Inductor component and drum-shaped core

Abstract

An inductor component (10) comprises: a drum-shaped core (20) having a columnar winding core portion (21) and a first flange portion (22) that is connected to an end of the winding core portion (21) in a direction extending along the central axis (CA) of the winding core portion (21); a wire (40) wound around the winding core portion (21); and a protective material (50) covering a top surface (22A) and the wire (40). The first flange portion (22) has, on a ridge line between an outer end surface (22B) and the top surface (22A), a step (S1) that is recessed so as to protrude in a direction opposite from a third positive direction (Z1) and in a direction opposite from a second positive direction (Y1).

Description

Inductor components and drum-shaped cores

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inductor component and a drum-shaped core.

[0002] The inductor component described in Patent Document 1 includes a columnar core, a flange connected to an end of the core in a direction along the central axis of the core, a wire wound around the core, and a protective material covering the upper surfaces of the flange and the wire. The protective material is made of resin.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-051072

[0004] When manufacturing an inductor component such as that described in Patent Document 1, an uncured protective material is applied to the upper side of the flange and the upper side of the wire. Then, a sheet or the like is pressed against the upper surface of the uncured protective material to flatten the upper surface of the protective material. Here, a sufficient amount of protective material must be applied to ensure that the area of ​​the flat surface of the protective material is greater than necessary. However, if too much protective material is applied, the protective material may spread more than necessary when the upper surface of the protective material is flattened.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides an inductor component comprising: a drum-shaped core having a columnar winding core and a flange connected to an end of the winding core in a direction along the central axis of the winding core; a wire wound around the winding core; and, when a surface of the outer surface of the flange facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis is defined as a top surface, a protective material covering the top surface and a portion of the wire on the specific direction side, wherein when an axis extending along the central axis of the winding core is defined as a first axis and a direction along the first axis in which the flange is located with respect to the winding core is defined as a positive direction, the flange has a step that is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the flange on a ridge line between the top surface and an outer end face of the outer surface of the flange facing the positive direction.

[0006] The present disclosure also provides a drum-shaped core comprising a columnar winding core and a flange connected to an end of the winding core in a direction along the central axis of the winding core, wherein when an axis extending along the central axis of the winding core is defined as a first axis, a direction along the first axis in which the flange is located relative to the winding core is defined as a positive direction, and a surface of the outer surface of the flange facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis is defined as a top surface, the flange is a drum-shaped core having a step that is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the flange on a ridgeline between the outer end surface of the outer surface of the flange facing the positive direction and the top surface.

[0007] This prevents the protective material from spreading more than necessary.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inductor component. Fig. 2 is a side view of the inductor component. Fig. 3 is a side view of a first flange portion. Fig. 4 is a top view of the first flange portion. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an inductor component according to a modified example.

[0009] <One Embodiment of Inductor Component> An embodiment of an inductor component will be described below. Note that the drawings are schematic diagrams for ease of understanding, and components may be enlarged or omitted. Therefore, the dimensional ratios of the components may differ from those of the actual components.

[0010] 1, the inductor component 10 includes a drum-shaped core 20, a first external electrode 31, a second external electrode 32, a wire 40, and a protective material 50. The inductor component 10 is a so-called wire-wound inductor in which a winding is wound around a drum core.

[0011] The drum-shaped core 20 includes a winding core 21, a first flange 22, and a second flange 23. The winding core 21 has a rectangular prism shape and is made of, for example, Ni—Zn ferrite.

[0012] The first flange 22 is connected to a first end of the winding core 21 in a direction along the central axis CA. The central axis CA here is a straight line passing through the centers of both end faces of the columnar winding core 21. The first flange 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Hereinafter, of the outer surfaces of the first flange 22, a surface facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis CA will be referred to as a top surface 22A.

[0013] Here, the axis extending along the central axis CA of the winding core 21 is defined as the first axis X. The axis perpendicular to both the first axis X and the specific direction is defined as the second axis Y. As described above, the "specific direction" is the direction in which the top surface 22A of the first flange 22 faces. The axis perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y, i.e., the axis along the direction in which the top surface 22A faces, is defined as the third axis Z. Among the directions along the first axis X, the direction in which the first flange 22 is positioned relative to the winding core 21 is defined as the first positive direction X1. Among the directions along the first axis X, the direction opposite to the first positive direction X1 is defined as the first negative direction X2. One of the directions along the second axis Y is defined as the second positive direction Y1. Among the directions along the second axis Y, the direction opposite to the second positive direction Y1 is defined as the second negative direction Y2. Among the directions along the third axis Z, the direction in which the top surface 22A faces is defined as the third positive direction Z1. Therefore, the third positive direction Z1 is the above-mentioned "specific direction." Among the directions along the third axis Z, the direction opposite to the third positive direction Z1 is defined as the third negative direction Z2.

[0014] The dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the second axis Y is larger than the dimension of the winding core 21 in the direction along the second axis Y. That is, the first flange 22 protrudes in the direction along the second axis Y relative to the outer surface of the winding core 21. Furthermore, the dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the third axis Z is larger than the dimension of the winding core 21 in the direction along the third axis Z. Therefore, the first flange 22 protrudes in the direction along the third axis Z relative to the outer surface of the winding core 21.

[0015] The second flange 23 is connected to a second end of the winding core 21 in a direction along the central axis CA. The second flange 23 has substantially the same shape as the first flange 22, being a rectangular parallelepiped. The second flange 23 is symmetrical to the first flange 22 with respect to an imaginary plane that includes the center of the winding core 21 and is perpendicular to the first axis X. Therefore, the second flange 23 has a top surface 23A that faces a specific direction. The first flange 22 and the second flange 23 are made of the same material as the winding core 21. The first flange 22, the second flange 23, and the winding core 21 are integrally molded. The detailed configuration of each flange will be described later.

[0016] The first external electrode 31 is a five-sided electrode that covers a portion of the first flange 22 on the third negative direction Z2 side. That is, the first external electrode 31 covers the entire surface of the first flange 22 facing the third negative direction Z2 and portions of four surfaces adjacent to that surface. Although not shown, the first external electrode 31 is composed of a base electrode mainly composed of silver and a plating layer that covers the outer surface of the base electrode. The plating layer is made of nickel, copper, tin, or the like.

[0017] 1 , the second external electrode 32 is a five-sided electrode that covers the third negative direction Z2 side of the second flange 23. That is, the second external electrode 32 covers the entire surface of the second flange 23 facing the third negative direction Z2 and parts of four surfaces adjacent to that surface. The configuration and material of the second external electrode 32 are the same as those of the first external electrode 31.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2 , the wire 40 is wound around the winding core 21. A first end of the wire 40 is joined to the first external electrode 31. A second end of the wire 40 is joined to the second external electrode 32. When tracing the wire 40 from the first end to the second end in the first negative direction X2, the wire 40 is wound around the winding core 21 so as to progress counterclockwise. The wire 40 also has a first layer L1 wound directly around the winding core 21 and a second layer L2 wound continuously from the outside around the first layer L1 for one or more turns. That is, the wire 40 is wound twice for one or more continuous turns. Note that "wound directly around the winding core 21" does not necessarily mean that the wire 40 is in contact with the winding core 21. Even when the wire 40 is spaced apart from the winding core 21, the concept of "directly wound" is included in the concept of "directly wound" as long as there is no wire 40 or other wire between the wire 40 and the winding core 21.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , the protective material 50 covers the top surface 22A of the first flange 22 and the top surface 23A of the second flange 23. The protective material 50 also covers a portion of the third positive direction Z1 side of the winding core 21 and a portion of the third positive direction Z1 side of the wire 40. Specifically, the protective material 50 covers the entire top surface 22A of the first flange 22 and the entire surface of the second flange 23 facing the third positive direction Z1. The protective material 50 also covers a portion of the surface of the first flange 22 adjacent to the top surface 22A and a portion of the surface of the second flange 23 adjacent to the top surface 23A. The protective material 50 also covers a portion of the wire 40 located on the surface of the winding core 21 facing the third positive direction Z1, together with the surface of the winding core 21 facing the third positive direction Z1. The material of the protective material 50 is a synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. In Figures 1 and 2, the protective material 50 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the portion covered by the protective material 50 is also shown.

[0020] (Regarding the Shape of the Flange) Next, the shape of the first flange 22 will be described. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1 , the outer surface of the first flange 22 that faces the first positive direction X1 will be referred to as an outer end surface 22B. The outer surface of the first flange 22 that faces the first negative direction X2 will be referred to as a connecting surface 22E. The outer surface of the first flange 22 that faces the second positive direction Y1 will be referred to as a first side surface 22C. The outer surface of the first flange 22 that faces the second negative direction Y2 will be referred to as a second side surface 22D. The shape of the second flange 23 is plane-symmetrical to the shape of the first flange 22, so a description thereof will be omitted. However, like the first flange 22, the second flange 23 also has a step S2, which will be described later.

[0021] 1, the maximum dimension of the first flange portion 22 in the direction along the third axis Z is greater than the maximum dimension of the first flange portion 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. In other words, when viewed in a plan view facing the direction along the central axis CA, the outer end surface 22B has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the direction of the third axis Z.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first flange 22 has a step S1. The step S1 is located on the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B of the first flange 22 and the top surface 22A, on the ridgeline between the first side surface 22C and the top surface 22A, and on the ridgeline between the second side surface 22D and the top surface 22A. In this embodiment, the step S1 extends over the entire area of ​​the three ridgelines and does not exist in other areas. Therefore, the step S1 exists only within the ranges of the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A, the ridgeline between the first side surface 22C and the top surface 22A, and the ridgeline between the second side surface 22D and the top surface 22A. Here, the ridge line between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A refers to an imaginary line where an imaginary plane extending from the outer end surface 22B in the third positive direction Z1 intersects with an imaginary plane extending from the top surface 22A in the first positive direction X1. The same applies to the ridge lines of the other two surfaces. Note that in Figures 3 and 4, the protective material 50, the wire 40, and the first external electrode 31 are not shown, and only the first flange 22 is shown.

[0023] The step S1 is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the first flange 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , a portion of the step S1 located on the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B of the first flange 22 and the top surface 22A is recessed so as to be convex toward the third negative direction Z2 and the first negative direction X2. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 , a portion of the step S1 located on the ridgeline between the first side surface 22C of the first flange 22 and the top surface 22A is recessed so as to be convex toward the third negative direction Z2 and the second negative direction Y2. Furthermore, a portion of the step S1 located on the ridgeline between the second side surface 22D of the first flange 22 and the top surface 22A is recessed so as to be convex toward the third negative direction Z2 and the second positive direction Y1.

[0024] In other words, the shape of the step S1 described above can be expressed as follows: the surface of the first flange 22 facing the third positive direction Z1 includes a top surface 22A and a lower step surface that is one step lower in the third negative direction Z2 than the top surface 22A. The lower step surface extends along the outer edge of the first flange 22 in a plan view facing the third negative direction Z2 and includes the outer edge. Specifically, in this plan view, the lower step surface extends over the outer edge of the first flange 22 on the first positive direction X1 side, the outer edge on the second positive direction Y1 side, and the outer edge on the second negative direction Y2 side. The top surface 22A protrudes in the third positive direction Z1 relative to the lower step surface. A surface connecting the top surface 22A and the lower step surface is inclined so that the angle formed with the lower step surface is obtuse.

[0025] As described above, the step S1 extends over the entire ridgeline between the top surface 22A and the outer end surface 22B of the outer surface of the first flange 22. Therefore, when the top surface 22A is viewed in plan view as shown in Fig. 4, the step S1 is located on the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B of the outer surface of the first flange 22 and the top surface 22A, and on the central axis CA of the winding core 21.

[0026] Furthermore, the end of step S1 on the second positive direction Y1 side coincides with the outer edge of first flange 22 on the second positive direction Y1 side when viewed in a plan view facing third negative direction Z2. Therefore, the end of step S1 on the second positive direction Y1 side is located closer to the second positive direction Y1 side than the edge of winding core 21 on the second positive direction Y1 side.

[0027] Furthermore, the end of the step S1 on the second negative direction Y2 side coincides with the outer edge of the first flange 22 on the second negative direction Y2 side when viewed in a plan view facing the third negative direction Z2. Therefore, the end of the step S1 on the second negative direction Y2 side is located closer to the second negative direction Y2 side than the edge of the winding core 21 on the second negative direction Y2 side.

[0028] The inductor component 10 is manufactured as follows. First, the drum-shaped core 20 is manufactured using a mold that is shaped to have a step S1 on the first flange 22 and the second flange 23, for example. Formation of each external electrode, connection and winding of the wire 40, and application and molding of the protective material 50 are performed by known methods. In applying and molding the protective material 50, the uncured protective material 50 is applied to the first flange 22, the second flange 23, the exposed portion of the winding core 21, and the third positive direction Z1 side of the wire 40. Then, a sheet or the like is pressed against the surface of the uncured protective material 50 on the third positive direction Z1 side to flatten the upper surface of the protective material 50. Next, the protective material 50 is cured by UV irradiation or the like.

[0029] (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. Note that, although the effects of the first flange 22 will be described below as a representative example, the second flange 23 also has the same effects.

[0030] (1) In the above embodiment, the first flange 22 has a step S1 on the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A, which is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the first flange 22. When the inductor component 10 is manufactured, the uncured protective material 50 deforms to fill the step S1. This makes it difficult for the protective material 50 to spread outside the first flange 22. Therefore, in the inductor component 10 after the protective material 50 has cured, the protective material 50 is unlikely to spread outside the outer edge of the first flange 22.

[0031] More specifically, when manufacturing the inductor component 10, an uncured protective material 50 is applied to the top surface 22A of the first flange 22, etc. Thereafter, the surface of the protective material 50 is flattened by pressing the protective material 50 against a film or the like. This flattened surface of the protective material 50 is used as a suction surface when the inductor component 10 is held by suction, for example.

[0032] When the protective material 50 is pressed against a film or the like as described above, a portion of the uncured protective material 50 fills the space between the first flange 22 and the winding core 21. Therefore, if the amount of protective material 50 applied is small, the area of ​​the flat surface that can be used as the suction surface described above becomes excessively small. On the other hand, if the amount of protective material 50 applied is excessive, the protective material 50 will protrude beyond the range of the first flange 22, affecting the overall dimensions of the inductor component 10. In this regard, in the above embodiment, as described above, the step S1 functions as an escape space for the uncured protective material 50. Therefore, even if an amount of protective material 50 is applied that is sufficient to ensure a flat surface area, the amount of protective material 50 that protrudes beyond the range of the first flange 22 can be reduced.

[0033] Furthermore, if the protective material 50 spreads more than necessary, there is a risk that the extended portion of the protective material 50 will break off and fall off. According to the above embodiment, such falling off can be prevented. Furthermore, if the protective material 50 spreads more than necessary, variations in the overall outer shape of the inductor component 10 are likely to occur. According to the above embodiment, such variations can be prevented.

[0034] (2) In the above embodiment, the maximum dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the third axis Z is larger than the maximum dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. The larger the drum-shaped core 20 containing the magnetic material, the larger the inductance. By making the first flange 22 larger in the direction along the third axis Z, the inductance relative to the mounting area can be increased.

[0035] Furthermore, the larger the first flange 22 is, the greater the difference in height between the surface of the wire 40 on the third positive direction Z1 side and the top surface 22A of the first flange 22 may become. The greater this difference in height, the greater the amount of protective material 50 that needs to be applied. According to the above embodiment, because the first flange 22 has the step S1, the protective material 50 is less likely to spread more than necessary even if the amount of protective material 50 applied is increased. In other words, the inductance can be increased by suppressing the protective material 50 from spreading more than necessary and increasing the volume of the first flange 22.

[0036] (3) In the above embodiment, the wire 40 has a first layer L1 wound directly around the winding core 21 and a second layer L2 wound continuously from the outside around the first layer L1 for one or more turns. Increasing the number of turns of the wire 40 can increase the inductance.

[0037] Furthermore, even if the maximum dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the third axis Z is increased in order to wind the wire 40 twice, the protective material 50 is prevented from expanding more than necessary, as described above. That is, by preventing the protective material 50 from expanding more than necessary and increasing the number of turns of the wire 40, the inductance can be increased.

[0038] (4) In the above embodiment, the step S1 exists only within the ranges of the ridge line between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A, the ridge line between the first side surface 22C and the top surface 22A, and the ridge line between the second side surface 22D and the top surface 22A. In other words, when viewed in the third negative direction Z2, the step S1 does not exist near the boundary between the winding core portion 21 and the first flange portion 22. This makes it easier for the protective material 50 to reach the winding core portion 21 side. As a result, it is unlikely that a space not filled with the protective material 50 will be formed on the winding core portion 21 side of the top surface 22A.

[0039] (5) According to the above embodiment, in a plan view of the top surface 22A, the step S1 is located on the ridge between the outer end surface 22B of the first flange 22 and the top surface 22A, and on the central axis CA. Because the protective material 50 is applied to the third positive direction Z1 side of the wire 40 wound around the winding core 21, the amount of the protective material 50 tends to be greater on the central axis CA. Therefore, it is easier to prevent the protective material 50 from spreading outside the first flange 22.

[0040] (6) In the above embodiment, the end of the step S1 on the second positive direction Y1 side is located closer to the second positive direction Y1 side than the edge of the winding core 21 on the second positive direction Y1 side. The end of the step S1 on the second negative direction Y2 side is located closer to the second negative direction Y2 side than the edge of the winding core 21 on the second negative direction Y2 side. Because the protective material 50 is applied to the third positive direction Z1 side of the wire 40 wound around the winding core 21, the amount of the protective material 50 tends to be greater in a range along the second axis Y of the winding core 21. Therefore, it is easy to prevent the protective material 50 from spreading outside the first flange 22 over a wide area.

[0041] <Modifications> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the shape of the winding core 21 is not limited to a rectangular prism, as long as it is a pillar shape. For example, the shape of the winding core 21 may be a cylinder or a polygonal prism shape other than a rectangular prism. The material of the drum-shaped core 20 is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. For example, the material of the drum-shaped core 20 may be Mn-Zn ferrite, alumina, synthetic resin, a mixture thereof, or the like.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the wire 40 does not have to have the second layer L2. That is, the wire 40 may be wound in a single layer. The wire 40 may also have a third layer wound around the second layer L2 for one or more turns from the outside, or may have four or more layers. According to the above embodiment, even if the maximum dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the third axis Z is increased to wind the wire 40 in multiple layers, the protective material 50 is prevented from spreading more than necessary, as described above.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the inductor component 10 may include two or more wires 40. When the inductor component 10 includes two wires 40, the inductor component 10 may include two external electrodes on each of the first flange 22 and the second flange 23. Each wire 40 may be connected to a pair of external electrodes.

[0045] The structure of each external electrode is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. For example, each external electrode may have at least one conductive layer. Furthermore, the material of each external electrode is not limited to the example in the above embodiment.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the maximum dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the third axis Z may be equal to or less than the maximum dimension of the first flange 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. Even in such a case, if there is an excessive amount of protective material 50, the protective material 50 tends to spread, and at least the effect described in (1) can be obtained.

[0047] The range in which the step S1 exists is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the step S1 may be located only on the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A. Note that Fig. 5 shows only the drum-shaped core 20. Furthermore, the step S1 may exist only partially on the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the step S1 may be present on the ridgeline between the connection surface 22E and the top surface 22A. In other words, the step S1 may be present outside the range of the ridgeline between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A, the ridgeline between the first side surface 22C and the top surface 22A, and the ridgeline between the second side surface 22D and the top surface 22A.

[0049] In the above embodiment, when the top surface 22A is viewed from above, the step S1 does not have to be located on the ridge between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A and on the central axis CA. For example, the step S1 may be located only on the ridge between the first side surface 22C and the top surface 22A.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the step S1 does not have to be continuously connected. For example, the step S1 may exist in two places: on the ridge line between the first side surface 22C and the top surface 22A, and on the ridge line between the second side surface 22D and the top surface 22A. Similarly, the step S1 may exist in three or more separate places. In other words, multiple steps S1 may exist intermittently on the ridge lines of adjacent surfaces of the first flange portion 22.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the end of the step S1 on the second positive direction Y1 side may be located closer to the second negative direction Y2 side than the edge of the winding core 21 on the second positive direction Y1 side. Also, the end of the step S1 on the second negative direction Y2 side may be located closer to the second positive direction Y1 side than the edge of the winding core 21 on the second negative direction Y2 side. In other words, the step S1 may exist only within the range in which the winding core 21 is present in the direction along the second axis Y. Even in such a case, if there is an excessive amount of protective material 50, it is likely to spread, and at least the effect described in (1) can be obtained.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the method for manufacturing the step S1 is not limited to molding using a mold. For example, the step S1 may be formed by manufacturing a drum-shaped core 20 without the step S1, and then removing the corner between the outer end surface 22B and the top surface 22A by cutting or barrel polishing.

[0053] <Supplementary Notes> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modified examples will be described below. [1] An inductor component comprising: a drum-shaped core having a columnar winding core and a flange connected to an end of the winding core in a direction along the central axis of the winding core, a wire wound around the winding core, and a protective material covering the top surface and a portion of the wire in the specific direction, when a surface of the outer surface of the flange facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis is defined as a top surface, wherein when an axis extending along the central axis of the winding core is defined as a first axis and a direction along the first axis in which the flange is located with respect to the winding core is defined as a positive direction, the flange has a step that is recessed so as to be convex toward an interior of the flange, on a ridge line between the top surface and an outer end surface of the outer surface of the flange facing the positive direction.

[0054] [2] An inductor component according to [1], wherein when an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the specific direction is defined as a second axis, and an axis extending along the specific direction is defined as a third axis, the maximum dimension of the flange portion in the direction along the third axis is greater than the maximum dimension of the flange portion in the direction along the second axis.

[0055] [3] The inductor component according to [1] or [2], wherein the wire has a first layer wound directly around the winding core portion and a second layer wound around the first layer from the outside for one or more turns.

[0056] [4] An inductor component according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein when an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the specific direction is defined as a second axis, and the surface of the outer surface of the flange portion facing in a direction along the second axis is defined as a side surface, the step exists only within the range of the ridge line between the outer end face of the outer surface of the flange portion and the top surface, and the ridge line between the side surface of the outer surface of the flange portion and the top surface.

[0057] [5] An inductor component according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein when the top surface is viewed in a plane, the step is located on the ridge between the outer end surface of the flange portion and the top surface, and on the central axis.

[0058] [6] The inductor component according to [5], wherein the positive direction is defined as a first positive direction, a direction along the first axis opposite to the first positive direction is defined as a first negative direction, an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the specific direction is defined as a second axis, one of the directions along the second axis is defined as a second positive direction, and a direction opposite to the second positive direction is defined as a second negative direction, wherein the end of the step on the second positive direction side is located closer to the second positive direction than the edge of the winding core portion on the second positive direction side, and the end of the step on the second negative direction side is located closer to the second negative direction than the edge of the winding core portion on the second negative direction side.

[0059] [7] A drum-shaped core comprising a columnar winding core and a flange connected to an end of the winding core in a direction along the central axis of the winding core, wherein an axis extending along the central axis of the winding core is defined as a first axis, a direction along the first axis in which the flange is located relative to the winding core is defined as a positive direction, and a surface of the outer surface of the flange facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis is defined as a top surface. The flange has a step that is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the flange on a ridgeline between the top surface and an outer end surface of the outer surface of the flange facing the positive direction.

[0060] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Inductor component 20... Drum-shaped core 21... Winding core portion CA... Center axis 22... First flange portion 22A... Top surface 22B... Outer end surface 22C... First side surface 22D... Second side surface 22E... Connection surface S1... Step 23... Second flange portion 40... Wire L1... First layer L2... Second layer 50... Protective material

Claims

1. An inductor component comprising: a drum-shaped core having a columnar winding core and a flange connected to an end of the winding core in a direction along the central axis of the winding core; a wire wound around the winding core; and a protective material covering the top surface and a portion of the wire in the specific direction, when the surface of the outer surface of the flange facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis is defined as a top surface, wherein when an axis extending along the central axis of the winding core is defined as a first axis, and the direction along the first axis in which the flange is located with respect to the winding core is defined as a positive direction, the flange has a step that is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the flange, on a ridgeline between the top surface and an outer end surface of the outer surface of the flange facing the positive direction.

2. An inductor component as described in claim 1, wherein, when an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the specific direction is defined as a second axis, and an axis extending along the specific direction is defined as a third axis, the maximum dimension of the flange portion in the direction along the third axis is greater than the maximum dimension of the flange portion in the direction along the second axis.

3. An inductor component according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wire has a first layer wound directly around the winding core, and a second layer wound around the first layer from the outside for one or more turns in succession.

4. An inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the specific direction is defined as a second axis, and a surface of the outer surface of the flange that faces in a direction along the second axis is defined as a side surface, the step exists only within a range on the ridge line between the outer end face of the outer surface of the flange and the top surface, and on the ridge line between the side surface of the outer surface of the flange and the top surface.

5. An inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the top surface is viewed from above, the step is located on the ridge between the outer end face of the outer surface of the flange and the top surface, and on the central axis.

6. The inductor component according to claim 5, wherein the positive direction is defined as a first positive direction, a direction along the first axis opposite to the first positive direction is defined as a first negative direction, an axis perpendicular to the first axis and the specific direction is defined as a second axis, one of the directions along the second axis is defined as a second positive direction, and a direction opposite to the second positive direction is defined as a second negative direction, wherein the end of the step on the second positive direction side is located closer to the second positive direction than the edge of the winding core part on the second positive direction side, and the end of the step on the second negative direction side is located closer to the second negative direction than the edge of the winding core part on the second negative direction side.

7. A drum-shaped core comprising: a columnar winding core; and a flange connected to an end of the winding core in a direction along the central axis of the winding core, wherein an axis extending along the central axis of the winding core is defined as a first axis, and a direction along the first axis in which the flange is located with respect to the winding core is defined as a positive direction, and a surface of the outer surface of the flange facing a specific direction intersecting the central axis is defined as a top surface, the flange has a step that is recessed so as to be convex toward the inside of the flange on a ridgeline between the outer end surface of the outer surface of the flange facing the positive direction and the top surface.

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