Capacitor

Abstract

A capacitor 1A comprises: a capacitor element 10 having an element body 11 and an external electrode 12a (12b) provided on an end surface of the element body 11; a drawing-out terminal 20A (21A) electrically connected to the external electrode 12a (12b); an outer case 30 having accommodated therein the capacitor element 10 such that the drawing-out terminal 20A (21A) is projecting outward; and a filling resin 40 that fills inside the outer case 30 so as to embed the capacitor element 10. The drawing-out terminal 20A (21A) has a first drawing-out terminal 20Aa (21Aa) and a second drawing-out terminal 20Ab (21Ab) that is electrically connected to the external electrode 12a (12b) via the first drawing-out terminal 20Aa (21Aa). The first drawing-out terminal 20Aa (21Aa) and the second drawing-out terminal 20Ab (21Ab) are locked so as to be in surface contact with each other.

Description

capacitor

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitor.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitor in which capacitor elements (10) having electrode portions (10a) on their end faces are connected by bus bars (20) and housed in a case (50), which is filled with resin (60), and external connection terminals (32), (42) are drawn out in a direction approximately perpendicular to a case opening (53), and the capacitor further includes a terminal block (70), one side of which is embedded in the resin (60) without contacting the case (50), and a screw portion (73a) provided on the other side faces the mounting holes (32b), (42b) of the external connection terminals (32), (42).

[0003] JP 2013-219110 A

[0004] In the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the CP wire connected to the electrode portion of the capacitor element and the bus bar are connected by soldering. However, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, even if an attempt is made to connect the CP wire and the bus bar by soldering, heat generated during soldering tends to escape to the outside through the bus bar, which tends to reduce the temperature of the solder. Therefore, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to connect the CP wire and the bus bar by soldering.

[0005] In contrast, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to weld the CP wire and the bus bar together instead of soldering them. However, even if an attempt is made to weld the CP wire and the bus bar together in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, sufficient surface contact between the CP wire and the bus bar cannot be achieved due to the structure described in Figure 1 of Patent Document 1, variations in the size of the capacitor elements, and the like. Therefore, it is difficult to weld the CP wire and the bus bar together in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1.

[0006] As described above, in conventional capacitors, when a structure is used in which a plurality of lead-out terminals (CP wires and bus bars in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1) are connected to lead out the electrode portions of the capacitor element, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the connectivity between the lead-out terminals (between the CP wires and bus bars in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1) without using a joining member such as solder.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a capacitor that can improve the connectivity between lead terminals without using a joining material such as solder.

[0008] The capacitor of the present invention comprises a capacitor element having a base body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the base body, a lead terminal electrically connected to the external electrode, an outer case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the lead terminal protrudes outward, and a filling resin filled inside the outer case so as to embed the capacitor element, wherein the lead terminal has a first lead terminal and a second lead terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead terminal, and the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal are engaged so as to make surface contact.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a capacitor that can improve the connectivity between lead terminals without using a joining material such as solder.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an exploded state of the capacitor shown in FIG. 1 (excluding the filling resin). FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor element shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross-section of the capacitor element shown in FIG. 3 taken along line a1-a2. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the first and second lead terminals shown in FIG. 2 are locked. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state after the first and second lead terminals shown in FIG. 5 are locked. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an exploded state of the capacitor shown in FIG. 7 (excluding the filling resin). FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the first and second lead terminals shown in FIG. 8 are locked. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal shown in Fig. 9 are being locked. Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a state after the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal shown in Fig. 10 have been locked.

[0011] The capacitor of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following configurations and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. In addition, a combination of multiple individual preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

[0012] The following embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. From embodiment 2 onwards, descriptions of matters common to embodiment 1 will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. In particular, similar effects resulting from similar configurations will not be mentioned one after the other for each embodiment.

[0013] In the following description, unless a distinction is made between the embodiments, they will simply be referred to as "the capacitor of the present invention."

[0014] Although a film capacitor will be described below as an example of the capacitor of the present invention, the capacitor of the present invention can also be applied to capacitors other than film capacitors.

[0015] The drawings shown below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions, aspect ratio, scale, etc. may differ from those of the actual product.

[0016] In this specification, terms indicating the relationship between elements (e.g., "parallel," "orthogonal," etc.) and terms indicating the shape of elements not only mean the literal strict form, but also mean a range that is substantially equivalent, for example, a range that includes a difference of about a few percent.

[0017] The capacitor of the present invention comprises a capacitor element having a base body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the base body, a lead terminal electrically connected to the external electrode, an outer case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the lead terminal protrudes outward, and a filling resin filled inside the outer case so as to embed the capacitor element, wherein the lead terminal has a first lead terminal and a second lead terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead terminal, and the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal are engaged so as to make surface contact.

[0018] [Embodiment 1] In a capacitor according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, one of the first and second lead-out terminals has a first claw-shaped portion and a second claw-shaped portion located at a different height from the first claw-shaped portion in the first direction, and the other of the first and second lead-out terminals is sandwiched between the first and second claw-shaped portions in the first direction.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an exploded state of the capacitor shown in Fig. 1 (excluding the filled resin).

[0020] A capacitor 1A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a capacitor element 10 (see FIG. 3 described later), lead terminals 20A and 21A, an outer case 30, and a filling resin 40.

[0021] In FIG. 1 and other figures, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are perpendicular to one another.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor element shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the capacitor element shown in Fig. 3 taken along line a1-a2.

[0023] The capacitor element 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has an element body 11, a first external electrode 12a, and a second external electrode 12b.

[0024] Body 11 is a wound body in which first metallized film 13 a and second metallized film 13 b are wound in a stacked state in first direction D1. That is, capacitor 1A, more specifically capacitor element 10, is a wound-type film capacitor in which metallized films are wound in a stacked state.

[0025] Capacitor 1A, more specifically, capacitor element 10 may be a laminated film capacitor in which metallized films are laminated.

[0026] From the viewpoint of reducing the height of capacitor element 10, it is preferable that element body 11 has a flat cross-sectional shape when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the winding axis direction (third direction D3 in FIG. 3 ) of element body 11. More specifically, it is preferable that element body 11 be pressed into a flattened shape such as an ellipse or oval, and that the cross-sectional shape of element body 11 be a shape that is thinner than when the cross-sectional shape of element body 11 is a perfect circle.

[0027] Whether or not the element body has been pressed to have a flat cross-sectional shape can be confirmed, for example, by checking whether or not there are press marks on the element body.

[0028] Capacitor element 10 may have a cylindrical winding shaft that is disposed on the central axis of first metallized film 13 a and second metallized film 13 b in a wound state and serves as the winding shaft when winding first metallized film 13 a and second metallized film 13 b.

[0029] First metallized film 13a includes first dielectric film 14a and first metal layer 15a.

[0030] The first dielectric film 14a has a first main surface 14aa and a second main surface 14ab facing each other in the first direction D1.

[0031] The first metal layer 15a is provided on the first main surface 14aa of the first dielectric film 14a. More specifically, the first metal layer 15a is provided on the first main surface 14aa of the first dielectric film 14a so as to reach one side edge of the first dielectric film 14a in the third direction D3 but not to reach the other side edge of the first dielectric film 14a.

[0032] Second metallized film 13b includes second dielectric film 14b and second metal layer 15b.

[0033] The second dielectric film 14b has a first main surface 14ba and a second main surface 14bb that face each other in the first direction D1.

[0034] The second metal layer 15b is provided on the first main surface 14ba of the second dielectric film 14b. More specifically, the second metal layer 15b is provided on the first main surface 14ba of the second dielectric film 14b so as not to reach one side edge of the second dielectric film 14b in the third direction D3 but to reach the other side edge of the second dielectric film 14b.

[0035] In the element body 11, adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b are offset in the third direction D3 so that the end of the first metal layer 15a that reaches the side edge of the first dielectric film 14a is exposed on one end surface of the element body 11, and the end of the second metal layer 15b that reaches the side edge of the second dielectric film 14b is exposed on the other end surface of the element body 11. That is, in adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b, the first metallized film 13a protrudes toward the first external electrode 12a relative to the second metallized film 13b. Also, in adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b, the second metallized film 13b protrudes toward the second external electrode 12b relative to the first metallized film 13a. In this state, the first metal layer 15a is connected to the first external electrode 12a but not to the second external electrode 12b. The second metal layer 15b is connected to the second external electrode 12b and is not connected to the first external electrode 12a.

[0036] In the element body 11, the adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b are offset in the third direction D3 as described above, so that, among the adjacent first dielectric films 14a and second dielectric films 14b, the first dielectric film 14a having the first metal layer 15a on its first main surface 14aa protrudes toward the first external electrode 12a relative to the second dielectric film 14b having the first metal layer 15a not provided on its main surface. Furthermore, among the adjacent first dielectric films 14a and second dielectric films 14b, the second dielectric film 14b having the second metal layer 15b on its first main surface 14ba protrudes toward the second external electrode 12b relative to the first dielectric film 14a having the second metal layer 15b not provided on its main surface.

[0037] Since element body 11 is formed by winding first metallized film 13a and second metallized film 13b in a stacked state in first direction D1, it can be said that element body 11 includes first dielectric film 14a, first metal layer 15a, second dielectric film 14b, and second metal layer 15b in this order in first direction D1. It can also be said that element body 11 is a wound body formed by winding first dielectric film 14a, first metal layer 15a, second dielectric film 14b, and second metal layer 15b in this order in first direction D1.

[0038] In element body 11, first main surface 14aa of first dielectric film 14a and second main surface 14bb of second dielectric film 14b face each other in first direction D1, and second main surface 14ab of first dielectric film 14a and first main surface 14ba of second dielectric film 14b face each other in first direction D1. Thus, in element body 11, first metallized film 13a and second metallized film 13b are wound in a stacked state in first direction D1. In other words, in element body 11, first metallized film 13a and second metallized film 13b are wound in a stacked state in first direction D1 so that second metallized film 13b is on the inside of first metallized film 13a, more specifically, so that first metal layer 15a is on the inside of first dielectric film 14a and second metal layer 15b is on the inside of second dielectric film 14b. That is, in the element body 11, the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b face each other with the first dielectric film 14a or the second dielectric film 14b sandwiched therebetween.

[0039] The first metal layer 15a may be provided with a fuse portion. The fuse portion provided in the first metal layer 15a is, for example, a portion that connects a divided electrode portion formed by dividing a portion of the first metal layer 15a that faces the second metal layer 15b into multiple portions with an electrode portion that does not face the second metal layer 15b. Examples of electrode patterns of the first metal layer 15a provided with a fuse portion include the electrode patterns disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2004-363431 and 5-251266.

[0040] The second metal layer 15b may also be provided with a fuse portion, similar to the first metal layer 15a.

[0041] The first dielectric film 14a may contain a curable resin as a main component.

[0042] In this specification, the term "major component" means the component with the highest weight percentage, preferably a component with a weight percentage greater than 50% by weight.

[0043] The curable resin may be a thermosetting resin or a photocurable resin.

[0044] In this specification, thermosetting resin means a resin that can be cured by heat, but the curing method is not limited thereto. Therefore, thermosetting resins also include resins that can be cured by methods other than heat (e.g., light, electron beam, etc.) as long as they are resins that can be cured by heat. Furthermore, depending on the material, a reaction may be initiated due to the reactivity of the material itself, and resins that proceed to cure without necessarily being subjected to external heat or the like are also considered thermosetting resins. The same applies to photocurable resins; as long as they are resins that can be cured by light, they also include resins that can be cured by methods other than light (e.g., heat, etc.).

[0045] The curable resin is preferably a cured product of a first organic material having a hydroxyl group (OH group) and a second organic material having an isocyanate group (NCO group). In this case, the curable resin is a cured product having a urethane bond obtained by reacting the hydroxyl group of the first organic material with the isocyanate group of the second organic material.

[0046] The presence of urethane bonds in the dielectric film can be confirmed by analysis with a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR).

[0047] When the curable resin is obtained by the above-described reaction, uncured portions of the starting material may remain in the first dielectric film 14a. For example, the first dielectric film 14a may contain at least one of a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group. In this case, the first dielectric film 14a may contain either a hydroxyl group or an isocyanate group, or may contain both a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group.

[0048] The presence of hydroxyl groups and / or isocyanate groups in the dielectric film can be confirmed by FT-IR analysis.

[0049] Examples of the first organic material include phenoxy resin, polyvinyl acetoacetal resin, and polyvinyl butyral resin.

[0050] As the first organic material, a plurality of types of organic materials may be used in combination.

[0051] Examples of the second organic material include aromatic polyisocyanates such as diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), and aliphatic polyisocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). As the second organic material, at least one modified product of these polyisocyanates may be used, or a mixture of at least one modified product of these polyisocyanates may be used.

[0052] As the second organic material, a plurality of types of organic materials may be used in combination.

[0053] The first dielectric film 14a may contain a thermoplastic resin as a main component.

[0054] Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polypropylene, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, and polyarylate.

[0055] The first dielectric film 14a may contain additives to impart various functions.

[0056] The additives include, for example, a leveling agent for imparting smoothness.

[0057] The additive preferably has a functional group that reacts with a hydroxyl group and / or an isocyanate group and forms part of the crosslinked structure of the cured product. Examples of such additives include resins having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, a silanol group, and a carboxyl group.

[0058] Like the first dielectric film 14a, the second dielectric film 14b may contain a thermosetting resin as a main component, a photocurable resin as a main component, or a thermoplastic resin as a main component, and like the first dielectric film 14a, the second dielectric film 14b may also contain an additive.

[0059] The first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b may have different compositions, but preferably have the same composition.

[0060] The thickness of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b is preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

[0061] The thicknesses of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b may be different from each other, but are preferably the same.

[0062] The thickness of the dielectric film is measured using an optical film thickness gauge.

[0063] The first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b are each preferably produced by forming a resin solution containing the resin material as described above into a film and then curing it by heat treatment.

[0064] Examples of materials that can be used to form the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b include metals such as aluminum, zinc, titanium, magnesium, tin, and nickel.

[0065] The first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b may have different compositions, but preferably have the same composition.

[0066] The thickness of the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b is preferably 5 nm or more and 40 nm or less.

[0067] The thickness of the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b may be different from each other, but it is preferable that they are the same.

[0068] The thickness of the metal layer is measured by observing a cross section of the metallized film along the first direction using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

[0069] The first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b are preferably formed by depositing the metals described above on the major surfaces of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b, respectively.

[0070] The first external electrode 12a is provided on one end surface of the element body 11. More specifically, the first external electrode 12a is connected to the first metal layer 15a by contacting the end of the first metal layer 15a exposed on one end surface of the element body 11. On the other hand, the first external electrode 12a is not connected to the second metal layer 15b.

[0071] The second external electrode 12b is provided on the other end surface of the element body 11. More specifically, the second external electrode 12b is connected to the second metal layer 15b by contacting the end of the second metal layer 15b exposed on the other end surface of the element body 11. On the other hand, the second external electrode 12b is not connected to the first metal layer 15a.

[0072] Examples of materials for the first external electrode 12a and the second external electrode 12b include metals such as zinc, aluminum, tin, and zinc-aluminum alloys.

[0073] The first external electrode 12a and the second external electrode 12b may have different compositions, but preferably have the same composition.

[0074] The first external electrode 12a and the second external electrode 12b are preferably formed by spraying the above-mentioned metal onto one end surface and the other end surface of the element body 11, respectively.

[0075] 2, the lead terminal 20A is electrically connected to the first external electrode 12a. For example, the lead terminal 20A is electrically connected to the first external electrode 12a via a joining member such as solder.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, the lead-out terminal 20A has a first lead-out terminal 20Aa and a second lead-out terminal 20Ab.

[0077] 2, the first lead terminal 20Aa may be located electrically closest to the first external electrode 12a in the lead terminal 20A. In other words, the first lead terminal 20Aa may be located closest to the first external electrode 12a in the electrical path extending from the first external electrode 12a to the lead terminal 20A.

[0078] The first lead terminal 20Aa does not have to be located electrically closest to the first external electrode 12a in the lead terminal 20A. In other words, the first lead terminal 20Aa does not have to be located closest to the first external electrode 12a in the electrical path between the first external electrode 12a and the lead terminal 20A. In other words, the lead terminal 20A may have another lead terminal that is provided in a position electrically closer to the first external electrode 12a than the first lead terminal 20Aa.

[0079] 2, the second lead-out terminal 20Ab is electrically connected to the first external electrode 12a via the first lead-out terminal 20Aa. In other words, the second lead-out terminal 20Ab is provided at a position electrically farther away from the first external electrode 12a than the first lead-out terminal 20Aa.

[0080] 2, the second lead terminal 20Ab may be located on the farthest electrically opposite side of the lead terminal 20A from the first external electrode 12a. In other words, the second lead terminal 20Ab may be located on the farthest opposite side of the electrical path extending from the first external electrode 12a to the lead terminal 20A.

[0081] The second lead terminal 20Ab does not have to be located on the electrically most opposite side of the lead terminal 20A from the first external electrode 12a. In other words, the second lead terminal 20Ab does not have to be located on the most opposite side of the first external electrode 12a in the electrical path extending from the first external electrode 12a to the lead terminal 20A. In other words, the lead terminal 20A may have another lead terminal that is provided at a position electrically farther away from the first external electrode 12a than the second lead terminal 20Ab.

[0082] The first lead terminal 20Aa and the second lead terminal 20Ab are locked so as to be in surface contact with each other.

[0083] The manner in which the first lead terminal 20Aa and the second lead terminal 20Ab are locked will be described below.

[0084] Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the state before the first and second lead-out terminals shown in Fig. 2 are locked. Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the state after the first and second lead-out terminals shown in Fig. 5 are locked. Note that other components such as a capacitor element are omitted from Figs. 5 and 6 to make it easier to focus on the locked state of the first and second lead-out terminals.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 5, the first lead terminal 20Aa has a first claw portion 25a and a second claw portion 25b.

[0086] The second claw-shaped portions 25b are located at a different height from the first claw-shaped portions 25a in the first direction D1.

[0087] As shown in Figure 5, the second claw-shaped portion 25b may be located at a lower position than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1, i.e., at a position closer to the capacitor element 10 (see Figure 2) than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1.

[0088] In addition, the second claw-shaped portion 25b may be located at a higher position than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1, i.e., at a position farther from the capacitor element 10 (see Figure 2) than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1.

[0089] In this specification, two claw-shaped portions being located at different heights in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5) means that at least the tips of the two claw-shaped portions are located at different heights in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 5, the first claw-shaped portions 25a and the second claw-shaped portions 25b do not have to overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0091] The first claw-shaped portion 25a and the second claw-shaped portion 25b may overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5, the first lead terminal 20Aa may further include a third claw portion 25c.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 5, the third claw-shaped portion 25c may be located at the same height as the second claw-shaped portion 25b in the first direction D1. In other words, as shown in Fig. 5, the third claw-shaped portion 25c may be located at a different height than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1, similar to the second claw-shaped portion 25b.

[0094] As shown in Figure 5, the third claw-shaped portion 25c, like the second claw-shaped portion 25b, may be located at a lower position than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1, i.e., at a position closer to the capacitor element 10 (see Figure 2) than the first claw-shaped portion 25a in the first direction D1.

[0095] Furthermore, if the first claw-shaped portion 25a and the second claw-shaped portion 25b are located at different heights in the first direction D1, the third claw-shaped portion 25c may be located at the same height as the first claw-shaped portion 25a or the same height as the second claw-shaped portion 25b in the first direction D1.

[0096] In this specification, two claw-shaped portions being located at the same height in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5) means that at least the tips of the two claw-shaped portions are located at the same height in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5).

[0097] As shown in FIG. 5, the first claw-shaped portion 25a and the third claw-shaped portion 25c do not have to overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0098] The first claw-shaped portion 25a and the third claw-shaped portion 25c may overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0099] As shown in Figure 5, when viewed from the first direction D1, the first claw-shaped portion 25a may be located between the second claw-shaped portion 25b and the third claw-shaped portion 25c in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0100] It should be noted that the first claw-shaped portion 25a does not have to be positioned between the second claw-shaped portion 25b and the third claw-shaped portion 25c in the second direction D2 when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 6 , the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched between the first claw-shaped portions 25a and the second claw-shaped portions 25b in the first direction D1. More specifically, the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched in the first direction D1 by the elastic force of the first claw-shaped portions 25a and the second claw-shaped portions 25b. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6 , if the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa further includes a third claw-shaped portion 25c, the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched between the first claw-shaped portion 25a and the third claw-shaped portion 25c in the first direction D1. More specifically, the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched in the first direction D1 by the elastic force of the first claw-shaped portion 25a and the third claw-shaped portion 25c.

[0102] 5 and 6 , the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa has the first claw-shaped portion 25 a, the second claw-shaped portion 25 b, and the third claw-shaped portion 25 c, but instead of the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa, the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab may have the first claw-shaped portion 25 a, the second claw-shaped portion 25 b, and the third claw-shaped portion 25 c. In this case, instead of the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab, the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa may be sandwiched between the first claw-shaped portion 25 a and the second claw-shaped portion 25 b and also between the first claw-shaped portion 25 a and the third claw-shaped portion 25 c in the first direction D1.

[0103] 5 and 6, the first lead-out terminal 20Aa has three claw-shaped portions, namely, the first claw-shaped portion 25a, the second claw-shaped portion 25b, and the third claw-shaped portion 25c, but the number of claw-shaped portions is not particularly limited as long as the first lead-out terminal 20Aa has at least two claw-shaped portions, namely, the first claw-shaped portion 25a and the second claw-shaped portion 25b. The same applies to the case where the second lead-out terminal 20Ab has claw-shaped portions.

[0104] As described above, in the capacitor 1A, one of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab is sandwiched between the plurality of claw-shaped portions of the other of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab, so that the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab are engaged in surface contact with each other in the capacitor 1A.

[0105] In the capacitor 1A, the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab are locked together, so that the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining member such as solder, etc. Therefore, in the capacitor 1A, the connectivity between the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab can be improved without using a joining member such as solder.

[0106] Furthermore, when the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab are mechanically connected, the connection point between the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab can be firmly held without using a joining material such as solder, thereby improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1A, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 connected to the lead-out terminal 20A in the outer case 30.

[0107] Furthermore, when attempting to weld the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab to further strengthen the connection between them, the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab are in surface contact when connected, as described above, and therefore it is easy to weld the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab be welded at a location where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 5, the second lead terminal 20Ab may be provided with a notch 26.

[0109] When the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab has a notch 26, the first claw-shaped portion 25a is preferably fitted into the notch 26. In this case, the notch 26 makes it difficult for the first claw-shaped portion 25a to shift in the second direction D2, so that the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa and the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab are sufficiently firmly locked together.

[0110] In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, a cutout portion 26 is provided in the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab, but if the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab has a first claw-shaped portion 25a instead of the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa, the cutout portion 26 may be provided in the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa instead of the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab, or the first claw-shaped portion 25a of the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab may be fitted into the cutout portion 26 provided in the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa.

[0111] Although not shown in Figures 5 and 6, as shown in Figure 2, the timing at which the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the first external electrode 12a are connected may be before the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab are locked, or may be after the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab are locked.

[0112] 2, the lead terminal 21A is electrically connected to the second external electrode 12b. For example, the lead terminal 21A is electrically connected to the second external electrode 12b via a joining member such as solder.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 2, the lead-out terminal 21A has a first lead-out terminal 21Aa and a second lead-out terminal 21Ab.

[0114] 2, the first lead terminal 21Aa may be located electrically closest to the second external electrode 12b in the lead terminal 21A. In other words, the first lead terminal 21Aa may be located closest to the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path extending from the second external electrode 12b to the lead terminal 21A.

[0115] The first lead terminal 21Aa does not have to be located electrically closest to the second external electrode 12b in the lead terminal 21A. In other words, the first lead terminal 21Aa does not have to be located closest to the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path between the second external electrode 12b and the lead terminal 21A. In other words, the lead terminal 21A may have another lead terminal that is provided in a position electrically closer to the second external electrode 12b than the first lead terminal 21Aa.

[0116] 2, the second lead-out terminal 21Ab is electrically connected to the second external electrode 12b via the first lead-out terminal 21Aa. In other words, the second lead-out terminal 21Ab is provided at a position electrically farther away from the second external electrode 12b than the first lead-out terminal 21Aa.

[0117] 2, the second lead terminal 21Ab may be located on the farthest side electrically from the second external electrode 12b in the lead terminal 21A. In other words, the second lead terminal 21Ab may be located on the farthest side from the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path extending from the second external electrode 12b to the lead terminal 21A.

[0118] The second lead terminal 21Ab does not have to be located on the electrically most opposite side of the lead terminal 21A from the second external electrode 12b. In other words, the second lead terminal 21Ab does not have to be located on the electrically most opposite side of the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path extending from the second external electrode 12b to the lead terminal 21A. In other words, the lead terminal 21A may have another lead terminal that is provided at a position electrically farther away from the second external electrode 12b than the second lead terminal 21Ab.

[0119] The first lead terminal 21Aa and the second lead terminal 21Ab are preferably locked so as to be in surface contact with each other.

[0120] In the capacitor 1A, when the first lead-out terminal 21Aa and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab are locked, the first lead-out terminal 21Aa and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining material such as solder. In this case, in the capacitor 1A, the connectivity between the first lead-out terminal 21Aa and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab can be improved without using a joining material such as solder.

[0121] Furthermore, when the first lead-out terminal 21Aa and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab are mechanically connected, the connection point between the first lead-out terminal 21Aa and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab can be firmly held without using a joining material such as solder, thereby improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1A, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 to which the lead-out terminal 21A is connected in the outer case 30.

[0122] Furthermore, when welding the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab to further strengthen the connection between them, if the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab are in surface contact while connected as described above, it is easier to weld the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab be welded at locations where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact.

[0123] As described above, in capacitor 1A, it is sufficient that at least the first lead-out terminal 20Aa and the second lead-out terminal 20Ab are engaged so as to be in surface contact, and it is preferable that the first lead-out terminal 21Aa and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab are engaged so as to be in surface contact, but they do not have to be engaged so as to be in surface contact.

[0124] Furthermore, when the first drawn-out terminal 21Aa and the second drawn-out terminal 21Ab are engaged so as to be in surface contact, it is preferable that the engagement mode of the first drawn-out terminal 21Aa and the second drawn-out terminal 21Ab be the same as the engagement mode of the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa and the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab described above, but it may be different from the engagement mode of the first drawn-out terminal 20Aa and the second drawn-out terminal 20Ab.

[0125] The shape of the lead terminal 20A may be, for example, a plate shape or a linear (rod) shape. That is, the shape of the first lead terminal 20Aa and the second lead terminal 20Ab may each be, for example, a plate shape or a linear (rod) shape. In this case, the first lead terminal 20Aa and the second lead terminal 20Ab may each have a shape with a partially bent portion.

[0126] The shape of the lead terminal 21A may be, for example, a plate shape or a linear (rod) shape. That is, the shape of the first lead terminal 21Aa and the second lead terminal 21Ab may each be, for example, a plate shape or a linear (rod) shape. In this case, the first lead terminal 21Aa and the second lead terminal 21Ab may each have a shape with a partially bent portion.

[0127] The first lead-out terminal 20Aa, the second lead-out terminal 20Ab, the first lead-out terminal 21Aa, and the second lead-out terminal 21Ab are each also called a bus bar.

[0128] The lead-out terminals 20A and 21A are each used as terminals for electrically connecting the capacitor element 10 to a mounting object when, for example, the capacitor 1A is mounted on the mounting object.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 1, capacitor element 10 is housed inside outer case 30 so that lead-out terminals 20A and 21A protrude outward.

[0130] Although not shown in FIG. 1, capacitor element 10 is preferably housed in the center of outer case 30 while being spaced apart from the inner surface of outer case 30 .

[0131] In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, one capacitor element 10 is housed inside one exterior case 30, but multiple capacitor elements 10 may also be housed inside one exterior case 30.

[0132] The shape of the exterior case 30 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylindrical shape with a bottom and an opening 31 provided at one end in the first direction D1.

[0133] In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer surface of the exterior case 30 includes a first outer surface 32 facing the opening 31 in the first direction D1, and a second outer surface 33 (in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, it includes four outer surfaces) extending from the first outer surface 32 toward the opening 31 in the first direction D1.

[0134] The exterior case 30 may be, for example, a resin case or a metal case.

[0135] When the exterior case 30 is a resin case, examples of the resin that constitutes the resin case include liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. Among these, it is preferable that the resin case contains a liquid crystal polymer.

[0136] The liquid crystal polymer contained in the resin case may be, for example, a liquid crystal polymer having p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid groups in its skeleton. Liquid crystal polymers formed as polycondensates using various components other than p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid groups, such as phenol, phthalic acid, and ethylene terephthalate, may also be used. Liquid crystal polymers are also classified into types I, II, and III, but the material refers to the same material as the liquid crystal polymer formed from the above-mentioned components.

[0137] The resin case preferably further contains an inorganic filler in addition to the liquid crystal polymer.

[0138] The inorganic filler contained in the resin case can be a material having a higher strength than the liquid crystal polymer. The inorganic filler is preferably a material having a higher melting point than the liquid crystal polymer, and more preferably a material having a melting point of 680°C or higher.

[0139] The shape of the inorganic filler is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a shape having a longitudinal direction, such as a fibrous or plate-like shape. As the inorganic filler having such a shape, multiple types of inorganic materials may be used in combination. It is preferable that the resin case contains at least one of a fibrous inorganic material and a plate-like inorganic material as the inorganic filler.

[0140] In this specification, a filler being fibrous means that the relationship between the longitudinal dimension in the longitudinal direction and the cross-sectional diameter in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is longitudinal dimension / cross-sectional diameter ≧5 (i.e., the aspect ratio is 5:1 or more). Here, the cross-sectional diameter is the distance between the longest two points on the periphery of the cross section. If the cross-sectional diameter varies in the longitudinal direction, measurement is performed at the point where the cross-sectional diameter is largest.

[0141] In this specification, a filler being plate-shaped means that the relationship between the cross-sectional diameter of the face having the largest projected area and the maximum height in the direction perpendicular to this cross section is cross-sectional diameter / maximum height ≧ 3.

[0142] It is preferable that at least a portion of the inorganic filler has, on the second outer surface 33 of the outer case 30, a portion oriented from the first outer surface 32 toward the opening 31 and a portion oriented toward the adjacent second outer surface 33, and is dispersed inside the outer case 30.

[0143] The size of the inorganic filler is preferably 5 μm or more in diameter and 50 μm or more in length.

[0144] It is preferable that the inorganic filler be dispersed throughout the exterior case 30 without agglomerating.

[0145] Examples of inorganic fillers include inorganic materials such as fibrous glass filler, plate-like talc or mica, etc. Among these, it is preferable that the inorganic filler contains fibrous glass filler as a main component.

[0146] Even when the resin case contains another resin (for example, polyphenylene sulfide) instead of the liquid crystal polymer, it is preferable that the resin case further contains an inorganic filler as described above.

[0147] The resin case is manufactured by a method such as injection molding.

[0148] When the exterior case 30 is a metal case, examples of the metal constituting the metal case include simple metals such as aluminum, magnesium, iron, stainless steel, and copper, and alloys containing at least one of these simple metals. Of these, it is preferable that the metal case contains aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0149] The metal case is manufactured by a method such as impact molding.

[0150] 1 , the interior of the exterior case 30 is filled with the filling resin 40 so as to embed the capacitor element 10. By filling the interior of the exterior case 30 with the filling resin 40 in this manner, the capacitor element 10 is held within the interior of the exterior case 30.

[0151] When capacitor element 10 is housed inside outer case 30 so as to be spaced apart from the inner surface of outer case 30, filled resin 40 is filled between capacitor element 10 and outer case 30, more specifically, between the outer surface of capacitor element 10 and the inner surface of outer case 30. Furthermore, inside outer case 30, filled resin 40 is filled not only between capacitor element 10 and outer case 30, but also in the region from opening 31 of outer case 30 to capacitor element 10.

[0152] From the viewpoint of suppressing the penetration of moisture into capacitor element 10, it is preferable to appropriately select a resin with low moisture permeability as filling resin 40, such as epoxy resin, silicone resin, urethane resin, etc. Examples of the curing agent for epoxy resin include an amine curing agent, an imidazole curing agent, etc.

[0153] The above-mentioned resin alone may be used as the filling resin 40, but in order to improve strength, a resin to which a reinforcing agent has been added may also be used. Examples of the reinforcing agent include silica and alumina.

[0154] From the viewpoint of suppressing the penetration of moisture into capacitor element 10, it is preferable that the thickness of filling resin 40 at opening 31 of outer case 30 is large. The thickness of filling resin 40 at opening 31 of outer case 30 is preferably sufficiently large within the range allowed for the overall volume (physical size) of capacitor 1A, and specifically, is preferably 2 mm or more, and more preferably 4 mm or more. In particular, it is preferable that, inside outer case 30, capacitor element 10 is disposed closer to first outer surface 32 than to opening 31 of outer case 30, so that the thickness of filling resin 40 relative to capacitor element 10 is greater on the opening 31 side of outer case 30 than on the first outer surface 32 side.

[0155] The thickness of the filled resin 40 is measured, for example, using a soft X-ray device if it is in a non-destructive state, and using a length measuring device such as a caliper if it is in a destructive state.

[0156] The relationship between the height of the outer case 30 and the height of the filling resin 40 in the first direction D1 is such that the thickness of the filling resin 40 at the opening 31 of the outer case 30 is as large as possible, and it may be up to a position inside the outer case 30, or it may be just about to the top, or it may overflow slightly due to surface tension.

[0157] 1, in the lead-out terminal 20A, at least a portion of the first lead-out terminal 20Aa (see FIG. 2) may be embedded in the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the entire first lead-out terminal 20Aa is embedded in the filling resin 40.

[0158] 1, in the lead-out terminal 21A, at least a portion of the first lead-out terminal 21Aa (see FIG. 2) may be embedded in the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the entire first lead-out terminal 21Aa is embedded in the filling resin 40.

[0159] 1, in the leader terminal 20A, at least a portion of the second leader terminal 20Ab (see FIG. 2) may protrude from the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a portion (end portion) of the second leader terminal 20Ab protrudes from the filling resin 40.

[0160] 1, in the lead-out terminal 21A, at least a portion of the second lead-out terminal 21Ab (see FIG. 2) may protrude from the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a portion (end portion) of the second lead-out terminal 21Ab protrudes from the filling resin 40.

[0161] [Embodiment 2] In a capacitor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, one of the first and second lead-out terminals has a claw-shaped portion, the other of the first and second lead-out terminals has a slit portion that penetrates in a first direction, and the claw-shaped portion is inserted into the slit portion in the first direction and hooked onto an edge of the slit portion. Except for this, the capacitor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is similar to the capacitor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0162] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an exploded state of the capacitor shown in Fig. 7 (excluding the filled resin).

[0163] The capacitor 1B shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has two capacitor elements 10 (see FIG. 3 described above), a lead terminal 20B, a lead terminal 21B, an outer case 30, and a filling resin 40.

[0164] In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, two capacitor elements 10 are housed inside one exterior case 30, but one capacitor element 10 may be housed inside one exterior case 30, or three or more capacitor elements 10 may be housed inside one exterior case 30.

[0165] 8, the lead-out terminal 20B is electrically connected to each of the first external electrodes 12a of the two capacitor elements 10. For example, the lead-out terminal 20B is electrically connected to each of the first external electrodes 12a of the two capacitor elements 10 via a joining member such as solder.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 8, the lead-out terminal 20B has a first lead-out terminal 20Ba and a second lead-out terminal 20Bb.

[0167] The first lead terminal 20Ba and the second lead terminal 20Bb are locked so as to be in surface contact with each other.

[0168] The manner in which the first lead terminal 20Ba and the second lead terminal 20Bb are locked will be described below.

[0169] Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the state before the first and second lead-out terminals shown in Fig. 8 are locked. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in the middle of locking the first and second lead-out terminals shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the state after locking the first and second lead-out terminals shown in Fig. 10. Note that other components such as a capacitor element are omitted from Figs. 9, 10, and 11 to make it easier to focus on the locking state of the first and second lead-out terminals.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 9 , the first lead terminal 20Ba has a claw-shaped portion 25 .

[0171] As shown in FIG. 9, the second lead terminal 20Bb is provided with a slit portion 27.

[0172] The slit portion 27 penetrates the second lead terminal 20Bb in the first direction D1.

[0173] As shown in FIG. 9, the slit portion 27 may include a first slit portion 27a and a second slit portion 27b.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 9, the second slit portion 27b is connected to the first slit portion 27a in a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0175] When viewed from the first direction D1, the first slit portion 27a is preferably capable of containing the claw-shaped portion 25 therein.

[0176] In this specification, the phrase "the slit portion is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion when viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 9)" means that when the claw-shaped portion and the slit portion are overlapped while viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 9), the claw-shaped portion does not protrude from the slit portion, or more specifically, the outer edge of the claw-shaped portion is not positioned outside the outer edge of the slit portion.

[0177] When viewed from the first direction D1, it is preferable that the second slit portion 27b cannot contain the claw-shaped portion 25 therein.

[0178] In this specification, the slit portion being unable to contain the claw-shaped portion when viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 9) means that when the claw-shaped portion and the slit portion are overlapped when viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 9), the claw-shaped portion protrudes from the slit portion, or more specifically, the outer edge of the claw-shaped portion is positioned outside the outer edge of the slit portion.

[0179] When the first slit portion 27a is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion 25 when viewed from the first direction D1, the claw-shaped portion 25 can be directly inserted into the first slit portion 27a in the first direction D1, as shown in FIG.

[0180] If the second slit portion 27b cannot accommodate the claw-shaped portion 25 when viewed from the first direction D1, the claw-shaped portion 25 cannot be directly inserted into the second slit portion 27b in the first direction D1.

[0181] It is preferable that the claw-shaped portions 25 be slidable in the second direction D2 between the first slit portions 27 a and the second slit portions 27 b when inserted through the slit portions 27 in the first direction D1. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, if the dimension in the third direction D3 of the base portions (portions extending in the first direction D1) of the claw-shaped portions 25 opposite the tips of the claw-shaped portions 25 is equal to or smaller than the dimension in the third direction D3 of the second slit portions 27 b, the claw-shaped portions 25 can be slid in the second direction D2 between the first slit portions 27 a and the second slit portions 27 b when inserted through the first slit portions 27 a in the first direction D1.

[0182] When the claw-shaped portion 25 is slid in the second direction D2 toward the second slit portion 27b from the state shown in Fig. 10 where the claw-shaped portion 25 is inserted into the first slit portion 27a in the first direction D1, the claw-shaped portion 25 is inserted into the slit portion 27 in the first direction D1 and hooked onto the edge of the slit portion 27, as shown in Fig. 11. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the claw-shaped portion 25 is preferably hooked onto the edge of the second slit portion 27b. In this case, the claw-shaped portion 25 is positioned in the third direction D3 by the second slit portion 27b.

[0183] 9, 10, and 11, the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba has the claw-shaped portion 25, but instead of the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba, the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb may have the claw-shaped portion 25. In this case, instead of the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb, the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba may have a slit portion 27, and the claw-shaped portion 25 of the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb may be inserted into the slit portion 27 provided in the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba in the first direction D1 and hooked onto the edge of the slit portion 27.

[0184] As described above, in the capacitor 1B, the claw-shaped portions 25 of one of the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb are inserted in the first direction D1 through the slit portions 27 provided in the other of the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb, and are hooked onto the edge of the slit portions 27. As a result, in the capacitor 1B, the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb are locked in surface contact with each other.

[0185] In the capacitor 1B, the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb are locked together, so that the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining member such as solder, etc. Therefore, in the capacitor 1B, the connectivity between the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb can be improved without using a joining member such as solder.

[0186] Furthermore, when the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb are mechanically connected, the connection point between the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb can be firmly held without using a joining material such as solder, thereby improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1B, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 connected to the lead-out terminal 20B in the outer case 30.

[0187] Furthermore, when attempting to weld the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb together to further strengthen the connection between them, the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb are in surface contact when connected, as described above, making it easy to weld the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second lead-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb be welded at locations where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact.

[0188] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba and the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb are locked at two locations, but the number of locations at which the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba and the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb are locked is not particularly limited.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 9, the first lead terminal 20Ba may further include a claw-shaped portion 25'.

[0190] As shown in FIG. 9, the claw-shaped portion 25' may be located at a different height from the claw-shaped portion 25 in the first direction D1.

[0191] As shown in Figure 9, the claw-shaped portion 25' may be located at a lower position than the claw-shaped portion 25 in the first direction D1, i.e., closer to the capacitor element 10 (see Figure 8) than the claw-shaped portion 25 in the first direction D1.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 9, the claw-shaped portion 25 and the claw-shaped portion 25' do not have to overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0193] When the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba has the claw-shaped portions 25 and 25' as shown in Fig. 9, the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb is preferably sandwiched between the claw-shaped portions 25 and 25' in the first direction D1 as shown in Fig. 11. In this case, the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb is less likely to shift in the first direction D1 when sandwiched between the claw-shaped portions 25 and 25', and therefore the first drawn-out terminal 20Ba and the second drawn-out terminal 20Bb are sufficiently firmly locked.

[0194] In the examples shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the first lead-out terminal 20Ba has a claw-shaped portion 25 and a claw-shaped portion 25', but if the second lead-out terminal 20Bb has a claw-shaped portion 25 instead of the first lead-out terminal 20Ba, the second lead-out terminal 20Bb may further have a claw-shaped portion 25', or the first lead-out terminal 20Ba may be sandwiched between the claw-shaped portion 25 and the claw-shaped portion 25' of the second lead-out terminal 20Bb in the first direction D1 instead of the second lead-out terminal 20Bb.

[0195] 9, 10, and 11, the first slit portion 27a and the second slit portion 27b are connected in the second direction D2, but they may be connected in the third direction D3 instead of the second direction D2. In this case, the claw-shaped portion 25 may be slidable in the third direction D3 between the first slit portion 27a and the second slit portion 27b while being inserted into the slit portion 27 in the first direction D1.

[0196] Although not shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, as shown in Figure 8, the timing at which the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the first external electrode 12a are connected may be before the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb are engaged, or may be after the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb are engaged.

[0197] 8, the lead-out terminal 21B is electrically connected to each of the second external electrodes 12b of the two capacitor elements 10. For example, the lead-out terminal 21B is electrically connected to each of the second external electrodes 12b of the two capacitor elements 10 via a joining member such as solder.

[0198] As shown in Figure 8, when the lead-out terminal 20B is electrically connected to each of the first external electrodes 12a of the two capacitor elements 10 and the lead-out terminal 21B is electrically connected to each of the second external electrodes 12b of the two capacitor elements 10, the two capacitor elements 10 are connected in parallel.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 8, the lead-out terminal 21B has a first lead-out terminal 21Ba and a second lead-out terminal 21Bb.

[0200] It is preferable that the first lead terminal 21Ba and the second lead terminal 21Bb are locked so as to be in surface contact with each other.

[0201] In the capacitor 1B, when the first lead-out terminal 21Ba and the second lead-out terminal 21Bb are locked, the first lead-out terminal 21Ba and the second lead-out terminal 21Bb can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining material such as solder. In this case, in the capacitor 1B, the connectivity between the first lead-out terminal 21Ba and the second lead-out terminal 21Bb can be improved without using a joining material such as solder.

[0202] Furthermore, when the first lead-out terminal 21Ba and the second lead-out terminal 21Bb are mechanically connected, the connection point between the first lead-out terminal 21Ba and the second lead-out terminal 21Bb can be firmly held without using a joining material such as solder, thereby improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1B, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 connected to the lead-out terminal 21B in the outer case 30.

[0203] Furthermore, when welding the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb to further strengthen the connection between them, if the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb are in surface contact while connected as described above, it is easier to weld the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb be welded at locations where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact.

[0204] As described above, in capacitor 1B, it is sufficient that at least the first lead-out terminal 20Ba and the second lead-out terminal 20Bb are engaged so as to be in surface contact, and it is preferable that the first lead-out terminal 21Ba and the second lead-out terminal 21Bb are engaged so as to be in surface contact, but they do not have to be engaged so as to be in surface contact.

[0205] Furthermore, when the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb are locked so as to be in surface contact with each other, the locking manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb is preferably the same as the locking manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb described above, but may be different from the locking manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb. For example, the locking manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb may be the same as the locking manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab described above.

[0206] The capacitor of the present invention is useful, for example, as a smoothing capacitor constituting an on-vehicle power conversion device (for example, an inverter).

[0207] The present specification discloses the following:

[0208] <1> A capacitor comprising: a capacitor element having an element body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the element body; a lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode; an outer case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the lead-out terminal protrudes outward; and a filling resin filled inside the outer case so as to embed the capacitor element, wherein the lead-out terminal has a first lead-out terminal and a second lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead-out terminal, and the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are engaged so as to make surface contact.

[0209] <2> The capacitor according to <1>, wherein the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal are welded at a location where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact with each other.

[0210] <3> The capacitor according to <1> or <2>, wherein one of the first and second lead-out terminals has a first claw-shaped portion and a second claw-shaped portion located at a different height from the first claw-shaped portion in a first direction, and the other of the first and second lead-out terminals is sandwiched between the first and second claw-shaped portion in the first direction.

[0211] <4> The capacitor according to <3>, wherein the first claw-shaped portion and the second claw-shaped portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction.

[0212] <5> The capacitor described in <3> or <4>, wherein one of the first and second lead-out terminals further has a third claw-shaped portion located at the same height as the second claw-shaped portion in the first direction, and the other of the first and second lead-out terminals is sandwiched between the first and third claw-shaped portion in the first direction.

[0213] <6> The capacitor according to <5>, wherein the first claw-shaped portion and the third claw-shaped portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction.

[0214] <7> A capacitor described in <5> or <6>, wherein the first claw-shaped portion is located between the second claw-shaped portion and the third claw-shaped portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed from the first direction.

[0215] <8> The capacitor according to any one of <3> to <7>, wherein the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal is provided with a notch, and the first claw-shaped portion is fitted into the notch.

[0216] <9> The capacitor according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein one of the first and second lead-out terminals has a claw-shaped portion; the other of the first and second lead-out terminals has a slit portion that penetrates in a first direction; and the claw-shaped portion is inserted through the slit portion in the first direction and hooked onto an edge of the slit portion.

[0217] <10> The capacitor described in <9>, wherein the slit portion includes a first slit portion and a second slit portion connected to the first slit portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and when viewed from the first direction, the first slit portion is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion, and the second slit portion is not capable of containing the claw-shaped portion.

[0218] <11> The capacitor according to <10>, wherein the claw-shaped portion is slidable in the second direction between the first slit portion and the second slit portion when inserted into the slit portion in the first direction.

[0219] <12> The capacitor according to <11>, wherein the claw-shaped portion is hooked onto an edge of the second slit portion.

[0220] 1A, 1B Capacitor 10 Capacitor element 11 Body 12a First external electrode 12b Second external electrode 13a First metallized film 13b Second metallized film 14a First dielectric film 14aa First main surface of first dielectric film 14ab Second main surface of first dielectric film 14b Second dielectric film 14ba First main surface of second dielectric film 14bb Second main surface of second dielectric film 15a First metal layer 15b Second metal layer 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B Lead terminals 20Aa, 20Ba, 21Aa, 21Ba First lead terminals 20Ab, 20Bb, 21Ab, 21Bb Second lead terminals 25, 25' Claw-shaped portion 25a First claw-shaped portion 25b Second claw-shaped portion 25c Third claw-shaped portion 26 Cutout portion 27 Slit portion 27a First slit portion 27b Second slit portion 30 Outer case 31 Opening 32 First outer surface 33 Second outer surface 40 Filling resin D1 First direction D2 Second direction D3 Third direction

Claims

1. A capacitor element having a body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the body, A lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode, An exterior case in which the capacitor element is housed such that the lead-out terminal protrudes outward, A filling resin filled inside the exterior case so as to embed the capacitor element, and The lead-out terminal has a first lead-out terminal and a second lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead-out terminal, The first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are locked so as to be in surface contact, One of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal has a first claw-shaped portion and a second claw-shaped portion located at a height different from that of the first claw-shaped portion in a first direction, The other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal is sandwiched between the first claw-shaped portion and the second claw-shaped portion in the first direction. A capacitor characterized by this.

2. A capacitor element having a body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the body, A lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode, An exterior case in which the capacitor element is housed such that the lead-out terminal protrudes outward, A filling resin filled inside the exterior case so as to embed the capacitor element, and The lead-out terminal has a first lead-out terminal and a second lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead-out terminal, The first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are locked so as to be in surface contact, One of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal has a claw-shaped portion, A slit portion penetrating in a first direction is provided in the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal, The claw-shaped portion is inserted into the slit portion in the first direction and is hooked on an edge of the slit portion. A capacitor characterized by this.

3. The capacitor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are welded at a portion where they are locked so as to be in surface contact.

4. The capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the first claw-shaped portion and the second claw-shaped portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction.

5. One of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal further has a third claw-shaped portion located at the same height as the second claw-shaped portion in the first direction, The other of the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal is sandwiched between the first claw-like portion and the third claw-like portion in the first direction, the capacitor according to claim 1.

6. The first claw-like portion and the third claw-like portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction, the capacitor according to claim 5.

7. The first claw-like portion is located between the second claw-like portion and the third claw-like portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed from the first direction, the capacitor according to claim 5 or 6.

8. A notch is provided in the other of the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal, The first claw-like portion is fitted into the notch, the capacitor according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6.

9. In the slit portion, there are a first slit portion and a second slit portion connected to the first slit portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, When viewed from the first direction, the first slit portion can enclose the claw-like portion, and the second slit portion cannot enclose the claw-like portion, the capacitor according to claim 2.

10. The claw-like portion is slidable in the second direction between the first slit portion and the second slit portion in a state of being inserted into the slit portion in the first direction, the capacitor according to claim 9.

11. The claw-like portion is hooked on the edge of the second slit portion, the capacitor according to claim 10.