Inductor

Abstract

To provide an inductor that can improve Q characteristics.SOLUTION: An inductor 11 comprises a component main body 12 having a laminate structure in which a plurality of non-conductive material layers 19 is laminated, where a plurality of line conductors 23 and a plurality of via conductors 24 are provided inside the component main body 12. The line conductor 23 has a spiral coil 20 which has pad parts 25 that are connected to the via conductors 24 and a line arrangement part 30 that is connected to the pad parts 25, which is alternately connected with the line conductor 23 and the via conductor 24. The via conductor 24 includes a longitudinal via conductor 24 in a longitudinal shape extending along the line conductor 23. The pad part 25 includes a longitudinal pad part 25 connected to the longitudinal via conductor 24, where the dimension in a width direction of the pad part is larger than the dimension in the width direction of the line arrangement part 30. When seen through in an axial direction of the coli 20, the center position in the width direction of the longitudinal pad part 25 is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line arrangement part 30 toward at least either of an inner periphery side and an outer periphery side of a spiral trajectory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inductor.

Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the Q value (Q characteristic), which is a characteristic index of an inductor, it is required not to block the magnetic flux generated inside a coil configured to extend along a spiral track formed by alternately connecting a line conductor and a via conductor (including a longitudinal via conductor). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a longitudinal via conductor is displaced not only on the inner peripheral side but also on the outer peripheral side of a spiral track in order to reduce the degree of protrusion of the longitudinal via conductor (see FIG. 13).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, even when such a longitudinal via conductor is displaced, sufficient improvement in the Q value cannot be obtained. In particular, with the recent requirements for lower profile and smaller size of inductors, this tendency has become prominent. This is because the longitudinal via conductor has a long length in its longitudinal direction, and since the via conductor is a conductor connected in the stacking direction, it is difficult to suppress the thickness in the stacking direction, and from the viewpoint of suppressing short circuits between line conductors, it is preferable that the thickness in the stacking direction is thick. Therefore, when the longitudinal via conductor is displaced to the inner peripheral side of the spiral track, the influence of shielding the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil is large, and there is a possibility that deterioration of the Q characteristic cannot be suppressed.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an inductor capable of improving Q characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first embodiment, the inductor of the present invention comprises a component body having a laminated structure in which a plurality of non-conductive material layers are stacked, a plurality of line conductors disposed inside the component body and extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory, wherein the via conductors include longitudinal via conductors with a longitudinal shape extending along the line conductors, the pad portions include longitudinal pad portions connected to the longitudinal via conductors, the widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portions is larger than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portions, and when viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the widthwise center position of the longitudinal pad portions is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portions to at least one of the inner and outer circumference sides of the helical trajectory.

[0007] In a second embodiment, the inductor of the present invention comprises a component body having a laminated structure in which a plurality of non-conductive material layers are stacked, a plurality of line conductors disposed inside the component body and extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory, and the via conductors are the same as the line The device includes a longitudinal via conductor with a longitudinal shape extending along the conductor, the pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, the longitudinal pad portion includes a non-uniform pad portion whose widthwise dimension is not uniform, the maximum widthwise dimension of the non-uniform pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion, the minimum widthwise dimension of the non-uniform pad portion is the same as or greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion, and the widthwise center position of the portion of the non-uniform pad portion whose widthwise dimension is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the spiral track.

[0008] In a third embodiment, the inductor of the present invention comprises a component body having a laminated structure in which a plurality of non-conductive material layers are stacked, a plurality of line conductors disposed inside the component body and extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory, and an external terminal electrode provided so as to be exposed from the outer surface of the component body and connected to one end of the coil, wherein the via conductors include longitudinal via conductors with a longitudinal shape extending along the line conductors, the pad portions include longitudinal pad portions connected to the longitudinal via conductors, and the component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface and a top surface facing the mounting surface. The component has, first and second side surfaces that connect the mounting surface and the top surface and are opposite to each other, and first and second end surfaces that connect the mounting surface and the top surface and the first and second side surfaces, respectively and are opposite to each other, the axis of the coil is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the width dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the width dimension of the line wiring portion, if the shortest distance between the surface of the component body and the outer edge of the line wiring portion is D, then the widthwise center position of the portion of the longitudinal pad portion where the distance from the inner end surface of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is the same as or less than D is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the spiral track, and the widthwise center position of the portion of the longitudinal pad portion where the distance from the inner end surface of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is greater than D is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the spiral track.

[0009] In a fourth embodiment, the inductor of the present invention comprises a component body having a laminated structure in which a plurality of non-conductive material layers are stacked, a plurality of line conductors disposed inside the component body and extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory, wherein the via conductors include longitudinal via conductors with a longitudinal shape extending along the line conductors, and the pad portions include longitudinal pad portions connected to the longitudinal via conductors. The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion, the line wiring portion includes a symmetrical line wiring portion having a line-symmetrical shape, the longitudinal pad portion connected to the symmetrical line wiring portion includes a third portion and a fourth portion arranged sequentially in the direction in which the line conductor extends, and when the symmetrical line wiring portion is folded back toward the third portion and the fourth portion along its axis of symmetry to form a virtual line wiring portion, the inner periphery of the third portion lies on the inner periphery of the virtual line wiring portion, the outer periphery of the third portion protrudes from the outer periphery of the virtual line wiring portion, the inner periphery of the fourth portion protrudes from the inner periphery of the virtual line wiring portion, and the outer periphery of the fourth portion lies on the outer periphery of the virtual line wiring portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inductor capable of improving the Q characteristics. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the inductor 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the inductor 11, as seen through to the axial direction of the coil 20. [Figure 3]This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and shows a non-conductive material layer 19-1 on which a line conductor 23-1 that gives the first end 21 of the coil 20 is provided. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and revealing a non-conductive material layer 19-2 on which a via conductor 24-1 connected to a line conductor 23-1 is provided. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and shows a non-conductive material layer 19-2 on which a line conductor 23-2 connected to a via conductor 24-1 is provided. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and revealing a non-conductive material layer 19-3 on which a via conductor 24-2 connected to a line conductor 23-2 is provided. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and shows a non-conductive material layer 19-3 on which a line conductor 23-3 connected to a via conductor 24-2 is provided. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and revealing a non-conductive material layer 19-4 on which a via conductor 24-3 connected to a line conductor 23-3 is provided. [Figure 9-1] This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and shows a non-conductive material layer 19-4 on which a line conductor 23-4 connected to via conductor 24-3 is provided. [Figure 9-2] This is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 9-1. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and revealing a non-conductive material layer 19-5 on which via conductors 24-4 connected to line conductors 23-4 are provided. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and the non-conductive material layer 19-5 on which the line conductor 23-5 connected to the via conductor 24-4 is provided. [Figure 12]It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-6 provided with a via conductor 24-5 connected to a line conductor 23-5. [Figure 13] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a plan view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-6 provided with a line conductor 23-6 connected to a via conductor 24-5. [Figure 14] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-7 provided with a via conductor 24-6 connected to a line conductor 23-6. [Figure 15] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a plan view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-7 provided with a line conductor 23-7 connected to a via conductor 24-6. [Figure 16] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-8 provided with a via conductor 24-7 connected to a line conductor 23-7. [Figure 17] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a plan view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-8 provided with a line conductor 23-8 connected to a via conductor 24-7. [Figure 18] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-9 provided with a via conductor 24-8 connected to a line conductor 23-8. [Figure 19] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a plan view showing a non-conductive material layer 19-9 provided with a line conductor 23-9 connected to a via conductor 24-8. [Figure 20] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing a non-conductive material layer ******** provided with a via conductor 24-9 connected to a line conductor 23-9. [Figure 21] It shows a part of the inductor 11 shown in FIG. 2, and is a plan view showing a non-conductive material layer ******** provided with a line conductor 23-10 connected to a via conductor 24-9. [Figure 22] It should be noted that in the above translation, the "********" in the text of and is the original "19-10" which may be a display problem in the original text. It is translated according to the normal format. If there is an error in the original text, please check and correct it.This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and revealing a non-conductive material layer 19-11 on which via conductors 24-10 connected to line conductors 23-10 are provided. [Figure 23] This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and shows a non-conductive material layer 19-11 on which line conductors 23-11 connected to via conductors 24-10 are provided. [Figure 24] This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and revealing a non-conductive material layer 19-12 on which via conductors 24-11 connected to line conductors 23-11 are provided. [Figure 25] This is a plan view showing a part of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, and a non-conductive material layer 19-12 provided with a line conductor 23-12 that is connected to via conductors 24-11 and gives the second end 22 of the coil 20. [Figure 26] This is another diagram showing the inductor 11 shown in Figure 1, viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20. [Figure 27] This is yet another diagram showing the inductor 11 shown in Figure 1, viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20. [Figure 28] This figure, corresponding to Figure 2, shows an inductor 11A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] This figure, corresponding to Figure 2, shows an inductor 11B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] This figure, corresponding to Figure 2, shows an inductor 11C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] This is a perspective view showing an inductor 11D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] This figure shows the inductor 11D shown in Figure 31, viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20D, and corresponds to Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The inductor of the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described below, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, a combination of several of the preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

[0013] The embodiments described below are illustrative, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. In the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be described primarily. In particular, similar effects and benefits due to similar configurations will not be mentioned sequentially for each embodiment.

[0014] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each embodiment will simply be referred to as "the inductor of the present invention."

[0015] The drawings shown below are schematic representations, and their dimensions, aspect ratios, and scales may differ from those of the actual product.

[0016] In this specification, terms describing relationships between elements (e.g., "parallel," "perpendicular," "orthogonal," etc.) and terms describing the shapes of elements mean not only their literal, exact forms, but also a range that is substantially equivalent, for example, a range that includes differences of a few percent.

[0017] The inductor 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

[0018] The inductor 11 comprises a component body 12. The component body 12 is made of a non-conductive material, for example, including at least one of glass, resin, and ferrite. If the component body 12 is made of a molded body such as resin, it may also contain a non-magnetic filler such as silica, or a magnetic filler such as ferrite or a metallic magnetic material. Furthermore, it may be a structure that combines multiple of these materials: glass, ferrite, and resin. The component body 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape may, for example, have rounded edges and corners.

[0019] More specifically, the rectangular parallelepiped component body 12, as shown in Figure 1, has a mounting surface 13 facing the mounting substrate, a top surface 14 facing the mounting surface 13, a first side surface 15 and a second side surface 16 connecting the mounting surface 13 and the top surface 14 and facing each other, and a first end surface 17 and a second end surface 18 connecting the mounting surface 13 and the top surface 14 and the first side surface 15 and the second side surface 16, respectively, and facing each other.

[0020] The component body 12 has a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers 19 made of the non-conductive material described above are stacked. The multiple non-conductive material layers 19 are stacked from the first side surface 15 toward the second side surface 16, and the first side surface 15 and the second side surface 16 of the component body 12 are respectively formed by the main surfaces of the non-conductive material layers 19 located at each end in the stacking direction.

[0021] Inside the component body 12, a coil 20 is arranged as shown in Figure 2. The coil 20 extends along a helical track. The axis of the coil 20 is oriented perpendicular to the sides 15 and 16, that is, parallel to the mounting surface 13. The coil 20 has a first end 21 and a second end 22 opposite to each other, and between the first end 21 and the second end 22, it includes a plurality of line conductors 23 extending along the interface of one of the plurality of non-conductive material layers 19, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating one of the non-conductive material layers 19 in the thickness direction. Although the via conductors are not shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, all via conductors are longitudinal via conductors with a longitudinal shape extending along the line conductors 23. Each line conductor 23 has a pad portion 25 at one end that is connected to the via conductor. The line conductor 23 also has a line wiring portion 30 that is connected to the pad portion 25 in the portion excluding each end. In the coil 20, the line conductors 23 and via conductors are alternately connected to give the coil an overall shape that extends along a helical trajectory. The pad portion 25 includes longitudinal pad portions connected to longitudinal via conductors. In this embodiment, all of the illustrated pad portions 25 are longitudinal pad portions connected to longitudinal via conductors. The reference numeral "25" used to refer to the pad portion will also be used for the longitudinal pad portion. Note that the interfaces between the multiple non-conductive material layers 19 may not be clearly defined due to firing or other processes.

[0022] In this specification, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the line conductor extends is defined as the width direction of the line conductor, as well as the width direction of the pad portion and line wiring portion of the line conductor. Furthermore, the width dimensions of the line conductor, pad portion and line wiring portion refer to the dimensions in the width direction of the line conductor, pad portion and line wiring portion.

[0023] In this embodiment, the widthwise dimension of the line conductor 23 changes between the longitudinal pad portion 25 and the line wiring portion 30, with the widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion 25 being larger than that of the line wiring portion 30. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the widthwise dimension of the longitudinal via conductor connected to the longitudinal pad portion 25, thereby ensuring connection reliability between the line conductor 23 and the longitudinal via conductor.

[0024] In this specification, the width dimension of a via conductor refers to the dimension perpendicular to the direction in which the line conductor connected to the via conductor extends. However, if the via conductor is a longitudinal via conductor, the width dimension of the longitudinal via conductor can also be said to be the dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal via conductor.

[0025] In this embodiment, the longitudinal pad portion 25 is a uniform pad portion with a uniform width dimension. The width dimension of the uniform pad portion does not differ depending on its position in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends; it is the same. That is, the width dimension of the uniform pad portion does not change in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends. Here, the line conductor 23 refers to the line conductor 23 having this uniform pad portion.

[0026] The line wiring section 30 is a uniform line wiring section with a uniform width dimension. The width dimension of the uniform line wiring section is the same regardless of its position in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends. In other words, the width dimension of the uniform line wiring section does not change in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends. Here, the line conductor 23 refers to the line conductor 23 having this line wiring section 30.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the positions of all line wiring sections 30 coincide. More specifically, the widthwise center positions of all line wiring sections 30 lie on the same closed curve and do not deviate from that curve.

[0028] On the outer surface of the component body 12, a first external terminal electrode 26 and a second external terminal electrode 27 are provided, which are connected to the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the coil 20, respectively. The first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27 are provided so as to be exposed from the outer surface of the component body 12, and are provided across two surfaces: the mounting surface 13 of the component body 12 and the adjacent first end surface 17 and second end surface 18, respectively. By providing the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27 in this configuration, a solder fillet of the correct shape can be formed when the inductor 11 is mounted on the mounting substrate, thus enabling a highly reliable mounting state in terms of both electrical connection and mechanical bonding. The first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27 are provided so as to penetrate the thickness direction of each of the multiple non-conductive material layers 19, excluding some non-conductive material layers 19 located at both ends in the stacking direction.

[0029] The surfaces of the component body 12 on which the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27 are provided are not particularly limited. For example, they may be provided only on the mounting surface 13 of the component body 12, or only on the first end face 17 and the second end face 18 of the component body 12.

[0030] The coil 20 and external terminal electrodes 26 and 27 described above are formed by patterning a conductive film made of a conductive paste containing, for example, Ag as a conductive component. The non-conductive material layer 19 is formed by patterning a non-conductive material film made of a paste containing at least one of the non-conductive materials, such as glass, resin, and ferrite, as needed. For patterning the conductive film and the non-conductive material film, for example, photolithography, semi-additive printing, screen printing, transfer printing, etc., can be applied.

[0031] Although not shown in the figures, a plating film may be formed on the portions of the external terminal electrodes 26 and 27 that are exposed from the component body 12. The plating film may include, for example, a Ni plating layer and a Sn plating layer thereon.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the widthwise center position of the longitudinal pad portion 25 is offset from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 to at least one of the inner and outer circumferences of the helical trajectory. As a result, the longitudinal pad portion 25 is made to protrude from at least one of the inner and outer edges of the line wiring portion 30.

[0033] As described above, it is preferable that the longitudinal via conductor has a long length in its longitudinal direction and a thick thickness in the stacking direction. Therefore, if the longitudinal via conductor is shifted to the inner circumference side of the helical track, the effect of shielding the magnetic flux passing inside the coil is significant, and it may not be possible to suppress the deterioration of the Q characteristic. In contrast, in this embodiment, the longitudinal pad portion 25 can be made thinner in the stacking direction compared to the via conductor. Therefore, as described above, shifting the center position of the longitudinal pad portion 25 in the width direction from the center position of the line wiring portion 30 in the width direction to at least one of the inner and outer circumference sides of the helical track reduces the effect of shielding the magnetic flux passing inside the coil 20 compared to shifting the longitudinal via conductor to the inner circumference side of the helical track, and thus can suppress the deterioration of the Q characteristic. In other words, the Q characteristic can be improved.

[0034] In this embodiment, the longitudinal pad portion 25 is preferably structured to protrude outward or inward relative to the line wiring portion 30, from the viewpoint of connection reliability with longitudinal via conductors considering stacking misalignment, etc. In particular, it is preferable to have the longitudinal pad portion 25 protrude outward relative to the line wiring portion 30, except for the spaces between line conductors 23 facing the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27, and the spaces where the surface of the component body 12 and the line conductors 23 are in close proximity. This is because, as a result of numerous electric field and structural simulations, it has been found that internal stress tends to concentrate between line conductors facing the external terminal electrodes and the spaces where the surface of the component body and the line conductors are in close proximity. The mechanism of this stress concentration is not clear, but it is thought to be due to the Lorentz force generated between line conductors facing the external terminal electrodes and the external stress generated on the surface of the component body. Therefore, by adopting the above-mentioned preferred structure, high reliability with suppressed internal stress increases and high Q characteristics with minimal shielding of magnetic flux passing through the coil by the longitudinal pad portion 25 can be obtained.

[0035] More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, it is preferable that the widthwise center position of at least the portion 25a of the longitudinal pad portion 25 that is closest to the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27 is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 toward the inner circumference of the helical trajectory.

[0036] In this specification, the portion closest to the first external terminal electrode or the second external terminal electrode means the portion adjacent to the first external terminal electrode or the second external terminal electrode in which the distance between the outer edge of that portion and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode or the second external terminal electrode falls within the range of s1+3% (including boundary values), where s1 is the minimum value of that distance.

[0037] In this specification, "inner end face of external terminal electrode" means the face of the external terminal electrode opposite to the face exposed on the outer surface of the inductor, and facing the coil.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, it is preferable that the center position in the width direction of at least the portion 25b of the longitudinal pad portion 25 that is closest to the surface of the component body 12 is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30 toward the inner circumference of the helical track.

[0039] In this specification, the portion adjacent to the surface of the component body means the portion adjacent to the surface of the component body in which the distance between the outer edge of that portion and the surface of the component body is within the range of s2+3% (including boundary values), where s2 is the minimum value of that distance. Furthermore, the surface of the component body to which this portion is adjacent is preferably the top surface of the component body.

[0040] Furthermore, if all longitudinal pad portions 25 commonly extend outwards on the inner circumference side of the helical track, all longitudinal pad portions 25 will shield the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil 20, making it difficult to obtain an improvement in Q characteristics. On the other hand, if all longitudinal pad portions 25 commonly extend outwards on the outer circumference side of the helical track, the improvement in Q characteristics will be greater, but as described above, high-stress areas may occur inside the component body 12 (specifically, around the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27), or the high-stress areas inside the component body 12 may be close to the surface of the component body 12 (for example, the top surface 14), which may result in cracks, chips, or other damage to the component body 12.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the longitudinal pad portion 25 includes a plurality of longitudinal pad portions 25 that are offset from each other in directions different from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30. This makes it possible to adjust the direction and position in which the longitudinal pad portion 25 protrudes from the line wiring portion 30. As a result, it is possible to minimize the shielding of magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil 20 by the longitudinal pad portion 25 and improve the Q characteristics, while suppressing the occurrence of cracks, chips, and fractures in the component body 12 due to increased internal stress.

[0042] More specifically, the device is provided with a plurality of longitudinal pad portions 25c whose widthwise center position is offset only from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 towards the inner circumference of the spiral trajectory, and longitudinal pad portions 25d whose widthwise center position is offset both towards the inner and outer circumference of the spiral trajectory from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30.

[0043] Furthermore, the longitudinal pad portion 25 may include longitudinal pad portions whose center position in the width direction is shifted only to the outer circumference side of the spiral trajectory from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the longitudinal pad portion 25d is also a longitudinal pad portion whose direction of displacement from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30 differs depending on the position in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends. This also allows adjustment of the direction and position in which the longitudinal pad portion 25 protrudes from the line wiring portion 30. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the internal shielding of the coil 20 by the longitudinal pad portion 25 and improve the Q characteristics while suppressing the occurrence of cracks, chips, and fractures in the component body 12 due to increased stress.

[0045] More specifically, in the longitudinal pad portion 25d, the direction of deviation from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30 changes from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side of the helical trajectory in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends. Note that the line conductor 23 refers to the line conductor 23 having this longitudinal pad portion 25d.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the coil 20 in the axial direction, if the shortest distance between the corner 31 of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27 facing the line wiring portion 30 and the outer edge of the line wiring portion 30 is denoted as d, then the line wiring portion 30 has a first region where the distance d1 between it and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is the same as or less than d, and a second region where the distance d2 between it and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is greater than d. As shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the coil 20 in the axial direction, the widthwise center position of the portion of the longitudinal pad 25 that overlaps with the first region (region with spacing d1) is shifted from the widthwise center position of the first region toward the inner circumference of the helical trajectory. Similarly, when viewed through the coil 20 in the axial direction, the widthwise center position of the portion of the longitudinal pad 25 that overlaps with the second region (region with spacing d2) is shifted from the widthwise center position of the second region toward the outer circumference of the helical trajectory. This makes it possible to obtain high Q characteristics with minimal shielding of the magnetic flux passing through the coil by the longitudinal pad 25, without increasing the internal stress concentrated between the line conductor 23 facing the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27, and without increasing the internal stress at the close proximity of the surface of the component body 12, which is vulnerable to external shocks, to the line conductor 23.

[0047] The shortest distance d refers to the shortest distance between each corner of the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27 facing the line wiring section 30, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, and the outer edge of the line wiring section 30. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the distance between the corner 31 on the mounting surface 13 side and the outer edge of the line wiring section 30 is typically the shortest among the multiple corners.

[0048] Furthermore, the distance between the first or second region and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, means the distance between the outer edge of the first or second region and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12.

[0049] Furthermore, the statement that the distance d1 between the first region and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is the same as d means that the distance falls within the range of d ± 3% (including boundary values).

[0050] Furthermore, when the gap d1 or d2 between the first or second region and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12 is said to be less than or greater than d, it means that the gap falls below or exceeds the range of d ± 3%, respectively.

[0051] In the inductor of the present invention, various dimensions and distances can be measured, for example, by the following method. That is, a transmitted image of the inductor viewed from the axial direction of the coil is captured using an X-ray fluoroscopy and measurement CT system, and various dimensions and distances are measured by image processing of the transmitted image. As an X-ray fluoroscopy and measurement CT system, for example, one manufactured by Comet Technologies can be used. In addition, the shortest distance d can be, for example, in the example shown in Figure 2, the radius of a circle C centered on the corner 31 of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, which approximates the arc-shaped portion of the outer edge of the line wiring portion 30.

[0052] The shortest distance d is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 μm or more. This makes it possible to suppress short circuits between the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27 and the line wiring section 30.

[0053] As described above, the longitudinal pad portion 25 includes a first portion (a portion that protrudes to the inner circumference of the helical track) whose widthwise center position is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 toward the inner circumference of the helical track, and a second portion (a portion that protrudes to the outer circumference of the helical track) whose widthwise center position is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 toward the outer circumference of the helical track. When viewed through the coil 20 in the axial direction, the distance between the area of ​​the line wiring portion 30 overlapping this first portion and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is smaller than the distance between the area of ​​the line wiring portion 30 overlapping this second portion and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12. This also makes it possible to obtain high reliability with suppressed increases in internal stress and high Q characteristics with minimal shielding of magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil by the longitudinal pad portion 25.

[0054] The distance between the region overlapping the first or second portion and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, refers to the distance between the outer edge of the region overlapping the first or second portion and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12.

[0055] Referring primarily to Figures 3 through 11, the connections between the multiple line conductors 23 in the coil 20 will be explained in more detail.

[0056] The line conductor 23 shown in Figure 2 includes 12 line conductors 23 connected via each of 11 via conductors. The via conductors include longitudinal via conductors that extend along the line conductors 23. In this embodiment, all of the illustrated via conductors are longitudinal via conductors. The reference numeral "24" used to refer to via conductors will also be used for longitudinal via conductors. In the inductor of the present invention, via conductors may include via conductors other than longitudinal via conductors, and pad portions may include pad portions connected to via conductors other than longitudinal via conductors. Here, via conductors other than longitudinal via conductors mean general via conductors having a shape that does not extend along the line conductors. Pad portions may include pad portions other than longitudinal pad portions. Pad portions other than longitudinal pad portions mean general pad portions having a shape that does not extend along the line conductors.

[0057] Furthermore, in Figures 3 to 11, in order to distinguish the 11 via conductors from one another, each of the 11 via conductors is assigned the reference numerals "24-1", "24-2", "24-3", "24-4", "24-5", "24-6", "24-7", "24-8", "24-9", "24-10", and "24-11".

[0058] Furthermore, in order to distinguish the line conductors 23 shown in Figure 2 from one another, each of the 12 line conductors 23 is assigned the reference numerals "23-1", "23-2", "23-3", "23-4", "23-5", "23-6", "23-7", "23-8", "23-9", "23-10", "23-11", and "23-12". Line conductors 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, 23-4, 23-5, 23-6, 23-7, 23-8, 23-9, 23-10, 23-11, and 23-12 are each provided to extend along different interfaces between the nonconductive material layers 19.

[0059] Furthermore, the pad portions 25 provided by one end of each of the line conductors 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, 23-4, 23-5, 23-6, 23-7, 23-8, 23-9, 23-10, and 23-11 are denoted by the reference numerals "25-1", "25-2", "25-3", "25-4", "25-5", "25-6", "25-7", "25-8", "25-9", "25-10", and "25-11".

[0060] Furthermore, the line wiring sections 30 provided by the parts of each of the line conductors 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, 23-4, 23-5, 23-6, 23-7, 23-8, 23-9, 23-10, 23-11, and 23-12, excluding one end, are denoted by the reference numerals "30-1", "30-2", "30-3", "30-4", "30-5", "30-6", "30-7", "30-8", "30-9", "30-10", "30-11", and "30-12".

[0061] Furthermore, the nonconductive material layers 19, each having line conductors 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, 23-4, 23-5, 23-6, 23-7, 23-8, 23-9, 23-10, 23-11, and 23-12 on its main surface, are assigned the reference numerals "19-1", "19-2", "19-3", "19-4", "19-5", "19-6", "19-7", "19-8", "19-9", "19-10", "19-11", and "19-12". The nonconductive material layers 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4, 19-5, 19-6, 19-7, 19-8, 19-9, 19-10, 19-11, and 19-12 are laminated in this order from bottom to top.

[0062] A first lead conductor 28 and a second lead conductor 29 are connected to the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the coil 20, respectively. These first lead conductors 28 and 29 are provided by extensions of line conductors 23-1 and 23-12, which position the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the coil 20, respectively.

[0063] In this specification, "line conductor," "lead-out conductor," and "external terminal electrode" are defined and distinguished from each other as follows: "Line conductor" refers to the portion that encircles the coil when viewed through to the axial direction; "lead-out conductor" refers to the portion that extends away from the above-mentioned encircling portion; and "external terminal electrode" refers to the portion that is exposed from the main body of the component.

[0064] First, as shown in Figure 3, on the non-conductive material layer 19-1, the line conductor 23-1 connected to the first external terminal electrode 26 via the first lead conductor 28 extends clockwise through the line wiring section 30-1 to the longitudinal pad section 25-1.

[0065] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-2 shown in Figure 4 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-1. A longitudinal via conductor 24-1 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-2. The longitudinal via conductor 24-1 connects the line conductor 23-1 and the line conductor 23-2 shown in Figure 5 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-1.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 5, on the non-conductive material layer 19-2, the line conductor 23-2 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-1 through the line wiring section 30-2 to the longitudinal pad section 25-2.

[0067] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-3 shown in Figure 6 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-2. A longitudinal via conductor 24-2 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-3. The longitudinal via conductor 24-2 connects the line conductor 23-2 and the line conductor 23-3 shown in Figure 7 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-2.

[0068] Next, as shown in Figure 7, on the non-conductive material layer 19-3, the line conductor 23-3 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-2 through the line wiring section 30-3 to the longitudinal pad section 25-3.

[0069] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-4 shown in Figure 8 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-3. A longitudinal via conductor 24-3 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-4. The longitudinal via conductor 24-3 connects the line conductor 23-3 and the line conductor 23-4 shown in Figure 9-1 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-3.

[0070] Next, as shown in Figure 9-1, on the non-conductive material layer 19-4, the line conductor 23-4 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-3 through the line wiring section 30-4 to the longitudinal pad section 25-4.

[0071] Here, the characteristics of the line conductor 23-4 will be further explained with reference to Figures 9-1 and 9-2.

[0072] The line wiring portion 30-4 of the line conductor 23-4 is a line-symmetric line wiring portion 30a having a line-symmetric shape, and as shown in Figure 9-1, the line-symmetric line wiring portion 30a has a shape that is line-symmetric with respect to the symmetry axis A1.

[0073] The longitudinal pad portion 25-4 is connected to the line-symmetrical line wiring portion 30a and includes a third portion 25m and a fourth portion 25n arranged sequentially in the direction in which the line conductor 23-4 extends, as shown in Figure 9-2.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9-2, the line-symmetrical line wiring section 30a is folded back along its axis of symmetry A1 toward the third section 25m and the fourth section 25n to form the virtual line wiring section 30b. In Figure 9-2, the virtual line wiring section 30b is shown by a dashed line.

[0075] As shown in Figure 9-2, the inner edge of the third portion 25m of the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 is located on the inner edge of the virtual line wiring portion 30b, the outer edge of the third portion 25m of the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 protrudes from the outer edge of the virtual line wiring portion 30b, the inner edge of the fourth portion 25n of the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 protrudes from the inner edge of the virtual line wiring portion 30b, and the outer edge of the fourth portion 25n of the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 is located on the outer edge of the virtual line wiring portion 30b. This allows adjustment of the direction and position of the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 protruding from the line wiring portion 30-4. Therefore, it is possible to minimize internal shielding of the coil 20 by the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 and improve the Q characteristics while suppressing the occurrence of cracks, chips, and fractures in the component body 12 due to increased stress.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9-2, the longitudinal pad portion 25-4 may be bent between the third portion 25m and the fourth portion 25n.

[0077] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-5 shown in Figure 10 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-4. A longitudinal via conductor 24-4 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-5. The longitudinal via conductor 24-4 connects the line conductor 23-4 and the line conductor 23-5 shown in Figure 11 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-4.

[0078] Next, as shown in Figure 11, on the non-conductive material layer 19-5, the line conductor 23-5 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-4 through the line wiring section 30-5 to the longitudinal pad section 25-5.

[0079] Furthermore, the line wiring section 30-5 is a line-symmetric line wiring section having a shape symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry A2, and the longitudinal pad section 25-5, similar to the longitudinal pad section 25-4, includes a third portion that protrudes to the outer circumference of the virtual line wiring section and a fourth portion that protrudes to the inner circumference of the virtual line wiring section.

[0080] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-6 shown in Figure 12 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-5. A longitudinal via conductor 24-5 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-6. The longitudinal via conductor 24-5 connects the line conductor 23-5 and the line conductor 23-6 shown in Figure 13 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-5.

[0081] Next, as shown in Figure 13, on the non-conductive material layer 19-6, the line conductor 23-6 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-5 through the line wiring section 30-6 to the longitudinal pad section 25-6.

[0082] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-7 shown in Figure 14 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-6. A longitudinal via conductor 24-6 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-7. The longitudinal via conductor 24-6 connects the line conductor 23-6 and the line conductor 23-7 shown in Figure 15 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-6.

[0083] Next, as shown in Figure 15, on the non-conductive material layer 19-7, the line conductor 23-7 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-6 through the line wiring section 30-7 to the longitudinal pad section 25-7.

[0084] Furthermore, the line wiring section 30-7 is a line-symmetric line wiring section having a shape symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry A3, and the longitudinal pad section 25-7, similar to the longitudinal pad section 25-4, includes a third portion that protrudes to the outer circumference of the virtual line wiring section and a fourth portion that protrudes to the inner circumference of the virtual line wiring section.

[0085] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-8 shown in Figure 16 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-7. A longitudinal via conductor 24-7 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-8. The longitudinal via conductor 24-7 connects the line conductor 23-7 and the line conductor 23-8 shown in Figure 17 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-7.

[0086] Next, as shown in Figure 17, on the non-conductive material layer 19-8, the line conductor 23-8 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-7 through the line wiring section 30-8 to the longitudinal pad section 25-8.

[0087] Furthermore, the line wiring section 30-8 is a line-symmetric line wiring section having a shape symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry A4, and the longitudinal pad section 25-8, similar to the longitudinal pad section 25-4, includes a third portion that protrudes to the outer circumference of the virtual line wiring section and a fourth portion that protrudes to the inner circumference of the virtual line wiring section.

[0088] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-9 shown in Figure 18 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-8. A longitudinal via conductor 24-8 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-9. The longitudinal via conductor 24-8 connects the line conductor 23-8 and the line conductor 23-9 shown in Figure 19 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-8.

[0089] Next, as shown in Figure 19, on the non-conductive material layer 19-9, the line conductor 23-9 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-8 through the line wiring section 30-9 to the longitudinal pad section 25-9.

[0090] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-10 shown in Figure 20 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-9. A longitudinal via conductor 24-9 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-10. The longitudinal via conductor 24-9 connects the line conductor 23-9 and the line conductor 23-10 shown in Figure 21 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-9.

[0091] Next, as shown in Figure 21, on the non-conductive material layer 19-10, the line conductor 23-10 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-9 through the line wiring section 30-10 to the longitudinal pad section 25-10.

[0092] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-11 shown in Figure 22 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-10. A longitudinal via conductor 24-10 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-11. The longitudinal via conductor 24-10 connects the line conductor 23-10 and the line conductor 23-11 shown in Figure 23 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-10.

[0093] Next, as shown in Figure 23, on the non-conductive material layer 19-11, the line conductor 23-11 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-10 through the line wiring section 30-11 to the longitudinal pad section 25-11.

[0094] Furthermore, the line wiring section 30-11 is a line-symmetric line wiring section having a shape symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry A5, and the longitudinal pad section 25-11, similar to the longitudinal pad section 25-4, includes a third portion that protrudes to the outer circumference of the virtual line wiring section and a fourth portion that protrudes to the inner circumference of the virtual line wiring section.

[0095] Next, the non-conductive material layer 19-12 shown in Figure 24 is laminated on top of the non-conductive material layer 19-11. A longitudinal via conductor 24-11 is provided so as to penetrate the non-conductive material layer 19-12. The longitudinal via conductor 24-11 connects the line conductor 23-11 and the line conductor 23-12 shown in Figure 25 via a longitudinal pad portion 25-11.

[0096] Next, as shown in Figure 25, on the non-conductive material layer 19-12, the line conductor 23-12 extends clockwise from the position of the longitudinal via conductor 24-11 through the line wiring section 30-12 and is connected to the second external terminal electrode 27 via the second lead conductor 29.

[0097] In this embodiment, the longitudinal pad portion 25 is provided only at one end of each line conductor 23. However, line conductors 23, excluding line conductors 23-1 and 23-12 connected to the lead conductors 28 and 29 respectively, may each have longitudinal pad portions 25 at both ends. For example, in the line conductor 23-2 shown in Figure 5, a longitudinal pad portion with the same shape as the longitudinal pad portion 25-1 of line conductor 23-1 shown in Figure 3 may be provided at the end opposite to the end with the longitudinal pad portion 25-2.

[0098] The structure of the multiple longitudinal via conductors 24 in the coil 20 will be explained in more detail, mainly with reference to Figures 26 to 27.

[0099] As shown in Figure 26, the widthwise dimension of the longitudinal via conductor 24 may be larger than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring section 30. In this case, the high reliability and high Q characteristics mentioned above can be achieved while improving the connection reliability between the line conductors 23.

[0100] As shown in Figure 27, the width dimension of the longitudinal via conductor 24 may be smaller than the width dimension of the line wiring section 30, and when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the longitudinal via conductor 24 does not need to protrude from the helical trajectory. In this case, high-stress areas can be further repelled from stress concentration points and areas where external impacts are directly applied, and the electrode volume of the longitudinal via conductor 24 can be reduced. As a result, higher reliability and higher Q characteristics can be achieved.

[0101] Furthermore, in the inductor of the present invention, the via conductor may include a via conductor having the same widthwise dimensions as the line wiring portion, and the widthwise center position of the via conductor may not be offset from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion to either the inner or outer circumference side of the helical trajectory when viewed through the axial direction of the coil. Also, the pad portion may include a pad portion having the same widthwise dimensions as the line wiring portion, and the widthwise center position of the pad portion may not be offset from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion to either the inner or outer circumference side of the helical trajectory when viewed through the axial direction of the coil.

[0102] In either case, generally, the widthwise dimension of the via conductor 24 is the same as, or smaller than, the widthwise dimension of the pad portion 25.

[0103] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the center position in the width direction of the longitudinal pad portion 25 is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30 to at least one of the inner and outer sides of the helical trajectory. Therefore, the effect of shielding the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil 20 is small, and deterioration of the Q characteristic can be suppressed. In other words, the Q characteristic can be improved.

[0104] The effects obtained in the first embodiment described above are also achieved in the second and subsequent embodiments described below.

[0105] Next, with reference to Figure 28, an inductor 11A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 28 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 2. In Figure 28, elements corresponding to the elements shown in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0106] The inductor 11A shown in Figure 28, like the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, has a rectangular parallelepiped body 12. However, the shape of the coil 20A of the inductor 11A shown in Figure 28 differs from the shape of the coil 20 of the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, etc. This indicates that coils can take various shapes. In the first embodiment, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, the coil 20 is a rectangle with rounded corners at its four corners and the central part of the long side on the mounting surface 13 side protruding outwards. In contrast, in this embodiment, the coil 20A has two curved portions facing the first end face 17 and the second end face 18 of the component body 12, respectively, and a straight portion facing the top surface 14 of the component body 12. Thus, the coil 20A has curved portions in the longitudinal direction of the component body 12. More specifically, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20A, the coil 20A is oval-shaped.

[0107] In the inductor 11A shown in Figure 28, similar to the inductor 11 shown in Figure 2, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20A, the center position in the width direction of the longitudinal pad portion 25 is offset from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion 30 to at least one of the inner and outer sides of the helical trajectory. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the effect of shielding the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil 20A can be reduced, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the Q characteristics. In other words, the Q characteristics can be improved.

[0108] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 28, the widthwise center position of at least a portion 25e of the longitudinal pad portion 25 that faces the top surface 14 of the component body 12 parallel to it is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 toward the inner circumference of the helical track, and the widthwise center position of at least a portion 25f of the longitudinal pad portion 25 that does not face the top surface 14 parallel to it is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion 30 toward the outer circumference of the helical track. This makes it possible to suppress the increase in internal stress at the point where the top surface 14 of the component body 12, which is vulnerable to external shocks, and the line conductor 23 are close together. Furthermore, without increasing the internal stress concentrated between the line conductor 23 facing the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27, a high Q characteristic can be obtained by minimizing the shielding of magnetic flux passing inside the coil by the longitudinal pad portion 25.Therefore, high reliability with suppressed increase in internal stress and high Q characteristic with minimal shielding of magnetic flux passing inside the coil by the longitudinal pad portion 25 can be obtained.

[0109] Next, with reference to Figures 29 to 30, inductors 11B and 11C according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 29 and 30 correspond to Figure 2. In Figures 29 and 30, elements corresponding to those shown in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0110] In the inductor 11B shown in Figure 29 and the inductor 11C shown in Figure 30, the longitudinal pad portion 25 includes a non-uniform pad portion 25g whose widthwise dimension is not uniform. That is, the widthwise dimension of the non-uniform pad portion 25g varies depending on its position in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends.

[0111] More specifically, the widthwise dimension of the non-uniform pad portion 25g changes from a relatively small dimension to a relatively large dimension in the direction in which the line conductor 23 extends. Here, the line conductor 23 refers to the line conductor 23 having this non-uniform pad portion 25g.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 29 and 30, the maximum widthwise dimension W of the non-uniform pad portion 25g is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion 30, and the minimum widthwise dimension w of the non-uniform pad portion 25g is the same as or greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion 30. Note that Figures 29 and 30 show the state where the minimum widthwise dimension w of the non-uniform pad portion 25g is the same as the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion 30.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 29 and 30, the widthwise center position of the portion of the non-uniform pad section 25g whose widthwise dimension is larger than that of the line wiring section 30 is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring section toward the outer circumference of the helical track. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the effect of shielding the magnetic flux passing through the inside of coils 20B and 20C can be reduced, thereby suppressing deterioration of the Q characteristics and improving the Q characteristics. In addition, the widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad section 25 can be increased in areas that do not contribute to increased internal stress, thereby maintaining connection reliability. Furthermore, shielding of the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil by the longitudinal pad section 25 can be minimized. Therefore, high reliability with suppressed increase in internal stress and high Q characteristics with minimized shielding of the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil by the longitudinal pad section 25 can be obtained.

[0114] In the inductor 11B shown in Figure 29, as in the first embodiment, when viewed through the axial direction of the coil 20, if the shortest distance between the corner 31 of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27 facing the line wiring portion 30 and the outer edge of the line wiring portion 30 is denoted as d, then the non-uniform pad portion 25g has a first portion where the distance d1 between it and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is the same as or less than d, and a second portion where the distance d2 between it and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is greater than d. As shown in Figure 29, the width dimension of the first portion (the portion with distance d1) is smaller than the width dimension of the second portion (the portion with distance d2). This makes it possible to suppress the increase in internal stress between the line conductor 23 facing the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27, where internal stress is particularly concentrated, and the increase in internal stress at the point where the surface of the component body 12 and the line conductor 23 are in close proximity, where external impact is directly applied.

[0115] The spacing d1 or d2 between the first or second part and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, refers to the spacing between the outer edge of the first or second part and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12.

[0116] Furthermore, the distance d1 between the first part and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, being equal to d means that the distance is within the range of d ± 3% (including boundary values).

[0117] Furthermore, when the gap d1 or d2 between the first or second part and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12 is said to be less than or greater than d, it means that the gap is less than or greater than the range of d ± 3%, respectively.

[0118] In the inductor 11C shown in Figure 30, the coil 20C has two curved portions facing the first end face 17 and the second end face 18 of the component body 12, respectively, and a straight portion facing the top surface 14 of the component body 12. Thus, the coil 20C has curved portions in the longitudinal direction of the component body 12. More specifically, when viewed through the coil 20C in the axial direction of the coil 20, it has an oval shape.

[0119] As shown in Figure 30, the width dimension of the portion 25h of the non-uniform pad portion 25g that is parallel to the top surface 14 of the component body 12 is smaller than the width dimension of the portion 25j that is not parallel to the top surface 14. This also helps to suppress the increase in internal stress between the line conductors 23 facing the first external terminal electrode 26 and the second external terminal electrode 27, where internal stress is particularly concentrated, and the increase in internal stress at the close proximity of the surface of the component body 12 and the line conductors 23, where external impact is directly applied.

[0120] In the inductor 11B shown in Figure 29 and the inductor 11C shown in Figure 30, the longitudinal pad portion 25 includes a uniform pad portion with a uniform width dimension, similar to the first and second embodiments. However, in this embodiment, these uniform pad portions may not be provided.

[0121] Next, with reference to Figures 31 to 32, an inductor 11D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Figure 31, the line conductor 23 and longitudinal via conductor 24 located closest to the mounting surface 13 and the line conductor 23 and longitudinal via conductor 24 located closest to the top surface 14 are not shown. Figure 32 corresponds to Figure 2. In Figures 31 and 32, elements corresponding to those shown in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0122] In the inductor 11D shown in Figures 31 and 32, the widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion 25 is larger than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion 30, similar to the first embodiment. However, in the inductor 11D, the axis of the coil 20D is oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface 13 and the top surface 14.

[0123] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 32, if D is the shortest distance between the surface of the component body 12 and the outer edge of the line wiring section 30, then the widthwise center position of the portion of the longitudinal pad section 25 where the distance D1 between the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is equal to or less than D, is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring section 30 towards the inner circumference of the helical trajectory. Similarly, the widthwise center position of the portion of the longitudinal pad section 25 where the distance D2 between the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, is greater than D, is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring section 30 towards the outer circumference of the helical trajectory. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the effect of shielding the magnetic flux passing inside the coil 20D can be reduced, thereby suppressing deterioration of the Q characteristics and improving the Q characteristics. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain high reliability with suppressed increases in internal stress, and high Q characteristics with minimal shielding of magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil by the longitudinal pad portion 25.

[0124] The surface of the component body 12 from which the shortest distance D is calculated is not limited, but in this embodiment, the shortest distance D is usually the distance between the first side surface 15 or the second side surface 16 of the component body 12 and the outer edge of the line wiring section 30.

[0125] Furthermore, the distance D1 or D2 between the portion of the longitudinal pad portion 25 and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, means the distance between the outer edge of that portion and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12.

[0126] Furthermore, the distance D1 between the portion of the longitudinal pad portion 25 and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12, being equal to D means that the distance falls within the range of D ± 3% (including boundary values).

[0127] Furthermore, when the gap D1 or D2 between the portion of the longitudinal pad portion 25 and the inner end face of the first external terminal electrode 26 or the second external terminal electrode 27, or the surface of the component body 12 is said to be less than or greater than D, it means that the gap falls below or exceeds the range of D ± 3%, respectively.

[0128] The inductors according to the first to fourth embodiments are manufactured, for example, by the following method.

[0129] <Process for creating the mother stack> First, an insulating paste layer is formed by repeatedly applying an insulating paste containing, for example, a glass material mainly composed of borosilicate glass, using screen printing or the like. The insulating paste layer formed here will later become a non-conductive material layer 19 that gives the first side surface 15 of the component body 12.

[0130] Next, a photosensitive conductive paste layer is formed on the insulating paste layer by coating it with a photosensitive conductive paste, for example, one with silver (Ag) as the main metal component, using screen printing or the like. Furthermore, after irradiating the photosensitive conductive paste layer with ultraviolet light or the like via a photomask, it is developed with an alkaline solution or the like to form a line conductor layer, an outer conductor layer, and a lead conductor layer connected to the line conductor layer and the outer conductor layer on the insulating paste layer. In this way, line conductor layers, lead conductor layers, and outer conductor layers are formed at multiple locations by photolithography. The line conductor layer formed here will later become the line conductor 23 located on the first side surface 15 side. The lead conductor layer formed here will later become the first lead conductor 28. The outer conductor layer formed here will later become a part of the first lead conductor 28 and the second lead conductor 29, respectively.

[0131] When forming the line conductor layer, for example, by using a photomask on which the line conductor pattern according to the present invention (for example, the line conductor pattern shown in Figures 3 to 25) is drawn, the line conductor pattern according to the present invention can be realized in the inductor obtained later.

[0132] Furthermore, when forming the line conductor layer, lead conductor layer, and outer conductor layer, instead of exposure using a photomask, for example, DI exposure (also called direct image exposure or direct writing) without a photomask may be performed.

[0133] Next, a new insulating paste layer is formed on an already formed insulating paste layer by, for example, applying a photosensitive insulating paste using screen printing. Furthermore, via holes and openings are formed in the insulating paste layer by irradiating the newly formed insulating paste layer with ultraviolet light or the like through a photomask and then developing it with an alkaline solution or the like. In this way, an insulating paste layer with multiple via holes and openings is formed by photolithography. The insulating paste layer formed here includes an insulating paste layer that will later become a non-conductive material layer 19 (excluding the non-conductive material layer 19 that gives the first side surface 15 of the component body 12 and the non-conductive material layer 19 that gives the second side surface 16 of the component body 12). The via holes formed here overlap with a part of the already formed line conductor layer. The openings formed here overlap with the already formed outer conductor layer.

[0134] Furthermore, when forming an insulating paste layer with via holes and openings, instead of exposure using a photomask, for example, DI exposure without a photomask may be performed.

[0135] Next, a photosensitive conductive paste layer, for example, one with Ag as the main metal component, is applied by screen printing or the like to form a new photosensitive conductive paste layer inside the via holes and openings, while simultaneously forming it on top of the already formed insulating paste layer. Furthermore, by irradiating the photosensitive conductive paste layer with ultraviolet light or the like via a photomask and then developing it with an alkaline solution, a via conductor layer is formed inside the via holes, and a new line conductor layer connected to the via conductor layer is formed on top of the insulating paste layer. Furthermore, a new outer conductor layer connected to the already formed outer conductor layer is formed inside the openings, and yet another new outer conductor layer is formed on top of this outer conductor layer. In this way, the line conductor layer, via conductor layer, and outer conductor layer are formed by photolithography. The via conductor layer formed here will later become via conductors that connect adjacent line conductors in the coil axis direction.

[0136] Furthermore, when forming the line conductor layer, via conductor layer, and outer conductor layer, instead of exposure using a photomask, for example, DI exposure without a photomask may be performed.

[0137] Subsequently, by repeating the above process, the insulating paste layer, line conductor layer, via conductor layer, and outer conductor layer are formed to form a predetermined laminated structure. For example, the line conductor layer formed here includes a line conductor layer that will later become the line conductor 23 located on the second side surface 16 side.

[0138] Furthermore, when forming the line conductor layer that will later become the line conductor 23 located on the second side surface 16 side, and the outer conductor layer of the same layer as the line conductor layer, a lead conductor layer connected to the line conductor layer and the outer conductor layer is also formed. The lead conductor layer formed here will later become the second lead conductor 29.

[0139] Finally, a new insulating paste layer is formed by repeatedly applying an insulating paste containing, for example, a glass material mainly composed of borosilicate glass, using screen printing or the like. The insulating paste layer formed here will later become a non-conductive material layer 19 that gives the second side surface 16 of the component body 12.

[0140] Based on the above, the motherboard is fabricated.

[0141] The method for forming the conductor patterns of the line conductor layer, lead conductor layer, via conductor layer, and outer conductor layer is not limited to the photolithography method described above. For example, it may be a method of printing and layering conductive paste using a screen printing plate provided with openings in the shape of the conductor pattern, or a method of forming a conductor film by sputtering, vapor deposition, or foil bonding, and then etching the conductor film to form the shape of the conductor pattern, or a method of forming a negative pattern by a semi-additive method, then forming a plating film, and then removing unnecessary parts of the plating film by etching or the like to form the shape of the conductor pattern.

[0142] When forming the conductor patterns of the line conductor layer, lead conductor layer, via conductor layer, and outer conductor layer, a high aspect ratio can be achieved by forming the conductor patterns in multiple stages, thereby reducing losses due to resistance at high frequencies. The method for forming the conductor patterns in multiple stages is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a method of repeatedly stacking conductor patterns by repeating the process using the photolithography method as described above, or a method of repeatedly stacking conductor patterns formed by the semi-additive method, or a method of stacking conductor patterns formed by the semi-additive method and conductor patterns formed by etching a separately plated film in any order, or a method of further plating and growing a plated film formed by the semi-additive method.

[0143] The conductive material constituting the conductor patterns of the line conductor layer, lead conductor layer, via conductor layer, and outer conductor layer is not limited to the photosensitive conductive paste having Ag or the like as the main metal component, but may also be a conductor containing metals such as Ag, Au, or Cu formed by methods such as sputtering, vapor deposition, foil bonding, or plating.

[0144] The method for forming the insulating paste layer is not limited to the photolithography method described above, but may also be, for example, a method of pressing a sheet made of insulating material, a method of spin-coating the insulating material, or a method of spray-coating the insulating material.

[0145] The method for forming an insulating paste layer with via holes and openings is not limited to the photolithography method described above. For example, an insulating film may be formed by methods such as pressing a sheet made of insulating material, spin-coating an insulating material, or spray-coating an insulating material, and then providing via holes and openings to the insulating film by laser processing, drilling, or the like.

[0146] The insulating material constituting the insulating paste layer is not limited to the glass material mainly composed of borosilicate glass as described above, but may also be, for example, ceramic materials, organic materials such as epoxy resins, fluororesins, and polymer resins, or composite materials such as glass epoxy resins. As the insulating material, materials with low dielectric constant and dielectric loss are particularly preferred.

[0147] <Process for forming the base body, coil, and external terminal electrodes> First, the mother laminate is cut into multiple unfired laminates by dicing or other methods.

[0148] The unfired laminate has an insulating paste laminate section in which insulating paste layers are laminated, a line conductor laminate section in which line conductor layers are laminated so that adjacent line conductor layers are electrically connected via via conductor layers, and an outer conductor laminate section in which outer conductor layers are laminated.

[0149] When separating the unfired laminate into individual pieces, the outer conductor laminate is exposed at two locations on the bottom surface of at least the insulating paste laminate included in the cut surface of the unfired laminate.

[0150] Next, the laminate is produced by firing the unfired laminate.

[0151] When the unfired laminate is fired, the insulating paste layer becomes a non-conductive material layer that acts as an insulating layer, and the insulating paste laminate becomes the component body 12 (base body). Furthermore, when the unfired laminate is fired, the line conductor layer becomes a line conductor, and the line conductor laminate becomes a coil. In addition, when the unfired laminate is fired, one of the two external conductor laminates becomes part of the first external terminal electrode 26, and the other becomes part of the second external terminal electrode 27.

[0152] Next, the resulting laminate may be subjected to a barrel polishing process, for example, to round off the corners and edges of the component body 12.

[0153] Finally, using the two fired outer conductor laminates as base electrodes, Ni-plated electrodes and Sn-plated electrodes are sequentially formed on the surface of each base electrode by plating. The thickness of the Ni-plated electrodes and Sn-plated electrodes is, for example, 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less, respectively.

[0154] In this way, a first external terminal electrode 26 and a second external terminal electrode 27 are formed, having a base electrode, a Ni-plated electrode, and a Sn-plated electrode in that order from the surface side of the base body 10.

[0155] The method for forming external terminal electrodes is not limited to the method of applying a plating treatment to the external conductor laminate exposed on the cut surface of the unfired laminate (at least the bottom surface of the insulating paste laminate), as described above. For example, the external conductor laminate may be exposed on the cut surface of the unfired laminate (at least the bottom surface of the insulating paste laminate) as described above, and then the exposed portion of the external conductor laminate may be dipped in conductive paste, or a conductive paste film may be formed on the exposed portion of the external conductor laminate by sputtering, and then a plating treatment may be applied.

[0156] Based on the above, inductors according to the first to fourth embodiments are manufactured.

[0157] The inductors according to the first to fourth embodiments are manufactured, for example, in a 0402 (0.4mm × 0.2mm × 0.2mm) size. The size of the inductors according to the first to fourth embodiments is not limited to the 0402 (0.4mm × 0.2mm × 0.2mm) size.

[0158] As described above, possible molds used when forming the line conductor layer (later line conductors) include, for example, photomasks (for example, when performing exposure by photolithography) and design drawings (for performing DI exposure). If the line conductor pattern for the inductor of the present invention (for example, the line conductor pattern shown in Figures 3 to 25) is drawn on these molds, then the line conductor pattern for the inductor of the present invention can be realized. Therefore, a mold on which the line conductor pattern for the inductor of the present invention is drawn (for example, a photomask, design drawing, etc.) is also one of the present inventions.

[0159] This specification discloses the following:

[0160] <1> A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, The component is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a coil comprising: a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers; and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the center position in the width direction of the longitudinal pad portion is offset from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion to at least one of the inner and outer circumference sides of the helical trajectory. Inductor.

[0161] <2> The component further comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of at least the portion of the longitudinal pad closest to the external terminal electrode is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the helical trajectory. <1> The inductor described above.

[0162] <3> When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of at least the portion of the longitudinal pad closest to the surface of the main body of the component is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the helical track. <1> or <2> The inductor described above.

[0163] <4> When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the longitudinal pad portion includes a plurality of longitudinal pad portions that are offset from each other in directions different from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion. <1> ~ <3> An inductor as described in any of the following.

[0164] <5> When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the longitudinal pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion whose direction of displacement from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion differs depending on the position in the direction in which the line conductor extends. <1> ~ <4> An inductor as described in any of the following.

[0165] <6> The component further comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, If we consider the shortest distance between the corner of the external terminal electrode facing the line wiring portion and the outer edge of the line wiring portion when viewed through the axial direction of the coil, then let d be the shortest distance between the corner of the external terminal electrode facing the line wiring portion and the outer edge of the line wiring portion. The line wiring section has a first region where the distance between it and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is the same as or less than d, and a second region where the distance between it and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is greater than d. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of the portion of the longitudinal pad that overlaps with the first region is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the first region toward the inner circumference of the helical trajectory. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of the portion of the longitudinal pad that overlaps with the second region is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the second region toward the outer circumference of the helical trajectory. <1> ~ <5> An inductor as described in any of the following.

[0166] <7> d is 10 μm or larger. <6> The inductor described above.

[0167] <8> The longitudinal pad portion includes a first portion whose widthwise center position is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the helical track, and a second portion whose widthwise center position is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the helical track. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the distance between the region overlapping the first portion of the line wiring section and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is smaller than the distance between the region overlapping the second portion of the line wiring section and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body. <1> ~ <7> An inductor as described in any of the following.

[0168] <9> The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface, a top surface facing the mounting surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and facing each other, and a first end surface and a second end surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively and facing each other. The coil has a curved portion facing the first or second end face of the component body and a straight portion facing the top surface. Of the longitudinal pad portion, at least a portion of the widthwise center position facing the top surface is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the spiral trajectory. Of the longitudinal pad portion, at least a portion of the widthwise center position that does not face the top surface is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the spiral trajectory. <1> ~ <5> An inductor as described in any of the following.

[0169] <10> A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, The component is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a coil comprising: a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers; and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The longitudinal pad portion includes an uneven pad portion whose width dimension is not uniform, The maximum value of the widthwise dimension of the non-uniform pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. The minimum width dimension of the non-uniform pad portion is the same as or greater than the width dimension of the line wiring portion. In the aforementioned non-uniform pad portion, the widthwise center position of the portion whose widthwise dimension is larger than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the helical track. Inductor.

[0170] <11> The component further comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, If we consider the shortest distance between the corner of the external terminal electrode facing the line wiring portion and the outer edge of the line wiring portion when viewed through the axial direction of the coil, then let d be the shortest distance between the corner of the external terminal electrode facing the line wiring portion and the outer edge of the line wiring portion. The non-uniform pad portion comprises a first portion where the distance between it and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is the same as or less than d, The external terminal electrode has a second portion whose distance from the inner end face or the surface of the component body is greater than d, The width dimension of the first part is smaller than the width dimension of the second part. <10> The inductor described above.

[0171] <12> The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface, a top surface facing the mounting surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and facing each other, and a first end surface and a second end surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively and facing each other. The coil has a curved portion facing the first or second end face of the component body and a straight portion facing the top surface. Of the non-uniform pad portion, the width dimension of the portion parallel to the top surface is smaller than the width dimension of the portion not parallel to the top surface. <10> The inductor described above.

[0172] <13> A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, A coil is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The component comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface, a top surface facing the mounting surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and facing each other, and a first end surface and a second end surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively and facing each other. The axis of the coil is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. If D is the shortest distance between the surface of the component body and the outer edge of the line wiring portion, In the longitudinal pad portion, the widthwise center position of the portion where the distance between the inner end face of the external terminal electrode and the surface of the component body is the same as or less than D is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the spiral trajectory. In the longitudinal pad portion, the widthwise center position of the portion where the distance from the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is greater than D is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the helical track. Inductor.

[0173] <14> A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, The component is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a coil comprising: a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers; and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. The aforementioned line wiring section includes a line-symmetric line wiring section having a line-symmetric shape, The longitudinal pad portion connected to the line-symmetrical line wiring portion includes a third portion and a fourth portion arranged sequentially in the direction in which the line conductor extends, When the aforementioned symmetrical line wiring section is folded back toward the third and fourth sections along its axis of symmetry, the resulting virtual line wiring section is defined as follows: The inner edge of the third portion is located on the inner edge of the virtual line wiring portion, The outer edge of the third portion extends outward from the outer edge of the virtual line wiring section. The inner edge of the fourth portion protrudes from the inner edge of the virtual line wiring portion. The outer edge of the fourth portion is located on the outer edge of the virtual line wiring portion. Inductor.

[0174] <15> The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal via conductor is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring section. <1> ~ <14> An inductor as described in any of the following.

[0175] <16> The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal via conductor is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring section. When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the longitudinal via conductor does not protrude from the helical trajectory. <1> ~ <14> An inductor as described in any of the following. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0176] 11, 11A~11D Inductors 12. Main body component 19 Non-conductive material layer 20, 20A~20D coil 23 Line conductors 24 via conductors (longitudinal via conductors) 25. Pad section (long pad section) 30 Line wiring section

Claims

1. A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, The component is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a coil comprising: a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers; and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the arrangement positions of all the line wiring portions coincide, and the widthwise center position of the longitudinal pad portion is offset from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion to at least one of the inner and outer circumference sides of the helical trajectory. Inductor.

2. The component further comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of at least the portion of the longitudinal pad closest to the external terminal electrode is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the helical trajectory. The inductor according to claim 1.

3. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of at least the portion of the longitudinal pad closest to the surface of the main body of the component is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the helical track. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the longitudinal pad portion includes a plurality of longitudinal pad portions that are offset from each other in directions different from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the longitudinal pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion whose direction of displacement from the center position in the width direction of the line wiring portion differs depending on the position in the direction in which the line conductor extends. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The component further comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, if d is the shortest distance between the corner of the external terminal electrode facing the line wiring portion and the outer edge of the line wiring portion, The line wiring section has a first region where the distance between it and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is the same as or less than d, and a second region where the distance between it and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is greater than d. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of the portion of the longitudinal pad that overlaps with the first region is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the first region toward the inner circumference of the helical trajectory. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the center position in the width direction of the portion of the longitudinal pad that overlaps with the second region is shifted from the center position in the width direction of the second region toward the outer circumference of the helical trajectory. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

7. d is 10 μm or larger. The inductor according to claim 6.

8. Further comprising an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the component body and connected to one end of the coil, The longitudinal pad portion includes a first portion whose widthwise center position is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the helical track, and a second portion whose widthwise center position is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the helical track. When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, the distance between the region overlapping the first portion of the line wiring section and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is smaller than the distance between the region overlapping the second portion of the line wiring section and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface, a top surface facing the mounting surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and facing each other, and a first end surface and a second end surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively and facing each other. The coil has a curved portion facing the first or second end face of the component body and a straight portion facing the top surface. Of the longitudinal pad portion, at least a portion of the widthwise center position facing the top surface is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the spiral trajectory. Of the longitudinal pad portion, at least a portion of the widthwise center position that does not face the top surface is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the spiral trajectory. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

10. A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, The component is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a coil comprising: a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers; and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The longitudinal pad portion includes an uneven pad portion whose width dimension is not uniform, The maximum value of the widthwise dimension of the non-uniform pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. The minimum width dimension of the non-uniform pad portion is the same as or greater than the width dimension of the line wiring portion. In the aforementioned non-uniform pad portion, the widthwise center position of the portion whose widthwise dimension is larger than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the helical track. Inductor.

11. The component further comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, When viewed through the coil in the axial direction, if d is the shortest distance between the corner of the external terminal electrode facing the line wiring portion and the outer edge of the line wiring portion, The non-uniform pad portion comprises a first portion in which the distance between it and the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is the same as or less than d, It has a second portion where the distance between the inner end face of the external terminal electrode and the surface of the component body is greater than d, The width dimension of the first part is smaller than the width dimension of the second part. The inductor according to claim 10.

12. The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface, a top surface facing the mounting surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and facing each other, and a first end surface and a second end surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively and facing each other. The coil has a curved portion facing the first or second end face of the component body and a straight portion facing the top surface. Of the non-uniform pad portion, the width dimension of the portion parallel to the top surface is smaller than the width dimension of the portion not parallel to the top surface. The inductor according to claim 10.

13. A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, A coil is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers, and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The component comprises an external terminal electrode that is exposed from the outer surface of the main body of the component and connected to one end of the coil, The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface, a top surface facing the mounting surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and facing each other, and a first end surface and a second end surface connecting the mounting surface and the top surface and the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively and facing each other. The axis of the coil is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. If the shortest distance between the surface of the component body and the outer edge of the line wiring portion is D, In the longitudinal pad portion, the widthwise center position of the portion where the distance between the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is the same as or less than D is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the inner circumference of the spiral trajectory. In the longitudinal pad portion, the widthwise center position of the portion where the distance from the inner end face of the external terminal electrode or the surface of the component body is greater than D is shifted from the widthwise center position of the line wiring portion toward the outer circumference of the helical track. Inductor.

14. A component body having a laminated structure in which multiple non-conductive material layers are stacked, The component is disposed inside the main body of the component and comprises a coil comprising: a plurality of line conductors extending along the interfaces between the non-conductive material layers; and a plurality of via conductors penetrating the non-conductive material layers in the thickness direction, wherein the line conductors have pad portions connected to the via conductors and line wiring portions connected to the pad portions, and the line conductors and via conductors are alternately connected to form a coil that extends along a helical trajectory. The via conductor includes a longitudinal via conductor with an elongated shape extending along the line conductor. The pad portion includes a longitudinal pad portion connected to the longitudinal via conductor, The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal pad portion is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring portion. The aforementioned line wiring section includes a line-symmetric line wiring section having a line-symmetric shape, The longitudinal pad portion connected to the line-symmetrical line wiring portion includes a third portion and a fourth portion arranged sequentially in the direction in which the line conductor extends, When the aforementioned symmetrical line wiring section is folded back toward the third and fourth sections along its axis of symmetry, the resulting virtual line wiring section is obtained, The inner edge of the third portion is located on the inner edge of the virtual line wiring portion. The outer edge of the third portion extends outward from the outer edge of the virtual line wiring section. The inner edge of the fourth portion protrudes from the inner edge of the virtual line wiring portion. The outer edge of the fourth portion is located on the outer edge of the virtual line wiring portion. Inductor.

15. The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal via conductor is greater than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring section. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

16. The widthwise dimension of the longitudinal via conductor is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the line wiring section. When viewed through the axial direction of the coil, the longitudinal via conductor does not protrude from the helical trajectory. The inductor according to claim 1 or 2.

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