Coil components

Abstract

This provides a coil component that makes it easy to check the orientation. [Solution] The coil component 1 comprises a transparent base body 2, outer conductors 3 and 4, a coil 5, and inner conductors 6 and 7. The base body 2 includes end faces 2a and 2b facing each other in direction D1, side faces 2c and 2d facing each other in direction D2, and side faces 2e and 2f facing each other in direction D3. Direction D2 is perpendicular to direction D1. Direction D3 is perpendicular to both direction D1 and direction D2. The lengths of the end faces 2a and 2b in direction D2 are equal to the lengths of the end faces 2a and 2b in direction D3. The surface roughness of one of the side faces 2e and 2f is smaller than the surface roughness of at least one of the side faces 2c and 2d. The coil 5 is positioned such that its coil axis AX intersects with the side faces 2c and 2d.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A known coil component includes a body, a pair of external conductors located on the body, a coil located inside the body, and a pair of internal conductors connecting the coil and the external conductors. The body has a pair of end faces facing each other in a first direction, a pair of first side faces facing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a pair of second side faces facing each other in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions. The coil is positioned such that the coil axis of the coil intersects the pair of second side faces.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is difficult to determine the orientation of a coil component in which the shapes of each of the first side faces and the second side faces are the same from the appearance. For example, if the orientation of the coil component cannot be confirmed when the coil component is housed in a carrier tape or mounted on an electronic device, a mounting defect may occur.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a coil component that facilitates confirmation of orientation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A coil component according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a body that is transparent to visible light, a pair of external conductors located on the body, a coil located inside the body, and a pair of internal conductors connecting the coil and the external conductors. The body includes a pair of end faces facing each other in a first direction, a pair of first sides facing each other in a second direction, and a pair of second sides facing each other in a third direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The lengths of each of the pair of end faces in the second direction are equal to the lengths of each of the pair of end faces in the third direction. The surface roughness of one of the second sides is less than the surface roughness of at least one of the first sides. The coil is positioned such that its coil axis intersects with the pair of first sides.

[0007] In the above embodiment, the second and third directions are orthogonal to each other, and the second and third directions are orthogonal to each other to the first direction. Therefore, the lengths of the pair of first surfaces facing each other in the second direction are equal to the lengths of the pair of second surfaces facing each other in the third direction. Since the first and second directions are mutually orthogonal, and the first and second directions are mutually orthogonal to the third direction, the lengths of each of a pair of end faces facing each other in the first direction in the third direction are equal to the lengths of each of a pair of first sides facing each other in the second direction. Since the first and third directions are mutually orthogonal, and the first and third directions are mutually orthogonal to the second direction, the lengths of each of a pair of end faces facing each other in the first direction in the second direction are equal to the lengths of each of a pair of second sides facing each other in the third direction in the second direction. Therefore, the lengths of the end face and the first side face in the third direction are equal, and the lengths of the end face and the second side face in the second direction are equal. As a result, in a configuration where the lengths of a pair of end faces facing each other in the first direction in the second direction are equal to the lengths of a pair of end faces facing each other in the first direction in the third direction, the length of the first side face in the third direction is equal to the length of the second side face in the second direction. Since the lengths of the sides defining the first side face and the lengths of the sides defining the second side face are equal, the shapes of the first side face and the second side face are the same. The coil has a helical shape centered on the coil axis. In one embodiment described above, the coil is positioned within the element such that the coil axis intersects with a pair of first sides, so that each part of the helical coil is adjacent to a pair of end faces and a pair of second sides, respectively. The central space of the coil's helical shape is not adjacent to any of the second sides. The element is transparent to visible light, and the surface roughness of one of the pair of second sides is less than the surface roughness of at least one of the pair of first sides. Therefore, the surface roughness of one of the second sides is small, and the central space of the coil's helical shape is not visible from the second side, so the coil located within the element, which is transparent to visible light, is easily visible from one of the second sides. As a result, even if the shapes of the first and second sides are the same, the coil inside the component can be seen from the second side, making it easy to confirm the orientation of the coil component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a coil component that facilitates the confirmation of orientation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coil component according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the coil component according to this embodiment, seen from one side. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a plan view of the coil component according to this embodiment, seen from one end face. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the coil component according to this embodiment, viewed from another side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0011] The configuration of the coil component 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the coil component according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the coil component according to this embodiment as seen from side 2c shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the coil component according to this embodiment as seen from end face 2b shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a plan view of the coil according to this embodiment as seen from side 2e shown in Figure 1. The coil component 1 according to this embodiment is solder-mounted to an electronic device. The electronic device includes, for example, a circuit board or electronic components. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the coil component 1 comprises a base body 2, an outer conductor 3, an outer conductor 4, a coil 5, an inner conductor 6, and an inner conductor 7.

[0012] Body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape includes a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the corners and edges are chamfered and rounded. Body 2 includes opposing end faces 2a and 2b, opposing side faces 2c and 2d, and opposing side faces 2e and 2f. Side faces 2c, 2d and side faces 2e, 2f connect end faces 2a and 2b. Side faces 2c, 2d and side faces 2e, 2f are adjacent to each other via corners or edges. The pair of end faces 2a and 2b face each other in direction D1. The pair of side faces 2c and 2d face each other in direction D2. The pair of side faces 2e and 2f face each other in direction D3. Direction D2 is perpendicular to direction D1. Direction D3 is perpendicular to both direction D1 and direction D2. For example, direction D1 includes the first direction, direction D2 includes the second direction, and direction D3 includes the third direction. For example, a pair of sides 2c, 2d includes a pair of first sides, and a pair of sides 2e, 2f includes a pair of second sides.

[0013] Referring to Figure 3, the lengths d2 of the pair of end faces 2a and 2b in each direction D2 are equivalent to the lengths d3 of the pair of end faces 2a and 2b in each direction D3. "Equivalent" means that in addition to being equal, the values ​​may include slight differences or manufacturing tolerances within a predetermined range. For example, if the difference between lengths d2 and d3 falls within ±5% of the length d2 or length d3, then lengths d2 and d3 are defined as equivalent. In one example, the difference between the lengths of the pair of end faces 2a and 2b in each direction D2 and the lengths of the pair of end faces 2a and 2b in each direction D3 is 20 μm or less. The end faces 2a and 2b are each square in shape. The lengths of the sides 2c and 2d in each direction D3 are equal to the lengths of the sides 2e and 2f in each direction D2. The lengths of the sides 2c and 2d in each direction D1 are equal to the lengths of the sides 2e and 2f in each direction D1. Each of the sides 2c, 2d and 2e, 2f may have a rectangular shape with the longer side aligned with direction D1. Since the lengths of the sides defining each of sides 2c, 2d and each of sides 2e, 2f are equal, the shapes of sides 2c, 2d and sides 2e, 2f are the same.

[0014] The substrate 2 includes a plurality of insulating layers having electrical insulating properties. In this embodiment, the substrate 2 includes a plurality of insulating layers stacked along direction D3. In the actual substrate 2, the plurality of insulating layers are integrated to such an extent that their boundaries are not visible to each other. Each of the plurality of insulating layers exhibits, for example, a rectangular shape when viewed from direction D3. The insulating layers may include non-magnetic materials. Non-magnetic materials include, for example, glass ceramic materials or dielectric materials. The insulating layers may include resin materials. Resin materials include, for example, at least one selected from liquid crystal polymers, polyimide resins, crystalline polystyrene, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, bismaleide resins, and fluororesins. The resin material may include, for example, a filler. The filler may include, for example, an inorganic filler. The inorganic filler includes silica. The resin material may not include a filler.

[0015] Element 2 is transparent to visible light. In one example, Element 2 may be semi-transparent. The total light transmittance of Element 2 is greater than 0%. For example, the total light transmittance of Element 2 is 20% or more. Referring to Figure 3, the surface roughness Sa1 of side surface 2e is less than the surface roughness Sa2 of at least one of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. In this embodiment, the surface roughness Sa1 of side surface 2e is less than the surface roughness of each of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. In this embodiment, the surface roughness Sa1 of side surface 2e is 0.4 μm or less. In one example, the surface roughness Sa1 of side surface 2e is 0.4 μm or less and 0.01 μm or more. Surface roughness may include the arithmetic mean height Sa. The arithmetic mean height Sa of side surface 2e may be 0.4 μm or less and 0.01 μm or more. For example, side surface 2e includes one of the second side surfaces of a pair of second side surfaces.

[0016] The pair of external conductors 3 and 4 are located on the base body 2. In the present embodiment, the pair of external conductors 3 and 4 are located on the side surface 2f. When the coil component 1 is soldered to an electronic device, the external conductors 3 and 4 are connected to the terminals of the electronic device. For example, the side surface 2f includes the other second side surface of the pair of second side surfaces. When the coil component 1 is soldered to an electronic device, the side surface 2f faces the electronic device to which it is soldered.

[0017] The external conductors 3 and 4 are arranged side by side apart in the direction D1. The external conductor 3 is located near the end face 2a, and the external conductor 4 is located near the end face 2b. In the present embodiment, the pair of external conductors 3 and 4 are located only on the side surface 2f. The external conductors 3 and 4 are respectively located in a pair of depressions formed on the side surface 2f. When viewed from the direction D3, the external conductors 3 and 4 are away from the outer edge of the side surface 2f. When viewed from the direction D3, the external conductors 3 and 4 have a rectangular shape. The long sides of the external conductors 3 and 4 are along the direction D2, and the short sides are along the direction D1.

[0018] The external conductors 3 and 4 contain a conductive material. The conductive material includes, for example, Ag, Pd, Cu, or Al. The conductive material includes, for example, an Ag-Pd alloy, an Ag-Cu alloy, an Ag-Au alloy, or an Ag-Pt alloy. The external conductors 3 and 4 include, for example, a Ni plating film, a Sn plating film, a Cu plating film, or an Au plating film. The external conductors 3 and 4 may have a multilayer structure of the above-mentioned plating films, and may include a Ni plating film and a Sn plating film formed on the Ni plating film. The plating film is formed, for example, by an electrolytic plating method or an electroless plating method.

[0019] The coil 5 is located within the body 2. The coil 5 is positioned such that the coil axis AX of the coil 5 intersects the pair of side surfaces 2c, 2d. In the present embodiment, the coil axis AX of the coil 5 is along the direction D2. The coil 5 has a spiral shape centered on the coil axis AX. The coil 5 has a plurality of wirings positioned to have a spiral shape centered on the coil axis AX. The coil 5 has wirings 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the direction D2, the coil 5 has a rectangular shape. The coil 5 contains the above-described conductive material. The coil 5, the internal conductors 6, 7, and the external conductors 3, 4 are electrically connected.

[0020] The wiring 51 is adjacent to the side surface 2f. The wiring 51 contains at least one conductor. The wiring 51 contains conductors 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d. The conductors 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d extend along the direction D1. The conductors 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are arranged side by side in the direction D2. The conductor 51a is located at the end close to the side surface 2c in the direction D2, and the conductor 51d is located at the end close to the side surface 2d in the direction D2.

[0021] The wiring 52 is adjacent to the side surface 2e. The wiring 52 contains a plurality of conductors. The wiring 52 contains conductors 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, and 52e. The conductors 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e each extend along the direction D1. The conductors 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e are arranged side by side in the direction D2. The conductor 52a is located at the end close to the side surface 2c in the direction D2, and the conductor 52e is located at the end close to the side surface 2d in the direction D2.

[0022] The wiring 53 connects the conductor 52a and the internal conductor 6. The wiring 53 is connected to the external conductor 3 via the internal conductor 6. The wiring 53 is adjacent to the end surface 2a. The wiring 53 extends along the direction D3. In the coil 5, the wiring 53 is located at the end close to the side surface 2c in the direction D2.

[0023] The wiring 55 connects conductor 52e and the inner conductor 7. The wiring 55 is connected to the outer conductor 4 via the inner conductor 7. The wiring 55 is adjacent to the end face 2b. The wiring 55 extends along direction D3. In coil 5, the wiring 55 is located at the end closest to side 2d in direction D2.

[0024] Wiring 54 connects wiring 51 and wiring 52. Wiring 54 is adjacent to end face 2a. Wiring 54 includes at least one conductor. Wiring 54 includes conductors 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d. As shown in Figure 4, the shortest distance between conductors 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d and end face 2a and the shortest distance between outer conductor 3 and end face 2a may be equal to each other. Conductors 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d extend along direction D3. Conductors 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d are aligned in direction D2. Conductor 54d is located at the end closest to end face 2b. Conductor 54a is adjacent to wiring 53 in direction D2.

[0025] Wiring 56 connects wiring 51 and wiring 52. Wiring 56 is adjacent to end face 2b. Wiring 56 includes at least one conductor. Wiring 56 includes conductors 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d. As shown in Figure 4, the shortest distance between conductors 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d and end face 2b and the shortest distance between outer conductor 4 and end face 2b may be equal to each other. Conductors 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d extend along direction D3. Conductors 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d are aligned in direction D2. Conductor 56a is located at the end closest to end face 2a. Conductor 56d is adjacent to wiring 55 in direction D2.

[0026] Wiring 53 connects the internal conductor 6 to conductor 52a. Conductor 56a connects conductor 52a to conductor 51a. Conductor 54a connects conductor 51a to conductor 52b. Conductor 56b connects conductor 52b to conductor 51b. Conductor 54b connects conductor 51b to conductor 52c. Conductor 56c connects conductor 52c to conductor 51c. Conductor 54c connects conductor 51c to conductor 52d. Conductor 56d connects conductor 52d to conductor 51d. Conductor 54d connects conductor 51d to conductor 52e. Wiring 55 connects conductor 52e to the internal conductor 7.

[0027] The shortest distance between side surface 2e and coil 5 is smaller than the shortest distance between at least one of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d and coil 5. As shown in Figure 3, the shortest distance between side surface 2e and coil 5 may be smaller than the shortest distance between each of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d and coil 5. The shortest distance between side surface 2e and coil 5 is smaller than the shortest distance between side surface 2f and coil 5. In one example, the shortest distance between side surface 2e and coil 5 is 25 μm or less.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, coil 5 defines a central space S of the helical shape. The coil axis AX of coil 5 passes through space S. Space S is located in the center when viewed from the sides 2c and 2d of coil component 1. In coil component 1, a part of the element 2 is located in the region within space S.

[0029] A pair of internal conductors 6 and 7 connect a pair of external conductors 3 and 4 to the coil 5. Internal conductor 6 is located between external conductor 3 and coil 5 in direction D3. Specifically, internal conductor 6 is located between external conductor 3 and the wiring 53 of coil 5 in direction D3. Internal conductor 6 connects external conductor 3 and the wiring 53 of coil 5. In the actual coil component 1, the wiring 53 and internal conductor 6 are integrated to the extent that their boundaries are not visible to each other. Internal conductor 7 is located between external conductor 4 and coil 5 in direction D3. Specifically, internal conductor 7 is located between external conductor 4 and the wiring 55 of coil 5 in direction D3. Internal conductor 7 connects external conductor 4 and the wiring 55 of coil 5. In the actual coil component 1, the wiring 55 and internal conductor 7 are integrated to the extent that their boundaries are not visible to each other.

[0030] As described above, the lengths of the pair of sides 2c and 2d facing each other in direction D2 in direction D1 are equivalent to the lengths of the pair of sides 2e and 2f facing each other in direction D3 in direction D1. The lengths of the pair of end faces 2a and 2b facing each other in direction D1 in direction D3 are equivalent to the lengths of the pair of sides 2c and 2d facing each other in direction D2 in direction D3. The lengths of the pair of end faces 2a and 2b facing each other in direction D1 in direction D2 are equivalent to the lengths of the pair of sides 2e and 2f facing each other in direction D3 in direction D2. Therefore, the lengths of the end faces 2a, 2b and the sides 2c, 2d in direction D3 are equal, and the lengths of the end faces 2a, 2b and the sides 2e, 2f in direction D2 are equal. As a result, in a configuration where the lengths d2 of a pair of end faces 2a, 2b facing each other in direction D3 are equal to the lengths d3 of a pair of end faces 2a, 2b facing each other in direction D3, the lengths of the sides 2c, 2d in direction D3 are equal to the lengths of the sides 2e, 2f in direction D2. Since the lengths of the sides defining sides 2c, 2d and the lengths of the sides defining sides 2e, 2f are equal, the shapes of sides 2c, 2d and sides 2e, 2f are the same. Coil 5 has a helical shape centered on the coil axis AX. As described above, since coil 5 is located within the body 2 such that the coil axis AX intersects with a pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d, each of the helical wires 51 to 56 of coil 5 is adjacent to a pair of end faces 2a and 2b and a pair of side surfaces 2e and 2f, respectively. The space S at the center of the helical shape of coil 5 is not adjacent to side surfaces 2e and 2f. Body 2 is transparent to visible light, and the surface roughness of side surface 2e is smaller than the surface roughness of at least one of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d. The surface roughness of side 2e is small, and the central space S of the spiral shape of coil 5 is not visible from sides 2e and 2f. Therefore, the wiring 52 of coil 5 is reliably located in the center when viewed from side 2e of coil component 1, making coil 5 easily visible from side 2e. For example, the central region of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e may be darker than the central region as viewed from side 2c or side 2d. Since the surface roughness of side 2e is small, and the wiring 52 of coil 5 is reliably located in the center of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e, the shadow of coil 5 appears in the central region as viewed from side 2d. The grayscale value of the central region of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e may be smaller than the grayscale value of the central region as viewed from side 2c or side 2d. As a result, even if the shapes of sides 2c, 2d and sides 2e, 2f are the same, the coil 5 inside the base body 2 can be seen from side 2e, making it easy to confirm the orientation of the coil component 1.

[0031] The shortest distance between side surface 2e and coil 5 is less than the shortest distance between at least one of the pair of side surfaces 2c and 2d and coil 5. In a configuration where the shortest distance between side 2e and coil 5 is smaller than the shortest distance between at least one of the pair of side 2c and 2d and coil 5, coil 5 is more easily visible when viewed from side 2e than when viewed from side 2c or side 2d.

[0032] The present invention has been described in detail above based on its embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from its spirit.

[0033] The outer conductors 3 and 4 may be located on end faces 2a and 2b, respectively. The outer conductor 3 may be exposed from both side 2e and end face 2a. The outer conductor 3 may be exposed from both side 2e and end face 2b. The outer conductors 3 and 4 may have an L-shape when viewed from direction D2. The outer conductors 3 and 4 may be located on either side 2c or 2d.

[0034] The central region of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e may be darker than the outer region of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e. The grayscale value of the central region of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e may be smaller than the grayscale value of the outer region of coil component 1 as viewed from side 2e.

[0035] As can be seen from the above-described embodiments and modifications, this specification includes the following embodiments. (Note 1) A substrate having transparency to visible light, comprising a pair of end faces facing each other in a first direction, a pair of first side faces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a pair of second side faces facing each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, A pair of external conductors located on the aforementioned body, A coil located within the aforementioned body, The system comprises a pair of internal conductors connecting the pair of external conductors and the coil, The lengths of each of the pair of end faces in the second direction and the lengths of each of the pair of end faces in the third direction are equal. The surface roughness of one of the pair of second sides is less than the surface roughness of at least one of the pair of first sides. The coil is positioned such that its coil axis intersects the pair of first sides. Coil components. (Note 2) The pair of outer conductors are located on the other second side of the pair of second sides. The coil components described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The pair of outer conductors are located only on the other second side surface. The coil component described in Appendix 2. (Note 4) The shortest distance between one of the second sides and the coil is smaller than the shortest distance between at least one of the pair of first sides and the coil. The coil component listed in any one of the appendices 1 to 3. (Note 5) The surface roughness of one of the second sides is smaller than the surface roughness of each of the pair of first sides. The coil component listed in any one of the appendices 1 to 4. (Note 6) The surface roughness of the second side of the aforementioned one is 0.4 μm or less. The coil component listed in any one of the appendices 1 to 5. (Note 7) The shortest distance between the first second side and the coil is 25 μm or less. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1...Coil component, 2...Base body, 2a,2b...End faces, 2c,2d,2e,2f...Side surfaces, 3,4...Outer conductors, 5...Coil, 6,7...Inner conductors, AX...Coil shaft, d2,d3...Length, Sa1,Sa2...Surface roughness.

Claims

1. A substrate having transparency to visible light, comprising a pair of end faces facing each other in a first direction, a pair of first side faces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a pair of second side faces facing each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, A pair of external conductors located on the aforementioned body, A coil located within the aforementioned body, The system comprises a pair of internal conductors connecting the pair of external conductors and the coil, The lengths of each of the pair of end faces in the second direction and the lengths of each of the pair of end faces in the third direction are equal. The surface roughness of one of the pair of second sides is less than the surface roughness of at least one of the pair of first sides. The coil is positioned such that its coil axis intersects the pair of first sides. Coil components.

2. The pair of outer conductors are located on the other second side of the pair of second sides. The coil component according to claim 1.

3. The pair of outer conductors are located only on the other second side surface. The coil component according to claim 2.

4. The shortest distance between one of the second sides and the coil is smaller than the shortest distance between at least one of the pair of first sides and the coil. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The surface roughness of one of the second sides is smaller than the surface roughness of each of the pair of first sides. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The surface roughness of the second side of the aforementioned one is 0.4 μm or less. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The shortest distance between the first second side and the coil is 25 μm or less. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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