Patent ID: 12255025

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

In the drawings, a first direction may indicate a thickness (T) direction, a second direction may indicate a length (L) direction, and a third direction may indicate a width (W) direction.

Hereinafter, a multilayer electronic component1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.1through5.

The multilayer electronic component1000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a body110including a dielectric layer111and first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately disposed while having the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and including first and second surfaces1and2opposing each other in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces3and4connected to the first and second surfaces and opposing each other in the second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces5and6connected to the first to fourth surfaces and opposing each other in the third direction; a first external electrode131including a first connection portion131adisposed on the third surface, a first band portion131bextended from the first connection portion131aonto a portion of the first surface1, and a third band portion131cextended from the first connection portion131aonto a portion of the second surface2; a second external electrode132including a second connection portion132adisposed on the fourth surface, a second band portion132bextended from the second connection portion132aonto a portion of the first surface1, and a fourth band portion132cextended from the second connection portion132aonto a portion of the second surface2; an insulating layer151disposed on the first and second connection portions131aand132a, and covering the third and fourth band portions131cand132c; a first plating layer141disposed on the first band portion131b; and a second plating layer142disposed on the second band portion132b.

The body110may include the dielectric layer111and the internal electrode121or122, which are alternately stacked on each other.

The body110is not limited to a particular shape, and may have a hexahedral shape or a shape similar to the hexahedral shape, as shown in the drawings. The body110may not have the hexahedral shape having perfectly straight lines due to contraction of ceramic powder particles included in the body110in a sintering process, the body110may have substantially the hexahedral shape.

The body110may have the first and second surfaces1and2opposing each other in the first direction, the third and fourth surfaces3and4connected to the first and second surfaces1and2and opposing each other in the second direction, and the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6connected to the first and second surfaces1and2, connected to the third and fourth surfaces3and4, and opposing each other in the third direction.

In another exemplary embodiment, the body110may have a1-3corner connecting the first and third surfaces1and3to each other, a1-4corner connecting the first and fourth surfaces1and4to each other, a2-3corner connecting the second and third surfaces2and3to each other, and a2-4corner connecting the second surface2and the fourth surface4to each other. The1-3corner and the1-4corner may be contracted toward a center of the body in the first direction as being closer to the third surface3, and the2-3corner and the2-4corner may be contracted toward the center of the body in the first direction as being closer to the fourth surface4.

Margin regions in which none of the internal electrodes121and122is disposed may overlap each other on the dielectric layer111, and a step difference may thus occur due to thicknesses of the internal electrodes121and122. Accordingly, the corners connecting the first surface and the third to sixth surfaces to each other and/or the corners connecting the second surface and the third to the fifth surfaces to each other may be contracted toward the center of the body110in the first direction, based on the first surface or the second surface. Alternatively, due to a contraction phenomenon in the sintering process of the body, the corners connecting the first surface1and the third to sixth surfaces3,4,5and6to each other and/or the corners connecting the second surface2and the third to the sixth surfaces3,4,5and6to each other may be contracted toward the center of the body110in the first direction, based on the first surface or the second surface. Alternatively, a separate process may be performed to round the corners connecting respective surfaces of the body110to each other in order to prevent a chipping defect or the like, and the corners connecting the first and third to sixth surfaces to each other and/or the corners connecting the second surface and the third to sixth surfaces to each other may thus each have a round shape.

The corners may include the1-3corner connecting the first surface1and the third surface3to each other, the1-4corner connecting the first surface1and the fourth surface4to each other, the2-3corner connecting the second surface2and the third surface3to each other, and the2-4corner connecting the second surface2and the fourth surface4to each other. In addition, the corners may include a1-5corner connecting the first surface1and the fifth surface5to each other, a1-6corner connecting the first surface1and the sixth surface6to each other, a2-5corner connecting the second surface2and the fifth surface5to each other, and a2-6corner connecting the second surface2and the sixth surface6to each other. However, in order to suppress the step difference caused by the internal electrodes121and122, the internal electrodes may be stacked on each other and then cut to be exposed to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6of the body, and one dielectric layer or two or more dielectric layers may be stacked on both sides of a capacitance formation portion Ac in the third direction (i.e., the width direction) to form margin portions114and115. In this case, the corner connecting the first surface1and the fifth or sixth surface5or6to each other and the corner connecting the second surface2and the fifth or sixth surface5or6to each other may not be contracted.

Meanwhile, the first to sixth surfaces1to6of the body110may generally be flat surfaces, and non-flat regions may be the corners. Hereinafter, an extension line of each surface may indicate a line extended based on a flat portion of each surface.

The plurality of dielectric layers111included in the body110may be in a sintered state, and adjacent dielectric layers111may be integrated with each other so that boundaries therebetween are not readily apparent without using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a raw material of the dielectric layer111is not particularly limited as long as sufficient capacitance is obtained from the raw material. For example, the dielectric layer may use a material such as a barium titanate-based material, a lead composite perovskite-based material or a strontium titanate-based material. The barium titanate-based material may include barium titanate (BaTiO3) based ceramic powder particles, and the ceramic powder particles may be, for example, BaTiO3or (Ba1-xCax)TiO3(0<x<1), Ba(Ti1-yCay)O3(0<y<1), (Ba1-xCax)(T1-yZry)O3(0<x<1, 0<y<1) or Ba(Ti1-yZry)O3(0<y<1), in which calcium (Ca), zirconium (Zr) or the like is partially dissolved in BaTiO3.

In addition, the raw material of the dielectric layer111may be prepared by adding various ceramic additives, organic solvents, binders, dispersing agents and the like, to the powder particles such as the barium titanate (BaTiO3) powder particles, based on an object of the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, an average thickness td of the dielectric layer111may not need to be particularly limited.

However, the multilayer electronic component may generally have lower reliability when the dielectric layer has a small thickness of less than 0.6 μm, in particular, when the dielectric layer has a thickness of 0.35 μm or less.

The multilayer electronic component according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include the insulating layer disposed on the connection portion of the external electrode, and the plating layer disposed on the band portion of the external electrode to prevent penetration of external moisture, penetration of a plating solution or the like, thereby having higher reliability and thus ensuring excellent reliability even when the dielectric layer111has the average thickness of 0.35 μm or less.

Therefore, when the dielectric layer111has the average thickness of 0.35 μm or less, the multilayer electronic component according to the present disclosure may reveal more significantly improved reliability.

The average thickness td of the dielectric layer111may indicate an average thickness of the dielectric layer111disposed between the first and second internal electrodes121and122.

The average thickness of the dielectric layer111may be measured by scanning an image of a cross section of the body110in a length-thickness (L-T) direction by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a magnification of 10,000. In more detail, an average value of the dielectric layer may be measured by measuring a thickness of one dielectric layer at thirty equally spaced points in the length direction in the scanned image. The thirty equally spaced points may be designated in the capacitance formation part Ac. In addition, when an average thickness of ten or more dielectric layers is measured, the average thickness of the dielectric layers may further be generalized.

The body110may further include the capacitance formation portion Ac disposed in the body110, and forming capacitance of the capacitor by including the first and second internal electrodes121and122disposed to oppose each other while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween, and include cover portions112and113disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the capacitance formation portion Ac in the first direction.

In addition, the capacitance formation portion Ac may be a portion contributing to forming the capacitance of the capacitor, and formed by repeatedly stacking the plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122on each other while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween.

The cover portions112and113may include the upper cover portion112disposed on the upper surface of the capacitance formation portion Ac in the first direction and the lower cover portion113disposed on the lower surface of the capacitance formation portion Ac in the first direction.

The upper cover portion112and the lower cover portion113may be formed by stacking one dielectric layer or two or more dielectric layers on the upper and lower surfaces of the capacitance formation portion Ac in the thickness direction, respectively, and may basically serve to prevent damage to the internal electrodes, caused by physical or chemical stress.

The upper and lower cover portions112and113may include no internal electrode and may include the same material as the dielectric layer111.

That is, the upper and lower cover portions112and113may include a ceramic material such as a barium titanate (BaTiO3)-based ceramic material.

Meanwhile, an average thickness of the cover portion112or113may not need to be particularly limited. However, 15 μm or less may be an average thickness tc of the cover portion112or113in order for the multilayer electronic component to more easily have a smaller size and higher capacitance. In addition, the multilayer electronic component according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include the insulating layer disposed on the connection portion of the external electrode, and the plating layer disposed on the band portion of the external electrode to prevent the penetration of the external moisture, the penetration of the plating solution or the like, thereby having the higher reliability and thus ensuring the excellent reliability even when the cover portion112or113has an average thickness of 15 μm or less.

The average thickness tc of the cover portion112or113may indicate its size in the first direction, and may have a value obtained by averaging the sizes of the cover portions112and113in the first direction, measured at five equally spaced points on upper and lower surfaces of the capacitance formation portion Ac.

In addition, the margin portions114and115may each be disposed on a side surface of the capacitance formation portion Ac.

The margin portions114and115may be the first margin portion114disposed on the fifth surface5of the body110and the second margin portion115disposed on the sixth surface6of the body110. That is, the margin portion114or115may be disposed on an end surface of the body110in the width direction.

As shown inFIG.3, the margin portions114and115may each indicate a region between either end of the first and second internal electrodes1and122and a boundary surface of the body110, based on a cross section of the body110cut in a width-thickness (W-T) direction.

The margin portions114and115may basically serve to prevent the damage to the internal electrode, caused by the physical or chemical stress.

The margin portions114and115may be formed by forming the internal electrode by applying a conductive paste on a ceramic green sheet except its portion where the margin portion is to be positioned.

Alternatively, in order to suppress the step difference occurring due to the internal electrode121or122, the margin portion114or115may be formed by stacking the internal electrodes on each other, then cutting the internal electrodes to be exposed to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6of the body, and then stacking one dielectric layer or two or more dielectric layers on both the sides of the capacitance formation portion Ac in the third direction (i.e., the width direction).

Meanwhile, an average thickness of the cover portion114or115may not need to be particularly limited. However, 15 μm or less may be the average thickness of the cover portion114or115in order for the multilayer electronic component to more easily have the smaller size and the higher capacitance. In addition, the multilayer electronic component according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include the insulating layer disposed on the connection portion of the external electrode, and the plating layer disposed on the band portion of the external electrode to prevent the penetration of the external moisture, the penetration of the plating solution or the like, thereby having the higher reliability and thus ensuring the excellent reliability even when the margin portion114or115has an average width of 15 μm or less.

The average width of the margin portion114or115may indicate its size in the third direction, and may have a value obtained by averaging the sizes of the cover portions112and113in the third direction, measured at five equally spaced points on the side of the capacitance formation portion Ac.

The internal electrodes121and122may be alternately stacked on each other while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween.

The internal electrodes121and122may be the first internal electrode121and the second internal electrode122. The first and second internal electrodes121and122may be alternately disposed to oppose each other while having the dielectric layer111, included in the body110, interposed therebetween, and may respectively be exposed to the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the body110.

Referring toFIG.3, the first internal electrode121may be spaced apart from the fourth surface4and exposed through the third surface3, and the second internal electrode122may be spaced apart from the third surface3and exposed through the fourth surface4. The first external electrode131may be disposed on the third surface3of the body to be connected to the first internal electrode121, and the second external electrode132may be disposed on the fourth surface4of the body to be connected to the internal electrode122.

That is, the first internal electrode121may not be connected to the second external electrode132and connected to the first external electrode131, and the second internal electrode122may not be connected to the first external electrode131and connected to the second external electrode132. Accordingly, the first internal electrode121may be spaced apart from the fourth surface4by a predetermined distance, and the second internal electrode122may be spaced apart from the third surface3by the predetermined distance.

Here, the first and second internal electrodes1and122may be electrically separated from each other by the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween.

The body110may be formed by alternately stacking a ceramic green sheet on which the first internal electrode121is printed and a ceramic green sheet on which the second internal electrode122is printed on each other and then sintering the same.

The material for forming the internal electrodes121and122is not particularly limited, and may be a material having excellent electrical conductivity. For example, the internal electrode121or122may include at least one of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), tin (Sn), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti) and alloys thereof.

In addition, the internal electrodes121and122may be formed by printing, on the ceramic green sheet, a conductive paste for internal electrodes including at least one of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), tin (Sn), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti) and alloys thereof. A method of printing the conductive paste for the internal electrodes may be a screen-printing method, the gravure printing method or the like, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, an average thickness te of the internal electrode121or122may not need to be particularly limited.

However, the multilayer electronic component may generally have lower reliability when the internal electrode has a small thickness of less than 0.6 μm, in particular, when the internal electrode has a thickness of 0.35 μm or less.

The multilayer electronic component according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include the insulating layer disposed on the connection portion of the external electrode, and the plating layer disposed on the band portion of the external electrode to prevent the penetration of the external moisture, the penetration of the plating solution or the like, thereby having the higher reliability and thus ensuring the excellent reliability even when the internal electrode121or122has the average thickness of 0.35 μm or less.

Therefore, when the internal electrode121or122has the average thickness of 0.35 μm or less, the multilayer ceramic electronic component according to the present disclosure may have the more remarkably improved reliability, and may thus more easily have the smaller size and the higher capacitance.

The average thickness te of the internal electrode121or122may indicate the average thickness of the internal electrode121or122.

The average thickness of the internal electrode121or122may be measured by scanning an image of the cross section of the body110in the length-thickness (L-T) direction by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a magnification of 10,000. In more detail, the average value of the internal electrode may be measured by measuring a thickness of one internal electrode at thirty equally spaced points in the length direction in the scanned image. The thirty equally spaced points may be designated in the capacitance formation part Ac. In addition, it is possible to obtain the more general average thickness of the internal electrode when measuring its average value by extending a measurement target of the average value to ten internal electrodes.

The external electrodes131and132may respectively be disposed on the third surface3and fourth surface4of the body110. The external electrodes131and132may be the first and second external electrodes131and132respectively disposed on the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the body110, and respectively connected to the first and second internal electrodes121and122.

The external electrodes131and132may be the first external electrode131including the first connection portion131adisposed on the third surface3and the first band portion131bextended from the first connection portion131aonto a portion of the first surface1, and the second external electrode132including the second connection portion132adisposed on the fourth surface4and the second band portion132bextended from the second connection portion132aonto a portion of the first surface1. The first connection portion131amay be connected to the first internal electrode121on the third surface3, and the second connection portion132amay be connected to the second internal electrode122on the fourth surface4.

In addition, the first external electrode131may include the third band portion131cextended from the first connection portion131ato a portion of the second surface2, and the second external electrode132may include the fourth band portion132cextended from the second connection portion132ato a portion of the second surface2. Further, the first external electrode131may include a first side band portion extended from the first connection portion131ato portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6, and the second external electrode132may include a second side band portion extended from the second connection portion132ato portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6. The first or second external electrode131or132may not be disposed on the second surface2or may not be disposed on the fifth or sixth surface5or6. As the first or second external electrode131or132is not disposed on the second surface, the first or second external electrode131or132may be disposed below the extension line of the second surface2of the body110. In addition, the first or second connection portion131aor132amay be spaced apart from the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6, and the first or second connection portion131aor132amay be spaced apart from the second surface2. In addition, the first or second band portion131bor132bmay also be spaced apart from the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6.

Meanwhile, the drawings show that the insulating layer is disposed on the third or fourth band portion131cor132cwhen the first or second external electrode131and132includes the third or fourth band portion131cor132c. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plating layer may be disposed on the third or fourth band portion131cor132cfor the multilayer electronic component to be more easily mounted on the board. In addition, the first and second external electrodes131and132may respectively include the third and fourth band portions131cand132c, and may not include the side band portions. In this case, the first and second connection portions131aand132a, and the first to fourth band portions131b,132b,131cand132cmay be spaced apart from the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6.

This exemplary embodiment describes that the multilayer ceramic electronic component1000includes two external electrodes131and132. However, the number, shape or the like of the external electrode131or132may depend on a shape of the internal electrode121or122or another purpose.

Meanwhile, the external electrode131or132may be made of any material having electrical conductivity such as metal, may use a specific material determined in consideration of an electrical characteristic, structural stability or the like, and may have a multilayer structure.

The external electrode131or132may be a fired electrode including conductive metal and glass, or a resin-based electrode including the conductive metal and resin.

In addition, the electrode layer131aor132amay be made by sequentially forming the fired electrode and the resin-based electrode on the body. In addition, the external electrode131or132may be formed by transferring a sheet including the conductive metal to the body or by transferring the sheet including the conductive metal to the fired electrode.

The conductive metal included in the external electrode131or132may use the material having excellent electrical conductivity, and is not particularly limited. For example, the conductive metal may be at least one of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), chromium (Cr) and alloys thereof. The external electrode131or132may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and an alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby further improving its connectivity with the internal electrode121or122including nickel (Ni).

The insulating layer151may be disposed on the first and second connection portions131aand132a.

The first or second connection portion131aor132amay be a portion connected to the internal electrode121or122, and thus be a pathway for the penetration of the plating solution in a plating process or the penetration of the moisture when the multilayer electronic component is actually used. In the present disclosure, the insulating layer151may be disposed on the connection portions131aand132a, thereby preventing the penetration of the external moisture or the penetration of the plating solution.

The insulating layer151may be in contact with the first and second plating layers141and142. Here, the insulating layer151may be in contact with the first and second plating layers141and142to partially cover the ends thereof, or the first and second plating layers141and142may be in contact with the insulating layer151to partially cover the end thereof.

The insulating layer151may be disposed on the first and second connection portions131aand132a, and may cover the second surface and the third and fourth band portions131cand132c. Here, the insulating layer151may cover a region of the second surface, where the third and fourth band portions131cand132care not disposed, and the third and fourth band portions131cand132c. Accordingly, the insulating layer151may cover a region where an end of the third or fourth band portion131cor132cand the body110are in contact with each other to prevent the pathway for the penetration of the moisture, thereby further improving moisture resistance reliability of the multilayer electronic component.

The insulating layer151may be disposed on the first and second connection portions131aand132aand extended to the second surface to cover the ends of the third and fourth band portions131cand132c. That is, the insulating layer151may not completely cover the entire second surface2of the body110. However, the insulating layer151may cover all the regions where the third and fourth band portions131cand132care disposed on the second surface2. In particular, the insulating layer may cover the ends of the third and fourth band portions131cand132cpositioned on the second surface2. Accordingly, the insulating layer151may seal a gap between the third or fourth band portion131cor132cand the body, thereby improving airtightness of the multilayer electronic component1000.

The insulating layer151may be disposed on the second surface and extended to the first and second connection portions131aand132a. In addition, the insulating layer151may cover the entire second surface2when none of the external electrodes131and132is disposed on the second surface2. Meanwhile, the insulating layer151may not be necessarily disposed on the second surface2, the insulating layer151may not be disposed on the partial or entire second surface2, and the insulating layer151may be separated into two layers and disposed on each of the first and second connection portions131aand132a. The insulating layer151may be disposed below the extension line of the second surface2when not disposed on the entire second surface2. In addition, even when not disposed on the second surface2, the insulating layer151may be disposed on the first and second connection portions131aand132aextended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6to be a single insulating layer.

Further, the insulating layer151may cover the first and second side band portions and the partial fifth and sixth surfaces5and6. Here, portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6, which are not covered by the insulating layer151, may be externally exposed.

In addition, the insulating layer151may cover the first and second side band portions and the entire fifth and sixth surfaces5and6. In this case, none of the fifth and sixth surfaces may be externally exposed to improve the moisture resistance reliability, and none of the connection portions131aand132amay be directly and externally exposed to improve the reliability of the multilayer electronic component1000. In more detail, the insulating layer151may cover both the first and second side band portions, and cover all regions of the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6except for regions where the first and second side band portions are formed.

The insulating layer151may serve to prevent the plating layers141and142from being formed on the external electrodes131and132on which the insulating layer151is disposed, and improve a sealing characteristic to minimize the penetration of the external moisture, plating solution or the like.

A material included in the insulating layer151may not need to be particularly limited, and the insulating layer151may have an electrical insulation property by including an insulation material. For example, the insulation material included in the insulating layer151may be one or more selected from epoxy resin, acrylic resin, ethyl cellulose or the like, or glass. In more detail, the material included in the insulating layer151may be a glass material having excellent resistance to the plating solution and a mole fraction of silicon (Si) of 20 mol % or more and 65 mol % or less. In an exemplary embodiment, the multilayer electronic component1000may include the insulating layer151including glass and then be mounted on the board. In this case, it is possible to prevent a crack from occurring in the multilayer electronic component1000due to its thermal contraction which may occur in a solder reflow process.

Meanwhile, a temperature for firing the glass may be high when the insulating layer151includes glass, and thermal stress may thus be induced in the multilayer electronic component in a process of forming the insulating layer151. In addition, a radiation cracking may be induced by diffusion of nickel (Ni) to the internal electrode when the external electrode131or132includes copper (Cu).

According to the multilayer electronic component1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the external electrode131or132may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and an alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby effectively suppressing the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking; and according to a multilayer electronic component1000′ (shown inFIGS.6and7) according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first or second additional electrode layer134or135including at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni) may be disposed between an external electrode131′ or132′, including copper (Cu), and the third or fourth surface, thereby effectively suppressing the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking. It is thus possible to more remarkably suppress the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking when the insulating layer151includes glass.

A method of forming the insulating layer151may not need to be particularly limited. For example, the external electrodes131and132may be formed on the body110and the insulating layer151may then be made by applying a paste including glass powder to the external electrodes or by dipping the external electrodes into the paste including glass and then heat-treating the same.

The first and second plating layers141and142may respectively be disposed on the first and second band portions131band132b. The plating layers141and142may allow the multilayer electronic component to be more easily mounted on the board, be disposed on the first and second band portions131band132bto minimize a space in which the multilayer electronic component is mounted, and minimize the penetration of the plating solution to the internal electrode, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component. One end of the first and second plating layer141or142may be in contact with the first surface1, and the other end thereof may be in contact with the insulating layer151.

Meanwhile, the plating layer141or142may not be disposed on the third or fourth band portion131cor132c. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize a volume of the plating layer141or142, thereby increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component1000per unit volume.

The plating layer141or142is not limited to a particular type, may include at least one of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), silver (Ag), gold (Au), palladium (Pd) and alloys thereof, or may include the plurality of layers.

As a more specific example of the plating layer241or242, the plating layer241or242may be a nickel (Ni) plating layer or a tin (Sn) plating layer for example, and may have the Ni plating layer and the Sn plating layer sequentially formed on the first or second band portion131bor132b.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second plating layers141and142may respectively be extended to partially cover the first and second connection portions131aand132a. H1≥H2 when H1 indicates an average size of a region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates an average size of the first or second plating layer141or142in the first direction, measured from the extension line of the first surface1to an end of the plating layer disposed on the first or second connection portion131aor132a. Accordingly, it is possible suppress the plating solution from penetrating into the internal electrode during the plating process, thereby allowing the multilayer electronic component to have the improved reliability.

H1 and H2 may be values each obtained by averaging values measured in the cross section (i.e., L-T cross section) of the body110, cut in the first and second directions, at five equally spaced points in the third direction. H1 may indicate an average of values measured at a point where the internal electrode, disposed closest to the first surface1in each cross section, is connected to the external electrode, H2 may indicate an average of values measured based on the end of the plating layer in contact with the external electrode, and the extension line of the first surface serving as a reference when measuring H1 and H2 may be the same.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first plating layer141may cover the end of the insulating layer151, disposed on the first external electrode131, and the second plating layer142may cover the end of the insulating layer151, disposed on the second external electrode132. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen a bonding force of the insulating layer151and the plating layer141or142, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component1000.

In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating layer151may cover an end of the first plating layer141, disposed on the first external electrode131, and the insulating layer151may cover an end of the second plating layer142, disposed on the second external electrode132. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen the bonding force of the insulating layer151and the plating layer141or142, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component1000.

In an exemplary embodiment, 0.2≤B1/L≤0.4 and 0.2≤B2/L≤0.4 when L indicates an average size of the body110in the second direction, B1 indicates an average size of the first band portion in the second direction, measured from the extension line of the third surface to an end of the band portion, and B2 indicates an average size of the second band portion in the second direction, measured from the extension line of the fourth surface to an end of the band portion.

When B1/L and B2/L are less than 0.2, it may be difficult to secure sufficient bonding strength. On the other hand, when B2/L is greater than 0.4, a leakage current may occur between the first band portion131band the second band portion132bunder a high-voltage current, and the first band portion131band the second band portion132bmay be electrically connected with each other due to plating spread or the like during the plating process.

B1, B2 and L may be values each obtained by averaging values measured in the cross section (i.e., L-T cross section) of the body110, cut in the first and second directions at five equally spaced points in the third direction.

Referring toFIG.5showing a mounting board180on which a multilayer electronic component1000is mounted, the plating layers141and142of the multilayer electronic component1000may be joined to the board180by electrode pads181and182and solders191and192, disposed on the board180.

Meanwhile, when the internal electrodes121and122are stacked on each other in the first direction, the multilayer electronic component1000may be horizontally mounted on the board180so that the internal electrodes121and122are parallel to a surface on which the multilayer electronic component is mounted. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the horizontal mounting, and when the internal electrodes121and122are stacked on each other in the third direction, the multilayer electronic component may be vertically mounted on the board so that the internal electrodes121and122are perpendicular to the surface on which the multilayer electronic component is mounted.

The multilayer electronic component1000may not need to be limited to a particular size.

However, in order for the multilayer electronic component to have the smaller size and simultaneously have the higher capacitance, it is necessary to increase the number of stacks by allowing the dielectric layer and the internal electrode to each have a smaller thickness. The multilayer electronic component1000having a size of 1005 (i.e., length×width of 1.0 mm×0.5 mm) or less may thus have more remarkably improved reliability and capacitance per unit volume according to the present disclosure.

Therefore, in consideration of a manufacturing error, a size of the external electrode and the like, when having a length of 1.1 mm or less and a width of 0.55 mm or less, the multilayer ceramic electronic component1000may have the more remarkably improved reliability according to the present disclosure. Here, the length of the multilayer electronic component1000may indicate a maximum size of the multilayer electronic component1000in the second direction, and the width of the multilayer electronic component1000may indicate a maximum size of the multilayer electronic component1000in the third direction.

A conventional multilayer electronic component may be under processes in which an external electrode is formed on a sintered body and then fired. Here, stress may occur during the firing process, and the radiation cracking may occur by the stress.

In particular, a firing temperature for forming the insulating layer may be increased when the insulating layer includes the glass material, which may further increase a possibility of occurrence of such a radiation cracking.

The first or second external electrode131or132of the multilayer electronic component1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni).

Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of nickel (Ni) included in a conductive metal of the external electrode131or132to the internal electrode121or122including nickel (Ni), thereby suppressing the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking. In addition, the external electrode131or132may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby improving hermetic sealing of the body110to prevent the multilayer electronic component to have a lower reliability due to the penetration of the plating solution. This effect may be more remarkable when the external electrode131or132includes nickel (Ni) as its main component.

Content of nickel (Ni) included in the first or second external electrode may be 50 mol % or more compared to 100 mol of the conductive metal included in the external electrode, and is not limited thereto.

In addition, the alloy of nickel (Ni) is not particularly limited as long as the alloy is the conductive metal having the excellent electrical conductivity. For example, the alloy of nickel (Ni) may be an alloy including nickel (Ni), and further including at least one selected from copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), silver (Ag), tin (Sn) and palladium (Pd).

A component of the first or second external electrode131or132may be calculated from an image observed using a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). In detail, the multilayer electronic component may be polished to its central position in the width direction (i.e., third direction) to expose a cross section in the length and thickness direction (i.e., L-T cross section), and the number of moles of each conductive metal element included in the external electrode may then be measured from a central region among the regions obtained by dividing the external electrode into five equal portions in the thickness direction by using the EDS.

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, the first and second plating layers141and142may respectively be extended to partially cover the first and second connection portions131aand132a. Here, the first and second plating layers141and142may each be in contact with the end of the insulating layer151.

In the multilayer electronic component1000according to an exemplary embodiment, H1≥H2 when H1 indicates an average size of a region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates an average size of the plating layer141or142in the first direction, measured from the extension line of the first surface1to the end of the plating layer141or142disposed on the first or second connection portion131aor132a. Accordingly, it is possible suppress the plating solution from penetrating into the internal electrode during the plating process, thereby allowing the multilayer electronic component to have the further improved reliability.

H1 and H2 may be values each obtained by averaging values measured in the cross section (i.e., L-T cross section) of the body110, cut in the first and second directions, at five equally spaced points in the third direction. H1 may indicate an average of values measured at a point where the internal electrode, disposed closest to the first surface1in each cross section, is connected to the external electrode, H2 may indicate an average of values measured based on the end of the plating layer in contact with the external electrode, and the extension line E1 of the first surface1serving as a reference when measuring H1 and H2 may be the same.

Hereinafter, the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.6and7, and omitted is a description overlapping that of the multilayer electronic component1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.6is a perspective view schematically illustrating the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.7is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ ofFIG.6.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a body110including a dielectric layer111and first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately disposed while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween, and including first and second surfaces1and2opposing each other in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces3and4connected to the first and second surfaces1and2and opposing each other in the second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces5and6connected to the first to fourth surfaces1to4and opposing each other in the third direction; a first external electrode131′ including a first connection portion131a′ disposed on the third surface3, a first band portion131b′ extended from the first connection portion131a′ onto a portion of the first surface1, and a third band portion131c′ extended from the first connection portion131a′ onto a portion of the second surface2; a second external electrode132′ including a second connection portion132a′ disposed on the fourth surface4, a second band portion132b′ extended from the second connection portion132a′ onto a portion of the first surface1, and a fourth band portion132c′ extended from the second connection portion132a′ onto a portion of the second surface2; an insulating layer151′ disposed on the first and second connection portions, and covering the third and fourth band portions131c′ and132c′; a first plating layer141′ disposed on the first band portion131b′; and a second plating layer142′ disposed on the second band portion132b′.

The external electrodes131′ and132′ may respectively be disposed on the third surface3and fourth surface4of the body110. The external electrodes131′ and132′ may be the first and second external electrodes131′ and132′ respectively disposed on the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the body110, and respectively connected to the first and second internal electrodes121and122.

The external electrodes131′ and132′ may be the first external electrode131′ including the first connection portion131a′ disposed on the third surface3, the first band portion131b′ extended from the first connection portion131a′ onto a portion of the first surface1and the third band portion131c′ extended from the first connection portion131a′ onto a portion of the second surface2, and the second external electrode132′ including the second connection portion132a′ disposed on the fourth surface4, the second band portion132b′ extended from the second connection portion132a′ onto a portion of the first surface1and the fourth band portion132c′ extended from the second connection portion132a′ onto a portion of the second surface4.

In the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first additional electrode layer134may be disposed between the first connection portion131a′ and the third surface3, and a second additional electrode layer135may be disposed between the second connection portion132a′ and the fourth surface4.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first additional electrode layer134may be disposed not to deviate from the third surface3, and the second additional electrode layer135may be disposed not to deviate from the fourth surface4. Accordingly, the multilayer electronic component1000′ may have a further smaller size.

The additional electrode layer134or135may be a fired electrode including the conductive metal and glass, or may be the plating layer including the conductive metal and resin.

The first or second additional electrode layer134or135may improve the electrical connectivity between the internal electrode121or122and the external electrode131′ or132′, have excellent bonding forces with the external electrode131′ and132′, and thus serve to further improve mechanical bonding force of the external electrode131′ or132′ and to suppress the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking by including at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni) as described below.

The first or second external electrode131′ or132′ of the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include copper (Cu), and include copper (Cu) as a main component. Through this configuration, it is possible to improve flexural strength of the multilayer electronic component1000′ by using the ductility of copper (Cu) while improving the electrical conductivity of the external electrode131′ or132′. In addition, copper (Cu) may have excellent wettability to the metal plating layer, and it is thus possible to improve plating property of the plating layer141or142described below when the external electrode131′ or132′ includes copper (Cu).

Meanwhile, a firing temperature for forming the insulating layer151′ may be increased when the insulating layer151′ includes a glass component to protect the multilayer electronic component1000′ from a tensile stress occurring due to the thermal contraction of the solders191and192. The radiation cracking may thus occur in the multilayer electronic component1000′ by such a thermal stress.

In particular, the first or second external electrode131′ or132′ may include copper (Cu) or include copper (Cu) as its main component. In this case, copper (Cu) of the external electrode131′ or132′ may be diffused to the internal electrode including nickel (Ni) due to high heat for forming the insulating layer151′, which may further increase the possibility of causing the radiation cracking.

The first or second additional electrode layer134or135of the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby suppressing the radiation cracking caused by the thermal stress from being propagated to the internal electrode121or122and suppressing copper (Cu) in the external electrode131′ or132′ from being diffused to the internal electrode121or122to prevent the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking.

Alternatively, the first or second additional electrode layer134or135of the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include nickel (Ni) as its main component, thereby suppressing the radiation cracking from being propagated to the internal electrode121or122and further suppressing copper (Cu) included in the external electrode131′ or132′ from being diffused to the internal electrode121or122to prevent the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking.

Meanwhile, content of copper (Cu) included in the first or second external electrode131′ or132′ may be 50 mol % or more compared to 100 mol of the conductive metal included in the external electrode; and the content of nickel (Ni) included in the first or second additional electrode layer134or135may be 50 mol % or more compared to 100 mol of the conductive metal included in the additional electrode layer, and is not limited thereto.

In addition, the alloy of nickel (Ni) is not particularly limited as long as the alloy is the conductive metal having the excellent electrical conductivity. For example, the alloy of nickel (Ni) may be an alloy including nickel (Ni), and further including at least one selected from copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), silver (Ag), tin (Sn) and palladium (Pd).

A component of the first or second additional electrode layer134or135may be calculated from an image observed using the scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). In detail, the multilayer electronic component may be polished to its central position in the width direction (i.e. third direction) to expose a cross section in the length and thickness direction (i.e. L-T cross section), and the number of moles of each conductive metal element included in the additional electrode layer may then be measured from a central region among the regions obtained by dividing the additional electrode layer into five equal portions in the thickness direction by using the EDS.

Hereinafter, multilayer electronic components according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, and omitted are descriptions overlapping those of the multilayer electronic component1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The description basically describes that in the multilayer electronic components according to various exemplary embodiments, no additional electrode layer is disposed between the external electrode and the third or fourth surface as in the multilayer electronic component1000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the same may also be applied to the case where the additional electrode layer is disposed between the external electrode and the third or fourth surface, as in the multilayer electronic component1000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.8is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component1001according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.9is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ ofFIG.8.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, the multilayer electronic component1001according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have first and second plating layers141-1and142-1each disposed on a level the same as or below the extension line E1 of the first surface. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the height of the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board and to minimize the space in which the multilayer electronic component is mounted.

In addition, an insulating layer151-1may be extended below the extension line of the first surface to be in contact with the first and second plating layers141-1and142-1.

FIG.10is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component1002according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG.11is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ ofFIG.10.

Referring toFIGS.10and11, the multilayer electronic component1002according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an additional insulating layer161disposed on the first surface1and between the first band portion131band the second band portion132b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the leakage current or the like which may occur between the first band portion131band the second band portion132bunder the high-voltage current.

The additional insulating layer161may not need to be limited to a particular type. For example, the additional insulating layer161may include glass like the insulating layer151. However, it is not necessary to limit the additional insulating layer161and the insulating layer151to the same material, and the two insulating layers may be made of materials different from each other. For example, the additional insulating layer161may include one or more selected from epoxy resin, acrylic resin, ethyl cellulose or the like.

FIG.12is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component1003according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.13is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ ofFIG.12.

Referring toFIGS.12and13, in the multilayer electronic component1003according to another exemplary embodiment, H1<H2 when H1 indicates an average size of a region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates an average size of a plating layer141-3or142-3in the first direction, measured from the extension line E1 of the first surface1to an end of the plating layer141-3or142-3disposed on the first or second connection portion131aor132a. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing an area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board.

H2<T/2 when T indicates the average size of the body110in the first direction. That is, H1<H2<T/2. The reason is that the moisture resistance reliability improved by the insulating layer may be reduced when H2 is T/2 or more.

H1 and H2 may be the values each obtained by averaging the values measured in the cross section (i.e., L-T cross section) of the body110, cut in the first and second directions at five equally spaced points in the third direction. H1 may indicate the average of the values measured at the point where the internal electrode, disposed closest to the first surface1in each cross section, is connected to the external electrode, H2 may indicate the average of the values measured based on the end of the plating layer in contact with the external electrode, and the extension line E1 of the first surface serving as the reference when measuring H1 and H2 may be the same. In addition, T may be an average value after measuring a maximum size of the body110in the first direction in each cross section.

FIG.14is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component1004according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.15is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI′ ofFIG.14.

Referring toFIGS.14and15, in the multilayer electronic component1004according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the average length B1 of the first band portion131b-4may be longer than an average length B3 the third band portion131c-4, and an average length of the second band portion132b-4may be longer than an average length B4 of the fourth band portion132c-4. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board.

In more detail, B3<B1 and B4<B2 when B1 indicates an average size of the first band portion131b-4in the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first band portion131b-4, B2 indicates an average size of the second band portion132b-4in the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the second band portion132b-4, B3 indicates an average size of the third band portion131c-4in the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first band portion131b-4, and B4 indicates an average size of the fourth band portion132c-4in the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the fourth band portion132c-4.

Here, 0.2≤B1/L≤0.4 and 0.2≤B2/L≤0.4 when L indicates the average size of the body110in the second direction.

B1, B2, B3, B4 and L may be values each obtained by averaging values measured in the cross section (i.e. L-T cross section) of the body110, cut in the first and second directions at five equally spaced points in the third direction.

In addition, the first external electrode131-4may include a first side band portion extended from the first connection portion131a-4to portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces, and the second external electrode132-4may include a second side band portion extended from the second connection portion132a-4to portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces. Here, the first or second side band portion may have a size gradually increased in the second direction as being closer to the first surface. That is, the first or second side band portion may have a tapered shape or a trapezoidal shape.

Further, B3≤G1 and B4≤G2 when B3 indicates the average size of the third band portion131c-4in the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to the end of the third band portion131c-4, B4 indicates the average size of the fourth band portion132c-4in the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to the end of the fourth band portion132c-4, G1 indicates an average size of a region in the second direction, where the third surface3and the second internal electrode122are spaced apart from each other, and G2 indicates an average size of a region in the second direction, where the fourth surface4and the first internal electrode121are spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize a volume of the external electrode, thereby increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component1004per unit volume.

In the cross section cut in the first and second directions from a center of the body in the third direction, G1 may indicate a value obtained by averaging sizes of the region in the second direction, measured from any five second internal electrodes positioned in the center of the body in the first direction to the third surface spaced apart from the internal electrodes, and G2 may indicate a value obtained by averaging sizes of the region in the second direction, measured from any five first internal electrodes positioned in the center of the body in the first direction to the fourth surface spaced apart from the internal electrodes.

Further, G1 and G2 may indicate values each obtained from the cross section (i.e., L-T cross section) of the body110, cut in the first and second directions at five equally spaced points in the third direction, and these values may further be generalized by taking G1 and G2 as their averages.

However, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure to B3≤G1 and B4≤G2, and a case where B3≥G1 and B4≥G2 may also be included as another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, in another exemplary embodiment, B3≥G1 and B4≥G2 when B3 indicates an average size of the third band portion in the second direction, measured from the extension line of the third surface3to an end of the third band portion, B4 indicates an average size of the fourth band portion in the second direction, measured from the extension line of the fourth surface4to an end of the fourth band portion, G1 indicates an average size of a region in the second direction, where the third surface and the second internal electrode are spaced apart from each other, and G2 indicates an average size of a region in the second direction, where the fourth surface and the first internal electrode are spaced apart from each other.

FIG.16is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component1005according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.17is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII ofFIG.16.

Referring toFIGS.16and17, first and second external electrodes131-5and132-5of the multilayer electronic component1005according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may not be disposed on the second surface and may be disposed on the third, fourth and first surfaces to each have an L-shape. That is, the first and second external electrodes131-5and132-5may be disposed below the extension line of the second surface.

The first external electrode131-5may include a first connection portion131a-5disposed on the third surface3and a first band portion131b-5extended from the first connection portion131a-5to a portion of the first surface1, and the second external electrode132-5may include a second connection portion132a-5disposed on the fourth surface4and a second band portion132b-5extended from the second connection portion132a-5to a portion of the first surface1. The external electrodes131-5and132-5may not be disposed on the second surface2, and an insulating layer151-5may cover the entire second surface2. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize volumes of the external electrodes131-5and132-5, thereby further improving the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component1005per unit volume. However, the insulating layer151-5may not need to be limited to covering the entire second surface2. The insulating layer may not cover the partial or entire second surface2, and be separated to respectively cover the first and second connection portions131a-5and132a-5.

In addition, the insulating layer151-5may cover the partial fifth and sixth surfaces, thereby further improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component. Here, portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces, which are not covered by the insulating layer151-5, may be externally exposed.

Further, the insulating layer151-5may cover the entire fifth and sixth surfaces. In this case, none of the fifth and sixth surfaces may be externally exposed to further improve the moisture resistance reliability.

A first plating layer141-5may be disposed on the first band portion131b-5, and a second plating layer142-5may be disposed on the second band portion132b-5. The first and second plating layers141-5and142-5may respectively be extended to portions of the first and second connection portions132a-5and132b-5.

Here, none of the external electrodes131-5and132-5may also be disposed on the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6. That is, the external electrodes131-5and132-5may be disposed only on the third, fourth and first surfaces.

H1<H2 when H1 indicates the average size of the region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates an average size of the first or second plating layer141-5or142-5in the first direction, measured from the extension line E1 of the first surface1to an end of the plating layer disposed on the first or second connection portion131a-5or132a-5. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board, and to increase an area in which the external electrode131-5or132-5and the plating layer141-5or142-5in contact with each other, thereby suppressing an increase in equivalent series resistance (ESR).

H2<T/2 when T indicates the average size of the body110in the first direction. That is, H1<H2<T/2. The reason is that the moisture resistance reliability improved by the insulating layer may be reduced when H2 is T/2 or more.

In addition, the first or second plating layer141-5or142-5may cover a portion of the insulating layer151-1on the third or fourth surface. That is, the plating layer141-5or142-5may cover an end of the insulating layer151-5on the third or fourth surface. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen a bonding force of the insulating layer151-5and the plating layer141-5or142-5, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component1005.

In addition, the insulating layer151-5may cover a portion of the first or second plating layer141-5or142-5on the third or fourth surface. That is, the insulating layer151-5may cover an end of the plating layer141-5or142-5on the third or fourth surface. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen the bonding force of the insulating layer151-5and the plating layer141-5or142-5, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component1005.

FIG.18is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component1006according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.19is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII ofFIG.18.

Referring toFIGS.18and19, in the multilayer electronic component1006according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first or second plating layer141-6or142-6may have an average thickness t1smaller than an average thickness t2of an insulating layer151-6.

The insulating layer151-6may serve to prevent the penetration of the external moisture or plating solution. However, the insulating layer151-6may have weak connectivity with the plating layer141-6or142-6, which may cause delamination of the plating layer141-6or142-6. When the plating layer is delaminated, bonding strength of the multilayer electronic component with the board180may be reduced. Here, the delamination of the plating layer141-6or142-6may indicate that the plating layer is partially dropped or physically separated from the external electrode131-5or132-5. The connectivity between the plating layer and the insulating layer may be weak. In this case, it may increase a possibility that a gap between the insulating layer and the plating layer is widened or that a foreign material may infiltrate, which may allow the plating layer to be vulnerable to an external impact and then delaminated.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plating layer may have the average thickness t1made smaller than the average thickness t2of the insulating layer, thereby reducing an area in which the plating layer and the insulating layer are in contact with each other. It is thus possible to suppress the occurrence of the delamination, thereby improving the bonding strength of the multilayer electronic component1000with the board180.

The average thickness t1of the first or second plating layer141-6or142-may be a value obtained by averaging its thicknesses measured at five equally spaced points on the first or second connection portion131a-5or132a-5or the first and second band portion131b-5or132b-5, and the average thickness t2of the insulating layer151-6may be a value obtained by averaging its thicknesses measured at five equally spaced points on the first or second connection portion131a-5or132a-5.

FIG.20is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.21is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX′ ofFIG.20.

Hereinafter, a multilayer electronic component2000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail with reference toFIGS.20and21. However, contents overlapping those described above are omitted to avoid redundant description.

The multilayer electronic component2000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a body110including a dielectric layer111and first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately disposed while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween, and including first and second surfaces1and2opposing each other in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces3and4connected to the first and second surfaces1and2and opposing each other in the second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces5and6connected to the first to fourth surfaces1to4and opposing each other in the third direction; a first external electrode231including a first connection electrode231adisposed on the third surface and a first band electrode231bdisposed on the first surface1and connected to the first connection electrode231a; a second external electrode232including a second connection electrode232adisposed on the fourth surface4and a second band electrode232bdisposed on the first surface and connected to the second connection electrode232a; a first insulating layer251disposed on the first connection electrode; a second insulating layer252disposed on the second connection electrode; a first plating layer241disposed on the first band electrode; and a second plating layer242disposed on the second band electrode. The first or second connection electrode231aor232amay include at least one of nickel (Ni) and an alloy of nickel (Ni), and the first or second band electrode231bor232bmay include copper (Cu).

The first connection electrode231amay be disposed on the third surface3to be connected to the first internal electrode121, and the second connection electrode231bmay be disposed on the fourth surface4to be connected to the second internal electrode122. In addition, the first insulating layer251may be disposed on the first connection electrode231a, and the second insulating layer252may be disposed on the second connection electrode232a.

Conventionally, the external electrode may be mainly formed using a paste including the conductive metal, i.e., a method in which an exposed surface of the internal electrode of the body is dipped into the paste. However, the external electrode formed by the dipping method may have an excessive thickness in a central portion thereof in the thickness direction. In addition, even excluding this thickness imbalance problem of the external electrode formed by the dipping method, the internal electrode may be exposed to the third or fourth surface of the body. Therefore, the external electrode disposed on the third or fourth surface may have a predetermined thickness or more to suppress the penetration of moisture and the plating solution through the external electrode.

On the other hand, the present disclosure may include the insulating layer251or252disposed on the connection electrode231aor232a, thereby ensuring sufficient reliability even when the connection electrode231aor232aon the third or fourth surface to which the internal electrode is exposed has a smaller thickness.

The first and second connection electrodes231aand232amay each have a shape corresponding to those of the third and fourth surfaces3and4, and the surfaces of the first and second connection electrode231aand232a, facing the body110, may each have the same area as those of the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the body110. The first and second connection electrodes231aand232amay each be disposed not to deviate from the third and fourth surfaces3and4. The connection electrode231aor232amay not be extended to the first, second, fifth and sixth surface1,2,5or6of the body110. In detail, the first or second connection electrode231aor232ain another exemplary embodiment may be spaced apart from the fifth and sixth surfaces. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the volume of the external electrode while ensuring sufficient connectivity between the internal electrode121or122and the external electrode231or232, thereby increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component2000per unit volume.

In this regard, the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay be spaced apart from the second surface2. That is, none of the external electrodes231and232may be disposed on the second surface to further minimize the volumes of the external electrodes231and232, thereby further increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component2000per unit volume.

However, the connection electrode231aor232amay include a corner portion extended to a corner of the body110. That is, in another exemplary embodiment, the first connection electrode231amay include the corner portions (not shown) extended to the1-3corner and the2-3corner, and the second connection electrode232amay include the corner portions (not shown) extend to the1-4corner and the2-4corner.

In addition, the connection electrode231aor232amay have a uniform and small thickness compared to the external electrode formed by the conventional dipping method.

A method of forming the connection electrode231aor232amay not need to be particularly limited. For example, the connection electrode may be formed by transferring a sheet including the conductive metal or an organic material such as a binder on the third or fourth surface.

The thickness of the connection electrode231aor232ais not particularly limited, and may be 2 to 7 μm for example. Here, the thickness of the connection electrode231aor232amay indicate a maximum thickness, and indicate a size of the connection electrode231aor232ain the second direction.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first and second connection electrode231aor232amay include the same metal and glass as those included in the internal electrode121or122. The first and second connection electrode231aor232amay include the same metal as the metal included in the internal electrode121or122mthus having improved electrical connectivity with the internal electrodes121and122, and the first and second connection electrode231aor232amay include glass, thus having improved bonding force with the body110and/or the insulating layer251or252. Here, nickel (Ni) may be the same metal as the metal included in the internal electrode121or122.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay include any one or more of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby suppressing the radiation cracking from occurring in the multilayer electronic component2000by the stress occurring while forming the insulating layer251or252.

Alternatively, the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay include nickel (Ni) as its main component, thereby further suppressing the occurrence of the radiation cracking.

The content of nickel (Ni) included in the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay be 50 mol % or more compared to 100 mol of the conductive metal included in the connection electrode, is not limited thereto, and may be sufficient to suppress the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking.

A component of the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay be measured by using the same method as the above-described method of measuring the component of the first or second external electrode131or132.

The first and second insulating layers251and252may each be disposed on the first and second connection electrodes231aand232a, thus serving to prevent the formation of the plating layer on the first and second connection electrodes231aand232a. In addition, the first and second insulating layer251or252may improve the sealing characteristic, thus serving to minimize the penetration of the external moisture or the plating solution.

The material included in the first or second insulating layer251or252may not need to be particularly limited, and the first or second insulating layer251or252may have the electrical insulation property by including the insulation material. For example, the insulation material included in the first or second insulating layer251or252may have the electrical insulation property. For example, the insulation material included in the insulating layer251or252may be one or more selected from epoxy resin, acrylic resin, ethyl cellulose or the like, or glass. In more detail, the material included in the first or second insulating layer251or252may be a glass material having excellent resistance to the plating solution and a mole fraction of silicon (Si) of 20 mol % or more and 65 mol % or less. In another exemplary embodiment, the multilayer electronic component2000may include the first or second insulating layer251or252including glass and then be mounted on the board. In this case, it is possible to prevent the crack from occurring in the multilayer electronic component2000due to its thermal contraction which may occur in the solder reflow process.

Meanwhile, a temperature for firing the glass may be high when the first or second insulating layer251or252includes the glass material, and the thermal stress may thus be induced in the multilayer electronic component in a process of forming the insulating layer251or252. In addition, the radiation cracking may be induced by the diffusion of nickel (Ni) to the internal electrode when the external electrode231or232includes copper (Cu).

According to the multilayer electronic component2000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay include at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby effectively suppressing the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking; and according to the multilayer electronic component2000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first or second additional electrode layer234or235may be disposed between the first or second connection electrode231aor232aand the third or fourth surface, thereby effectively suppressing the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking. It is thus possible to more remarkably suppress the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking when the first or second insulating layer251or252includes glass.

A method of forming the first or second insulating layer251or252may not need to be particularly limited. For example, the external electrodes231and232may be formed on the body110and the first or second insulating layer251or252may then be made by applying the paste including glass powder to the external electrodes or by dipping the external electrodes into the paste including glass and then heat-treating the same.

The first and second band electrode231bor232bmay be disposed on the first surface1of the body110. The first and second band electrodes231band232bmay each be in contact with the first and second connection electrodes231aand232a, and thus each be electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes121and122.

The external electrode formed by the conventional dipping method may have a large thickness on the third or fourth surface, also be partially extended to the first, second, fifth and sixth surfaces, and thus may have difficulty in securing a high effective volume ratio.

On the other hand, another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have the first and second connection electrode231aor232adisposed on the surface to which the internal electrode is exposed, and the first or second band electrode231bor232bdisposed on the surface on which the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board, thereby ensuring the high effective volume ratio.

Meanwhile, when the internal electrodes121and122are stacked on each other in the first direction, the multilayer electronic component2000may be horizontally mounted on the board so that the internal electrodes121and122are parallel to the surface on which the multilayer electronic component is mounted. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the horizontal mounting, and when the internal electrodes121and122are stacked on each other in the third direction, the multilayer electronic component may be vertically mounted on the board so that the internal electrodes121and122are perpendicular to the surface on which the multilayer electronic component is mounted.

The first or second band electrode231bor232bmay be made of any material as long as the material have the electrical conductivity such as the metal, and may use the specific material determined in consideration of the electrical characteristic, the structural stability or the like. For example, the first or second band electrode231or232bmay be a fired electrode including the conductive metal and glass, and formed using a method of applying a paste including the conductive metal and glass to the first surface of the body. However, the band electrode is not limited thereto, and may be a plating layer in which the conductive metal is plated on the first surface of the body.

The conductive metal included in the first or second band electrode231or232bsmay use the material having the excellent electrical conductivity, and is not particularly limited. For example, the conductive metal may be at least one of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and alloys thereof, and may include the same metal as the metal included in the internal electrode121or122.

Meanwhile, in another exemplary embodiment, in order to ensure the sealing characteristic and a higher strength, the first external electrode231may further include a third band electrode disposed on the second surface2and connected to the first connection electrode231a, and the second external electrode232may further include a fourth band electrode (not shown) disposed on the second surface2and connected to the second connection electrode232a.

In another exemplary embodiment, B1≥G1, B3≤G1, B2≥G2 and B4≤G2 when B1 indicates a distance from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first band electrode231b, B2 indicates a distance from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the second band electrode232b, B3 indicates a distance from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the third band electrode (not shown), B4 indicates a distance from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the fourth band electrode (not shown), G1 indicates an average size of a region in the second direction, where the third surface3and the second internal electrode122are spaced apart from each other, and G2 indicates an average size of a region in the second direction, where the fourth surface4and the first internal electrode121are spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the volume of the external electrode, thereby increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component200per unit volume and to simultaneously increase the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board, thereby improving the bonding strength.

However, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure to B1≥G1, B3≤G1, B2≥G2 and B4≤G2, and a case where B1≥G1, B3≥G1, B2≥G2 and B4≥G2 may also be included as another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, in another exemplary embodiment, B1≥G1, B3≥G1, B2≥G2, and B4≥G2 when B1 indicates the distance from the extension line E3 of the third surface to the end of the first band electrode231b, B2 indicates the distance from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface to the end of the second band electrode232b, B3 indicates the distance from the extension line of the third surface to the end of the third band electrode (not shown), B4 indicates the distance from the extension line of the fourth surface to the end of the fourth band electrode (not shown), G1 indicates the average size of the region in the second direction, where the third surface and the second internal electrode122are spaced apart from each other, and G2 indicates the average size of the region in the second direction, where the fourth surface and the first internal electrode121are spaced apart from each other.

The first or second plating layer241or242may be disposed on the first or second band portion131bor132b. The first or second plating layer241or242may allow the multilayer electronic component to be more easily mounted on the board. The plating layer241or242is not limited to a particular type, may include at least one of nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), palladium (Pd) and alloys thereof, or may include a plurality of layers.

As a more specific example of the plating layer241or242, the plating layer241or242may be a nickel (Ni) plating layer or a tin (Sn) plating layer for example, and may have the Ni plating layer and the Sn plating layer sequentially formed on the first or second band portion131bor132b.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first and second plating layers241and242may respectively be extended to partially cover the first and second connection portions231aand232a.

H1≥H2 when H1 indicates the average size of the region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates an average size of the first or second plating layer241or242in the first direction, measured from the extension line E1 of the first surface1to an end of the plating layer disposed on the first or second connection electrode231aor232a. Accordingly, it is possible suppress the plating solution from penetrating into the internal electrode during the plating process, thereby allowing the multilayer electronic component to have the improved reliability.

Meanwhile, when the conductive metal included in the first or second band electrode231bor232bincludes nickel (Ni) as its main component, nickel (Ni) may be easily oxidized by the plating solution or the moisture to have a lower plating property.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first or second band electrode231bor232bmay include copper (Cu), thereby improving the plating property of the plating layer241or242described below. In particular, the first or second band electrode231bor232bmay be disposed on the first surface of the body110, thereby allowing the multilayer electronic component to be more easily mounted on the board.

Therefore, according to another exemplary embodiment, the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay include at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni), and the first or second band electrode may include copper (Cu), thereby suppressing the occurrence of the radiation cracking, securing a good plating property and allowing the multilayer electronic component to be more easily mounted on the board.

Alternatively, the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay include nickel (Ni) as its main component, and the first or second band electrode231bor232bmay include copper (Cu) as its main component, thereby making the above-described effects more remarkable.

The content of nickel (Ni) included in the first or second connection electrode231aor232amay be 50 mol % or more compared to 100 mol of the conductive metal included in the connection electrode, is not limited thereto, and may be sufficient to suppress the occurrence and propagation of the radiation cracking.

The content of copper (Cu) included in the first or second band electrode231bor232bmay be 50 mol % or more compared to 100 mol of the conductive metal included in the band electrode, is not limited thereto, and may be sufficient to secure the plating property.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first plating layer241may cover the end of the insulating layer251, disposed on the first external electrode231, and the second plating layer242may cover the end of the insulating layer252, disposed on the second external electrode232. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen a bonding force of the insulating layer251or252and the plating layer241or242, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component2000.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first insulating layer251may cover an end of the first plating layer241, disposed on the first external electrode231, and the second insulating layer252may cover an end of the second plating layer242, disposed on the second external electrode232. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen a bonding force of the insulating layer251and the plating layer241or242, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component2000.

FIG.22is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.23is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X′ ofFIG.22.

Referring toFIGS.22and23, the multilayer electronic component2000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: the body110; a first external electrode231′ including a first connection electrode231a′ disposed on the third surface3and a first band electrode231b′ disposed on the first surface1and connected to the first connection electrode231a′; a second external electrode232′ including a second connection electrode232a′ disposed on the fourth surface4and a second band electrode232b′ disposed on the first surface1and connected to the second connection electrode232a′; a first insulating layer251′ disposed on the first connection electrode; a second insulating layer252′ disposed on the second connection electrode; a first plating layer241′ disposed on the first band electrode231b′; and a second plating layer242′ disposed on the second band electrode232b′. A first additional electrode layer234may be disposed between the first connection electrode231a′ and the third surface3, and a second additional electrode layer235may be disposed between the second connection electrode232a′ and the fourth surface4.

Here, the first or second connection electrode231a′ or232a′ may include copper (Cu), and the additional electrode layer234or235may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and an alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby suppressing the occurrence of the radiation cracking.

Alternatively, the first or second connection electrode231a′ or232a′ may include copper (Cu) as its main component, and the additional electrode layer234or235may include nickel (Ni) as its main component, thereby further remarkably suppressing the occurrence of the radiation cracking.

Hereinafter, the description describes various examples of the multilayer electronic component2000or2000′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The description basically describes the multilayer electronic component2000. However, the following examples may also be applied to the multilayer electronic component2000′ including the additional electrode layer.

FIG.24illustrates a modified example ofFIG.20. Referring toFIG.24, in a modified example2001of the multilayer electronic component2000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second insulating layers251-1and252-1may be extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6and connected to each other to be a single insulating layer253-1. Here, the insulating layer253-1formed by connecting the first and second insulating layers to each other may cover the partial fifth and sixth surfaces.

FIG.25is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2002according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.26is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI′ ofFIG.25.

Referring toFIGS.25and26, the multilayer electronic component2002according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have first and second plating layers241-2and242-2each disposed on a level the same as or below the extension line of the first surface. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the height of the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board and to minimize the space in which the multilayer electronic component is mounted.

In addition, first and second insulating layers251-2and252-2may each be extended below the extension line of the first surface to be in contact with the first and second plating layers241-2and242-2.

FIG.27illustrates a modified example ofFIG.25. Referring toFIG.27, in a modified example2003of the multilayer electronic component2003according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second insulating layers251-3and252-3may be extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6and connected to each other to be a single insulating layer253-3. Here, the insulating layer253-3formed by connecting the first and second insulating layers to each other may cover the entire fifth and sixth surfaces5and6.

FIG.28is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2004according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.29is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII′ ofFIG.26.

Referring toFIGS.28and29, the multilayer electronic component2004according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an additional insulating layer261disposed on the first surface1and between the first band electrode231band the second band electrode232b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the leakage current or the like which may occur between the first band electrode231band the second band electrode232bunder the high-voltage current.

The additional insulating layer261may not need to be limited to a particular type. For example, the additional insulating layer261may include glass like the first or second insulating layer251-2or252-2. However, it is not necessary to limit the additional insulating layer261and the first or second insulating layer251-2or252-2to the same material, and the two insulating layers may be made of materials different from each other. For example, the additional insulating layer may include one or more selected from epoxy resin, acrylic resin, ethyl cellulose or the like.

FIG.30illustrates a modified example ofFIG.28. Referring toFIG.30, in the modified example2005of the multilayer electronic component2004according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second insulating layers251-5and252-5may be extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6and connected to each other to be a single insulating layer253-5.

FIG.31is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2006according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.32is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII′ ofFIG.31.

Referring toFIGS.31and32, the multilayer electronic component2006according to another exemplary embodiment may include a first insulating layer251-6disposed on the first connection electrode231aand a second insulating layer252-6disposed on the second connection electrode232a, wherein H1<H2 when H1 indicates the average size of the region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates an average size of the first or second plating layer241-6or242-6in the first direction, measured from the extension line of the first surface1to an end of the plating layer disposed on the first or second connection electrode231aor232a. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board.

H2<T/2 when T indicates the average size of the body110in the first direction. That is, H1<H2<T/2. The reason is that the moisture resistance reliability improved by the insulating layer may be reduced when H2 is T/2 or more.

FIG.33illustrates a modified example ofFIG.31. Referring toFIG.33, in a modified example2007of the multilayer electronic component2006according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second insulating layers251-7and252-7may be extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6and connected to each other to be a single insulating layer253-7.

FIG.34is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2008according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.35is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV′ ofFIG.34.

Referring toFIGS.34and35, in the multilayer electronic component2008according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second insulating layers251-8and252-8may be extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6and connected to each other to be a single insulating layer253-8. As shown inFIG.33, the insulating layer253-8may cover the entire second surface and the partial fifth and sixth surfaces.

FIG.36is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component2009according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.37is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV′ ofFIG.36.

Referring toFIGS.36and37, in the multilayer electronic component2009according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first or second plating layer241-9or242-9may have an average thickness t1′ smaller than an average thickness t2′ of a first or second insulating layer251-9or252-9.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first or second plating layer241-9or242-9may have the average thickness t1′ made smaller than the average thickness t2′ of the first or second insulating layer251-9or252-9, thereby reducing the area in which the plating layer and the insulating layer are in contact with each other. It is thus possible to suppress the occurrence of the delamination, thereby improving the bonding strength of the multilayer electronic component2009with the board180.

The average thickness t1′ of the first or second plating layer241-9or242-9may be a value obtained by averaging its thicknesses measured at five equally spaced points on the first or second connection electrode231aor232a, or the first and second band electrode231bor232b, and the average thickness t2′ of the insulating layer251-9or252-9may be a value obtained by averaging its thicknesses measured at five equally spaced points on the first or second connection electrode231aor232a.

FIG.38illustrates a modified example ofFIG.36. Referring toFIG.38, in a modified example2010of the multilayer electronic component2009according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second insulating layers251-10and252-10may be extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6and connected to each other to be a single insulating layer253-10.

FIG.39is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component3000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG.40is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI′ ofFIG.39; andFIG.41is an enlarged view of a region K1ofFIG.40.

Referring toFIGS.39through41, the multilayer electronic component3000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a body110including a dielectric layer111and first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately disposed while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween, and including first and second surfaces1and2opposing each other in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces3and4connected to the first and second surfaces1and2and opposing each other in the second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces5and6connected to the first to fourth surfaces1to4and opposing each other in the third direction; a first external electrode331including a first connection portion331adisposed on the third surface3, a first band portion331bextended from the first connection portion331aonto a portion of the first surface1, and a first corner portion331cextended from the first connection portion331aonto a corner connecting the second and third surfaces2and3of the body to each other; a second external electrode332including a second connection portion332adisposed on the fourth surface4, a second band portion332bextended from the second connection portion332aonto a portion of the first surface1, and a second corner portion332cextended from the second connection portion332aonto a corner connecting the second and fourth surfaces2and4of the body to each other; an insulating layer351disposed on the first and second connection portions331aand332a, and covering the second surface2and the first and second corner portions331cand332c; a first plating layer341disposed on the first band portion331b; and a second plating layer342disposed on the second band portion332b. The insulating layer351may include silicone-based resin.

In another exemplary embodiment, B3≤G1 and B4≤G2 when B3 indicates an average size of the first corner portion331cin the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the corner portion331c, B4 indicates an average size of the second corner portion332cin the second direction, measured from the extension line of the fourth surface4to an end of the corner portion332c, G1 indicates the average size of the region in the second direction, where the third surface3and the second internal electrode122are spaced apart from each other, and G2 indicates the average size of the region in the second direction, where the fourth surface4and the first internal electrode121are spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize volumes of the external electrodes331and332, thereby increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component3000per unit volume.

Here, B1≥G1 and B2≥G2 when B1 indicates an average size of the first band portion331bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first band portion331b, and B2 indicates an average size of the second band portion332bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the second band portion332b. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board.

The multilayer electronic component3000according to another exemplary embodiment may include the body110including the dielectric layer111and the first and second internal electrodes121and122alternately disposed while having the dielectric layer111interposed therebetween, and including the first and second surfaces1and2opposing each other in the first direction, the third and fourth surfaces3and4connected to the first and second surfaces1and2and opposing each other in the second direction, the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6connected to the first to fourth surfaces1to4and opposing each other in the third direction. The body110of the multilayer electronic component3000may have the same configuration as the body110of the multilayer electronic component1000, except that an end of the first or second surface of the body is contracted, as described below.

The external electrodes331and332may respectively be disposed on the third surface3and fourth surface4of the body110. The external electrodes331and332may be the first and second external electrodes331and332respectively disposed on the third and fourth surfaces3and4of the body110, and respectively connected to the first and second internal electrodes121and122.

The external electrodes331and332may be the first external electrode331including the first connection portion331adisposed on the third surface3, the first band portion331bextended from the first connection portion331aonto a portion of the first surface1, and the first corner portion331cextended from the first connection portion331aonto the corner connecting the second and third surfaces2and3to each other; and the second external electrode332including the second connection portion332adisposed on the fourth surface4, the second band portion332bextended from the second connection portion332aonto a portion of the first surface1, and the second corner portion332cextended from the second connection portion332aonto the corner connecting the second and fourth surfaces2and4to each other. The first connection portion331amay be connected to the first internal electrode121on the third surface3, and the second connection portion332amay be connected to the second internal electrode122on the fourth surface4.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first or second connection portion331aor332amay be spaced apart from the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6. Accordingly, the multilayer electronic component3000may have a further smaller size by minimizing proportions of the external electrodes331and332.

The margin regions in which none of the internal electrodes121and122is disposed may overlap each other on the dielectric layer111, and the step difference may thus occur due to the thicknesses of the internal electrodes121and122. Accordingly, the corners connecting the first surface and the third to sixth surfaces and/or the corners connecting the second surface and the third to the fifth surface may be contracted toward the center of the body110in the first direction, based on the first surface or the second surface. Alternatively, due to the contraction phenomenon in the sintering process of the body, the corners connecting the first surface1and the third to sixth surfaces3,4,5and6to each other and/or the corners connecting the second surface2and the third to the sixth surfaces3,4,5and6to each other may be contracted toward the center of the body110in the first direction, based on the first surface or the second surface. Alternatively, the separate process may be performed to round the corners connecting respective surfaces of the body110to each other in order to prevent the chipping defect or the like, and the corners connecting the first and third to sixth surfaces to each other and/or the corners connecting the second surface and the third to sixth surfaces to each other may thus each have the round shape.

The corners may include the1-3corner c1-3connecting the first surface and the third surface to each other, the1-4corner c1-4connecting the first surface and the fourth surface to each other, the2-3corner c2-3connecting the second surface and the third surface to each other, and the2-4corner c2-4connecting the second surface and the fourth surface to each other. In addition, the corners may include the1-5corner connecting the first surface and the fifth surface to each other, the1-6corner connecting the first surface and the sixth surface to each other, the2-5corner connecting the second surface and the fifth surface to each other, and the2-6corner connecting the second surface and the sixth surface to each other. However, in order to suppress the step difference caused by the internal electrodes121and122, the internal electrodes may be stacked on each other and then cut to be exposed to the fifth and sixth surfaces5and6of the body, and one dielectric layer or two or more dielectric layers may be stacked on both the sides of the capacitance formation portion Ac in the third direction (i.e., the width direction) to form the margin portions114and115. In this case, the corner connecting the first surface and the fifth or sixth surface to each other and the corner connecting the second surface and the fifth or sixth surface to each other may not be contracted.

Meanwhile, the first to sixth surfaces of the body110may generally be the flat surfaces, and the non-flat regions may be the corners. In addition, the region of the external electrode131or132, disposed on the corner of the body110may be the corner portion.

In this regard, the first or second connection portion331cor332cmay be spaced apart from the extension line E2 of the second surface2, and the first or second connection portion331cor332cmay be spaced apart from the second surface2. That is, none of the external electrodes331and332may be disposed on the second surface to further minimize the volumes of the external electrodes331and332, thereby further increasing the capacitance of the multilayer electronic component3000per unit volume. In addition, the first corner portion331cmay be disposed on a portion of the2-3corner C2-3connecting the third surface and the second surface to each other, and the second corner portion332cmay be disposed on a portion of the2-4corner C2-4connecting the fourth surface and the second surface to each other.

The extension line E2 of the second surface may be defined as follows.

The extension line E2 of the second surface may indicate a straight line passing through a point where P2 and the second surface meet each other and a point where P4 and the second surface meet each other when drawing seven straight lines P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 in the thickness direction to have equal intervals from the third surface to the fourth surface in the length direction in the length-thickness cross section (i.e., L-T cross section) cut in a center of the multilayer electronic component3000in the width direction.

Meanwhile, the external electrode331or332may be made of any material having the electrical conductivity such as the metal, may use the specific material determined in consideration of the electrical characteristic, the structural stability or the like, and may have the multilayer structure.

The external electrode331or332may be a fired electrode including conductive metal and glass, or a resin-based electrode including the conductive metal and resin.

In addition, the external electrode331or332may be made by sequentially forming the fired electrode and the resin-based electrode on the body. In addition, the external electrode331or332may be formed by transferring a sheet including the conductive metal to the body or by transferring the sheet including the conductive metal to the fired electrode.

The conductive metal included in the external electrode331or332may use the material having the excellent electrical conductivity, and is not particularly limited. For example, the conductive metal may be at least one of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), chromium (Cr) and alloys thereof. The external electrode331or332may include at least one of nickel (Ni) and an alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby further improving its connectivity with the internal electrode121or122including nickel (Ni).

The insulating layer351may be disposed on the first and second connection portions331aand332a.

The first or second connection portion331aor332amay be a portion connected to the internal electrode121or122, and thus be a pathway for the penetration of the plating solution in the plating process or the penetration of the moisture when the multilayer electronic component is actually used. In the present disclosure, the insulating layer351may be disposed on the connection portions331aand332a, thereby preventing the penetration of the external moisture or the penetration of the plating solution.

The insulating layer351may be in contact with the first and second plating layers341and342. Here, the insulating layer351may be in contact with the first and second plating layers341and342to partially cover the ends thereof, or the first and second plating layers341and342may be in contact with the insulating layer351to partially cover the end thereof.

The insulating layer353may be disposed on the first and second connection portions331aand332a, and may cover the second surface and the first and second corner portions331cand332c. In addition, the insulating layer353may cover a region where an end of the first or second corner portion331cor332cand the body110are in contact with each other to prevent the pathway for the penetration of the moisture, thereby further improving the moisture resistance reliability of the multilayer electronic component.

The insulating layer351may be disposed on the second surface and extended to the first and second connection portions331aand332a. In addition, the insulating layer may cover the entire second surface when none of the external electrodes331and332is disposed on the second surface. Meanwhile, the insulating layer351may not be necessarily disposed on the second surface, the insulating layer may not be disposed on the partial or entire second surface, and the insulating layer may be separated into two layers and disposed on each of the first and second connection portions331aand332a. However, even in this case, the insulating layer may cover the entire first and second corner portions331c332c. The insulating layer may be disposed below the extension line of the second surface when not disposed on the entire second surface. In addition, even when not disposed on the second surface, the insulating layer may be disposed on the first and second connection portions331aand332aand extended to the fifth and sixth surfaces to be a single insulating layer.

In another exemplary embodiment, the insulating layer351may cover the partial fifth and sixth surfaces to improve the reliability of the multilayer electronic component. Here, portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces, which are not covered by the insulating layer151, may be externally exposed.

Further, the insulating layer351may cover the entire fifth and sixth surfaces. In this case, none of the fifth and sixth surfaces may be externally exposed to further improve the moisture resistance reliability.

The insulating layer351may serve to prevent the plating layers341and342from being formed on the external electrodes331and332on which the insulating layer351is disposed, and improve the sealing characteristic to minimize the penetration of the external moisture, plating solution or the like. The component, composition, average thickness and resultant effect of the insulating layer351may be the same as those the insulating layer151,251,252or253included in the multilayer electronic component1000or2000and various embodiments thereof, and descriptions thereof are thus omitted.

The first and second plating layers341and342may respectively be disposed on the first and second band portions331band332b. The plating layers341and342may allow the multilayer electronic component to be more easily mounted on the board, be disposed on the band portions331band332bto minimize the space in which the multilayer electronic component is mounted, and minimize the penetration of the plating solution to the internal electrode, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component. One end of the first and second plating layer341or342may be in contact with the first surface, and the other end thereof may be in contact with the insulating layer351.

The plating layer341or342is not limited to a particular type, may include at least one of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), silver (Ag), gold (Au), palladium (Pd) and alloys thereof, or may include a plurality of layers.

As a more specific example of the plating layer341or342, the plating layer341or342may be a nickel (Ni) plating layer or a tin (Sn) plating layer, and may have the Ni plating layer and the Sn plating layer sequentially formed on the first and second band portion331bor332b.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first plating layer341may cover an end of the insulating layer351, disposed on the first external electrode331, and the second plating layer342may cover an end of the insulating layer351, disposed on the second external electrode332. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen a bonding force of the insulating layer351and the plating layer341or342, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component3000. In addition, it is possible to first form the insulating layer351before forming the plating layer341or342on the external electrode331or332, thereby more reliably suppressing the penetration of the plating solution in the process of forming the plating layer. As the insulating layer is formed before the plating layer, the plating layer341or342may cover the end of the insulating layer351.

In another exemplary embodiment, the insulating layer351may cover an end of the first plating layer341, disposed on the first external electrode331, and the insulating layer351may cover an end of the second plating layer342, disposed on the second external electrode332. Accordingly, it is possible to strengthen the bonding force of the insulating layer351and the plating layer341or342, thereby improving the reliability of the multilayer electronic component3000.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first and second plating layers341and342may respectively be extended to partially cover the first and second connection portions331aand332a. H1≥H2 when H1 indicates the average size of the internal electrode in the first direction, disposed closest to the first surface1among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates the average size of the first or second plating layer341or342in the first direction, measured from the extension line E1 of the first surface1to an end of the plating layer disposed on the first or second connection portion331aor332a. Accordingly, it is possible suppress the plating solution from penetrating into the internal electrode during the plating process, thereby allowing the multilayer electronic component to have the improved reliability.

In another exemplary embodiment, H1<H2 when H1 indicates the average size of the region in the first direction, measured from the first surface1to the internal electrode disposed closest to the first surface among the first and second internal electrodes121and122, and H2 indicates the average size of the plating layer341or342in the first direction, measured from the extension line E1 of the first surface to the end of the plating layer341or342disposed on the first or second connection portion331aor332a. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board. H2<T/2 when T indicates the average size of the body110in the first direction. That is, H1<H2<T/2. The reason is that the moisture resistance reliability improved by the insulating layer may be reduced when H2 is T/2 or more.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first and second plating layers341and342may be disposed on a level the same as or below the extension line of the first surface. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the height of the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board and to minimize the space in which the multilayer electronic component is mounted. In addition, the insulating layer351may be extended below the extension line of the first surface to be in contact with the first and second plating layers341and342.

In another exemplary embodiment, 0.2≤B1/L≤0.4 and 0.2≤B2/L≤0.4 when L indicates the average size of the body110in the second direction, B1 indicates an average size of the first band portion331bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first band portion331b, and B2 indicates an average size of the second band portion332bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the second band portion332b.

When B1/L and B2/L are less than 0.2, it may be difficult to secure the sufficient bonding strength. On the other hand, when B2/L is greater than 0.4, the leakage current may occur between the first band portion331band the second band portion332bunder the high-voltage current, and the first band portion331band the second band portion332bmay be electrically connected with each other due to the plating spread or the like during the plating process.

In another exemplary embodiment, the multilayer electronic component may further include an additional insulating layer disposed on the first surface and between the first band portion331band the second band portion332b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the leakage current or the like which may occur between the first band electrode331band the second band electrode332bunder the high-voltage current.

The additional insulating layer may not need to be limited to a particular type. For example, the additional insulating layer may include the silicon-based resin. However, it is not necessary to limit the additional insulating layer and the insulating layer351to the same material, and the two insulating layers may be made of materials different from each other. For example, the additional insulating layer may include one or more selected from epoxy resin, acrylic resin, ethyl cellulose or the like, or may include glass.

In another exemplary embodiment, B3<B1 and B4<B2 when B1 indicates an average size of the first band portion331bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first band portion331b, and B2 indicates an average size of the second band portion332bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the second band portion332b. The average length B1 of the first band portion331bmay be longer than the average length B3 of the first corner portion331c, and the average length B2 of the second band portion332bmay be longer than the average length B4 of the second corner portion332c. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the bonding strength by increasing the area in which the multilayer electronic component is in contact with the solder when the multilayer electronic component is mounted on the board.

In more detail, B3<B1 and B4<B2 when B1 indicates the average size of the first band portion331bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to the end of the first band portion331b, B2 indicates the average size of the second band portion332bin the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to the end of the second band portion332b, B3 indicates the average size of the first corner portion331cin the second direction, measured from the extension line E3 of the third surface3to an end of the first corner portion331c, and B4 indicates the average size of the second corner portion332cin the second direction, measured from the extension line E4 of the fourth surface4to an end of the second corner portion332c.

In another exemplary embodiment, an average thickness of the first or second plating layer341or342may be smaller than the average thickness of the insulating layer351.

The insulating layer351may serve to prevent the penetration of the external moisture or plating solution. However, the insulating layer351may have weak connectivity with the plating layer341or342, which may cause delamination of the plating layer. When the plating layer is delaminated, the bonding strength of the multilayer electronic component with the board180may be reduced. Here, the delamination of the plating layer may indicate that the plating layer is partially dropped or physically separated from the external electrode331or332. The connectivity between the plating layer and the insulating layer may be weak. In this case, it may increase the possibility that a gap between the insulating layer and the plating layer is widened or that a foreign material may infiltrate, which may allow the plating layer to be vulnerable to an external impact and then delaminated.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plating layer may have the average thickness made smaller than the average thickness of the insulating layer, thereby reducing the area in which the plating layer and the insulating layer are in contact with each other. It is thus possible to suppress the occurrence of the delamination, thereby improving the bonding strength of the multilayer electronic component3000with the board.

The multilayer electronic component3000may not need to be limited to a particular size.

However, in order for the multilayer electronic component to have the smaller size and simultaneously have the higher capacitance, it is necessary to increase the number of stacks by allowing the dielectric layer and the internal electrode to each have the smaller thickness. The multilayer electronic component3000having a size of 1005 (i.e., length×width of 1.0 mm×0.5 mm) or less may thus have the more remarkably improved reliability and the capacitance per unit volume according to the present disclosure.

Therefore, in consideration of the manufacturing error, the size of the external electrode and the like, when having the length of 1.1 mm or less and the width of 0.55 mm or less, the multilayer electronic component3000may have the more remarkably improved reliability according to the present disclosure. Here, the length of the multilayer electronic component3000may indicate the maximum size of the multilayer electronic component3000in the second direction, and the width of the multilayer electronic component3000may indicate the maximum size of the multilayer electronic component3000in the third direction.

As set forth above, the present disclosure may provide the multilayer electronic component having the higher reliability and the improved capacitance per unit volume by including the insulating layer disposed on the connection portion of the external electrode and the plating layer disposed on the band portion of the external electrode.

The present disclosure may also provide the multilayer electronic component which may be mounted in the minimal space.

The present disclosure may also provide the multilayer electronic component which may include the external electrode including at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni), thereby suppressing the occurrence and propagation of radiation cracking.

The present disclosure may also provide the multilayer electronic component in which at least one of nickel (Ni) and the alloy of nickel (Ni) is included between the external electrode and the third and fourth surfaces of the body, thereby suppressing the occurrence and propagation of radiation cracking.

The term “an exemplary embodiment” used herein does not refer to the same exemplary embodiment, and is provided to emphasize a particular feature different from that of another exemplary embodiment. However, exemplary embodiments provided herein may be implemented by being combined in whole or in part one with one another. For example, one element described in a particular exemplary embodiment may be understood as a description related to another exemplary embodiment even if it is not described in another exemplary embodiment, unless an opposite or contradictory description is provided therein.

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 made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.