Patent ID: 12198856

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electronic component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG.2is an exploded perspective view ofFIG.1;FIGS.3A and3Bare plan views respectively illustrating first and second internal electrodes of the electronic component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.4is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIGS.1through4, an electronic component100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a capacitor body110, first and second external electrodes131and132, first and second connection terminals141and142, and first and second bonding portions150and160.

Hereinafter, in order to clearly describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, directions of the capacitor body110are defined as follows: X, Y and Z directions in the drawings respectively refer to the length direction, width direction and thickness direction of the capacitor body110. In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the thickness direction may refer to a stack direction in which dielectric layers are stacked on each other.

The capacitor body110may be formed by stacking and then sintering a plurality of dielectric layers111in the Z direction, and include the plurality of dielectric layers111and a plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately disposed in the Z direction, while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween.

In addition, covers112and113each having a predetermined thickness may be formed on both sides of the capacitor body110in the Z direction, if necessary.

Here, respective adjacent dielectric layers111of the capacitor body110may be integrated with each other so that boundaries therebetween may not be readily apparent.

The capacitor body110may have a substantially hexahedral shape, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In this exemplary embodiment, for convenience of explanation, first and second surfaces1and2may refer to opposite surfaces of the capacitor body110, opposing each other, in the Z direction, third and fourth surfaces3and4may refer to opposite surfaces of the capacitor body110, connected to the first and second surfaces1and2and opposing each other in the X direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces5and6may refer to opposite surfaces of the capacitor body110, connected to the first and second surfaces1and2, connected to the third and fourth surfaces3and4, and opposing each other in the Y direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the first surface1may be a mounting surface.

The dielectric layer111may include a ceramic material having a high dielectric constant, such as barium titanate (BaTiO3) based ceramic powder particles or the like. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the dielectric layer111may further include a ceramic additive, an organic solvent, a plasticizer, a binder, a dispersant and the like, in addition to the ceramic powder particles. The ceramic additive may use, for example, a transition metal oxide or a transition metal carbide, a rare earth element, magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al) or the like.

The first and second internal electrodes121and122, which are electrodes having different polarities, may be alternately disposed to oppose each other in the Z direction, while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween, and one end of the first or second internal electrode121or122may be exposed through the third or fourth surface3or4of the capacitor body110.

Here, the first and second internal electrodes121and122may be electrically separated from each other by the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween.

The ends of the first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately exposed through the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the capacitor body110in this manner may be electrically connected to the first and second external electrodes131and132respectively disposed on the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the capacitor body110to be described below.

Here, the first and second internal electrodes121and122may each be formed of a conductive metal, for example, a material such as nickel (Ni), a nickel (Ni) alloy or the like. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Based on the above configuration, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the first and second external electrodes131and132, electric charges may be accumulated between the first and second internal electrodes121and122opposing each other.

Here, the electronic component100may have capacitance proportional to an area of overlap of the first and second internal electrodes121and122, in which the internal electrodes overlap each other in the Z direction.

The first and second external electrodes131and132may be disposed on the first surface1, which is the mounting surface of the capacitor body110, while being spaced apart from each other, may have voltages of different polarities, and may respectively be electrically connected to exposed portions of the first and second internal electrodes121and122.

A plating layer may be formed on each surface of the first and second external electrodes131and132, if necessary.

For example, the first and second external electrodes131and132may each include first and second conductive layers, first and second nickel (Ni) plating layers formed on the first and second conductive layers, and first and second tin (Sn) plating layers formed on the first and second plating layers.

The first external electrode131may include a first connection portion131aand a first band portion131b.

The first connection portion131amay be a portion which is formed on the third surface3of the capacitor body110and connected to the first internal electrode121, and the first band portion131bmay be a portion which is extended from the first connection portion131ato a portion of the first surface1which is the mounting surface of the capacitor body110and to which the first connection terminal141is connected.

Here, the first band portion131bmay be further extended to a portion of the fifth or sixth surface5or6of the capacitor body110if necessary to have an improved fixing strength or the like.

In addition, the first band portion131bmay be further extended to a portion of the second surface2of the capacitor body110if necessary.

The second external electrode132may include a second connection portion132aand a second band portion132b.

The second connection portion132amay be a portion which is formed on the fourth surface4of the capacitor body110and connected to the second internal electrode122, and the second band portion132bmay be a portion which is extended from the second connection portion132ato a portion of the first surface1which is the mounting surface of the capacitor body110and to which the second connection terminal142is connected.

Here, the second band portion132bmay be further extended to a portion of the fifth or sixth surface5or6of the capacitor body110if necessary to have an improved fixing strength or the like.

In addition, the second band portion132bmay be further extended to a portion of the second surface2of the capacitor body110if necessary.

The first and second connection terminals141and142may respectively be disposed to be connected to the first and second external electrodes131and132.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second connection terminals141and142may be formed on the first and second external electrodes131and132to respectively correspond to the first and second band portions131band132bformed on the first surface1of the capacitor body110.

Here, the first connection terminal141may have a length in the X direction longer than a length of the first band portion131bin the X direction, and the second connection terminal142may have a length in the X direction longer than a length of the second band portion132bin the X direction.

A portion of the first or second connection terminal141or142may thus be positioned under the first surface1of the capacitor body110.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first or second connection terminal141or142may serve to protect a multilayer capacitor against external impact applied to bend the capacitor, and may thus suppress or reduce cracks and delaminations occurring in the capacitor body110.

The first or second connection terminal141or142may be formed of an insulating material such as an FR4 glass-reinforced epoxy laminate, a flexible printed circuit board (F-PCB), a ceramic material or a conductor material such as metal.

When formed of the insulating material, the first and second connection terminal141or142can have a land pattern of a conductor functioning as a signal terminal and a ground (GND) terminal on their upper and lower surfaces.

In more detail, the first connection terminal141of this exemplary embodiment may include a first conductive pattern formed on a surface of the first external electrode131, facing the first band portion131b, a second conductive pattern formed on a surface of the first external electrode131, facing the first conductive pattern, and a third conductive pattern formed on at least a portion of a surface connecting the first and second conductive patterns to each other, and electrically connecting the first and second conductive patterns to each other.

In addition, the second connection terminal142may include a fourth conductive pattern formed on a surface of the second external electrode132, facing the second band portion132b, a fifth conductive pattern formed on a surface of the first external electrode131, facing the fourth conductive pattern, and a sixth conductive pattern formed on at least a portion of a surface connecting the fourth and fifth conductive patterns to each other, and electrically connecting the fourth and fifth conductive patterns to each other.

For another example, when formed of the conductive material, the first or second connection terminal141or142may achieve the electrical connection through all surfaces.

The electronic component100of this exemplary embodiment may be a structure in which the multilayer capacitor is connected to the first and second connection terminals141and142having a shape of small boards disposed on an X-Y plane of the first and second external electrodes131and132, while being spaced apart from each other.

Here, first and second external electrodes131and132may respectively be mounted on the first and second connection terminals141and142by first and second bonding portions150and160.

That is, the first conductive bonding portion150may be disposed between the first band portion131bof the first external electrode131and an upper surface of the first connection terminal141.

Here, the first bonding portion150may be divided into a first-2-th region152(e.g., a second region) adjacent to a center of the capacitor body110in the X direction and a first-1-th region151(e.g., a first region) adjacent to the third surface3which is one end of the capacitor body110.

In addition, the first-2-th region152may include a conductive resin, and the first-1-th region151may include a high melting point solder. For example, a high melting point solder may have a melting temperature of more than 250° C.

In addition, the conductive resin may include metal particles and epoxy, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the first-1-th region151may be positioned to overlap a portion of the first band portion131bin the Z direction, and the first-2-th region152may be positioned to overlap a portion of the first band portion131band a portion of the first surface1of the capacitor body110, in the Z direction.

The first bonding portion150may be formed by forming the first-2-th region152by applying the conductive resin on the upper surface of the first connection terminal141, and by simultaneously forming the first-1-th region151by applying the high melting point solder adjacent to the first-2-th region152.

Here, the first-1-th region151and the first-2-th region152may be formed parallel to each other in the X direction so that there is no or minimized portion in which the two regions overlap each other in the Z direction.

In addition, the second bonding portion160may be divided into a second-2-th region162adjacent to the center of the capacitor body110in the X direction and a second-1-th region161adjacent to the fourth surface4which is the other end of the capacitor body110.

In addition, the second-2-th region162may include the conductive resin, and the second-1-th region161may include the high melting point solder.

In addition, the conductive resin may include metal particles and epoxy, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the second-1-th region161may be positioned to overlap a portion of the second band portion132bin the Z direction, and the second-2-th region162may be positioned to overlap a portion of the second band portion132band a portion of the first surface1of the capacitor body110, in the Z direction.

The second bonding portion160may be formed by forming the second-2-th region162by applying the conductive resin on an upper surface of the second connection terminal142, and by simultaneously forming the second-1-th region162by applying the high melting point solder adjacent to the second-2-th region162.

Here, the second-1-th region161and the second-2-th region162may be formed parallel to each other in the X direction so that there is no or minimized portion in which the two regions overlap each other in the Z direction.

A defective bending strength of the multilayer capacitor may indicate that when evaluating a bending strength of the multilayer capacitor, cracks occur in a portion of the capacitor body, which is bonded to a printed circuit board, thus destroying an active region including the internal electrode.

A main component of the capacitor body may be a dielectric such as ceramic, cracks may usually occur at an end of the external electrode attached to the capacitor body.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second connection terminals141and142may respectively be bonded to the first and second band portions131band132bof the first and second external electrodes131and132, thereby reducing stress applied externally from the capacitor, and thus suppressing occurrence of bending cracks.

Here, the first connection terminal141and the first band portion131bmay be bonded to each other by the first bonding portion150, and the second connection terminal142and the second band portion132bmay be bonded to each other by the second bonding portion160.

In this exemplary embodiment, the bonding portion may be divided into two regions, and high melting point solder or conductive resin may be used for the bonding portion. Here, the conductive resin may have the improved bending strength characteristic and increased equivalent series resistance (ESR). Meanwhile, the high melting point solder may have less increased ESR, and a lower bending strength characteristic than that of the conductive resin.

In this exemplary embodiment, the region of the bonding portion, adjacent to the center of the capacitor body, may be formed of the conductive resin having elasticity and flexibility, thereby increasing the bending strength of the end of the external electrode, vulnerable to the external impact.

In addition, the region of the bonding portion, adjacent to the end of the capacitor body, which is a relatively less vulnerable portion of the capacitor body to the external impact, may be formed using the high melting point solder to minimize an increase in the ESR.

In this exemplary embodiment, 0.25 to 0.9 may be a value range of T2/(T2+T1) when T1 indicates a length of the first-1-th region151and T2 indicates a length of the first-2-th region152, of the first bonding portion150in the X direction.

Hereinafter, the description describes the first connection terminal as an example. However, the description of the first connection terminal includes a description of the second connection terminal because the second connection terminal has a shape and structure substantially similar to those of the first connection terminal, except that the second connection terminal is bonded to the second band portion.

For example, to measure lengths, widths, and thicknesses of the portions, regions, body, terminals, and electrodes, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), or an optical microscope may be used. Here, T1 and T2 may be obtained by measuring the lengths of the first-1-th region151and the first-2-th region152on the upper surface of the first bonding portion150in the Z direction, based on an interface where the first-1-th region151and the first-2-th region152are connected to each other, dividing the interface into five points in the Y direction, measuring the lengths of the first-1-th region151and the first-2-th region152at each of five points in the X direction, and averaging the five measured lengths.

T2/(T1+T2) may indicate an application ratio of the conductive epoxy to an entire bonding portion. Here, when T2/(T1+T2) has an increased value, the multilayer capacitor may have the improved bending strength, and the increased equivalent series resistance (ESR) value. On the contrary, when T2/(T1+T2) has a reduced value, the multilayer capacitor may have the less increased bending strength as the lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) value.

As such, there is a trade-off relationship between the bending strength and the ESR value, based on the application ratio of the conductive epoxy to the entire bonding portion. Hereinafter, the description thus describes a confirmed proper application ratio of the conductive epoxy through an experiment.

Table 1 andFIG.5below show a test result of a bending deformation of the capacitor, based on a numerical value of T2/(T2+T1).

The multilayer capacitor used in each sample is 3.2 mm long in the X direction, 2.5 mm long in the Y direction, 2.5 mm high, and manufactured to have an electrical characteristic of 4.7 uF.

In addition, only the conductive layer including copper is first applied to the external electrode.

Table 1 shows a result of a test performed by preparing a total of 60 chips including 30 chips of a horizontal mounting type and 30 chips of a vertical mounting type for each sample, mounting each chip on the PCB after 100 cycles of −55 to 125° C. temperature, and observing whether the band portion of the connection terminal or the external electrode is separated from the capacitor body while increasing the bending deformation strength. The separation may be observed visually or via an optical microscope.

TABLE 1#123456T2/(T2 + T1)—00.250.500.751.00Average bending5.266.547.357.678.099.64strength (mm)Maximum bending6.758.098.729.329.6011.32strength (mm)Minimum bending3.705.196.146.106.807.70strength (mm)Standard deviation0.620.780.820.830.730.88

6 mm is a minimum length which guarantees a normally required bending strength of the multilayer capacitor, and an effect of preventing bending cracks from occurring when connecting the connection terminal to the body is required to satisfy a level equal to or higher than this guaranteed bending strength.

Referring to Table 1 andFIG.5, #1 is a comparative example showing a single-unit multilayer capacitor to which no connection terminal is bonded. In this case, it is confirmed that the 6 mm guarantee is not formed because a peak occurs at a point having an average of 5.26 mm when evaluating the bending strength.

In addition, #2 is a case in which the capacitor includes the connection terminal, and the bonding portion is formed of only the high melting point solder without the conductive epoxy. In this case, it is confirmed that the 6 mm guarantee is not formed because the average bending strength is 6.54 mm which exceeds a standard value of 6 mm and the peak occurs at a point at which the minimum bending strength is 5.19 mm.

In addition, from #3 which is a case in which 25% is the ratio of the conductive epoxy included in the bonding portion to #5 which is a case in which 75% is the ratio, an average point at which the peak occurs gradually increases from 7.35 mm to 8.09 mm, and a minimum point at which the peak occurs gradually increases from 6.14 mm to 6.80 mm. It can thus be seen that both the average bending strength and the minimum bending strength are guaranteed to be 6 mm.

In addition, #6 is a case in which the bonding portion is formed of only the conductive epoxy. In this case, the average bending strength is 9.64 mm, and the peak occurs at a point at which the minimum bending strength is 7.70 mm. It can thus be seen that when the ratio of the conductive epoxy increases, the bending strength characteristic is gradually improved.

As such, it can be seen that the bending strength characteristic of the multilayer capacitor may be improved by increasing the ratio of the conductive epoxy used in the bonding portion, and 0.25 is a lower limit value of T2/(T2+T1) when the bonding portion is formed of a combination of the conductive epoxy and the high melting point solder.

Table 2 below shows that a change in the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the multilayer capacitor is measured based on the value of T2/(T2+T1) in the bonding portion. Here, the multilayer capacitor used for the test uses the same specifications as those used for the test of bending strength in Table 1 above.

In this experimental example, the ESR value is measured using an LCR meter (E4980A). When measuring the ESR value by using a tweezers contact probe, dispersion of a result value may be wide, based on a change in a measuring position and force. Therefore, in this experiment, the ESR value is measured and evaluated using a SMD fixture type probe.

TABLE 2#234567T2/(T2 + T1)00.250.500.750.91.00Average ESR4.175.377.178.099.179.45(MΩ)Maximum ESR5.176.918.179.279.9110.80(MΩ)Minimum ESR2.173.945.816.177.897.97(MΩ)

10 MΩ is a normally required ESR value of the multilayer capacitor, and the ESR of the multilayer capacitor to which the connection terminal is bonded may thus also be required to satisfy a level equal to or lower than this reference value.

Referring to Table 2, when the ratio of T2/(T2+T1) is zero and the bonding portion is formed of only the high melting point solder without the conductive epoxy, #2 shows that an average ESR is 4.17 MΩ and a maximum ESR is 5.17 MΩ.

In addition, #7 is a case in which the ratio of T2/(T2+T1) is 1.00 and the bonding portion is formed of only the conductive epoxy. In this case, the average ESR is 9.45 MΩ and the maximum ESR is 10.80 MΩ, which exceeded the reference value.

In addition, #6 is a case in which the ratio of T2/(T2+T1) is 0.9, the ratio of the conductive epoxy in the bonding portion is 90%, and the ratio of the high melting point solder is 10%. In this case, the average ESR is 9.17 MΩ and the maximum ESR is 9.91 MΩ, both of which are measured within the reference value.

Therefore, when the bonding portion is formed of a combination of the conductive epoxy and the high melting point solder, it can be seen that 0.9 is an upper limit value of T2/(T2+T1).

As shown in Table 1, Table 2 andFIG.5, it can be seen that 0.25 to 0.9 is a value range of T2/(T2+T1), which may minimize the increase in the ESR while securing the bonding strength of the electronic component of this exemplary embodiment.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating that the electronic component ofFIG.1is mounted on a board.

Referring toFIG.6, the board having the electronic component mounted thereon according to this exemplary embodiment may include a board210having first and second electrode pads221and222disposed on one surface thereof, and the electronic component100mounted on an upper surface of the board210for the first and second connection terminals141and142are respectively connected to the first and second electrode pads221and222, and fixed by solders231and232.

FIG.7is a perspective view schematically illustrating a modified shape of the first and second connection terminals of an electronic component according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG.8is an exploded perspective view ofFIG.7; andFIG.9is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.7.

Referring toFIGS.7,8and9, the first and second connection terminals141and142of an electronic component100baccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure may each include a gap formed between one and another portions thereof.

When a force for bending the capacitor body110is applied to the capacitor body110, the force may be partially applied to change the size or shape of the gap of each of the first and second connection terminals141and142. The force for bending the capacitor body110may thus be reduced, thereby improving the bending strength characteristic of the capacitor body110.

For example, when the first and second connection terminals141and142are each formed of the conductor material such as the metal, the force for bending the capacitor body110may be partially neutralized by strong strengths of the first and second connection terminals141and142, and the force for bending the capacitor body110may thus be reduced.

For example, when the first and second connection terminals141and142are each formed of the insulating material such as the FR4 glass-reinforced epoxy laminate, the flexible printed circuit board (F-PCB), the ceramic material, the force for bending the capacitor body110may be partially dissipated by flexibly changing the size or shape of the gap of each of the first and second connection terminals141and142, and the force for bending the capacitor body110may thus be reduced.

For example, at least a portion of each of the first and second connection terminals141and142may have a U-shape, and the U-shape of the first connection terminal141and the U-shape of the second connection terminal142may be open toward each other.

Accordingly, a distance between respective centers of the gaps of the first and second connection terminals141and142may be closer than a distance between respective centers of the first and second connection terminals141and142. The gap of the first connection terminal141may be closer to the first-2-th region152than the first-1 region151of the bonding portion150, and the gap of the second connection terminal142may be closer to the second-2-th region162than the second-1 region161of the second bonding portion160.

The first-1-th region151and the second-1-th region161may be more advantageous in improving the equivalent series resistance (ESR) characteristic due to relatively high conductivity, and the first-2-th region152and the second-2-th region162may be more advantageous in improving the bending strength characteristic due to relatively high flexibility. A portion connecting the upper and lower portions of the first or second connection terminal141or142can act as an electrical connection path, and may thus be positioned relatively adjacent to the first-1-th region151or the second-1-th region161to efficiently improve the ESR characteristic. A mechanism of improving the bending strength characteristic of the first-2-th region152and the second-2-th region162can achieve the high efficiency because the gap of the first or second connection terminal141or142is positioned relatively adjacent to the first-2-th region152or the second-2-th region162.

That is, the bending strength characteristic improvement efficiency and the ESR characteristic improvement efficiency of the electronic component100baccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be improved together.

Meanwhile, based on a design, each of the first and second connection terminals141and142may have a shape (e.g., N shape) with an additional shape (e.g., L shape) added to the U-shape, a U-shape having a rounded corner (i.e., boundary line forming an angle in the first or second connection terminal141or142ofFIGS.7,8and9), or a U-shape in which a portion connecting the upper and lower portions of the first or second connection terminal141or142is curved to have an edge radius.

For example, T3 may be shorter than T1 when T1 indicates the length of the first-1-th region151or second-1-th region161and T3 indicates each thickness of the first and second connection terminals141and142, in a direction (e.g., X direction) in which the first and second external electrodes131and132are connected to each other.

Accordingly, there may be a high possibility in which an edge of the first or second band portion131bor132bof the first or second external electrode131or132overlaps the gap of the first or second connection terminal141or142in the Z direction. The edge of the first or second band portion131bor132bmay be highly likely to be a point at which cracks start to occur as the capacitor body110is greatly bent. When T3 is shorter than T1, force acting at the point at which the crack is highly likely to occur can be efficiently distributed, thus reducing the possibility in which the cracks occur when the capacitor body110is bent, and improving the bending strength of the capacitor body110.

FIGS.10A and10Bare cross-sectional views respectively illustrating a modified shape of first and second internal electrodes of an electronic component according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.11is a perspective view schematically illustrating the modified shape of the first and second external electrodes of the electronic component according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.10A,10B and11, one end of the first or second internal electrode121or122of an electronic component100caccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention may be exposed through the mounting surface of capacitor body110(corresponding to the first surface1inFIG.2). The third surface (3inFIG.2), the fourth surface (4inFIG.2), the fifth surface (5inFIG.2) and the sixth surface (6inFIG.2) of the capacitor body110, may each include a portion where first or second external electrode131cor132cis not disposed. For example, the plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122may be alternately stacked in the Y direction.

When the first or second internal electrode121or122is exposed through the mounting surface (corresponding to the first surface1inFIG.2) of the capacitor body110, an entire path through which the capacitance formed by the first or second internal electrode121or122is provided to the first or second connection terminal141or142may be shorter. Accordingly, the electronic component100caccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further improve the ESR characteristic.

In addition, the first or second internal electrode121or122may not be exposed to the third, fourth, fifth or sixth surface of the capacitor body110(3,4,5or6inFIG.2), thus reducing necessity to dispose the first or second external electrode131cor132con the third, fourth, fifth or sixth surface (3,4,5or6ofFIG.2) (e.g., to be connected to the internal electrode). Accordingly, the first or second internal electrode121or122and the third, fourth, fifth or sixth surface (3,4,5or6ofFIG.2) of the capacitor body110may have a smaller margin therebetween because there is no need to consider an insulation between the first external electrode131cand the second internal electrode122or an insulation between the second external electrode132cand the first internal electrode121. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the area in which the first and second internal electrodes121and122overlap each other, and improve the capacitance of the capacitor body110compared to its size.

An importance of improving the bending strength against the force for bending the capacitor body110in the Z direction may be higher due to a structure of the first and second internal electrodes121and122of the electronic component100caccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The structure of the first and second bonding portions150and160of the electronic component100cand the gap of the first or second connection terminal141or142can be effective in improving the bending strength of the capacitor body110against the force for bending the capacitor body110in the Z direction, thus improving its bending strength characteristic and capacitance together.

Meanwhile, based on the design, the shape of the first or second internal electrode121or122and the shape of the first or second external electrode131cor132c, shown inFIGS.10A,10B and11, can also be applied to the electronic component100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIGS.1through4.

Table 3 andFIG.12below show the test result of the bending deformation, based on numerical values of T2/(T2+T1) of five samples of the electronic component100caccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A horizontal axis ofFIG.12indicates the order number # of the sample. Here, the multilayer capacitor used for the test uses the same specifications as those used for the test of the bending strength of Tables 1 and 2 above, and a process of testing the bending strength is the same as that of Table 1.

TABLE 3#189101112T2/(T2 + T1)—00.250.500.751.00Average bending5.267.147.958.278.6910.24strength (mm)Maximum bending6.758.699.329.9210.2011.92strength (mm)Minimum bending3.705.796.746.707.408.30strength (mm)Standard deviation0.620.780.820.830.730.88

6 mm is the minimum length which guarantees the normally required bending strength of the multilayer capacitor, and the effect of preventing the bending cracks from occurring when connecting the connection terminal to the body is required to satisfy the level equal to or higher than this guaranteed bending strength.

Referring to Table 3 andFIG.12, #1 is a comparative example showing the single-unit multilayer capacitor to which no connection terminal is bonded, and is the same as #1 in Tables 1 andFIG.5.

In addition, #8 is a case in which the capacitor includes the connection terminal, and the bonding portion is formed of only the high melting point solder without the conductive epoxy. In this case, it is confirmed that the 6 mm guarantee is not formed because the average bending strength is 7.14 mm which exceeds the standard value of 6 mm and the peak occurs at a point at which the minimum bending strength is 5.79 mm.

In addition, from #9 in which 25% is the ratio of the conductive epoxy included in the bonding portion to #11 in which 75% is the ratio, an average point at which the peak occurs gradually increases from 7.95 mm to 8.69 mm, and a minimum point at which the peak occurs gradually increases from 6.74 mm to 7.40 mm. It can thus be seen that both the average bending strength and the minimum bending strength are guaranteed to be 6 mm.

In addition, #12 is a case in which the bonding portion is formed of only the conductive epoxy. In this case, the average bending strength is 10.24 mm, and the peak occurs at a point at which the minimum bending strength is 8.30 mm. It can thus be seen that when the ratio of the conductive epoxy increases, the bending strength characteristic is gradually improved.

As such, it can be seen that the bending strength characteristic of the multilayer capacitor may be improved by increasing the ratio of the conductive epoxy used in the bonding portion, and 0.25 is a lower limit value of T2/(T2+T1) when the bonding portion is formed of the combination of the conductive epoxy and the high melting point solder.

Like the electronic component100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIGS.1through4, 0.25 is the lower limit value of T2/(T2+T1) of the electronic component100caccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIGS.10A,10B and11.

FIG.13shows a change in the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the multilayer capacitor, based on the value of T2/(T2+T1), measured at the bonding portion of the five samples of the electronic component100caccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the multilayer capacitor used for the test uses the same specifications as those used for the test of the bending strength of Tables 1, 2 and 3 above, and a process of measuring the ESR is the same as that of Table 2.

10 MΩ is the normally required ESR value of the multilayer capacitor, and the ESR of the multilayer capacitor to which the connection terminal is bonded may thus also be required to satisfy a level equal to or lower than this reference value.

Referring toFIG.13, when the ratio of T2/(T2+T1) is zero and the bonding portion is formed of only the high melting point solder without the conductive epoxy, #8 to #11 show that the average ESR is less than 10 MΩ. A difference between the maximum ESR and the average ESR may not be large, and the maximum ESR may thus also be less than 10 MΩ.

In addition, #12 is a case in which the ratio of T2/(T2+T1) is 1.00 and the bonding portion is formed of only the conductive epoxy. In this case, the average ESR can be adjacent to 10 MΩ. The difference between the average ESR and the maximum ESR may not be small, and the maximum ESR may exceed 10 MΩ.

That is, an entire pattern of the ESR characteristic ofFIG.13may be similar to the pattern of the ESR characteristic of Table 2. Accordingly, like the electronic component100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIGS.1through4, 0.9 may be an upper limit value of T2/(T2+T1) of the electronic component100caccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, shown inFIGS.10A,10B and11.

As set forth above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to effectively prevent the bending cracks from occurring in the electronic component when the electronic component is mounted on the board.

While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be formed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.