Abstract:
In a laminated ceramic electronic component, the sectional size of via-hole conductors extending through thicker ceramic layers is larger than that of via-hole conductors extending through thinner ceramic layers. This makes it possible to facilitate filling of a conductive paste for the via-hole conductors having a larger height and to inhibit a conductive paste for the via-hole conductors having a smaller height from being lost after filling.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a laminated ceramic electronic component and a production method therefor, and to an electronic device having such a laminated ceramic electronic component. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improvement in the size of via-hole conductors formed in a laminated ceramic electronic component.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A laminated ceramic electronic component, which is related to the present invention, is also called a “multilayer ceramic substrate”, and includes a laminated member having a laminated structure including a plurality of ceramic layers.  
           [0005]    Wiring conductors are provided for specific ceramic layers disposed in the laminated member, thereby constituting a desired circuit. Wiring conductors include, for example, a via-hole conductor extending through the specific ceramic layers or a conductor film extending along the principal surface of the ceramic layers. The conductor film includes an inner conductor film disposed inside the laminated member and an outer conductor film disposed on the outer surface of the laminated member.  
           [0006]    Passive elements, such as capacitors, inductors, triplate structures, and/or microstrip lines, are sometimes built in the laminated member. A part of the via-hole conductor and a part of the inner conductor film are used to constitute such passive elements. Active elements, such as semiconductor IC chips, and, as necessary, some of the passive elements, are sometimes mounted outside the laminated member. Part of the above-described outer conductor film functions as a terminal for electrically connecting such mounted elements.  
           [0007]    The laminated ceramic electronic component combined as described above is mounted on an appropriate wiring board so as to constitute a desired electronic device. When the laminated ceramic electronic component is mounted on the wiring board, a part of the above-described outer conductor film functions as a terminal for electrically connecting the laminated ceramic electronic component to the wiring board.  
           [0008]    For example, such a laminated ceramic electronic component is used as an LCR high-frequency composite component in the field of mobile communication terminals, and is used as a hybrid component, which is a combination of an active element, such as a semiconductor IC chip, and a passive element, such as a capacitor, an inductor, and a resistor, or is simply used as a semiconductor IC package in the computer field.  
           [0009]    More specifically, the laminated ceramic electronic component is widely used to constitute various electronic components, such as PA module boards, RF diode switches, filters, chip antennas, package components, and hybrid devices.  
           [0010]    In order to meet the growing demand for higher frequency, the ceramic layers in such a laminated ceramic electronic component are made of dielectric materials having low dielectric constants in most cases. Furthermore, in order to facilitate co-firing for obtaining a laminated member, it is preferable that the ceramic layers be made of ceramics having the same dielectric constant, that is, having the same composition.  
           [0011]    With such a background, when a passive element is built in the laminated member, as described above, the thickness of the ceramic layer is changed in accordance with the type of the passive element. This will be described with reference to FIGS.  4  to  6 .  
           [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a capacitor  1  defining a built-in element. The capacitor  1  includes a plurality of capacitor electrodes  3  defined by inner conductor films and opposing one another with ceramic layers  2  therebetween. In order for such a capacitor  1  to be compact and to have a large capacitance, thicknesses T 1  and T 2  of the ceramic layers  2  are decreased.  
           [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a triplate structure  4  defining a built-in element. The triplate structure  4  includes a center conductor  5  defined by an inner conductor film, and a pair of ground conductors  7  and  8  similarly defined by inner conductor films and placed on both sides of the center conductor  5  with ceramic layers  6  therebetween. In such a triplate structure  4 , the thicknesses of the ceramic layers  6  are increased in order to increase a distance S between the ground conductors  7  and  8 .  
           [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating two capacitors  9  and  10  defining built-in elements. In order to prevent coupling between the electrostatic capacitances of the two capacitors  9  and  10 , a thickness T of a ceramic layer  11  interposed between the capacitors  9  and  10  is increased.  
           [0015]    In such a case in which a built-in element is placed inside the laminated member, the optimal thickness of the ceramic layer positioned in relation to the built-in element varies depending on the type of the built-in element. For this reason, it is necessary to mix a plurality of types of ceramic layers of different thicknesses in the laminated member.  
           [0016]    On the other hand, a plurality of via-hole conductors extending through a specific ceramic layer in the laminated member generally have the same sectional size. This is because efficiency of manufacturing is decreased when a plurality of via-hole conductors of different sectional sizes are formed.  
           [0017]    For example, a method shown in FIG. 7 is adopted to form via-hole conductors.  
           [0018]    Referring to FIG. 7, through holes  13  are formed in a ceramic green sheet  12 , which will become a ceramic layer, in a laminated member of a laminated ceramic electronic component. The ceramic green sheet  12  is placed on a suction device  14 .  
           [0019]    The suction device  14  has a vacuum chamber  15 . Negative pressure is applied in the vacuum chamber  15 , as shown by arrow  16 . The opening of the vacuum chamber  15  is closed by a suction plate  17  having multiple minute air paths (not shown).  
           [0020]    A porous sheet  18  formed of paper or another filter material is placed on the upper surface of the suction plate  17 . The ceramic green sheet  12  is arranged to contact with the porous sheet  18 .  
           [0021]    When negative pressure is applied in the vacuum chamber  15  in such a state, as shown by the arrow  16 , it is also exerted on the through holes  13  via the suction plate  17  and the porous sheet  18 .  
           [0022]    In this state, a conductive paste  19  is filled into the through holes  13  by using screen printing. That is, the conductive paste  19  is applied on a screen  20 , is moved with the movement of a squeegee  21  along the screen  20 , and is filled in the through holes  13  during the movement by the action of the above-described negative pressure. The conductive paste  19  in the through holes  13  forms via-hole conductors  22 .  
           [0023]    Next, the ceramic green sheet  12  is peeled off the porous sheet  18 . Before or after peeling, the conductive paste  19  for the via-hole conductors  22  is dried.  
           [0024]    In the above-described peeling step, however, a part of the conductive paste  19 , which is filled in the through holes  13  so as to form the via-hole conductors  22 , adheres to the porous sheet  18 , as shown in FIG. 8, and therefore, the amount of the conductive paste  19  in the through holes  13  is insufficient. Such insufficient filling resulting from the loss of the conductive paste  19  after filling causes defective continuity between the via-hole conductor  22  and another via-hole conductor or another wiring conductor such as a conductor film.  
           [0025]    A method shown in FIG. 9 may be used to form the via-hole conductors  22 . In FIG. 9, the components corresponding to the components shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by like numerals, and repetitive description thereof is omitted.  
           [0026]    Referring to FIG. 9, a ceramic green sheet  12  is handled while being backed with a carrier film  23 . Through holes  13  are formed through the ceramic green sheet  12  and the carrier film  23 .  
           [0027]    In a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 7, a porous sheet  18  is placed on the upper surface of a suction plate  17  of a suction device  14 . The ceramic green sheet  12  backed with the carrier film  23  is arranged in contact with the porous sheet  18  so that the carrier film  23  is positioned on the upper side of the ceramic green sheet  12 .  
           [0028]    In such a state, negative pressure is applied in a vacuum chamber  15 , as shown by arrow  16 . The negative pressure is also exerted into the through holes  13  via the suction plate  17  and the porous sheet  18 , and a conductive paste  19  is applied on the upper surface of the carrier film  23 . The conductive paste  19  is moved with the movement of a squeegee  24  along the upper surface of the carrier film  23 , and is filled into the through holes  13  during the movement by the action of the above-described negative pressure.  
           [0029]    By thus filling the conductive paste  19  in the through holes  13  from the side of the carrier film  23  which functions as a mask without using the screen  20  shown in FIG. 7, via-hole conductors  22  are formed in the through holes  13 .  
           [0030]    In a case in which the above method shown in FIG. 9 is adopted, a conductive paste film functioning as a conductor film is formed by printing a conductive paste on the principal surface of the ceramic green sheet  12  which faces outward, while the ceramic green sheet  12  is backed with the carrier film  23 .  
           [0031]    The ceramic green sheet  12  is thus handled while being backed with the carrier film  23  because it is weak and is quite difficult to handle alone. By handling the ceramic green sheet  12  while being backed with the carrier film  23 , it is possible to facilitate handling and positioning of the ceramic green sheet  12  in each step. Moreover, it is possible to reduce variations in degrees of shrinkage of the ceramic green sheet  12  when the conductive paste  19  for forming the via-hole conductors  22  and the conductive paste film is dried.  
           [0032]    When obtaining a laminated member for a desired laminated ceramic electronic component, a plurality of ceramic green sheets including the ceramic green sheet  12  are stacked. Before stacking, the carrier film  23  must be peeled off the ceramic green sheet  12 . In this case, a part of the conductive paste  19  filled in the through hole  13  is sometimes removed together with the carrier film  23 , and the amount of the conductive paste  19  in the through holes  13  becomes insufficient.  
           [0033]    In the method shown in FIG. 9, of course, when the ceramic green sheet  12  is peeled off the porous sheet  18 , a part of the conductive paste  19  filled in the through holes  13  is also sometimes removed and adheres to the porous sheet  18 , as shown in FIG. 8.  
           [0034]    Insufficient filling of the conductive paste  19  in the through hole  13  occurs not only due to the causes described with reference to FIG. 8 or FIG. 10, but also in the following cases.  
           [0035]    For example, in a case in which the ceramic green sheet  12  is relatively thin, the shape-maintaining strength of the conductive paste  19  filled in the through holes  13  is relatively low. For this reason, at least a part of the conductive paste  19  sometimes falls out when handling the ceramic green sheet  12 .  
           [0036]    After the via-hole conductors  22  are formed, a conductive paste film functioning as a conductor film is sometimes formed on the ceramic green sheet  12  by screen printing. In this case, an emulsion film is formed on a surface of a screen used in screen printing, which surface opposes the ceramic green sheet  12 . When the screen is pressed by a squeegee, the emulsion film moves into contact with the ceramic green sheet  12  and then moves apart therefrom along the shape of the leading end of the squeegee. As the result of such a movement of the emulsion film, a part of the conductive paste  19  filled in the through holes  13  sometimes adheres to the emulsion film and is removed to the side of the screen.  
           [0037]    In order to form dense via-hole conductors  22  with high electrical conductivity, the conductive paste  19  used to form the via-hole conductors  22  has a higher content of metal components than that of the conductive paste for a conductor film. For this reason, the amount of resin components contained in the conductive paste  19  is relatively small, and as a result, the shape-maintaining strength of the conductive paste  19  is decreased. Because of this, the above-described insufficient filling of the conductive paste  19  in the through holes  13  is more likely to occur due to the loss after filling.  
           [0038]    As described above, insufficient filling is more likely to occur due to the removal of a part of the conductive paste  19  filled in the through holes  13  as the sectional size of the through holes  13  increases and the height thereof decreases. Therefore, it is conceivable to decrease the sectional size of the through holes  13  and to increase the height thereof in order to prevent the conductive paste  19  filled in the through holes  13  from being removed. However, such measures to decrease the sectional size of the through holes  13  and to increase the height thereof cannot be adopted simply.  
           [0039]    That is, for example, in a case in which the conductive paste  19  is applied by screen printing, as shown in FIG. 7, when the sectional size of the through holes  13  is small, high accuracy is required to align the screen  20  and the ceramic green sheet  12 , and the conductive paste  13  cannot easily enter the through holes  13 . For this reason, insufficient filling of the conductive paste  19  occurs, and a long time is needed to fill the conductive paste  19 . These problems are pronounced, in particular, when the thickness of the ceramic green sheet  12  is large, that is, when the height of the through holes  13  is large.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0040]    In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a laminated ceramic electronic component, a method of forming the same, and an electronic device including such a novel component, the component having a laminated member including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers with first and second ceramic layers having different thicknesses, and being constructed to eliminate the problem of insufficient filling of conductive paste for defining a via-hole conductor.  
           [0041]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a laminated ceramic electronic component includes a laminated member having a plurality of stacked ceramic layers including a first ceramic layer and a second ceramic layer which is thinner than the first ceramic layer, wherein wiring conductors are provided for a specific ceramic layer of the ceramic layers and include a via-hole conductor extending through the specific ceramic layer and a conductor film extending along the principal surface of the specific ceramic layer, and wherein the via-hole conductor includes first and second via-hole conductors having different sectional sizes.  
           [0042]    Since the first and second via-hole conductors are provided to have different sectional sizes, it is possible to determine the sectional sizes of the via-hole conductors in consideration of efficient filling of conductive paste into the through holes for forming the via-hole conductors and prevention of loss of the conductive paste after filling. This inhibits insufficient filling of the conductive paste and improves reliability of electrical conductivity.  
           [0043]    In a case in which the conductive paste is lost after filling, as described above, a lost portion of the conductive paste may adhere to an undesirable portion and may cause short circuiting and faulty connection with a mounted component. However, since preferred embodiments of the present invention can prevent the conductive paste from being lost after filling, the above problems are eliminated.  
           [0044]    In a case in which insufficient filling of the conductive paste for the via-hole conductors is prone to occur, it is necessary to closely examine the presence or absence of insufficient filling. However, since such insufficient filling is eliminated by preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to omit or simplify the examination of sufficient filling.  
           [0045]    Preferably, the first via-hole conductor extends through the first ceramic layer, the second via-hole conductor extends through the second ceramic layer, and the sectional size of the first via-hole conductor is larger than that of the second via-hole conductor.  
           [0046]    More preferably, of all the via-hole conductors, the sectional size of the via-hole conductor extending through the thicker ceramic layer is larger than that of the via-hole conductor extending through the thinner ceramic layers.  
           [0047]    In preferred embodiments of the present invention, by setting the sectional size of the first via-hole conductor extending through the first ceramic layer to be larger than that of the second via-hole conductor extending through the second ceramic layer which is thinner than the first ceramic layer, and more preferably, by setting the sectional size of the via-hole conductor extending through the thicker ceramic layer, among all the via-hole conductors, to be larger than that of the via-hole conductor extending through the thinner ceramic layer, the relationship between the height and radial length of the via-hole conductor can be easily determined so as to prevent the above-described insufficient filling of the conductive paste. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent insufficient filling of the conductive paste.  
           [0048]    Preferably, a plurality of via-hole conductors extending through the same ceramic layer have substantially the same sectional size.  
           [0049]    Preferably, the aspect ratio expressed by H/D is determined so as to be within the range of approximately 0.1 to approximately 3.0, wherein H and D represent the height and radial length of the via-hole conductor, respectively.  
           [0050]    In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the above-described insufficient filling of the conductive paste. When the cross-section of the via-hole conductor is substantially circular, the radial length of the via-hole conductor refers to the diameter of the circle. When the cross section is substantially square, the radial length refers to the length of the sides of the square. When the cross section is substantially rectangular, the radial length refers to the length of the longer sides.  
           [0051]    Preferably, the plurality of ceramic layers have substantially the same dielectric constant, that is, have the same composition.  
           [0052]    According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, insufficient filling of the conductive paste is prevented from occurring by making a plurality of ceramic layers have different thicknesses and correspondingly making via-hole conductors have different sectional sizes, as described above. Therefore, by making a plurality of ceramic layers of dielectric materials having substantially the same dielectric constant, and, for example, decreasing the thickness of a specific one of the ceramic layers, for example, a capacitor provided in relation thereto can be easily made compact and is provided with a high electrostatic capacitance.  
           [0053]    In this case, since there is no need to mix a plurality of ceramic layers having different dielectric constants, the materials of the ceramic layers can be selected easily, and the conditions of the firing step of obtaining a laminated member in the laminated ceramic electronic component can be managed easily.  
           [0054]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a production method for a laminated ceramic electronic component including the steps of preparing a plurality of ceramic green sheets including a first ceramic green sheet and a second ceramic green sheet that is thinner than the first ceramic green sheet, forming through holes extending through at least the first and second ceramic green sheets, filling a conductive paste into the through holes so as to form via-hole conductors therein, obtaining a green laminated member by stacking the ceramic green sheets including the first and second ceramic green sheets, and firing the green laminated member, wherein the sectional size of a first through hole formed through the first ceramic green sheet is preferably larger than that of a second through hole formed through the second ceramic green sheet.  
           [0055]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including a laminated ceramic electronic component and a wiring board for mounting the laminated ceramic electronic component thereon, wherein the laminated ceramic electronic component includes a laminated member having a plurality of stacked ceramic layers including a first ceramic layer and a second ceramic layer which is thinner than the first ceramic layer, wherein wiring conductors are provided for a specific ceramic layer and include a via-hole conductor extending through the specific ceramic layer and a conductor film extending along the principal surface of the specific ceramic layer, and wherein the via-hole conductor includes first and second via-hole conductors having different sectional sizes.  
           [0056]    In this case, high reliability of the laminated ceramic electronic component is also reflected in the electronic device, and the reliability of the electronic device is greatly improved.  
           [0057]    Additional elements, characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0058]    [0058]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a laminated ceramic electronic component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the aspect ratio H/D of a via-hole conductor.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a laminated ceramic electronic component according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a capacitor disposed inside the laminated ceramic electronic component in order to explain the background of the present invention.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a triplate structure disposed inside the laminated ceramic electronic component in order to explain the background of the present invention.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating two capacitors disposed inside the laminated ceramic electronic component in order to explain the background of the present invention.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a step of filling a conductive paste into a through hole.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a part of the conductive paste in the through hole adheres to a porous sheet in order to explain a problem to be solved by preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a step of filling the conductive paste into the through hole.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a part of the conductive paste in the through hole adheres to a carrier film in order to explain a problem to be solved by preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0068]    [0068]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a laminated ceramic electronic component  31  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0069]    The laminated ceramic electronic component  31  preferably includes a laminated member  37  having a plurality of stacked ceramic layers  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 . In the laminated member  37 , the ceramic layers  32  to  36  are not the same in thickness. The thickness of the ceramic layers  32  and  35  is largest, the thickness of the ceramic layer  36  is medium, and the thickness of the ceramic layers  33  and  34  is smallest.  
         [0070]    Various wiring conductors are provided specifically for the ceramic layers  32  to  36 . Wiring conductors shown in the cross section in FIG. 1 are via-hole conductors  38  and  39  extending through the ceramic layer  32 , via-hole conductors  40  and  41  extending through the ceramic layer  3   3 , via-hole conductors  4   2  and  4   3  extending through the ceramic layer  3   4 , via-hole conductors  4   4  and  4   5  extending through the ceramic layer  35 , and via-hole conductors  46  and  47  extending through the ceramic layer  36 .  
         [0071]    Wiring conductors also include conductor films extending along the principal surfaces of the ceramic layers  32  to  36 . The conductor films are some inner conductor films  48  disposed inside the laminated member  37 , and some outer conductor films  49  disposed on the outer surfaces of the laminated member  37 .  
         [0072]    A chip-type electronic component  50 , such as a chip capacitor, is mounted on the laminated member  37 . The chip-type electronic component  50  has terminal electrodes  51 . By joining the terminal electrodes  51  to the outer conductor films  49  with, for example, solder  52 , the chip-type electronic component  50  is surface-mounted on the laminated member  37 . An electronic component may be mounted on the laminated member  37  by connection via bump electrodes or by connection with wire bonding or other suitable connection method.  
         [0073]    The laminated ceramic electronic component  31  is mounted on a wiring board  53 , which is shown by an imaginary line, so as to constitute a desired electronic device. When the laminated ceramic electronic component  31  on the wiring board  53 , electric connection is established via the outer conductor films  49 .  
         [0074]    The laminated ceramic electronic component  31  of this preferred embodiment is characterized in that the via-hole conductors  38  to  47  have different sectional sizes. That is, the sectional size of the via-hole conductors  38 ,  39 ,  44 , and  45  formed in the thickest ceramic layers  32  and  35  is largest, the sectional size of the via-hole conductors  46  and  47  formed in the ceramic layer  36  having the medium thickness is medium, and the sectional size of the via-hole conductors  40 ,  41 ,  42 , and  43  formed in the thinnest ceramic layers  33  and  34  is smallest.  
         [0075]    Such a relationship among the size sections is determined based on the knowledge that insufficient filling of the conductive paste  19  is more prone to occur as the sectional size of the through holes increases and the height thereof decreases, as described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, and that it is advantageous to decrease the sectional size of the through holes and to increase the height in order to inhibit insufficient filling.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a via-hole conductor  55  extending through a ceramic layer  54 .  
         [0077]    Referring to FIG. 2, when it is assumed that the height of the via-hole conductor  55  is designated H and the radial length thereof is designated D, the above-described loss of conductive paste after filling can be more efficiently prevented as the aspect ratio expressed by H/D increases. However, when the aspect ratio H/D is increased by increasing the height H of the via-hole conductor  55 , it becomes more difficult to fill the conductive paste into a through hole for forming the via-hole conductor  55 . For this reason, it is preferable to increase the aspect ratio H/D by reducing the radial length D of the via-hole conductor  55  having a small height H. The sizes of the via-hole conductors  38  to  47  shown in FIG. 1 are designed according to this principle.  
         [0078]    When the cross section of the above-described via-hole conductor  55  is substantially circular, the radial length D of the via-hole conductor  55  refers to the diameter of the circle. When the cross section is substantially square, the radial length D refers to the length of the sides of the square. When the cross section is substantially rectangular, the radial length D refers to the length of the long sides of the rectangle.  
         [0079]    Since the sectional sizes of the via-hole conductors  38  to  47  shown in FIG. 1 are determined in order to prevent the conductive paste from being lost after filling and to allow easy filling of the conductive paste, a plurality of via-hole conductors extending through the same ceramic layer preferably have substantially the same sectional size. For example, the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  formed in the ceramic layer  32  preferably have substantially the same sectional size. Similarly, the via-hole conductor  40  and the via-hole conductor  41 , the via-hole conductor  42  and the via-hole conductor  43 , the via-hole conductor  44  and the via-hole conductor  45 , and the via-hole conductor  46  and the via-hole conductor  47 , preferably have substantially the same sectional size, respectively.  
         [0080]    As the results of the examinations as to the proper range of the above-described aspect ratio H/D in consideration of prevention of loss of the conductive paste after filling and easy filling of the conductive paste, it is preferable that the aspect ratio H/D be within the range of approximately 0.1 to approximately 3.0.  
         [0081]    For example, when it is assumed that the thickness of a ceramic layer (or a ceramic green sheet) is approximately 15 μm, the height H of a via-hole conductor formed therein is approximately 15 μm similarly, whereas a preferable radial length D of the via-hole conductor is approximately 150 μm or less. When it is assumed that the thickness of the ceramic layer (or ceramic green sheet) is approximately 10 μm, a preferable radial length D of the via-hole conductor is approximately 100 μm or less.  
         [0082]    Conversely, when it is assumed that the radial length D of the via-hole conductor is approximately 200 μm, it is preferable that the height H of the via-hole conductor, that is, the thickness of the ceramic layer (or ceramic green sheet), be within the range of about 20 μm to about 600 μm.  
         [0083]    Since the aspect ratio H/D has the proper range, as described above, it is unnecessary to change the radial length D of the via-hole conductor in accordance with the thickness of each of the ceramic layers, and it is practical to minimize the change of the via-hole conductor.  
         [0084]    For example, the laminated ceramic electronic component  31  shown in FIG. 1 can be produced in the following manner.  
         [0085]    First, ceramic green sheets are formed on a carrier film so as to define as the ceramic layers  32  to  36 . The ceramic green sheets have the thicknesses corresponding to the thicknesses of the ceramic layers  32  to  36 . Next, through holes are formed in each of the ceramic green sheets with a drill, a punch, a laser, or other suitable tool. The through holes are made to form the via-hole conductors  38  to  47 , and the sectional sizes thereof correspond to the sectional sizes of the via-hole conductors  38  to  47 .  
         [0086]    In a case in which the method shown in FIG. 7 is adopted in the next step of filling a conductive paste into the through holes, the carrier film is peeled off the ceramic green sheets before or after the above step of forming the through holes. In a case in which the method shown in FIG. 9 is adopted, the ceramic green sheets are handled while being backed with the carrier film.  
         [0087]    Next, the conductive paste is filled into the through holes by the method shown in FIG. 7 or  9  and is dried. The via-hole conductors  38  to  47  are thereby formed in the through holes.  
         [0088]    Subsequently, a conductive paste is applied onto the principal surfaces of the ceramic green sheets in a desired pattern and is dried, thereby forming conductive paste films. The conductive paste films define the inner conductor films  48  or the outer conductor films  49 .  
         [0089]    A green laminated member is then produced by stacking the ceramic green sheets described above. The green laminated member defines the laminated member  37  in the laminated ceramic electronic component  31 .  
         [0090]    In a case in which the method shown in FIG. 9 is adopted in the above-described step of filling the conductive paste into the through holes, the carrier film is peeled off the ceramic green sheets before the ceramic green sheets are stacked.  
         [0091]    By then firing the green laminated member, the laminated member  37  is obtained for the laminated ceramic electronic component  31 .  
         [0092]    One of the outer conductor films  49  placed on the upper surface of the laminated member  37  shown in FIG. 1 and the outer conductor films  49  placed on the lower surface thereof may be formed after the green laminated member is produced or after the laminated member  37  is obtained after sintering.  
         [0093]    After the laminated member  37  is obtained, a printed resistor, an electrical insulating film, a resist film, and other suitable elements are formed on the outer surface of the laminated member  37  and the outer conductor films  49  are subjected to plating, as necessary.  
         [0094]    Next, the chip-type electronic component  50  is mounted on the upper surface of the laminated member  37 , and the laminated ceramic electronic component  31  is thereby obtained. The laminated ceramic electronic component  31  thus obtained is mounted on the wiring board  53  so as to constitute a desired electronic device.  
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a laminated ceramic electronic component  31   a  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, components corresponding to the components shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by like numerals, and repetitive description thereof is omitted.  
         [0096]    The laminated ceramic electronic component  31   a  shown in FIG. 3 includes a laminated member  37   a  which has a structure substantially similar to that of the laminated member  37  shown in FIG. 1 except for the following features. That is, no outer conductor films are formed on the upper surface of the laminated member  37   a,  and exposed end surfaces of via-hole conductors  38  and  39  are used as terminals for connection with a chip-type electronic component  56  defining a mounted component.  
         [0097]    The chip-type electronic component  56  has bump electrodes  57 . Electrical connection is established in a state in which the bump electrodes  57  are in contact with the via-hole conductors  38  and  39 .  
         [0098]    When the exposed end surfaces of the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  are used as connecting terminals, as described above, it is preferable that the sectional size of the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  be large in order to facilitate alignment of the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  and the bump electrodes  57 . Since the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  formed in the thickest ceramic layer  32  have the largest sectional size in this preferred embodiment, the end surfaces thereof are suited to be used as the connecting terminals.  
         [0099]    In place of or in addition to the chip-type electronic component  56  shown in FIG. 3, an electronic component may be surface-mounted on the laminated member  37   a  by soldering or other suitable process, in a manner similar to that of the chip-type electronic component  50  shown in FIG. 1, with the exposed end surfaces of the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  used as connecting terminals. Alternatively, an electronic component may be mounted on the laminated member  37  by wire bonding with the exposed end surfaces of the via-hole conductors  38  and  39  used as connecting terminals, that is, wire-bonding pads.  
         [0100]    While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed preferred embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.