Patent Publication Number: US-8971015-B2

Title: Electronic component

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic component, and more particularly, to an electronic component including a laminate in which insulating layers are laminated on each other. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A multilayer electronic component of the related art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-47907. The multilayer electronic component includes a plurality of dielectric layers, a plurality of internal electrodes, and terminals. The dielectric layers and the internal electrodes are alternately laminated on each other. The terminals are external electrodes provided on side surfaces of a laminate including the dielectric layers. In the multilayer electronic component described above, the internal electrodes are exposed at the side surfaces of the laminate, and the terminals are formed by plating portions of the laminate at which the internal electrodes are exposed. 
     In the above-described multilayer electronic component, a dielectric material may be denatured by absorbing moisture in the air (hereinafter, referred to as “moisture absorption”). As a result, the insulating properties of the dielectric layers provided between the internal electrodes are degraded, and short circuiting may occur therebetween. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic component which prevents degradation in properties thereof caused by moisture absorption of a laminate. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic component is provided which includes a laminate including a plurality of insulating layers laminated to each other, a first internal conductor which is embedded in the laminate and which includes a first exposed portion exposed between the insulating layers at a predetermined surface of the laminate, and a first external electrode provided on the predetermined surface by direct plating so as to cover the first exposed portion. The first external electrode preferably includes an outer edge that is spaced away from the first exposed portion by approximately 0.8 μm or more, for example. 
     According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the properties of the electronic component are prevented from being degraded by moisture absorption of the laminate. 
     The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a laminate of the electronic component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of an external electrode of the electronic component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic component taken along the line A-A shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a modified preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a laminate of the electronic component according to the modified preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an electronic component according to another modified preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a laminate of the electronic component according to another modified preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an electronic component according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     First, the structure of an electronic component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic component  10 .  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a laminate  12  of the electronic component  10 . In this preferred embodiment, a lamination direction of the laminate  12  is defined as a y axis direction. When the laminate  12  is viewed in plan in the y axis direction, a longer side direction of the laminate  12  is defined as an x axis direction. When the laminate  12  is viewed in plan in the y axis direction, a shorter side direction of the laminate  12  is defined as a z axis direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the electronic component  10  is preferably a chip capacitor which includes the laminate  12 , external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b , and a capacitor C (not shown to  FIG. 1 ). The laminate  12  preferably has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. However, since chamfering is performed, the laminate  12  preferably has substantially round-shaped corners and ridge lines, for example. Hereinafter, in the laminate  12 , a surface at a positive direction side in the y axis direction is called a side surface S 1 , and a surface at a negative direction side in the y axis direction is called a side surface S 2 . In addition, a surface at a negative direction side in the x axis direction is called an end surface S 3 , and a surface at a positive direction side in the x axis direction is called an end surface S 4 . Furthermore, a surface at a positive direction side in the z axis direction is called an upper surface S 5 , and a surface at a negative direction side in the z axis direction is called a lower surface S 6 . 
     Furthermore, a shorter side of the side surface S 1  at the positive direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 1 , a longer side of the side surface S 1  at the negative direction side in the z axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 2 , a shorter side of the side surface S 1  at the negative direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 3 , and a longer side of the side surface S 1  at the positive direction side in the z axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 4 . In addition, a shorter side of the upper surface S 5  at the positive direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 5 , and a shorter side of the lower surface S 6  at the positive direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 6 . A shorter side of the lower surface S 6  at the negative direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 7 , and a shorter side of the upper surface S 5  at the negative direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 8 . A shorter side of the side surface S 2  at the positive direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 9 , a longer side of the side surface S 2  at the negative direction side in the z axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 10 , a shorter side of the side surface S 2  at the negative direction side in the x axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 11 , and a longer side of the side surface S 2  at the positive direction side in the z axis direction is defined as a ridge line L 12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the laminate  12  is formed by laminating a plurality of insulating layers  16 . Each of the insulating layers  16  preferably has a substantially rectangular shape and is formed from a dielectric ceramic. As an example of the dielectric ceramic, for example, BaTiO 3 , CaTiO 3 , SrTiO 3 , or CaZrO 3  may preferably be used. In addition, at least one of the materials described above may preferably be used as a primary component, and at least one of a Mn compound, a Fe compound, a Cr compound, a Co compound, and a Ni compound, for example, may preferably be used as an accessory component. The thickness of the insulating layer  16  is preferably set in a range of about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm. Hereinafter, a primary surface of the insulating layer  16  at the positive direction side in the y axis direction is called a front surface, and a primary surface of the insulating layer  16  at the negative direction side in the y axis direction is called a rear surface. 
     As described above, the side surface S 1  of the laminate  12  is defined by the surface of an insulating layer  16  provided at the most positive direction side in the y axis direction. The side surface S 2  of the laminate  12  is defined by the rear surface of an insulating layer  16  provided at the most negative direction side in the y axis direction. In addition, the end surface S 3  is defined by the shorter sides of the insulating layers  16  at the negative direction side in the x axis direction. The end surface S 4  is defined by the shorter sides of the insulating layers  16  at the positive direction side in the x axis direction. The upper surface S 5  is defined by the longer sides of the insulating layers  16  at the positive direction side in the z axis direction. The lower surface S 6  is defined by the longer sides of the insulating layers  16  at the negative direction side in the z axis direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the capacitor C includes internal capacitor conductors  18   a  and  18   b  embedded in the laminate  12 . It is preferable that the internal capacitor conductors  18  be made, for example, of a conductive material, such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, a Ag—Pd alloy, or Au, and have a thickness in a range of about 0.3 μm to about 2.0 μm. 
     The capacitor conductor  18   a  is provided on the surface of one insulating layer  16  and preferably includes a capacity portion  20   a  and lead portions  22   a  and  24   a . The capacity portion  20   a  preferably has a substantially rectangular shape and is not in contact with an outer edge of the insulating layer  16 . The lead portion  22   a  preferably protrudes toward the negative direction side in the z axis direction from the vicinity of an end portion at the negative direction side in the x axis direction of a longer side at the negative direction side in the z axis direction of the capacity portion  20   a . Accordingly, the lead portion  22   a  extends to the longer side of the insulating layer  16  at the negative direction side in the z axis direction. Thus, preferably the lead portion  22   a  does not extend to a corner portion of the insulating layer  16  and is not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the laminate  12 . At a front end portion at the negative direction side in the z direction, the lead portion  22   a  includes an exposed portion  26   a  exposed between adjacent two insulating layers  16  at the lower surface S 6  of the laminate  12 . The lead portion  24   a  preferably protrudes toward the positive direction side in the z axis direction from the vicinity of an end portion at the negative direction side in the x axis direction of a longer side at the positive direction side in the z axis direction of the capacity portion  20   a . Accordingly, the lead portion  24   a  extends to the longer side of the insulating layer  16  at the positive direction side in the z axis direction. Accordingly, the lead portion  24   a  does not extend to a corner portion of the insulating layer  16  and is not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the laminate  12 . At a front end portion at the positive direction side in the z direction, the lead portion  24   a  includes an exposed portion  28   a  exposed between the adjacent two insulating layers  16  at the upper surface S 5  of the laminate  12 . 
     The capacitor conductor  18   b  is preferably provided on the surface of one insulating layer  16  and includes a capacity portion  20   b  and lead portions  22   b  and  24   b . The capacity portion  20   b  preferably has a substantially rectangular shape and is not in contact with an outer edge of the insulating layer  16 . In addition, the capacity portion  20   b  is arranged to face the capacity portion  20   a  with the insulating layer  16  interposed therebetween. Accordingly, the capacity is generated between the capacity portions  20   a  and  20   b . The lead portion  22   b  preferably protrudes toward the negative direction side in the z axis direction from the vicinity of an end portion at the positive direction side in the x axis direction of a longer side at the negative direction side in the z axis direction of the capacity portion  20   b . Accordingly, the lead portion  22   b  extends to the longer side of the insulating layer  16  at the negative direction side in the z axis direction. Thus, the lead portion  22   b  does not extend to a corner portion of the insulating layer  16  and is not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the laminate  12 . The lead portion  22   b  is located at the positive direction side in the x axis direction than the lead portion  22   a . At a front end portion at the negative direction side in the z direction, the lead portion  22   b  includes an exposed portion  26   b  exposed between the adjacent two insulating layers  16  at the lower surface S 6  of the laminate  12 . The lead portion  24   b  preferably protrudes toward the positive direction side in the z axis direction from the vicinity of an end portion at the positive direction side in the x axis direction of a longer side at the positive direction side in the z axis direction of the capacity portion  20   b . Accordingly, the lead portion  24   b  extends to the longer side of the insulating layer  16  at the positive direction side in the z axis direction. Thus, the lead portion  24   b  does not extend to a corner portion of the insulating layer  16  and is not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the laminate  12 . The lead portion  24   b  is preferably located at the positive direction side in the x axis direction from the lead portion  24   a . At a front end portion at the positive direction side in the z direction, the lead portion  24   b  includes an exposed portion  28   b  exposed between the adjacent two insulating layers  16  at the upper surface S 5  of the laminate  12 . 
     The capacitor conductors  18   a  and  18   b  are preferably provided on  445  insulating layers  16 , for example, so as to be alternately disposed in the y axis direction. Accordingly, the capacitor C is provided at a portion at which the capacitor conductor  18   a  faces the capacitor conductor  18   b  with the insulating layer  16  interposed therebetween. In addition, a region in which the insulating layers  16  provided with the capacitor conductors  18  are laminated is called an inner layer region. In addition, at a positive direction side of the inner layer region in the y axis direction, insulating layers  16  each provided with no capacitor conductor  18  are preferably laminated. At a negative direction side of the inner layer region in the y axis direction, insulating layers  16  each provided with no capacitor conductor  18  are preferably laminated. Hereinafter, these two regions in which the insulating layers  16  provided with no capacitor conductor  18  are laminated are each called an outer layer region. 
     The external electrodes  14   a  and  14   b  are preferably provided directly on the lower surface S 6  of the laminate  12  so as to cover the exposed portions  26   a  and  26   b , respectively. However, the external electrodes  14   a  and  14   b  do not protrude from the lower surface S 6  and are not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12 . The external electrode  14   a  is located at the negative direction side in the x axis direction from the external electrode  14   b . The external electrodes  15   a  and  15   b  are preferably provided directly on the upper surface S 5  of the laminate  12  so as to cover the exposed portions  28   a  and  28   b , respectively. The external electrodes  15   a  and  15   b  do not protrude from the upper surface S 5  and are not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12 . The external electrode  15   a  is located at the negative direction side in the x axis direction from the external electrode  15   b . Since the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are arranged as described above, the capacity C is connected between the external electrodes  14   a  and  15   a  and the external electrodes  14   b  and  15   b . The external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  may preferably be made of Cu, for example. 
     The electronic component  10  is preferably configured such that degradation in properties caused by moisture absorption of the laminate  12  is prevented. Hereinafter, the external electrode  14   a  will be described by way of example.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the external electrode  14   a  of the electronic component  10 . In  FIG. 3 , since the lead portions  22   a  are hidden by the external electrode  14   a , the lead portions  22   a  are shown by dotted lines.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional structural view of the electronic component  10  taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the external electrode  14   a  preferably covers the exposed portions  26   a  of the lead portions  22   a . That is, an outer edge E of the external electrode  14   a  preferably surrounds a portion in which the exposed portions  26   a  are provided. Hereinafter, a distance between the outer edge E of the external electrode  14   a  and the exposed portions  26   a  is represented by a distance D. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the distance D between the outer edge E of the external electrode  14   a  and the exposed portions  26   a  indicates a distance between a portion F 1  of the outer edge E parallel to the exposed portions  26   a  and an exposed portion  26   a  closest to the portion F 1  and also indicates a distance between a portion F 2  of the outer edge E perpendicular to the exposed portions  26   a  and an end portion of each of the exposed portions  26   a.    
     In the electronic component  10  according to this preferred embodiment, the distance D is preferably approximately 0.8 μm or more, for example. That is, the outer edge E of the external electrode  14   a  is preferably located approximately 0.8 μm or more from the exposed portions  26   a . Thus, the external electrode  14   a  extends approximately 0.8 μm or more from a portion of the laminate  12  at which the exposed portions  26   a  are exposed to the lower surface S 6 . 
     In addition, in the electronic component  10 , when the humidity resistance is taken into consideration, the outer edge E of the external electrode  14   a  is preferably extended as far as possible from the portion at which the exposed portions  26   a  are provided. However, in the electronic component  10 , the external electrode  14   a  preferably does not protrude from the lower surface S 6  and is not provided on the ridge lines L 1  to L 12 . Thus, in the electronic component  10 , the upper limit of the distance D between the outer edge E of the external electrode  14   a  and the exposed portions  26   a  is determined by the range in which the external electrode  14   a  does not protrude from the lower surface S 6 . In this preferred embodiment, the upper limit of the distance D is preferably about 55.4 μm, for example. Since the external electrodes  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  also have the same structure as that of the external electrode  14   a , a detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     The electronic component  10  is preferably mounted on a circuit board. In particular, the lower surface S 6  on which the external electrodes  14   a  and  14   b  are provided or the upper surface S 5  on which the external electrodes  15   a  and  15   b  are provided is preferably used as a mounting surface and is disposed to face the circuit board. Subsequently, the external electrodes  14   a  and  14   b  or the external electrodes  15   a  and  15   b  are soldered to lands provided on the circuit board. Accordingly, the electronic component  10  is mounted on the circuit board. 
     Next, a method for manufacturing the electronic component  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
     After BaTiO 3 , CaTiO 3 , SrTiO 3  or CaZrO 3 , for example, preferably used as a primary component and a Mn compound, a Fe compound, a Cr compound, a Co compound, or a Ni compound, for example, preferably used as an accessory component are weighed at a predetermined ratio and are then charged in a ball mill, wet mixing is performed. After an obtained mixture is dried and is then pulverized, an obtained powder is calcined. After a calcined powder is wet-pulverized, drying and pulverizing are sequentially performed, so that a dielectric ceramic powder is obtained. 
     To this dielectric ceramic powder, an organic binder and an organic solvent are preferably added, and mixing is then performed using a ball mill, for example. After a ceramic slurry is formed into sheets on a carrier sheet by, for example, a doctor blade method, drying is performed so as to form ceramic green sheets which are to be formed into the insulating layers  16 . The thickness of each ceramic green sheet which is to be formed into the insulating layer  16  is preferably in a range of about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm. 
     Next, the capacitor conductors  18   a  and  18   b  are formed on the ceramic green sheets which are to be formed into the insulating layers  16  preferably by applying a paste including a conductive material using a method, such as a screen printing or a photolithographic method, for example. As the paste including a conductive material, for example, a paste formed by adding an organic binder and an organic solvent to a metal powder may be used. 
     Next, the ceramic green sheets which are to be formed into the insulating layers  16  are laminated, so that a green mother laminate is obtained. Subsequently, pressure bonding is preferably performed on the green mother laminate by a hydrostatic pressure press. 
     Next, the green mother laminate is preferably cut into a plurality of green laminates  12  each having a predetermined size. Subsequently, a barrel polishing process is preferably performed on the surfaces of the laminate  12 , so that the corners and the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the laminate  12  are chamfered. 
     Next, the green laminate  12  is fired. As a firing temperature, for example, a temperature in a range of approximately 900° C. to approximately 1,300° C. is preferable. With the steps described above, a fired laminate  12  in which the capacitor conductors  18  are embedded is prepared. 
     Next, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably formed by a plating method. In this preferred embodiment, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably formed by two methods, that is, a strike plating method and a thick layer plating method. 
     The strike plating method is a method performed for a short time in order to improve the adhesion and/or covering properties of a plating layer. In the strike plating method, the laminate  12  is charged in a barrel including conductive media. Next, the barrel is immersed in a plating solution and is then rotated for a predetermined time. Accordingly, the conductive media come into contact with the exposed portions  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a , and  28   b , so that an electrical power is supplied. 
     In the thick layer plating method, the laminate  12  is charged in a barrel including conductive media. Next, the barrel is immersed in a plating solution and is then rotated for a predetermined time. Accordingly, the conductive media come into contact with the exposed portions  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a , and  28   b , so that an electrical power is supplied. 
     With the plating methods described above, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are formed on and around the exposed portions  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a  and  28   b  preferably to have a thickness of approximately 5 μm, for example. In addition, by adjusting the processing time for the strike plating method and that for the thick layer plating method, the distance D shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be adjusted. With the steps described above, the electronic component  10  is completed. 
     With the electronic component  10 , degradation in properties thereof caused by moisture absorption of the laminate  12  is prevented. Particularly, in the multilayer electronic component disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-47907, the dielectric material may be denatured by moisture absorption. As a result, the insulating properties of the dielectric layers provided between the internal electrodes are degraded, and short circuiting may occur therebetween. 
     In the electronic component  10  of this preferred embodiment, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  function to prevent moisture absorption of the insulating layers  16  located directly thereunder. Thus, in the electronic component  10 , the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  extend by approximately 0.8 μm or more from the portions at which the exposed portions  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a , and  28   b  are exposed to the upper surface S 5  and the lower surface S 6 . Accordingly, moisture absorption of the insulating layers  16  provided between the capacitor conductors  18  is effectively prevented. As a result, in the electronic component  10 , degradation in properties thereof caused by moisture absorption of the laminate  12  is effectively prevented. 
     In addition, in the electronic component  10 , the generation of appearance defects of the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  can be prevented as described below. In more particular, in the electronic component  10 , the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably formed by a plating method so as to cover the exposed portions  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a , and  28   b . In addition, when the processing time for the plating method is increased, the distances D between the outer edges E of the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  and the exposed portions  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a , and  28   b  can be increased. Accordingly, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  may preferably be formed, for example, on the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12 . 
     In this preferred embodiment, when the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are formed by a plating method, a plating solution penetrates between the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  and the laminate  12 . The plating solution as described above can be removed by a heat treatment. However, as described below, when the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are formed on the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12 , an appearance defect called a blister may occur. 
     During the heat treatment, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably heated to a greater extent than the laminate  12 . Thus, although large heat shrinkage occurs in the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b , large heat shrinkage does not occur in the laminate  12 . Thus, at the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12 , the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  generate a force so as to clamp to the laminate  12 . Accordingly, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are more securely adhered to the laminate  12  at the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12  than at the upper surface S 5  and the lower surface S 6 . Thus, a plating solution vaporized during the heat treatment is preferably confined between the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  and the laminate  12  at the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12 . As a result, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are peeled away from the laminate  12  by the vaporized plating solution so as to generate blisters. That is, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  have appearance defects. 
     Thus, in the electronic component  10 , the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably not provided on the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12 . Accordingly, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are prevented from having appearance defects. In addition, in this preferred embodiment, chamfering is preferably performed on the electronic component  10  by the barrel polishing process. Thus, the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the electronic component  10  have substantially round shapes due to the chamfering. 
     In order to more confirm the advantages of the electronic component  10 , the inventors of the present invention performed the following experiments. In particular, seven types of electronic components having the following conditions were formed.
     Dimensions: about 1.0 mm×about 0.5 mm×about 0.5 mm   Material for an insulating layer: Barium titanate-based dielectric ceramic   Number of insulating layers: 475 layers   Number of insulating layers in an inner layer region: 445 layers   Number of insulating layers in each outer layer region: 15 layers   Thickness of each insulating layer: about 0.7 μm   Material for a capacitor conductor: A metal including Ni as a primary component.   Rated voltage: about 4.0 V   Electrostatic capacitance: about 10 μF   

     The barrel polishing-process conditions for forming the seven types of electronic components are shown below.
     Operation method: Wet barrel polishing   Number of revolutions: about 250 rpm   Media: Zirconia ball (about 1.0 mm in diameter)   POT volume: about 340 cc   Time: about 30 minutes   

     One example of conditions of a strike plating method for forming the seven types of electronic components is shown below.
     Plating solution: Copper pyrophosphate (about 14 g/L), potassium pyrophosphate (about 120 g/L), potassium oxalate (about 10 g/L)   Bath temperature: about 25° C.   pH: about 8.5   Barrel: Horizontal rotation barrel   Number of revolutions: about 10 rpm   Diameter of conductive media: about 0.5 mm   Current density: about 0.11 A/dm 2      Time: about 30 minutes   

     One example of conditions of a thick layer plating method for forming the seven types of electronic components is shown below. 
     Plating solution: “Pyrobright process (Pyrobright PY-61 bath)” manufactured by Uyemura &amp; CO., LTD. 
     
         
         Bath temperature: about 55° C. 
         pH: about 8.8 
         Barrel: Horizontal rotation barrel 
         Number of revolutions: about 10 rpm 
         Diameter of conductive media: about 0.5 mm 
         Current density: about 0.30 A/dm 2    
         Time: about 60 minutes 
       
    
     Among the seven types of electronic components, the distance D shown in  FIGS. 3  an  4  was changed as shown in Table 1 below. In order to change the distance D, the processing time for the strike plating method and the processing time for the thick layer plating method were changed as shown in Table 1. Table 1 shows the relationship between the distance D and the processing times of the first to the fifth examples and the first and the second comparative examples. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Time for 
                 Time for Thick 
               
               
                   
                 Distance 
                 Strike Plating 
                 Layer Plating 
               
               
                   
                 D (μm) 
                 Method (min) 
                 Method (min) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 First Example 
                 0.8 
                 0 
                 12 
               
               
                 Second Example 
                 5.3 
                 0 
                 75 
               
               
                 Third Example 
                 16.2 
                 30 
                 60 
               
               
                 Fourth Example 
                 34.1 
                 60 
                 50 
               
               
                 Fifth Example 
                 55.4 
                 110 
                 30 
               
               
                 First Comparative 
                 0.7 
                 0 
                 10 
               
               
                 Example 
               
               
                 Second Comparative 
                 63.8 
                 130 
                 30 
               
               
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A humidity resistance test was performed on each of the electronic components of the first to the fifth examples and the first and the second comparative examples, and the generation of appearance defects was also checked. For the humidity resistance test, 100 electronic components of each of the first to the fifth examples and the first and second comparative examples were formed, and a pressure cooker bias test (PCBT) was performed on 70 out of 100 electronic components each at a temperature of about 125° C., a relative humidity of about 95%, and a voltage of about 2.0 V for about 72 hours. Subsequently, the resistance between the external electrodes was measured, and an electronic component having a resistance of about 1 MΩ or less was determined to be defective. In addition, in order to check the generation of appearance defects, the generation of blisters of all of 100 electronic components was checked by visual inspection. Table 2 shows experimental results, and the defect rate of the humidity resistance test and that of the appearance check are shown. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Defect Rate of 
                 Defect Rate 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Humidity 
                 of Appearance 
               
               
                   
                 Resistance Test 
                 Check 
                 Judgment 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 First Example 
                 0/70 
                 0/100 
                 ◯ 
               
               
                 Second Example 
                 0/70 
                 0/100 
                 ◯ 
               
               
                 Third Example 
                 0/70 
                 0/100 
                 ◯ 
               
               
                 Fourth Example 
                 0/70 
                 0/100 
                 ◯ 
               
               
                 Fifth Example 
                 0/70 
                 0/100 
                 ◯ 
               
               
                 First Comparative 
                 1/70 
                 0/100 
                 X 
               
               
                 Example 
               
               
                 Second Comparative 
                 0/70 
                 1/100 
                 X 
               
               
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to Table 2, in the first to the fifth examples in which the distance D is in a range of about 0.8 μm to about 55.4 μm, no electronic components were found to be defective in the humidity resistance test and the appearance check. On the other hand, in the electronic component in which the distance D was about 0.7 μm, a defect was generated in the humidity resistance test. In addition, in the electronic component in which the distance D was about 63.8 μm, an appearance defect was generated. Accordingly, the distance D is preferably in a range of about 0.8 μm to about 55.4 μm. 
     Hereinafter, an electronic component  10   a  according to a modified preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 5  is an appearance perspective view of the electronic component  10   a  according to the modified preferred embodiment.  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the laminate  12  of the electronic component  10   a  according to the modified preferred embodiment. 
     Between the electronic component  10  and the electronic component  10   a , the shapes of the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  and the shapes of the capacitor conductors  18  are different from each other. More specifically, in the electronic component  10   a , a lead portion  22 ′ a  preferably extends to the longer side of the insulating layer  16  at the negative direction side in the z axis direction and also preferably extends to the shorter side of the insulating layer  16  at the negative direction side in the x axis direction. In addition, the lead portion  22 ′ a  also preferably extends to a corner portion at which the longer side and the shorter side intersect with each other. As in the case of the lead portion  22 ′ a , each of the lead portions  22 ′ b ,  24 ′ a , and  24 ′ b  also preferably extend to the longer side and the shorter side of the corresponding insulating layer  16  and to a corner portion at which the longer side and the shorter side intersect with each other. The capacitor conductors  18   a  and  18   b  described above are provided on the ridge lines L 5  to L 8 . 
     The external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably arranged so as to cover exposed portions  26 ′ and  28 ′ of the capacitor conductors  18 . Thus, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably provided on the ridge lines L 5  to L 8 . That is, among the ridge lines L 1  to L 12  of the electronic component  10   a , the capacitor conductors  18  are preferably provided on only the ridge lines L 5  to L 8 . 
     Even in the electronic component  10   a  as described above, degradation in properties thereof caused by moisture absorption of the laminate  12  are effectively prevented as in the electronic component  10 . 
     Furthermore, in the electronic component  10   a , although the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are provided on the ridge lines L 5  to L 8 , the generation of appearance defects are prevented. More specifically, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are preferably connected to the capacitor conductors  18   a  and  18   b  at the ridge lines L 5  to L 8 . Thus, during a heat treatment performed to remove a plating solution, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are prevented from shrinking. As a result, a plating solution vaporized during the heat treatment is prevented from being confined between the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  and the laminate  12  at the ridge lines L 2 , L 4 , L 10 , and L 12 . Accordingly, in the electronic component  10   a , although the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  are provided on the ridge lines L 5  to L 8 , the generation of appearance defects is effectively prevented. 
     The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above and may be modified within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an electronic component  10   b  according to another modified preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the laminate  12  of the electronic component  10   b  according to the another modified preferred embodiment. As shown in the electronic component  10   b  of  FIG. 7 , the external electrodes  15   a  and  15   b  may preferably not be provided. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the lead portions  24   a  and  24   b  are also preferably not provided. 
     In addition, in the electronic components  10 ,  10   a , and  10   b , the circuit element embedded in the laminate  12  is not limited to the capacitor C. Thus, as the circuit element, a piezoelectric component, a resistor, a coil, a thermistor, or other suitable circuit element, for example, may preferably be used. When the circuit element is a piezoelectric component, for example, a piezoelectric crystal ceramic, such as a PZT-based ceramic, may preferably be used as a material for the insulating layer  16 . In addition, when the circuit element is a thermistor, for example, a ceramic, such as a spinel-based ceramic, may preferably be used as a material for the insulating layer  16 . Furthermore, when the circuit element is a coil, for example, a magnetic ceramic may preferably be used as a material for the insulating layer  16 . 
     In addition, although being formed by a plating method as described above, the external electrodes  14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a , and  15   b  may preferably be formed by performing a plating method twice. In particular, after an underlayer plating film is formed by a first plating method, an upper layer plating film is then formed on the underlayer plating film by a second plating method. A material for the underlayer plating film and the upper layer plating film is preferably a metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Sn, Pb, Au, Ag, Pd, Bi, and Zn or an alloy formed of at least two thereof, for example. When Ni is used as a material for the capacitor conductor  18 , Cu, for example, which has good compatibility with Ni, is preferably used as the material for the underlayer plating film. In addition, the upper layer plating film may have a two-layered structure which includes a first upper layer plating film and a second upper layer plating film. As a material for the first upper layer plating film in contact with the underlayer plating film, Ni, for example, which is not likely to be eroded by a solder, is preferably used. In addition, as a material for the second upper layer plating film exposed to the outside, Sn or Au, for example, which is excellent in solder wettability, is preferably used. The thicknesses of the underlayer plating film, the first upper layer plating film, and the second upper layer plating film are each preferably in a range of about 1 μm to about 15 μm. 
     As described above, the present invention is effectively applied to electronic components and is particularly superior since degradation in properties thereof caused by moisture absorption of a laminate is prevented. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.