Coil components

Abstract

To provide a coil component that can suppress the occurrence of short circuits. [Solution] The coil component comprises a base body having a main surface and first and second sides facing each other in a direction along the main surface, a coil disposed within the base body and having a coil axis perpendicular to the main surface, and an external electrode disposed on at least the first side, wherein the base body has a first base body region located between the first side and the coil in a direction, and a second base body region located between the second side and the coil in a direction, and the resistivity of the first base body region is higher than the resistivity of the second base body region.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A coil component including a body, a coil disposed within the body, and external electrodes disposed on the body is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this coil component, the body has a main surface, a first side surface and a second side surface that face each other in a direction along the main surface. The coil has a coil axis orthogonal to the main surface. The distance between the coil and the first side surface is smaller than the distance between the coil and the second side surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above coil component, since the distance between the coil and the first side surface is short, there is a risk of a short circuit occurring between the coil and the external electrode disposed on the first side surface.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a coil component capable of suppressing the occurrence of a short circuit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A coil component according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a body having a main surface and a first side surface and a second side surface facing each other in a direction along the main surface; a coil disposed within the body and having a coil axis perpendicular to the main surface; and an external electrode disposed at least on the first side surface, wherein the body has a first body region located between the first side surface and the coil in the said direction, and a second body region located between the second side surface and the coil in the said direction, and the resistivity of the first body region is higher than the resistivity of the second body region.

[0007] In the above coil component, the first element region having high resistivity is located between the first side surface where the external electrodes are positioned and the coil. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the coil and the external electrodes positioned on the first side surface.

[0008] (2) In the coil component described in (1) above, the element comprises a plurality of metallic magnetic particles and a resin present between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles, and the proportion of the first element region occupied by the voids between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles where the resin is absent may be smaller than the proportion occupied by the voids in the second element region. In this case, the resistivity of the first element region can be made higher than the resistivity of the second element region.

[0009] (3) In the coil component of (1) or (2) above, the element comprises a plurality of metallic magnetic particles and a resin present between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles, and the proportion of the resin in the first element region may be greater than the proportion of the resin in the second element region. In this case, the resistivity of the first element region can be made higher than the resistivity of the second element region.

[0010] (4) In any one of the coil components described in (1) to (3) above, the element comprises a plurality of metallic magnetic particles, an insulating coating covering the surface of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles, and a resin present between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles, wherein the proportion of the insulating coating occupying the first element region may be greater than the proportion of the insulating coating occupying the second element region. In this case, the resistivity of the first element region can be made higher than the resistivity of the second element region.

[0011] (5) In the coil component described in (4) above, the average particle diameter of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles in the first element region may be smaller than the average particle diameter of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles in the second element region. In this case, the proportion of the insulating coating in the first element region can be made larger than the proportion of the insulating coating in the second element region. As a result, the resistivity of the first element region can be made higher than the resistivity of the second element region.

[0012] (6) In any one of the coil components described in (1) to (5) above, the first element region may be shorter than the second element region in the aforementioned direction. In this case, a configuration in which the resistivity of the first element region is increased is more effective in suppressing the occurrence of a short circuit.

[0013] (7) In any one of the coil components described in (1) to (6) above, the coil has a first coil region adjacent to the first element region and a second coil region adjacent to the second element region, and the number of turns of the coil in the first coil region may be smaller than the number of turns of the coil in the second coil region. In this case, even if the coil is placed closer to the first side surface than the second side surface in order to adjust the difference in leakage flux due to the difference in the number of turns of the first coil region and the second coil region, the resistivity of the first element region is high, so the occurrence of a short circuit can be suppressed.

[0014] (8) In any one of the coil components described in (1) to (7) above, the coil has a first coil region adjacent to the first element region and a second coil region adjacent to the second element region, and the area in contact between the coil and the first element region may be larger than the area in contact between the coil and the second element region. In this case, a configuration in which the resistivity of the first element region is increased is more effective in suppressing the occurrence of a short circuit.

[0015] (9) In any one of the coil components described in (1) to (8) above, the first element region may have the same length as the element in the direction and in the direction perpendicular to the coil axis. In this case, the occurrence of short circuits can be further suppressed.

[0016] (10) In any one of the coil components described in (1) to (9) above, the element further has a third side adjacent to each of the main surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface, the external electrode has a first electrode portion located on the first side surface and a second electrode portion located on the third side surface, and the first element region may have a first region portion located between the first side surface and the coil, and a second region portion located between the third side surface and the coil. In this case, the first region portion of the first element region having high resistivity is located between the first side surface on which the first electrode portion of the external electrode is located and the coil. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the coil and the first side surface. In addition, the second region portion of the first element region having high resistivity is located between the third side surface on which the second electrode portion of the external electrode is located and the coil. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the coil and the third side surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a coil component that can suppress the occurrence of short circuits. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coil component according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the coil component shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the base body. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a layer configuration of the coil component shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the coil component shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a layer configuration of the coil component according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a connection relationship of the conductor pattern layers. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a layer configuration of the coil component according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view of the coil conductor. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view of the coil component shown in Figure 8. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view of the coil component according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a plan view of the coil component according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a plan view of the coil component according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a plan view of the coil component according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a plan view of the coil component according to the eighth embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0020] (First Embodiment) A coil component 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the coil component 1 comprises a base body 2, a coil 3, an external electrode 4, an external electrode 5, a connecting conductor 51, and a connecting conductor 52. The coil 3, connecting conductor 51, and connecting conductor 52 are internal conductors and are arranged within the base body 2. The coil component 1 is a laminated coil component, formed by laminating a plurality of magnetic material layers 11. The coil component 1 can be applied, for example, to a bead inductor or a power inductor. The external electrodes 4 and 5 are arranged at both ends of the base body 2, respectively.

[0021] 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 a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the corners and edges are rounded. Body 2 has mutually opposing end faces 2a, 2b, a pair of main faces 2c, 2d, and a pair of side faces 2e, 2f.

[0022] End faces 2a and 2b face each other in the first direction D1. Main faces 2c and 2d face each other in the second direction D2. Side faces 2e and 2f face each other in the third direction D3. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). Main face 2d is the face that faces the electronic device when the coil component 1 is mounted on the electronic device (not shown). The electronic device includes, for example, a circuit board or electronic components. In this embodiment, main face 2d is the mounting surface. End face 2b is adjacent to each of the main face 2d, side face 2e, and side face 2f.

[0023] The end faces 2a, 2b and the side faces 2e, 2f are faces adjacent to the main face 2d. The first direction D1 and the third direction D3 are directions along the main face 2d. The second direction D2 is a direction that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) the main face 2d.

[0024] The base body 2 is constructed by stacking multiple magnetic layers 11. Each magnetic layer 11 is stacked in the second direction D2. The base body 2 has multiple stacked magnetic layers 11. In the actual base body 2, the multiple magnetic layers 11 are integrated to such an extent that the boundaries between the layers are not visible.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the magnetic layer 11 contains a plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6. The metallic magnetic particles 6 are composed of, for example, a soft magnetic alloy. The soft magnetic alloy is, for example, an Fe-Si alloy. If the soft magnetic alloy is an Fe-Si alloy, the soft magnetic alloy may also contain P. The soft magnetic alloy may also be, for example, an Fe-Ni-Si-M alloy, where "M" includes one or more elements selected from Co, Cr, Mn, P, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, B, Al, and rare earth elements.

[0026] The average particle diameter of the metallic magnetic particles 6 in the entire element 2 is between 0.5 μm and 15 μm. In this embodiment, the average particle diameter of the metallic magnetic particles 6 in the entire element 2 is 5 μm. The "average particle diameter" is calculated, for example, from at least one cross-section of the element 2. In one example, it means the particle size at 50% of the integrated value in the particle size distribution obtained by image processing of an image of at least one cross-section of the element 2. The "average particle diameter" may also mean the particle size at 50% of the integrated value in the particle size distribution obtained by laser diffraction-scattering.

[0027] The magnetic layer 11 includes an insulating film 7 covering the surface of a plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6. The insulating film 7 has higher electrical insulation properties than the metallic magnetic particles 6. In the magnetic layer 11, the metallic magnetic particles 6 are bonded together by the bonding of the insulating films 7 formed on the surface of the metallic magnetic particles 6. In the magnetic layer 11, the metallic magnetic particles 6 are electrically insulated from each other by the bonding of the insulating films 7. The thickness of the insulating film 7 is, for example, 5 nm to 60 nm. The insulating film 7 may consist of one or more layers. If the insulating film 7 consists of multiple layers, the thickness of each layer may be the same or different. The insulating film 7 is, for example, an oxide film. The oxide film may mainly consist of an oxide containing at least one of Cr and Al, or an oxide containing Fe and at least one of Cr and Al.

[0028] The base body 2 contains resin 8. Resin 8 is present between a plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6. Resin 8 is an electrically insulating resin (insulating resin). Insulating resins include, for example, silicone resin, phenolic resin, acrylic resin, or epoxy resin.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the external electrodes 4 and 5 are positioned at both ends of the base body 2 in a first direction D1. The external electrodes 4 and 5 are separated from each other in the first direction D1. External electrode 4 is positioned at the end of the base body 2 on the end face 2a side. External electrode 5 is positioned at the end of the base body 2 on the end face 2b side. The external electrodes 4 and 5 contain a conductive material. The conductive material is, for example, Ag or Pd. The external electrodes 4 and 5 are constructed as sintered bodies of conductive paste. The conductive paste contains conductive metal powder and glass frit. The conductive metal powder is, for example, Ag powder or Pd powder. A plating layer is formed on the surface of the external electrodes 4 and 5. The plating layer is formed, for example, by electroplating. The electroplating is, for example, electroplated Ni or electroplated Sn.

[0030] The external electrode 4 is positioned on the end face 2a, main face 2c, main face 2d, side face 2e, and side face 2f. The external electrode 4 includes five electrode portions. The external electrode 4 includes an electrode portion 4a located on the end face 2a, an electrode portion 4b located on the main face 2d, an electrode portion 4c located on the main face 2c, an electrode portion 4d located on the side face 2e, and an electrode portion 4e located on the side face 2f. Electrode portion 4a covers the entire surface of the end face 2a. Electrode portion 4b covers a portion of the main face 2d. Electrode portion 4c covers a portion of the main face 2c. Electrode portion 4d covers a portion of the side face 2e. Electrode portion 4e covers a portion of the side face 2f. The five electrode portions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are integrally formed.

[0031] The external electrode 5 is positioned on the end face 2b, main face 2c, main face 2d, side face 2e, and side face 2f. The external electrode 5 includes five electrode portions. The external electrode 5 includes an electrode portion 5a located on the end face 2b, an electrode portion 5b located on the main face 2d, an electrode portion 5c located on the main face 2c, an electrode portion 5d located on the side face 2e, and an electrode portion 5e located on the side face 2f. Electrode portion 5a covers the entire surface of the end face 2b. Electrode portion 5b covers a portion of the main face 2d. Electrode portion 5c covers a portion of the main face 2c. Electrode portion 5d covers a portion of the side face 2e. Electrode portion 5e covers a portion of the side face 2f. The five electrode portions 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e are integrally formed.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the coil 3 is located within the base body 2. Although omitted in Figure 4, a magnetic layer 11 having a main surface 2c is located on the coil conductor 53, and the coil 3 is not exposed to the outer surface of the base body 2. The coil 3 has a coil axis Ax perpendicular to the main surfaces 2c and 2d. The coil axis Ax extends along a second direction D2. The coil 3 includes a plurality of coil conductors 53-58. The plurality of coil conductors 53-58 contain a conductive material (e.g., Ag or Pd). The plurality of coil conductors 53-58 are configured as a sintered body of a conductive paste containing a conductive material (e.g., Ag powder or Pd powder).

[0033] Multiple coil conductors 53-58 are arranged in the stacking direction of the magnetic layer 11 within the base body 2. The multiple coil conductors 53-58 are arranged in the order of coil conductor 53, coil conductor 54, coil conductor 55, coil conductor 56, coil conductor 57, and coil conductor 58. Coil conductor 53 is positioned closer to the main surface 2c. Coil conductor 58 is positioned closer to the main surface 2d.

[0034] The ends of the coil conductors 53 to 58 are connected by through-hole conductors 59a to 59e. The coil conductors 53 to 58 are electrically connected to each other by the through-hole conductors 59a to 59e. Coil 3 is constructed by electrically connecting multiple coil conductors 53 to 58. Each through-hole conductor 59a to 59e contains a conductive material (e.g., Ag or Pd). Each through-hole conductor 59a to 59e, like the multiple coil conductors 53 to 58, is constructed as a sintered body of a conductive paste containing a conductive material (e.g., Ag powder or Pd powder).

[0035] The coil conductor 53 is connected to the connecting conductor 51. The connecting conductor 51 is positioned on the end face 2a side of the base body 2 and has an end that is exposed to the end face 2a. The end of the connecting conductor 51 is exposed on the end face 2a at a position closer to the main surface 2c and is connected to the electrode portion 4a of the external electrode 4. In other words, the coil 3 is electrically connected to the external electrode 4 via the connecting conductor 51. In this embodiment, the conductor pattern of the coil conductor 53 and the conductor pattern of the connecting conductor 51 are formed integrally and continuously.

[0036] The coil conductor 53 has a first portion 53a extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f, a second portion 53b extending in a third direction D3 on the end surface 2b, and a third portion 53c extending in the first direction D1 on the side surface 2e. One end of the first portion 53a is connected to the connecting conductor 51. The other end of the first portion 53a is connected to one end of the second portion 53b. The other end of the second portion 53b is connected to one end of the third portion 53c. The other end of the third portion 53c is connected to a pad portion 53d provided in the center of the magnetic layer 11 in the first direction D1.

[0037] The coil conductor 54 has a first portion 54a extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e, a second portion 54b extending in a third direction D3 on the end surface 2a, and a third portion 54c extending in the first direction D1 on the side surface 2f. One end of the first portion 54a is connected to a pad portion 54d provided in the center of the magnetic layer 11 in the first direction D1. The pad portion 54d is provided in a position overlapping with the pad portion 53d in the stacking direction and is connected to the pad portion 53d by a through-hole conductor 59a. The other end of the first portion 54a is connected to one end of the second portion 54b. The other end of the second portion 54b is connected to one end of the third portion 54c. The other end of the third portion 54c is connected to a pad portion 54e provided near the end surface 2b.

[0038] The coil conductor 55 has a first portion 55a extending in a third direction D3 on the end face 2b side, a second portion 55b extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e side, a third portion 55c extending in a third direction D3 on the end face 2a side, and a fourth portion 55d extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f side. One end of the first portion 55a is connected to a pad portion 55e provided near the end face 2b. The pad portion 55e is provided in a position that overlaps with the pad portion 54e in the stacking direction and is connected to the pad portion 54e by a through-hole conductor 59b. The other end of the first portion 55a is connected to one end of the second portion 55b. The other end of the second portion 55b is connected to one end of the third portion 55c. The other end of the third portion 55c is connected to one end of the fourth portion 55d. The other end of the fourth portion 55d is connected to a pad portion 55f provided in the center of the magnetic layer 11 in the first direction D1.

[0039] The coil conductor 56 has a first portion 56a extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f, a second portion 56b extending in a third direction D3 on the end surface 2b, and a third portion 56c extending in the first direction D1 on the side surface 2e. One end of the first portion 56a is connected to a pad portion 56d provided in the center of the magnetic layer 11 in the first direction D1. The pad portion 56d is provided in a position that overlaps with the pad portion 55f in the stacking direction and is connected to the pad portion 55f by a through-hole conductor 59c. The other end of the first portion 56a is connected to one end of the second portion 56b. The other end of the second portion 56b is connected to one end of the third portion 56c. The other end of the third portion 56c is connected to a pad portion 56e provided near the end surface 2a.

[0040] The coil conductor 57 has a first portion 57a ​​extending in a third direction D3 on the end face 2a side, a second portion 57b extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f side, a third portion 57c extending in a third direction D3 on the end face 2b side, and a fourth portion 57d extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e side. One end of the first portion 57a ​​is connected to a pad portion 57e provided near the end face 2a. The pad portion 57e is provided in a position that overlaps with the pad portion 56e in the stacking direction and is connected to the pad portion 56e by a through-hole conductor 59d. The other end of the first portion 57a ​​is connected to one end of the second portion 57b. The other end of the second portion 57b is connected to one end of the third portion 57c. The other end of the third portion 57c is connected to one end of the fourth portion 57d. The other end of the fourth portion 57d is connected to a pad portion 57f provided in the center of the magnetic layer 11 in the first direction D1.

[0041] The coil conductor 58 has a first portion 58a extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e, a second portion 58b extending in a third direction D3 on the end surface 2a, and a third portion 58c extending in the first direction D1 on the side surface 2f. One end of the first portion 58a is connected to a pad portion 58d provided in the center of the magnetic layer 11 in the first direction D1. The pad portion 58d is provided in a position that overlaps with the pad portion 57f in the stacking direction and is connected to the pad portion 57f by a through-hole conductor 59e. The other end of the first portion 58a is connected to one end of the second portion 58b. The other end of the second portion 58b is connected to one end of the third portion 58c. The other end of the third portion 58c is connected to a connecting conductor 52.

[0042] The coil conductor 58 is connected to the connecting conductor 52. The connecting conductor 52 is positioned on the end face 2b side of the base body 2 and has an end that is exposed to the end face 2b. The end of the connecting conductor 52 is exposed on the end face 2b at a position closer to the main surface 2d and is connected to the electrode portion 5a of the external electrode 5. That is, the coil 3 is electrically connected to the external electrode 5 via the connecting conductor 52. In this embodiment, the conductor pattern of the coil conductor 58 and the conductor pattern of the connecting conductor 52 are formed integrally and continuously. In the first direction D1, the connecting conductor 51 and the connecting conductor 52 have the same length.

[0043] Figure 5 is a plan view of the coil component shown in Figure 1. The figure shows the coil component 1 as seen from the main surface 2c side. In this figure, the electrode portions 4c and 5c are omitted from the illustration in order to show the base body 2. The internal conductor is shown by a dashed line. As shown in the figure, the coil 3 is generally shifted towards the side surface 2e in the third direction D3. In other words, the coil 3 is positioned closer to side surface 2e than to side surface 2f. The distance between the coil 3 and side surface 2e in the third direction D3 (the length of the base body region R21 in the third direction D3) is shorter than the distance between the coil 3 and side surface 2f in the third direction D3 (the length of the base body region R22 in the third direction D3). The coil 3 is positioned approximately equidistant from end surfaces 2a and 2b.

[0044] Coil 3 has a coil region R31 and a coil region R32. Coil region R31 is a region that faces side surface 2e in a third direction D3 and extends in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e side of the coil axis Ax. Coil region R31 includes the third portion 53c of coil conductor 53, the first portion 54a of coil conductor 54, the second portion 55b of coil conductor 55, the third portion 56c of coil conductor 56, the fourth portion 57d of coil conductor 57, and the first portion 58a of coil conductor 58. Coil region R32 is a region that faces side surface 2f in a third direction D3 and extends in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f side of the coil axis Ax. The coil region R32 includes the first portion 53a of the coil conductor 53, the third portion 54c of the coil conductor 54, the fourth portion 55d of the coil conductor 55, the first portion 56a of the coil conductor 56, the second portion 57b of the coil conductor 57, and the third portion 58c of the coil conductor 58.

[0045] In coil 3, the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R31 is less than the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R32. The number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R31 is the number of times coil 3 passes through coil region R31, which is 4 in this case. The number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R32 is the number of times coil 3 passes through coil region R32, which is 5 in this case.

[0046] Body 2 has body region R21 and body region R22. Body region R21 is located between side surface 2e and coil region R31 of coil 3 in the third direction D3. Body region R21 and coil region R31 are adjacent to each other. Viewed from the second direction D2, body region R21 is positioned to connect side surface 2e and coil 3. Body region R21 and coil region R31 are in contact with each other. Body region R21 includes at least a portion of side surface 2e.

[0047] The base region R22 is located between the side surface 2f and the coil region R32 of the coil 3 in the third direction D3. The base region R22 and the coil region R32 are adjacent to each other. Viewed from the second direction D2, the base region R22 is positioned to connect the side surface 2f and the coil 3. The base region R22 and the coil region R32 are in contact with each other. The base region R22 includes at least a portion of the side surface 2f.

[0048] The area in contact between coil 3 and base region R21 is greater than the area in contact between coil 3 and base region R22. Viewed from the third direction D3, the area in which coil region R31 overlaps with base region R21 is greater than the area in which coil region R32 overlaps with base region R22. In the third direction D3, base region R21 is longer than base region R22.

[0049] In this embodiment, the length of the base region R21 and base region R22 in the first direction D1 is equivalent to the length of the coil 3 in the first direction D1. Viewed from the third direction D3, the base region R21 and base region R22 are arranged to overlap with the entire coil 3. That is, the base region R21 and base region R22 are provided along the entire length of the coil 3 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, respectively.

[0050] In the description of the embodiments, "equivalent" means not only being equal, but also including slight differences or manufacturing tolerances within a predetermined range. For example, if multiple values ​​are within ±5% of the average value of those multiple values, then those multiple values ​​are defined as equivalent.

[0051] The length of the first direction D1 of each of the base body regions R21 and R22 is shorter than the length of the first direction D1 of base body 2. Both base body regions R21 and R22 are separated from end faces 2a and 2b. The length of the second direction D2 of each of the base body regions R21 and R22 is equal to the length of the second direction D2 of base body 2. Base body region R21 is provided along the entire length of the second direction D2 of side surface 2e. Base body region R22 is provided along the entire length of the second direction D2 of side surface 2f.

[0052] The elemental region R21 includes the portion on the side surface 2e of each magnetic layer 11. The elemental region R22 includes the portion on the side surface 2f of each magnetic layer 11. In addition to the side surface 2e, the elemental region R21 includes the portion on the side surface 2e of each main surface 2c and main surface 2d. In addition to the side surface 2f, the elemental region R22 includes the portion on the side surface 2f of each main surface 2c and main surface 2d.

[0053] The resistivity of element region R21 is higher than the resistivity of element region R22. The resistivity of the parts of element 2 other than element regions R21 and R22 is, for example, equivalent to the resistivity of element region R22, but may be different. As described above, element 2 has a plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6, an insulating coating 7 covering the surface of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6, and resin 8 existing between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6. In element 2, there are gaps 9 between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles 6 where the resin 8 is not present.

[0054] The proportion of the void 9 in the base region R21 may be smaller than the proportion of the void 9 in the base region R22. Also, the proportion of the resin 8 in the base region R21 may be larger than the proportion of the resin 8 in the base region R22. Also, the proportion of the insulating coating 7 in the base region R21 may be larger than the proportion of the insulating coating 7 in the base region R22. In any of these cases, the resistivity of the base region R21 can be made higher than the resistivity of the base region R22.

[0055] The average particle diameter of the multiple metallic magnetic particles 6 in the base region R21 may be smaller than the average particle diameter of the multiple metallic magnetic particles 6 in the base region R22. This allows the proportion of the insulating coating 7 in the base region R21 to be larger than the proportion of the insulating coating 7 in the base region R22. As a result, the resistivity of the base region R21 can be made higher than the resistivity of the base region R22.

[0056] In this embodiment, the "average particle diameter" is as described above. The average particle diameter of the metallic magnetic particles in the primary region R21 is 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The average particle diameter of the metallic magnetic particles in the primary region R22 is 1.0 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0057] The method for measuring the resistivity of the base region R21 is described below. First, the base region R21 is removed from the coil component 1 by polishing. Next, a pair of terminals are attached to the base region R21. A probe is placed on the pair of terminals and the resistance is measured. The distance between the pair of terminals is measured and the resistivity is calculated. The resistivity of the base region R22 can also be measured in the same way by removing only the base region R22 from the coil component 1. In the example in Figure 5, by polishing the coil component 1 from the side 2e, a rectangular parallelepiped is obtained in which at least the central part in the first direction D1 consists only of the base region R21. The electrode portions 4d and 5d remaining at both ends in the first direction D1 may be used as a pair of terminals to measure the resistance of the base region R21.

[0058] As explained above, in coil component 1, the resistivity of elemental region R21 is higher than the resistivity of elemental region R22. Elemental region R21 is located between side surface 2e and coil 3. Therefore, short circuits between coil 3 and electrode portions 4d and 5d located on side surface 2e can be suppressed. In coil component 1, the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R31 is smaller than the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R32. This difference in the number of turns causes a difference in leakage flux, which is compensated for by positioning coil 3 closer to side surface 2e than to side surface 2f.

[0059] In coil component 1, the distance between coil 3 and side surface 2e is short. Also, the area in contact between coil 3 and elemental region R21 is larger than the area in contact between coil 3 and elemental region R22. Therefore, a configuration in which the elemental region R21 with high resistivity is located between coil 3 and side surface 2e is particularly effective.

[0060] (Second Embodiment) A coil component 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6, coil component 1A differs from coil component 1 in terms of the configuration of the internal conductors and in that it includes a base body 2A. Coil component 1A has a coil 3A, a connecting conductor 21, and a connecting conductor 24 as internal conductors arranged within the base body 2A. Coil 3A is arranged within the base body 2A in the same way as coil 3 (see Figures 2, 4, and 5) and has a coil axis Ax perpendicular to the main surface 2c and the main surface 2d. Base body 2A differs from base body 2 in that it has a shape corresponding to coil 3A.

[0061] The coil 3A is composed of multiple layers, including a cover layer Lc and conductor pattern layers L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. The cover layer Lc is composed solely of a magnetic material layer 11 containing metallic magnetic particles. Multiple cover layers Lc are arranged on both the main surface 2c side and the main surface 2d side of the base body 2A.

[0062] Each layer, excluding the cover layer Lc, has a conductive portion (coil conductor layer) formed in a predetermined pattern. The conductive portion is made of, for example, a metallic material. The metallic material is not particularly limited, but for example, Ag, Cu, Au, Al, Pd, Pd / Ag alloys, etc., can be used. The metallic material may have Ti compounds, Zr compounds, Si compounds, etc., added to it. For the formation of the conductive portion, for example, a printing method or a thin-film growth method can be used.

[0063] Conductor pattern layer L1 and conductor pattern layer L2 are layers that form the main part (winding portion) of coil 3A. In this embodiment, conductor pattern layer L1, conductor pattern layer L2, and conductor pattern layer L3 are stacked one by one in this order to form a set. Inside the base body 2A, multiple sets are provided in the stacked structure according to the required number of turns for coil 3A.

[0064] The conductor pattern layer L1 has a conductor pattern 12 (coil conductor layer). The conductor pattern 12 as a whole has a roughly rectangular annular shape. The conductor pattern 12 has a first portion 12a extending in a third direction D3 on the end face 2a side, a second portion 12b extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e side, a third portion 12c extending in a third direction D3 on the end face 2b side, and a fourth portion 12d extending in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f side.

[0065] In the conductor pattern 12, one end of the fourth portion 12d is connected to the side 2f end of the third portion 12c, and the other end of the fourth portion 12d is located in the center of the first direction D1 in the conductor pattern layer L1. A first pad portion 13 is provided at the side 2f end of the first portion 12a and at the connection portion between the third portion 12c and the fourth portion 12d. A second pad portion 14 is provided at the other end of the fourth portion 12d.

[0066] The conductor pattern layer L2 has a conductor pattern 16 (coil conductor layer). The conductor pattern 16 as a whole has a substantially rectangular annular shape. The conductor pattern 16 has a first portion 16a that extends in a third direction D3 on the end face 2a side, a second portion 16b that extends in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2e side, and a third portion 16c that extends in a third direction D3 on the end face 2b side. The conductor pattern 16 also has a fourth portion 16d that extends in a first direction D1 on the side surface 2f side.

[0067] In the conductor pattern 16, one end of the fourth portion 16d is connected to the side 2f end of the first portion 16a, and the other end of the fourth portion 16d is located in the center of the first direction D1 in the conductor pattern layer L2. A first pad portion 13 is provided at the connection portion between the first portion 16a and the fourth portion 16d, and at the side 2f end of the third portion 16c. A third pad portion 17 is provided at the other end of the fourth portion 16d.

[0068] In this embodiment, as described above, the other end of the fourth portion 12d on the conductor pattern 12, where the second pad portion 14 is provided, and the other end of the fourth portion 16d on the conductor pattern 16, where the third pad portion 17 is provided, are both located in the center of the first direction D1. Therefore, the second pad portion 14 and the third pad portion 17 overlap each other in the stacking direction.

[0069] The conductor pattern layer L3 functions as a layer that secures the space between adjacent pairs of conductor pattern layers L1 and L2 in the stacking direction. The conductor pattern layer L3 has only pad portions 18 as conductor portions. The pad portions 18 are arranged in correspondence with the second pad portion 14 of the conductor pattern 12 and the third pad portion 17 of the conductor pattern 16. That is, the pad portions 18, the second pad portion 14 and the third pad portion 17 are in a state of overlapping each other in the stacking direction.

[0070] The conductor pattern layer L4 is the layer that connects the coil 3A to the external electrode 4. The conductor pattern layer L4 is located on the main surface 2c side. On the main surface 2c side, one layer of conductor pattern layer L3 is located on the upper side (main surface 2c side) of the pair of conductor pattern layers L1 that are closest to the main surface 2c. The conductor pattern layer L4 has a pad portion 19, a coil conductor 20, and a connecting conductor 21. The pad portion 19 is arranged to overlap the pad portion 18 of the conductor pattern layer L3 in the stacking direction. The pad portion 19 is electrically connected to the pad portion 18 via a through hole (not shown). The coil conductor 20 extends in a first direction D1 from the pad portion 19 toward the connecting conductor 21. The connecting conductor 21 is provided at the edge on the end face 2a side. The connecting conductor 21 is connected to the electrode portion 4a at the end face 2a.

[0071] The conductor pattern layer L5 is the layer that connects the coil 3A to the external electrode 5. The conductor pattern layer L5 is located on the main surface 2d side. On the main surface 2d side, the conductor pattern layer L5 is located on the lower side (main surface 2d side) of the pair of conductor pattern layers L3 that are closest to the main surface 2d. The conductor pattern layer L5 has a pad portion 22, a coil conductor 23, and a connecting conductor 24. The pad portion 22 is arranged to overlap the pad portion 18 of the conductor pattern layer L3 in the stacking direction. The pad portion 22 is electrically connected to the pad portion 18 via a through hole (not shown). The coil conductor 23 extends in a first direction D1 from the pad portion 22 toward the connecting conductor 24. The connecting conductor 24 is provided at the edge on the end face 2b side. The connecting conductor 24 is connected to the electrode portion 5a at the end face 2b.

[0072] Next, the connection relationship between the conductor pattern layer L1 and the conductor pattern layer L2 described above will be explained in more detail. Figure 7 shows the connection relationship between the conductor pattern layers. As shown in the figure, in the connection between the conductor pattern layer L1 and the conductor pattern layer L2, each of the conductor pattern 12 and the conductor pattern 16 has a parallel portion P1 that overlaps with each other in the stacking direction and a non-parallel portion P2 that does not overlap with each other in the stacking direction.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first portions 12a, 16a, second portions 12b, 16b, and third portions 12c, 16c of the conductor pattern 12 and conductor pattern 16 form a parallel portion P1, and the fourth portions 12d, 16d form a non-parallel portion P2. In one pair, the first pad portions 13, 13 provided in the parallel portion P1 of the conductor pattern 12 and the parallel portion P1 of the conductor pattern 16 are connected to each other via a first through-hole T1. On the other hand, in one pair, the second pad portion 14 provided in the non-parallel portion P2 of the conductor pattern 12 and the third pad portion 17 provided in the non-parallel portion P2 of the conductor pattern 16 are not connected.

[0074] The second pad portion 14 and the third pad portion 17 are used to connect one set to a set adjacent to that set in the stacking direction. In the example in Figure 7, the second pad portion 14 provided on the non-parallel portion P2 of one set of conductor patterns 12 and the third pad portion 17 provided on the non-parallel portion P2 of a set of conductor patterns 16 located on one side of the stacking direction relative to one set are connected to each other via the pad portion 18 and the second through-hole T2 of the conductor pattern layer L3. The third pad portion 17 provided on the non-parallel portion P2 of one set of conductor patterns 16 and the second pad portion 14 provided on the non-parallel portion P2 of a set of conductor patterns 12 located on the other side of the stacking direction relative to one set are connected to each other via the pad portion 18 and the second through-hole T2 of the conductor pattern layer L3.

[0075] Similar to coil 3 (see Figure 5), coil 3A is generally shifted towards side 2e in the third direction D3. In other words, coil 3A is positioned closer to side 2e than to side 2f. The distance between coil 3A and side 2e in the third direction D3 is shorter than the distance between coil 3A and side 2f in the third direction D3. Coil 3A is positioned approximately equidistant from end faces 2a and 2b.

[0076] In coil 3A, coil region R31 (see Figure 5) includes the second portion 12b of conductor pattern 12 and the second portion 16b of conductor pattern 16. Coil region R32 (see Figure 5) includes the fourth portion 12d of conductor pattern 12 and the fourth portion 16d of conductor pattern 16.

[0077] As described above, the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R31 is the number of times coil 3 passes through coil region R31. The parallel portion P1 of conductor pattern 12 and the parallel portion P1 of conductor pattern 16 in one pair are connected to each other via the first through-hole T1, and since there is almost no potential difference, the number of turns is counted as one conductor pattern. Therefore, the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R31 is 2. The number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R32 is the number of times coil 3 passes through coil region R32, which is 3. Therefore, in coil 3A as well, the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R31 is smaller than the number of turns of coil 3 in coil region R32.

[0078] Body 2A, like body 2, has body regions R21 and R22. Body region R21 includes the cover layer Lc and the side 2e portion of each of the conductor pattern layers L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. Body region R22 includes the cover layer Lc and the side 2f portion of each of the conductor pattern layers L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. In addition to side 2e, body region R21 includes the side 2e portion of each of the main surfaces 2c and 2d. In addition to side 2f, body region R22 includes the side 2f portion of each of the main surfaces 2c and 2d.

[0079] In coil component 1A, the resistivity of element region R21 is higher than the resistivity of element region R22. The resistivity of the parts of element 2A other than element regions R21 and R22 is, for example, equivalent to the resistivity of element region R22, but may be different.

[0080] As explained above, in coil component 1A, the resistivity of the base region R21 is higher than the resistivity of the base region R22. Also, the number of turns of coil 3A in coil region R31 is smaller than the number of turns of coil 3A in coil region R32. Furthermore, the distance between coil 3A and side surface 2e is short. In addition, the area in contact between coil 3A and base region R21 is larger than the area in contact between coil 3A and base region R22. Therefore, the same effect as coil component 1 can be obtained in coil component 1A.

[0081] In the coil region R31, the second parts 12b and 16b, which constitute the parallel section P1, are arranged in parallel. In contrast, in the coil region R32, the fourth parts 12d and 16d, which constitute the non-parallel section P2, are arranged in series. If the resistance of the second parts 12b and 16b is R, and the current flowing through them is I, then the resistance of the fourth parts 12d and 16d is 2R, and the current flowing through them is 2I. Therefore, the voltage across the coil region R31 is IR, while the voltage across the coil region R32 is 4IR. Thus, because the capacitance of the coil region R32 is large, a configuration in which the elemental region R22 is longer than the elemental region R21 in the third direction D3 is effective in suppressing the occurrence of short circuits.

[0082] (Third embodiment) Referring to Figures 8 to 10, a coil component 1B according to the third embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 8, coil component 1B differs from coil component 1 in terms of the configuration of the internal conductors and in that it includes a base body 2B. Coil component 1B has a coil 3B, a connecting conductor 31 and a connecting conductor 32 as internal conductors arranged within the base body 2B. Coil 3B is arranged within the base body 2B in the same way as coil 3 (see Figures 2, 4 and 5) and has a coil axis Ax perpendicular to the main surfaces 2c and 2d. Coil 3B includes a plurality of coil conductors C. In this embodiment, coil 3B includes nine coil conductors 41 to 49. Coil 3B further includes a through-hole conductor 50.

[0083] The coil conductors C (coil conductors 41-49) are arranged within the element 2B. The thickness of each coil conductor C is, for example, approximately 5-300 μm. The coil conductors 41-49 are spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2. The distances between adjacent coil conductors 41-49 in the second direction D2 are equal, but may be different. The distance between coil conductors 41-49 is, for example, 5-30 μm, and in this embodiment, 15 μm.

[0084] Figure 9 is a plan view of the coil conductor. In this figure, coil conductor 42 is shown. Of the multiple coil conductors C, coil conductors 41 to 48 will be described first. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, coil conductors 41 to 48 have a spiral (helical) shape when viewed from the second direction D2 (direction along the coil axis Ax). Coil conductors 41 to 48 have multiple first conductor parts SC1, multiple second conductor parts SC2, and multiple third conductor parts SC3.

[0085] Multiple first conductor sections SC1 extend along the first direction D1 on both the side 2e and side 2f sides. The multiple first conductor sections SC1 on side 2e and side 2f face each other in the third direction D3 with the coil axis Ax in between. Multiple second conductor sections SC2 extend along the third direction D3 on both the end face 2a and end face 2b sides. The multiple second conductor sections SC2 on end face 2a and side 2b face face 2b face each other in the first direction D1 with the coil axis Ax in between.

[0086] The second conductor section SC2 is shorter than the first conductor section SC1. In other words, the first conductor section SC1 is longer than the second conductor section SC2. Each third conductor section SC3 constitutes a corner of the coil conductor C. The third conductor section SC3 has a curved shape. The third conductor section SC3 has a predetermined curvature. In the third conductor section SC3, the outer side surface and the inner side surface are parallel. That is, in the third conductor section SC3, the curvature of the outer side surface and the curvature of the inner side surface are different. The widths of the first conductor section SC1, the second conductor section SC2, and the third conductor section SC3 are, for example, approximately 5 to 300 μm.

[0087] The first distance Dc1 between adjacent first conductor parts SC1 located on side 2e or side 2f in the third direction D3, and the second distance Dc2 between adjacent second conductor parts SC2 located on end face 2a or end face 2b in the first direction D1, are equal to each other (Dc1 ≈ Dc2). The first distance Dc1 and the second distance Dc2 may be different from each other. The third distance Dc3 between adjacent third conductor parts SC3 as viewed from the second direction D2 is greater than the first distance Dc1 and the second distance Dc2 (Dc3 > Dc1, Dc2). The first distance Dc1 and the second distance Dc2 are, for example, 5 to 30 μm. In this embodiment, the first distance Dc1 and the second distance Dc2 are 10 μm. The third distance Dc3 is, for example, 8 to 50 μm. In this embodiment, the third distance Dc3 is 15 μm.

[0088] Coil conductors 42, 44, 46, and 48 have the same shape as each other. Coil conductors 41 and 43 have similar shapes as each other. The difference is that the end 43a of coil conductor 43 is located on the side 2e side than the end 41a of coil conductor 41. Coil conductors 43, 45, and 47 have the same shape as each other.

[0089] Next, the coil conductor 49 will be described. The coil conductor 49 has a substantially L-shape when viewed from the second direction D2. The coil conductor 49 has one first conductor portion SC1, one second conductor portion SC2, and two third conductor portions SC3. The coil conductor 49 may have a substantially U-shape or C-shape when viewed from the second direction D2, and may have one first conductor portion SC1, two second conductor portions SC2, and two third conductor portions SC3. The first conductor portion SC1 of the coil conductor 49 is located on the side 2f side relative to the coil axis Ax.

[0090] The through-hole conductor 50 is located between the ends of each coil conductor 41-49 that are adjacent to each other in the second direction D2. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the ends of each coil conductor 41-49 that are adjacent to each other in the second direction D2. The multiple coil conductors 41-49 are electrically connected to each other through the through-hole conductor 50. The end of coil conductor 41 constitutes one end of coil 3B. The end of coil conductor 49 constitutes the other end of coil 3B.

[0091] The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 41b of coil conductor 41 to the end 42a of coil conductor 42. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 42b of coil conductor 42 to the end 43a of coil conductor 43. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 43b of coil conductor 43 to the end 44a of coil conductor 44. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 44b of coil conductor 44 to the end 45a of coil conductor 45. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 45b of coil conductor 45 to the end 46a of coil conductor 46. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 46b of coil conductor 46 to the end 47a of coil conductor 47. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 47b of coil conductor 47 to the end 48a of coil conductor 48. The through-hole conductor 50 connects the end 48b of the coil conductor 48 and the end 49a of the coil conductor 49.

[0092] The connecting conductor 31 is connected to the coil conductor 41. The connecting conductor 31 is continuous with the coil conductor 41. The connecting conductor 31 is integrally formed with the coil conductor 41. The connecting conductor 31 connects the end 41a of the coil conductor 41 to the external electrode 4 and is exposed on the end face 2a of the base body 2B. The connecting conductor 31 is connected to the electrode portion 4a. The connecting conductor 31 electrically connects one end of the coil 3B to the external electrode 4.

[0093] The connecting conductor 32 is connected to the coil conductor 49. The connecting conductor 32 is continuous with the coil conductor 49. The connecting conductor 32 is integrally formed with the coil conductor 49. The connecting conductor 32 connects the end 49b of the coil conductor 49 to the external electrode 5 and is exposed on the end face 2b of the base body 2B. The connecting conductor 32 is connected to the electrode portion 5a. The connecting conductor 32 electrically connects the other end of the coil 3B to the external electrode 5.

[0094] The coil conductor C and connecting conductors 31 and 32 contain a conductive material. The conductive material is, for example, Ag, Pd, Cu, Al, or Ni. The through-hole conductor 50 contains a conductive material. The conductive material is, for example, Ag, Pd, Cu, Al, or Ni. The through-hole conductor 50 is constructed as a sintered body of conductive paste. The conductive paste contains conductive metal powder. The conductive metal powder is, for example, Ag powder, Pd powder, Cu powder, Al powder, or Ni powder.

[0095] Figure 10 is a plan view of the coil component shown in Figure 8. The figure shows the coil component 1B as seen from the main surface 2c side. As shown in the figure, coil 3B is positioned at approximately equidistant distances from side surfaces 2e and 2f. Coil 3B is also positioned at approximately equidistant distances from end surfaces 2a and 2b. Coil 3B, like coil 3, has coil regions R31 and R32. In coil 3B, coil region R31 includes the first conductor portion SC1 on side surface 2e, and coil region R32 includes the first conductor portion SC1 on side surface 2f.

[0096] In coil 3B, coil conductors 41-48 have a first conductor portion SC1 on both the side 2e and side 2f, whereas coil conductor 49 has a first conductor portion SC1 only on the side 2f. Therefore, the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R32 is greater than the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R31. Consequently, the probability of a short circuit occurring between coil 3B and electrode portion 4e or electrode portion 5e is higher than the probability of a short circuit occurring between coil 3B and electrode portion 4d or electrode portion 5d.

[0097] In this embodiment, the "number of turns" of the thin-wound coil conductors 41 to 48 may be the number of turns counted at the outermost part (the outermost turn) where the stray capacitance between the external electrodes 4 and 5 tends to increase. In this case, the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R31 is counted at the conductor portion closest to the side surface 2e, so it is 4. The number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R32 is counted at the conductor portion closest to the side surface 2f, so it is 5.

[0098] Coil component 1B differs from coil component 1 in that it includes a base body 2B, as described above. Base body 2B differs from base body 2 in that base body regions R21 and R22 have equivalent lengths in the third direction D3, and the resistivity of base body region R22 (first base body region) is higher than that of base body region R21 (second base body region). Therefore, even though the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R32 is greater than the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R31, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3B and electrode portion 4e or electrode portion 5e.

[0099] In base body 2B, the proportion of void 9 in base body region R22 is smaller than the proportion of void 9 in base body region R21. Also, the proportion of resin 8 in base body region R22 is larger than the proportion of resin 8 in base body region R21. Furthermore, the proportion of insulating coating 7 in base body region R22 is larger than the proportion of insulating coating 7 in base body region R21. In addition, the average particle diameter of multiple metallic magnetic particles 6 in base body region R22 is smaller than the average particle diameter of multiple metallic magnetic particles 6 in base body region R21. Through any of these factors, the resistivity of base body region R22 can be made higher than the resistivity of base body region R21.

[0100] As explained above, in coil component 1B, the resistivity of the base region R22 is higher than that of the base region R21. The base region R22 is located between the side surface 2f and the coil 3B. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the coil 3B and the electrode portions 4e and 5e located on the side surface 2f. In particular, in coil component 1B, the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R32 is greater than the number of turns of coil 3B in coil region R31. Also, the area in which coil 3B contacts the base region R22 is greater than the area in which coil 3B contacts the base region R21. Therefore, a configuration in which the base region R22 with high resistivity is located between coil 3B and the side surface 2f is particularly effective.

[0101] (Fourth Embodiment) Referring to Figure 11, a coil component 1C according to the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in the figure, coil component 1C differs from coil component 1 in that it comprises a base body 2C. Base body 2C differs from base body 2C in the shape of the base body region R21. The length of the base body region R21 in the first direction D1 is equivalent to the length of the base body 2C in the first direction D1. That is, the base body region R21 is provided over the entire surface of side surface 2e. The base body region R21 includes the entire surface of side surface 2e and the portions of each surface on the side of side surface 2e, including main surface 2c, main surface 2d, end surface 2a, and end surface 2b.

[0102] In coil component 1C, a high resistivity region R21 is provided along the entire length of the first direction D1 on the side 2e side of component 2C, which further suppresses the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portion 4d or electrode portion 5d.

[0103] (Fifth embodiment) Referring to Figure 12, a coil component 1D according to the fifth embodiment will be described. As shown in the figure, coil component 1D differs from coil component 1 in terms of the configuration of the internal conductor. In coil component 1D, the coil 3 is not only shifted towards the side surface 2e in the third direction D3, but also towards the end surface 2b in the first direction D1. That is, the coil 3 is positioned closer to the side surface 2e than to the side surface 2f, and closer to the end surface 2b than to the end surface 2a. The distance between the coil 3 and the end surface 2b in the first direction D1 is shorter than the distance between the coil 3 and the end surface 2a in the first direction D1. In the first direction D1, the connecting conductor 51 is longer than the connecting conductor 52.

[0104] Coil component 1D differs from coil component 1 in that it includes a base body 2D. The base body region R21 of base body 2D has a region portion R21a located between the coil 3 and the side surface 2e, and a region portion R21b located between the coil 3 and the end face 2b. In this example, region portions R21a and R21b are in contact with each other at one corner of the coil 3, but they do not have to be in contact.

[0105] Region R21a has the same configuration as region R21 of base body 2. The length of region R21b in the third direction D3 is equivalent to the length of coil 3 in the third direction D3. Viewed from the first direction D1, region R21b is positioned to overlap with the entire coil 3. That is, region R21b is provided along the entire length of both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 of coil 3. The length of region R21b in the second direction D2 is equivalent to the length of base body 2D in the second direction D2.

[0106] The region R21b includes the portion on the end face 2b side of each magnetic layer 11. In addition to the end face 2b, the region R21b includes the portion on the side surface 2e side of each of the main surfaces 2c and 2d. The region R21b includes at least a portion of the end face 2b.

[0107] Similar to coil component 1, in coil component 1D, the resistivity of region R21a is higher than the resistivity of the base region R22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portions 4d and 5d located on side surface 2e. In coil component 1D, the resistivity of region R21b is higher than the resistivity of the base region R22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portion 5a.

[0108] (Sixth Embodiment) Referring to Figure 13, a coil component 1E according to the sixth embodiment will be described. As shown in the figure, coil component 1E differs from coil component 1 in terms of the configuration of its internal conductor. The configuration of the internal conductor of coil component 1E is the same as that of the internal conductor of coil component 1D. Coil component 1E also differs from coil component 1 in that it comprises a base body 2E. The base body region R21 of base body 2E has a region portion R21a located between the coil 3 and the side surface 2e, and a region portion R21b located between the coil 3 and the end surface 2b. In this example, region portions R21a and R21b are connected to each other at the corner between the end surface 2b and the side surface 2e.

[0109] Region R21a differs from the base region R21 of base body 2 in the following respects: In both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, region R21a has the same length as base body 2E. Region R21a extends across the entire side surface 2e. In addition to the side surface 2e, region R21a includes the portions on the side surface 2e side of each of the end surface 2a, end surface 2b, main surface 2c, and main surface 2d.

[0110] In both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, the region portion R21b has the same length as the base body 2E. The region portion R21b extends across the entire end face 2b. Viewed from the first direction D1, the region portion R21b is positioned to overlap with the entire coil 3. In addition to the end face 2b, the region portion R21b includes the portions on the end face 2b side of each of the main face 2c, main face 2d, side face 2e, and side face 2f.

[0111] Similar to coil component 1, in coil component 1E, the resistivity of region R21a is higher than that of the base region R22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portions 4d and 5d located on side surface 2e. In coil component 1E, the resistivity of region R21b is higher than that of the base region R22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portion 5a located on end surface 2b.

[0112] In coil component 1E, a high resistivity element region R21 is provided across the entire surface of each side 2e and end face 2b, which further suppresses the occurrence of short circuits between coil 3 and electrode portion 4d, electrode portion 5d, or electrode portion 5a.

[0113] (Seventh Embodiment) Referring to Figure 14, the coil component 1F according to the seventh embodiment will be described. As shown in the figure, coil component 1F differs from coil component 1 in terms of the configuration of its internal conductor. The configuration of the internal conductor of coil component 1F is the same as the configuration of the internal conductor of coil component 1D. Coil component 1F also differs from coil component 1 in that it comprises a base body 2F. The base body region R21 of base body 2F has a region portion R21a located between the coil 3 and the side surface 2e, and a region portion R21b located between the coil 3 and the end surface 2b. In this example, region portions R21a and R21b are connected to each other at the corner between the end surface 2b and the side surface 2e.

[0114] Region R21a differs from the base region R21 of base body 2 in the following respects: In the first direction D1, region R21a is longer than coil 3 and shorter than base body 2F. Region R21a is provided at a distance from end face 2a in the first direction D1. The end of region R21a on the end face 2a side is located closer to end face 2a than coil 3 in the first direction D1. In addition to the side surface 2e, region R21a includes the portion on the side surface 2e side of each of the end face 2b, main face 2c, and main face 2d.

[0115] In the third direction D3, the region portion R21b is longer than the coil 3 and shorter than the base body 2F. The region portion R21b is provided separated from the side surface 2f in the third direction D3. The end of the region portion R21b on the side surface 2f is located closer to the side surface 2f than the coil 3 in the third direction D3. Viewed from the first direction D1, the region portion R21b is positioned to overlap with the entire coil 3. In addition to the end surface 2b, the region portion R21b includes the portions on the end surface 2b side of each surface: the main surface 2c, the main surface 2d, and the side surface 2f.

[0116] Similar to coil component 1, in coil component 1F, the resistivity of region R21a is higher than the resistivity of the base region R22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portions 4d and 5d located on side surface 2e. In coil component 1F, the resistivity of region R21b is higher than the resistivity of the base region R22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portion 5a.

[0117] In coil component 1F, the region R21a extends to the end face 2b, and the region R21b extends to the side surface 2e. Furthermore, the end of region R21a on the end face 2a side is located closer to the end face 2a than the coil 3 in the first direction D1. Therefore, a short circuit between the coil 3 and electrode portion 4d or electrode portion 5d can be reliably suppressed. Also, the end of region R21b on the side surface 2f side is located closer to the side surface 2f than the coil 3 in the third direction D3. Therefore, a short circuit between the coil 3 and electrode portion 5a can be reliably suppressed.

[0118] (Eighth embodiment) Referring to Figure 15, the coil component 1G according to the eighth embodiment will be described. As shown in the figure, the coil component 1G differs from the coil component 1 in that it comprises a base body 2G. The base body 2G differs from the base body 2 in the shape of the base body region R21. In the base body 2G, the base body region R21 has region portions R21c and region portions R21d that are separated from each other in the first direction D1. Between the side surface 2e and the coil 3, region portion R21c is located on the end surface 2a side, and region portion R21d is located on the end surface 2b side. Region portion R21c includes the portion of the side surface 2e on the end surface 2a side, and the portion of the end surface 2a side and the side surface 2e side of the end surface 2a, the main surface 2c, and the portion of the main surface 2d on the end surface 2a side and the side surface 2e side. Region portion R21d includes the portion of the side surface 2e on the end surface 2b side, and the portion of the end surface 2b side and the side surface 2e side of the end surface 2b, the main surface 2c, and the portion of the main surface 2d on the end surface 2b side and the side surface 2e side.

[0119] Region R21c extends in the first direction D1 to the point where it is exposed from the external electrode 4. Region R21d extends in the first direction D1 to the point where it is exposed from the external electrode 5. Viewed from the third direction D3, the elemental region R21 does not overlap with the central part of the coil 3 in the first direction D1.

[0120] Similar to coil component 1, in coil component 1G, the resistivity of each region R21c and region R21d is higher than the resistivity of the base region R22. Since region R21c is located between coil 3 and electrode portion 4d, it can suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portion 4d. Since region R21d is located between coil 3 and electrode portion 5d, it can suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between coil 3 and electrode portion 5d.

[0121] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0122] For example, when viewed from the third direction D3, the elemental region R21 only needs to overlap with coils 3, 3A, and 3B. In the second direction D2, since coils 3, 3A, and 3B are shorter than elemental regions 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G, the length of the elemental region R21 may be greater than or equal to the length of coils 3, 3A, and 3B, and shorter than the length of elemental regions 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. In this case, the elemental region R21 does not include the main surfaces 2c and 2d. For example, the magnetic layer 11 constituting the outermost layer in the stacking direction (i.e., the magnetic layer 11 having a main surface 2c or 2d) does not need to have an elemental region R21. In coil component 1A, only the conductor pattern layers L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 have an elemental region R21, and the cover layer Lc does not need to have an elemental region R21.

[0123] The above embodiments and modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G... Coil components, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G... Base body, 2c, 2d... Main surface, 2e, 2f... Side surface, 3, 3A, 3B... Coil, 4, 5... External electrodes, 6... Metal magnetic particles, 7... Insulating coating, 8... Resin, 9... Void, Ax... Coil axis, R21... Base body region, R22... Base body region, R31... Coil region, R32... Coil region.

Claims

1. A base body having a main surface and a first side surface and a second side surface that face each other in a direction along the main surface, A coil disposed within the aforementioned body and having a coil axis perpendicular to the main surface, An external electrode located at least on the first side, Equipped with, The aforementioned body is A first element region located between the first side surface and the coil in the aforementioned direction, A second element region located between the second side surface and the coil in the aforementioned direction, It has, The resistivity of the first element region is higher than the resistivity of the second element region. Coil components.

2. The substrate comprises a plurality of metallic magnetic particles and a resin present between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles. The proportion of the first element region occupied by the voids between the plurality of metal magnetic particles where the resin is absent is smaller than the proportion occupied by the voids in the second element region. The coil component according to claim 1.

3. The substrate comprises a plurality of metallic magnetic particles and a resin present between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles. The proportion of the resin in the first substrate region is greater than the proportion of the resin in the second substrate region. The coil component according to claim 1.

4. The substrate comprises a plurality of metallic magnetic particles, an insulating coating covering the surface of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles, and a resin present between the plurality of metallic magnetic particles. The proportion of the insulating film that occupies the first element region is greater than the proportion of the insulating film that occupies the second element region. The coil component according to claim 1.

5. The average particle diameter of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles in the first element region is smaller than the average particle diameter of the plurality of metallic magnetic particles in the second element region. The coil component according to claim 4.

6. In the aforementioned direction, the first element region is shorter than the second element region. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The coil has a first coil region adjacent to the first element region and a second coil region adjacent to the second element region. The number of turns of the coil in the first coil region is smaller than the number of turns of the coil in the second coil region. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The coil has a first coil region adjacent to the first element region and a second coil region adjacent to the second element region. The area in which the coil contacts the first element region is greater than the area in which the coil contacts the second element region. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. In the aforementioned direction and in a direction perpendicular to the coil axis, the first element region has a length equivalent to that of the element. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The aforementioned body further has a third side adjacent to each of the main surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface, The external electrode has a first electrode portion arranged on the first side surface and a second electrode portion arranged on the third side surface. The first element region has a first region portion located between the first side surface and the coil, and a second region portion located between the third side surface and the coil. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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