Coil component

Abstract

This coil component includes a coil component body and a cover. The coil component body includes a core and a coil. The upper end of the coil component body is covered by the cover. The lower end of the coil component body is mounted on the substrate when the coil component is in use. The cover has an upper side portion and a side wall portion. At least a portion of the upper side portion is made of an insulating material. When the coil component is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end of the coil component body is hidden by the upper side portion and cannot be visually recognized. The upper surface and the lower surface of the upper side portion are insulated from each other. Each of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion is made of an insulating material.

Description

Coil parts

[0001] The present invention relates to a coil component that is mounted on a substrate when in use.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses this type of toroidal coil (coil component) 900. As shown in Fig. 15 , the coil component 900 is mounted on a substrate 940 during use. The coil component 900 is also thermally connected to an aluminum housing 950, which serves as a heat dissipation destination for heat generated from the coil component 900.

[0003] Patent No. 7228159

[0004] When a coil component is thermally connected to a conductive member similar to that thermally connected to the coil component 900 of Patent Document 1, insulation between the member to which heat is dissipated and the coil component is essential. In order to insulate the coil component from the member to which heat is dissipated, it is necessary to ensure a certain spatial distance or creepage distance between the coil component and the member to which heat is dissipated.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coil component that can ensure a constant spatial distance and creepage distance between itself and a member to which heat is dissipated.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a first coil component that is mounted on a substrate during use, the coil component comprising: a coil component body and a cover; the coil component body comprising a core and a coil; the coil being wound around the core; the coil component body having an upper end and a lower end in a vertical direction; the upper end of the coil component body being covered by the cover; the lower end of the coil component body being mounted on the substrate during use of the coil component; the cover having an upper portion and a side wall portion; at least a portion of the upper portion being made of an insulating material; the upper portion being located above the upper end of the coil component body in the vertical direction; when the coil component is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end of the coil component body is hidden by the upper portion and cannot be seen; the upper portion having an upper surface and a lower surface in the vertical direction; and insulation between the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper portion. The side wall portion has an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, each of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion is made of an insulating material, the upper portion has an outer peripheral end, the side wall portion extends downward in the up-down direction from the outer peripheral end of the upper portion, and the side wall portion does not reach the lower end of the coil component main body.

[0007] The coil component of the present invention is configured as follows: the coil component includes a coil component main body and a cover; the upper end of the coil component main body is covered by the cover; the cover has an upper portion and a side wall portion; at least a portion of the upper portion is made of an insulating material; when the coil component is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end of the coil component main body is hidden by the upper portion of the cover and cannot be seen; the upper and lower surfaces of the upper portion are insulated; and the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the side wall portion are each made of an insulating material. As a result, when the coil component of the present invention is used by thermally connecting a component to which heat is to be dissipated to the upper surface of the upper portion, a constant spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the component to which heat is to be dissipated and the coil component. In other words, the coil component of the present invention is capable of ensuring a constant spatial distance and creepage distance between the component to which heat is to be dissipated.

[0008] The objects of the present invention will be appreciated and its construction will be more completely understood by studying the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] 1. A perspective view showing a coil component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2. A partially cutaway side view showing the coil component of FIG. 1. In the figure, the coil component is mounted on a substrate indicated by a dotted line. 3. An enlarged view showing a portion surrounded by dotted line A in FIG. 2. 4. Another perspective view showing the coil component of FIG. 1. 5. A perspective view showing a coil component body included in the coil component of FIG. 1. 6. A top view showing the coil component body of FIG. 5. 7. A cross-sectional view showing the coil component body of FIG. 6 along line B-B. 8. A perspective view showing a first modified example of the coil component of FIG. 1. 9. A partially cutaway side view showing the coil component of FIG. 8. In the figure, the coil component is mounted on a substrate indicated by a dotted line. 10. An enlarged view showing a portion surrounded by dotted line C in FIG. 10. 11. A partially cutaway side view showing a second modified example of the coil component of FIG. 1. In the figure, the coil component is mounted on a substrate indicated by a dotted line. 12. An enlarged view showing a portion surrounded by dotted line D in FIG. 11. 13. A perspective view showing a coil component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 14. A perspective view showing a coil component body included in the coil component of FIG. 13. 15. A cross-sectional view showing a toroidal coil of Patent Document 1.

[0010] While the present invention may be embodied in various forms and variations, the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the drawings, is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed herein, but to embrace all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the scope of the appended claims.

[0011] First Embodiment Referring to Fig. 2, a coil component 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a substrate 800 during use. The substrate 800 extends along a horizontal plane. The coil component 100 according to this embodiment is a line filter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to coil components 100 other than line filters.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2 , the coil component 100 of this embodiment includes a coil component body 200 and a cover 400 .

[0013] 5 and 7 , the coil component body 200 of this embodiment includes a core 240 and two coils 260. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of coils 260 may be one, or may be three or more. That is, it is sufficient for the coil component body 200 to include the core 240 and at least one coil 260.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 7, the core 240 of this embodiment is made of a soft magnetic metal material such as ferrite or a nanocrystalline material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The material of the core 240 is not particularly limited as long as the core 240 has the necessary magnetic properties. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the core 240 is a toroidal core and has a circular ring shape centered on an axis AX that is parallel to the up-down direction and perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0015] The horizontal plane in this embodiment is the XY plane, and the up-down direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. In this embodiment, up is the +Z direction, and down is the -Z direction. Terms such as horizontal plane and up-down direction do not indicate an absolute positional relationship with respect to the ground, but merely indicate a relative positional relationship when the plane on which the substrate 800 extends is defined as the horizontal plane and the position of the coil component 100 with respect to the substrate 800 is defined as the up direction.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 5 , each of the coils 260 of this embodiment is a magnet wire made of a round wire 260X coated with an insulator. More specifically, each of the coils 260 includes only one round conductive wire made of a metal such as copper or aluminum. The conductive wire is coated with an insulator. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the round wire 260X is circular. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coil 260 may be a magnet wire made of a rectangular wire coated with an insulator. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7 , the coil 260 is wound around the core 240. Each of the coils 260 includes a coil portion 262.

[0017] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the coil portion 262 of this embodiment is wound around the core 240. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the coil portion 262 has an upper end 2622 and a lower end 2624 in the vertical direction. The upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 is covered by the cover 400. As shown in Figure 3, the upper end 2622 has an outer end 2623 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the coil component body 200 of this embodiment has an upper end 210 and a lower end 220 in the up-down direction.

[0019] 3, the upper end 210 of the coil component body 200 is covered with the cover 400. The upper end 210 of the coil component body 200 is located above the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 in the up-down direction.

[0020] 2 and 4 , the lower end 220 of the coil component body 200 is mounted on the substrate 800 when the coil component 100 is in use. More specifically, when the coil component 100 is in use, the lower end 220 of the coil component body 200 is mounted on the substrate 800 via a pedestal 750. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the coil component 100 is in use, the lower end 220 of the coil component body 200 may be mounted directly on the substrate 800 without the pedestal 750.

[0021] 2, the cover 400 of the present embodiment defines the top end of the coil device 100 in the vertical direction. To achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262 that generates heat when current is applied to the coil 260, the thermal conductivity of the cover 400 is preferably 20 W / mK or higher. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 400 has an upper portion 410 and a side wall portion 442.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 3 , the upper portion 410 of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At least a portion of the upper portion 410 may be made of an insulating material. The upper portion 410 is located above the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 in the up-down direction. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 , when the coil component 100 is viewed from above in the up-down direction, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is hidden by the upper portion 410 and cannot be seen. That is, the upper portion 410 does not have an opening that allows the coil component main body 200 to be seen from above. In other words, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is completely covered by the upper portion 410. As a result, when the coil component 100 is used by thermally connecting a component that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412 of the upper portion 410 of the coil component 100, the necessary spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the component that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil component 100. 3 , the creepage distance refers to the total length of a thick dashed line BL that starts at outer end 2623 of upper end 2622 of coil portion 262 of coil 260 and ends at outer end 4122 of upper surface 412 of upper side portion 410. Here, outer end 2623 is the point where the distance between upper end 2622 of coil portion 262 and lower surface 414 of upper side portion 410 is the shortest. Specifically, the creepage distance in this embodiment refers to the total length of the thick dashed line BL, which extends upward from the outer end 2623 to the lower surface 414 of the upper portion 410, then extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction along the lower surface 414 to the inner surface 4421 of the side wall portion 442, extends downward along the inner surface 4421 to the lower end of the side wall portion 442, then extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction along the lower end of the side wall portion 442 to the outer surface 4422 of the side wall portion 442, and finally extends upward along the outer surface 4422 to reach the outer end 4122.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion 410 of this embodiment has an upper surface 412 and a lower surface 414 in the vertical direction.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, the upper surface 412 of this embodiment faces upward in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 412 is located above the lower surface 414 in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412 and the lower surface 414 of the upper portion 410 are insulated from each other. The upper surface 412 has an outer end 4122 in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0025] 3, the lower surface 414 of this embodiment faces downward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 414 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface 414 is located below the upper surface 412 in the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , the side wall portion 442 of the present embodiment extends downward in the up-down direction from the outer peripheral edge 416 of the upper portion 410. In the up-down direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 442 is located below the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the side wall portion 442 covers a portion of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The side wall portion 442 covers the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. As shown in FIG. 4 , the side wall portion 442 does not reach the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200. The side wall portion 442 does not reach the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the coil device 100 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, a portion of the coil component main body 200 is visible. More specifically, when the coil component 100 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a portion of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 is visible. As a result, the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 is not completely covered by the side wall portion 442, ensuring heat dissipation from the coil portion 262 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the side wall portion 442 does not reach the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200, the coil portion 262 may be completely covered by the side wall portion 442 and not visible when the coil component 100 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the upper portion 410 and the side wall portion 442 are made of the same material. This reduces the number of parts in the coil component 100 and facilitates assembly. Note that the upper portion 410 and the side wall portion 442 in this embodiment are made of ceramic.

[0027] 2 and 4, the side wall portion 442 has an annular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the side wall portion 442 has an inner circumferential surface 4421 and an outer circumferential surface 4422 .

[0029] 3 , in this embodiment, inner circumferential surface 4421 and outer circumferential surface 4422 of side wall portion 442 are each made of an insulating material. As a result, when coil component 100 is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to upper surface 412 of upper portion 410 of coil component 100, a long creepage distance can be ensured between coil component 100 and the member that is the heat dissipation destination.

[0030] As described above, the coil component 100 of this embodiment is configured as follows: the coil component 100 includes the coil component main body 200 and the cover 400; the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is covered by the cover 400; the cover 400 has an upper portion 410 and a side wall portion 442; at least a portion of the upper portion 410 is configured of an insulating material; when the coil component 100 is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is hidden by the upper portion 410 of the cover 400 and cannot be seen; the upper surface 412 and the lower surface 414 of the upper portion 410 are insulated from each other; and the inner circumferential surface 4421 and the outer circumferential surface 4422 of the side wall portion 442 are each configured of an insulating material. As a result, when coil component 100 of the present embodiment is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to upper surface 412 of upper portion 410 of coil component 100, a constant spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and coil component 100. In other words, coil component 100 of the present embodiment is able to ensure a constant spatial distance and creepage distance between itself and the member that is the heat dissipation destination.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the coil device 100 further includes a connecting member 500 made of a thermally conductive material.

[0032] 3 , the connection member 500 is located above the coil component main body 200 in the up-down direction. The connection member 500 is located below the upper portion 410 in the up-down direction. The connection member 500 is interposed between the coil component main body 200 and the upper portion 410, and thermally connects the coil component main body 200 and the upper portion 410. The connection member 500 is located between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 and the lower surface 414 of the upper portion 410 in the up-down direction. The connection member 500 is in contact with the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The connection member 500 is in contact with the lower surface 414 of the upper portion 410.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the upper portion 410 is higher than that of the connecting member 500. More specifically, the upper portion 410 is made of an insulating material having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the connecting member 500. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the thermal conductivity of at least a part of the upper portion 410 is higher than that of the connecting member 500.

[0034] The thermal conductivity of the connecting member 500 is preferably 2.0 W / mK or more, and more preferably 3.0 W / mK or more, in order to obtain high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262 that generates heat due to the passage of current through the coil 260. The connecting member 500 of this embodiment has insulating properties in order to insulate the two coils 260 from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the coil component 100 includes only one coil 260, the connecting member 500 does not need to have insulating properties. Examples of the connecting member 500 include electrically insulating epoxy resin, thermally conductive silicone, thermally conductive epoxy adhesive, and thermally conductive sheet.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4 , the coil device 100 further includes four terminal portions 264 .

[0036] 4, the terminal portions 264 in this embodiment extend downward in the up-down direction from the coil portion 262. The terminal portions 264 define the lower end of the coil component 100 in the up-down direction. The two terminal portions 264 are formed integrally with the coil portion 262. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the terminal portions 264 may be separate members from the coil portion 262 and welded to the coil portion 262.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5 , the coil component body 200 further includes a core case 600 .

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5 , the core case 600 of this embodiment is made of plastic, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or phenolic resin. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the core case 600 has the necessary insulating properties, the material of the core case 600 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 7 , the core 240 is housed in the core case 600. As shown in FIG. 5 , the coil 260 is wound on the core case 600. That is, each of the two coils 260 is wound on the core case 600. As shown in FIG. 4 , the core case 600 has an outer periphery 610. A recess 612 is formed in the outer periphery 610 of the core case 600.

[0039] 4, the recess 612 of this embodiment is recessed inward in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The recess 612 faces the side wall 442 in the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The recess 612 is at least partially filled with adhesive 700, and the core case 600 is bonded to the side wall 442 with the adhesive 700.

[0040] As described above, in coil component 100 of the present embodiment, core case 600 of coil component body 200 is bonded to side wall portion 442 of cover 400 with adhesive 700 filled in recess 612 of core case 600, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as core case 600 of coil component body 200 is reliably fixed to side wall portion 442 of cover 400, core case 600 may be fixed to side wall portion 442 by another fixing means such as a snap fit.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5 , the core case 600 has two coil-wound portions 620 and two partition portions 630 .

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6 , the coil wound portions 620 in this embodiment are aligned in a first predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The two coil wound portions 620 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first predetermined direction and passing through the center of the coil device main body 200 in the first predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the first predetermined direction is the Y direction. The coil portions 262 of the two coils 260 are wound around the two coil wound portions 620, respectively. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 , each of the coil wound portions 620 is located between two partition portions 630 in the circumferential direction centered on the axis AX. As shown in FIG. 4 , the side wall portion 442 covers a portion of the coil wound portion 620.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6 , the partition portions 630 of this embodiment are aligned in a second predetermined direction that is perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the first predetermined direction. The two coil wound portions 620 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the second predetermined direction and passing through the center of the coil device main body 200 in the second predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the second predetermined direction is the X direction. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , each partition portion 630 is located between the two coil wound portions 620 in the circumferential direction centered on the axis AX. As shown in FIG. 4 , the side wall portion 442 covers a portion of the partition portion 630. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The side wall portion 442 does not necessarily have to cover the partition portion 630. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the partition portion 630 has an upper end 632 and a lower end 634 in the vertical direction.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the coil component 100 of this embodiment, the upper end 632 of the partition portion 630 is located above the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 in the up-down direction. In the coil component 100 of this embodiment, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is the upper end 632 of the partition portion 630. That is, in the coil component 100 of this embodiment, the upper end 632 of the partition portion 630 defines the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 in the up-down direction. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. The upper end of the core case 600 may be located below the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 in the up-down direction. In this case, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. That is, in this case, the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 defines the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 in the up-down direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4 , in the coil component 100 of this embodiment, the lower end 634 of the partition portion 630 is located lower in the up-down direction than the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. In the coil component 100 of this embodiment, the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200 is the lower end 634 of the partition portion 630. That is, in the coil component 100 of this embodiment, the lower end 634 of the partition portion 630 defines the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200 in the up-down direction. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. The lower end of the core case 600 may be located higher in the up-down direction than the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. In this case, the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200 is the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262. That is, in this case, the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 defines the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200 in the up-down direction.

[0046] 2 and 4 , the lower end 634 of the partitioning portion 630 is mounted on the substrate 800 when the coil device 100 is in use. More specifically, when the coil device 100 is in use, the lower end 634 of the partitioning portion 630 is mounted on the substrate 800 via the pedestal 750.

[0047] Although the coil component body 200 in the above-described embodiment includes the core case 600 having the partition portion 630, the present invention is not limited to this. The coil component body 200 may include the core case 600 without the partition portion 630, or may not include the core case 600 at all. In this case, the upper end 210 of the coil component body 200 becomes the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260, and the lower end 220 of the coil component body 200 becomes the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260.

[0048] Up to this point, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described, but this embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0049] 8, a coil component 100A according to a first modified example includes a coil component body 200 and a cover 400A. The coil component body 200 of this modified example is the same as the coil component body 200 of the embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] 8, a cover 400A of this modification defines the upper end of the coil device 100A in the up-down direction. The cover 400A has an upper side portion 410A and a side wall portion 442A.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 10 , the upper portion 410A of this modified example is made of an insulating material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the upper portion 410A is made of an insulating material. To achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262 that generates heat due to the passage of current through the coil 260, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of at least a portion of the upper portion 410A be 20 W / mK or higher. The upper portion 410A is located above the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 in the vertical direction. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , when the coil component 100A is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is hidden by the upper portion 410A and cannot be seen. That is, the upper portion 410A does not have an opening that allows the coil component main body 200 to be visible from above. In other words, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is completely covered by the upper portion 410A. As a result, when the coil component 100A is used by thermally connecting a component to which heat is to be dissipated to the upper surface 412A of the upper portion 410A of the coil component 100A, the necessary spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the component to which heat is to be dissipated and the coil component 100A. Note that the creepage distance in this modification refers to the total length of the thick dashed line BLA shown in FIG. 10 , which starts at the outer end 2623 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction of the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 and ends at the inner end 4443 of the upper surface 4442 of the eaves portion 444, which will be described later. Here, the outer end 2623 is the point where the distance between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 and the lower surface 414A of the upper portion 410A is shortest. Specifically, the creepage distance in this modified example refers to the total length of the thick dashed line BLA, which extends upward from the outer end 2623 to the lower surface 414A of the upper portion 410A, then extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction along the lower surface 414A to the inner surface 4421A of the side wall portion 442A, extends upward along the inner surface 4421A to the lower surface 4444 of the eaves portion 444, then extends inward in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction along the lower surface 4444 to the inner surface of the eaves portion 444, and finally extends upward along the inner surface of the eaves portion 444 to reach the inner end 4443.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, the upper portion 410A of this modified example has an upper surface 412A and a lower surface 414A in the up-down direction.

[0053] 10, the upper surface 412A of the present modified example faces upward in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412A is located above the lower surface 414A in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412A and the lower surface 414A of the upper side portion 410A are insulated from each other.

[0054] 10, the lower surface 414A of this modified example faces downward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 414A is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface 414A is located below the upper surface 412A in the vertical direction.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10 , the side wall portion 442A of this modified example extends downward in the up-down direction from the outer peripheral edge 416A of the upper side portion 410A. In the up-down direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 442A is located below the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The side wall portion 442A covers a portion of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The side wall portion 442A covers the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. As shown in FIG. 9 , the side wall portion 442A does not reach the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200. The side wall portion 442A does not reach the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. Referring to FIG. 8 , when the coil device 100A is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, a portion of the coil component main body 200 is visible. More specifically, when the coil device 100A is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a portion of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 is visible. As a result, the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 is not completely covered by the side wall portion 442A, and heat dissipation from the coil portion 262 in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is ensured. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the side wall portion 442A does not reach the lower end 220 of the coil device main body 200, the coil portion 262 may be completely covered by the side wall portion 442A and not be visible when the coil device 100A is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0056] 8 and 9, the side wall portion 442A has an annular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the side wall portion 442A has an inner circumferential surface 4421A and an outer circumferential surface 4422A.

[0058] 10 , the inner circumferential surface 4421A and the outer circumferential surface 4422A of the side wall portion 442A of this modified example are each made of an insulating material. As a result, when the coil device 100A is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412A of the upper portion 410A of the coil device 100A, it is possible to ensure a long creepage distance between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil device 100A.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, a cover 400A of this modification includes an insulating member 440 and a highly heat-conductive member 470.

[0060] 10, an insulating member 440 of this modification is made of plastic such as polyamide resin, PET resin, etc. The insulating member 440 has a side wall portion 442A and a visor portion 444.

[0061] As shown in Figure 10, the eaves portion 444 of this modified example extends inward from the upper end 4424A of the side wall portion 442A in the vertical direction in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The eaves portion 444 is located above the high thermal conductivity member 470 in the vertical direction. The eaves portion 444 has an upper surface 4442 and a lower surface 4444. The upper surface 4442 faces upward in the vertical direction. The upper surface 4442 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 4442 has an inner end 4443 in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface 4444 faces downward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 4444 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 10 , the high thermal conductivity member 470 of this modification has insulating properties. Specifically, the high thermal conductivity member 470 is made of ceramic. To achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262 that generates heat due to the passage of current through the coil 260, the thermal conductivity of the high thermal conductivity member 470 is preferably 20 W / mK or higher. The high thermal conductivity member 470 is located below the eaves portion 444 in the vertical direction. Referring to FIG. 8 , the high thermal conductivity member 470 has a circular shape when viewed alone in the vertical direction. When the coil device 100A is viewed from above, a portion of the high thermal conductivity member 470 is visible. The high thermal conductivity member 470 has an upper surface 472 and a lower surface 474 in the vertical direction. The upper surface 472 and the lower surface 474 are each flat and perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 472 faces upward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 474 faces downward in the vertical direction.

[0063] 10 , eave portion 444 and high thermal conductivity member 470 form upper portion 410A. An upper surface 4442 of eave portion 444 and a part of an upper surface 472 of high thermal conductivity member 470 form upper surface 412A of upper portion 410A. A lower surface 474 of high thermal conductivity member 470 forms lower surface 414A of upper portion 410A.

[0064] As described above, the cover 400A of this modification is made up of the insulating member 440 made of plastic and the highly thermally conductive member 470 made of ceramic. This allows the manufacturing costs of the cover 400A of this modification to be reduced compared to when the entire cover is made up of ceramic.

[0065] As described above, the coil component 100A of this modified example is configured as follows: the coil component 100A includes a coil component main body 200 and a cover 400A; the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is covered by the cover 400A; the cover 400A has an upper portion 410A and a side wall portion 442A; at least a portion of the upper portion 410A is configured from an insulating material; when the coil component 100A is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is hidden by the upper portion 410A of the cover 400A and cannot be seen; there is insulation between the upper surface 412A and the lower surface 414A of the upper portion 410A; and the inner circumferential surface 4421A and the outer circumferential surface 4422A of the side wall portion 442A are each configured from an insulating material. As a result, when the coil component 100A of this modified example is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412A of the upper part 410A of the coil component 100A, a constant spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil component 100A. That is, even with the coil component 100A of this modified example, a constant spatial distance and creepage distance can be ensured between the member that is the heat dissipation destination.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the coil device 100A further includes a connecting member 500 similar to the connecting member 500 of the above-described embodiment.

[0067] 10 , the connecting member 500 of this modified example is located below the upper portion 410A in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is interposed between the coil component main body 200 and the upper portion 410A, and thermally connects the coil component main body 200 and the upper portion 410A. The connecting member 500 is located between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 and the lower surface 414A of the upper portion 410A in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is in contact with the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The connecting member 500 is in contact with the lower surface 414A of the upper portion 410A.

[0068] 10 , the thermal conductivity of the high thermal conductivity member 470 is higher than that of the connecting member 500. The high thermal conductivity member 470 is sandwiched between the eaves portion 444 and the connecting member 500. The connecting member 500 is located below the high thermal conductivity member 470 in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is interposed between the coil component main body 200 and the high thermal conductivity member 470, and thermally connects the coil component main body 200 and the high thermal conductivity member 470. The connecting member 500 is located between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 and the lower surface 474 of the high thermal conductivity member 470 in the up-down direction.

[0069] 11 , a coil component 100B of a second modified example includes a coil component body 200 and a cover 400B. The coil component body 200 of this modified example is the same as the coil component body 200 of the embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] 11 , the cover 400B of this modification defines the top end of the coil device 100B in the up-down direction. To achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262 that generates heat due to the application of current to the coil 260, the thermal conductivity of the cover 400B is preferably 20 W / mK or higher. The cover 400B has an upper portion 410B and a side wall portion 442B.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 12 , the upper portion 410B of this modified example is made of an insulating material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the upper portion 410B is made of an insulating material. To achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262 that generates heat due to the passage of current through the coil 260, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of at least a portion of the upper portion 410B be 20 W / mK or higher. The upper portion 410B is located above the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 in the vertical direction. When the coil component 100B is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is hidden by the upper portion 410B and cannot be seen. In other words, the upper portion 410B does not have an opening that would allow the coil component main body 200 to be visible from above. In other words, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is completely covered by the upper portion 410B. As a result, when the coil component 100B is used by thermally connecting a component to which heat is to be dissipated to the upper surface 412B of the upper portion 410B of the coil component 100B, the necessary spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the component to which heat is to be dissipated and the coil component 100B. Note that the creepage distance in this modification refers to the total length of the thick dashed line BLB shown in FIG. 12 , which starts at the outer end 2623 of the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and ends at the inner end 4463 of the upper surface 4462 of the second eaves portion 446 (described later). Here, the outer end 2623 is the point where the distance between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 and the lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B is shortest. Specifically, the creepage distance in this modified example refers to the total length of the thick dashed line BLB, which extends upward from the outer end 2623 to the lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B, then extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction along the lower surface 414B to the inner surface 4421B of the side wall portion 442B, extends upward along the inner surface 4421B to the lower surface 4464 of the second eaves portion 446, then extends inward in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction along the lower surface 4464 to the inner surface of the second eaves portion 446, and finally extends upward along the inner surface of the second eaves portion 446 to reach the inner end 4463.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 12, the upper portion 410B of this modified example has an upper surface 412B and a lower surface 414B in the up-down direction.

[0073] 12, the upper surface 412B of this modified example faces upward in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412B is located above the lower surface 414B in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412B and the lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B are insulated from each other.

[0074] 12, the lower surface 414B of this modified example faces downward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 414B is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface 414B is located below the upper surface 412B in the vertical direction.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 12, the upper portion 410B of this modified example includes an insulating portion 417 and a metal portion 418.

[0076] Referring to Figure 12, the insulating portion 417 of this modified example is made of flame-retardant polypropylene, a flame-retardant polycarbonate sheet, or the like. The insulating portion 417 has a flat plate shape that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. When the insulating portion 417 is viewed alone in the vertical direction, it has a circular shape. The insulating portion 417 has an upper surface 4172 and a lower surface 4174 in the vertical direction. The upper surface 4172 and the lower surface 4174 are each flat surfaces that are perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 4172 faces upward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 4174 faces downward in the vertical direction.

[0077] Referring to Figure 12, the metal part 418 of this modified example is a flat metal plate perpendicular to the vertical direction. When viewed alone in the vertical direction, the metal part 418 has a circular shape. The metal part 418 is located above the insulating part 417 in the vertical direction. The metal part 418 has an upper surface 4182 and a lower surface 4184 in the vertical direction. The upper surface 4182 and the lower surface 4184 are each flat surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 4182 faces upward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 4184 faces downward in the vertical direction. A space 419 is present between the upper surface 4172 of the insulating part 417 and the lower surface 4184 of the metal part 418.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 12 , the side wall portion 442B of this modified example extends downward in the up-down direction from the outer peripheral edge 416B of the upper side portion 410B. In the up-down direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 442B is located below the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The side wall portion 442B covers a portion of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The side wall portion 442B covers the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. As shown in FIG. 11 , the side wall portion 442B does not reach the lower end 220 of the coil component main body 200. The side wall portion 442B does not reach the lower end 2624 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. When the coil device 100B is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, a portion of the coil component main body 200 is visible. More specifically, when the coil device 100B is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, a portion of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 is visible. As a result, the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 is not completely covered by the side wall portion 442B, and heat dissipation from the coil portion 262 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction is ensured. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the side wall portion 442B does not reach the lower end 220 of the coil device main body 200, the coil portion 262 may be completely covered by the side wall portion 442B and not be visible when the coil device 100B is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 11, the side wall portion 442B has an annular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12, the side wall portion 442B has an inner circumferential surface 4421B and an outer circumferential surface 4422B.

[0081] 12 , the inner circumferential surface 4421B and the outer circumferential surface 4422B of the side wall portion 442B of this modified example are each made of an insulating material. As a result, when the coil component 100B is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412B of the upper portion 410B of the coil component 100B, it is possible to ensure a long creepage distance between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil component 100B.

[0082] As described above, the coil component 100B of this modified example is configured as follows: the coil component 100B includes a coil component main body 200 and a cover 400B; the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is covered by the cover 400B; the cover 400B has an upper portion 410B and a side wall portion 442B; at least a portion of the upper portion 410B is configured from an insulating material; when the coil component 100B is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end 210 of the coil component main body 200 is hidden by the upper portion 410B of the cover 400B and cannot be seen; there is insulation between the upper surface 412B and the lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B; and the inner circumferential surface 4421B and the outer circumferential surface 4422B of the side wall portion 442B are each configured from an insulating material. As a result, when the coil component 100B of this modified example is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412B of the upper part 410B of the coil component 100B, a constant spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil component 100B. In other words, the coil component 100B of this modified example is able to ensure a constant spatial distance and creepage distance between the member that is the heat dissipation destination.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 12, a cover 400B of this modification has an insulating member 440B.

[0084] 12, an insulating member 440B of this modification is made of plastic such as polyamide resin, PET resin, etc. The insulating member 440B has a side wall portion 442B, a first eaves portion 444B, and a second eaves portion 446B.

[0085] As shown in Figure 12, the first eaves portion 444B of this modified example extends inward in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the up-down direction from the upper end 4424B of the side wall portion 442B in the up-down direction. The first eaves portion 444B is located above the second eaves portion 446 in the up-down direction. The first eaves portion 444B is located above the metal portion 418 in the up-down direction. The metal portion 418 is sandwiched between the first eaves portion 444B and the second eaves portion 446. The first eaves portion 444B has an upper surface 4442B. The upper surface 4442B faces upward in the up-down direction. The upper surface 4442B is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 12 , the second eaves portion 446 of this modified example extends inward from the side wall portion 442B in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The second eaves portion 446 is located below the metal portion 418 in the up-down direction. The second eaves portion 446 is located above the insulating portion 417 in the up-down direction. The second eaves portion 446 is sandwiched between the metal portion 418 and the insulating portion 417. The first eaves portion 444B and the second eaves portion 446 are connected by a portion of the side wall portion 442B. The second eaves portion 446 has an upper surface 4462 and a lower surface 4464 in the up-down direction. The upper surface 4462 faces upward in the up-down direction. The upper surface 4462 is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The upper surface 4462 has an inner end 4463 in the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The lower surface 4464 faces downward in the up-down direction. The lower surface 4464 is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0087] 12 , the first eaves portion 444B, the second eaves portion 446, the metal portion 418, and the insulating portion 417 constitute an upper portion 410B. An upper surface 4442B of the first eaves portion 444B and a part of an upper surface 4182 of the metal portion 418 constitute an upper surface 412B of the upper portion 410B. A lower surface 4174 of the insulating portion 417 constitutes a lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 12, the coil device 100B further includes a connecting member 500 similar to the connecting member 500 of the above-described embodiment.

[0089] 12 , the connecting member 500 is located below the upper portion 410B in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is interposed between the coil component main body 200 and the upper portion 410B, and thermally connects the coil component main body 200 and the upper portion 410B. The connecting member 500 is located between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 and the lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is in contact with the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260. The connecting member 500 is in contact with the lower surface 414B of the upper portion 410B.

[0090] 12 , the insulating portion 417 is sandwiched between the second eaves portion 446 and the connecting member 500. The connecting member 500 is located below the insulating portion 417 in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is interposed between the coil component main body 200 and the insulating portion 417, and thermally connects the coil component main body 200 and the insulating portion 417. The connecting member 500 is located between the upper end 2622 of the coil portion 262 of the coil 260 and the lower surface 4174 of the insulating portion 417 in the up-down direction. The connecting member 500 is in contact with the lower surface 4174 of the insulating portion 417.

[0091] Second Embodiment Referring to Fig. 13, a coil component 100C according to a second embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a substrate (not shown) during use. The substrate extends along a horizontal plane. The coil component 100C of this embodiment is a line filter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to coil components 100C other than line filters.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 13, a coil device 100C includes a coil device main body 200C and a cover 400C.

[0093] 14 , the coil component main body 200C of the present embodiment includes a core (not shown) and two coils 260C. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. The number of coils 260C may be one, or may be three or more. In other words, it is sufficient for the coil component main body 200C to include a core and one coil 260C.

[0094] Referring to Figure 14, the core of this embodiment is made of a soft magnetic metal material such as ferrite or nanocrystalline material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The material of the core is not particularly limited as long as the core has the necessary magnetic properties. The core of this embodiment is a toroidal core and has a circular ring shape centered on an axis AXC parallel to a second predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0095] The horizontal plane in this embodiment is the XY plane, the up-down direction in this embodiment is the Z direction, and the second predetermined direction in this embodiment is the X direction. In this embodiment, the up direction is the +Z direction, and the down direction is the -Z direction. Terms such as horizontal plane, up-down direction, and second predetermined direction do not indicate an absolute positional relationship with respect to the ground, but merely indicate a relative positional relationship when the plane on which the substrate extends is defined as the horizontal plane and the position of the coil device 100C with respect to the substrate is defined as the up direction.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 14 , each of the coils 260C in this embodiment is a magnet wire made of a round wire 260XC coated with an insulator. More specifically, each of the coils 260C includes only one round conductive wire made of a metal such as copper or aluminum. The conductive wire is coated with an insulator. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the round wire 260XC is circular. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coil 260C may be a magnet wire made of a rectangular wire coated with an insulator. The coil 260C is wound around a core. Each of the coils 260C includes a coil portion 262C.

[0097] 14, the coil portion 262C of the present embodiment is wound around a core. The coil portion 262C has an upper end 2622C and a lower end 2624C in the vertical direction. The upper end 2622C of the coil portion 262C is covered by a cover 400C.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 14, a coil component body 200C of this embodiment has an upper end 210C and a lower end 220C in the up-down direction.

[0099] 13 and 14, an upper end 210C of the coil component body 200C is covered with a cover 400C. The upper end 210C of the coil component body 200C is located above, in the up-down direction, an upper end 2622C of a coil portion 262C of a coil 260C.

[0100] 14 , the lower end 220C of the coil component main body 200C is mounted on a substrate when the coil component 100C is in use. More specifically, when the coil component 100C is in use, the lower end 220C of the coil component main body 200C is mounted on a substrate via a pedestal 750C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the coil component 100C is in use, the lower end 220C of the coil component main body 200C may be mounted directly on a substrate without via the pedestal 750C.

[0101] 13, the cover 400C of the present embodiment defines the top end of the coil device 100C in the vertical direction. To achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262C that generates heat due to the passage of current through the coil 260C, the thermal conductivity of the cover 400C is preferably 20 W / mK or higher. The cover 400C has an upper portion 410C and a side wall portion 442C.

[0102] With reference to FIG. 13 , the upper portion 410C of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the upper portion 410C is made of an insulating material. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the upper portion 410C is located above the upper end 210C of the coil component main body 200C in the up-down direction. When the coil component 100C is viewed from above in the up-down direction, the upper end 210C of the coil component main body 200C is hidden by the upper portion 410C and cannot be seen. In other words, the upper portion 410C does not have an opening that allows the coil component main body 200C to be seen from above. In other words, the upper end 210C of the coil component main body 200C is completely covered by the upper portion 410C. As a result, when the coil component 100C is used by thermally connecting a component to which heat is to be dissipated to the upper surface 412C of the upper part 410C of the coil component 100C, the necessary spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the component to which heat is to be dissipated (not shown) and the coil component 100C.

[0103] 13, the upper portion 410C of the present embodiment has an upper surface 412C and a lower surface (not shown) in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412C is located above the lower surface in the vertical direction. The upper surface 412C and the lower surface of the upper portion 410C are insulated from each other.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 13 , the side wall portion 442C of the present embodiment extends downward in the up-down direction from the outer peripheral edge 416C of the upper side portion 410C. In the up-down direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 442C is located below the upper end 2622C of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the side wall portion 442C covers a portion of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C. The side wall portion 442C covers the upper end 2622C of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C. As shown in FIG. 13 , the side wall portion 442C does not reach the lower end 220C of the coil device main body 200C. The side wall portion 442C does not reach the lower end 2624C of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C. When the coil component 100C is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a portion of the coil component main body 200C is visible. More specifically, when the coil component 100C is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a portion of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C is visible. As a result, the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C is not completely covered by the side wall portion 442C, ensuring heat dissipation from the coil portion 262C in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the side wall portion 442C does not reach the lower end 220C of the coil component main body 200C, the coil portion 262C may be completely covered by the side wall portion 442C and not visible when the coil component 100C is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the upper portion 410C and the side wall portion 442C are made of the same material. This reduces the number of parts in the coil component 100C and facilitates assembly. In this embodiment, the upper portion 410C and the side wall portion 442C are made of ceramic.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 13, the side wall portion 442C has a circular cross section that is a rounded rectangle in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 13, the side wall portion 442C has an inner circumferential surface (not shown) and an outer circumferential surface 4422C.

[0107] 13 , the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface 4422C of the side wall portion 442C in this embodiment are each made of an insulating material. As a result, when the coil device 100C is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412C of the upper portion 410C of the coil device 100C, it is possible to ensure a long creepage distance between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil device 100C.

[0108] As described above, the coil component 100C of the present embodiment is configured as follows: the coil component 100C includes a coil component main body 200C and a cover 400C; the upper end 210C of the coil component main body 200C is covered by the cover 400C; the cover 400C has an upper portion 410C and a side wall portion 442C; at least a portion of the upper portion 410C is made of an insulating material; when the coil component 100C is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end 210C of the coil component main body 200C is hidden by the upper portion 410C of the cover 400C and cannot be seen; the upper surface 412C and the lower surface 414C of the upper portion 410C are insulated from each other; and the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface 4422C of the side wall portion 442C are each made of an insulating material. As a result, when the coil component 100C of the present embodiment is used by thermally connecting a member that is a heat dissipation destination to the upper surface 412C of the upper part 410C of the coil component 100C, a constant spatial distance and creepage distance are ensured between the member that is the heat dissipation destination and the coil component 100C. In other words, the coil component 100C of the present embodiment is able to ensure a constant spatial distance and creepage distance between the member that is the heat dissipation destination.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 13, the coil device 100C further includes a connecting member (not shown) made of a thermally conductive material.

[0110] 13 , in this embodiment, the connecting member is located above the coil component main body 200C in the up-down direction. The connecting member is located below the upper portion 410C in the up-down direction. The connecting member is interposed between the coil component main body 200C and the upper portion 410C, and thermally connects the coil component main body 200C and the upper portion 410C. The connecting member is located between the upper end 2622C of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C and the lower surface of the upper portion 410C in the up-down direction. The connecting member is in contact with the upper end 2622C of the coil portion 262C of the coil 260C. The connecting member is in contact with the lower surface of the upper portion 410C.

[0111] In this embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the upper portion 410C is higher than that of the connecting member. More specifically, the upper portion 410C is made of an insulating material with a higher thermal conductivity than that of the connecting member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the thermal conductivity of at least a part of the upper portion 410C is higher than that of the connecting member.

[0112] The thermal conductivity of the connecting member is preferably 2.0 W / mK or higher, and more preferably 3.0 W / mK or higher, in order to achieve high cooling efficiency for the coil portion 262C that generates heat due to the passage of current through the coil 260C. The connecting member of this embodiment has insulating properties to insulate the two coils 260C from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the coil component 100C includes only one coil 260C, the connecting member does not need to have insulating properties. Examples of connecting members include electrically insulating epoxy resin, thermally conductive silicone, thermally conductive epoxy adhesive, and thermally conductive sheet.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 14, the coil device 100C further includes four terminal portions 264C.

[0114] 14, the terminal portion 264C in this embodiment extends downward in the up-down direction from the coil portion 262C. The terminal portion 264C defines the bottom end of the coil device 100C in the up-down direction. The two terminal portions 264C are formed integrally with the coil portion 262C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the terminal portion 264C may be a separate member from the coil portion 262C and welded to the coil portion 262C.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 14, the coil device main body 200C further includes a core case 600C.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 14 , the core case 600C of this embodiment is made of plastic such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or phenolic resin. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the core case 600C has the necessary insulating properties, the material of the core case 600C is not particularly limited. The core is housed in the core case 600C. The coil 260C is wound around the core case 600C. That is, each of the two coils 260C is wound around the core case 600C.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 14, the core case 600C has two coil-wound portions 620C and two partition portions 630C.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 14 , the coil wound portions 620C of this embodiment are aligned in a first predetermined direction that is perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the second predetermined direction. The two coil wound portions 620C are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first predetermined direction and passing through the center of the coil component main body 200C in the first predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the first predetermined direction is the Y direction. The coil portions 262C of the two coils 260C are wound around the two coil wound portions 620C, respectively. Each of the coil wound portions 620C is located between two partition portions 630C in the circumferential direction centered on the axis AXC. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the side wall portion 442C covers a portion of the coil wound portion 620C.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 14, the partition portions 630C of this embodiment are aligned in the vertical direction. The two partition portions 630C are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and passing through the center of the coil device main body 200C in the vertical direction. Each of the partition portions 630C is located between two coil wound portions 620C in the circumferential direction centered on the axis AXC. With reference to Figs. 13 and 14, the side wall portion 442C covers a portion of the partition portion 630C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The side wall portion 442C does not have to cover the partition portion 630C.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 14, the two partitions 630C include a first partition 640 and a second partition 650.

[0121] 14 , the first partition portion 640 of the present embodiment is located above the second partition portion 650 in the up-down direction. The upper end 642 of the first partition portion 640 is the upper end 210C of the coil device main body 200C. The side wall portion 442C covers the first partition portion 640. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The side wall portion 442C does not have to cover the first partition portion 640.

[0122] 14 , the second partition portion 650 of the present embodiment is located below the first partition portion 640 in the up-down direction. The lower end of the second partition portion 650 is the lower end 220C of the coil device main body 200C. The second partition portion 650 is located above the lower end 2644C of the terminal portion 264C of the coil 260C in the up-down direction.

[0123] Although the coil components 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C of the present embodiment and the modified examples include two coils 260 and 260C and a core case 600 and 600C, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the coil components 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C may include three or more coils 260 and 260C, or may include only one coil 260 and 260C. Furthermore, the coil components 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C may not include the core case 600 and 600C. In this case, it is sufficient that the coils 260 and 260C are wound directly around the insulatingly coated core 240.

[0124] The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-021470 filed with the Japan Patent Office on February 15, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0125] Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

[0126] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C コイル part 200, 200C コイル part body 210, 210C Upper end 220, 220C Lower end 240 コイ260, 260Cコイル260X, 260XC Maru line 262, 262C コイル part 2622, 2622C Upper end 2623 Outer end 2624, 2624C Lower end 264, 264C Terminal part 2644, 2644C Lower end 400, 400A, 400B, 400Cカバー410, 410A, 410B, 410C Upper side 412, 412A, 412B, 412C Upper surface 4122 Outer end 414, 414A, 414B Lower surface 416, 416A, 416B, 416C Outer peripheral end 417 Insulation portion 4172 Upper surface 4174 Lower surface 418 Metal portion 4182 Upper surface 4184 Lower surface 419 Space 440, 440B Insulation member 442, 442A, 442B, 442C Side wall portion 4421, 4421A, 4421B Inner peripheral surface 4422, 4422A, 4422B, 4422C Outer peripheral surface 4424A,4424B Upper end 444 Eaves portion 444B First eave portions 4442, 4442B Upper surface 4443 Inner end 4444 Lower surface 446 Second eave portion 4462 Upper surface 4463 Inner end 4464 Lower surface 470 Highly thermally conductive member 472 Upper surface 474 Lower surface 500 Connecting member 600, 600C Core case 610 Outer periphery 612 Recessed portion 620, 620C Coil wound portion 630, 630C Partition portion 632 Upper end 634 Lower end 640 First partition portion 642 Upper end 650 Second partition portion 700 Adhesive 750, 750C Base 800 Substrate AX Axis AXC shaft,

Claims

1. A coil component to be mounted on a substrate when in use, the coil component comprising a coil component body and a cover, the coil component body comprising a core and a coil, the coil being wound around the core, the coil component body having an upper end and a lower end in a vertical direction, the upper end of the coil component body being covered by the cover, the lower end of the coil component body being mounted on the substrate when the coil component is in use, the cover having an upper part and a side wall part, at least a part of the upper part being made of an insulating material, the upper part being located above the upper end of the coil component body in the vertical direction, when the coil component is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the upper end of the coil component body is hidden by the upper part and cannot be seen, the upper part having an upper surface and a lower surface in the vertical direction, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper part being insulated from each other, a coil component in which the side wall portion has an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion are each made of an insulating material, the upper portion has an outer peripheral end, the side wall portion extends downward in the up-down direction from the outer peripheral end of the upper portion, and the side wall portion does not reach the lower end of the coil component main body.

2. A coil component according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member made of a thermally conductive material, the connecting member being interposed between the coil component main body and the upper part to thermally connect the coil component main body and the upper part, and the thermal conductivity of at least a part of the upper part being higher than the thermal conductivity of the connecting member.

3. A coil component according to claim 2, wherein the upper portion is made of an insulating material having a higher thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the connecting member.

4. A coil component according to claim 3, wherein the upper portion and the side wall portion are made of the same material.

5. A coil component according to claim 3, wherein the cover comprises an insulating member and a high thermal conductivity member, the insulating member has the side wall portion and an eave portion, the side wall portion has an upper end in the vertical direction, the eave portion extends inward from the upper end of the side wall portion in a horizontal plane, the horizontal plane is perpendicular to the vertical direction, the high thermal conductivity member has insulating properties, the thermal conductivity of the high thermal conductivity member is higher than the thermal conductivity of the connecting member, and the high thermal conductivity member is sandwiched between the eave portion and the connecting member.

6. A coil component according to claim 2, wherein the upper portion comprises an insulating portion and a metal portion, the insulating portion being located above the connecting member in the vertical direction, and the metal portion being located above the insulating portion in the vertical direction.

7. A coil component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coil component main body further comprises a core case, the core is housed in the core case, the coil is wound on the core case, the core case has an outer periphery, a recess is formed on the outer periphery of the core case, the recess is recessed inward in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the recess faces the side wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the recess is at least partially filled with adhesive, and the core case is bonded to the side wall portion with the adhesive.

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