Multilayer electronic part, multilayer antenna duplexer, and communication apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to a laminated electronic component, a laminated duplexer and a communication device mainly mounted on a high frequency radio device such as a cellular phone.

[0002] With miniaturization of communication devices, laminated electronic components are being used as high frequency devices in recent years. With reference to the attached drawings, an example of the above-described conventional laminated electronic component will be explained below.

[0003] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a conventional electronic part. As shown in FIG. 3, the laminated electronic component comprises dielectric layer 301 to dielectric layer 308 placed one atop another. A grounding electrode 309 is placed on the dielectric layer 301 and capacitor electrode 310 is placed on the dielectric layer 302. Furthermore, strip lines 311 and 312 are placed on the dielectric layer 303 and connected at a connection point 313.

[0004] A capacitor electrode 314, a grounding electrode 315, a capacitor electrode 316 and a grounding electrode 317 are placed on dielectric layers 304, 305, 306 and 307, respectively. Furthermore, the capacitor electrode 310 is connected to a connection point 318 of the strip line 311 via a via hole 322 and the capacitor electrode 314 is connected to the connection point 313 via a via hole 323. Furthermore, the capacitor electrode 316 is connected to a connection point 319 of the strip line 312 via a via hole 324.

[0005] The grounding electrodes 315 and 317 are connected to the grounding electrode 309 via an external electrode 320 formed on one side of the laminated electronic component, and the external electrode terminals of the circuit form an input electrode and output electrode by extending one end of the strip lines 311 and 312 to the end face of the laminated electronic component and connecting them to the external electrode 321 formed on the sides of the laminated electronic component. However, for simplicity of explanations, the positions of the via holes in the figure are schematically shown with dotted line on the exploded perspective view in principle.

[0006] Then, FIG. 23 shows another example of a perspective view of a conventional laminated electronic component.

[0007] In FIG. 23, the laminated electronic component 3901 is constructed of a laminated body 3902 formed of a plurality of laminated dielectric sheets and external electrodes 3903. The inner layer of the laminated body 3902 contains at least one inner circuit (not shown) provided with input/output terminals and at least one inner grounding electrode (not shown).

[0008] On at least one side of the laminated body 3902, the external electrodes 3903 are formed and these external electrodes 3903 are electrically connected to the input/output terminals of the inner circuit and the inner grounding electrode respectively. Here, suppose the one electrode connected to the input/output terminals of the inner circuit is an external electrode 3903a and the other electrode connected to the inner grounding electrode is an external electrode 3903b.

[0009] The external electrodes 3903a and 3903b are formed by applying a metal film to specific locations of the sides of the laminated body 3902 and all external electrodes are formed extending from the top surface to the bottom surface occupying a wide range of area.

[0010] However, in the case of the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 3, an input electrode, output electrode and grounding electrode exist as external electrodes on the sides of the laminated electronic component including a plurality of circuits, and therefore there is a plurality of external electrodes formed on the sides of the laminated electronic component, which reduces the area occupied by the grounding electrode. Therefore, it is not possible to secure a sufficient area for the grounding electrode with these external electrodes alone, causing a problem that electric grounding strength is weakened.

[0011] Here, the grounding electrode refers to an electrode to be connected to a predetermined grounding surface on a motherboard (not shown) on which the laminated electronic component is to be mounted by means of soldering, etc.

[0012] On the other hand, in the case of the conventional laminated electronic component shown in FIG. 23, the external electrode 3903a electrically connected to the input/output terminals of the inner circuit and the external electrode 3903b electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode have almost the same shape and are formed extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the laminated body 3902 occupying a wide range of area.

[0013] For this reason, especially when the area of the external electrode 3903a electrically connected to the input/output terminals of the inner circuit is large, parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component are generated especially in the external electrode 3903a of these external electrodes 3903, leading to deterioration of characteristics when the device is used for a high frequency area.

[0014] Especially, when used as a laminated filter, etc. that handles an input signal of 1 GHz or greater, the above-described conventional laminated electronic component shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 23 has the problem that the high frequency characteristic of the filter circuit, etc., that is, the characteristic of selecting frequencies in a high frequency area deteriorates.

[0015] The present invention has been achieved in view of these problems of the above-described conventional laminated electronic component and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laminated electronic component capable of sufficiently securing a grounding electrode and increasing the grounding strength.

[0016] Further, in view of these problems of the above-described conventional laminated electronic component, it is another object of the present invention to provide a laminated electronic component with an excellent characteristic of selecting frequencies in a high frequency area.

[0017] The 1^st invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 1) is a laminated electronic component comprising:

[0018] a dielectric layer A provided with a first shield electrode on one principal plane;

[0019] a dielectric layer C which is a dielectric layer indirectly placed above said dielectric layer A, provided with a second shield electrode on one principal plane;

[0020] a dielectric layer D whose at least one principal plane is exposed outside;

[0021] a dielectric layer B which is placed between said dielectric layer A and said dielectric layer C, and includes an inner circuit; and

[0022] a first grounding electrode provided on the other principal plane of said dielectric layer A or said one principal plane of said dielectric layer D,

[0023] wherein a via hole is provided in at least one of said dielectric layer A or said dielectric layer D,

[0024] said first shield electrode and said second shield electrode are electrically connected, and

[0025] said first grounding electrode and said first shield electrode are electrically connected through via holes provided on said dielectric layer A or said first grounding electrode and said second shield electrode are electrically connected through via holes provided on said dielectric layer D.

[0026] The 2^nd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 2) is the laminated electronic component according to the 1^st invention, comprising an end face electrode provided on one side of said laminated electronic component to electrically connect said first shield electrode and said second shield electrode.

[0027] The 3^rd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 3) is the laminated electronic component according to the 2^nd invention, wherein said dielectric layer B includes a resonator electrode as said inner circuit,

[0028] said laminated electronic component is provided with a first terminal electrode connected to said resonator electrode,

[0029] said end face electrode is a second grounding electrode to be connected to a predetermined grounding surface on a substrate on which said laminated electronic component is to be mounted, and

[0030] said first terminal electrode is provided on sides of said dielectric layer A to dielectric layer D surrounded by said second grounding electrode or electrically connected to said second grounding electrode.

[0031] The 4^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 4) is the laminated electronic component according to the 3^rd invention, wherein said dielectric layer B further includes a coupling electrode as said inner circuit, facing part of said resonator electrode,

[0032] said laminated electronic component is provided with a second terminal electrode connected to said coupling electrode, and

[0033] said second terminal electrode is (1) formed on said other principal plane of said dielectric layer A and/or said one principal plane of dielectric layer D in such a way that said second terminal electrode is not electrically connected to said first grounding electrode, and (2) electrically connected to said coupling electrode through a via hole different from said via hole.

[0034] The 5^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 5) is the laminated electronic component according to the 3^rd invention, wherein said resonator electrode is constructed of a transmission line.

[0035] The 6^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 6) is the laminated electronic component according to the 1^st invention, wherein said first grounding electrode is formed like either a mesh, band or spider's web.

[0036] The 7^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 7) is the laminated electronic component according to the 4^th invention, wherein said coupling electrode is constructed of a transmission line.

[0037] The 8^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 8) is the laminated electronic component according to the 4^th invention, wherein said coupling electrode is an inter-stage coupling capacitor electrode constructed of a transmission line.

[0038] The 9^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 9) is a laminated duplexer comprising:

[0039] a transmission filter using the laminated electronic component according to the 7^th invention; and

[0040] a reception filter using the laminated electronic component according to the 8^th invention.

[0041] The 10^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 10) is a communication device comprising:

[0042] a laminated filter using the laminated electronic component according to the 1^st invention; and/or

[0043] the laminated duplexer according to the 9^th invention.

[0044] The above-described configuration forms via holes on the dielectric layer on the bottom surface or top surface, connects a shield electrode and grounding electrode via a via hole, thus making it possible to secure a large grounding area irrespective of whether there are external electrodes on the sides of the laminated electronic component or not and increase the grounding strength.

[0045] The 11^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 11) is the laminated electronic component according to the 2^nd invention, comprising an external terminal electrode which is connected to said inner circuit and has a first height from the bottom surface to the top surface of said laminated electronic component,

[0046] wherein said end face electrode (1) is a second grounding electrode to connect to a predetermined grounding surface of a substrate on which said laminated electronic component is to be mounted and (2) has a second height from the bottom surface to the top surface of said laminated electronic component, and

[0047] said first height is different from said second height.

[0048] The 12^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 12) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, wherein said first height from the bottom surface of said laminated body of said external terminal electrode is smaller than said second height from the bottom surface of said laminated body of said second grounding electrode.

[0049] The 13^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 13) is the laminated electronic component according to the 12^th invention, wherein said second grounding electrode is provided extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of said laminated body.

[0050] The 14^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 14) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, comprising an external shield electrode connected to said second grounding electrode,

[0051] wherein said external shield electrode is provided on the top surface of said laminated body.

[0052] The 15^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 15) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, comprising a lead-out side electrode connected to said shield electrode,

[0053] wherein said lead-out side electrode is provided extending at least from the top surface of said laminated body to the area on the side of said laminated body where said external terminal electrode is formed, and

[0054] the part provided on the side of said laminated body is placed higher than said external terminal electrode viewed from the bottom surface of said laminated body.

[0055] The 16^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 16) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, wherein said lead-out side electrode is connected to said external shield electrode.

[0056] The 17^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 17) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, wherein said second grounding electrodes are placed on both sides of said external terminal electrode.

[0057] The 18^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 18) is

[0058] the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, comprising a plurality of said external terminal electrodes,

[0059] wherein said second grounding electrode is placed between said external terminal electrodes.

[0060] The 19^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 19) is the laminated electronic component according to the 15^th, 17^th, or 18^th invention, wherein said lead-out side electrode is connected to at least one of said second grounding electrodes.

[0061] The 20^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 20) is the laminated electronic component according to the 17^th or 18^th invention, wherein the distance between said external terminal electrode and said second grounding electrode placed next to said external terminal electrode is equal to or greater than the electrode width of said external terminal electrode.

[0062] The 21^st invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 21) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, wherein said external terminal electrode and said second grounding electrode are buried in said laminated body or exposed outside said laminated body.

[0063] The 22^nd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 22) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, wherein said dielectric layer includes a crystal phase and glass phase,

[0064] said crystal phase includes at least one of Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂ and RO_a (R is at least one element selected from La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Gd, and a is a numerical value stoichiometrically determined according to the valence of said R).

[0065] The 23^rd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 23) is the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention, wherein said dielectric layer includes Bi₂O₃, Nb₂O₆ as main components.

[0066] The 24^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 24) is a communication device, characterized by using the laminated electronic component according to the 11^th invention.

[0067] The above-described laminated electronic component of the present invention is characterized in that the height of the external electrode connected to the input/output terminals of the at least one inner circuit is smaller than the height of the external grounding electrode connected to at least one shield electrode (inner grounding electrode).

[0068] The 26^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 26) is a laminated electronic component comprising:

[0069] a laminated body that integrates a plurality of laminated dielectric sheets;

[0070] an inner circuit provided on the principal plane of a plurality of dielectric sheets within said laminated body;

[0071] a grounding electrode provided on the principal plane of a plurality of dielectric sheets within said laminated body;

[0072] a first via hole that penetrates the whole or part of said laminated body and electrically connects the grounding electrodes provided on the principal plane of said plurality of dielectric sheets;

[0073] a second via hole that penetrates the whole or part of said laminated body and electrically connects the inner circuits provided on the principal plane of said plurality of dielectric sheets; and

[0074] an input terminal and output terminal electrically connected to said second via hole,

[0075] wherein at least one of said grounding electrodes is provided as an exposed grounding electrode which is exposed outside from the principal plane of the dielectric sheet in bottom layer and/or top layer of said dielectric layer, and

[0076] said input electrode and said output electrode are provided on both sides of said exposed grounding electrode on the same plane as the plane on which said exposed grounding electrode is provided.

[0077] The 27^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 27) is the laminated electronic component according to the 26th invention, wherein said grounding electrodes other than said exposed grounding electrode have no exposed parts outside said laminated electronic component.

[0078] The 28^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 28) is the laminated electronic component according to the 26^th invention, wherein said plurality of dielectric sheets has at least a first dielectric sheet and second dielectric sheet,

[0079] said plurality of grounding electrodes has at least a first grounding electrode provided on the principal plane of said first dielectric sheet and a second grounding electrode provided on the principal plane of said second dielectric sheet,

[0080] said second dielectric sheet is placed between said first grounding electrode and said second grounding electrode, and

[0081] said first via hole at least penetrates said first dielectric sheet and/or said second dielectric sheet and electrically connects said first and second grounding electrodes.

[0082] The 29^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 29) is the laminated electronic component according to the 28^th invention, wherein said second dielectric sheet is provided in a layer superior to said first dielectric sheet.

[0083] The 30^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 30) is the laminated electronic component according to the 29^th invention, wherein at least one dielectric sheet with said inner circuit provided on the principal plane is placed between said first dielectric sheet and said second dielectric sheet.

[0084] The 31^st invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 31) is the laminated electronic component according to the 29^th invention, wherein said first dielectric sheet and said second dielectric sheet are directly laminated together.

[0085] The 32^nd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 32) is the laminated electronic component according to the 26^th invention, wherein said plurality of dielectric sheets includes at least a third dielectric sheet,

[0086] said plurality of grounding electrodes includes at least a third grounding electrode provided on the principal plane of said third dielectric sheet, and

[0087] said first via hole at least penetrates said third dielectric sheet and electrically connects said third dielectric sheet and said exposed grounding electrode.

[0088] The 33^rd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 33) is the laminated electronic component according to the 32^nd invention, wherein at least one dielectric sheet with said inner circuit provided on the principal plane is placed between said third dielectric sheet and said dielectric sheet provided with said exposed grounding electrode.

[0089] The 34^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 34) is the laminated electronic component according to the 32^nd invention, wherein said third dielectric sheet and the dielectric sheet provided with said exposed grounding electrode constitute the same dielectric sheet.

[0090] The 35^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 35) is the laminated electronic component according to the 26^th invention, wherein said dielectric sheet has a thickness of 5 to 50 m.

[0091] The 36^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 36) is the laminated electronic component according to the 26^th invention, wherein said dielectric sheet is made of at least a crystal phase and a glass phase,

[0092] said crystal phase contains at least one of Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂ and RO_a (R is at least one element selected from La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Gd, and a is a numerical value stoichiometrically determined according to the valence of said R).

[0093] The 37^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 37) is the laminated electronic component according to the 26^th invention, wherein said dielectric sheet contains Bi₂O₃ and Nb₂O₆.

[0094] The 38^th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim 38) is a high frequency radio device, mounting the laminated electronic component according to any one of the 26^th invention to the 37^th invention.

[0095] The above-described laminated electronic component of the present invention is, for example, an electronic part comprising a laminated body integrating a plurality of dielectric sheets placed one atop another and a plurality of inner circuits provided with an input electrode and an output electrode and a plurality of grounding electrodes inserted in the inner layer of the above-described laminated body, wherein a first grounding electrode is formed on the bottom surface of the above-described electronic part, a second grounding electrode is formed in the inner layer of the above-described electronic part and the above-described first grounding electrode and the above-described second grounding electrode are connected through at least two via holes.

[0096] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0097] FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0098] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional laminated electronic component;

[0099] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0100] FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing how the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 is connected with a motherboard;

[0101] FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing how the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 2 is connected with the motherboard;

[0102] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a chip part mounted on the surface of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1;

[0103] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a chip part mounted on the surface of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 2;

[0104] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a laminated filter according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention;

[0105] FIG. 9 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention;

[0106] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a laminated filter according to Embodiment B2 of the present invention;

[0107] FIG. 11 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B2 of the present invention;

[0108] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a laminated filter applying a configuration according to Embodiment C1 to the configuration according to Embodiment B2 of the present invention;

[0109] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a laminated filter applying a configuration according to Embodiment C2 to the configuration according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention;

[0110] FIG. 14 is a laminated electronic component diagram according to Embodiment C1 of the present invention;

[0111] FIG. 15 illustrates another mode of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C1 of the present invention;

[0112] FIG. 16 is a laminated electronic component diagram according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention;

[0113] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention;

[0114] FIG. 18 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an inner circuit of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention;

[0115] FIG. 19 illustrates another mode of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention;

[0116] FIG. 20 is a laminated electronic component diagram according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention;

[0117] FIG. 21A is a schematic view of an external electrode according to Embodiments C1 to C3 of the present invention;

[0118] FIG. 21B is another schematic view of the external electrode according to Embodiments C1 to C3 of the present invention;

[0119] FIG. 21C is a further schematic view of the external electrode according to Embodiments C1 to C3 of the present invention;

[0120] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention; and

[0121] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a conventional laminated electronic component.

[0122] 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 DIELECTRIC LAYERS

[0123] 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308 DIELECTRIC LAYERS

[0124] 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 DIELECTRIC LAYERS

[0125] 109, 112, 118, 120 GROUNDING ELECTRODES

[0126] 309, 315, 317 GROUNDING ELECTRODES

[0127] 409, 417, 419 GROUNDING ELECTRODES

[0128] 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 VIA HOLES

[0129] 420, 421, 422, 423 VIA HOLES

[0130] 110, 111, 320, 321, 410, 411, 424 EXTERNAL ELECTRODES

[0131] 113, 117, 119, 310, 314, 316 CAPACITOR ELECTRODES

[0132] 412, 416, 418 CAPACITOR ELECTRODES

[0133] 114, 115, 311, 312, 413, 414 STRIP LINES

[0134] C1, C2, C3 CAPACITANCES

[0135] L1, L2 INDUCTANCES

[0136] 2101 DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0137] 2102 SHIELD ELECTRODE

[0138] 2103 RESONATOR ELECTRODE

[0139] 2104, 2105 CAPACITOR ELECTRODES

[0140] 2106, 2107 END FACE ELECTRODES

[0141] 2108 GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0142] 2109 VIA HOLE ELECTRODE

[0143] 3101 LAMINATED ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

[0144] 3102 LAMINATED BODY

[0145] 3103 EXTERNAL TERMINAL ELECTRODE

[0146] 3104 EXTERNAL GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0147] 3201 LAMINATED ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

[0148] 3202 LAMINATED BODY

[0149] 3203 EXTERNAL TERMINAL ELECTRODE

[0150] 3204 EXTERNAL GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0151] 3205 LEAD-OUT SIDE ELECTRODE

[0152] 3206 EXTERNAL SHIELD ELECTRODE

[0153] 3301 LAMINATED ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

[0154] 3302 LAMINATED BODY

[0155] 3303a EXTERNAL INPUT TERMINAL ELECTRODE

[0156] 3303b EXTERNAL OUTPUT TERMINAL ELECTRODE

[0157] 3304 EXTERNAL GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0158] 3305a LEAD-OUT SIDE ELECTRODE

[0159] 3305b LEAD-OUT SIDE ELECTRODE

[0160] 3401 FIRST DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0161] 3402 SECOND DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0162] 3403 THIRD DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0163] 3404 FOURTH DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0164] 3405 FIFTH DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0165] 3406 SIXTH DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0166] 3407 SEVENTH DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0167] 3408 EIGHTH DIELECTRIC LAYER

[0168] 3409 INNER GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0169] 3410 CAPACITOR ELECTRODE

[0170] 3411 STRIP LINE

[0171] 3411 STRIP LINE

[0172] 3413 CONNECTION POINT

[0173] 3414 CAPACITOR ELECTRODE

[0174] 3415 INNER GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0175] 3416 CAPACITOR ELECTRODE

[0176] 3417 INNER GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0177] 3418 CONNECTION POINT

[0178] 3419 CONNECTION POINT

[0179] 3501 FIRST EXTERNAL ELECTRODE CONNECTED TO INPUT/OUTPUT TERMINAL OF INNER CIRCUIT

[0180] 3502 SECOND EXTERNAL ELECTRODE CONNECTED TO INPUT/OUTPUT TERMINAL OF INNER CIRCUIT

[0181] 3503 EXTERNAL ELECTRODE CONNECTED TO SHIELD ELECTRODE

[0182] 3601a CONNECTION ELECTRODE

[0183] 3601b CONNECTION ELECTRODE

[0184] 3602 EXTERNAL SHIELD ELECTRODE

[0185] 3701 LAMINATED ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

[0186] 3702 LAMINATED BODY

[0187] 3703a EXTERNAL INPUT TERMINAL ELECTRODE

[0188] 3703b EXTERNAL OUTPUT TERMINAL ELECTRODE

[0189] 3704 EXTERNAL GROUNDING ELECTRODE

[0190] 3705a LEAD-OUT SIDE ELECTRODE

[0191] 3705b LEAD-OUT SIDE ELECTRODE

[0192] 3706 CONNECTION ELECTRODE

[0193] 3707 EXTERNAL SHIELD ELECTRODE

[0194] 3801 LAMINATED ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

[0195] 3802 LAMINATED BODY

[0196] 3803a EXTERNAL ELECTRODE

[0197] 3803b EXTERNAL ELECTRODE

[0198] 3083c EXTERNAL ELECTRODE

[0199] 3901 LAMINATED TYPE ELECTRONIC PART

[0200] 3902 LAMINATED BODY

[0201] 3903 EXTERNAL ELECTRODE

[0202] 3904 EXTERNAL ELECTRODE

[0203] With reference now to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be explained below.

[0204] (Embodiment 1)

[0205] A laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

[0206] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the laminated electronic component of the present invention comprises a dielectric layer 101 to dielectric layer 108 placed one atop another and each dielectric layer is a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴.

[0207] A grounding electrode 109, an input electrode 110 and output electrode 111 of the circuit are placed on the bottom surface of the dielectric layer 101 and a grounding electrode 112 is placed on the top surface of the dielectric layer 101.

[0208] Furthermore, a capacitor electrode 113 is placed on the dielectric layer 102, a strip line 114 and strip line 115 are placed on the dielectric layer 103 and connected at a connection point 116.

[0209] A capacitor electrode 117, a grounding electrode 118, a capacitor electrode 119 and a grounding electrode 120 are placed on the dielectric layers 104, 105, 106 and 107 respectively.

[0210] Furthermore, the grounding electrode 112 is connected to the grounding electrode 109 through via holes 121, 122 and 123 and the grounding electrodes 118 and 120 are connected to the grounding electrode 112 through via holes 122 and 123 respectively.

[0211] Furthermore, one end of the strip line 114 and the capacitor electrode 113 are connected to the input electrode 110 through a via hole 124.

[0212] The capacitor electrode 119 is connected to the connection point 116 through a via hole 125 and the capacitor electrode 117 and one end of the strip line 115 are connected to the output electrode 111 through a via hole 126.

[0213] However, for simplicity of the above-described explanations, the positions of the via holes in the drawing are schematically shown with dotted line in the exploded perspective view in principle. The same will apply to the following embodiments.

[0214] An operation of the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 configured as shown above will be explained using FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 below.

[0215] First, FIG. 2 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of the laminated electronic component in FIG. 1 and the elements that correspond to those in FIG. 1 are indicated with the same element numbers.

[0216] In FIG. 2, capacitance C1 is formed between the capacitor electrode 113 and grounding electrode 110 and capacitance C2 is formed between the capacitor electrode 117 and grounding electrode 118.

[0217] Furthermore, capacitance C3 is formed between the capacitor electrode 119 and grounding electrode 120 and inductances L1 and L2 are formed of the strip lines 114 and 115 respectively.

[0218] Furthermore, L1 is connected in series with the input electrode 110 and C1 is connected in parallel with the input electrode 110 and L2 is connected in series with the output electrode 111 and C3 is connected in parallel with the output electrode 111, and L1 and L2 are connected in series and C2 is connected in parallel at the connection point 116.

[0219] Thus, the laminated electronic component in FIG. 1 constitutes a 5-stage low pass filter.

[0220] Here, the grounding electrodes 118 and 120 forming the capacitance C2 and C3 respectively are connected to the grounding electrode 110 forming the capacitance C1 through via holes 122 and 123, and the grounding electrode 112 is further connected to the grounding electrode 109 through via holes 121, 122 and 123.

[0221] That is, the grounding electrodes 109, 112, 118 and 120 placed in the inner layers of the laminated electronic component are all connected inside the laminated electronic component through via holes 121, 122 and 123 and the grounding electrode 109 formed on the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component is further used as an external electrode of the grounding electrodes.

[0222] Furthermore, the input electrode 110 and output electrode 111 of the low pass filter are placed in such a way that part of the grounding electrode 109 is sandwiched between the two electrodes.

[0223] As described above, the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention allows the grounding electrode 109 with a wider area than the conventional configuration to be formed on the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component.

[0224] Therefore, compared to the conventional configuration that provides the grounding electrode and an input electrode and output electrode of the circuit on the sides of the laminated electronic component, a wider grounding area on the mounting substrate is provided, which increases electrical grounding strength.

[0225] This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of high frequency characteristics and stabilize characteristics of the inner circuit of the laminated electronic component.

[0226] Especially, when used as a laminated filter, etc. handling an input signal of 1 GHz or greater, the laminated electronic component of this embodiment has the effect of preventing deterioration of the high frequency characteristic of a filter circuit, etc., that is, the frequency selection characteristic in a high frequency area.

[0227] Furthermore, the configuration with the grounding electrode 109 formed between the input electrode 110 and output electrode 111 prevents coupling between the input electrode and output electrode, thus enhancing the isolation characteristic.

[0228] Furthermore, the configuration that the external electrodes 109, 110 and 111 are only formed on the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component and that no external electrode exists on the sides of the laminated electronic component eliminates the need to form any external electrode on the sides of the laminated electronic component, and therefore the accuracy of flatness of the section of the laminated body, that is, the sides of the laminated electronic component is not required when laminated electronic components are cut from the laminated matrix.

[0229] Furthermore, the presence of the external electrode only on the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component makes it possible to form terminals according to a BGA (Ball Grid Array) or LGA (L and Grid Array) system, thus allowing high-density mounting. Furthermore, the process of forming external electrodes can be performed simultaneously with the process of printing inner electrodes, which contributes to simplification of the manufacturing process, leading to a cost reduction.

[0230] By the way, the grounding electrode, input electrode and output electrode, which constitute external electrodes, can also be provided on the top surface instead of the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component or providing them on both the bottom surface and top surfaces will produce similar effects.

[0231] Embodiment 1 of the present invention has described an example of a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴ as the dielectric layer 101 to dielectric layer 108, but using a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r5 to 10 will also produce similar effects.

[0232] The same applies to the case where a dielectric sheet whose main components are Bi₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ with a specific inductive capacity _r50 to 100 is used, producing similar effects irrespective of the composition of the dielectric sheet, specific inductive capacity and dielectric loss of the dielectric sheet.

[0233] Furthermore, Embodiment 1 of the present invention has described an example of a lowpass filter configuration, but this configuration will produce similar effects on various filters such as a highpass filter and bandpass filter.

[0234] (Embodiment 2)

[0235] A laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

[0236] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0237] As shown in FIG. 4, the laminated electronic component of the present invention consists of dielectric layer 401 to dielectric layer 407 placed one atop another and each dielectric layer is a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴.

[0238] A grounding electrode 409, an input electrode 410 and output electrode 411 of the circuit are placed on the bottom surface of the dielectric layer 401 and a capacitor electrode 412 is placed on the top surface of the dielectric layer 401.

[0239] Furthermore, a strip line 413 and strip line 414 are placed on the dielectric layer 402 and connected at a connection point 415.

[0240] The dielectric layers 403, 404, 405 and 406 are provided with a capacitor electrode 416, grounding electrode 417, capacitor electrode 418 and grounding electrode 419 respectively.

[0241] Furthermore, grounding electrodes 417 and 419 are connected to the grounding electrode 409 through via holes 420.

[0242] Furthermore, one end of the strip line 413 and the capacitor electrode 412 are connected to the input electrode 410 through a via hole 421.

[0243] The capacitor electrode 418 is connected to the connection point 415 through a via hole 422, and the capacitor electrode 416 and one end of the strip line 414 are connected to the output electrode 411 through a via hole 423.

[0244] Furthermore, the grounding electrodes 409, 417 and 419 are connected to an external electrode 427 formed on the side of the laminated electronic component.

[0245] As shown above, unlike Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes a plurality of capacitor electrodes and strip lines between the grounding electrode 409 placed on the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component and the grounding electrodes 417 and 419 placed in the inner layers of the laminated electronic component. However, in this case, it is also possible to form the grounding electrode 409 with a wider area than the conventional configuration on the bottom surface of the laminated electronic component as in the case of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0246] Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration that a grounding electrode and an input electrode and output electrode are provided on the sides of the laminated electronic component, this embodiment has a wider grounding area on the mounting substrate, and thereby increases the electrical grounding strength.

[0247] On the other hand, although this embodiment includes differences in that not only all grounding electrodes are connected in the inner layers of the laminated electronic component through the via holes 420 but also they are connected on the sides of the laminated electronic component through the external electrode 424, this structure further increases the electrical grounding strength compared to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0248] Therefore, this prevents deterioration of high frequency characteristics and makes it possible to stabilize characteristics of the inner circuit of the laminated electronic component.

[0249] Especially, when used as a laminated filter, etc. handling an input signal of 1 GHz or higher, the laminated electronic component of this embodiment has the effect of further suppressing deterioration of high frequency characteristics of a filter circuit, etc., that is, frequency selecting characteristics in a high frequency area.

[0250] Here, when the respective laminated electronic components explained in the above-described two embodiments using FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are mounted on a motherboard, a brief explanation will be given below as to how those laminated electronic components are connected to their respective motherboards.

[0251] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are side views schematically showing how the laminated electronic components 1502 and 1504 are connected to the grounding surface of the motherboard 1501 by means of soldering, etc. Here, the thickness of solder, etc. is illustrated with some exaggeration for illustrative effects.

[0252] As shown in FIG. 5A, the laminated electronic component 1502 described in Embodiment 1 is electrically connected to the grounding surface of the motherboard 1501 through the grounding electrode 109 by means of the solder 1503, etc. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the laminated electronic component 1504 described in Embodiment 2 is electrically connected to the grounding surface of the motherboard 1501 through the grounding electrode 409 by means of the solder 1505, etc.

[0253] Furthermore, as in the case of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the configuration that the grounding electrode 409 is formed between the input electrode 410 and output electrode 411 can prevent any connection between the input electrode and output electrode, strengthening isolation.

[0254] Furthermore, Embodiment 2 of the present invention has described an example of a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴ as the dielectric layer 101 to dielectric layer 108, but using a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r5 to 10 will also produce similar effects.

[0255] The same applies to the case where a dielectric sheet whose main components are Bi₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ with a specific inductive capacity _r50 to 100 is used, producing similar effects irrespective of the composition of the dielectric sheet, specific inductive capacity and dielectric loss of the dielectric sheet.

[0256] Furthermore, Embodiment 2 of the present invention has described an example of a lowpass filter configuration, but this configuration will also produce similar effects on various filters such as a highpass filter and bandpass filter as in the case of Embodiment 1.

[0257] Furthermore, when the laminated electronic component according to the respective embodiments of the present invention is used as a filter for a high frequency radio device, using bottom surface mounting such as BGA allows high-density mounting on a substrate, which makes it possible to miniaturize a high frequency radio device. Moreover, a wide installation area on the mounting board increases folding resistance, leading to improved reliability in drop tests, etc.

[0258] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, it is also possible to mount a chip part such as a switch on the surface of the laminated electronic component according to the above-described embodiment.

[0259] That is, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing that a chip part 1601 is mounted on the surface of the laminated electronic component 1502 of Embodiment 1. External electrodes 1602 provided on the surface and sides of the laminated electronic component 1502 are the electrodes to electrically connect the chip part 1601 to a predetermined electrode pattern on the motherboard (not shown).

[0260] Since the laminated electronic component 1502 of Embodiment 1 has no electrode of the laminated electronic component itself on its sides, this has the effect of allowing electrodes necessary for connection of the chip part 1601 to be freely placed.

[0261] On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing that a chip part 1601 is mounted on the surface of the laminated electronic component 1504 of Embodiment 2. External electrodes 1701 provided on the surface of the laminated electronic component 1504 are the electrodes to electrically connect to an external terminal (not shown) provided on the back of the chip part 1601.

[0262] Furthermore, via holes 1702 that penetrate inside the laminated electronic component 1504 are the electrodes to electrically connect a predetermined electrode pattern on the motherboard (not shown) and the external electrode 1701.

[0263] Even when the own electrode exists on its side as in the case of the laminated electronic component 1504 of Embodiment 2, using via holes has the effect of allowing connection of the chip part 1601 to the motherboard.

[0264] Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration combining FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In this case, one terminal of the chip part 1601 is connected to a predetermined electrode pattern on the motherboard through the external electrode 1602 as shown in FIG. 6 and the other terminal of the chip part 1601 is connected to another electrode pattern on the motherboard through the via holes 1702 shown in FIG. 7.

[0265] Furthermore, it is of course possible to adopt a configuration that the other terminal of the chip part 1601 is electrically connected to the inner circuit of the above-described laminated electronic component through the above-described external electrode and the above-described via holes, etc.

[0266] The grounding electrode of the present invention corresponds to the grounding electrode 109 (FIG. 1) and the grounding electrode 409 (FIG. 4) in the above-described embodiments.

[0267] Furthermore, the first shield electrode of the present invention corresponds to the grounding electrode 112 (FIG. 1) and grounding electrode 417 (FIG. 4), while the second shield electrode of the present invention corresponds to the grounding electrodes 120 and 118 (FIG. 1) and grounding electrode 419 (FIG. 4). Furthermore, the end face electrode of the present invention corresponds to the external electrode 424 (FIG. 4).

[0268] In the case of the laminated electronic component shown in FIG. 1, etc., the electrode 109, etc. that corresponds to the grounding electrode of the present invention may be called exposed grounding electrode and the electrodes 112, 118 and 120, etc. that correspond to the first or second shield electrode of the present invention may be called inner grounding electrodes.

[0269] It may be difficult to clearly distinguish between the shield function and grounding function of these electrodes.

[0270] As shown above, the present invention makes it possible to form grounding electrodes with wider areas on the bottom surface or top surface of the laminated electronic component than the conventional ones and a wider grounding area on the mounting substrate increases electrical grounding strength.

[0271] This makes it possible to provide a laminated electronic component capable of preventing deterioration of high frequency characteristics and stabilizing characteristics of the inner circuit of the laminated electronic component.

[0272] Furthermore, forming an input electrode and output electrode of the circuit between which the grounding electrode formed on the bottom surface or top surface of the laminated electronic component is sandwiched makes it possible to prevent connection between the input electrode and output electrode and provide a laminated electronic component with an enhanced isolation characteristic.

[0273] (Embodiment B1)

[0274] FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a laminated filter according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention.

[0275] In FIG. 8, reference numeral 2101 denotes a dielectric layer; 2102, a shield electrode; 2103, a resonator electrode; 2104 and 2105, capacitor electrodes; 2106 and 2107, end face electrodes; 2108, a grounding electrode; 2109, via hole electrodes.

[0276] Then, the laminated structure of this laminated filter will be explained. However, suppose the upward and downward directions, and backward and forward directions in the figure are determined based on the arrows shown in the figure.

[0277] The laminated filter of this embodiment comprises a first shield electrode 2102a on the upper principal plane of a first dielectric layer 2101a and the grounding electrode 2108 on the lower principal plane of the first shield electrode 2102a.

[0278] Furthermore, a second dielectric layer 2101b is placed on the upper principal plane of the first shield electrode 2102a and two resonator electrodes 2103a and 2103b are placed on the upper principal plane of the dielectric layer 2101b.

[0279] Furthermore, a third dielectric layer 2101c is placed on the upper principal plane of the dielectric layer 2101b and three capacitor electrodes 2104a, 2104b and 2105 are placed on the upper principal plane of the dielectric layer 2101c.

[0280] Furthermore, a fourth dielectric layer 2101d is placed on the capacitor electrodes 2104a, 2104b and 2105, a second shield electrode 2102b is placed on the upper principal plane of the laminated layer 2101d and a fifth dielectric layer 2101e is placed on the second shield electrode 2102b. Here, the laminated first to fifth dielectric layers are collectively called dielectrics.

[0281] Furthermore, via holes that penetrate the upper and lower principal planes are made in the first dielectric layer 2101a and via hole electrodes 2109a, 2109b, 2109c and 2109d are placed at their respective via holes in such a way that the via hole electrode first shield electrode 2102a and the grounding electrode 2108 are electrically connected.

[0282] The laminated structure of the dielectric filter of this embodiment is formed in this way.

[0283] Furthermore, electrodes are also provided on the sides of the dielectrics and will be explained below. An end face electrode 2106a is provided on the front of the dielectric, an end face electrode 2106d is provided on the back of the dielectric, end face electrodes 2106b and 2106c are provided on the right side of the dielectric and end face electrodes 2106e and 2106f are provided on the left side of the dielectric.

[0284] On the left side of the dielectric, an end face electrode 2107a is further placed between the end face electrodes 2106f and 2106e and on the right side of the dielectric, an end face electrode 2107b is further placed between the end face electrodes 2106b and 2106c.

[0285] Next, a connection relationship between these end face electrodes and the electrodes formed on the respective dielectric layers will be explained.

[0286] The first shield electrode 2102a, a shorted edge 2103c on the back of the dielectric layer 2101b and the second shield electrode 2102b are connected by the end face electrode 2106d. Here, both the resonator electrodes 2103a and 2103b are connected by the shorted edge 2103c.

[0287] As described in FIG. 5B, the end face electrode 2106d is electrically connected using solder, etc. to the grounding pattern electrode on a motherboard (not shown) on which the laminated filter of this embodiment in FIG. 8 is to be mounted.

[0288] Furthermore, the capacitor electrode 2104a and the end face electrode 2107a are connected and the capacitor electrode 2104b and the end face electrode 2107b are connected. Furthermore, the first shield electrode 2102a and the second shield electrode 2102b are connected by the end face electrode 2106a.

[0289] As in the case of the above-described end face electrode 2106d, the end face electrode 2106a is electrically connected to the grounding pattern electrode of the motherboard.

[0290] Furthermore, the first shield electrode 2102a and the second shield electrode 2102b are connected by the endface electrodes 2106b, 2106c, 2106e and 2106f. Here, the end face electrode 2106a is connected to the 2106b and 2106f, while the end face electrode 2106d is connected to the 2106c and 2106e.

[0291] Furthermore, the grounding electrode 2108 is connected to the first shield electrode 2102a through the via hole electrodes 2109a, 2109b, 2109c and 2109d.

[0292] Here, FIG. 9 shows an equivalent circuit of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention. An operation of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B1 of the present invention will be explained with reference to the equivalent circuits in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

[0293] Since the resonator electrodes 2103a and 2103b are grounded through the end face electrode 2106d, they act as a one quarter-wavelength resonator. The capacitor electrode 2105 is placed facing part of the resonator electrode 2103a and part of the resonator electrode 2103b, forming capacitors 2205a and 2205b that act as inter-stage coupling capacitors.

[0294] Furthermore, these capacitors 2205a and 2205b are connected through a transmission line 2204 that corresponds to the part not facing the resonator electrodes 2103a and 2103b in the capacitor electrode 2105.

[0295] The capacitor electrode 2104a is placed facing part of the resonator electrode 2103a and the capacitor electrode 2104b is placed facing part of the resonator electrode 2103b, forming input/output coupling capacitors 2203a and 2203b.

[0296] Furthermore, these capacitors 2203a and 2203b are connected to the transmission lines 2202a and 2202b that correspond to the end face electrodes 2107a and 2107b.

[0297] Thus, the dielectric filter according to Embodiment B1 operates as a bandpass filter.

[0298] As shown above, this embodiment forms via holes in the dielectric layer at the bottom of the dielectric, connects the shield electrode and the grounding electrode through the via holes, can thereby provide grounding with the entire bottom surface of the dielectric and realize a bandpass filter with a sharp attenuation characteristic.

[0299] Furthermore, providing grounding with the grounding electrode of the entire bottom surface increases folding resistance and also increases resistance in drop tests compared to the conventional structure.

[0300] The grounding electrode 2108 has been described as a flat plate in the above explanations, but using a mesh-, band- or spider's web-like grounding electrode can reduce warpage due to the electrodes leaning to the underside while keeping the same attenuation characteristic.

[0301] Furthermore, the grounding electrode has been described to be provided on the bottom surface of the dielectric, but it can also be placed on the top surface and connected to the shield electrode through via holes in the same way as in the case of the bottom surface.

[0302] This embodiment has described a two-stage bandpass filter, but similar effects will also be obtained with a bandpass filter having three or more stages and in this case it is possible to use five or more dielectric layers.

[0303] The dielectric layers A, C and D of the present invention correspond to the dielectric layers 2101a, 2101d and 2101e of the above embodiment respectively. The dielectric layer B of the present invention corresponds to the dielectric layer 2101b and/or 2101c. The inner circuit of the present invention includes resonator electrodes 103 (103a to 103c), etc.

[0304] Furthermore, the first grounding electrode of the present invention corresponds to the grounding electrode 2108 and the second grounding electrode of the present invention corresponds to grounding electrodes 2106a to 2106f. Furthermore, the first terminal electrode of the present invention corresponds to end face electrode 2106d and the second terminal electrode of the present invention corresponds to end face electrodes 2107a and 2107b.

[0305] (Embodiment B2)

[0306] The laminated filter according to Embodiment B2 of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0307] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the laminated filter according to this embodiment of the present invention.

[0308] In FIG. 10, reference numeral 2301 denotes a dielectric layer; 2302, a shield electrode; 2303, resonator electrodes; 2304, a transmission line electrode; 2305 and 2306, end face electrodes; 2307, a grounding electrode; 2308, via hole electrodes.

[0309] Then, the laminated structure of this laminated filter will be explained. However, suppose the upward and downward directions, and backward and forward directions in the figure are determined in the same way as shown in FIG. 8.

[0310] The laminated filter of this embodiment comprises a first shield electrode 2302a on the upper principal plane of a first dielectric layer 2301a and the grounding electrode 2307 on the lower principal plane of the first dielectric layer 2301a.

[0311] Furthermore, a second dielectric layer 2301b is placed on the upper principal plane of the first shield electrode 2302a and two resonator electrodes 2303a and 2303b are placed on the upper principal plane of the dielectric layer 2301b.

[0312] Furthermore, a third dielectric layer 2301c is placed on the upper principal plane of the dielectric layer 2301b and a transmission line electrodes 2304a is placed on the upper principal plane of the dielectric layer 2301c. Furthermore, a fourth dielectric layer 2301d is placed on the transmission line electrode 2104a and a second shield electrode 2302b is placed on the upper principal plane of the laminated layer 2301d.

[0313] Then, a fifth dielectric layer 2301e is placed on the second shield electrode 2302b. Here, the first to fifth laminated dielectric layers are collectively called dielectrics.

[0314] Furthermore, via holes that penetrate the upper and lower principal planes are made in the first dielectric layer 2301a and via hole electrodes 2308a, 2308b, 2308c and 2308d are placed at their respective via holes in such a way that the first shield electrode 2302a and the grounding electrode 2308 are electrically connected.

[0315] The laminated structure of the dielectric filter of the this embodiment is formed in this way.

[0316] Furthermore, electrodes are also provided on each side of the dielectrics and will be explained below.

[0317] An end face electrode 2305a is provided on the front of the dielectric and an end face electrode 2305d is provided on the back of the dielectric. End face electrodes 2305b and 2305c are provided on the right side of the dielectric and end face electrodes 2305e and 2305f are provided on the left side of the dielectric.

[0318] On the left side of the dielectric, an end face electrode 2306a is further placed between the end face electrodes 2305f and 2305e and on the right side of the dielectric, an end face electrode 2306b is further placed between the end face electrodes 2305b and 2305c.

[0319] Next, a connection relationship between these end face electrodes and the electrodes formed on the respective dielectric layers will be explained.

[0320] The first shield electrode 2302a, a shorted edge on the back of the dielectric layer 2301b to which both the resonator electrodes 2303a and 2303b are connected and the second shield electrode 2302b are connected and grounded by the end face electrode 2305d.

[0321] Furthermore, one end of the transmission line electrode 2304 and the end face electrode 2306a are connected and the other end of the transmission line electrode 2304 and the end face electrode 2306b are connected. The first shield electrode 2302a and the second shield electrode 2302b are connected and grounded by the end face electrode 2305a.

[0322] Furthermore, the first shield electrode 2302a and the second shield electrode 2302b are connected by the end face electrodes 2305b, 2305c, 2305e and 2305f.

[0323] Here, the end face electrode 2305a is connected to 2305b and 2305f, and 2305d is connected to 2305c and 2305e.

[0324] Furthermore, the grounding electrode 2307 is connected to the first shield electrode 2302a through the via hole electrodes 2307a, 2307b, 2307c and 2307d.

[0325] Here, FIG. 11 shows an equivalent circuit of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B2 of the present invention. An operation of the laminated filter according to Embodiment B2 of the present invention will be explained with reference to the equivalent circuits in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

[0326] Since the resonator electrodes 2303a and 2303b are grounded through the end face electrode 2305d, they act as a one quarter-wavelength resonator. The transmission line electrode 2304 is placed facing part of the resonator electrode 2303a and part of the resonator electrode 2303b, forming capacitors 2401a and 2401b that act as notch capacitances.

[0327] Furthermore, these capacitors 2401a and 2401b are connected by transmission lines 2402a, 2402b and 2402c that correspond to the parts not facing the resonator electrodes 2303a and 2303b of the transmission line electrodes.

[0328] Thus, the dielectric filter according to Embodiment B2 operates as a band stop filter.

[0329] As shown above, this embodiment forms via holes in the dielectric layer at the bottom of the dielectric, connects the shield electrode and the grounding electrode through the via holes, and can thereby provide grounding with the entire bottom surface of the dielectric and realize a band stop filter with a sharp attenuation characteristic.

[0330] Furthermore, providing grounding with the grounding electrode of the entire bottom surface increases folding resistance and also increases resistance in drop tests compared to the conventional structure.

[0331] The grounding electrode 2307 has been described as a flat plate in the above explanations, but using a mesh-, band- or spider's web-like grounding electrode can reduce warpage due to the electrode leaning to the bottom surface while keeping the same attenuation characteristic.

[0332] Furthermore, the grounding electrode has been described to be provided on the bottom surface of the dielectric, but it can also be placed on the top surface and connected to the shield electrode through via holes in the same way as in the case of the bottom side.

[0333] This embodiment has described a two-stage band stop filter, but similar effects will also be obtained with a filter having three or more stages and it is possible to have five or more dielectric layers in this case.

[0334] Furthermore, using the laminated filter of each embodiment of the present invention as an antenna duplexer that switches between transmission and reception frequencies of a communication device such as a cellular phone allows the desired characteristic to be realized with a limited size, also contributing to miniaturization of the communication device. In that case, adopting a configuration with (BPF for RX, BEF for TX) will further improve the effect.

[0335] Furthermore, using the laminated filter of each embodiment of the present invention for of a communication device such as a cellular phone can realize a structure with excellent reliability such as folding resistance, also contributing to reliability of the communication device.

[0336] Furthermore, the laminated electronic component of the present invention has been described as a laminated filter, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be any electronic part other than a filter such as a balun and coupler.

[0337] As described above, the present invention forms via holes in the dielectric layers, connects the shield electrode and grounding electrode through the via holes, and can thereby have a desired attenuation characteristic and provide a filter with excellent reliability.

[0338] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has described as an example of the first terminal electrode of the present invention, the case where the end face electrode 2106d, etc. is electrically connected to the end face electrodes 2106c and 2106e that correspond to the second grounding electrode of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the first terminal electrode can also be provided on the side of each dielectric layer in such a way that it is surrounded by the second grounding electrode.

[0339] The above-described embodiment has described the case where the second terminal electrode of the present invention connected to the coupling electrode (e.g., capacitor electrodes 2104a and 2104b) is provided as the end face electrodes 2107a and 2107b on the side of the laminated electronic component (see FIG. 8) , but the present invention is not limited to this and the above-described second terminal electrode can also have the following configuration, for example.

[0340] That is, in this case, the above-described second terminal electrode is (1) formed on the other principal plane of the above-described dielectric layer A of the laminated electronic component of the present invention and/or on the above-described one principal plane of the above-described dielectric layer D in such a way that the second terminal electrode is not electrically connected to the above-described first grounding electrode, and (2) electrically connected to the above-described coupling electrode through a via hole different from the above-described via hole.

[0341] Here, the above-described laminated electronic component of the present invention comprises, for example, a dielectric layer A provided with a first shield electrode on one principal plane,

[0342] a dielectric layer C which is a dielectric layer indirectly placed above the above-described dielectric layer A and provided with a second shield electrode on one principal plane,

[0343] a dielectric layer D whose at least one principal plane is exposed outside,

[0344] a dielectric layer B placed between the above-described dielectric layer A and above-described dielectric layer C including an inner circuit, and

[0345] a first grounding electrode provided on the other principal plane of the above-described dielectric layer A or the one principal plane of the above-described dielectric layer D,

[0346] wherein a via hole is provided in at least one of the above-described dielectric layer A or the above-described dielectric layer D,

[0347] the above-described first shield electrode and the above-described second shield electrode are electrically connected,

[0348] the above-described first grounding electrode and the above-described first shield electrode are electrically connected through via holes provided on the above-described dielectric layer A or the above-described first grounding electrode and the above-described second shield electrode are electrically connected through via holes provided on the above-described dielectric layer

[0349] the above-described dielectric layer B further includes a coupling electrode provided facing part of the above-described resonator electrode as the above-described inner circuit, and

[0350] the above-described laminated electronic component comprises a second terminal electrode connected to the above-described coupling electrode.

[0351] More specifically, the laminated electronic component in such a configuration comprises second terminal electrodes 2111 and 2110 as shown in FIG. 22 which are (1) formed on the lower principal plane of the dielectric layer 2101a in such a way that they are not electrically connected to the first grounding electrode 2108, and (2) electrically connected to the capacitor electrodes 2104a and 2104b through via holes 2126 and 2124 which are different from the via holes 2109a to 2109d. The rest of the configuration is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 8.

[0352] The laminated electronic component in the configuration shown in FIG. 22 allows the areas of the end face electrodes 2111 and 2110 connected to the capacitor electrodes 2104a and 2104b of the inner circuit to become smaller than the areas of the end face electrodes 2107a and 2107b shown in FIG. 8.

[0353] This has the effect of suppressing parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component generated on these end face electrodes (external terminal electrodes).

[0354] Furthermore, the above-described laminated electronic component can provide the end face electrodes 2111 and 2110 on the lower principal plane of the dielectric layer 2101a, unify grounding electrodes on each side of the laminated electronic component, for example, unifying the second grounding electrodes (end face electrodes 2106b, c, e, f) such as the electrodes 2106b and 2106c, and the electrodes 2106e and 2106f, thus increasing the areas of the electrodes.

[0355] This makes it possible to further increase the areas of the grounding electrodes, thus having the effect of further increasing electrical grounding strength.

[0356] (Embodiment C1)

[0357] FIG. 14 shows a configuration of a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C1 of the present invention.

[0358] In FIG. 14, the laminated electronic component 3101 according to Embodiment C1 of the present invention is a laminated body 3102 consisting of a plurality of laminated dielectric sheets and an inner layer of the laminated body 3102 includes an inner circuit (not shown) having input/output terminals and an inner grounding electrode (not shown).

[0359] The dielectric sheet is made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴. On the sides of the laminated body 3102, an external terminal electrode 3103 electrically connected to the input/output terminal of the inner circuit and an external grounding electrode 3104 electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode are formed.

[0360] At this time, the external terminal electrode 3103 electrically connected to the input/output terminal of the inner circuit is formed so that its height is smaller than the height of the external grounding electrode 3104 connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0361] That is, the external grounding electrode 3104 is formed on the side of the laminated body 3102 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the laminated body 3102. On the other hand, the external terminal electrode 3103 is formed on the side of the laminated body 3102 extending from the middle part to the bottom surface.

[0362] The external terminal electrode 3103 and external grounding electrode 3104 are assumed to have approximately the same breadth. Thus, this laminated electronic component is formed in such a way that the area of the external terminal electrode 3103 becomes smaller than that of the conventional one depending on the difference in the heights of electrodes.

[0363] Here, it is not always necessary that the external terminal electrode 3103 and external grounding electrode 3104 have approximately the same breadth.

[0364] Having such a configuration, the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C1 of the present invention can suppress deterioration of characteristics due to parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component of the external terminal electrode electrically connected to the input/output terminal of the inner circuit.

[0365] By the way, the laminated electronic component of the present invention can also have a configuration shown in FIG. 15.

[0366] In FIG. 15, the laminated electronic component 3201 according to the present invention is a laminated body 3202 consisting of a plurality of laminated dielectric sheets and an inner layer of the laminated body includes an inner circuit (not shown) having input/output terminals and an inner grounding electrode (not shown)

[0367] On the sides of the laminated body 3202, an external electrode 3203 electrically connected to the input/output terminal of the inner circuit and an external electrode 3204 electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode are formed. The external electrode 3203 electrically connected to the input/output terminal of the inner circuit is formed in such a way that its height is smaller than the height of the external grounding electrode 3204 which is electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0368] Furthermore, the external grounding electrode 3204 is formed on the side of the laminated body 3202 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the laminated body 3202. On the other hand, the external terminal electrode 3203 is formed on the side of the laminated body 3202 extending from the middle part to the bottom surface.

[0369] Furthermore, the upper area of the external terminal electrode 3203 includes a lead-out side electrode 3205 led out from the top surface of the laminated body 3202 and the lead-out side electrode 3205 is connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0370] Furthermore, an external shield electrode 3206 is provided on the top surface of the laminated body 3202 to which the external grounding electrode 3204 and lead-out side electrode 3205 are connected.

[0371] Having such a configuration, the laminated electronic component according to the present invention can suppress deterioration of characteristics due to parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component of the external terminal electrode electrically connected to the input/output terminal and has the effect of improving the shielding effect.

[0372] By the way, the lead-out side electrode 3205 need not always be connected to both the inner grounding electrode of the laminated body 3202 and the external shield electrode 3206, and can also be connected to only one of the inner grounding electrode or the external shield electrode 3206 and electrically grounded.

[0373] The number of external terminal electrodes, external grounding electrodes and lead-out side electrodes and the locations of the sides on which those electrodes are placed in this embodiment are not limited to those in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, but can be arbitrarily adapted according to the layout and configuration of the inner circuit of the laminated body and inner grounding electrode and any external electrode can be formed extending at least from the bottom surface of the laminated body.

[0374] Furthermore, this embodiment has been described to have one inner grounding electrode, but even if there is a plurality of inner grounding electrodes, it is possible to provide via holes in the laminated body to connect the inner grounding electrodes or connect them to the external grounding electrodes and thereby make those electrodes have the same potential, and increasing the number of inner grounding electrodes also leads to strengthening of grounding and improvement of the shielding effect.

[0375] Furthermore, this embodiment adopts a configuration that the external grounding electrodes 3104 and 3204 to be connected to the inner grounding electrode are formed extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the laminated bodies 3102 and 3202, but the present invention is not limited to this and similar effects can be obtained if the heights of the external terminal electrodes 3103 and 3203 connected to the input/output terminals of the inner circuit are smaller than the heights of the external grounding electrodes 3104 and 3204 connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0376] However, it is desirable at this time that the external terminal electrode 3103 or 3203 and the external grounding electrode 3104 or 3204 have approximately the same breadth.

[0377] Furthermore, this embodiment has described, as an example, a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴. Similar effects can be obtained even if a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r5 to 10 is used.

[0378] Furthermore, similar effects can also be obtained even if a dielectric sheet whose main components are Bi₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ with a specific inductive capacity _r50 to 100 is used.

[0379] The second grounding electrode of the present invention corresponds to the external grounding electrode 3104, etc. of the above-described embodiment, while the external terminal electrode of the present invention corresponds to the external terminal electrode 3103, etc.

[0380] (Embodiment C2)

[0381] FIG. 16 shows a configuration of a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention.

[0382] In FIG. 16, the laminated electronic component 3301 according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention is a laminated body 3302 consisting of a plurality of laminated dielectric sheets and an inner layer of the laminated body includes an inner circuit (not shown) having input/output terminals and an inner grounding electrode (not shown).

[0383] The dielectric sheet is made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴.

[0384] On the sides of the laminated body 3302, an external input terminal electrode 3303a electrically connected to the input terminal of the inner circuit, an external output terminal electrode 3303b electrically connected to the output terminal of the inner circuit and an external grounding electrode 3304 electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode are formed.

[0385] At this time, the external input terminal electrode 3303a and the external output terminal electrode 3303b are formed in such a way that their heights are smaller than the height of the external grounding electrode 3304.

[0386] Furthermore, the external grounding electrode 3304 is formed on both sides of the external input terminal electrode 3303a and external output terminal electrode 3303b, extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the laminated body 3302.

[0387] The external input terminal electrode 3303a is formed on the side of the laminated body 3302 extending from the middle part to the-bottom surface. The upper area of the external input terminal electrode 3303a on the above-described side includes a lead-out side electrode 3305a led out from the top surface of the laminated body 3302 and the lead-out side electrode 3305a is connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0388] Furthermore, the external output terminal electrode 3303b is formed on the side of the laminated body 3302 extending from the middle part to the bottom surface. The upper area of the external output terminal electrode 3303b includes a lead-out side electrode 3305b led out from the top surface of the laminated body 3302 and the lead-out side electrode 3305b is connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0389] In the above-described configuration, the external terminal electrode 3303 and the external grounding electrode 3304 are assumed to have approximately the same breadth.

[0390] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the laminated electronic component 3301 shown in FIG. 16.

[0391] As shown in FIG. 17, the laminated electronic component 3301 consists of dielectric layer 3401 to dielectric layer 3408 placed one atop another in numbering order. The dielectric layer 3401 is provided with an inner grounding electrode 3409 and the dielectric layer 3402 is provided with a capacitor electrode 3410.

[0392] Furthermore, the dielectric layer 3403 is provided with a strip line 3411 and a strip line 3412 and are connected at a connection point 3413. The dielectric layers 3404, 3405, 3406 and 3407 are provided with a capacitor electrode 3414, an inner grounding electrode 3415, a capacitor electrode 3416 and an inner grounding electrode 3417 respectively.

[0393] Furthermore, the capacitor electrode 3410 is connected to a connection point 3418 of the strip line 3411 through a via hole 3501 and the capacitor electrode 3414 is connected to the connection point 3413 through a via hole 3502.

[0394] Furthermore, the capacitor electrode 3416 is connected to a connection point 3419 of the strip line 3412 through a via hole 3503.

[0395] Furthermore, the inner grounding electrodes 3415 and 3417 are connected to the inner grounding electrode 3409 through the external grounding electrode 3304 formed on the side of the laminated electronic component. Furthermore, with regard to the input terminal of the inner circuit, one end of the strip line 3411 is led out to the end face of the laminated electronic component and connected to the external input terminal electrode 3303a formed on the side of the laminated electronic component.

[0396] On the other hand, with regard to the output terminal of the inner circuit, one end of the strip line 3412 is led out to the end face of the laminated electronic component and connected to the external input terminal electrode 3303b formed on the side of the laminated electronic component.

[0397] Furthermore, the inner grounding electrode 3417 is connected to the lead-out side electrode 3305a and the lead-out side electrode 3305b. However, for simplicity in the above-described explanation, the positions of via holes in the figure are schematically expressed with dotted line on the exploded perspective view in principle.

[0398] FIG. 18 is an equivalent circuit of the laminated electronic component in FIG. 17 and the elements that correspond to those in FIG. 17 are assigned the same reference numerals. A capacitance C1 is formed between the capacitor electrode 3410 and inner grounding electrode 3409 and a capacitance C2 is formed between the capacitor electrode 3414 and grounding electrode 3415.

[0399] Furthermore, a capacitance C3 is formed between the capacitor electrode 3416 and grounding electrode 3417 and inductances L1 and L2 are formed of strip lines 3411 and 3412 respectively. L1 is connected in series with the external input terminal electrode 3303a and C1 is connected in parallel with the external input terminal electrode 3303a and L2 is connected in series with the external output terminal electrode 3303b and C3 is connected in parallel with the external output terminal electrode 3303b.

[0400] Furthermore, connecting L1 and L2 in series and C2 in parallel at the connection point 3413 constitutes a low bandpass type filter with 5 elements.

[0401] By adopting the above-described configuration, the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C2 of the present invention can suppress deterioration of characteristics due to parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component of the external input terminal electrode 3303a electrically connected to the input terminal of the inner circuit and the external output terminal electrode 3303b electrically connected to the output terminal of the inner circuit and at the same time improve the shielding effect of the external electrodes 3304 placed on both sides of the external input terminal electrode 3303a and the external output terminal electrode 3303b, thereby suppressing deterioration of characteristics due to spatial electric coupling.

[0402] In the laminated electronic component 3301 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, it is also possible to place the external shield electrode 3602 on the top surface of the laminated body 3302. In this case, the shielding effect of the laminated electronic component 3301 is improved.

[0403] By the way, as shown in FIG. 19, it is also possible to adopt a configuration so that the lead-out external electrodes 3305a and 3305b are connected to the external grounding electrodes 3304 which are electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode by means of connection electrodes 3601a and 3601b. In this case, the shielding effect is expected to improve further.

[0404] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, it is desirable that distances W₂ and W₃ between the external terminal electrode 3303a and the external grounding electrodes 3304 placed on both sides be equal to or greater than the electrode width W₁ of the external terminal electrode 3303a.

[0405] Furthermore, the same applies to the relationship between distances W₂ and W₃ between the external terminal electrode 3303b and the external grounding electrodes 3304 placed on both sides and the electrode width W₁ of the external terminal electrode 3303b.

[0406] The number of external terminal electrodes, external grounding electrodes and lead-out side electrodes and the locations of the sides on which those electrodes are placed are not limited to this, but can be adapted according to the inner circuit of the laminated body and inner grounding electrode and any external electrode can be formed extending at least from the bottom surface of the laminated body.

[0407] Furthermore, this embodiment has described the inner circuit as a low bandpass type filter, but can be a different circuit configuration and there can be a plurality of inner circuits instead of one.

[0408] Furthermore, this embodiment has described the inner grounding circuit as a single circuit, but even if there is a plurality of inner grounding electrodes, it is only necessary to keep them at the same potential by connecting them through via holes in the laminated body or connecting them using the external grounding electrodes, and increasing the number of inner grounding electrodes also leads to the increase of grounding strength and improvement of the shielding effect.

[0409] The lead-out side electrodes 3305a and 3305b need not always be connected to the inner grounding electrode of the laminated body 3302 if they are at least connected to the external shield electrode 3206 and electrically grounded.

[0410] This embodiment has described, as an example of the dielectric layer 3401 to dielectric layer 3408, a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴. Similar effects can also be obtained even if a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r5 to 10 is used. Furthermore, similar effects can also be obtained even if a dielectric sheet whose main components are Bi₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ with a specific inductive capacity _r50 to 100 is used.

[0411] An example of the first shield electrode according to claim 11 of the present invention corresponds to the inner grounding electrode 3409 of the above-described embodiment, while an example of the second shield electrode of the present invention corresponds to the inner grounding electrode 3417.

[0412] (Embodiment C3)

[0413] FIG. 20 shows a laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C3 of the present invention.

[0414] In FIG. 20, the laminated electronic component 3701 according to Embodiment C3 of the present invention is a laminated body 3702 consisting of a plurality of laminated dielectric sheets and an inner layer of the laminated body includes an inner circuit (not shown) having input/output terminals and an inner grounding electrode (not shown).

[0415] The dielectric sheet is made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴. On the sides of the laminated body 3702, an external-input terminal electrode 3703a electrically connected to the input terminal of the inner circuit, an external output terminal electrode 3703b electrically connected to the output terminal of the inner circuit and an external grounding electrode 3704 electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode are formed.

[0416] At this time, the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the external output terminal electrode 3703b are formed in such a way that their heights are smaller than the height of the external grounding electrode 3704.

[0417] Furthermore, the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the external output terminal electrode 3703b are placed on the same side of the laminated body 3702 and the external grounding electrode 3704 is placed for connection with the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the external output terminal electrode 3703b.

[0418] The external grounding electrode 3704 is formed extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the laminated body 3702. The external input terminal electrode 3703a is formed on the side of the laminated body 3702 extending from the middle part to the bottom surface.

[0419] The upper area of the external input terminal electrode 3703a includes a lead-out side electrode 3705a led out from the top surface of the laminated body 3702 and the lead-out side electrode 3705a is connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0420] Furthermore, the external output terminal electrode 3703b is formed on the side of the laminated body 3702 extending from the middle part to the bottom surface. The upper area of the external output terminal electrode 3703b includes a lead-out side electrode 3705b led out from the top surface of the laminated body 3702 and the lead-out side electrode 3705b is connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0421] In the above-described configuration, the external terminal electrode 3703, the external grounding electrode 3704 and the lead-out side electrode 3705 are assumed to have approximately the same breadth.

[0422] By adopting the above-described configuration, the laminated electronic component according to Embodiment C3 of the present invention can secure isolation between the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the external output terminal electrode 3703b even if the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the external output terminal electrode 3703b are placed on the same side of the laminated body 3702.

[0423] Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that the lead-out side electrodes 3705a and 3705b are connected to the external grounding electrodes 3704 which is electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode by means of connection electrode 3706. In this case, the shielding effect is expected to be improved further.

[0424] Furthermore, the external grounding electrode 3704 or the lead-out side electrodes 3705a and 3705b can also be connected to the external shield electrode 3707. In this case, not only securing of isolation but also an improvement of the shielding effect can be expected.

[0425] It is desirable that distances between the external input terminal electrode 3703a electrically connected to the input terminal of the inner circuit, the external output terminal electrode 3703b electrically connected to the output terminal of the inner circuit and the external grounding electrode 3704 electrically connected to the inner grounding electrode be equal to or greater than the electrode widths of the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the external output terminal electrode 3703b.

[0426] This embodiment adopts a configuration that the external input terminal electrode 3703a and the inner circuit are placed on the same side of the laminated body 3702, but the present invention is not limited to this and even if a plurality of external terminal electrodes of the inner circuit is placed on the same side, similar effects can be obtained if an external grounding electrode is placed between the external terminal electrodes.

[0427] The number of external terminal electrodes, external grounding electrodes and lead-out side electrodes and the locations of the sides on which those electrodes are placed are not limited to this, but can be adapted according to the inner circuit of the laminated body and inner grounding electrode and the present invention is applicable if some terminal or external electrode is formed at least extending from the bottom surface of the laminated body.

[0428] Furthermore, this embodiment has described the inner grounding electrode as a single electrode, but even if there is a plurality of inner grounding electrodes, it is only necessary to keep them at the same potential by connecting them through via holes in the laminated body or connecting them using the external grounding electrodes and increasing the number of inner grounding electrodes also leads to the increase of the grounding strength and improvement of the shielding effect.

[0429] The lead-out side electrodes 3705a and 3705b need not always be connected to the inner grounding electrode of the laminated body 3302 if they are at least connected to the external shield electrode 3707 and electrically grounded.

[0430] This embodiment has described, as an example of the dielectric layer 3101 to dielectric layer 3108, a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r7 and dielectric loss tan 2.010⁴. Similar effects can also be obtained even if a dielectric sheet made of a crystal phase and glass phase having a specific inductive capacity _r5 to 10 is used.

[0431] Furthermore, similar effects can also be obtained even if a dielectric sheet whose main components are Bi₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ with a specific inductive capacity _r50 to 100 is used. Furthermore, the number of dielectric layers is not limited to this, either.

[0432] Furthermore, the external grounding electrodes 3104, 3204, 3304 and 3704 connected to the inner grounding electrode explained in Embodiments C1 to C3 can also be an external electrode 3803a buried in the laminated body 3802 in the laminated electronic component 3801 as shown in FIG. 21A, constructed by perforating a hole in the laminated body 3802 using a drill, etc. and applying an conductive material or plating, etc. after the laminated body 3802 is formed.

[0433] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21B, the external grounding electrodes 3104, 3204, 3304 and 3704 can also be an external electrode 3803b buried in the laminated body 3802 in the laminated electronic component 3801, constructed by forming an electrode pattern by printing, etc. on the dielectric sheets that make up the laminated body 3802.

[0434] Furthermore, the external grounding electrodes 3104, 3204, 3304 and 3704 connected to the inner grounding electrode explained in Embodiments C1 to C3 can also be an external electrode 3803c as shown in FIG. 21C constructed outside the laminated body 3802 in the laminated electronic component 3801 by applying a conductive material such as silver paste after the laminated body 3802 is formed.

[0435] By the way, the external electrode 3803c has a form wrapping around the top surface of the laminated body 3802, but this can also be applied only to the side of the laminated body 3802.

[0436] The external terminal electrodes 3103, 3203, 3303a, 3303b, 3703a and 3703b connected to the input/output terminals of the inner circuit are formed in the same way as for the external electrodes 3803a, 3803b and 3803c in FIG. 21A to FIG. 21C. However, they are different in a configuration that the heights of the external terminal electrodes 3103, 3203, 3303a, 3303b, 3703a and 3703b are smaller than the heights of the external grounding electrodes 3104, 3204, 3304 and 3704.

[0437] Furthermore, the lead-out side electrodes 3205, 3305a, 3305b, 3705a and 3705b, and the connection electrodes 3601a, 3601b and 3706 are formed in the same way as for the external electrodes 3803a, 3803b and 3803c in FIG. 21A to FIG. 21C.

[0438] However, they are different in a configuration that the heights of the lead-out side electrodes 3205, 3305a, 3305b, 3705a and 3705b, and the connection electrodes 3601a, 3601b and 3706 are smaller than the heights of the external grounding electrodes 3104, 3204, 3304 and 3704.

[0439] Furthermore, the laminated electronic components explained in Embodiments C1 to C3 can also have a configuration that electronic part chips such as semiconductors, surface acoustic wave filters are integrated into a laminated body.

[0440] When used for a communication device, the laminated electronic components explained in Embodiments C1 to C3 can reduce the areas of terminals and reduce coupling with the patterns on the substrates or improved isolation between input and output has the effect of preventing inputs of unnecessary signals and improving performance.

[0441] It is an object of the laminated electronic component in the above-described configuration of the present invention to provide a laminated electronic component capable of suppressing deterioration of characteristics due to parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component by lowering the heights of the external terminal electrodes connected to the input/output terminal of at least one inner circuit compared the height of the external grounding electrode connected to the inner grounding electrode.

[0442] Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a laminated electronic component capable of reducing spatial coupling between the external terminal electrodes by placing external grounding electrodes connected to at least one inner grounding electrode between a plurality of external terminal electrodes connected to the input/output terminals of at least one inner circuit.

[0443] As described above, the laminated electronic component of the present invention is a laminated electronic component comprising a laminated body integrating a plurality of dielectric sheets placed one atop another, at least one inner circuit provided with input/output terminals and at least one inner grounding electrode in the inner layer of the above-described laminated body, wherein the input/output terminal of the above described inner circuit is electrically connected to the external terminal electrode formed on the side of the above-described laminated body, the above-described inner grounding electrode is electrically connected to the external grounding electrode formed on the side of the above-described laminated body, the above-described external terminal electrodes are lower than the above-described external grounding electrodes, thus suppressing deterioration of characteristics due to parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component.

[0444] The above-described Embodiments B1 and B2 have described the case where the end face electrodes 107a and 107b, etc., have the same height as that of the grounding electrodes 106b and 106e, etc., but it is also possible to combine above-described embodiments with any one of Embodiments C1 to C3 to have a configuration with both electrodes having different heights as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

[0445] Here, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view to illustrate an example of applying the configuration of above-described Embodiment C1 to the configuration of above-described Embodiment B1.

[0446] The configuration in FIG. 12 is the same as the configuration in FIG. 8 except that the end face electrodes 2117a and 2117b have different heights. The upper edges of the end face electrodes 2117a and 2117b are connected to the capacitor electrodes 2104a and 2104b respectively.

[0447] In addition to an improvement of grounding strength, this configuration can suppress the generation of parasitic components such as a conductance component or inductance component in the end face electrodes 2117a and 2117b, and therefore has the effect of providing a laminated electronic component with excellent high frequency characteristics.

[0448] On the otherhand, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view to illustrate an example of applying the configuration of above-described Embodiment C2 to the configuration of above-described Embodiment B1.

[0449] The configuration in FIG. 13 is the same as the configuration in FIG. 12 except that the additional end face electrodes 2117c and 2117d are formed and that the second shield electrode 2102b has a different shape. The lower edges of the end face electrodes 2117c and 2117d are connected to one connection electrode 2112c and the other connection electrode 2112d of the second shield electrode 2102b respectively.

[0450] Such a configuration produces similar effects to those explained in FIG. 13.

[0451] The above-described embodiment of the laminated electronic component of the present invention has described the case where the laminated electronic component is constructed as a laminated filter having five dielectric layers, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also have the following configuration, for example.

[0452] That is, the laminated electronic component in this case can be at least a laminated electronic component comprising:

[0453] a dielectric layer A provided with a first shield electrode on one principal plane,

[0454] a dielectric layer B which is directly or indirectly placed on the above-described dielectric layer A and provided with a second shield electrode on the other principal plane,

[0455] a dielectric layer D whose at least one principal plane is exposed outside,

[0456] a dielectric layer B including an inner circuit, placed between the above-described dielectric layer B and the above-described dielectric layer D, and

[0457] a first grounding electrode provided on the other principal plane of the above-described dielectric layer A or the above-described one main plain of the above-described dielectric layer D,

[0458] wherein at least one of the above-described dielectric layer A and the above-described dielectric layer D is provided with via holes,

[0459] the above-described first shield electrode and the above-described second shield electrode are electrically connected,

[0460] the above-described first grounding electrode and the above-described first shield electrode are electrically connected through via holes provided on the above-described dielectric layer A or the above-described first grounding electrode and the above-described second shield electrode are electrically connected through via holes provided on the above-described dielectric layer D.

[0461] Therefore, the laminated electronic component of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments in the number of dielectric layers, type of electronic parts, locations of the dielectric layers on which via holes are placed and other configurations.

[0462] The above-described embodiment of the laminated electronic component of the present invention has described the case where the first and second shield electrodes are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this and the second shield electrode can be excluded, for example.

[0463] The configuration in this case is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 8 except that the fourth dielectric layer 2101d does not exist in the configuration of the laminated electronic component explained in above-described Embodiment B1.

[0464] Thus, the laminated electronic component in this case comprises a dielectric layer A with a first shield electrode provided on one principal plane, a dielectric layer D with at least one principal plane exposed outside, a dielectric layer B which is placed between the above-described dielectric layer A and the above-described dielectric layer D and includes an inner circuit and a first grounding electrode provided on the other principal plane of the above-described dielectric layer A, wherein the above-described dielectric layer A is provided with via holes, and the above-described first grounding electrode and the above-described first shield electrode are electrically connected through the via holes provided on the above-described dielectric layer A.

[0465] As described in the above-described Embodiment B1, this configuration can secure a sufficient area of the grounding electrode and has the effect of increasing the grounding strength with respect to the motherboard.

[0466] Since the first shield electrode is provided between the inner circuit of the laminated electronic component and the motherboard, it goes without saying that it is possible to secure the shielding function between the above-described inner circuit and the circuit on the motherboard side in the same way as the conventional configuration.

[0467] As apparent from the above-described explanations, the laminated electronic component of the present invention has advantages such as suppressing deterioration of characteristics due to parasitic components and improving isolation between shield and external electrodes.

[0468] Furthermore, when used as a laminated filter, etc. handling an input signal of 1 GHz or higher, the laminated electronic components of the above-described embodiments have the effect of further suppressing deterioration of high frequency characteristics of a filter circuit, etc., that is, characteristics of selecting frequencies in a high frequency area.

[0469] As apparent from the above-described explanations, the present invention has advantages such as sufficiently securing the grounding electrode and increasing grounding strength.

[0470] The present invention also has an advantage of having excellent selectivity of frequencies in a high frequency area.

[0471] As described above, when applied to a laminated filter, etc. handling an input signal of 1 GHz or higher, the configuration of the present invention can suppress deterioration of high frequency characteristics of a filter circuit, etc., that is, characteristics of selecting frequencies in a high frequency area.