W5 to W8, any one of the size relationships of the widths W3 to W6 in the chip varistors 1A and 1B may be adopted. The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a may also be smaller than the width W8 of the end portion 82a. The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b may also be smaller than the width W7 of the end portion 81b. The width W6 of the end portion 72a may also be smaller than the width W8 of the end portion 82b. The width W6 of the end portion 72b may also be smaller than the width W7 of the end portion 81a.

[0221] In the chip varistor 1D, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a is different from the width W8 of the internal electrode 82. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 82 exposed on the side surface 2a changes, the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 71b and 82a hardly changes. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 71 and 82 changes, the chip varistor 1D can obtain desired characteristics.

[0222] In the chip varistor 1D, the width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b is different from the width W7 of the internal electrode 81. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 71 and the internal electrode 81 exposed on the side surface 2b changes, the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 71b and 81b hardly changes. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 71 and 81 changes, the chip varistor 1D can obtain desired characteristics.

[0223] In the chip varistor 1D, the width W6 of the internal electrode 72 at the end portion 72a is different from the width W8 of the internal electrode 82 at the end portion 82b. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 72 and the internal electrode 82 changes, the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed end portions 72a and 82b hardly changes. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 72 and 82 changes, the chip varistor 1D can obtain desired characteristics.

[0224] In the chip varistor 1D, the width W6 that the internal electrode 72 has at the end 72b is different from the width W7 that the internal electrode 81 has at the end 81a. Therefore, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the internal electrode 72 and the internal electrode 81 changes, it is difficult for the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed ends 72a and 81a to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the second direction D2 of the mutually opposed internal electrodes 72 and 81 changes with respect to each other, the chip varistor 1D can obtain desired characteristics.

[0225] In the chip varistor 1D, the length in the first direction D1 that the end 81a has is less than the length L6, and the length in the first direction D1 that the end 81b has is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed at the side surface 2b. Therefore, even when the relative position in the first direction D1 of the internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 71 exposed at the side surface 2b and the internal electrode 72 changes, it is difficult for the sum of the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed ends 81b and 71b and the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed ends 81a and 72b to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the first direction D1 of the mutually opposed internal electrode 81 and the internal electrode 71 exposed at the side surface 2b and the internal electrode 72 changes, the chip varistor 1D can obtain desired characteristics.

[0226] In the chip varistor 1D, the length in the first direction D1 that the end 82a has is less than the length L5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed at the side surface 2a, and the length in the first direction D1 that the end 82b has is less than the length L6. Therefore, even when the relative position in the first direction D1 of the internal electrode 82 and the internal electrode 71 exposed at the side surface 2a and the internal electrode 72 changes, it is difficult for the sum of the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed ends 82a and 71b and the area of the overlapping region of the mutually opposed ends 82b and 72a to change. As a result, even when the relative position in the first direction D1 of the mutually opposed internal electrode 82 and the internal electrode 71 exposed at the side surface 2a and the internal electrode 72 changes, the chip varistor 1D can obtain desired characteristics.

[0227] Next, with reference to Figure 12 、 Figure 13 and Figure 14 explain the structure of the chip varistor 1E of the fifth modification of the present embodiment. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a chip varistor which is another modification of the present embodiment. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes, and is a view of observing a pair of internal electrodes 51 and 52 and internal electrodes 61 and 62 in the direction from the side surface 2e toward the side surface 2f in the third direction D3. Figure 14FIG. is a view showing the structure of a plurality of internal electrodes, and is a view of the internal electrodes 61, 62, the pair of internal electrodes 71, and the internal electrode 72 as viewed in the direction from the side surface 2f toward the side surface 2e in the third direction D3. In the chip varistor 1E, the structure of the plurality of internal electrodes is different from that of the above-described chip varistor 1. Hereinafter, the differences between the above-described chip varistor 1 and the chip varistor 1E will be mainly described.

[0228] In this modification, the chip varistor 1E includes a plurality of external electrodes 3. That is, the chip varistor 1E does not include a plurality of external electrodes 4. In this modification, the internal electrode 52 includes a pair of end portions 52a, 52b, a pair of end edges 52e, 52f, and a pair of surfaces 52g, 52h that face each other, and does not include a pair of end portions 52c, 52d. Therefore, in this modification, the internal electrode 52 is not exposed on the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d. In this modification, the pair of end edges 52e, 52f face each other in the second direction D2. Each of the end edges 52e, 52f may also form a surface.

[0229] In this modification, in order to achieve a structure in which the internal electrode 52 is exposed on the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d, the surfaces 52g and 52h include only one surface region R3. In this modification, for example, a part of the surface region R3 is also included in the end portion 52a, and the other part of the surface region R3 located on the side opposite to the above-mentioned part in the first direction D1 is included in the end portion 52b.

[0230] In this modification, the internal electrode 72 includes a pair of end portions 72a, 72b, a pair of end edges 72e, 72f, and a pair of surfaces 72g, 72h that face each other, and does not include a pair of end portions 72c, 72d. Therefore, in this modification, the internal electrode 72 is not exposed on the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d. In this modification, the pair of end edges 72e, 72f face each other in the second direction D2. Each of the end edges 72e, 72f may also form a surface.

[0231] In this modification, in order to achieve a structure in which the internal electrode 72 is exposed on the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d, the surfaces 72g and 72h include only one surface region R3. In this modification, for example, a part of the surface region R3 is also included in the end portion 72a, and the other part of the surface region R3 located on the side opposite to the above-mentioned part in the first direction D1 is included in the end portion 72b.

[0232] In this modification, with respect to the magnitude relationship of each of the widths W1 to W6, any one of the magnitude relationships of each of the widths W1 to W6 in the chip varistors 1A and 1B may be adopted.

[0233] The width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2a may also be smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. The width W1 of the internal electrode 51 exposed on the side surface 2b may also be smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61b. The width W2 of the end portion 52a may also be smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. The width W2 of the end portion 52b may also be smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61a.

[0234] The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2a may also be smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62a. The width W5 of the internal electrode 71 exposed on the side surface 2b may also be smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61b. The width W6 of the end portion 72a may also be smaller than the width W4 of the end portion 62b. The width W6 of the end portion 72b may also be smaller than the width W3 of the end portion 61a.

[0235] The characteristics include, for example, the tolerance of the electrostatic capacitance. In the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, the tolerance of the electrostatic capacitance is affected by the area of the region where the mutually opposed internal electrodes overlap each other. As described above, in each of the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, even when the relative positions of the mutually opposed internal electrodes in the width direction change, the overlapping area hardly changes. As a result, even when the relative positions of the mutually opposed internal electrodes in the second direction D2 change, each of the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E can keep the tolerance of the electrostatic capacitance within a desired range.

[0236] As described above, the embodiments and modification examples of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments and each modification example, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0237] In the above-described embodiments and each modification example, the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D include a pair of external electrodes 4. However, the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D may also include one external electrode 4. When the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D include one external electrode 4, the internal electrodes 52, 72 only need to be exposed on the side surfaces 2c, 2d where the external electrode 4 is disposed among the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d. When the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D include one external electrode 4, the internal electrode 52 only needs to include only the end portions 52c, 52d corresponding to the side surfaces 2c, 2d where the above-described one external electrode 4 is disposed among the pair of end portions 52c, 52d. When the chip varistors 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D include one external electrode 4, the internal electrode 72 only needs to include only the end portions 72c, 72d corresponding to the side surfaces 2c, 2d where the above-described one external electrode 4 is disposed among the pair of end portions 72c, 72d.

[0238] In the above-described embodiments and respective modifications, the number of the internal electrodes 52 and 72 is "1", but the number of the internal electrodes 52 and 72 is not limited to the above number. The number of the internal electrodes 52 and 72 may also be "2" or more. That is, the internal electrode layer 5 may also include a plurality of internal electrodes 52, and the internal electrode layer 7 may also include a plurality of internal electrodes 72. In the case where the internal electrode layer 5 includes a plurality of internal electrodes 52 and the internal electrode layer 7 includes a plurality of internal electrodes 72, the internal electrode layer 6 may also include other internal electrodes, and the other internal electrodes are located between the internal electrode 61 and the internal electrode 62 in the first direction D1. The above-described other internal electrodes are configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the plurality of internal electrodes 52, for example. For example, in the case where the number of the plurality of internal electrodes 52 and the number of the plurality of internal electrodes 72 are set to "n", the number of the above-described other internal electrodes is "n - 1".

Claims

1. A chip varistor, wherein: have: A body comprising a first side surface and a second side surface; and A plurality of internal electrodes are disposed in the element body and face each other. The plurality of internal electrodes include: a first internal electrode exposed at the first side surface; a second internal electrode exposed at the second side surface; a third internal electrode separated from the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode; a fourth internal electrode configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode; and a fifth internal electrode configured to form a plurality of varistors connected in series between the second internal electrode and the third internal electrode, The inner electrodes facing each other among the plurality of inner electrodes have different widths at the ends facing each other.

2. The chip varistor according to claim 1, wherein: The fourth internal electrode has a width at an end portion opposite to the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode that is smaller than a width of the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode at an end portion opposite to the fourth internal electrode, The fifth internal electrode has a width at an end portion opposite to the second and third internal electrodes that is smaller than widths of the second and third internal electrodes at ends opposite to the fifth internal electrode.

3. The chip varistor according to claim 1, wherein: The fourth internal electrode has a width at an end portion opposite to the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode that is greater than the widths of the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode at ends opposite to the fourth internal electrode, The fifth internal electrode has a width at an end portion opposite to the second internal electrode and the third internal electrode greater than widths at ends opposite to the fifth internal electrode.

4. The chip varistor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, and the third internal electrode each have the same width.

5. The chip varistor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: It also includes: a plurality of external electrodes, which are arranged on the element body and separated from each other, The element body includes a third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, The third internal electrode is exposed on the third side surface, The plurality of external electrodes are respectively connected to corresponding internal electrodes among the first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, and the third internal electrode.

6. The chip varistor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The plurality of internal electrodes include: a first electrode layer including the first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, and the third internal electrode located on the same layer; a second electrode layer including the fourth internal electrode opposite to the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode, and the fifth internal electrode opposite to the second internal electrode and the third internal electrode, located in the same layer, and adjacent to the first electrode layer; and a third electrode layer adjacent to the second electrode layer in such a manner that the second electrode layer is located between the first electrode layer, The third electrode layer comprises: a sixth internal electrode exposed at the first side surface and opposite to the fourth internal electrode opposite to the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode; a seventh inner electrode exposed at the second side surface and opposed to the fifth inner electrode opposed to the second inner electrode and the third inner electrode; and an eighth inner electrode opposing the sixth inner electrode and the seventh inner electrode.

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