Patent ID: 12260994

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, shapes, sizes, and the like, of components may be exaggerated or shortened for clarity.

FIG.1is a schematic perspective view of a composite electronic component according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a composite electronic component500according to an exemplary embodiment may include a ceramic electronic component100and an interposer200. The ceramic electronic component100and the interposer200may be vertically laminated to be coupled to each other. The ceramic electronic component100and the interposer200may be coupled to each other through connection members331and332including a solder, a conductive adhesive, and the like. For example, external electrodes131and132to be described later of the ceramic electronic component100and connection electrodes231and232to be described later of the interposer200may be connected to each other using a solder, a conductive adhesive, or the like. As a non-limiting example, after applying a solder to the connection electrodes231and232of the interposer200, the ceramic electronic component100may be laminated on the interposer200to connect the external electrodes131and132to the connection electrodes231and232. When a temperature is increased to a high temperature, at which a solder melts through a reflow process, and is then decreased, the solder may be hardened and bonding may be completed. In some embodiments, the connection member may cover an edge of the connection electrode. In some embodiments, the connection member may contact a first surface of the connection electrode facing the ceramic electronic component, and a second surface of the connection electrode adjacent to the first surface of the connection electrode.

The ceramic electronic component100may include a body110, including a dielectric layer111and internal electrodes121and122, and external electrode131and132disposed on the body110and connected to the internal electrodes121and122. The body110may have a substantially hexahedral shape having a first surface (or a left surface) and a second surface (or a right surface) opposing each other in an X direction (or a length direction), a third surface (or a front surface) and a fourth surface (or a rear surface) opposing each other in a Y direction (or a width direction)), and a fifth surface (or an upper surface) and a sixth surface (a lower surface) opposing each other in a Z direction (or a thickness direction). As necessary, an angular exterior of the body110, for example, a corner portion of the body110, may be polished to be rounded by a polishing process, or the like. As necessary, the external electrodes131and132may have an angular shape, for example, a rounded shape, and may have a concave shape and/or a convex shape in some regions.

The dielectric layer111may be formed by sintering a ceramic green sheet including ceramic powder particles, an organic solvent, and an organic binder. The ceramic powder particles are a material having a high-k dielectric constant. As the ceramic powder particles, a barium titanate (BaTiO3)-based material, a strontium titanate (SrTiO3)-based material, or the like. As described above, the dielectric layer111may include a ferroelectric material, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The dielectric layer111may be in a state, in which a plurality of layers are laminated and sintered, and may be integrated with each other such that boundaries between adjacent layers are not readily apparent to the naked eye.

The internal electrodes121and122may be formed by a conductive paste including a conductive metal. For example, the internal electrodes121and122may be printed by printing a conductive paste on the ceramic green sheet, forming the dielectric layer111, through a printing method such as a screen-printing method or a gravure printing method. When the ceramic green sheets, on which the internal electrodes121and122are printed, are alternately laminated and sintered, the body110may be formed. The conductive metal may include, but is not limited to, nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), tin (Sn), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), and/or alloys thereof.

The internal electrodes121and122may include a plurality of first internal electrodes121and a plurality of second internal electrodes122. The plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122may be disposed to be separated from each other with respective dielectric layers111interposed therebetween. The plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122may be alternately laminated in the Y direction of the body110and may be exposed to the first and second surfaces of the body110, respectively. As a result, the plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122may be connected to first and second external electrodes131and132to be described later, respectively. However, this is only an example, and the plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122may be arranged in other forms. For example, the plurality of first and second internal electrodes121and122may be alternately laminated in the Z direction of the body110to be respectively exposed to the first and second surfaces of the body110, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The external electrodes131and132may include a first external electrode131and a second external electrode132. The first and second external electrodes131and132may be disposed on opposite end portions of the body110in the X direction, respectively. For example, the first external electrode131may be disposed on the first surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the body110, and the second external electrode132may be disposed on the second surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the body110. However, this is only an example, and the first and second external electrodes131and132may be disposed in other forms. For example, the first external electrode131may be disposed on the first surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, and the second external electrode132may be disposed on the second surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto, and this is also only another example.

The external electrodes131and132may include one or more electrode layers, as will be described later. The one or more electrode layers of the external electrodes131and132may include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and/or a third electrode layer, which will be described later.

The interposer200includes a substrate210and connection electrodes231and232disposed on the substrate210. The substrate210may have a substantially hexahedral shape having a first surface (or a left surface) and a second surface (or a right surface) opposing each other in the X direction (or the length direction), a third surface (or a front surface) and a fourth surface (a rear surface) opposing each other in the Y direction (or the width direction), and a fifth surface (or an upper surface) and a sixth surface (or a lower surface) opposing each other in the Z direction (or the thickness direction). As necessary, an angular exterior of the substrate210, for example, a corner portion of the substrate210, may be polished to be rounded. As necessary, an angular exterior of the connection electrodes231and232, for example, a corner portion of the connection electrodes231and232, may also have a rounded shape, and may have a concave shape and/or a convex shape in some regions.

The substrate210may include various types of material. For example, the substrate210may be an insulating substrate including various types of thermosetting resin and/or thermoplastic resins. Alternatively, the substrate210may be a ceramic substrate including alumina (Al2O3). When the substrate210is a ceramic substrate, transmission of vibration generated from the ceramic electronic component100may be more effectively blocked because a material of the ceramic substrate is relatively hard. As a result, acoustic noise may be more effectively reduced.

The connection electrodes231and232may include a first connection electrode231and a second connection electrode232. The first and second connection electrodes231and232may be disposed in opposite end portions of the substrate210in the X direction, respectively. For example, the first connection electrode231may be disposed on the first surface of the substrate210to extend partially upwardly of the third surface to the sixth surface, and the second connection electrode232may be disposed on the second surface of the substrate210to partially extended upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces. However, this is only an example, and the first and second connection electrodes231and232may be disposed in another form. For example, the first connection electrode231may be disposed on the first surface of the substrate210to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces, and the second connection electrode232may be disposed on the second surface of the substrate210to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and this is also only another example.

The connection electrodes231and232may include one or more electrode layers, as will be described later. The one or more electrode layers of the connection electrodes231and232may include a conductive resin layer and/or a plating layer, which will be described in detail later.

The ceramic electronic component100may be relatively larger than the interposer200. For example, the body110of the ceramic electronic component100may be higher in length, thickness, and width than the interposer200. The lengths, thicknesses, and widths of the ceramic electronic component100and the interposer200may be determined by, for example, a scanning electron microscope. In this case, the ceramic electronic component100may have better space efficiency than in the case in which the composite electronic component500is mounted on the main substrate. However, this is only an example. As necessary, the substrate210of the interposer200may be higher in length and width than the body110of the ceramic electronic component100.

FIG.2is a schematic cross-sectional view, illustrating an example of the composite electronic component ofFIG.1, taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.2, a composite electronic component500A according to an exemplary embodiment may include a ceramic electronic component100in which external electrodes131and132are disposed on a body110, and first electrode layers131aand132aare connected to external electrodes121and122. For example, the first external electrode131may include a 1-1-th electrode layer131aas an electrode layer, and the second external electrode132may include a 1-2-th electrode layer132aas an electrode layer. The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be connected to a plurality of first internal electrodes121. The 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be connected to a plurality of second internal electrodes122.

The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed on a first surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of third to sixth surfaces of the body110or only fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed on a second surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the body110, or only the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

Each of the first electrode layers131aand132amay be directly disposed on at least one surface of the body110. For example, the 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be directly disposed on the first surface of the body110, and a portion of the 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed to directly extend to the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the fifth and sixth surfaces. In addition, the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be directly disposed on the second surface of the body110, and a portion of the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed to directly extend to the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the surface and the sixth surface.

Here, “a certain electrode layer is directly disposed on one surface of a body” may mean that another electrode layer is not present between the certain electrode layer and the one surface of the body. For example, even when end portions of the first electrode layers131aand132aare in direct contact with portions of the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110as illustrated inFIG.4to be described later, third electrode layers131cand132cmay be present between the first electrode layers131aand132aand the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110. In this case, the first electrode layers131aand132amay not be considered to be directly disposed on the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110.

The first electrode layers131aand132amay have a modulus lower than that of a conductive layer or a metal layer including copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), or the like. For example, first electrode layers131aand132amay be relatively more flexible than the conductive layer or the metal layer. The term “flexible” may refer to a modulus relatively lower than that of a metal itself. For example, the first electrode layers131aand132amay have a modulus lower than that of a conductive layer or a metal layer such as a copper (Cu) layer, a nickel (Ni) layer, or a tin (Sn) layer. In this regard, the first electrode layers131aand132amay have a modulus of 10 GPa or less, for example, about 5 GPa to 7 GPa or about 3 GPa to 5 GPa. The modulus may be an elastic modulus. The elastic modulus may refer to a ratio of stress to strain, and may be measured through, for example, a standard tensile test specified in JIS C-6481, KS M 3001, KS M 527-3, ASTM D882, and the like, but example embodiments are not limited thereto.

The first electrode layers131aand132amay include metal particles and an insulating resin. The first electrode layers131aand132amay include such a mixture material to have a modulus lower than that of a layer including only a metal. The metal particles may include copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), and/or alloys thereof, in detail, copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and/or alloys thereof, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The insulating resin may include a thermosetting resin such as epoxy and/or a thermoplastic resin such as polyimide, in detail, epoxy, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. As a non-limiting example, the first electrode layers131aand132amay include a copper (Cu)-epoxy mixture material or a silver (Ag)-epoxy mixture material. The first electrode layers131aand132amay be formed by applying a mixture material, including metal particles and an insulating resin, and curing the applied mixture material, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

As in one example, when the external electrodes131and132of the ceramic electronic component100include the first electrode layers131aand132a, the interposer200may relatively expand during reflow temperature reduction as compared with the ceramic electronic component100. In this case, a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the ceramic electronic component100and the interposer200may be effectively eliminated as the first electrode layers131aand132aare stretched. Accordingly, the thermal stress generated inside the ceramic electronic component100may be more effectively reduced. This will be described in detail later.

Continuing to refer toFIG.2, the composite electronic component500A according to an exemplary embodiment may include conductive resin layers231aand232a, in which the connection electrodes231and232of the interposer200are disposed on a substrate210, and plating layers231band232bdisposed on the conductive resin layers231aand232a. For example, the first connection electrode231may include a first conductive resin layer231aand a first plating layer231b, and the second connection electrode232may include a second conductive resin layer232band a second conductive resin layer231b.

The first conductive resin layer231amay be disposed on the first surface of the substrate210to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the substrate210, or to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces of the substrate210, and the first plating layer231bmay be disposed on the first conductive resin layer231ato cover the first conductive resin layer231a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The second conductive resin layer232amay be disposed on the second surface of the substrate210to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the substrate210or to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces of the substrate210, and the second plating layer232bmay be disposed on the second conductive resin layer232ato cover the second conductive resin layer232a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The conductive resin layers231aand232amay protect the composite electronic component500from mechanical and/or thermal stress and warpage impact of the substrate, resulting from a process temperature when the composite electronic component500is mounted on a main substrate, or the like. The conductive resin layers231aand232amay include conductive particles and a dispersion resin. The conductive particles may include copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), and/or alloys thereof, in detail, copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and/or alloys thereof. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the conductive resin layers231aand232amay include conductive particles other than a metal such as carbon particles. The dispersion resin may include a thermosetting resin such as epoxy, acryl, melamine, phenol, polyimide, resol-type phenol, and unsaturated polyester, in detail, epoxy. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the dispersion resin may include a photocurable resin. The conductive resin layers231aand232bmay be formed by applying a mixture material, including conductive particles and a dispersion resin, and curing the applied mixture material, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The plating layers231band232bmay improve connection reliability of the connection electrodes231and232. The plating layers231band232bmay include a nickel (Ni) plating layer, a tin (Sn) plating layer, or a combination thereof. For example, the first plating layer231bmay include a first nickel (Ni) plating layer, covering the first conductive resin layer231a, and a first tin (Sn) plating layer covering the first nickel (Ni) plating layer. The second plating layer232bmay include a second nickel (Ni) plating layer, covering the second conductive resin layer232a, and a second tin (Sn) plating layer covering the second nickel (Ni) plating layer. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and other plating materials may be used. The plating layers231band232bmay be formed by a known plating process such as an electrolytic plating process, an electroless plating process, or the like, and a detailed plating method is not limited.

FIG.3is a schematic cross-sectional view, illustrating another example of the composite electronic component ofFIG.1, taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.3, a composite electronic component500B according to another exemplary embodiment may include a ceramic electronic component100in which external electrodes131and132are disposed on a body110, first electrodes131aand132aare connected to internal electrodes121and122, and second electrodes131band132bare disposed on the first electrode layer131aand132a. For example, the first external electrode131may include a 1-1-th electrode layer131aand a 2-1-th electrode layer131bas a plurality of electrode layers. The second external electrode132may include a 1-2-th electrode layer132aand a 2-2-th electrode layer132bas a plurality of electrode layers. The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be connected to the plurality of first internal electrodes121. The 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be connected to the plurality of second internal electrodes122. The first electrode layers131aand132amay be thicker than the second electrode layers131band132b, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed on a first surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to extend partially upwardly of only fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, and the 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay be disposed on the 1-1 electrode layer131ato cover the 1-1 electrode layer131a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed on the second surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to extend partially upwardly of the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, and the 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay be disposed on the 1-2-th electrode layer132ato cover the 1-2-th electrode layer132a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

Each of the first electrode layers131aand132amay be directly disposed on at least one surface of the body110. For example, the 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be directly disposed on the first surface of the body110, and a portion of the 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed to directly extend to the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the fifth and sixth surfaces. The 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay be directly disposed on the 1-1-th electrode layer131a. In addition, the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be directly disposed on the second surface of the body110, and a portion of the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed to directly extend to the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the fifth and the sixth surfaces. The 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay be directly disposed on the 1-2-th electrode layer132a.

Here, “one electrode layer is directly disposed on another electrode layer” may mean that an additional electrode layer is not present between the electrode layers.

The second electrode layers131band132bmay improve connection reliability of the external electrodes131and132. The second electrode layers131band132bmay include a metal layer including nickel (Ni), a metal layer including tin (Sn), or a combination thereof. For example, the 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay include a first nickel (Ni) layer, covering the 1-1-th electrode layer131a, and a first tin (Sn) layer covering the first nickel (Ni) layer. The 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay include a second nickel (Ni) layer, covering the 1-2 electrode layer132a, and a second tin (Sn) layer covering the second nickel (Ni) layer. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the second electrode layers131band132bmay include another metal. The second electrode layers131band132bmay be formed by a known plating process such as an electrolytic plating process or an electroless plating process, and a detailed plating method is not limited.

The other contents are substantially the same as described in the above-described composite electronic component500A according to an exemplary embodiment, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.4is a schematic cross-sectional view, illustrating another example of the composite electronic component ofFIG.1, taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.4, a composite electronic component500C according to another exemplary embodiment may include a ceramic electronic component100in which external electrodes131and132are disposed on a body110, third electrode layers131cand132care connected to internal electrodes121and122, first electrode layers131aand132aare disposed on the third electrode layers131cand132c, and second electrode layers131band132bdisposed on the first electrode layers131aand132a. For example, the first external electrode131may include a 3-1-th electrode layer131c, a 1-1-th electrode layer131a, and a 2-1-th electrode layer131bas a plurality of electrode layers. The second external electrode132may include a 3-2-th electrode layer132c, a 1-2-th electrode layer132a, and a 2-2-th electrode layer132bas a plurality of electrode layers. The 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be connected to the plurality of first internal electrodes121. The 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be connected to the plurality of second internal electrodes122. The third electrode layers131cand132cmay be thicker than the first electrode layers131aand132a, and the first electrode layers131aand132amay be thicker than the second electrode layers131band132b, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be disposed on a first surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to extend partially upwardly of only fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, the 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed on the 3-1-th electrode layer131cto cover the 3-1-th electrode layer131c, and the 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay be disposed on the 1-1-th electrode layer131ato cover the 1-1-th electrode layer131a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be disposed on the second surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to extend upwardly of only the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110, the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed on the 3-2-th electrode layer132cto cover the 3-2-th electrode layer132c, and the 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay be disposed on the 1-2-th electrode layer132ato cover the 1-2-th electrode layer132a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

Each of the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be directly disposed on at least one surface of the body110. For example, the 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be directly disposed on a first surface of the body110, and a portion of the 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be disposed to directly extend to third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only fifth and sixth surfaces of the body100. The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be directly disposed on the 3-1-th electrode layer131c. The 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay be directly disposed on the 1-1-th electrode layer131a. In addition, the 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be directly disposed on the second surface of the body110, and a portion of the 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be disposed to directly extend to the third to sixth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the fifth and sixth surfaces of the body110. The 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be directly disposed on the 3-2-th electrode layer132c. The 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay be directly disposed on the 1-2-th electrode layer132a.

Improved connectivity between the internal electrodes121and122and the external electrodes131and132may be secured through the third electrode layers131cand132c. The third electrode layers131cand132cmay include a conductive material. For example, each of the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be a conductive layer including a conductive material. The conductive material may include copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), lead (Pb), and/or alloys thereof. As necessary, the third electrode layers131cand132cmay further include glass. The third electrode layers131cand132cmay be formed by a method of dipping in a paste containing a conductive material or a method of printing a conductive paste containing a conductive material. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be formed by a sheet transfer method, a pad transfer method, or the like.

The other contents are substantially the same as described in the above-described composite electronic component500A according to an exemplary embodiment and the above-described composite electronic component500B according to another exemplary embodiment, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.5is a schematic cross-sectional view, illustrating another example of the composite electronic component ofFIG.1, taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.5, a composite electronic component500D according to another exemplary embodiment may include a ceramic electronic component100in which external electrodes131and132are disposed on a side surface and an upper surface of a body110, third electrode layers131cand132care connected to internal electrodes121and122, first electrode layers131aand132aare disposed on a lower surface of the body110, and second electrode layers131band132bare disposed on the third electrode layers131cand132cand the first electrode layers131aand132a. For example, the first external electrode131may include a 3-1-th electrode layer131c, a 1-1-th electrode layer131a, and a 2-1-th electrode layer131bas a plurality of electrode layers. The second external electrode132may include a 3-2-th electrode layer132c, a 1-2-th electrode layer132a, and a 2-2-th electrode layer132bas a plurality of electrode layers. The 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be connected to the plurality of first internal electrodes121. The 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be connected to the plurality of second internal electrodes122. The third electrode layers131cand132cmay be thicker than the first electrode layers131aand132a, and the first electrode layers131aand132amay be thicker than the second electrode layers131band132b, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be disposed on the first surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of third to fifth surfaces of the body110or to extend partially upwardly of only a fifth surface of the body110, the 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed on a sixth surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the 3-1-th electrode layer131c, and the 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay be disposed on the 3-1-th electrode layer131cand the 1-1-th electrode layer131ato cover the 3-1-th electrode layer131cand the 1-1-th electrode layer131a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be disposed on a second surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of third to fifth surfaces of the body110or to partially upwardly of only a fifth surface of the body110, the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed on a sixth surface of the body110to extend partially upwardly of the 3-2-th electrode layer132c, and the 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay be disposed on the 3-2-th electrode layer132cand the 1-2-th electrode layer132ato cover the 3-2-th electrode layer132cand the 1-2-th electrode layer132a, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

Each of the first electrode layers131aand132aand the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be directly disposed on at least one surface of the body110. For example, the 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be directly disposed on the first surface of the body110, and a portion of the 3-1-th electrode layer131cmay be disposed to directly extend to the third to fifth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the fifth surface of the body110. The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be directly disposed on the sixth surface of the body110, and at least a portion of The 1-1-th electrode layer131amay be disposed to extend upwardly of the third-first electrode layer131cto be in direct contact with at least a portion of the 3-1-th electrode layer131c. The 2-1-th electrode layer131bmay be directly disposed on the 3-1-th electrode layer131cand the 1-1-th electrode layer131a. In addition, the 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be directly disposed on the second surface of the body110, and a portion of the 3-2-th electrode layer132cmay be disposed to directly extend to the third to fifth surfaces of the body110or to directly extend to only the fifth electrode layer132cA portion may be disposed to extend directly to only the fifth surface of the body110. The 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be directly disposed on the sixth surface of the body110, and at least a portion of the 1-2-th electrode layer132amay be disposed to extend upwardly of the 3-2-th electrode layer132cto be in direct contact with at least portion of the 3-2-th electrode layer132c. The 2-2-th electrode layer132bmay be directly disposed on the 3-2 electrode layer132cand the 1-2 electrode layer132a.

The third electrode layers131cand132cmay be formed by dipping opposite end portions of the body110into a paste including a conductive material in a state in which the sixth surface of the body110is blocked with a barrier. Alternatively, the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be formed by dipping opposite end portions of the body110in a paste including a conductive material and then removing a portion formed on the sixth surface of the body110. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be formed by directly printing a conductive paste including a conductor on surfaces of opposite end portions of the body110, except for the sixth surface, using screen-printing, or the like. Alternatively, the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be formed by attaching a conductor sheet or a conductor pad, for example, a copper sheet or a nickel sheet, to the first and second surfaces of the body110, respectively corresponding to head surfaces, drying the attached conductor sheet or the conductive pad, and directly printing a conductive paste including a conductor on the fifth surface of opposite end portions of the body100, corresponding to a top band, using screen-printing, or the like. Thus, the third electrode layers131cand132chaving a substantially inverted L shape in a cross-section.

The first electrode layers131aand132amay be formed after the third electrode layers131cand132care formed. For example, the first electrode layers131aand132amay be formed by forming the third electrode layers131cand132cand then directly printing a mixture material, including metal particles and an insulating resin, on the sixth surface of the body110corresponding to a bottom band using screen-printing. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the first electrode layers131aand132amay be formed by forming the third electrode layers131cand132cand then selectively dipping the sixth surface of the body110, corresponding to the bottom band, into a mixture material including metal particles and an insulating resin. Thus, the first electrode layers131aand132ahaving a substantially “-” shape in a cross-section. In addition, at least a portion of the first electrode layers131aand132amay be disposed to extend upwardly of the third electrode layers131cand132cto be in direct contact therewith, respectively.

The second electrode layers131band132bmay be formed after the third electrode layers131cand132cand the first electrode layers131aand132aare formed. For example, the second electrode layers131band132bmay be formed by performing a plating process on the electrode layers131aand132a. As the plating process, an electrolytic plating process, an electroless plating process, or the like, may be used. Thus, the second electrode layers131band132bmay be directly disposed on the third electrode layers131cand132cand the first electrode layers131aand132a.

In this regard, in a cross-section, the third electrode layers131cand132cmay be directly disposed on the side and upper surfaces of the body110, and the first electrode layers131aand132amay be directly disposed on the lower surface of the body110. The second electrode layers131band132bmay be disposed on the third electrode layers131cand132cand the first electrode layers131aand132a.

Here, “in a cross-section” may refer to a cross-sectional shape when an object is vertically taken in an X direction and a Z direction, or a cross-sectional shape when the object is viewed in a side view based on a Y direction.

As described above, when the third electrode layers131cand132care formed by separately forming layers in a head region and a top band region of the body110, the third electrode layers131cand132cmay include a first region, directly disposed on the side surface of the body110, and a second region, directly disposed on the upper surface of the body110, in a cross-section. At least a portion of the second region may be disposed to extend upwardly of the first region to be in direct contact with at least a portion of the first region. The first region and the second region may be regions separated from each other and having a boundary surface with each other.

The other contents are substantially the same as described in the above-described composite electronic component500A according to an exemplary embodiment, the above-described composite electronic component500B according to another exemplary embodiment, and the above-described composite electronic component500caccording to another exemplary embodiment and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.6is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanism in which thermal stress is generated inside a single piece of ceramic electronic component during a reflow process.

Referring toFIG.6, a single piece of ceramic electronic component100′ may include a body110′, including a dielectric layer111′ and an internal electrode121′, and external electrodes131′ and132′ disposed on the body110′. The body110′ may further include an internal electrode (not illustrated) connected to the external electrode132′, other than the internal electrode121′ illustrated in the drawing.

Continuing to refer toFIG.6, in a structure of the single piece of ceramic electronic component100′, the internal electrode121′ having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the dielectric layer111′ may exhibit a behavior of shrinkage toward a central portion. An internal electrode (not illustrated), connected to the external electrode132′, may also exhibit a similar behavior of shrinkage. In addition, the external electrodes131′ and132′ having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than a dielectric material may have a behavior of pulling the dielectric layer111′ from end portions of the external electrodes131′ and132′ while shrinking. Therefore, maximum tensile stress S1may be generated in the end portions of the upper and lower external electrodes131′ and132′ due to the shrinkage behavior of the internal electrodes121′ and the dielectric pulling behavior resulting from the shrinkage of the external electrodes131′ and132′.

FIG.7is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanism in which thermal stress is generated inside a composite electronic component.

Referring toFIG.7, a composite electronic component500′ may include a ceramic electronic component100′ and an interposer200′ coupled to the ceramic electronic component100′. The composite electronic component500′ may include a body110′, including a dielectric layer111′ and an internal electrode121, and external electrodes131′ and132′ disposed on the body110′. The body110′ may further include an internal electrode (not illustrated), connected to the external electrode132′, other than the internal electrode121′ illustrated in the drawing. The interposer200′ may include a substrate210′ and connection electrodes231′ and232′ disposed on the substrate210′. The external electrodes131′ and132′ and the connecting electrodes231′ and232′ are connected through solders331′ and332′.

Continuing to refer toFIG.7, in a structure of the composite electronic component500′, a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the substrate210′ is lower than that of the dielectric layer111′ during reflow temperature reduction, so that the amount of shrinkage of the substrate210′ is smaller than the amount of shrinkage of the dielectric layer111′. Accordingly, the dielectric layer111′ may act as a behavior of relatively expanding the substrate210′. When the substrate210′ expands relatively, a behavior of outwardly pushing the external electrodes131′ and132′ may occur. As a result, a behavior of dipping the dielectric layer111′ in lower end portions of the external electrodes131′ and132′ may be increased, and thus, maximum tensile stress S2in the vicinity of the lower end portions may be further increased.

FIG.8is a simulation result illustrating maximum stress generated inside a chip during reflow of various types of composite electronic component, as compared with a single piece of ceramic electronic component.

InFIG.8, “Normalized Max Chip Stress” represents a relative stress level compared with the structure of the single piece of ceramic electronic component100′ illustrated inFIG.6. For example, when the stress level is 1.15, it means that stress is 15% higher than that of the structure of the single piece of ceramic electronic component100′. Experimental Example “1” is a simulation result in the structure of the composite electronic component500′ illustrated inFIG.7. In this case, the external electrodes131′ and132′ have a form in which a third electrode layer, including copper (Cu), and a second electrode layer, including a nickel (Ni) layer and a tin (Sn) layer, are sequentially formed. For example, the external electrodes131′ and132′ may not include the first electrode layer, a relatively flexible layer, but may include only these relatively rigid layers. In addition, Experimental Examples “2,” “3,” “4,” and “5” are simulation results in the structures of the composite electronic component500A according to an exemplary embodiment, the composite electronic component500B according to another exemplary embodiment, the composite electronic component500C according to another exemplary embodiment, and the composite electronic component500D according to another exemplary embodiment described inFIGS.2,3,4, and5, respectively.

Referring toFIG.8, in the case of Experimental Example “1,” the rigid external electrodes131′ and132′ have a relatively high modulus to obtain a thermal stress generation mechanism, so that internal stress is 15% higher than the structure of the single piece of ceramic electronic component100′. On the other hand, in the cases of Experimental Examples “2,” “3,” “4,” and “5,” all of the external electrodes131and132include relatively flexible first electrode layers131aand132a. When the substrate210relatively expands compared with the dielectric layer111, the relatively flexible first electrode layers131aand132athemselves are stretched, rather than the dielectric layer111being pulled, to eliminate a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the ceramic electronic component100and the interposer200. Therefore, it can be seen that in Experimental Examples “2,” “3,” and “5” in which the relatively flexible first electrode layers131aand132aare directly introduced on the body110, maximum internal stress may be reduced to a level similar to that of the structure of the single piece of the ceramic electronic component100′. In particular, it can be seen that in the case of Experimental Example “5,” connectivity between the internal electrodes121and122and the external electrodes131and132may be secured and thermal stress caused by the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) may be effectively reduced. In addition, it can be seen that in Experimental Example “4” in which relatively flexible first electrode layers131aand132aare introduced between the third electrode layers131cand132cand the second electrode layers131band132b, about 70% of an increase in internal stress caused by the attachment of the interposer200may be eliminated.

As described above, a composite electronic component, which may reduce thermal stress generated inside a ceramic electronic component, may be provided.

In the present disclosure, the terms “lower side”, “lower portion” , “lower surface,” and the like, have been used to indicate a direction toward a mounted surface of the electronic component package in relation to cross sections of the drawings, the terms “upper side”, “upper portion”, “upper surface,” and the like, have been used to indicate an opposite direction to the direction indicated by the terms “lower side”, “lower portion”, “lower surface,” and the like. However, these directions are defined for convenience of explanation only, and the claims are not particularly limited by the directions defined, as described above.

The meaning of a “connection” of a component to another component in the description includes an indirect connection through an adhesive layer as well as a direct connection between two components. In addition, “electrically connected” means including a physical connection and a physical disconnection. It can be understood that when an element is referred to as “first” and “second”, the element is not limited thereby. These terms may be used only for a purpose of distinguishing the element from the other elements, and may not limit the sequence or importance of the elements. In some cases, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the scope of the claims set forth herein. Similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element.

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

Terms used herein are used only in order to describe an example embodiment rather than to limit the present disclosure. In this case, singular forms include plural forms unless necessarily interpreted otherwise, based on a particular context.

While 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.