Electronic component

Abstract

To provide an electronic component having a plurality of series-connected capacitor sections, which can improve performance.SOLUTION: A third inner electrode 13 and a sixth inner electrode 16 are electrically connected via a first outer connecting conductor 6A formed on a first side surface 2e. A fourth inner electrode 14 and a fifth inner electrode 15 are electrically connected via a second outer connecting conductor 6B formed on a second side surface 2f. With this configuration, a first capacitor portion 10A and a second capacitor portion 10B are connected in series via the first outer connecting conductor 6A. Furthermore, a third capacitor portion 10C and a fourth capacitor portion 10D are connected in series via the second outer connecting conductor 6B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic components. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional electronic component is known from Patent Document 1. This electronic component includes an element body and a pair of terminal electrodes. Internal electrodes are formed inside the element body to form two sets of capacitor sections. Inside the element body, a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode are formed, spaced apart from each other, and a third internal electrode is formed opposite these internal electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-46876 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, there has been a demand for improving the performance of electronic components having a plurality of capacitor sections connected in series inside the element body.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide an electronic component having a plurality of capacitor units connected in series, which can improve performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic component according to the present invention includes an element body having a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in a first direction, a first end surface and a second end surface facing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface facing each other in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, a first terminal electrode formed on the first end surface, a second terminal electrode formed on the second end surface, a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface, and a second external connecting conductor formed on the second side surface and separated from the first external connecting conductor, and further includes a first internal electrode provided within the element body and connected to the first terminal electrode at the first end surface, a second internal electrode provided within the element body and separated from the first internal electrode and connected to the second terminal electrode at the second end surface, a third internal electrode provided within the element body and facing the first internal electrode in the first direction and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface, and a third internal electrode provided within the element body and separated from the first internal electrode in the first direction. a fourth internal electrode that faces the second internal electrode, is separated from the third internal electrode, and is connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a fifth internal electrode that is provided within the element body, faces the first internal electrode in the first direction, and is connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; and a sixth internal electrode that is provided within the element body, faces the second internal electrode in the first direction, is separated from the fifth internal electrode, and is connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; a first capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode facing each other, and a second capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor; and a third capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the fifth internal electrode facing each other, and a fourth capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the second external connecting conductor.

[0007] In this electronic component, the first internal electrode connected to the first terminal electrode faces the third internal electrode and the fifth internal electrode, and the second internal electrode connected to the second terminal electrode faces the fourth internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode. The third internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode are electrically connected via a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface. The fourth internal electrode and the fifth internal electrode are electrically connected via a second external connecting conductor formed on the second side surface. With this configuration, a first capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode facing each other and a second capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor. Furthermore, a third capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the fifth internal electrode facing each other and a fourth capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the second external connecting conductor. This improves reliability. Furthermore, by using terminal electrodes and external connecting conductors, it is possible to measure and test for the presence or absence of short-circuit defects in each capacitor section. Furthermore, the second internal electrode is separated from the first internal electrode, the fourth internal electrode is separated from the third internal electrode, and the sixth internal electrode is separated from the fifth internal electrode. In other words, there is no connecting portion connecting the internal electrodes between one capacitor section and the other capacitor section in the second direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a crack occurring in one capacitor section from reaching the other capacitor section along the connecting portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent cracks from occurring in both capacitor sections and causing a short circuit. As a result, it is possible to improve the performance of electronic components having multiple capacitor sections connected in series.

[0008] The first and second internal electrodes may be arranged in the outermost layer of the laminated internal electrodes. In this case, the internal electrode closest to the first terminal electrode on each main surface is the first internal electrode having the same polarity as the first terminal electrode, and the internal electrode closest to the second terminal electrode is the second internal electrode having the same polarity as the second terminal electrode. This makes it possible to suppress surface leakage between the internal electrodes in the outermost layer and the terminal electrodes of opposite polarity.

[0009] When viewed from the first direction, the element body may have a gap where no internal electrode is formed, which can prevent a crack that occurs in one capacitor portion from progressing to the other capacitor portion.

[0010] The width of the gap in the second direction may be equal to or greater than the interlayer thickness of the element body, in which case the gap can ensure a voltage resistance equal to or greater than the voltage breakdown between the layers.

[0011] The first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode may include a conductive resin layer, which can reduce the effect of stress caused by bending of the mounting substrate, thereby improving the reliability of the electronic component.

[0012] The edges of the third and fourth internal electrodes that face each other in the second direction and the edges of the fifth and sixth internal electrodes that face each other in the second direction may be bent in an L-shape or inclined with respect to the third direction. In this case, the lengths of the first and second external connecting conductors in the second direction can be reduced. In this case, the first or second terminal electrode and the first or second external connecting conductor are electrically connected by solder when mounted on a board, thereby reducing the risk of a short circuit.

[0013] When a layer having the first and second internal electrodes is defined as a first electrode layer, a layer having the third and fourth internal electrodes is defined as a second electrode layer, and a layer having the fifth and sixth internal electrodes is defined as a third electrode layer, the element body may have a plurality of first electrode layers, a plurality of second electrode layers, and a plurality of third electrode layers stacked one on top of the other, and the second electrode layers and the third electrode layers may be stacked alternately with the first electrode layers interposed therebetween. In this case, the possibility of an increase in ESL can be suppressed.

[0014] When a layer having the first and second internal electrodes is defined as the first electrode layer, a layer having the third and fourth internal electrodes is defined as the second electrode layer, and a layer having the fifth and sixth internal electrodes is defined as the third electrode layer, the element body may have a plurality of first electrode layers, a plurality of second electrode layers, and a plurality of third electrode layers stacked one on one of the first and second main surfaces with the first electrode layers interposed therebetween, and a plurality of third electrode layers stacked the other of the first and second main surfaces with the first electrode layers interposed therebetween. In this case, it is possible to suppress an increase in the risk of failure in lead portions connecting the third and sixth internal electrodes to the first external connecting conductor and in lead portions connecting the fourth and fifth internal electrodes to the second external connecting conductor.

[0015] The electronic component according to the present invention includes an element body having a first main surface and a second main surface facing in a first direction, a first end surface and a second end surface facing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface facing in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, a first terminal electrode formed on the first end surface, a second terminal electrode formed on the second end surface, a first external linking conductor formed on the first side surface, and a second external linking conductor formed on the second side surface and separated from the first external linking conductor. a first internal electrode provided within the element body and connected to the first terminal electrode at a first end face; a second internal electrode provided within the element body, separated from the first internal electrode, and connected to the second terminal electrode at a second end face; a third internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at a first side face; and a third internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the second internal electrode in the first direction, and separated from the third internal electrode. a fourth internal electrode connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a seventh internal electrode provided within the element body, arranged between the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the second direction, separated from the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; an eighth internal electrode provided within the element body, arranged between the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode in the second direction, separated from the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a first capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode opposing each other, and a seventh capacitor section formed by the seventh internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode opposing each other, are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor; and a fifth capacitor section formed by the seventh internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode opposing each other, and a fourth capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode opposing each other, are connected in series via the second external connecting conductor.

[0016] In this electronic component, the first internal electrode connected to the first terminal electrode faces the third internal electrode, the second internal electrode connected to the second terminal electrode faces the fourth internal electrode, and the seventh internal electrode faces the eighth internal electrode. The third internal electrode and the seventh internal electrode are electrically connected via a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface. The fourth internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode are electrically connected via a second external connecting conductor formed on the second side surface. This configuration allows a first capacitor section formed by the first and third internal electrodes, a fifth capacitor section formed by the seventh and eighth internal electrodes, and a fourth capacitor section formed by the second and fourth internal electrodes to be connected in series via the first and second external connecting conductors, thereby improving reliability. The seventh internal electrode is separated from the first and second internal electrodes. The eighth internal electrode is separated from the third and fourth internal electrodes. In other words, there is no connecting portion between adjacent capacitor portions that connects the internal electrodes of each other. This prevents a crack that occurs in one capacitor portion from reaching the other capacitor portion along the connecting portion. This prevents cracks from forming in both adjacent capacitor portions, causing a short circuit. As a result, the performance of electronic components having multiple capacitor portions connected in series can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic component having a plurality of capacitor sections connected in series, which can improve performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a plan view of the electronic component according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a front view of the electronic component according to this embodiment. [Figure 2]2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa shown in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb shown in FIG. 1(b). [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing the first and second internal electrodes, FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the third and fourth internal electrodes, and FIG. 3(c) is a diagram showing the fifth and sixth internal electrodes. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a diagram showing the overlap of the third and fourth internal electrodes with the first and second internal electrodes, Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing the overlap of the fifth and sixth internal electrodes with the first and second internal electrodes, and Figure 4(c) is a diagram showing the overlap of all internal electrodes. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a stacking order of electrode layers. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing a circuit structure formed by the layered structure of the element body. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the electronic component according to the embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the electronic component according to the comparative example. [Figure 8] 8(a) and 8(b) are cross-sectional views showing the electronic component according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 8(c) and 8(d) are cross-sectional views showing the electronic component according to the comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an electronic component according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an electronic component according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an electronic component according to a modified example. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating internal electrodes of an electronic component according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a stacking order of electronic components according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0020] First, the configuration of an electronic component 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1(a) is a plan view of the electronic component according to this embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is a front view of the electronic component according to this embodiment. Figure 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa shown in Figure 1(a), and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb shown in Figure 1(b). FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing the first and second internal electrodes, FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the third and fourth internal electrodes, and FIG. 3(c) is a diagram showing the fifth and sixth internal electrodes. FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing the first and second internal electrodes and the third and fourth internal electrodes overlapping each other. FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing the first and second internal electrodes and the fifth and sixth internal electrodes overlapping each other. In FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth internal electrodes are shown by virtual lines. FIG. 4(c) is a diagram showing the state in which all the internal electrodes are overlapped.

[0021] In the following description, an XYZ coordinate system may be set for electronic component 100. The Z-axis direction (first direction) is the stacking direction in which internal electrodes (described later) are stacked. The Z-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the circuit board on which the component is to be mounted during mounting. The X-axis direction (second direction) is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and parallel to the surface of the circuit board during mounting. The X-axis direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction in which element body 2 extends. The Y-axis direction (third direction) is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and is a direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board during mounting and perpendicular to the X-axis direction. In FIG. 1, the upper side is the positive side in the Z-axis direction, and the lower side is the negative side in the Z-axis direction.

[0022] 1, the electronic component 100 includes an element body 2, a first terminal electrode 3, a second terminal electrode 4, and first and second outer connecting conductors 6A and 6B. As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic component 100 includes a first inner electrode 11, a second inner electrode 12, a third inner electrode 13, a fourth inner electrode 14, a fifth inner electrode 15, and a sixth inner electrode 16 within the element body 2.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the element body 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped component extending along the X-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction. The element body 2 has a first main surface 2a and a second main surface 2b facing each other in the Z-axis direction, a first end surface 2c and a second end surface 2d facing each other in the X-axis direction, and a first side surface 2e and a second side surface 2f facing each other in the Y-axis direction. The first main surface 2a is located on the negative side of the Z-axis direction, and the second main surface 2b is located on the positive side of the Z-axis direction. The first end surface 2c is located on the negative side of the X-axis direction, and the second end surface 2d is located on the positive side of the X-axis direction. The first side surface 2e is located on the negative side of the Y-axis direction, and the second side surface 2f is located on the positive side of the Y-axis direction. Of these, the first main surface 2a serves as the mounting surface that faces a mounting board during mounting.

[0024] The shape of element body 2 is not particularly limited, but here it has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the dimension in the X-axis direction greater than the dimensions in the Z-axis and Y-axis directions. Rectangular parallelepiped shapes include rectangular parallelepiped shapes with chamfered corners and ridges, and rectangular parallelepiped shapes with rounded corners and ridges. For example, the length of element body 2 in the X-axis direction may be 0.5 to 7.7 mm, the length in the Y-axis direction may be 0.29 to 4.7 mm, and the length in the Z-axis direction may be 0.29 to 4.0 mm.

[0025] The element body 2 is configured by stacking multiple dielectric layers (dielectric layers 5 shown in FIG. 2(a)) in the Z-axis direction. Each dielectric layer is configured, for example, from a sintered ceramic green sheet containing a dielectric material (dielectric ceramic such as BaTiO3-based, Ba(Ti,Zr)O3-based, or (Ba,Ca)TiO3-based). In the actual element body 2, the dielectric layers 5 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the dielectric layers 5 are not visible.

[0026] The terminal electrodes 3, 4 are provided to cover the end faces 2c, 2d of the element body 2. The terminal electrodes 3, 4 are portions for electrically connecting the electronic component 100 to other members. The terminal electrodes 3, 4 have main body portions 3a, 4a and wraparound portions 3b, 4b. The main body portions 3a, 4a are formed on the end faces 2c, 2d of the element body 2. The main body portions 3a, 4a are formed to cover the entire end faces 2c, 2d. The wraparound portions 3b, 4b are formed to wrap around from the main body portions 3a, 4a to the principal faces 2a, 2b and the side faces 2e, 2f. The wraparound portion 3b is formed to cover a portion of the main faces 2a, 2b and the side faces 2e, 2f near the first end face 2c. The wraparound portion 4b is formed to cover a portion of the main faces 2a, 2b and the side faces 2e, 2f near the second end face 2d.

[0027] The first external connecting conductor 6A is a conductor that connects the third internal electrode 13 and the sixth internal electrode 16 outside the element body 2. The second external connecting conductor 6B is a conductor that connects the fourth internal electrode 14 and the fifth internal electrode 15 outside the element body 2. The first and second external connecting conductors 6A and 6B are formed in an approximate center position in the X-axis direction of the element body 2. The first and second external connecting conductors 6A and 6B are formed spaced apart in the X-axis direction from the terminal electrodes 3 and 4. The first external connecting conductor 6A is formed on the side surface 2e. The first external connecting conductor 6A extends over the entire length of the side surface 2e in the Z-axis direction. The first external connecting conductor 6A wraps around to the main surfaces 2a and 2b. The second external connecting conductor 6B is formed on the side surface 2f. The second external connecting conductor 6B extends over the entire length of the side surface 2f in the Z-axis direction. The second external linking conductor 6B wraps around the principal surfaces 2a and 2b. Ends 6a, 6a of the first and second external linking conductors 6A, 6B on the principal surface 2a are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. Ends 6b, 6b of the first and second external linking conductors 6A, 6B on the principal surface 2b are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. As a result, regions near the centers of the first and second principal surfaces 2a, 2b are exposed to the first and second external linking conductors 6A, 6B. Furthermore, with this configuration, the first and second external linking conductors 6A, 6B are mechanically separated from each other.

[0028] The materials of the terminal electrodes 3, 4 and the external connecting conductor 6 are not particularly limited, but may include copper. The terminal electrodes 3, 4 and the first and second external connecting conductors 6A, 6B may be copper baked layers, or a Ni-plated layer, Sn-plated layer, or the like may be formed on these baked layers. The terminal electrodes 3, 4 may also include a conductive resin layer made of a material such as silver.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are flat conductor patterns extending parallel to the XY plane. A plurality of the internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are formed in the Z-axis direction. The first internal electrode 11 is provided in a region on the negative side of the X-axis direction within the element body 2 and is connected to the first terminal electrode 3 at the first end face 2c. The second internal electrode 12 is provided in a region on the positive side of the X-axis direction within the element body 2 and is connected to the second terminal electrode 4 at the second end face 2d. The first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are arranged in the same plane. That is, the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are formed on the same dielectric layer 5 and are positioned at the same position in the Z-axis direction. Before lamination, the conductor patterns of the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are formed on the ceramic green sheets of the dielectric layer 5. The first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are mechanically (physically, structurally) separated (spaced apart) from each other. Note that a layer having the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 may be referred to as a first electrode layer 41. When the internal electrodes are separated from each other, the material of the dielectric layer 5 is present throughout the entire area between one internal electrode and the other internal electrode.

[0030] The third internal electrode 13 is provided in a region on the negative side in the X-axis direction within the element body 2 and is drawn to the first side surface 2e (see FIG. 3(b)). The fourth internal electrode 14 is provided in a region on the positive side in the X-axis direction within the element body 2 and is drawn to the second side surface 2f (see FIG. 3(b)). The third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 are arranged in the same plane. That is, the third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 are formed on the same dielectric layer 5 and are located at the same position in the Z-axis direction. Before lamination, the conductor patterns of the third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 are formed on the ceramic green sheets of the dielectric layer 5. The third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 are mechanically separated from each other. The layer having the third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 may be referred to as the second electrode layer 42.

[0031] The fifth internal electrode 15 is provided in a region on the negative side in the X-axis direction within the element body 2 and is drawn to the second side surface 2f (see FIG. 3(c)). The sixth internal electrode 16 is provided in a region on the positive side in the X-axis direction within the element body 2 and is drawn to the first side surface 2e (see FIG. 3(c)). The fifth internal electrode 15 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are arranged in the same plane. That is, the fifth internal electrode 15 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are formed on the same dielectric layer 5 and are positioned at the same position in the Z-axis direction. Before lamination, the conductor patterns of the fifth internal electrode 15 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are formed on the ceramic green sheets of the dielectric layer 5. The fifth internal electrode 15 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are mechanically separated from each other. The layer having the fifth internal electrode 15 and the sixth internal electrode 16 may be referred to as a third electrode layer 43.

[0032] 3(a) to 3(c), in the Z-axis direction, the first internal electrode 11 faces the third internal electrode 13 and the fifth internal electrode 15, without facing the second internal electrode 12, the fourth internal electrode 14, and the sixth internal electrode 16. In the Z-axis direction, the second internal electrode 12 faces the fourth internal electrode 14 and the sixth internal electrode 16, without facing the first internal electrode 11, the third internal electrode 13, and the fifth internal electrode 15. The first internal electrode 11, the third internal electrode 13, and the fifth internal electrode 15 are arranged so as to be separated from the second internal electrode 12, the fourth internal electrode 14, and the sixth internal electrode 16 with a gap in between in the X-axis direction.

[0033] An example of a specific shape of each of the internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 3(a). As shown in FIG. 3(a), the first internal electrode 11 extends from the first end face 2c toward the center of the element body 2 toward the positive side in the X-axis direction. An edge 11a on the inner side in the X-axis direction (the positive side in the X-axis direction) of the first internal electrode 11 extends parallel to the Y-axis direction. An edge on the negative side in the X-axis direction of the first internal electrode 11 is exposed from the first end face 2c and connected to the first terminal electrode 3. An edge on the negative side in the Y-axis direction of the first internal electrode 11 is spaced apart from and parallel to the first side face 2e. An edge on the positive side in the Y-axis direction of the first internal electrode 11 is spaced apart from and parallel to the second side face 2f.

[0034] The second internal electrode 12 extends from the second end face 2d toward the center of the element body 2 toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. An inner edge 12a of the second internal electrode 12 in the X-axis direction (negative side in the X-axis direction) extends parallel to the Y-axis direction. The edge 12a of the second internal electrode 12 is parallel to and spaced apart from the edge 11a of the first internal electrode 11 in the X-axis direction. The edge of the second internal electrode 12 on the positive side in the X-axis direction is exposed from the second end face 2d and connected to the second terminal electrode 4. The edge of the second internal electrode 12 on the negative side in the Y-axis direction is parallel to and spaced apart from the first side face 2e. The edge of the second internal electrode 12 on the positive side in the Y-axis direction is parallel to and spaced apart from the second side face 2f. Both edge portions of the second internal electrode 12 in the Y-axis direction are located at the same positions in the Y-axis direction as both edge portions of the first internal electrode 11 on the Y-axis direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the third internal electrode 13 includes a main body portion 21 and a lead portion 22. The main body portion 21 is a portion arranged to overlap the first internal electrode 11 (see FIG. 4(a)). Therefore, the edge portion 21a of the main body portion 21 on the positive side in the X-axis direction is inclined toward the negative side in the X-axis direction as it moves from the negative side to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The edge portion of the main body portion 21 on the negative side in the X-axis direction is spaced away from the first end face 2c toward the positive side in the X-axis direction. The edge portions on both sides of the main body portion 21 in the Y-axis direction have the same shape as the end portions on both sides of the first internal electrode 11 in the Y-axis direction and are arranged at the same position (see FIG. 4(a)). The lead portion 22 extends from the main body portion 21 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction and is exposed at the first side face 2e, where it is connected to the first external connecting conductor 6A. The lead-out portion 22 extends in an inclined manner so as to be continuous with the edge portion 21a of the main body portion 21 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

[0036] The fourth internal electrode 14 includes a main body 23 and a lead portion 24. The main body 23 is disposed so as to overlap with the second internal electrode 12 (see FIG. 4(a)). Therefore, the edge 23a of the main body 23 on the negative side in the X-axis direction is inclined toward the negative side in the X-axis direction as it moves from the negative side to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The edge of the main body 23 on the positive side in the X-axis direction is spaced away from the second end face 2d toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. The edges on both sides of the main body 23 in the Y-axis direction have the same shape as the ends on both sides of the second internal electrode 12 in the Y-axis direction and are disposed at the same position (see FIG. 4(a)). The lead portion 24 extends from the main body 23 toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction and is exposed at the second side surface 2f, where it is connected to the second external connecting conductor 6B. The lead-out portion 24 extends in the positive direction of the Y-axis in an inclined manner so as to be continuous with the edge portion 23a of the main body portion 23.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3(c), the fifth internal electrode 15 includes a main body portion 26 and a lead portion 27. The main body portion 26 is disposed so as to overlap with the first internal electrode 11 (see FIG. 4(b)). Therefore, the edge portion 26a of the main body portion 26 on the positive side in the X-axis direction is inclined toward the positive side in the X-axis direction as it moves from the negative side to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The edge portion of the main body portion 26 on the negative side in the X-axis direction is spaced away from the first end face 2c toward the positive side in the X-axis direction. The edge portions on both sides of the main body portion 26 in the Y-axis direction have the same shape as the end portions on both sides of the first internal electrode 11 in the Y-axis direction and are disposed at the same positions (see FIG. 4(b)). The lead portion 27 extends from the main body portion 26 toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction and is exposed at the second side surface 2f, where it is connected to the second external connecting conductor 6B. The lead-out portion 27 extends in an inclined manner so as to be continuous with the edge portion 26a of the main body portion 26 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

[0038] The sixth internal electrode 16 includes a main body portion 28 and a lead portion 29. The main body portion 28 is arranged to overlap the second internal electrode 12 (see FIG. 4(b)). Therefore, the edge portion 28a of the main body portion 28 on the negative side in the X-axis direction is inclined toward the positive side in the X-axis direction as it moves from the negative side to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The edge portion of the main body portion 28 on the positive side in the X-axis direction is spaced away from the second end face 2d toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. Both edges of the main body portion 28 in the Y-axis direction have the same shape as both ends of the second internal electrode 12 in the Y-axis direction and are located at the same positions (see FIG. 4(b)). The lead portion 29 extends from the main body portion 28 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction and is exposed at the first side surface 2e, whereby it is connected to the first external connecting conductor 6A. The lead portion 29 extends toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction while being inclined so as to be continuous with the edge portion 28a of the main body portion 28.

[0039] 3(a) to 3(c), the first internal electrode 11 does not overlap with the internal electrodes 12, 14, and 16 in the Z-axis direction. The second internal electrode 12 does not overlap with the internal electrodes 11, 13, and 15 in the Z-axis direction. The internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are mechanically separated (spaced apart) from one another.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4( c), when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the element body 2 has a gap 25 where the internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are not formed. Specifically, the gap 25 is formed by combining the gap between the edge 11 a of the first internal electrode 11 and the edge 12 a of the second internal electrode 12, the gap between the edge 21 a of the third internal electrode 13 and the edge 23 a of the fourth internal electrode 14, and the edge 26 a of the fifth internal electrode 15 and the edge 28 a of the sixth internal electrode 16. The gap 25 is formed by a combination of these gaps continuing in the Z-axis direction. The width of the gap 25 in the X-axis direction is equal to or greater than the interlayer thickness of the element body 2. The width of the gap 25 in the X-axis direction is the maximum dimension of the gap 25 in the X-axis direction. The interlayer thickness is the thickness of one dielectric layer 5, and is defined by the thickness between the internal electrodes 11 and 13, the thickness between the internal electrodes 12 and 14, the thickness between the internal electrodes 11 and 15, and the thickness between the internal electrodes 12 and 16. The interlayer thickness is set to about 1 to 50 μm. In contrast, the width of the gap 25 is set to about 1 to 1000 μm.

[0041] The stacking order of the first electrode layer 41, the second electrode layer 42, and the third electrode layer 43 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the order shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5(a), in the element body 2, a plurality of first electrode layers 41, a plurality of second electrode layers 42, and a plurality of third electrode layers 43 are stacked. The second electrode layers 42 and the third electrode layers 43 are stacked alternately with the first electrode layer 41 interposed between them. That is, the first electrode layer 41, the second electrode layer 42, the first electrode layer 41, and the third electrode layer 43 are stacked in this order from the bottom, and this stacking order is repeated.

[0042] 5(b), the element body 2 has a plurality of first electrode layers 41, a plurality of second electrode layers 42, and a plurality of third electrode layers 43 stacked thereon. A plurality of second electrode layers 42 are stacked on the first principal surface 2a side with the first electrode layer 41 interposed therebetween, and a plurality of third electrode layers 43 are stacked on the second principal surface 2b side with the first electrode layer 41 interposed therebetween. That is, a plurality of second electrode layers 42 are arranged together on the first principal surface 2a side (here, the lower side), and a plurality of third electrode layers 43 are arranged together on the second principal surface 2b side (here, the upper side). A first electrode layer 41 is arranged between the second electrode layers 42 and 42, between the second electrode layer 42 and 43, and between the third electrode layer 43 and 43. Specifically, the layers are stacked in the following order: first electrode layer 41, second electrode layer 42, first electrode layer 41, second electrode layer 42, first electrode layer 41, third electrode layer 43, first electrode layer 41, third electrode layer 43, and first electrode layer 41. Note that the plurality of second electrode layers 42 may be arranged on the second principal surface 2b side, and the plurality of third electrode layers 43 may be arranged on the first principal surface 2a side.

[0043] The first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are arranged in the outermost layer of the laminated internal electrodes. That is, of the internal electrodes arranged inside the element body 2, the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are arranged furthest on the positive side in the Z-axis direction, and the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are arranged furthest on the negative side in the Z-axis direction.

[0044] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a circuit structure formed by the above-described laminated structure will be described. When the electronic component 100 is mounted on a circuit board, the first terminal electrode 3 and the second terminal electrode 4 are connected to electrodes of the circuit board. On the other hand, the external connecting conductors 6A and 6B are conductors that function to connect capacitor sections within the electronic component 100, and therefore are not connected to electrodes of the circuit board. The circuit structure in FIG. 6 is described assuming such a mounting configuration. As shown in FIG. 6(a), first, a current flows through the first internal electrode 11. A first capacitor section 10A is formed between the first internal electrode 11 and the third internal electrode 13. The third internal electrode 13 is connected to the sixth internal electrode 16 via the first external connecting conductor 6A. A second capacitor section 10B is formed between the sixth internal electrode 16 and the second internal electrode 12. As a result of the above, the first capacitor section 10A formed by the first internal electrode 11 and the third internal electrode 13 facing each other, and the second capacitor section 10B formed by the second internal electrode 12 and the sixth internal electrode 16 facing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor 6A.

[0045] 6(b), a current first flows through the first inner electrode 11. A third capacitor section 10C is formed between the first inner electrode 11 and the fifth inner electrode 15. The fifth inner electrode 15 is connected to the fourth inner electrode 14 via the second outer connecting conductor 6B. A fourth capacitor section 10D is formed between the fourth inner electrode 14 and the second inner electrode 12. As described above, the third capacitor section 10C formed by the first inner electrode 11 and the fifth inner electrode 15 facing each other and the fourth capacitor section 10D formed by the second inner electrode 12 and the fourth inner electrode 14 facing each other are connected in series via the second outer connecting conductor 6B.

[0046] The polarities of the capacitor sections 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D will be described with reference to FIG. 7(a). As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the electronic component 100 is mounted, the first terminal electrode 3 has positive polarity and the second terminal electrode 4 has negative polarity. The third internal electrode 13 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are connected via the first external connecting conductor 6A and therefore have the same potential. The fourth internal electrode 14 and the fifth internal electrode 15 are connected via the second external connecting conductor 6B and therefore have the same potential. In this case, in the capacitor section 10A, the first internal electrode 11 connected to the first terminal electrode 3 has positive polarity and the third internal electrode 13 has negative polarity. Meanwhile, in the capacitor section 10B, the second internal electrode 12 connected to the second terminal electrode 4 has negative polarity and the sixth internal electrode 16 has positive polarity. In the capacitor section 10C, the first internal electrode 11 connected to the first terminal electrode 3 has positive polarity and the fifth internal electrode 15 has negative polarity. On the other hand, in the capacitor section 10D, the second internal electrode 12 connected to the second terminal electrode 4 has a negative polarity, and the fourth internal electrode 14 has a positive polarity. In this manner, the capacitor section 10A and the capacitor section 10B are connected in series between the first terminal electrode 3 and the second terminal electrode 4. In addition, the capacitor section 10C and the capacitor section 10D are connected in series between the first terminal electrode 3 and the second terminal electrode 4.

[0047] Next, the functions and effects of the electronic component 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] First, an electronic component according to a comparative example will be described. FIG. 8(c) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the element body 2 of an electronic component 200 according to the comparative example. Instead of the internal electrodes 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the present embodiment, the electronic component 200 includes an internal electrode 115 that simultaneously forms the first capacitor portion 10A and the second capacitor portion 10B. The internal electrode 115 extends to face both the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12. Therefore, no gap 25 is formed in the element body 2, and the internal electrode 115 has a connecting portion CT that connects the first capacitor portion 10A and the second capacitor portion 10B. Since this electronic component 200 does not have an external connecting conductor, if one of the first capacitor portion 10A and the second capacitor portion 10B is short-circuited, the short cannot be detected. Furthermore, if a crack CR occurs in one of the first capacitor portions 10A, the crack CR may reach the other, the second capacitor portion 10B, along the connecting portion CT. In this case, the short circuit in one of the first capacitor sections 10A will cause both capacitor sections 10A and 10B to short circuit.

[0049] 8(d) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic component 250 according to a comparative example having the configuration disclosed in JP 2019-46876 A. The electronic component 250 has capacitor units 10A and 10B arranged in the stacking direction. Although it is possible to detect individual short circuits in each of the capacitor units 10A and 10B in the electronic component 250, due to the short interlayer distance, there is a possibility that both capacitor units 10A and 10B may be short-circuited when a flexure crack CR occurs.

[0050] FIG. 7(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an electronic component 150 according to a comparative example. In the electronic component 150, the third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 are not formed on the same plane, and the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are not formed on the same plane. In the second capacitor section 10B, the fourth internal electrode is the outermost layer. The second capacitor section 10B does not have internal electrodes 15 and 16, and the external connecting conductor 6 is not separated like the external connecting conductors 6A and 6B, but is configured to connect the external connecting conductors 6A and 6B to each other. In this case, in the second capacitor section 10B, surface leakage may occur between the fourth internal electrode (positive electrode) on the outermost layer and the second terminal electrode 4 (negative electrode) of the opposite polarity. Furthermore, the external connecting conductor 6 extends over the entire Y-axis direction on the first principal surface 2a. In this case, the external connecting conductor 6 obstructs mounting, making it difficult to attach the first principal surface 2a to a fixture. Furthermore, the external connecting conductor 6 becomes large and unbalanced, which may cause the electronic component 100 to assume a position perpendicular to the X-axis direction relative to the substrate (chip standing). Also, the ESL of the external connecting conductor 6 becomes long.

[0051] In contrast, in the electronic component 100 according to this embodiment, the first internal electrode 11 connected to the first terminal electrode 3 faces the internal electrodes 13 and 15, and the second internal electrode 12 connected to the second terminal electrode 4 faces the internal electrodes 14 and 16. The third internal electrode 13 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are electrically connected via a first external linking conductor 6A formed on the first side surface 2e. The fourth internal electrode 14 and the fifth internal electrode 15 are electrically connected via a second external linking conductor 6B formed on the second side surface 2f. With this configuration, a first capacitor section 10A formed by the first internal electrode 11 and the third internal electrode 13 facing each other and a second capacitor section 10B formed by the second internal electrode 12 and the sixth internal electrode 16 facing each other are connected in series via the first external linking conductor 6A. Furthermore, the third capacitor section 10C, formed by the first inner electrode 11 and the fifth inner electrode 15 opposing each other, and the fourth capacitor section 10D, formed by the second inner electrode 12 and the fourth inner electrode 14 opposing each other, are connected in series via the second outer connecting conductor 6B. This improves reliability. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(a), even if a crack CR occurs in the capacitor sections 10A and 10C, causing a short circuit, the capacitor sections 10B and 10D can continue to be used. Furthermore, the first terminal electrode 3 and the outer connecting conductors 6A and 6B can be used to measure and test whether or not there is a short circuit in the capacitor sections 10A and 10C, and the second terminal electrode 4 and the outer connecting conductors 6A and 6B can be used to measure and test whether or not there is a short circuit in the capacitor sections 10B and 10D.

[0052] Furthermore, the second internal electrode 12 is separated from the first internal electrode 11, the fourth internal electrode 14 is separated from the third internal electrode 13, and the sixth internal electrode 16 is separated from the fifth internal electrode 15. That is, there is no connecting portion (see FIG. 8(c)) connecting the internal electrodes between one capacitor unit 10A, 10C and the other capacitor units 10B, 10D in the X-axis direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(b), a crack CR generated in one capacitor unit 10A, 10C can be prevented from reaching the other capacitor unit 10B, 10D along the connecting portion CT. Therefore, it is possible to prevent cracks CR from occurring in both capacitor units 10A, 10C and 10B, 10D, causing short circuits.

[0053] Here, the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 are arranged in the outermost layer of the laminated internal electrodes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the internal electrode closest to the first terminal electrode 3 on each main surface is the first internal electrode 11, which has the same polarity as the first terminal electrode 3, and the internal electrode closest to the second terminal electrode 4 is the second internal electrode 12, which has the same polarity as the second terminal electrode 4. This makes it possible to suppress surface leakage between the internal electrode in the outermost layer and the terminal electrode of the opposite polarity. As a result, it is possible to improve the performance of an electronic component having multiple capacitor units connected in series.

[0054] Furthermore, the ESL path of the electronic component 100 in this embodiment can be a path as shown in Fig. 6. To connect the first capacitor section 10A and the second capacitor section 10B in series, it is only necessary to add a small path corresponding to the first outer linking conductor 6A. To connect the third capacitor section 10C and the fourth capacitor section 10D in series, it is only necessary to add a small path corresponding to the second outer linking conductor 6B. This makes it possible to suppress the possibility of an increase in ESL in the electronic component 100.

[0055] The external linking conductor 6 extends to the first side surface 2e and the second side surface 2f, and the ends 6a, 6b of the first external linking conductor 6A and the ends 6a, 6b of the second external linking conductor 6B may be spaced apart in the Y-axis direction on the first and second principal surfaces 2a, 2b. In this case, exposed portions 46, 46 (see FIG. 2(a)) exposed to the external linking conductors 6A, 6B are formed on the first and second principal surfaces 2a, 2b. Therefore, during mounting, the exposed portions 46, 46 can be sucked by a tool on the principal surfaces 2a, 2b on both sides to transport the electronic component 100. Furthermore, during mounting, the electronic component 100 is prevented from assuming a position perpendicular to the X-axis direction with respect to the substrate (chip standing). Furthermore, the external linking conductors 6A, 6B are prevented from becoming long, thereby preventing the ESL from increasing.

[0056] When viewed from the Z-axis direction, element body 2 may have gaps 25 where no internal electrodes are formed. In this case, it is possible to prevent a crack that occurs in one capacitor portion 10A, 10C from progressing to the other capacitor portion 10B, 10D.

[0057] The width of gap 25 in the X-axis direction may be equal to or greater than the interlayer thickness of element body 2. In this case, gap 25 can ensure a voltage resistance of at least voltage breakdown between layers. Furthermore, the width of gap 25 in the X-axis direction is not particularly limited and may be any size. For example, the width of gap 25 in the X-axis direction may be 1% or more of the dimension of element body 2 in the Y-axis direction.

[0058] The first terminal electrode 3 and the second terminal electrode 4 may include a conductive resin layer. In this case, the reliability of the electronic component 100 can be improved by mitigating the effect of stress caused by bending of the mounting substrate.

[0059] The edge portion 21 a of the third inner electrode 13 and the edge portion 23 a of the fourth inner electrode 14, which face each other in the X-axis direction, and the edge portion 26 a of the fifth inner electrode 15 and the edge portion 28 a of the sixth inner electrode 16, which face each other in the X-axis direction, may be inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. In this case, the length of the first outer connecting conductor 6A and the second outer connecting conductor 6B in the X-axis direction can be reduced. In this case, the first terminal electrode 3 or the second terminal electrode 4 and the first outer connecting conductor 6A or the second outer connecting conductor 6B are electrically connected by solder when mounted on a board, thereby reducing the risk of a short circuit.

[0060] A layer having the first internal electrode 11 and the second internal electrode 12 is defined as a first electrode layer 41, a layer having the third internal electrode 13 and the fourth internal electrode 14 is defined as a second electrode layer 42, and a layer having the fifth internal electrode 15 and the sixth internal electrode 16 is defined as a third electrode layer 43. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5( a), in the element body 2, a plurality of first electrode layers 41, a plurality of second electrode layers 42, and a plurality of third electrode layers 43 are stacked, and the second electrode layers 42 and the third electrode layers 43 may be stacked alternately with the first electrode layer 41 interposed therebetween. In this case, the possibility of an increase in ESL can be suppressed. Specifically, the directions of currents flowing are roughly opposite in the lead-out portion 22 where the third internal electrode 13 is connected to the first external connecting conductor 6A and the lead-out portion 29 where the sixth internal electrode 16 is connected to the first external connecting conductor 6A, and the generated magnetic fluxes cancel each other out, which may reduce inductance (the same applies to the internal electrodes 14, 15). According to the structure of Fig. 5(a), the third internal electrode 13 and the sixth internal electrode 16 are stacked with the first electrode layer 41 interposed therebetween, and therefore, the ESL can be reduced compared to the structure of Fig. 5(b).

[0061] 5(b), the element body 2 may have a plurality of first electrode layers 41, a plurality of second electrode layers 42, and a plurality of third electrode layers 43 stacked thereon, with the plurality of second electrode layers 42 stacked on one first principal surface 2a side with the first electrode layers 41 interposed therebetween, and the plurality of third electrode layers 43 stacked on the other second principal surface 2b side with the first electrode layers 41 interposed therebetween. In this case, it is possible to suppress an increase in the risk of failure in the lead-out portion 22 connecting the third internal electrode 13 and the first external connecting conductor 6A, the lead-out portion 29 connecting the sixth internal electrode 16 and the first external connecting conductor 6A, the lead-out portion 24 connecting the fourth internal electrode 14 and the second external connecting conductor 6B, and the lead-out portion 27 connecting the fifth internal electrode 15 and the second external connecting conductor 6B. Specifically, the direction of current flow is approximately opposite between the lead portion 22 of the third inner electrode 13 and the lead portion 29 of the sixth inner electrode 13. Therefore, for example, the electric field intensity may increase at the portion of the edge 21a of the third inner electrode 13 that overlaps with the lead portion 29 connecting the sixth inner electrode 16 and the first outer connecting conductor 6A. With the structure of Fig. 5(b), such portions can be reduced compared to the structure of Fig. 5(a).

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0063] The shape of the internal electrodes is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the structure shown in FIG. 9 may be adopted. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the edge 11a of the first internal electrode 11, the edge 12a of the second internal electrode 12, the edge 21a of the third internal electrode 13, the edge 23a of the fourth internal electrode 14, the edge 26a of the fifth internal electrode 15, and the edge 28a of the sixth internal electrode 16 may be bent in an L-shape. The edge 11a of the first internal electrode 11 and the edge 21a of the third internal electrode 13 are bent so that their negative side regions in the Y-axis direction extend toward the positive side in the X-axis direction (see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)). The edge 26a of the fifth internal electrode 15 is bent so that their positive side regions in the Y-axis direction extend toward the positive side in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 9(c)). The edge 12a of the second internal electrode 12 and the edge 23a of the fourth internal electrode 14 are bent so that their regions on the positive side in the Y-axis direction jut out toward the negative side in the X-axis direction (see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)). The edge 28a of the sixth internal electrode 16 is bent so that their region on the negative side in the Y-axis direction juts out toward the negative side in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 9(c)). In this case, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the element body 2 has a gap 25 at its central position where the internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are not formed. In FIG. 9(a), a dot pattern is applied to the area corresponding to the gap 25. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the area where the internal electrodes overlap can be increased, thereby increasing the capacitance.

[0064] The shape of the internal electrodes is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the structure shown in FIG. 10 may be adopted. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the edge 11a of the first internal electrode 11, the edge 12a of the second internal electrode 12, the edge 21a of the third internal electrode 13, the edge 23a of the fourth internal electrode 14, the edge 26a of the fifth internal electrode 15, and the edge 28a of the sixth internal electrode 16 extend parallel to the Y-axis direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10(a), when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the element body 2 has a gap 25 where the internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are not formed. The gap 25 is formed at the center position of the element body 2 in the X-axis direction so as to extend in the Y-axis direction. The configuration shown in FIG. 10 allows the overlapping structure of the internal electrodes to have a simple shape.

[0065] An electronic component 300 as shown in FIG. 12 may also be employed. The electronic component 300 has a seventh internal electrode 17 between the internal electrodes 11 and 13 and an eighth internal electrode 18 between the internal electrodes 12 and 14, respectively. The seventh internal electrode 17 is formed in the same plane as the internal electrodes 11 and 12 (see FIG. 12(a)). The seventh internal electrode 17 is mechanically separated (spaced apart) from the internal electrodes 11 and 12. The eighth internal electrode 18 is formed in the same plane as the internal electrodes 13 and 14 (see FIG. 12(b)). The eighth internal electrode 18 is mechanically separated (spaced apart) from the internal electrode 13. The eighth internal electrode 18 is mechanically separated (spaced apart) from the internal electrode 14 in a portion other than lead-out portions 24 and 39, which will be described later.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the seventh internal electrode 17 has a main body 36 and a lead portion 37 that is led to the first side surface 2e. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the eighth internal electrode 18 has a main body 38 and a lead portion 39 that is led to the second side surface 2f. The main body 36 of the seventh internal electrode 17 and the main body 38 of the eighth internal electrode 18 face each other in the Z-axis direction and do not face each other with respect to other internal electrodes. The lead portion 22 of the third internal electrode 13 and the lead portion 37 of the seventh internal electrode 17 are connected via the first external connecting conductor 6A. The lead portion 24 of the fourth internal electrode 14 and the lead portion 39 of the eighth internal electrode 18 are joined and connected to each other and then to the second external connecting conductor 6B.

[0067] As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the first capacitor section 10A formed by the first internal electrode 11 and the third internal electrode 13 opposing each other and the fifth capacitor section 10E formed by the seventh internal electrode 17 and the eighth internal electrode 18 opposing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor 6A, and the fifth capacitor section 10E formed by the seventh internal electrode 17 and the eighth internal electrode 18 opposing each other and the fourth capacitor section 10D formed by the second internal electrode 12 and the fourth internal electrode 14 opposing each other are connected in series via the second external connecting conductor 6B.

[0068] A layer having the first internal electrode 11, the second internal electrode 12, and the seventh internal electrode 17 is referred to as a fourth electrode layer 44. A layer having the third internal electrode 13, the fourth internal electrode 14, and the eighth internal electrode 18 is referred to as a fifth electrode layer 45. The stacking order of the fourth electrode layer 44 and the fifth electrode layer 45 is not particularly limited, and may be the order shown in FIG. 13, for example. As shown in FIG. 13, in the element body 2, the fifth electrode layers 45 are provided above and below the fourth electrode layer 44. That is, the fifth electrode layer 45, the fourth electrode layer 44, and the fifth electrode layer 45 are stacked in this order from bottom to top, and this stacking order is repeated.

[0069] As described above, in the electronic component 300, the first internal electrode 11 connected to the first terminal electrode 3 faces the third internal electrode 13, the second internal electrode 12 connected to the second terminal electrode 4 faces the fourth internal electrode 14, and the seventh internal electrode 17 faces the eighth internal electrode 18. Here, the third internal electrode 13 and the seventh internal electrode 17 are electrically connected via the first external connecting conductor 6A formed on the first side surface 2e. Furthermore, the fourth internal electrode 14 and the eighth internal electrode 8 are electrically connected via the second external connecting conductor 6B formed on the second side surface 2f. With this configuration, the first capacitor section 10A, which is composed of the first inner electrode 11 and the third inner electrode 13, the fifth capacitor section 10E, which is composed of the seventh inner electrode 17 and the eighth inner electrode 18, and the fourth capacitor section 10D, which is composed of the second inner electrode 12 and the fourth inner electrode 14, are connected in series via the first outer connecting conductors 6A and 6B, thereby improving reliability. Furthermore, the seventh inner electrode 17 is separated from the first inner electrode 11 and the second inner electrode 12. The eighth inner electrode 18 is separated from the third inner electrode 13 and the fourth inner electrode 14. That is, no connecting portion CT connecting the mutual inner electrodes exists between adjacent capacitor sections 10A and 10E, and between adjacent capacitor sections 10E and 10D. This prevents a crack occurring in one capacitor section from reaching the other capacitor section along the connecting portion CT. This makes it possible to prevent cracks from occurring in adjacent capacitor units 10A, 10E and capacitor units 10E, 10D, causing short circuits. As a result, the performance of electronic component 300 having a plurality of capacitor units connected in series can be improved.

[0070] The shape of the element body 2 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, as long as it has a pair of opposing main surfaces and side surfaces extending between the main surfaces.

[0071] [Form 1] an element body having a first main surface and a second main surface facing in a first direction, a first end surface and a second end surface facing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface facing in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a first terminal electrode formed on the first end surface; a second terminal electrode formed on the second end surface; a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface; a second outer connecting conductor formed on the second side surface and separated from the first outer connecting conductor; a first internal electrode provided within the element body and connected to the first terminal electrode at the first end surface; a second internal electrode provided within the element body, separated from the first internal electrode, and connected to the second terminal electrode at the second end surface; a third internal electrode provided in the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; a fourth internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the second internal electrode in the first direction, separated from the third internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a fifth internal electrode provided in the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a sixth internal electrode that is provided within the element body, faces the second internal electrode in the first direction, is separated from the fifth internal electrode, and is connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface, a first capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode facing each other, and a second capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor; an electronic component, in which a third capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the fifth internal electrode facing each other, and a fourth capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the second external connecting conductor. [Form 2] 2. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode are arranged in outermost layers of stacked internal electrodes. [Form 3] 3. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein the element body has a gap where no internal electrode is formed, when viewed from the first direction. [Form 4] 4. The electronic component according to claim 3, wherein the width of the gap in the second direction is equal to or greater than the inter-layer thickness of the element body. [Form 5] 5. The electronic component according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode include a conductive resin layer. [Form 6] an edge portion of the third internal electrode and an edge portion of the fourth internal electrode that face each other in the second direction; The electronic component according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein an edge portion of the fifth internal electrode and an edge portion of the sixth internal electrode that face each other in the second direction are bent in an L-shape or inclined with respect to the third direction. [Form 7] a layer having the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode is defined as a first electrode layer; a layer having the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode is defined as a second electrode layer; When the layer having the fifth internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode is defined as a third electrode layer, In the element body, a plurality of the first electrode layers, a plurality of the second electrode layers, and a plurality of the third electrode layers are stacked, 7. The electronic component according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the second electrode layers and the third electrode layers are alternately stacked with the first electrode layer interposed therebetween. [Form 8] a layer having the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode is defined as a first electrode layer; a layer having the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode is defined as a second electrode layer; When the layer having the fifth internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode is defined as a third electrode layer, In the element body, a plurality of the first electrode layers, a plurality of the second electrode layers, and a plurality of the third electrode layers are stacked, a plurality of second electrode layers are stacked on one of the first and second main surfaces with the first electrode layers interposed therebetween; The electronic component according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein a plurality of the third electrode layers are stacked on the other main surface side of the first main surface and the second main surface, with the first electrode layer interposed therebetween. [Form 9] an element body having a first main surface and a second main surface facing in a first direction, a first end surface and a second end surface facing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface facing in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a first terminal electrode formed on the first end surface; a second terminal electrode formed on the second end surface; a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface; a second outer connecting conductor formed on the second side surface and separated from the first outer connecting conductor; a first internal electrode provided within the element body and connected to the first terminal electrode at the first end surface; a second internal electrode provided within the element body, separated from the first internal electrode, and connected to the second terminal electrode at the second end surface; a third internal electrode provided in the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; a fourth internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the second internal electrode in the first direction, separated from the third internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a seventh internal electrode provided within the element body, disposed between the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the second direction, separated from the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; an eighth internal electrode provided within the element body, disposed between the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode in the second direction, separated from the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a first capacitor section formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode facing each other, and a fifth capacitor section formed by the seventh internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor; an electronic component in which a fifth capacitor section formed by the seventh internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode facing each other and a fourth capacitor section formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via a second external connecting conductor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 2...element body, 2a...first main surface, 2b...second main surface, 2c...first end face, 2d...second end face, 2e...first side surface, 2f...second side surface, 3...first terminal electrode, 4...second terminal electrode, 6A...first external connecting conductor, 6B...second external connecting conductor, 10A...first capacitor portion, 10B...second capacitor portion, 10C...third capacitor portion, 10D...fourth capacitor portion, 10E...fifth capacitor portion, 11...first internal electrode, 12...second internal electrode, 13...third internal electrode, 14...fourth internal electrode, 15...fifth internal electrode, 16...sixth internal electrode, 17...seventh internal electrode, 18...eighth internal electrode, 41...first electrode layer, 42...second electrode layer, 43...third electrode layer, 100, 300...electronic component.

Claims

1. an element body having a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in a first direction, a first end surface and a second end surface facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface facing each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a first terminal electrode formed on the first end surface; a second terminal electrode formed on the second end surface; a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface; a second outer connecting conductor formed on the second side surface and separated from the first outer connecting conductor; a first internal electrode provided within the element body and connected to the first terminal electrode at the first end surface; a second internal electrode provided within the element body, separated from the first internal electrode, and connected to the second terminal electrode at the second end surface; a third internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; a fourth internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the second internal electrode in the first direction, separated from the third internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a fifth internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a sixth internal electrode that is provided within the element body, faces the second internal electrode in the first direction, is separated from the fifth internal electrode, and is connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface, a first capacitor portion formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode facing each other, and a second capacitor portion formed by the second internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor; an electronic component, wherein a third capacitor portion formed by the first internal electrode and the fifth internal electrode facing each other, and a fourth capacitor portion formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via the second external connecting conductor.

2. 2. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode are arranged on outermost layers of stacked internal electrodes.

3. 2. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein the element body has a gap portion where no internal electrode is formed when viewed from the first direction.

4. 4. The electronic component according to claim 3, wherein the width of the gap in the second direction is equal to or greater than the inter-layer thickness of the element body.

5. The electronic component according to claim 1 , wherein the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode include a conductive resin layer.

6. an edge portion of the third internal electrode and an edge portion of the fourth internal electrode that face each other in the second direction; 2. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein an edge portion of the fifth internal electrode and an edge portion of the sixth internal electrode that face each other in the second direction are bent in an L-shape or inclined with respect to the third direction.

7. a layer having the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode is defined as a first electrode layer; a layer having the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode is defined as a second electrode layer; When a layer having the fifth internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode is defined as a third electrode layer, In the element body, a plurality of the first electrode layers, a plurality of the second electrode layers, and a plurality of the third electrode layers are stacked, The electronic component according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode layers and the third electrode layers are alternately stacked with the first electrode layer interposed therebetween.

8. a layer having the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode is defined as a first electrode layer; a layer having the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode is defined as a second electrode layer; When a layer having the fifth internal electrode and the sixth internal electrode is defined as a third electrode layer, In the element body, a plurality of the first electrode layers, a plurality of the second electrode layers, and a plurality of the third electrode layers are stacked, a plurality of second electrode layers are stacked on one of the first and second main surfaces with the first electrode layers interposed therebetween; 2. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the third electrode layers are stacked on the other of the first and second main surfaces with the first electrode layers interposed therebetween.

9. an element body having a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in a first direction, a first end surface and a second end surface facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface facing each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a first terminal electrode formed on the first end surface; a second terminal electrode formed on the second end surface; a first external connecting conductor formed on the first side surface; a second outer connecting conductor formed on the second side surface and separated from the first outer connecting conductor; a first internal electrode provided within the element body and connected to the first terminal electrode at the first end surface; a second internal electrode provided within the element body, separated from the first internal electrode, and connected to the second terminal electrode at the second end surface; a third internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the first internal electrode in the first direction, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; a fourth internal electrode provided within the element body, facing the second internal electrode in the first direction, separated from the third internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a seventh internal electrode provided within the element body, arranged between the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode in the second direction, separated from the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode, and connected to the first external connecting conductor at the first side surface; an eighth internal electrode provided within the element body, disposed between the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode in the second direction, separated from the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode, and connected to the second external connecting conductor at the second side surface; a first capacitor portion formed by the first internal electrode and the third internal electrode facing each other, and a fifth capacitor portion formed by the seventh internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode facing each other, are connected in series via the first external connecting conductor; an electronic component, wherein a fifth capacitor portion formed by the seventh internal electrode and the eighth internal electrode facing each other, and a fourth capacitor portion formed by the second internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode facing each other are connected in series via a second external connecting conductor.

Images