Inductor component and embedded component substrate comprising same

Abstract

[Problem] To make it possible to visually recognize the directionality of a product in an inductor component having a configuration in which a plurality of coil parts are embedded in a magnetic element body part. [Solution] This inductor component 100 comprises: a magnetic element body part M; and coil parts 111-114 embedded in the magnetic element body part M and arranged in an X direction. Each of the coil parts 111-114 includes: a terminal electrode 121A or 121 having an end face exposed on a main surface 101; a terminal electrode 122 having an end face exposed on a main surface 102; and a coil pattern C11 having one end connected to the terminal electrode 121A or 121 and the other end connected to the terminal electrode 122. The end face of the terminal electrode 121A differs in area or shape from that of other terminal electrodes 121. The end face of the terminal electrode 121A is disposed to be offset in the X direction on the main surface 101.

Description

Inductor component and component-embedded substrate including the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inductor component and a component-embedded substrate including the same, and more particularly to an inductor component having a configuration in which a plurality of coil portions are embedded in a magnetic element portion, and a component-embedded substrate including the same.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stacked coil array having a configuration in which a plurality of coil conductors are embedded in a magnetic element portion. The stacked coil array disclosed in Patent Document 1 is designed such that the inductances of the plurality of coil conductors are substantially equal.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-032425

[0004] However, in an inductor component having a configuration in which a plurality of coil portions are embedded in a magnetic element portion, when the inductances of the plurality of coil portions are different, the circuit characteristics change depending on the mounting direction of the inductor component. In particular, in an inductor component of a type that is embedded in a circuit board and used, unlike an inductor component of a type that is surface-mounted using solder, external electrodes for solder connection are not separately added to the surface of the magnetic element portion, so the direction cannot be confirmed by using the shape of the external electrodes.

[0005] In the present disclosure, a technique for making the direction of a product visible without adding external electrodes to the surface of a magnetic element portion in an inductor component having a configuration in which a plurality of coil portions are embedded in the magnetic element portion is described.

[0006] An inductor component according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a magnetic element portion having a first main surface and a second main surface located on the opposite side of the first main surface, and a plurality of coil portions embedded in the magnetic element portion and arranged in a first direction parallel to the first main surface. Each of the plurality of coil portions includes a first terminal electrode whose end face is exposed on the first main surface, a second terminal electrode whose end face is exposed on the second main surface, and a coil pattern having one end connected to the first terminal electrode and the other end connected to the second terminal electrode. One of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has a different end face area or shape from at least one of the other plurality of first terminal electrodes, and one end face of the plurality of first terminal electrodes is arranged offset in the first direction on the first main surface.

[0007] According to this disclosure, a technology is provided for an inductor component having a configuration in which multiple coil parts are embedded in a magnetic element, which allows the orientation of the product to be visually determined without adding external electrodes to the surface of the magnetic element.

[0008] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic perspective views showing the configuration of an inductor component 100 according to a first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure, and show the configuration as viewed from different directions. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 1(a). Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line B-B shown in Figure 1(a). Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic plan views illustrating the structures of terminal electrodes 121 and 122, respectively. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a component-embedded substrate 10 containing a plurality of inductor components 100. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an inductor component 200 according to a second embodiment of the technology of this disclosure.

[0009] The embodiments of the technology described herein will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] <First Embodiment> Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic perspective views showing the configuration of an inductor component 100 according to the first embodiment of the technology of this disclosure, and show the state as viewed from different directions. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 1(a), and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line B-B shown in Figure 1(a).

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the inductor component 100 according to the first embodiment comprises a magnetic element M and a plurality of coil parts 111 to 114 embedded in the magnetic element M. In this embodiment, the number of coil parts embedded in the magnetic element M is four, but the number of coil parts is not particularly limited as long as there are two or more. The magnetic element M may be made of a composite magnetic material in which magnetic particles made of a high permeability material such as ferrite or permalloy are solidified with a resin binder. The magnetic element M has main surfaces 101 and 102 that constitute the XZ plane and are located on opposite sides, side surfaces 103 and 104 that constitute the XY plane and are located on opposite sides, and side surfaces 105 and 106 that constitute the YZ plane and are located on opposite sides.

[0012] The coil portions 111 to 114 are embedded in the magnetic element portion M so as to be arranged in this order in the first direction, the X direction. One end of each coil portion 111 to 114 has a terminal electrode 121A or 121 that is exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element portion M, and the other end has a terminal electrode 122 that is exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element portion M. As will be described later, the area and shape of terminal electrode 121A are different from those of the other terminal electrodes 121 and 122.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3, the coil portion 111 has two conductor layers L1 and L2 stacked in the second direction, the Z direction. The same applies to the other coil portions 112 to 114. The conductor layers L1 and L2 may both be covered with an interlayer insulating film 130 so as not to come into contact with the magnetic element portion M. An interlayer insulating film 130 also exists between adjacent conductor layers L1 and L2 in the Z direction, and therefore these conductor layers L1 and L2 are stacked in the Z direction via the interlayer insulating film 130. The conductor layers L1 and L2 are made of good conductors such as copper (Cu). The interlayer insulating film 130 is made of resin or the like.

[0014] The conductor layer L1 is located at one end in the Z direction and is formed first during manufacturing. In the example shown in Figure 3, the conductor layer L1 includes terminal patterns 141 and 142 and a coil pattern C11. The terminal pattern 141 has its XZ end face in the +Y direction exposed to the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M. The terminal pattern 142 has its XZ end face in the -Y direction exposed to the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M. The coil pattern C11 is a conductor pattern that extends linearly in the Y direction to connect the terminal patterns 141 and 142. However, it is not essential that the coil pattern C11 is a linear conductor pattern.

[0015] The conductor layer L2 is a conductor layer located on the other end side in the Z direction, and is formed after the conductor layer L1 during manufacturing. In the example shown in Figure 3, the conductor layer L2 includes terminal patterns 143 and 144. The XZ end face of terminal pattern 143 in the +Y direction is exposed to the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M. The XZ end face of terminal pattern 144 in the -Y direction is exposed to the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M. The terminal patterns 143 and 144 are provided independently within the plane of the conductor layer L2 without being connected to other conductor patterns. In other words, the conductor layer L2 does not contain a conductor pattern corresponding to the coil pattern C11, and only terminal patterns 143 and 144 exist. However, it is not essential that the terminal patterns 143 and 144 are provided independently within the plane of the conductor layer L2 without being connected to other conductor patterns; another coil pattern connecting terminal patterns 143 and 144 may be included in the conductor layer L2.

[0016] In this embodiment, the thickness of the conductor layer L2 in the Z direction is greater than the thickness of the conductor layer L1 in the Z direction. Therefore, the thickness of the terminal patterns 143 and 144 in the Z direction is greater than the thickness of the terminal patterns 141 and 142 in the Z direction. As a result, the thickness of the coil pattern C11 is reduced, which allows for a high inductance to be obtained, and it is also possible to secure sufficient area for the terminal electrodes 121A and 121 exposed on the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M, and for the terminal electrode 122 exposed on the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M.

[0017] Terminal patterns 141 and 143 are connected to each other via via conductors 151 that penetrate the interlayer insulating film 130. Similarly, terminal patterns 142 and 144 are connected to each other via via conductors 152 that penetrate the interlayer insulating film 130. The via conductors 151 and 152 may be formed at the same time as the conductor layer L2, or they may be formed after the conductor layer L1 is formed but before the conductor layer L2 is formed. In the former case, via conductor 151 becomes integrated with terminal pattern 143, and via conductor 152 becomes integrated with terminal pattern 144.

[0018] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic plan views illustrating the structure of terminal electrodes 121 and 122, respectively. In the examples shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), via conductors 151 and 152 are integrated with terminal patterns 143 and 144, respectively.

[0019] In the example shown in Figure 4(a), the terminal electrode 121 is composed of a portion consisting of the XZ end faces of terminal patterns 141 and 143 exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M, and a portion consisting of the XZ end faces of via conductor 151 exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M. Of the terminal electrode 121, the portions consisting of the XZ end faces of terminal patterns 141 and 143 constitute the first portion A1 and the second portion A2, respectively. Of the terminal electrode 121, the portion consisting of the XZ end faces of via conductor 151 constitutes the third portion A3. The terminal electrode 121 having such a structure is surrounded by an interlayer insulating film 130 on the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M. The width W4 in the X direction of the via conductor 151 exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M may be 3 / 4 or more of the width W1 in the X direction of the terminal patterns 141 and 143 exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M. This makes it possible to secure a sufficient area for the terminal electrode 121.

[0020] The widths W1 of terminal patterns 141 and 143 do not need to be exactly the same; they may be different. In this case, the widths W1 of terminal patterns 141 and 143 may be defined by the average value.

[0021] In the example shown in Figure 4(b), the terminal electrode 122 is composed of a portion consisting of the XZ end faces of terminal patterns 142 and 144 exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M, and a portion consisting of the XZ end faces of via conductor 152 exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M. Of the terminal electrode 122, the portions consisting of the XZ end faces of terminal patterns 142 and 144 constitute the first portion B1 and the second portion B2, respectively. Of the terminal electrode 122, the portion consisting of the XZ end faces of via conductor 152 constitutes the third portion B3. The terminal electrode 122 having such a structure is surrounded by an interlayer insulating film 130 on the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M. The width W5 in the X direction of the via conductor 152 exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M may be 3 / 4 or more of the width W2 in the X direction of the terminal patterns 142 and 144 exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M. This makes it possible to secure a sufficient area for the terminal electrode 122. The widths W4 and W5 may be the same.

[0022] The widths W2 of terminal patterns 142 and 144 do not need to be exactly the same; they may be different. In this case, the widths W2 of terminal patterns 142 and 144 may be defined by the average value.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 2, in this embodiment, the area and shape of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 differ from the shapes of the other terminal electrodes 121 and 122. Specifically, the width of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 in the X direction is increased, and as a result, the area of ​​the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 is larger than the area of ​​each of the terminal electrodes 121 of the coil portions 112 to 114, and also larger than the area of ​​each of the terminal electrodes 122 of the coil portions 111 to 114.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the width in the X direction of the terminal electrodes 121 of coil sections 112 to 114 is W1, while the width in the X direction of the terminal electrode 121A of coil section 111 is increased to W0 (>W1). The width W2 in the X direction of the terminal electrodes 122 of coil sections 111 to 114 may be the same as W1. The width W3 in the X direction of the coil pattern C11 included in coil sections 111 to 114 is smaller than the widths W1 and W2. The inductance and DC resistance of the coil pattern C11 can be adjusted by its width W3. For example, reducing the width W3 can increase the inductance, and increasing the width W3 can decrease the DC resistance.

[0025] As described above, the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment has selectively enlarged terminal electrodes 121A of the coil portion 111. Here, since the coil portion 111 is located at the end in the -X direction among the four coil portions 111 to 114 arranged in the X direction, the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 is offset in the X direction on the main surface 101 of the magnetic element portion M. In other words, the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 is located on the main surface 101 of the magnetic element portion M not at the center position in the X direction, but on the -X direction side of the center position in the X direction. For this reason, when mounting the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment, it is possible to confirm the orientation in the X direction using the terminal electrodes 121A of different sizes as a guide.

[0026] In other words, since the size of terminal electrode 121A is selectively enlarged among the eight terminal electrodes exposed from the magnetic element M, when picking up the inductor component 100, if terminal electrode 121A is visible (i.e., the main surface 101 is facing the camera), the orientation of the inductor component 100 in the X direction can be confirmed using terminal electrode 121A as a marker. On the other hand, when picking up the inductor component 100, if terminal electrode 121A is not visible but terminal electrode 122 is visible (i.e., the main surface 102 is facing the camera), the orientation of the inductor component 100 in the X direction can be confirmed after inverting the inductor component 100 upside down, using terminal electrode 121A as a marker.

[0027] The surfaces of terminal electrodes 121A and 121 may be coplanar with the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M, or they may be recessed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M, as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the surface of terminal electrode 122 may be coplanar with the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M, or it may be recessed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M.

[0028] As described above, the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment constitutes a coil array incorporating four coil sections 111 to 114 arranged in the X direction, and its orientation can be easily confirmed using terminal electrodes 121A of different sizes as markers. This makes it possible to mount the inductor component 100 even if the inductances of the coil sections 111 to 114 do not match, taking this into consideration. Moreover, since the coil section 111 having terminal electrodes 121A is located at the end in the -X direction among the four coil sections 111 to 114 arranged in the X direction, it is possible to easily change only the size of the terminal electrodes 121A without changing the arrangement pitch of the coil sections 111 to 114 in the X direction.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a component-embedded circuit board 10 that incorporates multiple inductor components 100 according to this embodiment.

[0030] The component-embedded substrate 10 shown in Figure 5 comprises insulating layers 11 to 15 stacked in this order, a plurality of wiring patterns 20 formed on the surfaces of the insulating layers 11 to 15, and two inductor components 100 embedded in the insulating layer 13. The wiring patterns 20 include eight wiring patterns 21 located between the insulating layer 13 and the insulating layer 14, and eight wiring patterns 22 located between the insulating layer 12 and the insulating layer 13. Each of the eight wiring patterns 21 is positioned to overlap with the terminal electrode 121A or 121 of the inductor component 100, and each is connected to the corresponding terminal electrode 121A or 121 via a substrate via conductor 31. Similarly, each of the eight wiring patterns 22 is positioned to overlap with the terminal electrode 122 of the inductor component 100, and each is connected to the corresponding terminal electrode 122 via a substrate via conductor 32.

[0031] Thus, the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment is not used by mounting it on the surface of a circuit board using solder or the like, but is used by embedding it in a component-embedded substrate 10. For this reason, the end faces of the terminal patterns 141 and 143 exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M are used as terminal electrodes 121A and 121, and the end faces of the terminal patterns 142 and 144 exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M are used as terminal electrodes 122. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since not only the end face of the conductor layer L1 having the coil pattern C11 but also the end face of the conductor layer L2 without the coil pattern is exposed, it is possible to secure a sufficient area for the terminal electrodes 121A, 121, and 122.

[0032] Furthermore, since not only the end faces of the terminal patterns 141 and 143 but also the end faces of the via conductors 151 are exposed from the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M, the terminal electrodes 121 are not divided into multiple parts by the interlayer insulating film 130 on the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M. Similarly, since not only the end faces of the terminal patterns 142 and 144 but also the end faces of the via conductors 152 are exposed from the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M, the terminal electrodes 122 are not divided into multiple parts by the interlayer insulating film 130 on the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M.

[0033] Furthermore, since the terminal electrodes 121A, 121, and 122 are surrounded by the interlayer insulating film 130 on the main surfaces 101 and 102 of the magnetic element M, it is possible to increase the dielectric breakdown voltage between adjacent terminal electrodes 121A or 121 in the X direction, and between adjacent terminal electrodes 122 in the X direction. Also, if the surfaces of the terminal electrodes 121A and 121 are recessed below the main surface 101 of the magnetic element M, the connection reliability between the terminal electrodes 121A and 121 and the substrate via conductor 31 can be improved. Similarly, if the surface of the terminal electrode 122 is recessed below the main surface 102 of the magnetic element M, the connection reliability between the terminal electrode 122 and the substrate via conductor 32 can be improved.

[0034] As described above, the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment is designed to be used embedded in a component-embedded substrate 10. Therefore, unlike inductor components that are mounted on the surface of a circuit board using solder or the like, no external electrodes made of silver paste or the like that come into contact with the terminal electrodes 121A, 121, and 122 are added to the surface of the magnetic element M. For this reason, in inductor components that are used embedded in a component-embedded substrate 10, the external electrodes cannot be used as directional markers. However, in this embodiment, the terminal electrodes 121A themselves, which are exposed from the magnetic element M, can be used as directional markers.

[0035] Furthermore, unlike inductor components that are mounted on the surface of a circuit board using solder or the like, the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment does not have external electrodes on the sides 103 to 106, and the entire surface of the sides 103 to 106 is composed of a magnetic element M. Therefore, when the inductor component 100 according to this embodiment is embedded in the component-embedded substrate 10, unintended short-circuit failures between other wiring patterns and terminal electrodes 121A, 121, and 122 are less likely to occur. Moreover, since no external electrodes are added to the main surfaces 101 and 102, it is possible to form the substrate via conductors 31 and 32 shown in Figure 5 with a narrow pitch.

[0036] <Second Embodiment> Figure 6 is a substantially perspective view showing the configuration of an inductor component 200 according to a second embodiment of the technology of this disclosure.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the inductor component 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the inductor component 100 according to the first embodiment in that the shape of the conductor layer L2 is the same between the coil sections 111 to 114, while the shape of the conductor layer L1 differs between the coil section 111 and the coil sections 112 to 114. Specifically, the area or shape of the terminal pattern 143 constituting the terminal electrode 121A of the coil section 111 is the same as the area or shape of the terminal pattern 143 constituting the terminal electrode 121 of the coil sections 112 to 114, while the width in the X direction of the terminal pattern 141 constituting the terminal electrode 121A of the coil section 111 is larger than the width in the X direction of the terminal pattern 141 constituting the terminal electrode 121 of the coil sections 112 to 114. Since the other basic configurations are the same as those of the inductor component 100 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0038] As illustrated by the inductor component 200 according to the second embodiment, when the coil portions 111 to 114 consist of multiple conductor layers, the directionality may be made visible by increasing the exposed area of ​​the end face of the terminal pattern formed by some of the conductor layers.

[0039] While embodiments of the technology described herein have been explained above, it goes without saying that the technology described herein is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the technology described herein.

[0040] For example, in the above embodiment, the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 differ from the area and shape of the end faces of the other terminal electrodes 121 and 122. However, as long as the orientation in the X direction is visible, the area or shape of the end face of one terminal electrode may differ from the area or shape of the end face of another terminal electrode. As an example, the area or shape of the end face of the terminal electrode of the coil portion 112 may differ from the area or shape of the end face of the terminal electrodes of the coil components 111, 113, and 114, and the area or shape of the end face of the terminal electrodes of the coil portions 111 and 113 may differ from the area or shape of the end face of the terminal electrodes of the coil components 112 and 114.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the end faces of the terminal electrodes 122 of the coil portions 111 to 114 have the same area and shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 may differ from the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121 of the coil portions 112 to 114, and the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 122 of the coil portion 111 may also differ from the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 122 of the coil portions 112 to 114. With this, when picking up the inductor component 100, the orientation in the X direction can be visually determined regardless of the up and down orientation of the inductor component 100 in the Y direction. As another example, the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of coil section 111 may differ from the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121 of coil sections 112 to 114, while the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 122 of coil section 112 may differ from the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 122 of coil sections 111, 113, and 114. This makes it possible to simultaneously visually confirm the orientation of the inductor component 100 in the X direction and the Y direction when picking up the inductor component 100.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the area of ​​the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 is larger than the area of ​​the end face of the terminal electrode 121 of the coil portions 112 to 114, but conversely, the area of ​​the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 may be smaller than the area of ​​the end face of the terminal electrode 121 of the coil portions 112 to 114. Also, in the above embodiment, both the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 differ from the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121 of the coil portions 112 to 114, but as long as it is identifiable, one of the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121A of the coil portion 111 may differ from the other of the area and shape of the end face of the terminal electrode 121 of the coil portions 112 to 114.

[0043] The technology relating to this disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following configuration examples.

[0044] An inductor component according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a magnetic element portion having a first main surface and a second main surface located on the opposite side of the first main surface, and a plurality of coil portions embedded in the magnetic element portion and arranged in a first direction parallel to the first main surface. Each of the plurality of coil portions includes a first terminal electrode whose end face is exposed on the first main surface, a second terminal electrode whose end face is exposed on the second main surface, and a coil pattern having one end connected to the first terminal electrode and the other end connected to the second terminal electrode. One of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has a different end face area or shape from at least one other of the plurality of first terminal electrodes, and one end face of the plurality of first terminal electrodes is arranged offset in the first direction on the first main surface. According to this, it is possible to visually recognize the directionality of the product in the first direction without adding an external electrode such as a silver paste.

[0045] In the above inductor component, one end face of one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes may have a larger area than at least one other end face of the plurality of first terminal electrodes. According to this, the visual recognition of the directionality becomes easy, and when embedded in a component-mounted substrate, the connection with the wiring pattern via the substrate via conductor becomes easy.

[0046] In the above inductor component, one end face of one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes may be located at an end in the first direction on the first main surface. According to this, it is not necessary to change the arrangement pitch etc. in the first direction of the plurality of coil portions.

[0047] In the above inductor component, the plurality of second terminal electrodes may have equal end face areas or shapes. According to this, it becomes easy to distinguish between the first main surface and the second main surface.

[0048] In the above-described inductor component, each of the plurality of coil parts has a plurality of conductor layers including first and second conductor layers laminated in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the first major surface. The first conductor layer included in each of the plurality of coil parts includes a first terminal pattern whose end face is exposed on the first major surface and constitutes a first part of the first terminal electrode, a second terminal pattern whose end face is exposed on the second major surface and constitutes a first part of the second terminal electrode, and at least a part of the coil pattern. The second conductor layer included in each of the plurality of coil parts includes a third terminal pattern whose end face is exposed on the first major surface and constitutes a second part of the first terminal electrode, and a fourth terminal pattern whose end face is exposed on the second major surface and constitutes a second part of the second terminal electrode. The first terminal pattern and the third terminal pattern included in each of the plurality of coil parts may be connected to each other via a first via conductor whose end face is exposed on the first major surface and constitutes a third part of the first terminal electrode. The second terminal pattern and the fourth terminal pattern included in each of the plurality of coil parts may be connected to each other via a second via conductor whose end face is exposed on the second major surface and constitutes a third part of the second terminal electrode. According to this, it is possible to sufficiently secure the exposed area of the terminal electrode.

[0049] In the above-described inductor component, the width of the first terminal electrode pattern included in one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes in the first direction may be larger than the width of the first terminal electrode pattern included in at least one other of the plurality of first terminal electrodes. According to this, it is possible to more sufficiently secure the exposed area of the terminal electrode.

[0050] In the above-described inductor component, the width of the third terminal electrode pattern included in one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes in the first direction may be larger than the width of the third terminal electrode pattern included in at least one other of the plurality of first terminal electrodes. According to this, it is possible to even more sufficiently secure the exposed area of the terminal electrode.

[0051] In the above-described inductor component, the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, each included in multiple coil sections, are each covered at least in part by an interlayer insulating film. The first terminal electrodes, each included in multiple coil sections, may be surrounded by the interlayer insulating film on the first main surface, and the second terminal electrodes, each included in multiple coil sections, may be surrounded by the interlayer insulating film on the second main surface. This increases the dielectric breakdown voltage between the first terminal electrodes on the first main surface, and between the second terminal electrodes on the second main surface.

[0052] In the above-described inductor component, the third terminal pattern may be provided independently within the plane of the second conductor layer without being connected to other conductor patterns, and the fourth terminal pattern may also be provided independently within the plane of the second conductor layer without being connected to other conductor patterns. In this case, the third and fourth terminal patterns function as auxiliary patterns.

[0053] In the above-described inductor component, the thickness of the second conductor layer in the second direction may be greater than the thickness of the first conductor layer in the second direction. This makes it possible to increase the inductance of the coil pattern while ensuring sufficient exposed area of ​​the first and second terminal electrodes.

[0054] In the above-described inductor component, the surface of the first terminal electrode included in each of the multiple coil sections may be recessed compared to the first main surface. This improves the adhesion between the first terminal electrode and the substrate via conductor when the component is embedded in a substrate.

[0055] A component-embedded substrate according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a component-embedded substrate in which the above-mentioned inductor component is embedded, comprising: a plurality of first wiring patterns; a plurality of second wiring patterns; a plurality of first substrate via conductors connecting the plurality of first wiring patterns and the plurality of coil portions, respectively, to each other; and a plurality of second substrate via conductors connecting the plurality of second wiring patterns and the plurality of coil portions, respectively, to each other. With this, a sufficient contact area between the first terminal electrode and the first substrate via conductor can be secured, and a sufficient contact area between the second terminal electrode and the second substrate via conductor can be secured.

[0056] This application claims the interests of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-190824, filed on 30 October 2024, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] 10 Component-embedded substrate 11-15 Insulating layer 20-22 Wiring pattern 31, 32 Substrate via conductor 100 Inductor component 101 First main surface 102 Second main surface 103-106 Side surface 111-114 Coil section 121A, 121, 122 Terminal electrodes 130 Interlayer insulating film 141-144 Terminal pattern 151, 152 Via conductor 200 Inductor component C11 Coil pattern L1, L2 Conductor layer M Magnetic element section

Claims

1. An inductor component comprising: a magnetic element having a first main surface and a second main surface located opposite to the first main surface; and a plurality of coil portions embedded in the magnetic element and arranged in a first direction parallel to the first main surface, wherein each of the plurality of coil portions includes a first terminal electrode whose end face is exposed to the first main surface, a second terminal electrode whose end face is exposed to the second main surface, and a coil pattern with one end connected to the first terminal electrode and the other end connected to the second terminal electrode, wherein one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has a different area or shape of its end face from at least one other of the plurality of first terminal electrodes, and the one end face of the plurality of first terminal electrodes is offset in the first direction on the first main surface.

2. The inductor component according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has a larger area than at least one other end face of the plurality of first terminal electrodes.

3. The inductor component according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has an end face located at the end in the first direction on the first main surface.

4. The inductor component according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second terminal electrodes have equal area or shape of end faces.

5. Each of the plurality of coil sections has a plurality of conductor layers, including first and second conductor layers, which are stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the first main surface, and each of the plurality of coil sections includes a first terminal pattern whose end face is exposed to the first main surface and constitutes a first part of the first terminal electrode, a second terminal pattern whose end face is exposed to the second main surface and constitutes a first part of the second terminal electrode, and at least a part of the coil pattern, and each of the plurality of coil sections includes a second terminal pattern whose end face is exposed to the first main surface and constitutes a second part of the first terminal electrode, and a fourth terminal pattern whose end face is exposed to the second main surface and constitutes a second part of the second terminal electrode, and the first terminal pattern and the third terminal pattern included in each of the plurality of coil sections are connected to each other via a first via conductor whose end face is exposed to the first main surface and constitutes a third part of the first terminal electrode. The inductor component according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal pattern and the fourth terminal pattern, each included in the plurality of coil portions, have their end faces exposed to the second main surface and are connected to each other via a second via conductor that constitutes a third portion of the second terminal electrode.

6. The inductor component according to claim 5, wherein the first terminal electrode pattern included in one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has a greater width in the first direction than the first terminal electrode pattern included in at least one other of the plurality of first terminal electrodes.

7. The inductor component according to claim 6, wherein the third terminal electrode pattern included in one of the plurality of first terminal electrodes has a greater width in the first direction than the third terminal electrode pattern included in at least one other of the plurality of first terminal electrodes.

8. The inductor component according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, each included in the plurality of coil portions, is covered by an interlayer insulating film, the first terminal electrode, each included in the plurality of coil portions, is surrounded by the interlayer insulating film on the first main surface, and the second terminal electrode, each included in the plurality of coil portions, is surrounded by the interlayer insulating film on the second main surface.

9. The inductor component according to claim 5, wherein the third terminal pattern is provided independently within the plane of the second conductor layer without being connected to other conductor patterns, and the fourth terminal pattern is provided independently within the plane of the second conductor layer without being connected to other conductor patterns.

10. The inductor component according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of the second conductor layer in the second direction is greater than the thickness of the first conductor layer in the second direction.

11. The inductor component according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the first terminal electrode included in each of the plurality of coil portions is recessed compared to the first main surface.

12. A component-embedded substrate having an inductor component according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: a plurality of first wiring patterns; a plurality of second wiring patterns; a plurality of first substrate via conductors connecting the plurality of first wiring patterns and the first terminal electrodes included in each of the plurality of coil portions; and a plurality of second substrate via conductors connecting the plurality of second wiring patterns and the second terminal electrodes included in each of the plurality of coil portions.

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