Inductor assembly

Abstract

Each of a pair of first terminals (30) has a mounting part and a standing part (34). The mounting part extends along a lower surface (105) of an inductor assembly (100). The standing part (34) stands relative to the mounting part. Each of a pair of second terminals (40) has a mounting part and a standing part (44). The mounting part extends along the lower surface (105) of the inductor assembly (100), and the standing part (44) stands relative to the mounting part. The standing part (34) of one first terminal (30a) and the standing part (44) of one second terminal (40a) are formed on a first side surface (101) of the inductor assembly (100). The pair of first terminals (30) and the pair of second terminals (40) are not formed on a second side surface (102) different from the first side surface (101) of the inductor.

Description

Inductor Assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to an inductor assembly.

[0002] Some inductor assemblies integrate multiple inductors. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a dual inductor that integrates two inductors. In this dual inductor, a rectangular parallelepiped second core (21) is stacked on a rectangular parallelepiped first core (11). A second terminal (22) extends from the second core (21) to the underside of the first core (11). Furthermore, the second terminal (22) is fitted into a second recess (112), thereby stacking and integrating the two inductors. Patent Document 2 will be described later.

[0003] China Utility Model Registration No. 210722692 China Utility Model Registration No. 207925264

[0004] However, in the dual inductor disclosed in Patent Document 1, a first terminal (12) or a second terminal (22) is disposed on each of the four sides of the dual inductor. Therefore, when multiple dual inductors are disposed side by side, or when the dual inductor is disposed side by side with another component, the multiple dual inductors or the dual inductors and the other component must be sufficiently spaced apart to ensure an insulation distance. This poses a problem in that a larger mounting board is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an inductor assembly that can save space on a mounting board.

[0006] The inductor assembly of the present invention has a first core with a first coil inside, and a second core that is different from the first core and that contains a second coil, the second core being disposed on top of the first core, the inductor assembly having a plurality of side surfaces, each of the plurality of side surfaces of the inductor assembly including a side surface of the first core and a side surface of the second core, a pair of first terminals that are electrically connected to the first coil each protruding from a side surface of the first core, The inductor assembly has a mounting portion along the lower surface and a standing portion that stands up relative to the mounting portion, and each of a pair of second terminals that are electrically connected to the second coil protrudes from a side surface of the second core and has a mounting portion along the lower surface and a standing portion that stands up relative to the mounting portion, the standing portion of one of the first terminals and the standing portion of one of the second terminals are formed on a first side surface of the inductor assembly, and the pair of first terminals and the pair of second terminals are not formed on a second side surface of the inductor assembly that is different from the first side surface.

[0007] Such an inductor assembly has a second side that does not have the first terminal and the second terminal formed thereon.

[0008] According to the inductor assembly of the present invention, the inductor assembly and other components can be placed on a mounting board with the second side surface of the inductor assembly in close proximity to another inductor assembly or other component (collectively referred to as "other components, etc."). In this case, because the second side surface does not have the first terminal or the second terminal formed thereon, the inductor assembly and other components can be placed with the second side surface sufficiently close to the other components, etc. This allows for space savings on the mounting board.

[0009] The above-mentioned objects, as well as other objects, features and advantages, will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 8( a) is a perspective view showing an example of an inductor assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8( b) is an exploded perspective view of the inductor assembly according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8( c) is an exploded perspective view of the inductor assembly according to the first embodiment, from below; FIG. 8( a) is a top view of the inductor assembly according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8( b) is a right side view of the inductor assembly according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8( c) is a bottom view of the inductor assembly according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8( a) is an enlarged view of an example of a second terminal in FIG. 5; FIG. 8( b) is an enlarged view of another example of the second terminal in FIG. 5;

[0011] The various components of the inductor assembly of the present invention do not need to be independent entities, and it is acceptable for multiple components to be formed as a single member, for one component to be formed from multiple members, for one component to be part of another component, or for part of one component to overlap with part of another component. Furthermore, while the manufacturing method for the inductor assembly of the present invention may be described using multiple steps listed in order, the order of the steps does not limit the order or timing of performing the multiple steps. Therefore, when implementing the manufacturing method, the order of the multiple steps can be changed to the extent that it does not interfere with the content, and some or all of the timing of performing the multiple steps may overlap with each other.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate. In this embodiment, the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions will be defined as illustrated. However, these definitions are provided for convenience in order to easily explain the relative relationships between the components, and do not limit the directions during manufacture or use of a product embodying the present invention. The top-bottom direction is the direction perpendicular to the mounting board when the inductor assembly is mounted on the mounting board. The bottom side (lower side) in the top-bottom direction refers to the side of the mounting board from the perspective of the inductor assembly when mounted on the mounting board. The top side (upper side) is the opposite side of the bottom side in the top-bottom direction. The top-bottom direction may or may not coincide with the vertical direction. The front-rear and left-right directions may be collectively referred to as the lateral direction. The lateral direction may be horizontal, but does not necessarily coincide with the horizontal direction. Furthermore, in this invention, a "plane" refers to a shape that is physically formed with a flat surface as the target, and naturally does not need to be a perfect geometric plane.

[0013] First Embodiment (Inductor Assembly) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an inductor assembly 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] First, an overview of the inductor assembly 100 of this embodiment will be described. The inductor assembly 100 has a first core (first core 11) and a second core (second core 12). The first core contains a first coil (first coil 21). The second core contains a second coil (second coil 22). The second core is different from the first core. The second core is disposed on top of the first core. The inductor assembly 100 has multiple side surfaces 101-104. Each of the multiple side surfaces 101-104 in the inductor assembly includes side surfaces 11a-11d of the first core 11 and side surfaces 12a-12d of the second core 12. A pair of first terminals 30 (30a, 30b) is electrically connected to the first coil 21. Each of the pair of first terminals 30 protrudes from the side surface (side surface 11a or side surface 11c) of the first core 11. Each of the pair of first terminals 30 has a mounting portion 32 and a standing portion 34. The mounting portion 32 is disposed along the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. The standing portion 34 stands upright relative to the mounting portion 32. The pair of second terminals 40 (40a, 40b) are electrically connected to the second coil 22. Each of the pair of second terminals 40 protrudes from a side surface (side surface 12a or side surface 12c) of the second core 12. Each of the pair of second terminals 40 has a mounting portion 42 and a standing portion 44. The mounting portion 42 is disposed along the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100, and the standing portion 44 stands upright relative to the mounting portion 42. The standing portion 34 of one first terminal 30a and the standing portion 44 of one second terminal 40a are formed on the first side surface 101 of the inductor assembly 100. The pair of first terminals 30 a, 30 b and the pair of second terminals 40 a, 40 b are not formed on a second side surface 102 of the inductor, which is different from the first side surface 101. By forming both the upstanding portion of one first terminal and the upstanding portion of one second terminal on the first side surface, it is possible to leave the first terminal and the second terminal not formed on the second side surface of the inductor assembly of this embodiment. This allows the inductor assembly and other components to be placed on a mounting board with the second side surface of the inductor assembly close to other inductor assemblies or other components (collectively referred to as other components, etc.).In this case, since the second side surface does not have a first terminal or a second terminal, the inductor assembly and other components can be placed close enough to each other. This saves space on the mounting board. The inductor assembly 100 of this embodiment does not require the base (5) described in Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 discloses an inductor assembly in which two cores (stainless steel alloy powder blocks (3)) are arranged side by side. The base (5) covers the top surfaces of the two cores. The base (5) is useful for attaching the inductor assembly to a mounter when mounting the inductor assembly on a mounting board. The base (5) is also useful for integrating the two cores. In this embodiment, the first core 11 and the second core 12 are arranged vertically. The top surface 106 of the inductor assembly 100 is the top surface of the second core 12 and has a predetermined area. Therefore, the top surface 106 of the inductor assembly of this embodiment can be attached to a mounter. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second terminal 40 extending from the upper second core 12 is fitted into the lower terminal recess 11e of the first core 11. The second terminal 40 combines the second core 12 and the first core 11 into a single unit.

[0015] Next, the inductor assembly 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The inductor assembly 100 is an electronic component including two or more inductors. An inductor is an element having at least one coil and at least one core. Electronic components are incorporated into a part of an electronic circuit to form part of an electrical device. In this embodiment, the inductor assembly 100 includes two or more inductors and does not include other elements (transformers, antennas, etc.). Although the inductor assembly 100 of this embodiment includes two inductors, the inductor assembly 100 may include three or more inductors. Furthermore, it is preferable that the two or more inductors in the inductor assembly 100 are integrated. Here, "integrating the two or more inductors" means that the inductors are configured to be inseparable, for example by being connected to each other. For example, in this embodiment, the first core 11 (first inductor) and the second core 12 (second inductor) are connected by fitting the second terminal 40 into a terminal recess 11e formed on the lower surface 105 of the first core 11, as described below. Alternatively, the two inductors may be held by other members. In this way, the two inductors may be configured so as not to be separated by a mechanical structure. Alternatively, the two inductors may be configured so as not to be separated by being bonded with an adhesive or the like. However, the fact that the two inductors are integrated does not include the case where the two inductors are each bonded to a mounting board and therefore cannot be further separated from each other.

[0016] The inductor assembly 100 has a first core 11 and a second core 12 as cores. The first core 11 is the core of the first inductor, and the second core 12 is the core of the second inductor. The cores are magnetic members made of a magnetic material. Examples of magnetic materials include ferrite. In this embodiment, the core surrounds a coil (described later) and extends radially inside the coil, thereby forming a closed loop as a whole. More specifically, the core in this embodiment is integrally formed by placing the coil and terminals (first terminal 30 and second terminal 40) in a mold and pouring a resin containing a magnetic material such as ferrite into the mold. That is, the first inductor and the second inductor in the inductor assembly 100 in this embodiment are each molded coils. Alternatively, the core may be composed of multiple separate components. In this embodiment, the core has a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The bottom of the core is approximately square. The bottom of the first core 11 and the bottom of the second core 12 have approximately the same shape and dimensions. The second core 12 is placed on the first core 11 so that they overlap each other in a plan view. The first core 11 and the second core 12, each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, are arranged vertically, resulting in the inductor assembly 100 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the first core 11 and the second core 12 are bonded with an adhesive (not shown). This prevents the first core 11 and the second core 12 from being misaligned. The adhesive may or may not be disposed between the upper surface of the first core 11 and a terminal recess 12e (described later) of the second core 12. Alternatively, the first core 11 and the second core 12 may simply be in contact (abut) with each other without being bonded with an adhesive. An engaging portion may be provided between the first core 11 and the second core 12 to fix the relative positional relationship between them. Specifically, a recess or a protrusion may be provided on the upper surface of the first core 11 or the lower surface of the second core 12, respectively, and the recess and the protrusion may be engaged with each other. Alternatively to this embodiment, the inductor assembly 100, the first core 11, and the second core 12 may not have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.For example, the inductor assembly 100, the first core 11, and the second core 12 may each be a columnar body with a polygonal bottom surface other than a square. As shown in FIG. 3, terminal recesses 11e, 12e are formed on the bottom surface of each core in this embodiment. The terminal recesses 11e, 12e are bottomed recesses recessed upward from the bottom surface of the core. The terminal recesses 11e, 12e open downward and to the sides (to the right or left in this embodiment). As shown in FIG. 5, the ceiling surfaces of the terminal recesses 11e, 12e (bottom surfaces of the bottomed terminal recesses 11e, 12e recessed upward) are inclined upward toward the inside of the inductor assembly 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the first core 11 and the second core 12 each have multiple side surfaces. The first core 11 has multiple side surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. The second core 12 has multiple side surfaces 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. One of the side surfaces of the first core 11 is arranged so as to be continuous with one of the side surfaces of the second core 12. Here, "arranged so that the surfaces are continuous with each other" means that the surfaces are arranged on approximately the same plane with their end sides close to each other. The surfaces may also be partially separated from each other. Furthermore, one of the side surfaces 11a to 11d of the first core 11 and one of the side surfaces 12a to 12d of the second core 12 each form one of the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100. Specifically, the side surface 11a of the first core 11 and the side surface 12a of the second core 12 form the first side surface 101 of the inductor assembly 100. Similarly, the side surface 11b of the first core 11 and the side surface 12b of the second core 12 form the second side surface 102 of the inductor assembly 100. The side surface 11c of the first core 11 and the side surface 12c of the second core 12 form the third side surface 103 of the inductor assembly 100. The side surface 11 d of the first core 11 and the side surface 12 d of the second core 12 form a fourth side surface 104 of the inductor assembly 100 .

[0017] The inductor assembly 100 includes a first coil 21 and a second coil 22. The first coil 21 is a coil in the first inductor, and the second coil 22 is a coil in the second inductor. The coils are formed by winding a coil wire. In this embodiment, the coil wire is wound with its winding axis in the up-down direction, but this is not limited to this. The coil wire may also be wound with its winding axis in the left-right or front-back direction. The coil wire is formed of a conductive material (e.g., a metal such as copper). The coil wire may be a round wire with a circular cross section, or a flat wire with a flat cross section (e.g., a quadrilateral or ellipse). Both ends of the coil wire are respectively drawn out from the winding portion of the coil. The ends of the coil wire may be drawn out near the center of the winding portion in the thickness direction (up-down direction) of the coil, or may be drawn out from the winding portion at the upper or lower side in that direction. Furthermore, both ends of the coil wire may be drawn out from the winding portion at the same height (up-down position) or at different heights. For example, both end portions may be pulled out from the winding portion near the center in the thickness direction of the winding portion. Alternatively, one end portion may be pulled out from the winding portion at an upper side in the thickness direction of the winding portion, and the other end portion may be pulled out from the winding portion at a lower side in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, both end portions of the coil wire are pulled out from the winding portion at two positions on either side of the winding portion. However, the invention is not limited to this, and both end portions of the coil wire may be pulled out from any positions.

[0018] The end of the coil wire is electrically connected to a terminal (first terminal 30 or second terminal 40). Specifically, the end of the coil wire forming the first coil 21 is electrically connected to the first terminal 30, and the end of the coil wire forming the second coil 22 is electrically connected to the second terminal 40. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the end of the terminal inserted into the core is bent into a U-shape. The end of the terminal grips the end of the coil wire, sandwiching it vertically. The end of the coil wire and the end of the terminal are joined by, for example, laser welding or resistance welding. The mode of electrical connection between the coil wire and the terminal is not limited to direct contact as described above. The coil wire and the terminal may be electrically connected via a separate member. For example, the end of the coil wire may be wound around a binding terminal that is a separate member from the terminal, and the binding terminal may be connected to the terminal, thereby electrically connecting the coil wire and the terminal via the binding terminal. Alternatively, the coil wire and the terminal may be integrally formed from the same member. In this embodiment, the terminals are input / output terminals, and each inductor is connected to other electronic components or electrical equipment via the terminals.

[0019] The terminals are formed of a conductive material. An example of the conductive material is a metal such as copper. The terminals of this embodiment are formed by bending a plate-shaped conductive material. The terminals of this embodiment have embedded portions 39, 49, upstanding portions 34, 44, and mounting portions 32, 42. The embedded portion 39 is embedded in the first core 11 or the second core 12. The embedded portions 39, 49 are portions of the terminals embedded inside the core. In other words, portions of the terminals extending from the embedded portions 39, 49 protrude laterally (toward either the left or right) from the core. The embedded portion 39 is the end of the terminal that is electrically connected to the coil wire and is also the base end. The end of the terminal that is electrically connected to the coil wire is called the base end, and the other end opposite to that end is called the tip end. Alternatively, the entire terminal may be disposed outside the core, and the terminal may not have the embedded portions 39, 49.

[0020] The mounting portions 32, 42 are portions of the terminals that include mounting surfaces that are grounded to the mounting substrate. The inductor assembly 100 is mounted by joining the mounting portions 32, 42 to the mounting substrate by soldering or the like. The mounting portions 32, 42 and the mounting surfaces are aligned with the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly (the lower surface of the first core 11). The mounting portions 32, 42 and the mounting surfaces being aligned with the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100 means that the mounting portions 32, 42 and the mounting surfaces are substantially parallel to the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the terminals are bent inward at the first bent portions 36, 46, and the mounting portions 32, 42 and the mounting surfaces are aligned closely with the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. In this case, the mounting portions 32, 42 are aligned with the ceiling surface of the terminal recess 11e. That is, the mounting portions 32, 42 are substantially parallel to the ceiling surface of the terminal recess 11e. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the inclination angle of the ceiling surface of the terminal recess 11e and the inclination angle of the mounting portions 32, 42 are different and not completely parallel. Alternatively, the terminals may be bent outward at the first bent portions 36, 46, and the mounting portion 32 and mounting surface may be disposed on the side of the inductor assembly 100 and along the bottom surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the mounting portions 32, 42 are disposed within the terminal recess 11e of the first core 11. In this embodiment, the mounting portions 32 of the first terminals 30 and the mounting portions 42 of the second terminals 40 that are arranged side by side are both disposed within a single terminal recess 11e. Alternatively, one or more terminal recesses 11e may be formed on the bottom surface of the core, the number of which corresponds to the number of terminals, and one or more terminal mounting portions 32, 42 may be disposed in each terminal recess 11e.

[0021] The upright portions 34, 44 are portions of the terminals that stand up relative to the mounting portions 32, 42. The upright portions 34, 44 are located between the embedded portion (base end) and the mounting portion (tip end). The upright portions 34, 44 standing up relative to the mounting portions 32, 42 mean that the upright portions 34, 44 extend so as to intersect with the mounting portions 32, 42. More preferably, the extending direction of the upright portions 34, 44 contains a greater component perpendicular to the extending direction of the mounting portions 32, 42 than the extending direction component of the mounting portions 32, 42. Even more preferably, the extending direction of the upright portions 34, 44 is approximately vertical. The upright portions 34, 44 are arranged along the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100. The upright portions 34, 44 may be in contact (abutting or pressure-contacting) with the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100, or may be spaced apart. As shown in FIG. 6 , the upright portions 34, 44 of each terminal are positioned laterally outward of the center of the inductor assembly 100 in the horizontal direction (front-to-back direction) when viewed facing the plate surface (main surface) of the upright portions 34, 44 (when viewed left-right). This fixes the relative positional relationship between the first core 11 and the second core 12. For example, this prevents the first core 11 from rotating relative to the second core 12 around the vertical axis. The upright portions 34, 44 have a substantially linear shape extending in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the upper portion of the upright portion 44 of the second terminal 40 may be curved toward the cores (the first core 11 and the second core 12) (so as to approach the side surfaces 11 a, 11 c of the first core 11 and the side surfaces 12 a, 12 c of the second core 12 shown in FIG. 1 ). That is, the upper portion of the upright portion 44 of the second terminal 40 may be recessed inward. This allows the second terminal 40 to hold the first core 11 and the second core 12 well. In the present embodiment, as a result of the curved upstanding portion 44, a portion of the upstanding portion 44 is in close contact with the side surface of the core (the side surfaces 11a, 11c of the first core 11 or the side surfaces 12a, 12c of the second core 12) without any gaps. Alternatively, the entire upstanding portion 44 may be spaced apart from the side surface of the core. Here, the upper portion of the upstanding portion 44 of the second terminal 40 refers to a portion of the second terminal 40 that is located above the first terminal 30 (particularly the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30).In other words, the upper portion of the upright portion 44 of the second terminal 40 is a portion of the second terminal 40 that extends along the lower portion of the side surfaces 12a and 12c of the second core 12 (see FIG. 1 ) and the upper portion of the side surfaces 11a and 11c of the first core 11 (see FIG. 1 ). While the upper portion of the upright portion 44 of the second terminal 40 has a curved shape, the lower portion of the second terminal 40 (a portion that extends along the lower portion of the side surfaces 11a and 11c of the first core 11) and the first terminal 30 may have a substantially linear shape or a curved shape closer to a linear shape. That is, the upper portion of the upright portion 44 of the second terminal 40 may be curved more than the lower portions of the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40. Note that the curved shape of the second terminal 40 is exaggerated in FIG. 5 for convenience. The actual inductor assembly 100 may have a shape closer to a linear shape than the curved shape shown. In this embodiment, the second terminal 40 is bent at a substantially right angle at the second bent portion 48. Alternatively, the second terminal 40 may be bent so as to bulge slightly outward at the second bent portion 48. Alternatively, the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 may have a generally linear shape as a whole.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5 , the terminals (first terminal 30 and second terminal 40) are bent at first bent portions 36, 46 so that the mounting portions 32, 42 are positioned below the inductor assembly 100. The first bent portions 36, 46 are located between the upright portions 34, 44 and the mounting portions 32, 42. That is, in this embodiment, the terminals are bent inward from the upright portions 34, 44 to the mounting portions 32, 42. "Inward" refers to the direction toward the interior of the inductor assembly 100. In this embodiment, the first bent portions 36, 46 are bent in a curved shape. Alternatively, the first bent portions 36, 46 may be bent in an angular shape. The first bent portions 36, 46 are bent in a shape that follows the corner formed by the side surfaces 101, 103 and the bottom surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. Note that "bent" of a terminal includes not only a terminal bent to form a corner, but also a terminal curved in an arc without a clear corner. The first bent portion 36, 46 is a portion of the terminal with a greater curvature than the upstanding portion 34, 44 or the mounting portion 32, 42. Because the upstanding portion 34, 44 and the mounting portion 32, 42 are substantially linear, the curved portion of the terminal between the upstanding portion 34, 44 and the mounting portion 32, 42 is the first bent portion 36, 46. Each of the terminals (first terminal 30 and second terminal 40) is bent at the second bent portion 38, 48. The second bent portion 38, 48 is located between the embedded portion 39, 49 and the upstanding portion 34, 44. That is, in this embodiment, the terminal is bent downward from the embedded portion 39, 49 to the upstanding portion 34, 44. In this embodiment, the second bent portion 38, 48 is bent in a curved shape. Alternatively, the second bent portions 38, 48 may be bent into an angular shape. In this embodiment, the terminal is bent immediately after protruding from the core (first core 11 or second core 12) to form the second bent portions 38, 48. The second bent portions 38, 48 are portions of the terminal that have a greater curvature than the upstanding portions 34, 44 or the embedded portions 39, 49. Because the upstanding portions 34, 44 are substantially linear, the curved portions between the base end of the terminal that protrudes from the core and is located outside the core and the upstanding portions 34, 44 are the second bent portions 38, 48.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5 and described above, the upstanding portion 34 of one first terminal 30a and the upstanding portion 44 of one second terminal 40a are formed on the first side surface 101 (on the same side surface). Here, "the upstanding portions 34, 44 are formed on the first side surface 101" means that the upstanding portions 34, 44 are arranged extending on the surface of the first side surface 101. The upstanding portions 34, 44 may be arranged on the first side surface 101 in contact (abutting or pressure-contacting) with the first side surface 101, or may be arranged on the first side surface 101 at a distance from the first side surface 101. Furthermore, the upstanding portions 34, 44 are formed on the surfaces of the inductor assembly 100 facing laterally. In this embodiment, the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100 along which the upstanding portions 34, 44 lie are flat surfaces. That is, of the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100 along which the upstanding portions 34, 44 are disposed, the portions covered by the upstanding portions 34, 44 are continuous with the remaining portions. Alternatively to this embodiment, vertically extending grooves may be formed in the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100, and at least portions of the upstanding portions 34, 44 may be embedded in the grooves. That is, the upstanding portions 34, 44 may be formed on the bottom surfaces of the grooves. The bottom surfaces of the grooves are also part of the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100. As shown in FIG. 6 , the upstanding portion 34 of one first terminal 30a and the upstanding portion 44 of one second terminal 40a are arranged along each other. In other words, the first terminal 30a and the second terminal 40a extend in substantially the same direction (vertical direction). Furthermore, one first terminal 30a and one second terminal 40a are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. On the other hand, the pair of first terminals 30a, 30b and the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b are not formed on a second side surface 102, which is one of the sides 101 to 104 of the inductor assembly 100 different from the first side surface 101. In other words, the pair of first terminals 30a, 30b and the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b are not arranged on the second side surface 102. In other words, when viewed facing the second side surface 102, the entire second side surface 102 is exposed from the pair of first terminals 30a, 30b and the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b.In this embodiment, the second side surface 102 is a side surface adjacent to the side surface 101, but is not limited to this. The second side surface 102 may be a side surface that is not adjacent to the side surface 101. In the inductor assembly 100 of this embodiment, which has four side surfaces 101 to 104, the second side surface 102 is a side surface opposite the side surface 101 or a side surface adjacent to the side surface 101. For example, if the inductor assembly 100 has a regular hexagonal bottom surface and six side surfaces, the second side surface 102 is a side surface opposite the first side surface 101 at 180 degrees, a side surface opposite the first side surface 101 at 120 degrees, or a side surface adjacent to the first side surface 101. Preferably, the second side surface 102 is a side surface opposite the first side surface 101 at 180 degrees or a side surface opposite the first side surface 101 at 90 degrees. This allows the inductor assembly 100 to be placed in close proximity to other components, etc., arranged in the front, rear, left, and right directions.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 , the other first terminal 30b and the other second terminal 40b are formed on a third side surface 103. The third side surface 103 is one of the side surfaces of the inductor assembly 100. The third side surface 103 faces the first side surface 101. The pair of first terminals 30a, 30b and the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b are not formed on a fourth side surface 104. The fourth side surface 104 is one of the side surfaces of the inductor assembly 100. The fourth side surface 104 faces the second side surface 102. This allows other components to be arranged closely on the opposing fourth side surface 104 in addition to the second side surface 102, thereby further reducing the space required for the mounting board. In this embodiment, the first side surface 101 and the third side surface 103 face each other at 180 degrees, and the second side surface 102 and the fourth side surface 104 also face each other at 180 degrees. Alternatively to this embodiment, the first side surface 101 and the third side surface 103 may be opposed to each other at 90 degrees, and the second side surface 102 and the fourth side surface 104 may also be opposed to each other at 90 degrees. That is, in an inductor assembly 100 having a quadrilateral bottom surface and four side surfaces, the first side surface 101 and the third side surface 103 may be adjacent side surfaces, and the second side surface 102 and the fourth side surface 104 may also be adjacent side surfaces. Furthermore, instead of this embodiment, the upstanding portion 34 of the other first terminal 30b and the upstanding portion 44 of the other second terminal 40b may be formed on the first side surface 101, and the pair of first terminals 30a, 30b and the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b may not be formed on the third side surface 103 and the fourth side surface 104. In other words, the two upstanding portions 34 , 34 of the pair of first terminals 30 a , 30 b and the two upstanding portions 44 , 44 of the pair of second terminals 40 a , 40 b may all be formed on the first side surface 101 .

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first terminals 30a, 30b and the second terminals 40a, 40b are arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement direction (front-to-back direction) on each of the first side surface 101 and the third side surface 103. One first terminal 30a and the other first terminal 30b are arranged on the same side (front) of one second terminal 40a or the other second terminal 40b in the arrangement direction (front-to-back direction). That is, one first terminal 30a is arranged forward of one second terminal 40a in the front-to-back direction, and the other first terminal 30b is also arranged forward of the other second terminal 40b in the front-to-back direction. This ensures good grounding of the first terminals 30 and the second terminals 40 to the mounting board. For example, the first terminals 30 and the second terminals 40 may have different shapes, as described below, and the heights of the mounting portions 32, 42 between the first terminals 30 and the second terminals 40 may differ slightly. That is, there are cases in which the difference in height between the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30 and the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 is greater than the difference in height between the mounting portions 32 of the pair of first terminals 30a and 30b or the difference in height between the mounting portions 42 of the pair of second terminals 40a and 40b. If the first terminal 30a on the first side surface 101 and the first terminal 30b on the third side surface 103 are arranged on the same side (front side) of the second terminals 40a and 40b that are aligned horizontally with the first terminals 30a and 30b, the grounding of each terminal to the mounting board is better than when the first terminal 30a is arranged in front of the second terminal 40a and the first terminal 30b is arranged behind the second terminal 40b. Even if there is a large difference in height between the mounting portion 32 of the first terminals 30a, 30b and the mounting portion 42 of the second terminals 40a, 40b, the inductor assembly 100 can be tilted slightly forward or backward, allowing the four terminals to be well grounded to the mounting board.

[0026] The predetermined arrangement direction in which the first terminals 30 and the second terminals 40 are arranged laterally is the horizontal direction, particularly the direction along the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 (the side surface along which the first terminals 30 and the second terminals 40 are arranged). Hereinafter, the predetermined arrangement direction of the first terminals 30 and the second terminals 40 arranged laterally with the first terminals 30 may be simply referred to as the arrangement direction. "One first terminal 30a and another first terminal 30b are arranged on the same side as one second terminal 40a or another second terminal 40b" means that the pair of first terminals 30a, 30b are arranged on the same side (front side) of the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b when viewed from a predetermined direction (e.g., in a plan view). In this embodiment, the pair of first terminals 30a, 30b or the pair of second terminals 40a, 40b face each other. More specifically, when viewed from the side (viewed from the left and right direction), the first terminals 30a, 30b or the second terminals 40a, 40b at least partially (in this embodiment, substantially entirely) overlap with each other.

[0027] 6 , on the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103, the central distance L1 is equal to or greater than the edge distance L2 (the sum of the first edge distance L2a and the second edge distance L2b). The edge distance L2 is the sum of the first edge distance L2a and the second edge distance L2b. This allows, when two inductor assemblies 100 are arranged side by side, the insulation distance between the terminals of the two inductor assemblies 100 to be maintained while maintaining the insulation distance between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 arranged side by side within the inductor assemblies 100. For example, when two inductor assemblies 100 are arranged in the same front-to-rear direction, the insulation distance between the second terminal 40 of the front inductor assembly 100 and the first terminal 30 of the rear inductor assembly 100 (inter-inductor assembly insulation distance) is maintained, while the insulation distance between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 within each inductor assembly 100 (intra-inductor assembly insulation distance) is also maintained. More specifically, the distance between the inductor assemblies includes the edge distance L2, which will be described later, and the width of the gap between the inductor assemblies 100. Therefore, by making the center distance L1 equal to or greater than L2, the distance between the inductor assemblies and the distance within the inductor assembly can be made substantially the same.

[0028] The center distance L1 is the distance between the first terminals 30a, 30b and the second terminals 40a, 40b that are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction on the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103. Specifically, the center distance L1 is the shortest distance in the lateral direction (front-to-back direction) between the side end surface of the first terminal 30a and the side end surface of the second terminal 40a on the first side surface 101, or between the side end surface of the first terminal 30b and the side end surface of the second terminal 40b on the third side surface 103. The first edge distance L2a is the distance between a first end 107a of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 and the first terminals 30a, 30b. The first end 107a is the end 107 of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 in the arrangement direction, that is, the end 107 of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 that is closest to the first terminals 30a, 30b. In this embodiment, the end 107 is an edge in the front-to-rear direction of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103. Specifically, the end 107 on the first side surface 101 is the side that is the boundary between the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102, and the side that is the boundary between the first side surface 101 and the fourth side surface 104. The end 107 on the third side surface 103 is the side that is the boundary between the third side surface 103 and the second side surface 102, and the side that is the boundary between the third side surface 103 and the fourth side surface 104. Of these, the first end 107 a on the first side surface 101 is the side that is the boundary between the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102, and the first end 107 a on the third side surface 103 is the side that is the boundary between the third side surface 103 and the second side surface 102. The distance between the first end 107a and the first terminals 30a, 30b is the shortest distance in the lateral direction (front-to-back direction) between the first end 107a and the side end faces of the first terminals 30a, 30b. The second edge distance L2b is the distance between the second end 107b of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 and the second terminals 40a, 40b. The second end 107b is the end 107 of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 in the arrangement direction, that is, the end 107 of the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 that is closest to the second terminal.Specifically, the second end 107b on the first side surface 101 is the edge that is the boundary between the first side surface 101 and the fourth side surface 104, and the second end 107b on the third side surface 103 is the edge that is the boundary between the third side surface 103 and the fourth side surface 104. The distance between the second end 107b and the second terminals 40a, 40b is the shortest distance in the lateral direction (front-to-back direction) between the first end 107a and the side end surfaces of the second terminals 40a, 40b.

[0029] The difference between the center distance L1 and the edge distance L2 is preferably smaller than the width dimension (the dimension in the lateral direction, particularly the front-to-rear direction) of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40. This ensures a sufficient edge distance L2, ensuring the insulation distance between adjacent inductor assemblies 100. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first edge distance L2a and the second edge distance L2b are equal. The first edge distance L2a and the second edge distance L2b being equal means that the first edge distance L2a is more than half the second edge distance L2b and less than twice the second edge distance L2b. Alternatively, the center distance L1 and the edge distance L2 may be equal. The center distance L1 and the edge distance L2 being equal means that the center distance L1 is more than half the edge distance L2 and less than twice the edge distance L2. Alternatively, the center distance L1 may be smaller than the edge distance L2.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7 , in a plan view, the tips 42 a of the mounting portions 42 of the second terminals 40 a, 40 b are positioned more inward of the inductor assembly 100 than the tips 32 a of the mounting portions 32 of the first terminals 30 a, 30 b that are aligned horizontally with the second terminals 40 a, 40 b. For convenience, FIG. 7 illustrates the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 to further emphasize this configuration. That is, the tip distance L3, which will be described later, is illustrated larger than it actually is. The second terminal 40 extends from the second core 12 and is bent to embrace the first core 11, and holds the first core 11 together with the second core 12. As described above, by positioning the tip 42 a of the second terminal 40 more inward of the inductor assembly 100 than the tip 32 a of the first terminal 30, the second terminal 40 can more effectively hold the first core 11. Furthermore, because the second terminal 40 extends to a higher position than the first terminal 30, the load on the joint surface between the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 and the mounting substrate is likely to be greater than the load on the joint surface between the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30 and the mounting substrate. If the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 is positioned further inward in a plan view, the contact surface between the second terminal 40 and the mounting substrate becomes larger. As a result, the second terminal 40 is more firmly joined to the mounting substrate, and the joint surface between the second terminal 40 and the mounting substrate is more durable against loads.

[0031] The tip 32a, 42a of the mounting portion 32, 42 is one end of the mounting portion 32, 42 opposite the side continuing to the upright portion 34, 44. In other words, the tip 32a, 42a of the mounting portion 32, 42 is one end of the mounting portion 32, 42 on the inside of the inductor assembly 100 when viewed from a predetermined direction. The inside of the inductor assembly 100 when viewed from a predetermined direction is the direction from the outer edge of the inductor assembly 100 toward the center of the inductor assembly 100 when viewed from the predetermined direction. The tip 42a of one second terminal 40a is located to the left of the tip 32a of one first terminal 30a. The tip 42a of the other second terminal 40b is located to the right of the tip 32a of the other first terminal 30b. As a result, the area of ​​the mounting portion 42 of one second terminal 40a is larger than the area of ​​the mounting portion 32 of one first terminal 30a. Furthermore, the area of ​​the mounting portion 42 of the other second terminal 40b is larger than the area of ​​the mounting portion 32 of the other first terminal 30b. The area of ​​the mounting portions 32, 42 may be the area of ​​the mounting portions 32, 42 when facing the mounting portions 32, 42, or the area of ​​the mounting portions 32, 42 when viewed from below. Furthermore, the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 is preferably positioned further inward of the inductor assembly 100 than the tip 32a of the first terminal 30 by a length equal to or greater than the thickness of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40. That is, the distance (tip distance L3) between the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 and the tip 32a of the first terminal 30 in the extension direction (left-right direction) of the mounting portions 32, 42 is preferably equal to or greater than the thickness of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40 (particularly the mounting portion 32, 42). This allows the area of ​​the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 to be sufficiently large. Alternatively, in order to ensure a larger area for the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30, the tip 32a of the first terminal 30 may be disposed further inside the inductor assembly 100. That is, the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 may be disposed further inside the inductor assembly 100 than the tip 32a of the first terminal 30 by a length equal to or less than the thickness dimension of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40. That is, the tip distance L3 may be the same as or smaller than the thickness dimension of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 8( a), the second terminal 40 is bent at two locations (bending points 46a and 46b) in the first bending portion 46. Because the second terminal 40 is bent in multiple stages at the first bending portion 46, even if a crack occurs in the solder joining the second terminal 40 to the mounting board, the crack is likely to be stopped at the bending points 46a and 46b and their vicinity. Furthermore, because the second terminal 40 extends in multiple directions at the first bending portion 46, the joining between the second terminal 40 and the solder is improved. Note that in FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b), the bending shape at the first bending portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is exaggerated for convenience. In reality, the bending shape at the first bending portion 46 of the second terminal 40 may be closer to the bending shape at the first bending portion 36 of the first terminal 30.

[0033] The bending points 46a and 46b are the centers of particularly sharply bent portions of the first bending portion 46. That is, the first bending portion 46 of the second terminal 40 has two portions (portions that bend more sharply than other portions) with a smaller radius of curvature than other portions (portions near the bending points 46a and 46b, such as the intermediate portion 46c). The bending points 46a and 46b are the bending centers of the two portions or portions including the vicinity of the centers. The two bending points 46a and 46b are spaced apart from each other. The intermediate portion 46c, which is sandwiched between the spaced apart bending points 46a and 46b, is linear or has a more curved shape than the bending points 46a and 46b and their vicinity. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the second terminal 40 at the bending point 46b on the distal end side is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second terminal 40 at the bending point 46a on the proximal end side. That is, the second terminal 40 is bent more steeply at the tip-side bend point 46b than at the base-side bend point 46a. This allows a larger flat mounting surface to be secured in the mounting portion 42. As a result, the mounting portion 42 is better bonded to the mounting board. Alternatively, the radius of curvature of the second terminal 40 at the tip-side bend point 46b may be larger than the radius of curvature of the second terminal 40 at the base-side bend point 46a. That is, the second terminal 40 may be bent into a curved shape that is larger at the tip-side bend point 46b than at the base-side bend point 46a. This allows for better relaxation of stress applied to the second terminal 40 at the tip-side bend point 46a. In this embodiment, the bend angle of the second terminal 40 at the tip-side bend point 46b is larger than the bend angle of the second terminal 40 at the base-side bend point 46a. That is, the minimum angle formed between the approximate extension direction of the intermediate portion 46c and the extension direction of the mounting portion 42 is smaller than the minimum angle formed between the approximate extension direction of the intermediate portion 46c and the upright portion 34. With this configuration, the intermediate portion 46c is inclined at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal. As a result, the intermediate portion 46c is positioned closer to the mounting substrate, which improves the bonding between the intermediate portion 46c and the mounting substrate and better secures the inductor assembly 100 to the mounting substrate. In this embodiment, the first terminal 30 is bent at one location at the first bent portion 36.Alternatively, the first terminal 30 may be bent at two or more locations at the first bent portion 36 .

[0034] In this embodiment, the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is closer to the first core 11 than the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. More specifically, when viewed in the arrangement direction (front-rear direction) of the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40, the middle portion 46c is closer to the first core 11 than the bending center of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. This allows the second terminal 40 to be bent at the first bent portion 46 so as to fit closer to the first core 11. As a result, the second terminal 40 can better hold the first core 11. Note that, as will be described later, in the case where the second terminal 40 does not have two or more bending points 46a, 46b and is curved more greatly than the first terminal 30, the bending center of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is closer to the first core 11 than the bending center of the first terminal 30.

[0035] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8B , the radius of curvature of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 may be larger than the radius of curvature of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30 adjacent to the second terminal 40. For example, when bending the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40 at the first bent portion 36, 46, different magnitudes of force may be applied to each terminal, or stress may be applied to different portions of each terminal, thereby forming the bent shape of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40 as described above. Because the second terminal 40 is not bent as sharply as the first terminal 30, stress on the second terminal 40 can be more effectively alleviated. This allows the second terminal 40 to be more securely fixed to the mounting substrate. Furthermore, a larger space is created between the mounting substrate and the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40, which has a larger radius of curvature, compared to the space between the first terminal 30 and the mounting substrate. This allows more solder to accumulate between the second terminal 40 and the mounting substrate, resulting in a stronger bond between the second terminal 40 and the mounting substrate. This allows the second terminals 40, which are more susceptible to load than the first terminals 30, to be more firmly fixed to the mounting board.

[0036] The second terminal 40 may be bent at the first bent portion 46 into a circular arc shape, or may be bent into a curved shape with a non-constant radius of curvature, such as an elliptical arc shape. The radius of curvature of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 being larger than the radius of curvature of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30 means, for example, that the maximum value of the radius of curvature of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is larger than the radius of curvature of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. Alternatively, the radius of curvature at the distal or proximal end of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 may be larger than the radius of curvature at the distal or proximal end of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. Alternatively, the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 (the distance between the proximal end and the distal end on a line connecting the proximal end and the distal end) may be larger than the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. Furthermore, it is preferable that the radius of curvature at the tip end of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is larger than the radius of curvature at the base end of the first bent portion 46. This allows the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 to be positioned closer to the mounting board, thereby improving the bonding between the first bent portion 46 and the mounting board.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8A , the angle formed between the standing portion 44 and the mounting portion 42 at the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is smaller than the angle formed between the standing portion 34 and the mounting portion 32 at the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30 that is laterally aligned with the second terminal 40. In other words, the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 may be inclined at a larger angle relative to the lateral direction (or relative to the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100) than the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30. The inclination angle of the mounting portions 32, 42 relative to the lateral direction refers to the minimum angle formed between the lateral direction and the mounting portions 32, 42. Alternatively, the angle formed between the standing portion 44 and the mounting portion 42 at the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 may be larger than the angle formed between the standing portion 34 and the mounting portion 32 at the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30 that is laterally aligned with the second terminal 40.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8( a) or 8(b), in this embodiment, the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 is positioned higher than the tip 32a of the first terminal 30. More specifically, the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 is closer to the first core 11 (particularly the ceiling surface of the terminal recess 11e) than the tip 32a of the first terminal 30. That is, the inclination angle of the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the ceiling surface of the terminal recess 11e relative to the horizontal direction. Also, as described above, the inclination angle of the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30 relative to the horizontal direction. This allows the second terminal 40 to better hold the first core 11. Note that it is sufficient for the inductor assembly 100 to have the above-described configuration in its natural state before being mounted on a mounting substrate. The first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 do not need to have the above-described configuration when the inductor assembly 100 is mounted on a mounting substrate. In this embodiment, at least the tips 32 a, 42 a of the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 (or tip portions including the vicinity of the tips 32 a, 42 a) are disposed within the terminal recess 11 e. In other words, the tips 32 a, 42 a or tip portions of the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 are disposed above the lower surface 105 (lowest surface) of the first core 11. Alternatively, the tip 32 a or tip portion of the first terminal 30 or the tip 42 a or tip portion of the second terminal 40 may protrude downward from the lower surface 105 (lowest surface) of the inductor assembly 100. In this embodiment, the lowest point of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is disposed below the lowest point of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. In other words, when the inductor assembly 100 is to be mounted on a mounting substrate, the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is disposed so as to be closer to the mounting substrate than the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30. It is sufficient that the inductor assembly 100 has the above-described configuration in its natural state before being mounted on a mounting substrate. It is not necessary for the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 to have the above-described configuration when the inductor assembly 100 is mounted on a mounting substrate.In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30 and at least a portion of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 are disposed to protrude downward from the lower surface 105 (lowest surface) of the inductor assembly 100. Alternatively, the lowermost portion of the first bent portion 36 of the first terminal 30 or the lowermost portion of the first bent portion 46 of the second terminal 40 may be flush with the lower surface 105 (lowest surface) of the inductor assembly 100.

[0039] The tip 42 a of the mounting portion 42 of the second terminal 40 is in contact with the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. Furthermore, the tip 32 a of the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30 is spaced from the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. By having the tip 42 a of the second terminal 40 in contact with the lower surface of the inductor assembly 100 (the bottom surface of the first core 11), the second terminal 40 can better hold the first core 11 and the second core 12. Furthermore, because the tip 32 a of the first terminal 30 is spaced from the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100, the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30 has springiness without interfering with the inductor assembly 100. This allows the mounting portion 32 of the first terminal 30 to deform to fit the mounting substrate when the inductor assembly 100 is mounted on the mounting substrate, allowing the inductor assembly 100 to be mounted on the mounting substrate in a satisfactory manner.

[0040] The tip 42a of the second terminal 40 may be in pressure contact with the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100 (the tip 42a may urge the lower surface 105 upward), or may simply abut against the lower surface 105 of the inductor assembly 100. The tip 42a of the second terminal 40 may also be fitted inside the first core 11. That is, the tip 42a of the second terminal 40 and its vicinity (the tip portion including the tip 42a) may be located within the envelope volume of the first core 11. By having the tip portion of the mounting portion 42 embedded in the first core 11, the second terminal 40 can better hold the first core 11.

[0041] 5 , the radius of curvature of the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 adjacent to the second terminal 40. Specifically, the second terminal 40 is bent sharply at a right angle at the second bent portion 48 while substantially in contact with the side surfaces 12 a and 12 c of the second core 12 (i.e., the second terminal 40 is bent so as to closely follow the side surfaces 12 a and 12 c of the second core 12). In contrast, the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 protrudes slightly outward from the side surfaces 11 a and 11 c of the first core 11 and then gently curves toward the side surfaces 11 a and 11 c. In other words, the gap between the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40 and the side surfaces 12 a and 12 c of the second core 12 is smaller than the gap between the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 and the side surfaces 11 a and 11 c of the first core 11. In FIG. 5 , the difference between the radius of curvature at the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40 and the radius of curvature at the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 is exaggerated for convenience. In reality, this difference may be smaller than the difference shown. Also, in FIG. 5 , the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 protrudes further outward from the inductor assembly 100 than the second terminal 40 (particularly the second bent portion 48 thereof), but this is not limited to this. The second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 may be located at the same position in the left-right direction as the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40. For example, when bending the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40 at the second bent portions 38, 48, different magnitudes of force may be applied or stress may be applied to different portions of the terminal to form the bent shape of the first terminal 30 or the second terminal 40 as described above. Alternatively, the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 may be bent at a right angle or an angle exceeding a right angle, while the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40 may be bent at an acute angle (so that the upstanding portion 44 tapers downward). By crimping the second terminal 40 bent at such an acute angle onto the side surface of the core, the bend angle of the second bent portion 48 becomes slightly wider, forming a right angle, allowing the upstanding portion 44 to fit closely along the side surface of the core. As described above, by bending the second terminal 40 more sharply at the second bent portion 48, the second terminal 40 fits more closely along the second core 12 (particularly the portion near the second bent portion 48).This allows the second terminal 40 to better hold the first core 11 and the second core 12. The first terminal 30 and the second terminal 40 may be bent at the second bent portions 38, 48 into a circular arc shape, or may be bent into a curved shape with a non-constant radius of curvature, such as an elliptical arc shape. The radius of curvature of the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 being larger than the radius of curvature of the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40 means, for example, that the maximum value of the radius of curvature of the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 is larger than the radius of curvature of the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40. Alternatively, the radius of curvature at the distal end or proximal end of the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 may be larger than the radius of curvature at the distal end or proximal end of the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40. Alternatively, the distance between the base end and tip end of the second bent portion 38 of the first terminal 30 (the distance between the base end and the tip end on a straight line connecting the base end and the tip end) may be greater than the distance between the base end and the tip end of the second bent portion 48 of the second terminal 40.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and includes various modifications, improvements, and the like as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate. The bending shape of the first bending portion 46 of the second terminal 40 is not limited to the above-described shape. For example, the second terminal 40 may be bent at three or more locations at the first bending portion 46. Furthermore, the second terminal 40 may be bent at the first bending portion 46 so that a portion of or the entire first bending portion 46 has a wave shape. When the first bending portion 46 of the second terminal 40 has a wave shape, the radius of curvature of the first bending portion 46 may be the radius of curvature of a localized curved portion forming the wave shape, or the radius of curvature of the overall curved shape of the first bending portion 46 ignoring the wave shape. Furthermore, the method for forming the bending shape of the terminal described in this embodiment is not limited to the method described in this embodiment. The bending shape of the terminal described in this embodiment may be formed using a method other than that described in this embodiment.

[0043] The above embodiments include the following technical ideas: (1) An inductor assembly having a first core with a first coil therein, and a second core different from the first core and containing a second coil therein, wherein the second core is disposed on the first core, the inductor assembly has a plurality of side surfaces, each of the plurality of side surfaces of the inductor assembly includes a side surface of the first core and a side surface of the second core, a pair of first terminals electrically connected to the first coil protrude from a side surface of the first core and have a mounting portion along a lower surface of the inductor assembly and a standing portion standing relative to the mounting portion, and a pair of second terminals electrically connected to the second coil protrude from a side surface of the second core and have a mounting portion along the lower surface and a standing portion standing relative to the mounting portion, the standing portion of one of the first terminals and the standing portion of one of the second terminals are formed on the first side surface of the inductor assembly, An inductor assembly, wherein the pair of first terminals and the pair of second terminals are not formed on a second side surface of the inductor assembly that is different from the first side surface. (2) The inductor assembly according to (1), wherein the other first terminal and the other second terminal are formed on a third side surface of the inductor assembly that faces the first side surface, and the pair of first terminals and the pair of second terminals are not formed on a fourth side surface of the inductor assembly that faces the second side surface. (3) The inductor assembly according to (2), wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement direction on each of the first side surface and the third side surface, and the one first terminal and the other first terminal are arranged on the same side in the arrangement direction with respect to the one second terminal or the other second terminal. (3-1) The inductor assembly according to (3), wherein the pair of first terminals or the pair of second terminals at least partially overlap each other when viewed from the side.(4) The inductor assembly according to (3), wherein a distance between the first terminal and the second terminal arranged side by side in the arrangement direction on the first side surface or the third side surface is equal to or greater than a sum of a distance between the first terminal and an end of the first side surface or the third side surface in the arrangement direction that is closest to the first terminal, and a distance between an end of the first side surface or the third side surface in the arrangement direction that is closest to the second terminal, and a difference between the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal and the sum of the distance between the end of the first terminal and the first terminal that is closest to the first terminal, and the distance between the end of the first terminal and the first terminal that is closest to the second terminal. (4-1) The inductor assembly according to (4), wherein a difference between the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal and the sum of the distance between the end of the first terminal and the first terminal that is closest to the second terminal, and the distance between the end of the first terminal and the first terminal that is closest to the second terminal is smaller than a width dimension of the first terminal or the second terminal. (5) The inductor assembly according to (3) or (4), wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are bent at a first bent portion located between the upright portion and the mounting portion so that the mounting portion is positioned below the inductor assembly, and wherein, in a plan view, a tip of the mounting portion of the second terminal is positioned more inward of the inductor assembly than a tip of the mounting portion of the first terminal aligned laterally with the second terminal. (5-1) The inductor assembly according to (5), wherein a distance between a tip of the second terminal and a tip of the first terminal in an extending direction of the mounting portion is the same as or greater than a thickness dimension of the first terminal or the second terminal. (6) The inductor assembly according to (5), wherein the second terminal is bent at two locations at the first bent portion. (6-1) The inductor assembly according to (6), wherein the first bent portion of the second terminal is closer to the first core than the first bent portion of the first terminal. (6-2) The inductor assembly according to (6), wherein the radius of curvature of the second terminal at the bend point on the tip side of the second terminal is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second terminal at the bend point on the base side of the second terminal. (6-3) The inductor assembly according to (6), wherein the bend angle of the second terminal at the bend point on the tip side is larger than the bend angle of the second terminal at the bend point on the base side. (7) The inductor assembly according to (5), wherein the radius of curvature of the first bend portion of the second terminal is larger than the radius of curvature of the first bend portion of the first terminal arranged side by side with the second terminal.(7-1) The inductor assembly according to (7), wherein the radius of curvature at the tip end of the first bent portion of the second terminal is larger than the radius of curvature at the base end of the first bent portion. (8) The inductor assembly according to any one of (5) to (7), wherein the angle formed between the standing portion and the mounting portion at the first bent portion of the second terminal is smaller than the angle formed between the standing portion and the mounting portion at the first bent portion of the first terminal arranged side by side with the second terminal. (9) The inductor assembly according to (8), wherein the tip of the mounting portion of the second terminal contacts the lower surface of the inductor assembly, and the tip of the mounting portion of the first terminal is spaced from the lower surface of the inductor assembly. (9-1) The inductor assembly according to (9), wherein the tip of the second terminal is fitted inside the first core. (10) The inductor assembly according to any one of (3) to (9), wherein each of the first terminal and the second terminal is bent at a second bent portion located between the upright portion and an embedded portion embedded in the first core or the second core, and wherein the radius of curvature of the second bent portion of the second terminal is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second bent portion of the first terminal adjacent to the second terminal. (11) An inductor assembly wherein a tip of the second terminal is positioned above a tip of the first terminal. (12) An inductor assembly wherein the second bent portion of the second terminal is positioned below a first bent portion of the first terminal. (13) An inductor assembly wherein an upper portion of the upright portion of the second terminal is curved more toward the second core than a lower portion of the upright portion of the first terminal.

[0044] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 First core 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Side surface 11e Terminal recess 12 Second core 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Side surface 12e Terminal recess 21 First coil 22 Second coil 30, 30a, 30b First terminal 32 Mounting portion 32a Tip 34 Standing portion 36 First bent portion 38 Second bent portion 39 Embedded portion 40, 40a, 40b Second terminal 42 Mounting portion 42a Tip 44 Standing portion 46 First bent portion 46a, 46b Bending point 46c Middle portion 48 Second bent portion 49 Embedded portion 100 Inductor assembly 101 First side surface 102 Second side surface 103 Third side surface 104 Fourth side surface 105 Bottom surface 106 Top surface 107 End portion 107a First end portion 107b Second end portion L1 Center distance L2 Edge distance L2a First edge distance L2b Second edge distance L3 Tip distance

Claims

1. An inductor assembly having a first core containing a first coil, and a second core different from the first core containing a second coil, The second core is positioned on top of the first core, The inductor assembly has multiple sides, Each of the plurality of sides in the inductor assembly includes the side of the first core and the side of the second core, Each of the pair of first terminals that are in electrical contact with the first coil is, Protruding from the side of the first core, The inductor assembly has a mounting portion along the lower surface and a standing portion that rises up relative to the mounting portion, Each of the pair of second terminals that are in electrical contact with the second coil is, Protruding from the side of the second core, It has a mounting portion along the lower surface and a standing portion that rises up relative to the mounting portion, The upright portion of one of the first terminals and the upright portion of one of the second terminals are formed on the first side surface of the inductor assembly. An inductor assembly in which the pair of first terminals and the pair of second terminals are not formed on the second side surface of the inductor assembly, which is different from the first side surface.

2. The other first terminal and the other second terminal are formed on the third side surface of the inductor assembly that is opposite to the first side surface. The inductor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first terminals and the pair of second terminals are not formed on the fourth side surface of the inductor assembly that faces the second side surface.

3. On each of the first and third sides, the first terminal and the second terminal are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction. The inductor assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of the first terminal and the other first terminal is located on the same side in the alignment direction with respect to the second terminal or the other second terminal.

4. The inductor assembly according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal, which are aligned horizontally in the direction of alignment on the first or third side surface, is equal to or greater than the sum of the distance between the end of the first or third side surface adjacent to the first terminal in the direction of alignment and the first terminal, and the distance between the end of the first or third side surface adjacent to the second terminal in the direction of alignment and the second terminal.

5. The first terminal and the second terminal are bent at the first bent portion located between the upright portion and the mounting portion, such that the mounting portion is positioned below the inductor assembly. In a plan view, the tip of the mounting portion of the second terminal is positioned further inside the inductor assembly than the tip of the mounting portion of the first terminal which is adjacent to the second terminal, as described in claim 3 or 4.

6. The first terminal is bent at one point in the first bending portion. The second terminal is bent at two points in the first bending portion. The inductor assembly according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the first bent portion of the second terminal and the first core is smaller than the distance between the first bent portion of the first terminal and the first core.

7. The inductor assembly according to claim 5, wherein the radius of curvature of the first bent portion of the second terminal is greater than the radius of curvature of the first bent portion of the first terminal which is adjacent to the second terminal.

8. The inductor assembly according to claim 5, wherein the angle between the upright portion and the mounting portion at the first bent portion of the second terminal is smaller than the angle between the upright portion and the mounting portion at the first bent portion of the first terminal that is aligned with the second terminal.

9. The tip of the mounting portion of the second terminal is in contact with the lower surface of the inductor assembly. The inductor assembly according to claim 8, wherein the tip of the mounting portion of the first terminal is spaced apart from the lower surface of the inductor assembly.

10. Each of the first terminal and the second terminal is bent at a second bent portion located between the embedded portion embedded in the first core or the second core and the upright portion. The inductor assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the second bent portion of the second terminal is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second bent portion of the first terminal which is aligned horizontally with the second terminal.

11. The upright portion of the second terminal is curved toward the second core at the upper part of the upright portion, The inductor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper part of the upright portion of the second terminal is curved toward the second core more than the first terminal.