Multilayer coil component

Abstract

To provide a multilayer coil component that can improve a Q value.SOLUTION: A multilayer coil component includes an element body 2, a coil 3 disposed within the element body 2, and external electrodes 41 and 42 disposed on the surface of the element body 2. The coil 3 includes a plurality of coil conductors 30, each having a thickness and a path length. The external electrodes 41 and 42 are electrically connected to the coil 3. The plurality of coil conductors 30 include coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 and coil conductors 33 and 35. The coil conductors 33 and 35 have a path length longer than the path lengths of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37, and have a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laminated coil component. [Background technology]

[0002] A laminated coil component is known that includes an element body and a coil disposed within the element body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The coil has a plurality of coil conductors that are electrically connected to each other. The plurality of coil conductors includes a first coil conductor and a second coil conductor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-113309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a laminated coil component that can improve the Q value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A laminated coil component according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an element body, a coil disposed within the element body, and external electrodes disposed on the surface of the element body. The coil has a plurality of coil conductors, each having a thickness and a path length. The external electrodes are electrically connected to the coil. The plurality of coil conductors include a first coil conductor and a second coil conductor. The second coil conductor has a path length longer than the path length of the first coil conductor and a thickness greater than the thickness of the first coil conductor.

[0006] The Q value of a multilayer coil component is proportional to the reciprocal of the electrical resistance. The electrical resistance of a coil having multiple coil conductors depends on the combined resistance of each of the multiple coil conductors. Since the electrical resistance of a conductor is proportional to the length of the conductor and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor, the electrical resistance of each of the multiple coil conductors varies depending on the path length and thickness of the coil conductor. Therefore, the Q value of a multilayer coil component depends on the path length and thickness of each of the multiple coil conductors that make up the coil.

[0007] A multilayer coil component is required to have multiple inductance values ​​for a given external size. Because the inductance value depends on the number of turns in the coil, it is difficult to determine a constant path length for each of the multiple coil conductors that make up the coil. When the thicknesses of the multiple coil conductors are equal to each other, a coil conductor having a longer path length than the other coil conductors has a higher electrical resistance than the other coil conductors.

[0008] In the one aspect, the second coil conductor has a path length longer than the path length of the first coil conductor and a thickness greater than the thickness of the first coil conductor. The combined resistance of the first and second coil conductors in the one aspect is smaller than the combined resistance in a configuration in which the second coil conductor has a path length longer than the path length of the first coil conductor and has a thickness equal to or smaller than the thickness of the first coil conductor. Therefore, the electrical resistance of the coil in the one aspect is smaller than the electrical resistance of a coil in which the second coil conductor has a path length longer than the path length of the first coil conductor and has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the first coil conductor, and therefore the one aspect enables an improvement in the Q value of the multilayer coil component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides a laminated coil component that can improve the Q value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laminated coil component according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coil according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the coil according to this embodiment as viewed from one side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of one main surface of the coil according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the laminated coil component according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a coil according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a coil according to a modified example of this embodiment, viewed from one side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a coil according to a modified example of this embodiment, viewed from one main surface. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the configuration of a laminated coil component according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing the configuration of a laminated coil component according to another modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] The configuration of a laminated coil component 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the laminated coil component according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coil according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the coil according to this embodiment as viewed from the side surface 2e shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the coil according to this embodiment as viewed from the main surface 2b shown in FIG. 1. The laminated coil component 1 according to this embodiment is solder-mounted in an electronic device. The electronic device includes, for example, a circuit board or an electronic component.

[0013] 1 and 2, the laminated coil component 1 includes an element body 2, a coil 3 disposed within the element body 2, a pair of external electrodes 41, 42 disposed on the surface of the element body 2, and a pair of connecting conductors 51, 52 disposed within the element body 2. The external electrodes 41, 42 are electrically connected to the coil 3. The element body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape includes a rectangular parallelepiped shape with chamfered corners and ridges, and a rectangular parallelepiped shape with rounded corners and ridges.

[0014] The element body 2 has a pair of principal surfaces 2a and 2b, a pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d, and a pair of side surfaces 2e and 2f that face each other. The principal surfaces 2a and 2b, the side surfaces 2c and 2d, and the side surfaces 2e and 2f are rectangular. The principal surfaces 2a and 2b are adjacent to the side surfaces 2c and 2d and the side surfaces 2e and 2f. The side surfaces 2c and 2d and the side surfaces 2e and 2f are adjacent to each other. When the multilayer coil component 1 is solder-mounted to an electronic device, the principal surface 2a faces the electronic device to which it is solder-mounted. The principal surfaces 2a and 2b, the side surfaces 2c and 2d, and the side surfaces 2e and 2f are flat. A flat surface means a surface that is formed with the aim of being flat, and is not limited to a geometrically perfect flat surface. The flat surface may include curvatures and irregularities that occur during the manufacturing process.

[0015] The direction D3 in which the pair of principal surfaces 2a, 2b face each other is perpendicular to the principal surfaces 2a, 2b, respectively. The direction D1 in which the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d face each other is perpendicular to the side surfaces 2c, 2d, respectively. The direction D2 in which the pair of side surfaces 2e, 2f face each other is perpendicular to the side surfaces 2e, 2f, respectively. The direction D3 is perpendicular to the directions D1 and D2. The directions D1 and D2 are perpendicular to each other. A pair of recesses corresponding to the pair of external electrodes 41, 42 are formed in the element body 2.

[0016] The external electrodes 41 and 42 have an L-shaped cross section when viewed from direction D1. The recesses corresponding to the external electrodes 41 and 42 formed in the element body 2 are L-shaped when viewed from direction D1. The external electrode 41 includes a portion 41a and a portion 41b. The surface of the portion 41a faces the same direction as the side surface 2e, and the surface of the portion 41b faces the same direction as the main surface 2a. The portions 41a and 41b are continuous along the ridge between the side surface 2e and the main surface 2a. The external electrode 42 includes a portion 42a and a portion 42b. The surface of the portion 42a faces the same direction as the side surface 2f, and the surface of the portion 42b faces the same direction as the main surface 2a. The portions 42a and 42b are continuous along the ridge between the side surface 2f and the main surface 2a.

[0017] In this embodiment, the length of the external electrodes 41, 42 in direction D3 is longer than the length of the external electrodes 41, 42 in direction D2. The portions 41b, 42b are arranged so as to be exposed in the same direction as the main surface 2a. The surfaces of the portions 41b, 42b and the main surface 2a may be located on the same plane. The surfaces of the portions 41b, 42b may protrude from the main surface 2a. The portion 41a is arranged so as to be exposed in the same direction as the side surface 2e. The surface of the portion 41a and the side surface 2e may be located on the same plane. The surface of the portion 41a may protrude from the side surface 2e. The portion 42a is arranged on the side surface 2f so as to be exposed in the same direction as the side surface 2f. The surface of the portion 42a and the side surface 2f may be located on the same plane. The surface of the portion 42a may protrude from the side surface 2f. In this embodiment, the length of the portions 41a, 42a in direction D3 is longer than the length of the portions 41b, 42b in direction D2.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the coil 3 has a plurality of coil conductors 30. The plurality of coil conductors 30 are electrically connected to one another. The plurality of coil conductors 30 include coil conductors 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37. The coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 are, for example, defined as first coil conductors, and the coil conductors 33 and 35 are, for example, defined as second coil conductors. The coil conductors 31 to 37 are arranged in that order along the direction D1 and adjacent to one another. The coil conductor 31 is the endmost coil conductor that includes one end of the coil 3 in the direction D1. The coil conductor 37 is the endmost coil conductor that includes the other end of the coil 3 in the direction D1. The coil 3 is composed of seven coil conductors 31 to 37 connected in the direction D1. The number of turns in the coil 3 is 2.5. Each of the coil conductors 31 to 37 forms a part of the circular track of the coil 3. Each of the coil conductors 31 to 37 has, for example, a shape in which a part of the loop is interrupted. Each of the plurality of coil conductors 30 has a path length and a thickness.

[0019] Each of the coil conductors 31 to 37 includes a first end corresponding to one end of the partially interrupted loop and a second end corresponding to the other end of the partially interrupted loop. Each of the coil conductors 31 to 37 extends along a path from the first end to the second end in each layer of the coil conductors 31 to 37. The length of the path from the first end to the second end of each of the coil conductors 31 to 37 is referred to as the path length of each of the coil conductors 31 to 37. The path length may be the minimum length from the end face of the first end to the end face of the second end of each of the coil conductors 31 to 37. For example, the path length may be the inner circumference from the end face of the first end to the end face of the second end of each of the coil conductors 31 to 37. Each of the layers of the coil conductors 31 to 37 corresponds to a layer constituting the laminated coil component 1. Each of the layers of the coil conductors 31 to 37 extends along a plane intersecting the direction D1 in which the coil conductors 31 to 37 are arranged. In this embodiment, the layers of the coil conductors 31 to 37 extend along directions D2 and D3.

[0020] The widths of the coil conductors 31 to 37 in the direction perpendicular to their paths are equal to each other. In this specification, "equal" does not necessarily mean that the values ​​are the same. The values ​​may be considered equal even if they include slight differences within a preset range, manufacturing errors, or measurement errors.

[0021] The coil conductors 33 and 35 have the same thickness. In this specification, the "thickness" of a coil conductor refers to the distance between one surface of the coil conductor in the direction D1 and the other surface located opposite the one surface. The thickness of the coil conductor may also be the average distance between one surface and the other surface of the coil conductor in the direction D1. The coil conductors 31, 32, 34, 36, and 37 have the same thickness. The coil conductors 33 and 35 have a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. The coil conductors 33 and 35 may have a thickness 1.25 times or more the thicknesses of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. The coil conductors 33 and 35 may have a thickness 2 times or more the thicknesses of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. The coil conductors 33 and 35 may have the largest thickness among the multiple coil conductors 30. The coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 may have the smallest thickness among the multiple coil conductors 30.

[0022] The ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors among the multiple coil conductors 30 overlap and are connected to each other. In this embodiment, the ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors among the multiple coil conductors 30 completely overlap, but it is sufficient if the ends overlap at least partially. Coil conductors 31 and 32, coil conductors 32 and 33, coil conductors 33 and 34, coil conductors 34 and 35, coil conductors 35 and 36, and coil conductors 36 and 37 are pairs of coil conductors adjacent to each other in direction D1. For example, the second end of coil conductor 31 and the first end of coil conductor 32 overlap and are connected to each other in direction D1. The ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors among the multiple coil conductors 30 are directly and physically connected to each other.

[0023] The connecting conductor 51 connects the coil 3 and the external electrode 41 to each other. The coil 3 and the external electrode 41 are electrically and physically connected to each other via the connecting conductor 51. The connecting conductor 51 is continuous with the coil conductor 31 in the same layer as the coil conductor 31. The connecting conductor 51 extends between a first end of the coil conductor 31 and a portion 41a of the external electrode 41. The thickness of the connecting conductor 51 is equal to the thickness of the coil conductor 31. The connecting conductor 52 connects the coil 3 and the external electrode 42 to each other. The coil 3 and the external electrode 42 are electrically and physically connected to each other via the connecting conductor 52. The connecting conductor 52 is continuous with the coil conductor 37 in the same layer as the coil conductor 37. The connecting conductor 52 extends between a second end of the coil conductor 37 and a portion 42a of the external electrode 42. The thickness of the connecting conductor 52 is equal to the thickness of the coil conductor 37. The connecting conductors 51 and 52 have the same thickness.

[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the configuration of a laminated coil component 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the lamination direction of the laminated coil component 1 is along direction D1. FIG. 5 shows multiple layers constituting the laminated coil component 1 as viewed from direction D1. The multiple layers constituting the laminated coil component 1 include a layer constituting the element body 2, a layer constituting the coil 3, a layer constituting the external electrodes 41 and 42, and a layer constituting the connecting conductors 51 and 52. The multiple layers have the same thickness. Below, the element body 2, the multiple coil conductors 30 of the coil 3, the external electrodes 41 and 42, and the connecting conductors 51 and 52 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0025] The element body 2 is composed of multiple stacked insulator layers 20. In this embodiment, the number of the multiple insulator layers 20 is 13. FIG. 5 shows nine insulator layers 20, omitting the two insulator layers 20 located at both ends in the direction D1. In an actual element body 2, the insulator layers 20 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the insulator layers 20 are not visible. Each insulator layer 20 is composed of, for example, a non-magnetic material. The non-magnetic material includes, for example, a glass ceramic material or a dielectric material. In this embodiment, each insulator layer 20 is composed of a sintered body of a green sheet containing a non-magnetic material. Each insulator layer 20 may also be composed of a magnetic material.

[0026] The external electrodes 41 and 42 are each composed of a plurality of stacked electrode layers 410 and 420. In this embodiment, the number of the plurality of electrode layers 410 and 420 is nine. In the actual external electrode 41, the electrode layers 410 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the electrode layers 410 are not visible. In the actual external electrode 42, the electrode layers 420 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the electrode layers 420 are not visible. Each electrode layer 410 and 420 is provided in a recess formed in the corresponding insulator layer 20. The recess formed in each insulator layer 20 forms a pair of depressions corresponding to the external electrodes 41 and 42. Each electrode layer 410 and 420 is composed of, for example, a conductive material. The conductive material includes, for example, Ag or Pd. In this embodiment, each electrode layer 410 and 420 is composed of a sintered body of a conductive paste containing a powder of a conductive material.

[0027] The connecting conductors 51 and 52 are respectively composed of electrode layers 510 and 520. The electrode layer 510 is continuous with the coil conductor layer 310, and the electrode layer 520 is continuous with the coil conductor layer 370. Each of the electrode layers 510 and 520 is provided in a defect formed in the corresponding insulator layer 20. Each of the electrode layers 510 and 520 is composed of, for example, the same material as each of the electrode layers 410 and 420. Each of the electrode layers 510 and 520 is composed of, for example, a sintered body of conductive paste.

[0028] The multiple coil conductors 30 are composed of multiple coil conductor layers corresponding to each of the multiple coil conductors 30. Coil conductor 31 is composed of coil conductor layer 310. Coil conductor 32 is composed of coil conductor layer 320. Coil conductor 33 is composed of multiple coil conductor layers 330 that generally overlap each other. In this embodiment, the number of multiple coil conductor layers 330 is "2". Coil conductor 34 is composed of coil conductor layer 340. Coil conductor 35 is composed of multiple coil conductor layers 350. In this embodiment, the number of multiple coil conductor layers 350 that generally overlap each other is "2". Coil conductor 36 is composed of coil conductor layer 360. Coil conductor 37 is composed of coil conductor layer 370.

[0029] In the actual coil conductors 33, 35 of the coil 3, the coil conductor layers 330, 350 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the coil conductor layers 330, 350 are not visible. Each of the coil conductor layers 310-370 is provided in a defect formed in the corresponding insulator layer 20. Each of the coil conductor layers 310-370 is made of, for example, the same material as each of the electrode layers 410, 420. Each of the coil conductor layers 310-370 is made of, for example, a sintered body of conductive paste.

[0030] The coil 3 and the coil conductors 30 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 5. Coil conductor layers 310 to 370 shown in Figure 5 correspond to the coil conductors 31 to 37 when viewed from direction D1.

[0031] When viewed from direction D1, the coil 3 has a pentagonal shape. The pentagon is symmetrical in direction D2 with respect to a center line along direction D3. The pentagon includes a first side closest to the main surface 2b, a second side closest to the side surface 2f, a third and fourth sides closest to the main surface 2a, and a fifth side closest to the side surface 2e. The first and second sides are connected at a first vertex, the second and third sides are connected at a second vertex, the third and fourth sides are connected at a third vertex, the fourth and fifth sides are connected at a fourth vertex, and the fifth side is connected to the first side at a fifth vertex. The second and fifth sides are symmetrical with each other with respect to a center line passing through the third vertex between the third and fourth sides, and the third and fourth sides are symmetrical with each other with respect to each other. The first side is longer than the second and fifth sides. The second and fifth sides are longer than the third and fourth sides. When viewed from direction D1, the path of each of the plurality of coil conductors 30 includes at least one of the first to fifth sides.

[0032] The paths of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 include a first side. The path lengths of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 are 1 / 2 turn or less. The paths of the coil conductors 32 and 35 include a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The path of the coil conductors 33 and 36 include a third side, a fourth side, and a fifth side. The path lengths of the coil conductors 32, 33, 35, and 36 are 1 / 2 turn or more. The coil conductors 33 and 35 have a path length longer than the path lengths of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. The coil conductors 33 and 35 may have the longest path length among the multiple coil conductors 30. The coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 may have the shortest path length among the multiple coil conductors 30.

[0033] The path lengths of the coil conductors 31 and 37 are equal to each other. The path lengths of the coil conductors 32, 33, 35, and 36 are equal to each other. The coil conductors 33 and 35 have a path length longer than the path lengths of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. The coil conductors 33 and 35 may have the longest path length among the multiple coil conductors 30. The coil conductor 34 may have the shortest path length among the multiple coil conductors 30.

[0034] As described above, in the laminated coil component 1, the coil conductors 33 and 35 have a path length longer than the path lengths of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37, and have a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. Therefore, the electrical resistance of the coil 3 is smaller than the electrical resistance of a coil configured such that the coil conductors 33 and 35 have thicknesses equal to or smaller than the thicknesses of the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37. Therefore, the laminated coil component 1 can improve the Q value of the laminated coil component.

[0035] In the laminated coil component 1, the coil conductors 33 and 35 have the longest path length among the plurality of coil conductors 30, and the coil conductors 31, 34, and 37 include the coil conductor 34, which has the shortest path length among the plurality of coil conductors 30. The electrical resistance of the coil 3 is further reduced in a configuration in which the thickness of the coil conductors 33, 35 having the longest path length is greater than the thickness of the coil conductor 34 having the shortest path length. Therefore, the Q value of the laminated coil component 1 can be further improved.

[0036] In the laminated coil component 1, the ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors among the plurality of coil conductors 30 overlap and are connected to each other. In a coil in which the ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors are indirectly connected via another conductor, the other conductor may increase the combined resistance of the multiple coil conductors 30. In the coil 3 in which the ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors overlap and are connected to each other, the ends of the pair of adjacent coil conductors are directly connected to each other, and therefore do not include another conductor that may increase the combined resistance. Therefore, the laminated coil component 1 is directly connected so as not to include the other conductor, thereby further suppressing a decrease in the Q value.

[0037] Next, the configuration of a laminated coil component 1A according to a modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. The laminated coil component 1A according to the modified example includes a coil 6 and connecting conductors 53 and 54 instead of the coil 3 and connecting conductors 51 and 52. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coil according to the modified example. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the coil according to the modified example as viewed from the side surface 2e. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the coil according to the modified example as viewed from the main surface 2b. FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the configuration of a laminated coil component according to the modified example. The following mainly describes the differences between the above-described embodiment and this modified example.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , the coil 6 has a plurality of coil conductors 60 connected to each other. The plurality of coil conductors 60 are electrically connected to each other. The plurality of coil conductors 60 includes coil conductors 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68. The coil conductors 62 and 67 are, for example, defined as first coil conductors, and the coil conductors 61 and 68 are, for example, defined as second coil conductors. The coil conductors 61 to 68 are arranged in that order along the direction D1. The coil conductor 61 is the outermost coil conductor including one end of the coil 6 in the direction D1. The coil conductor 68 is the outermost coil conductor including the other end of the coil 6 in the direction D1. The coil 6 is composed of eight coil conductors 61 to 68 connected in the direction D1. The number of turns in the coil 6 is 3.5. Each of the plurality of coil conductors 60 has a path length and a thickness.

[0039] The coil conductors 61 and 68 have the same thickness. The coil conductors 62 to 67 have the same thickness. The coil conductors 61 and 68 have a thickness greater than the thickness of the coil conductors 62 and 67. The coil conductors 61 and 68 have a thickness 1.25 times or more the thickness of the coil conductors 62 and 67. The coil conductors 61 and 68 may have a thickness equal to twice the thickness of the coil conductors 62 and 67. The coil conductors 61 and 68 may have the largest thickness among the multiple coil conductors 60. The coil conductors 62 and 67 may have the smallest thickness among the multiple coil conductors 60.

[0040] The connecting conductor 53 connects the coil 6 and the external electrode 41 to each other. The coil 6 and the external electrode 41 are electrically and physically connected to each other via the connecting conductor 53. The connecting conductor 53 is continuous with the coil conductor 61 in the same layer as the coil conductor 61. The connecting conductor 53 extends between a first end of the coil conductor 61 and a portion 41a of the external electrode 41. The thickness of the connecting conductor 53 is equal to the thickness of the coil conductor 61. The connecting conductor 54 connects the coil 6 and the external electrode 42 to each other. The coil 6 and the external electrode 42 are electrically and physically connected to each other via the connecting conductor 54. The connecting conductor 54 is continuous with the coil conductor 68 in the same layer as the coil conductor 68. The connecting conductor 54 extends between a second end of the coil conductor 68 and a portion 42a of the external electrode 42. The thickness of the connecting conductor 54 is equal to the thickness of the coil conductor 68. The connecting conductors 53 and 54 have the same thickness.

[0041] The connecting conductor 53 is composed of a plurality of electrode layers 530 that entirely overlap each other. The connecting conductor 54 is composed of a plurality of electrode layers 540 that entirely overlap each other. In this modification, the number of each of the plurality of electrode layers 530, 540 is "2". The plurality of electrode layers 530 are continuous with the plurality of coil conductor layers 610, respectively. The plurality of electrode layers 540 are continuous with the plurality of coil conductor layers 680, respectively. In the actual connecting conductor 53, the electrode layers 530 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the electrode layers 530 are not visible. In the actual connecting conductor 54, the electrode layers 540 are integrated to the extent that the boundaries between the electrode layers 540 are not visible.

[0042] The multiple coil conductors 60 are composed of multiple coil conductor layers corresponding to each of the multiple coil conductors 60. The coil conductor 61 is composed of multiple coil conductor layers 610 that overlap each other overall. In this modified example, the number of the multiple coil conductor layers 610 is "2". The coil conductors 62 to 67 are composed of coil conductor layers 620 to 670, respectively. The coil conductor 68 is composed of multiple coil conductor layers 680 that overlap each other overall. In this modified example, the number of the multiple coil conductor layers 680 is "2".

[0043] The coil 6 and the multiple coil conductors 60 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9. The coil conductor layers 610 to 680 shown in FIG. 9 correspond to the coil conductors 61 to 68 when viewed from the direction D1. When viewed from the direction D1, the coil 6 has a pentagonal shape, similar to the coil 3. When viewed from the direction D1, the paths of each of the multiple coil conductors 60 include at least one of the first to fifth sides. The paths of the coil conductors 61 and 66 include the first and second sides. The paths of the coil conductors 62 and 67 include the third and fourth sides. The paths of the coil conductors 63 and 68 include the fifth and first sides. The path of the coil conductor 64 includes the second and third sides. The path of the coil conductor 65 includes the fourth and fifth sides. The path lengths of the coil conductors 62 and 67 are equal to each other. The coil conductors 61 and 68 have a longer path length than the coil conductors 62 and 67. The coil conductors 62 and 67 may have the shortest path length among the multiple coil conductors 60.

[0044] As described above, the laminated coil component 1A according to the modified example includes the connecting conductors 53 and 54. The connecting conductors 53 and 54 are disposed within the element body 2 and connect the coil 6 to the external electrodes 41 and 42. The connecting conductor 53 is continuous with the coil conductor 61 in the same layer as the coil conductor 61, and the connecting conductor 54 is continuous with the coil conductor 68 in the same layer as the coil conductor 68. The coil conductors 61 and 68 are the endmost coil conductors, including the ends of the coil 6. In a configuration in which the connecting conductors 53, 54 are continuous with the coil conductors 61, 68 in the same layer as the coil conductors 61, 68, the connecting conductors 53, 54 have a thickness equal to that of the coil conductors 61, 68. Therefore, the connecting conductors 53, 54 have a thickness greater than that of the coil conductors 62, 67, and therefore the electrical resistance of the laminated coil component 1A is further reduced compared to a configuration in which the connecting conductors 53, 54 have a thickness equal to that of the coil conductors 62, 67. As a result, the Q value of the laminated coil component 1A can be further improved.

[0045] The present invention has been described in detail above based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0046] Fig. 10 is an exploded view showing the configuration of a laminated coil component according to another modified example different from the modified examples shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 9. The laminated coil component according to another modified example shown in Fig. 10 differs in the configuration of the multiple coil conductors 60. In the multiple coil conductors 60 of the laminated coil component according to the other modified example, the coil conductors 61 and 68 are each composed of a single coil conductor layer 610 and a single coil conductor layer 680, and the coil conductors 63 and 66 are each composed of a multiple coil conductor layers 630 and a multiple coil conductor layers 660. The number of each of the multiple coil conductor layers 630 and 660 is "2".

[0047] When viewed from direction D1, coil 3 may have a polygonal shape other than a pentagon, or may have a circular shape. The at least one second coil conductor may include a plurality of second coil conductors, and the number of the plurality of second coil conductors may be greater than the number of the at least one first coil conductor. 6 to 9, the multiple coil conductors 60 may be composed of only coil conductors 61, 68 and coil conductor 62. The coil conductors 61, 68 are defined as multiple second coil conductors, and the coil conductor 62 is defined as at least one first coil conductor. If the number of coil conductors 61, 68, which have a thickness greater than that of the coil conductor 62 and a path length longer than that of the coil conductor 62, is greater than the number of coil conductors 62, the electrical resistance of the coil is further reduced, and the Q value of the multilayer coil component can be further improved.

[0048] As can be understood from the above description of the embodiments and modifications, the present specification includes disclosure of the following aspects. (Appendix 1) The base body and a coil disposed within the element body and including a plurality of coil conductors, each having a thickness and a path length; an external electrode disposed on a surface of the element body and electrically connected to the coil; The plurality of coil conductors include: at least one first coil conductor; at least one second coil conductor having a path length greater than a path length of the at least one first coil conductor and a thickness greater than a thickness of the at least one first coil conductor; Multilayer coil components. (Appendix 2) 2. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second coil conductor has a thickness that is 1.25 times or more the thickness of the at least one first coil conductor. (Appendix 3) the at least one second coil conductor includes a plurality of second coil conductors; 3. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein the number of the second coil conductors is greater than the number of the at least one first coil conductor. (Appendix 4) a connecting conductor disposed within the element body and connecting the coil and the external electrode to each other; the at least one second coil conductor includes an endmost second coil conductor that includes an end of the coil; 4. The laminated coil component according to any one of appendixes 1 to 3, wherein the connecting conductor is continuous with the outermost second coil conductor in the same layer as the outermost second coil conductor. (Appendix 5) the at least one second coil conductor includes a coil conductor having the longest path length among the plurality of coil conductors; 5. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first coil conductor includes a coil conductor having the shortest path length among the plurality of coil conductors. (Appendix 6) 6. The laminated coil component according to any one of appendixes 1 to 5, wherein the ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors among the plurality of coil conductors overlap and are connected to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1... multilayer coil component, 2... element body, 3,6... coil, 30,60... multiple coil conductors, 31,32,33,34,35,36,37,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68... coil conductors, 41,42... external electrodes, 51,52,53,54... connecting conductors

Claims

1. The base body and a coil disposed within the element body and including a plurality of coil conductors, each having a thickness and a path length; an external electrode disposed on a surface of the element body and electrically connected to the coil; The plurality of coil conductors include: at least one first coil conductor; at least one second coil conductor having a path length greater than a path length of the at least one first coil conductor and a thickness greater than a thickness of the at least one first coil conductor; Multilayer coil components.

2. 2. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the at least one second coil conductor is 1.25 times or more the thickness of the at least one first coil conductor.

3. the at least one second coil conductor includes a plurality of second coil conductors; The laminated coil component according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the plurality of second coil conductors is greater than the number of the at least one first coil conductor.

4. a connecting conductor disposed within the element body and connecting the coil and the external electrode to each other; the at least one second coil conductor includes an endmost second coil conductor that includes an end of the coil; 4. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein the connecting conductor is continuous with the outermost second coil conductor in the same layer as the outermost second coil conductor.

5. the at least one second coil conductor includes a coil conductor having the longest path length among the plurality of coil conductors; 4. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first coil conductor includes a coil conductor having the shortest path length among the plurality of coil conductors.

6. 4. The laminated coil component according to claim 1, wherein ends of a pair of adjacent coil conductors among the plurality of coil conductors overlap and are connected to each other.

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