Electronic component

An electronic component includes a first inductor which is provided on a first direction side relative to a first main surface, which includes one or more first inductor conductive layers having substantially a spiral shape when viewed from the first direction side, and which includes a first end portion and a second end portion; a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode provided on a surface different from the first main surface of a substrate; and a first surface mounted electronic component which is provided on the first direction side relative to the first inductor, which overlaps the first inductor when viewed from the first direction side, and which includes a third outer electrode and a fourth outer electrode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application 2016-083289 filed Apr. 19, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electronic components, and more particularly, to an electronic component including an inductor.

BACKGROUND

As a disclosure relating to known electronic components, for example, a coil component described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-212255 has been known. The coil component includes an insulating resin material layer, two magnetic substrates, and two spiral conductors. The insulating resin material layer has a structure in which multiple layer-like insulating resin bodies each having substantially a rectangular shape are laminated from the top side to the bottom side when viewed from the top side. The two spiral conductive layers are provided on upper surfaces of different insulating resin bodies and each have substantially a spiral shape. The two spiral conductive layers are magnetically coupled by overlapping each other when viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the two spiral conductive layers form a common mode choke coil. Furthermore, the two magnetic substrates sandwich the insulating resin material layer from the top side and the bottom side.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned coil component is combined with, for example, a surface mounted electronic component such as a capacitor, and is used as a noise filter. In this case, the coil component is mounted on a circuit board, and the surface mounted electronic component such as a capacitor is also mounted on the circuit board. However, the circuit board needs to have an area in which the coil component is to be mounted and an area in which the surface mounted electronic component is to be mounted. Therefore, in the case where the coil component and the surface mounted electronic component are combined, a large mounting area is required.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic component with a reduced mounting area.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic component includes a substrate including a first main surface and a second main surface; a first inductor which is provided on a first direction side relative to the first main surface when a direction separating from the substrate in a normal direction of the first main surface is defined as the first direction, which includes one or more first inductor conductive layers having substantially a spiral shape when viewed from the first direction side relative to the first main surface, and which includes a first end portion and a second end portion; a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode which are provided on a surface different from the first main surface of the substrate; and a first surface mounted electronic component which is provided on the first direction side relative to the first inductor, which overlaps the first inductor when viewed from the first direction side relative to the first main surface, and which includes a third outer electrode and a fourth outer electrode. The first end portion and the first outer electrode are electrically connected. The second end portion and the third outer electrode are electrically connected. The second outer electrode and the fourth outer electrode are electrically connected.

According to the present disclosure, the mounting area may be reduced.

Other features, elements, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(Configuration of Electronic Component)

First, a configuration of an electronic component10according to an embodiment will be described with reference to drawings.FIG. 1Ais an equivalent circuit diagram of electronic components10and10a.FIG. 1Bis an external perspective view of the electronic components10and10a.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the electronic component10ofFIG. 1B.FIG. 3is a cross-section structure diagram taken along line1-1of the electronic component10ofFIG. 1B. Hereinafter, the lamination direction of the electronic component10is defined as an up-down direction, the direction in which a long side extends when viewed from the top side is defined as a left-right direction, and the direction in which a short side extends when viewed from the top side is defined as a front-rear direction. Furthermore, the up-down direction, the front-end direction, and the left-right direction are orthogonal to one another. The lamination direction is a direction in which insulating layers, which will be described later, are laminated. Furthermore, the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction referred to when the electronic component10is used are not necessarily equal to the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction defined inFIG. 1Band the like.

The electronic component10includes, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, inductors L1and L2, capacitors C1and C2, and outer electrodes14ato14d. The inductor L1and the capacitor C1are electrically connected in series to be arranged in this order between the outer electrode14aand the outer electrode14c. The inductor L2and the capacitor C2are electrically connected in series to be arranged in this order between the outer electrode14band the outer electrode14d. Furthermore, the inductor L1and the inductor L2are magnetically coupled to form a common mode choke coil. The electronic component10with the above configuration is used as a common mode noise filter for removing common mode noise from a differential transmission signal.

The main body12has, as illustrated inFIG. 1B,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3, substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a magnetic substrate20, a multilayer body22, and a mold part23. The mold part23, the multilayer body22, and the magnetic substrate20are laminated in this order from the top side to the bottom side.

The magnetic substrate20is a plate-like member having two main surfaces (an upper surface is an example of a first main surface, and a lower surface is an example of a second main surface) each having substantially a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. Four corners of the magnetic substrate20are cut out when viewed from the top side. More particularly, a fan-like cutout having a central angle of 90 degrees is provided at each of the four corners of the magnetic substrate20when viewed from the top side. The four cutouts extend in the up-down direction on side faces of the magnetic substrate20from the upper surface up to the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20.

The magnetic substrate20is made of a magnetic material. The magnetic substrate20is produced by cutting sintered ferrite ceramics. The magnetic substrate20may be produced by, for example, applying paste formed by ferrite calcined powder and a binder to a ceramics substrate made of alumina or the like or may be produced by laminating and firing a green sheet made of a ferrite material.

The outer electrodes14ato14dare provided on the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20and each have substantially a rectangular shape. More particularly, the outer electrode14ais provided at the corner on a left rear side of the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20. The outer electrode14bis provided at the corner on a left front side of the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20. The outer electrode14cis provided at the corner on a right rear side of the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20. Accordingly, the outer electrode14cis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of inductor conductive layers30aand34a, which will be described later, when viewed from the top side. The outer electrode14dis provided at the corner on a right front side of the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20. Accordingly, the outer electrode14dis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34a, which will be described later, when viewed from the top side. The outer electrodes14ato14dare produced by, for example, laminating an Au film, an Ni film, a Cu film, and a Ti film by a sputtering method. The outer electrodes14ato14dmay be produced by, for example, printing and baking paste containing metal such as Ag or Cu or may be produced by forming a film of Ag, Cu, or the like by deposition or plating.

The connection parts16ato16dare provided at the four cutouts provided at the magnetic substrate20. The connection part16a(an example of a first connection part) is provided at the cutout on a left rear side of the magnetic substrate20and extends across the magnetic substrate20in the up-down direction. A lower end of the connection part16ais connected to the outer electrode14a. The connection part16bis provided at the cutout on a left front side of the magnetic substrate20and extends across the magnetic substrate20in the up-down direction. A lower end of the connection part16bis connected to the outer electrode14b. The connection part16c(an example of a second connection part) is provided at the cutout on a right rear side of the magnetic substrate20and extends across the magnetic substrate20in the up-down direction. A lower end of the connection part16cis connected to the outer electrode14c. The connection part16dis provided at the cutout on a right front side of the magnetic substrate20and extends across the magnetic substrate20in the up-down direction. A lower end of the connection part16dis connected to the outer electrode14d. The connection parts16ato16dare located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34a, which will be described later, when viewed from the top side. The connection parts16ato16dare produced by, for example, forming a conductive film containing Cu as a main component by plating. The connection parts16ato16dmay be produced by, for example, a material with a high electrical conductivity such as Ag or Au.

The multilayer body22is provided on the upper surface of the magnetic substrate20, and has a main surface having substantially a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. The multilayer body22includes insulating layers26ato26c(an example of a plurality of insulating layers). The multilayer body22is formed directly on the upper surface of the magnetic substrate20. Accordingly, the magnetic substrate20is in contact with the lower surface of the multilayer body22.

The insulating layers26ato26care laminated in this order from the top side to the bottom side and has substantially the same shape as the upper surface of the magnetic substrate20. However, four corners of each of the insulating layers26ato26care cut out when viewed from the top side.

The insulating layers26ato26ccontain insulating resin as a material, and is made of polyimide in this embodiment. Therefore, the insulating layers26ato26care made of a nonmagnetic material. However, the insulating layer26a, which is the uppermost layer, may be made of a magnetic material. Furthermore, the insulating layers26ato26cmay be produced from, for example, insulating resin such as benzocyclobutene.

The inductor L1(an example of a first inductor) is provided in a portion above the upper surface of the magnetic substrate20(a first direction separating from the substrate in a normal direction of the first main surface), and is provided within the multilayer body22in this embodiment. The inductor L1includes an inductor conductive layer30a(an example of one or more first inductor conductive layers) and end portions t1and t2(the end portion t1is an example of a first end portion, and the end portion t2is an example of a second end portion).

The inductor conductive layer30a(an example of a second inductor conductive layer) is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26c, and has substantially a spiral shape extending from an outer peripheral side toward an inner peripheral side while circulating clockwise (an example of a predetermined circulation direction) when viewed from the top side (an example when viewed from a first direction side relative to the first main surface). The inductor conductive layer30ahas a length of about four turns. Furthermore, the inductor conductive layer30ais provided in a left half region of the insulating layer26cwhen viewed from the top side, and has substantially a rectangular outer shape. The end portion t1of the inductor L1is an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a. The end portion t2of the inductor L1is an end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a.

A lead part50allows electric connection between the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a(that is, the end portion t1) and the outer electrode14a(an example of a first outer electrode), and does not have substantially a spiral shape when viewed from the top side, as illustrated inFIG. 2. The lead part50includes a lead conductive layer40aand a connection conductor70a. The connection conductor70ais a conductor of substantially a triangular prism shape provided at the corner on a left rear side of the insulating layers26ato26c. Accordingly, the connection conductor70ais located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. For easier understanding, inFIG. 2, the connection conductor70ais described as being divided into three. Similar to the connection conductor70a, connection conductors70bto70d, which will be described later, are also described as being divided into three. The connection conductor70aextends in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the insulating layer26ato the lower surface of the insulating layer26c. The lower end of the connection conductor70ais connected to the connection part16a.

The lead conductive layer40ais provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26c, and allows connection between an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30aand the connection conductor70a. The lead conductive layer40adoes not have substantially a spiral shape when viewed from the top side, and extends leftwards from the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a. As illustrated in the enlarged view ofFIG. 2, the border between the inductor conductive layer30aand the lead conductive layer40ais at a position where the lead conductive layer40ais separated from the locus of substantially the spiral shape of the inductor conductive layer30a. Accordingly, the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a(that is, the end portion t1) and the outer electrode14aare electrically connected with the lead part50(the lead conductive layer40aand the connection conductor70a) and the connection part16ainterposed therebetween.

The electrode pad72a(an example of a first electrode pad) is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26a, which is provided on the uppermost side, and has substantially a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. In this embodiment, the electrode pad72ais provided near the end portion t2of the inductor L1in a rear half region on the upper surface of the insulating layer26a. Furthermore, part of the electrode pad72aoverlaps a region surrounded by the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side.

The interlayer connection conductor v1is a conductor which penetrates through the insulating layers26aand26bin the up-down direction and which is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26c, and has substantially a linear shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v1is provided near a rear end of the region surrounded by the inductor conductive layer30awhen viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v1allows connection between the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30aand the electrode pad72a. Accordingly, the electrode pad72ais electrically connected to the end portion t2of the inductor L1with the interlayer connection conductor v1interposed therebetween.

The electrode pad72b(an example of a second electrode pad) is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26a, which is provided on the uppermost side, and has substantially a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. In this embodiment, the electrode pad72bis provided near the corner on the right rear side of the upper surface of the insulating layer26awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the electrode pad72bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Furthermore, the electrode pad72aand the electrode pad72bare arranged with a space interposed therebetween in the left-right direction.

The connection conductor70cis a conductor of a triangular prism shape provided at the corner on the right rear side of the insulating layers26ato26c. Accordingly, the connection conductor70cis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. The connection conductor70cextends in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the insulating layer26ato the lower surface of the insulating layer26c. The upper end of the connection conductor70cis connected to the electrode pad72b. The lower end of the connection conductor70cis connected to the connection part16c. Accordingly, the electrode pad72bis electrically connected to the outer electrode14c(an example of a second outer electrode) with the connection conductor70cand the connection part16cinterposed therebetween.

The capacitor C1(an example of a first surface mounted electronic component) is a multilayer chip component, and includes a main body92and outer electrodes94aand94b(the outer electrode94ais an example of a third outer electrode, and the outer electrode94bis an example of a fourth outer electrode). The main body92has a structure in which a plurality of insulating layers and capacitor conductive layers are laminated, and has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The insulating layers are made of, for example, dielectric ceramics. The capacitor conductive layers are made from, for example, conductors containing Ag as a main component. The internal structure of the capacitor C1is a general structure, and therefore, explanation for the internal structure of the capacitor C1will be omitted.

The outer electrode94acovers the entire left surface of the main body92, and is folded onto the upper surface, lower surface, front surface, and rear surface of the main body92. The outer electrode94bcovers the entire right surface of the main body92, and is folded onto the upper surface, lower surface, front surface, and rear surface of the main body92. For example, the outer electrodes94aand94bmay be produced by printing and baking paste containing metal such as Ag or Cu or may be produced by forming a film of Ag, Cu, or the like by deposition or plating.

The capacitor C1is mounted on the upper surface of the multilayer body22. Accordingly, the capacitor C1is provided in a portion above the inductor L1. Furthermore, the outer electrode94ais mounted on the electrode pad72aby soldering. Accordingly, the outer electrode94aand the end portion t2of the inductor L1are electrically connected with the electrode pad72aand the interlayer connection conductor v1interposed therebetween.

Furthermore, the outer electrode94bis mounted on the electrode pad72bby soldering. Accordingly, the outer electrode14cand the outer electrode94bare electrically connected with the connection conductor70c, the electrode pad72b, and the connection part16cinterposed therebetween. Furthermore, as described above, the electrode pad72bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the outer electrode94bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Furthermore, the outer electrode14cis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the outer electrode14cand the outer electrode94bare electrically connected in a portion which is outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side.

Furthermore, the outer electrode94ais located within a region surrounded by the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side, and the outer electrode94bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the capacitor C1stretches over a region on the inner peripheral side relative to the inductor conductive layers30aand34aand a region on the outer peripheral side relative to the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Therefore, the capacitor C1overlaps the inductor conductive layers30aand34a(inductors L1and L2) when viewed from the top side.

The inductor L2(an example of a second inductor) is provided in a portion above the upper surface of the magnetic substrate20. In this embodiment, the inductor L2is provided within the multilayer body22. The inductor L2includes the inductor conductive layer34a(an example of one or more fifth inductor conductive layers), and includes end portions t3and t4(the end portion t3is an example of a third end portion, and the end portion t4is an example of a fourth end portion).

The inductor conductive layer34ais provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26b, and has substantially a spiral shape extending from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side while circulating clockwise (an example of a predetermined circulation direction) when viewed from the top side. The inductor conductive layer34ahas a length of about 4 turns. Furthermore, the inductor conductive layer34ais provided in a left half region of the insulating layer26bwhen viewed from the top side, and has substantially a rectangular outer shape. Accordingly, the inductor conductive layer34aoverlaps the inductor conductive layer30awhen viewed from the top side. Therefore, the inductor conductive layer30aand the inductor conductive layer34aare magnetically coupled, and the inductor L1and the inductor L2form a common mode choke coil. The end portion t3of the inductor L2is an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34a. The end portion t4of the inductor L2is an end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34a.

The lead part54allows electric connection between an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34a(that is, the end portion t3) and the outer electrode14b(an example of a fifth outer electrode), and does not have substantially a spiral shape when viewed from the top side, as illustrated inFIG. 2. The lead part54includes a lead conductive layer44aand the connection conductor70b. The connection conductor70bis a conductor of substantially a triangular prism shape which is provided at the corner on the left front side of the insulating layers26ato26c. The connection conductor70bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. The connection conductor70bextends in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the insulating layer26ato the lower surface of the insulating layer26c, and the lower end of the connection conductor70bis connected to the connection part16b.

The lead conductive layer44ais provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26b, and allows connection between the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34aand the connection conductor70b. The lead conductive layer44adoes not have substantially a spiral shape when viewed from the top side, and extends forward from the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34a. The border between the inductor conductive layer34aand the lead conductive layer44ais at the position where the lead conductive layer44ais separated from the locus of substantially the spiral shape of the inductor conductive layer34a. Accordingly, the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34a(that is, the end portion t3) and the outer electrode14bare electrically connected with the lead part54(the lead conductive layer44aand the connection conductor70b) and the connection part16btherebetween.

The electrode pad74ais provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26a, which is provided on the uppermost side, and has substantially a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. In this embodiment, the electrode pad74ais provided near the end portion t4of the inductor L2in a front half region of the upper surface of the insulating layer26awhen viewed from the top side. Furthermore, part of the electrode pad74aoverlaps the region surrounded by the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side.

The interlayer connection conductor v2is a conductor which penetrates through the insulating layers26aand26bin the up-down direction and which is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26c, and has substantially a linear shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v2is provided near a front end of the region surrounded by the inductor conductive layer34awhen viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v2allows connection between the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34aand the electrode pad74a. Accordingly, the electrode pad74ais electrically connected to the end portion t4of the inductor L2with the interlayer connection conductor v2interposed therebetween.

The electrode pad74bis provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26a, which is provided on the uppermost side, and has substantially a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. In this embodiment, the electrode pad74bis provided near the corner on the right front side of the upper surface of the insulating layer26awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the electrode pad74bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Furthermore, the electrode pad74aand the electrode pad74bare arranged with a space interposed therebetween in the left-right direction.

The connection conductor70dis a conductor of a triangular prism shape provided at the corner on the right front side of the insulating layers26ato26c. Accordingly, the connection conductor70dis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. The connection conductor70dextends in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the insulating layer26ato the lower surface of the insulating layer26c. The upper end of the connection conductor70dis connected to the electrode pad74b. The lower end of the connection conductor70dis connected to the connection part16d. Accordingly, the electrode pad74bis electrically connected to the outer electrode14d(an example of a sixth outer electrode) with the connection conductor70dand the connection part16dinterposed therebetween.

The capacitor C2(an example of a second surface mounted electronic component) is a multilayer chip component, and includes a main body102and outer electrodes104aand104b(the outer electrode104ais an example of a seventh outer electrode, and the outer electrode104bis an example of an eighth outer electrode). The main body102has a structure in which a plurality of insulating layers and capacitor conductive layers are laminated, and has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The insulating layers are made of, for example, dielectric ceramics. The capacitor conductive layers are made from, for example, conductors containing Ag as a main component. The internal structure of the capacitor C2is a general structure, and therefore, explanation for the internal structure of the capacitor C2will be omitted.

The outer electrode104acovers the entire left surface of the main body102, and is folded onto the upper surface, lower surface, front surface, and rear surface of the main body102. The outer electrode104bcovers the entire right surface of the main body102, and is folded onto the upper surface, lower surface, front surface, and rear surface of the main body102. For example, the outer electrodes104aand104bmay be produced by printing and baking paste containing metal such as Ag or Cu or may be produced by forming a film of Ag, Cu, or the like by deposition or plating.

The capacitor C2is mounted on the upper surface of the multilayer body22. Accordingly, the capacitor C2is provided in a portion above the inductor L2. Furthermore, the outer electrode104ais mounted on the electrode pad74aby soldering. Accordingly, the outer electrode104aand the end portion t4of the inductor L2are electrically connected with the electrode pad74aand the interlayer connection conductor v2interposed therebetween.

Furthermore, the outer electrode104bis mounted on the electrode pad74bby soldering. Accordingly, the outer electrode14dand the outer electrode104bare electrically connected with the connection conductor70d, the electrode pad74b, and the connection part16dinterposed therebetween. Furthermore, as described above, the electrode pad74bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the outer electrode104bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Furthermore, the outer electrode14dis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the outer electrode14dand the outer electrode104bare electrically connected in the portion which is outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side.

Furthermore, the outer electrode104ais located within a region surrounded by the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side, and the outer electrode104bis located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the capacitor C2stretches over a region on the inner peripheral side relative to the inductor conductive layers30aand34aand a region on the outer peripheral side relative to the inductor conductive layers30aand34awhen viewed from the top side. Therefore, the capacitor C2overlaps the inductor conductive layers30aand34a(inductors L1and L2) when viewed from the top side.

The mold part23is provided on the upper surface of the multilayer body22, and has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The mold part23is a resin member which covers the capacitors C1and C2. The mold part23is made of, for example, an epoxy resin. The mold part23covers the upper surface of the multilayer body22, so that the electronic component10has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The mold part23is a member separated from the multilayer body22, and is not part of the multilayer body22.

An operation of the electronic component10configured as described above will be described below. The outer electrodes14aand14bare used as input terminals. The outer electrodes14cand14dare used as output terminals. However, the outer electrodes14aand14bmay be used as output terminals, and the outer electrodes14cand14dmay be used as input terminals. Furthermore, the inductor L1and the inductor L2are magnetically coupled to form a common mode filter.

A differential transmission signal is input from the outer electrodes14aand14band output from the outer electrodes14cand14d. In the case where a differential transmission signal contains common mode noise, the inductors L1and L2generate magnetic flux in the same direction, due to current of the common mode noise. Therefore, the magnetic flux is strengthened and impedance to the current of the common mode noise occurs. As a result, the current of the common mode noise is converted into heat, and therefore, the current is prevented from passing through the inductors L1and L2.

(Manufacturing Method for Electronic Component)

A manufacturing method for the electronic component10will be described below. A case where one electronic component is manufactured will be described below as an example. However, in actuality, multiple electronic components10are formed at the same time by laminating a large-sized mother magnetic substrate and mother insulating layer to produce a mother body and cutting the mother body.

First, a polyimide resin, which is a photosensitive resin, is applied to the entire upper surface of the magnetic substrate20. Next, positions corresponding to four corners of the insulating layer26care light-shielded, and light exposure is performed. Accordingly, a portion of the polyimide resin that is not light-shielded is solidified. After that, a photoresist is removed by an organic solvent, and development is performed, so that unsolidified polyimide resin is removed and thermosetting is performed. Thus, the insulating layer26cis formed.

Next, an Ag film is formed on the insulating layer26cand the magnetic substrate20which is exposed from the insulating layer26cby sputtering. Next, a photoresist is formed on a portion in which the inductor conductive layer30a, the lead conductive layer40a, the connection conductors70ato70d, and the interlayer connection conductor v1are formed. Then, by etching, portions of the Ag film other than the portion in which the inductor conductive layer30a, the lead conductive layer40a, the connection conductors70ato70d, and the interlayer connection conductor v1are formed (that is, a portion covered with the photoresist) are removed. After that, by removing the photoresist using the organic solvent, part of the inductor conductive layer30a, the lead conductive layer40a, part of the connection conductors70ato70d(for one layer), and part of the interlayer connection conductor v1are formed.

By repeating the above steps and similar steps, the insulating layers26aand26b, the inductor conductive layer34a, the lead conductive layer44a, the rest part of the connection conductors70ato70d, the electrode pads72a,72b,74a, and74b, the rest part of the interlayer connection conductor v1, and the interlayer connection conductor v2are formed.

Next, by combination of electrolytic plating and photolithography, a conductive layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of cutouts of the magnetic substrate20, and the connection parts16ato16dand the outer electrodes14ato14dare thus formed.

Next, the capacitors C1and C2are formed on the electrode pads72a,72b,74a, and74b. The capacitors C1and C2may be mounted by, for example, soldering or using a conductive adhesive.

Finally, the upper surface of the multilayer body22is sealed with a resin, and the mold part23is thus formed. With the above steps, manufacturing of the electronic component10is completed.

With the electronic component10having the above configuration, the mounting area may be reduced. More particularly, in the case where the coil component and the surface mounted electronic component described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-212255 are mounted on a circuit board, the coil component and the surface mounted electronic component occupy different parts of the circuit board. Therefore, a large mounting area is required for the coil component and the surface mounted electronic component.

Thus, the capacitors C1and C2are provided within the electronic component10. The capacitors C1and C2are provided in a portion above the inductors L1and L2, and overlap the inductors L1and L2when viewed from the top side. Accordingly, the size of the electronic component10in the front-rear direction and left-right direction is smaller than the mounting area of the coil component and the surface mounted electronic component described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-212255. Consequently, the mounting area of the electronic component10is reduced.

Furthermore, the electronic component10does not require a lead conductive layer for allowing connection between the upper end of the interlayer connection conductor v1and the upper end of the connection conductor70c. More particularly, the end portion t2of the inductor L1(that is, an end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a) and the outer electrode94aof the capacitor C1are electrically connected. Furthermore, the outer electrode14cand the outer electrode94bare electrically connected. Accordingly, the end portion t2of the inductor L1and the outer electrode14care connected with the capacitor C1interposed therebetween. That is, the upper end of the interlayer connection conductor v1and the upper end of the connection conductor70care electrically connected with the capacitor C1interposed therebetween. Consequently, a lead conductive layer for allowing connection between the upper end of the interlayer connection conductor v1and the upper end of the connection conductor70cis not required.

Due to the fact that the lead conductive layer is not required, occurrence of disconnection in the electronic component10is suppressed, as explained below. More particularly, in the case where a lead conductive layer allows connection between the upper end of the interlayer connection conductor v1and the upper end of the connection conductor70c, the lead conductive layer and the inductor conductive layer30across each other when viewed from the top side. The inductor conductive layer30ahas substantially a spiral shape. Therefore, when the lead conductive layer extends across the inductor conductive layer30a, the lead conductive layer and the inductor conductive layer30aoverlap a plurality of times. Thus, a portion where the lead conductive layer overlaps the inductor conductive layer30ais at a relatively upper position, and a portion where the lead conductive layer does not overlap the inductor conductive layer30ais at a relatively lower position. Therefore, the lead conductive layer has substantially a vertically fluctuating shape. When the lead conductive layer fluctuates as described above, the thickness of the lead conductive layer is uneven, and disconnection may occur in a portion where the thickness of the lead conductive layer is thin.

Furthermore, the coefficient of liner expansion of the lead conductive layer is different from the coefficient of linear expansion of the insulating layers26ato26c. Therefore, when the electronic component10is heated at the time of manufacturing the electronic component10, a difference occurs between the expansion quantity of the lead conductive layer and the expansion quantity of the insulating layers26ato26c. Consequently, after manufacturing of the electronic component10is completed, internal stress is generated in the lead conductive layer, and therefore, disconnection may occur in the lead conducive layer.

In contrast, instead of the lead conductive layer, the capacitor C1is used in the electronic component10. The capacitor C1is not formed on the multilayer body22but is manufactured independently. Therefore, unlike the lead conductive layer, the capacitor C1does not fluctuate, and disconnection does not occur easily. Furthermore, the capacitor C1is not thin, unlike the lead conductive layer. Therefore, disconnection caused by heat does not easily occur. For the same reason, in the electronic component10, a lead conductive layer for allowing connection between the upper end of the interlayer connection conductor v2and the upper end of the connection conductor70dis not required. Therefore, the above disconnection is less likely to occur.

Furthermore, in the electronic component10, the insulating layer26ais made of a magnetic material. Therefore, the Q value of the inductors L1and L2may be improved. More particularly, in the case where the insulating layer26ais made of a magnetic material, a magnetic flux directed upwards from the inductors L1and L2bends in the front-rear direction or left-right direction along the insulating layer26a. Accordingly, the magnetic flux passing through the capacitors C1and C2is suppressed, and generation of eddy current is suppressed. Consequently, in the electronic component10, the Q value of the inductors L1and L2is improved.

Next, an electronic component10aaccording to a first variation will be described with reference to drawings.FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of the multilayer body22of the electronic component10a. The configuration of the electronic component10ais the same as the electronic component10with the exception of the multilayer body22. Therefore,FIGS. 1B and 2are used for explanation for the configuration of the electronic component10a. Furthermore, an equivalent circuit diagram of the electronic component10ais the same as the electronic component10. Therefore,FIG. 1Ais used as the equivalent circuit diagram of the electronic component10a.

The electronic component10ais different from the electronic component10in the structure of the inductors L1and L2. The electronic component10awill be described below by focusing on the difference.

The multilayer body22of the electronic component10afurther includes insulating layers26dand26e. The insulating layers26a,26d,26e,26b, and26care laminated in this order from the top side to the bottom side.

The inductor L1includes inductor conductive layers30aand30b(the inductor conductive layer30ais an example of a third inductor conductive layer, and the inductor conductive layer30bis an example of a fourth inductor conductive layer) and an interlayer connection conductor v3. The inductor conductive layer30ahas been described above, and therefore, a further explanation will not be given.

The inductor conductive layer30bis provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26e, and has substantially a spiral shape extending from an inner peripheral side toward an outer peripheral side while circulating clockwise (an example of a predetermined circulation direction) when viewed from the top side. The inductor conductive layer30bhas a length of about four turns. Furthermore, the inductor conductive layer30bis provided in a left half region of the insulating layer26ewhen viewed from the top side, and has substantially a rectangular outer shape.

The interlayer connection conductor v3is a conductor which penetrates through the insulating layers26eand26bin the up-down direction and which is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26c, and has substantially a linear shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v3is provided near a rear end of a region surrounded by the inductor conductive layers30a,30b,34a, and34bwhen viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v3allows connection between the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30aand the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30b. Accordingly, the inductor conductive layer30aand the inductor conductive layer30bare electrically connected in series. The end portion t1of the inductor L1is an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30a. The end portion t2of the inductor L1is an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30b.

An interlayer connection conductor v4is a conductor which penetrates through the insulating layers26aand26din the up-down direction and which is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26e, and has substantially a linear shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v4is located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30a,30b,34a, and34bwhen viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v4allows connection between the electrode pad72aand the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer30b. Accordingly, the end portion t2of the inductor L1and the electrode pad72aare electrically connected.

The inductor L2further includes inductor conductive layers34aand34band an interlayer connection conductor v5. The inductor conductive layer34ahas been described above, and therefore, a further explanation will not be given.

The inductor conductive layer34bis provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26d, and has substantially a spiral shape extending from an inner peripheral side toward an outer peripheral side while circulating clockwise (an example of a predetermined circulation direction) when viewed from the top side. The inductor conductive layer34bhas a length of about four turns. Furthermore, the inductor conductive layer34bis provided in a left half region of the insulating layer26dwhen viewed from the top side, and has substantially a rectangular outer shape.

The interlayer connection conductor v5is a conductor which penetrates through the insulating layers26dand26ein the up-down direction and which is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26b, and has substantially a linear shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v5is provided near a front end of the region surrounded by the inductor conductive layers30a,30b,34a, and34bwhen viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v5allows connection between the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34aand the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34b. Accordingly, the inductor conductive layer34aand the inductor conductive layer34bare electrically connected in series. The end portion t3of the inductor L2is the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34a. The end portion t4of the inductor L2is the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34b.

An interlayer connection conductor v6is a conductor which penetrates through the insulating layer26ain the up-down direction and which is provided on the upper surface of the insulating layer26d, and has substantially a linear shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v6is located outward relative to the outermost periphery of the inductor conductive layers30a,30b,34a, and34bwhen viewed from the top side. The interlayer connection conductor v6allows connection between the electrode pad74aand the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layer34b. Accordingly, the end portion t4of the inductor L2and the electrode pad74aare electrically connected. The other configuration of the electronic component10ais the same as the electronic component10, and therefore, explanation for the other configuration of the electronic component10awill be omitted.

With the electronic component10aconfigured as described above, for the same reason as the electronic component10, the mounting area may be reduced. Furthermore, for the same reason as the electronic component10, the insulating layer26ais made of a magnetic material in the electronic component10a. Therefore, the Q value of the inductors L1and L2may be improved.

Next, an electronic component10baccording to a second variation will be described with reference to drawings.FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view of the electronic component10b.

The electronic component10bis different from the electronic component10in that the electronic component10bincludes the inductor L1and the capacitor C1but includes neither the inductor L2nor the capacitor C2. That is, the electronic component10bhas a rear half configuration of the electronic component10, and does not have a front half configuration of the electronic component10. Parts common in the configuration of the electronic component10band the configuration of the electronic component10will be referred to with the same reference signs.

As described above, the electronic component10bconfigures an LC series resonator, without configuring a common mode filter. Even with the electronic component10bhaving the above configuration, for the same reason as the electronic component10, the mounting area may be reduced. Furthermore, with the electronic component10b, for the same reason as the electronic component10, a lead conductive layer for allowing connection between the upper end of the interlayer connection conductor v1and the upper end of the connection conductor70cis not required. Consequently, in the electronic component10b, occurrence of disconnection is suppressed. Furthermore, in the electronic component10b, for the same reason as the electronic component10, the insulating layer26ais made of a magnetic material, and therefore, the Q value of the inductors L1and L2may be improved.

An electronic component according to the present disclosure may be changed within the scope of the present disclosure, without being limited to the electronic component10,10a, or10b.

The configurations of the electronic components10,10a, and10bmay be combined in a desired manner.

In the electronic components10,10a, and10b, the outer electrodes14ato14dare provided on the lower surface of the magnetic substrate20. However, a position at which the outer electrodes14ato14dare provided is not limited to this position. The outer electrodes14ato14dmay be provided on a surface different from the upper surface of the magnetic substrate20(that is, a right surface, a left surface, a front surface, or a rear surface).

In the electronic component10, the inductor conductive layers30band34bmay be provided in a portion above the inductor conductive layers30aand34a, and the inductor conductive layers30cand34cmay be provided in a portion above the inductor conductive layers30band34b. The inductor conductive layers30band34bhave the same structure as the inductor conductive layers30band34bof the electronic component10a. Furthermore, the inductor conductive layers30cand34chave substantially a spiral shape extending from an outer peripheral side toward an inner peripheral side while circulating clockwise. End portions on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layers30cand34care connected to end portions on the outer peripheral side of the inductor conductive layers30band34bwith an interlayer connection conductor interposed therebetween. Furthermore, end portions on the inner peripheral side of the inductor conductive layers30cand34care connected to the electrode pads72aand74awith an interlayer connection conductor interposed therebetween. In the electronic component10, a larger number of inductor conductive layers may be connected in series. Also in the electronic components10aand10b, a larger number of inductor conductive layers may be connected in series.

Substantially the spiral shape represents a two-dimensional helical shape.

In place of the capacitors C1and C2, chip components such as resistors may be mounted.

Furthermore, in the electronic components10,10a, and10b, a surface mounted electronic component may be mounted on the electrode pads72a,72b,74a, and74b. The surface mounted electronic component represents an electronic component mounted on a surface of a substrate by soldering or the like, and may be a chip component. For example, a surface mounted electronic component such as a winding coil may be used as a surface mounted electronic component different from a chip component.

As described above, the present disclosure is useful for an electronic component, and more particularly, is excellent in reducing a mounting area.