WO2024079968A1 - Capacitor - Google Patents

Abstract

A capacitor 1A comprises: a capacitor element 10 having an element body 11 and an external electrode 12a (12b) provided on an end surface of the element body 11; a drawing-out terminal 20A (21A) electrically connected to the external electrode 12a (12b); an outer case 30 having accommodated therein the capacitor element 10 such that the drawing-out terminal 20A (21A) is projecting outward; and a filling resin 40 that fills inside the outer case 30 so as to embed the capacitor element 10. The drawing-out terminal 20A (21A) has a first drawing-out terminal 20Aa (21Aa) and a second drawing-out terminal 20Ab (21Ab) that is electrically connected to the external electrode 12a (12b) via the first drawing-out terminal 20Aa (21Aa). The first drawing-out terminal 20Aa (21Aa) and the second drawing-out terminal 20Ab (21Ab) are locked so as to be in surface contact with each other.

Description

Capacitor

The present invention relates to a capacitor.

Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitor in which a capacitor element (10) having electrodes (10a) on its end faces is connected by a bus bar (20) and housed in a case (50), which is filled with resin (60) and has external connection terminals (32) (42) drawn out in a direction approximately perpendicular to the case opening (53), and further includes a terminal block (70), one side of which is embedded in the resin (60) without contacting the case (50), and a screw portion (73a) provided on the other side faces the mounting holes (32b) (42b) of the external connection terminals (32) (42).

JP 2013-219110 A

In the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the CP wire connected to the electrode portion of the capacitor element and the bus bar are connected by soldering. However, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, even if you try to connect the CP wire and the bus bar by soldering, the heat generated during the soldering connection tends to escape to the outside through the bus bar, so the temperature of the solder is likely to drop. Therefore, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to connect the CP wire and the bus bar by soldering.

In response to this, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to weld the CP wire and the bus bar together rather than soldering them together. However, even if one attempts to weld the CP wire and the bus bar together in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the structure described in Figure 1 of Patent Document 1, variations in the size of the capacitor elements, and other factors make it impossible to achieve sufficient surface contact between the CP wire and the bus bar. Therefore, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to weld the CP wire and the bus bar together.

As described above, in conventional capacitors, when a structure is used in which multiple lead-out terminals (CP wires and bus bars in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1) are connected to lead out the electrodes of the capacitor element, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the connectivity between the lead-out terminals (between the CP wires and bus bars in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1) without using a joining material such as solder.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a capacitor that can improve the connectivity between the lead-out terminals without using joining materials such as solder.

The capacitor of the present invention comprises a capacitor element having a body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the body, a pull-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode, an exterior case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the pull-out terminal protrudes outward, and a filling resin filled inside the exterior case so as to embed the capacitor element, the pull-out terminal having a first pull-out terminal and a second pull-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first pull-out terminal, and the first pull-out terminal and the second pull-out terminal are engaged so as to make surface contact.

The present invention provides a capacitor that can improve the connectivity between lead terminals without using joining materials such as solder.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor shown in FIG. 1 (excluding the filled resin) in an exploded state. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor element shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the capacitor element shown in FIG. 3 taken along line a1-a2. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal shown in FIG. 2 are locked. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state after the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal shown in FIG. 5 have been locked. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor shown in FIG. 7 (excluding the filled resin) in an exploded state. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal shown in FIG. 8 are locked. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal shown in FIG. 9 are being locked. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a state after the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal shown in FIG. 10 have been locked.

The capacitor of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration below, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, a combination of multiple individual preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. From embodiment 2 onwards, descriptions of matters common to embodiment 1 will be omitted, and differences will be mainly explained. In particular, similar effects resulting from similar configurations will not be mentioned one by one for each embodiment.

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each embodiment will simply be referred to as the "capacitor of the present invention."

Below, a film capacitor is shown as an example of a capacitor of the present invention. The capacitor of the present invention can also be applied to capacitors other than film capacitors.

The drawings shown below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions, aspect ratio, and other scales may differ from those of the actual product.

In this specification, terms indicating the relationship between elements (e.g., "parallel," "orthogonal," etc.) and terms indicating the shapes of elements do not only mean the literal, strict form, but also mean a range that is substantially equivalent, for example, a range that includes a difference of about a few percent.

The capacitor of the present invention comprises a capacitor element having a body and an external electrode provided on an end face of the body, a pull-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode, an exterior case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the pull-out terminal protrudes outward, and a filling resin filled inside the exterior case so as to embed the capacitor element, the pull-out terminal having a first pull-out terminal and a second pull-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first pull-out terminal, and the first pull-out terminal and the second pull-out terminal are engaged so as to make surface contact.

[Embodiment 1]
In the capacitor of embodiment 1 of the present invention, one of the first and second pull-out terminals has a first claw-shaped portion and a second claw-shaped portion located at a different height than the first claw-shaped portion in the first direction, and the other of the first and second pull-out terminals is sandwiched between the first and second claw-shaped portion in the first direction.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor shown in FIG. 1 (excluding the filled resin) in a disassembled state.

The capacitor 1A shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a capacitor element 10 (see Figure 3 described later), a pull-out terminal 20A, a pull-out terminal 21A, an exterior case 30, and a filling resin 40.

In FIG. 1 etc., the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are perpendicular to each other.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor element shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross-section along line a1-a2 of the capacitor element shown in FIG. 3.

The capacitor element 10 shown in Figures 3 and 4 has a body 11, a first external electrode 12a, and a second external electrode 12b.

The element body 11 is a wound body in which the first metallized film 13a and the second metallized film 13b are wound in a stacked state in the first direction D1. In other words, the capacitor 1A, or more specifically, the capacitor element 10, is a wound-type film capacitor in which the metallized films are stacked and wound.

In addition, capacitor 1A, or more specifically, capacitor element 10, may be a laminated film capacitor in which metallized films are laminated.

In terms of reducing the height of capacitor element 10, it is preferable that element body 11 has a flat cross-sectional shape when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the winding axis direction of element body 11 (third direction D3 in FIG. 3). More specifically, it is preferable that element body 11 has a cross-sectional shape pressed into a flat shape such as an ellipse or oval, and that the cross-sectional shape of element body 11 is thinner than when it is a perfect circle.

Whether the base body has been pressed to have a flat cross-sectional shape can be confirmed, for example, by checking whether or not there are press marks on the base body.

The capacitor element 10 may have a cylindrical winding axis. The winding axis is disposed on the central axis of the first metallized film 13a and the second metallized film 13b in the wound state, and serves as the winding axis when winding the first metallized film 13a and the second metallized film 13b.

The first metallized film 13a has a first dielectric film 14a and a first metal layer 15a.

The first dielectric film 14a has a first principal surface 14aa and a second principal surface 14ab that face each other in the first direction D1.

The first metal layer 15a is provided on the first main surface 14aa of the first dielectric film 14a. More specifically, the first metal layer 15a is provided on the first main surface 14aa of the first dielectric film 14a so as to reach one side edge of the first dielectric film 14a in the third direction D3, but not to reach the other side edge of the first dielectric film 14a.

The second metallized film 13b has a second dielectric film 14b and a second metal layer 15b.

The second dielectric film 14b has a first main surface 14ba and a second main surface 14bb that face each other in the first direction D1.

The second metal layer 15b is provided on the first main surface 14ba of the second dielectric film 14b. More specifically, the second metal layer 15b is provided on the first main surface 14ba of the second dielectric film 14b so as not to reach one side edge of the second dielectric film 14b in the third direction D3, but to reach the other side edge of the second dielectric film 14b.

In the element body 11, the adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b are shifted in the third direction D3 so that the end of the first metal layer 15a that reaches the side edge of the first dielectric film 14a is exposed on one end surface of the element body 11, and the end of the second metal layer 15b that reaches the side edge of the second dielectric film 14b is exposed on the other end surface of the element body 11. In other words, in the adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b, the first metallized film 13a protrudes toward the first external electrode 12a relative to the second metallized film 13b. In addition, in the adjacent first metallized films 13a and second metallized films 13b, the second metallized film 13b protrudes toward the second external electrode 12b relative to the first metallized film 13a. In this state, the first metal layer 15a is connected to the first external electrode 12a and is not connected to the second external electrode 12b. Additionally, the second metal layer 15b is connected to the second external electrode 12b and is not connected to the first external electrode 12a.

In the element body 11, the adjacent first metallized film 13a and second metallized film 13b are shifted in the third direction D3 as described above, so that in the adjacent first dielectric film 14a and second dielectric film 14b, the first dielectric film 14a having the first metal layer 15a on the first main surface 14aa protrudes toward the first external electrode 12a relative to the second dielectric film 14b having the first metal layer 15a not provided on its main surface. In addition, in the adjacent first dielectric film 14a and second dielectric film 14b, the second dielectric film 14b having the second metal layer 15b on the first main surface 14ba protrudes toward the second external electrode 12b relative to the first dielectric film 14a having the second metal layer 15b not provided on its main surface.

The element body 11 is formed by winding the first metallized film 13a and the second metallized film 13b in a stacked state in the first direction D1, and therefore can be said to include the first dielectric film 14a, the first metal layer 15a, the second dielectric film 14b, and the second metal layer 15b in the first direction D1. It can also be said that the element body 11 is a wound body formed by winding the first dielectric film 14a, the first metal layer 15a, the second dielectric film 14b, and the second metal layer 15b in the first direction D1.

In the element body 11, the first main surface 14aa of the first dielectric film 14a and the second main surface 14bb of the second dielectric film 14b face each other in the first direction D1, and the second main surface 14ab of the first dielectric film 14a and the first main surface 14ba of the second dielectric film 14b face each other in the first direction D1. Thus, in the element body 11, the first metallized film 13a and the second metallized film 13b are wound in a state in which they are stacked in the first direction D1. In other words, in the element body 11, the first metallized film 13a and the second metallized film 13b are wound in a state in which they are stacked in the first direction D1, so that the second metallized film 13b is on the inside of the first metallized film 13a, and more specifically, the first metal layer 15a is on the inside of the first dielectric film 14a, and the second metal layer 15b is on the inside of the second dielectric film 14b. That is, in the element body 11, the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b face each other with the first dielectric film 14a or the second dielectric film 14b sandwiched between them.

The first metal layer 15a may be provided with a fuse portion. The fuse portion provided in the first metal layer 15a is, for example, a portion of the first metal layer 15a that connects a divided electrode portion in which the portion facing the second metal layer 15b is divided into multiple portions, and an electrode portion that does not face the second metal layer 15b. Examples of electrode patterns of the first metal layer 15a provided with a fuse portion include the electrode patterns disclosed in JP 2004-363431 A and JP 5-251266 A.

The second metal layer 15b may also be provided with a fuse portion, similar to the first metal layer 15a.

The first dielectric film 14a may contain a curable resin as a main component.

In this specification, the main component means the component with the highest weight percentage, preferably the component with a weight percentage greater than 50% by weight.

The curable resin may be a thermosetting resin or a photocurable resin.

In this specification, thermosetting resin means a resin that can be cured by heat, but the curing method is not limited. Therefore, thermosetting resin also includes resins that can be cured by methods other than heat (for example, light, electron beam, etc.) so long as they are heat-curable. Also, depending on the material, a reaction may be initiated due to the reactivity of the material itself, and resins that proceed to cure without necessarily being subjected to heat from the outside are also considered to be thermosetting resins. The same applies to photocurable resins, and so long as they are light-curable, they also include resins that can be cured by methods other than light (for example, heat, etc.).

The curable resin is preferably made of a cured product of a first organic material having a hydroxyl group (OH group) and a second organic material having an isocyanate group (NCO group). In this case, the curable resin is made of a cured product having a urethane bond obtained by reacting the hydroxyl group of the first organic material with the isocyanate group of the second organic material.

The presence of urethane bonds in the dielectric film can be confirmed by analysis using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR).

When the curable resin is obtained by the above-mentioned reaction, uncured portions of the starting material may remain in the first dielectric film 14a. For example, the first dielectric film 14a may contain at least one of a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group. In this case, the first dielectric film 14a may contain either a hydroxyl group or an isocyanate group, or may contain both a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group.

The presence of hydroxyl groups and/or isocyanate groups in the dielectric film can be confirmed by FT-IR analysis.

Examples of the first organic material include phenoxy resin, polyvinyl acetoacetal resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, etc.

Multiple types of organic materials may be used in combination as the first organic material.

Examples of the second organic material include aromatic polyisocyanates such as diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), and aliphatic polyisocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). As the second organic material, at least one modified product of these polyisocyanates may be used, or a mixture of at least one of these polyisocyanates and its modified product may be used.

As the second organic material, multiple types of organic materials may be used in combination.

The first dielectric film 14a may contain a thermoplastic resin as a main component.

Examples of thermoplastic resins include polypropylene, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, polyarylate, etc.

The first dielectric film 14a may contain additives to impart various functions.

Additives include, for example, leveling agents to impart smoothness.

The additive preferably has a functional group that reacts with a hydroxyl group and/or an isocyanate group and forms part of the crosslinked structure of the cured product. Examples of such additives include resins having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, a silanol group, and a carboxyl group.

The second dielectric film 14b, like the first dielectric film 14a, may contain a thermosetting resin as a main component, a photocurable resin as a main component, or a thermoplastic resin as a main component. The second dielectric film 14b may also contain an additive, like the first dielectric film 14a.

The compositions of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b may be different from each other, but are preferably the same.

The thickness of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b is preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

The thicknesses of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b may be different from each other, but it is preferable that they are the same.

The thickness of the dielectric film is measured using an optical thickness gauge.

The first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b are each preferably produced by forming a resin solution containing the resin material as described above into a film and then curing it by heat treatment.

Examples of materials that can be used to form the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b include metals such as aluminum, zinc, titanium, magnesium, tin, and nickel.

The compositions of the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b may be different from each other, but are preferably the same.

The thickness of the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b is preferably 5 nm or more and 40 nm or less.

The thicknesses of the first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b may be different from each other, but are preferably the same.

The thickness of the metal layer is measured by observing a cross section of the metallized film along the first direction using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

The first metal layer 15a and the second metal layer 15b are preferably formed by depositing a metal such as that described above onto the main surfaces of the first dielectric film 14a and the second dielectric film 14b, respectively.

The first external electrode 12a is provided on one end surface of the element body 11. More specifically, the first external electrode 12a is connected to the first metal layer 15a by contacting the end of the first metal layer 15a exposed on one end surface of the element body 11. On the other hand, the first external electrode 12a is not connected to the second metal layer 15b.

The second external electrode 12b is provided on the other end surface of the element body 11. More specifically, the second external electrode 12b is connected to the second metal layer 15b by contacting the end of the second metal layer 15b exposed on the other end surface of the element body 11. On the other hand, the second external electrode 12b is not connected to the first metal layer 15a.

The constituent materials of the first external electrode 12a and the second external electrode 12b include metals such as zinc, aluminum, tin, and zinc-aluminum alloys.

The compositions of the first external electrode 12a and the second external electrode 12b may be different from each other, but are preferably the same.

The first external electrode 12a and the second external electrode 12b are preferably formed by spraying a metal such as that described above onto one end face and the other end face of the body 11, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the draw-out terminal 20A is electrically connected to the first external electrode 12a. For example, the draw-out terminal 20A is electrically connected to the first external electrode 12a via a joining member such as solder.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pull-out terminal 20A has a first pull-out terminal 20Aa and a second pull-out terminal 20Ab.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa may be electrically located closest to the first external electrode 12a in the pull-out terminal 20A. In other words, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa may be located closest to the first external electrode 12a in the electrical path extending from the first external electrode 12a to the pull-out terminal 20A.

The first pull-out terminal 20Aa does not have to be located electrically closest to the first external electrode 12a in the pull-out terminal 20A. In other words, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa does not have to be located closest to the first external electrode 12a in the electrical path between the first external electrode 12a and the pull-out terminal 20A. In other words, the pull-out terminal 20A may have another pull-out terminal that is electrically closer to the first external electrode 12a than the first pull-out terminal 20Aa.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab is electrically connected to the first external electrode 12a via the first pull-out terminal 20Aa. In other words, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab is provided at a position electrically farther away from the first external electrode 12a than the first pull-out terminal 20Aa.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may be located on the side of the pull-out terminal 20A that is electrically opposite the first external electrode 12a. In other words, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may be located on the side of the electrical path between the first external electrode 12a and the pull-out terminal 20A that is closest to the first external electrode 12a.

The second pull-out terminal 20Ab does not have to be located on the most electrically opposite side of the pull-out terminal 20A from the first external electrode 12a. In other words, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab does not have to be located on the most opposite side of the first external electrode 12a in the electrical path between the first external electrode 12a and the pull-out terminal 20A. In other words, the pull-out terminal 20A may have another pull-out terminal that is provided at a position electrically farther away from the first external electrode 12a than the second pull-out terminal 20Ab.

The first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are engaged so as to make surface contact.

The locking manner of the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the state before the first and second pull-out terminals shown in FIG. 2 are locked. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the state after the first and second pull-out terminals shown in FIG. 5 are locked. Note that in FIGS. 5 and 6, other components such as the capacitor element are omitted to make it easier to focus on the locking state of the first and second pull-out terminals.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa has a first claw portion 25a and a second claw portion 25b.

The second claw portion 25b is located at a different height than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second claw portion 25b may be located lower than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1, i.e., closer to the capacitor element 10 (see FIG. 2) than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1.

The second claw portion 25b may be located higher than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1, i.e., farther from the capacitor element 10 (see FIG. 2) than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1.

In this specification, two claw-shaped portions located at different heights in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5) means that at least the tips of the two claw-shaped portions are located at different heights in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the first claw portion 25a and the second claw portion 25b do not have to overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

The first claw portion 25a and the second claw portion 25b may overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa may further include a third claw portion 25c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the third claw portion 25c may be located at the same height as the second claw portion 25b in the first direction D1. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, the third claw portion 25c may be located at a different height than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1, similar to the second claw portion 25b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the third claw portion 25c, like the second claw portion 25b, may be located lower than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1, i.e., closer to the capacitor element 10 (see FIG. 2) than the first claw portion 25a in the first direction D1.

If the first claw portion 25a and the second claw portion 25b are located at different heights in the first direction D1, the third claw portion 25c may be located at the same height as the first claw portion 25a or the same height as the second claw portion 25b in the first direction D1.

In this specification, two claw-shaped portions are located at the same height in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5) means that at least the tips of the two claw-shaped portions are located at the same height in the same direction (first direction D1 in Figure 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the first claw portion 25a and the third claw portion 25c do not have to overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

The first claw portion 25a and the third claw portion 25c may overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first claw portion 25a may be located between the second claw portion 25b and the third claw portion 25c in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 when viewed from the first direction D1.

In addition, the first claw portion 25a does not have to be located between the second claw portion 25b and the third claw portion 25c in the second direction D2 when viewed from the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched between the first claw portion 25a and the second claw portion 25b in the first direction D1. More specifically, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched by the elastic force of the first claw portion 25a and the second claw portion 25b in the first direction D1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, if the first pull-out terminal 20Aa further has a third claw portion 25c, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched between the first claw portion 25a and the third claw portion 25c in the first direction D1. More specifically, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab is sandwiched by the elastic force of the first claw portion 25a and the third claw portion 25c in the first direction D1.

5 and 6, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa has the first claw portion 25a, the second claw portion 25b, and the third claw portion 25c, but instead of the first pull-out terminal 20Aa, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may have the first claw portion 25a, the second claw portion 25b, and the third claw portion 25c. In this case, instead of the second pull-out terminal 20Ab, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa may be sandwiched between the first claw portion 25a and the second claw portion 25b and also between the first claw portion 25a and the third claw portion 25c in the first direction D1.

In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa has three claw-shaped portions, the first claw-shaped portion 25a, the second claw-shaped portion 25b, and the third claw-shaped portion 25c, but the number of claw-shaped portions is not particularly limited as long as it has at least two, the first claw-shaped portion 25a and the second claw-shaped portion 25b. The same applies when the second pull-out terminal 20Ab has claw-shaped portions.

As described above, in the capacitor 1A, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are sandwiched between the multiple claw-shaped portions of one of the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab. As a result, in the capacitor 1A, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are engaged so as to be in surface contact.

In the capacitor 1A, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are engaged, so that the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining material such as solder. Therefore, in the capacitor 1A, the connectivity between the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab can be improved without using a joining material such as solder.

Furthermore, when the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab are mechanically connected, the connection points of the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab can be held firmly without using a joining material such as solder, improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1A, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 connected to the pull-out terminal 20A in the exterior case 30.

Furthermore, when welding the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab to further strengthen the connection points of the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab, the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab are in surface contact when connected as described above, so it is easy to weld the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second pull-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab are welded at points where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may be provided with a notch 26.

If the second pull-out terminal 20Ab has a notch 26, it is preferable that the first claw-shaped portion 25a is fitted into the notch 26. In this case, the first claw-shaped portion 25a is prevented from shifting in the second direction D2 by the notch 26, so that the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are sufficiently firmly locked.

In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab has a notch 26, but if the second pull-out terminal 20Ab has a first claw-shaped portion 25a instead of the first pull-out terminal 20Aa, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa may have a notch 26 instead of the second pull-out terminal 20Ab, and the first claw-shaped portion 25a of the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may be fitted into the notch 26 provided in the first pull-out terminal 20Aa.

Although not shown in Figures 5 and 6, the timing at which the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the first external electrode 12a are connected as shown in Figure 2 may be before the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are locked, or may be after the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are locked.

As shown in FIG. 2, the draw-out terminal 21A is electrically connected to the second external electrode 12b. For example, the draw-out terminal 21A is electrically connected to the second external electrode 12b via a joining member such as solder.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pull-out terminal 21A has a first pull-out terminal 21Aa and a second pull-out terminal 21Ab.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first pull-out terminal 21Aa may be electrically located closest to the second external electrode 12b in the pull-out terminal 21A. In other words, the first pull-out terminal 21Aa may be located closest to the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path extending from the second external electrode 12b to the pull-out terminal 21A.

The first pull-out terminal 21Aa does not have to be electrically located closest to the second external electrode 12b in the pull-out terminal 21A. In other words, the first pull-out terminal 21Aa does not have to be located closest to the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path between the second external electrode 12b and the pull-out terminal 21A. In other words, the pull-out terminal 21A may have another pull-out terminal that is electrically closer to the second external electrode 12b than the first pull-out terminal 21Aa.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second pull-out terminal 21Ab is electrically connected to the second external electrode 12b via the first pull-out terminal 21Aa. In other words, the second pull-out terminal 21Ab is provided at a position electrically farther away from the second external electrode 12b than the first pull-out terminal 21Aa.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second pull-out terminal 21Ab may be located on the side of the pull-out terminal 21A that is electrically opposite the second external electrode 12b. In other words, the second pull-out terminal 21Ab may be located on the side of the electrical path between the second external electrode 12b and the pull-out terminal 21A that is closest to the second external electrode 12b.

The second pull-out terminal 21Ab does not have to be located on the most electrically opposite side of the second external electrode 12b in the pull-out terminal 21A. In other words, the second pull-out terminal 21Ab does not have to be located on the most opposite side of the second external electrode 12b in the electrical path between the second external electrode 12b and the pull-out terminal 21A. In other words, the pull-out terminal 21A may have another pull-out terminal that is provided at a position electrically farther away from the second external electrode 12b than the second pull-out terminal 21Ab.

It is preferable that the first pull-out terminal 21Aa and the second pull-out terminal 21Ab are engaged so as to make surface contact.

In the capacitor 1A, when the first pull-out terminal 21Aa and the second pull-out terminal 21Ab are engaged, the first pull-out terminal 21Aa and the second pull-out terminal 21Ab can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining material such as solder. In this case, in the capacitor 1A, the connectivity between the first pull-out terminal 21Aa and the second pull-out terminal 21Ab can be improved without using a joining material such as solder.

Furthermore, when the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab are mechanically connected, the connection points of the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab can be held firmly without using a joining material such as solder, improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1A, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 to which the pull-out terminals 21A are connected in the exterior case 30.

Furthermore, when welding the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab to further strengthen the connection points of the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab, if the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab are in surface contact when connected as described above, it is easier to weld the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second pull-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab are welded at points where they are engaged so as to make surface contact.

As described above, in the capacitor 1A, it is sufficient that at least the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab are engaged so as to make surface contact, and it is preferable that the first pull-out terminal 21Aa and the second pull-out terminal 21Ab are engaged so as to make surface contact, but they do not have to be engaged so as to make surface contact.

In addition, when the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab are engaged so as to be in surface contact, the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Aa and 21Ab is preferably the same as the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab described above, but may be different from the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab.

The shape of the pull-out terminal 20A may be, for example, plate-like or linear (rod-like). That is, the shape of the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may each be, for example, plate-like or linear (rod-like). In this case, the first pull-out terminal 20Aa and the second pull-out terminal 20Ab may each have a shape with a partially bent portion.

The shape of the drawer terminal 21A may be, for example, plate-like or linear (rod-like). That is, the shape of the first drawer terminal 21Aa and the second drawer terminal 21Ab may each be, for example, plate-like or linear (rod-like). In this case, the first drawer terminal 21Aa and the second drawer terminal 21Ab may each have a shape with a partially bent portion.

The first pull-out terminal 20Aa, the second pull-out terminal 20Ab, the first pull-out terminal 21Aa, and the second pull-out terminal 21Ab are each also called a bus bar.

The pull-out terminal 20A and the pull-out terminal 21A are each used as terminals for electrically connecting the capacitor element 10 to an object to be mounted, for example, when mounting the capacitor 1A to the object to be mounted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the capacitor element 10 is housed inside the exterior case 30 so that the pull-out terminals 20A and 21A protrude toward the outside.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the capacitor element 10 be stored in the center of the interior of the outer case 30, away from the inner surface of the outer case 30.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, one capacitor element 10 is stored inside one exterior case 30, but multiple capacitor elements 10 may be stored inside one exterior case 30.

The shape of the exterior case 30 is, for example, a cylindrical shape with a bottom and an opening 31 at one end in the first direction D1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer surface of the exterior case 30 includes a first outer surface 32 facing the opening 31 in the first direction D1, and a second outer surface 33 (in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, four outer surfaces are included) extending from the first outer surface 32 toward the opening 31 in the first direction D1.

Examples of the exterior case 30 include a resin case, a metal case, etc.

When the exterior case 30 is a resin case, examples of the resin that constitutes the resin case include liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyphenylene sulfide, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. Among these, it is preferable that the resin case contains a liquid crystal polymer.

The liquid crystal polymer contained in the resin case may be, for example, a liquid crystal polymer having p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid groups in its skeleton. In addition to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid groups, liquid crystal polymers formed from polycondensates using various components such as phenol, phthalic acid, and ethylene terephthalate can also be used. Liquid crystal polymers can also be classified into types I, II, and III, but the material used is the same as the liquid crystal polymer formed from the above-mentioned components.

The resin case preferably further contains an inorganic filler in addition to the liquid crystal polymer.

The inorganic filler contained in the resin case can be a material that is stronger than the liquid crystal polymer. The inorganic filler is preferably a material that has a higher melting point than the liquid crystal polymer, and more preferably a material with a melting point of 680°C or higher.

The shape of the inorganic filler is not particularly limited, and examples include a shape having a longitudinal direction such as a fiber shape or a plate shape. As an inorganic filler of such a shape, multiple types of inorganic materials may be used in combination. It is preferable that the resin case contains at least one of a fibrous inorganic material and a plate-shaped inorganic material as the inorganic filler.

In this specification, a filler being fibrous means that the relationship between the longitudinal dimension in the longitudinal direction and the cross-sectional diameter in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is longitudinal dimension/cross-sectional diameter ≧5 (i.e., the aspect ratio is 5:1 or more). Here, the cross-sectional diameter is the longest distance between two points on the circumference of the cross section. If the cross-sectional diameter varies in the longitudinal direction, the measurement is taken at the point where the cross-sectional diameter is largest.

In this specification, a filler being plate-like means that the relationship between the cross-sectional diameter of the face with the largest projected area and the maximum height in the direction perpendicular to this cross section is cross-sectional diameter/maximum height ≧ 3.

It is preferable that at least a portion of the inorganic filler has a portion oriented from the first outer surface 32 toward the opening 31 on the second outer surface 33 of the exterior case 30 and a portion oriented toward the adjacent second outer surface 33, and is dispersed inside the exterior case 30.

The size of the inorganic filler is preferably 5 μm or more in diameter and 50 μm or more in length.

It is preferable that the inorganic filler be dispersed throughout the exterior case 30 without agglomerating.

Examples of inorganic fillers include inorganic materials such as fibrous glass filler, plate-like talc or mica. Of these, it is preferable for the inorganic filler to contain fibrous glass filler as the main component.

Even if the resin case contains another resin (e.g., polyphenylene sulfide) instead of the liquid crystal polymer, it is preferable that the resin case further contains an inorganic filler as described above.

The resin case is manufactured by a method such as injection molding.

When the exterior case 30 is a metal case, examples of the metal that constitutes the metal case include simple metals such as aluminum, magnesium, iron, stainless steel, and copper, and alloys that contain at least one of these simple metals. Of these, it is preferable that the metal case contains aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

The metal case is manufactured by a method such as impact molding.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filled resin 40 is filled inside the exterior case 30 so as to embed the capacitor element 10. By filling the interior with the filled resin 40 in this manner, the capacitor element 10 is held inside the exterior case 30.

When the capacitor element 10 is stored inside the exterior case 30 so as to be away from the inner surface of the exterior case 30, the filling resin 40 is filled between the capacitor element 10 and the exterior case 30, more specifically, between the outer surface of the capacitor element 10 and the inner surface of the exterior case 30. Furthermore, inside the exterior case 30, the filling resin 40 is filled not only between the capacitor element 10 and the exterior case 30, but also in the area from the opening 31 of the exterior case 30 to the capacitor element 10.

As the filling resin 40, it is preferable to appropriately select a resin with low moisture permeability from the viewpoint of suppressing the infiltration of moisture into the capacitor element 10, and examples thereof include epoxy resin, silicone resin, urethane resin, etc. Examples of the hardener for the epoxy resin include an amine hardener, an imidazole hardener, etc.

As the filling resin 40, only the above-mentioned resin may be used, but in order to improve strength, a resin to which a reinforcing agent has been added may also be used. Examples of reinforcing agents include silica and alumina.

From the viewpoint of preventing moisture from penetrating into the capacitor element 10, it is preferable that the thickness of the filling resin 40 at the opening 31 of the exterior case 30 is large. The thickness of the filling resin 40 at the opening 31 of the exterior case 30 is preferably sufficiently large within the range that allows for the volume (physical size) of the entire capacitor 1A, and specifically, is preferably 2 mm or more, and more preferably 4 mm or more. In particular, it is preferable that the thickness of the filling resin 40 for the capacitor element 10 is made larger on the opening 31 side of the exterior case 30 than on the first outer surface 32 side by arranging the capacitor element 10 on the opening 31 side of the exterior case 30 inside the exterior case 30.

The thickness of the filling resin 40 is measured, for example, using a soft X-ray device if it is in a non-destructive state, and using a length measuring device such as a caliper if it is in a destructive state.

The relationship between the height of the outer case 30 and the height of the filled resin 40 in the first direction D1 is such that the thickness of the filled resin 40 at the opening 31 of the outer case 30 is as large as possible, and may be up to a position on the inside of the outer case 30, may be nearly to the top, or may overflow slightly due to surface tension.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the pull-out terminal 20A, at least a portion of the first pull-out terminal 20Aa (see FIG. 2) may be embedded in the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the entire first pull-out terminal 20Aa is embedded in the filling resin 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the pull-out terminal 21A, at least a portion of the first pull-out terminal 21Aa (see FIG. 2) may be embedded in the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the entire first pull-out terminal 21Aa is embedded in the filling resin 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the pull-out terminal 20A, at least a portion of the second pull-out terminal 20Ab (see FIG. 2) may protrude from the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a portion (end) of the second pull-out terminal 20Ab protrudes from the filling resin 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the pull-out terminal 21A, at least a portion of the second pull-out terminal 21Ab (see FIG. 2) may protrude from the filling resin 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a portion (end) of the second pull-out terminal 21Ab protrudes from the filling resin 40.

[Embodiment 2]
In the capacitor of the second embodiment of the present invention, one of the first and second lead-out terminals has a claw-shaped portion, the other of the first and second lead-out terminals has a slit portion penetrating in a first direction, and the claw-shaped portion is inserted through the slit portion in the first direction and hooked onto an edge of the slit portion. The capacitor of the second embodiment of the present invention is otherwise similar to the capacitor of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a capacitor according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the capacitor shown in FIG. 7 (excluding the filled resin) in a disassembled state.

The capacitor 1B shown in Figures 7 and 8 has two capacitor elements 10 (see Figure 3 above), a pull-out terminal 20B, a pull-out terminal 21B, an exterior case 30, and a filling resin 40.

In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, two capacitor elements 10 are housed inside one exterior case 30, but one capacitor element 10 may be housed inside one exterior case 30, or three or more capacitor elements 10 may be housed inside one exterior case 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pull-out terminal 20B is electrically connected to each of the first external electrodes 12a of the two capacitor elements 10. For example, the pull-out terminal 20B is electrically connected to each of the first external electrodes 12a of the two capacitor elements 10 via a joining member such as solder.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pull-out terminal 20B has a first pull-out terminal 20Ba and a second pull-out terminal 20Bb.

The first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are engaged so as to make surface contact.

The following describes the locking manner of the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the state before the first and second pull-out terminals shown in FIG. 8 are engaged. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the first and second pull-out terminals shown in FIG. 9 are in the process of being engaged. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the state after the first and second pull-out terminals shown in FIG. 10 have been engaged. Note that in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, other components such as a capacitor element are omitted to make it easier to focus on the manner in which the first and second pull-out terminals are engaged.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba has a claw-shaped portion 25.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second pull-out terminal 20Bb has a slit portion 27.

The slit portion 27 penetrates the second pull-out terminal 20Bb in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the slit portion 27 may include a first slit portion 27a and a second slit portion 27b.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second slit portion 27b is connected to the first slit portion 27a in a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1.

When viewed from the first direction D1, it is preferable that the first slit portion 27a is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion 25.

In this specification, when the slit portion is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion when viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in FIG. 9), this means that when the claw-shaped portion and the slit portion are overlapped while viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in FIG. 9), the claw-shaped portion does not protrude from the slit portion, or more specifically, the outer edge of the claw-shaped portion is not positioned outside the outer edge of the slit portion.

When viewed from the first direction D1, it is preferable that the second slit portion 27b cannot contain the claw-shaped portion 25.

In this specification, the slit portion being unable to contain the claw portion when viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in FIG. 9) means that when the claw portion and the slit portion are overlapped while viewed from the same direction (first direction D1 in FIG. 9), the claw portion protrudes from the slit portion, or more specifically, the outer edge of the claw portion is positioned outside the outer edge of the slit portion.

If the first slit portion 27a can contain the claw-shaped portion 25 when viewed from the first direction D1, the claw-shaped portion 25 can be directly inserted into the first slit portion 27a in the first direction D1, as shown in FIG. 10.

If the second slit portion 27b cannot contain the claw-shaped portion 25 when viewed from the first direction D1, the claw-shaped portion 25 cannot be directly inserted into the second slit portion 27b in the first direction D1.

It is preferable that the claw-shaped portion 25 is capable of sliding in the second direction D2 between the first slit portion 27a and the second slit portion 27b when inserted into the slit portion 27 in the first direction D1. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the dimension in the third direction D3 of the base side portion (portion extending in the first direction D1) located on the opposite side to the tip of the claw-shaped portion 25 is equal to or smaller than the dimension in the third direction D3 of the second slit portion 27b, the claw-shaped portion 25 can slide in the second direction D2 between the first slit portion 27a and the second slit portion 27b when inserted into the first slit portion 27a in the first direction D1.

When the claw-shaped portion 25 is slid in the second direction D2 toward the second slit portion 27b from the state shown in FIG. 10 in which the claw-shaped portion 25 is inserted into the first slit portion 27a in the first direction D1, as shown in FIG. 11, the claw-shaped portion 25 is hooked onto the edge of the slit portion 27 while being inserted into the slit portion 27 in the first direction D1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable that the claw-shaped portion 25 is hooked onto the edge of the second slit portion 27b. In this case, the claw-shaped portion 25 is positioned in the third direction D3 by the second slit portion 27b.

9, 10, and 11, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba has a claw-shaped portion 25, but instead of the first pull-out terminal 20Ba, the second pull-out terminal 20Bb may have the claw-shaped portion 25. In this case, instead of the second pull-out terminal 20Bb, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba may have a slit portion 27, and the claw-shaped portion 25 of the second pull-out terminal 20Bb may be inserted into the slit portion 27 provided in the first pull-out terminal 20Ba in the first direction D1 and hooked onto the edge of the slit portion 27.

As described above, in the capacitor 1B, the claw-shaped portion 25 of one of the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb is inserted in the first direction D1 through the slit portion 27 provided on the other of the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb, and hooked onto the edge of the slit portion 27. As a result, in the capacitor 1B, the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb are engaged so as to make surface contact.

In the capacitor 1B, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are engaged, so that the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining material such as solder. Therefore, in the capacitor 1B, the connectivity between the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb can be improved without using a joining material such as solder.

Furthermore, when the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are mechanically connected, the connection points of the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb can be held firmly without using a joining material such as solder, improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1B, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 connected to the pull-out terminal 20B in the exterior case 30.

Furthermore, when welding the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb to strengthen the connection points of the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb, as described above, the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb are in surface contact when connected, and therefore it is easy to weld the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second pull-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb are welded at points where they are engaged so as to make surface contact.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are engaged at two locations, but the number of locations at which the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are engaged is not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba may further include a claw-shaped portion 25'.

As shown in FIG. 9, the claw-shaped portion 25' may be located at a different height than the claw-shaped portion 25 in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the claw-shaped portion 25' may be located lower than the claw-shaped portion 25 in the first direction D1, i.e., closer to the capacitor element 10 (see FIG. 8) than the claw-shaped portion 25 in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 9, claw portion 25 and claw portion 25' do not have to overlap when viewed from the first direction D1.

When the first pull-out terminal 20Ba has claw-shaped portions 25 and 25' as shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable that the second pull-out terminal 20Bb is sandwiched between the claw-shaped portions 25 and 25' in the first direction D1 as shown in FIG. 11. In this case, the second pull-out terminal 20Bb is less likely to shift in the first direction D1 when sandwiched between the claw-shaped portions 25 and 25', so that the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are sufficiently firmly locked.

In the examples shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba has a claw-shaped portion 25 and a claw-shaped portion 25', but if the second pull-out terminal 20Bb has a claw-shaped portion 25 instead of the first pull-out terminal 20Ba, the second pull-out terminal 20Bb may further have a claw-shaped portion 25', and instead of the second pull-out terminal 20Bb, the first pull-out terminal 20Ba may be sandwiched between the claw-shaped portion 25 and the claw-shaped portion 25' of the second pull-out terminal 20Bb in the first direction D1.

In the examples shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the first slit portion 27a and the second slit portion 27b are connected in the second direction D2, but they may be connected in the third direction D3 instead of the second direction D2. In this case, the claw-shaped portion 25 may be slidable in the third direction D3 between the first slit portion 27a and the second slit portion 27b while being inserted into the slit portion 27 in the first direction D1.

Although not shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the timing at which the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the first external electrode 12a are connected as shown in Figure 8 may be before the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are locked, or may be after the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are locked.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pull-out terminal 21B is electrically connected to each of the second external electrodes 12b of the two capacitor elements 10. For example, the pull-out terminal 21B is electrically connected to each of the second external electrodes 12b of the two capacitor elements 10 via a joining member such as solder.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the lead-out terminal 20B is electrically connected to each of the first external electrodes 12a of the two capacitor elements 10 and the lead-out terminal 21B is electrically connected to each of the second external electrodes 12b of the two capacitor elements 10, the two capacitor elements 10 are connected in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pull-out terminal 21B has a first pull-out terminal 21Ba and a second pull-out terminal 21Bb.

It is preferable that the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb are engaged so as to make surface contact.

In the capacitor 1B, when the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb are engaged, the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb can be mechanically (physically) connected without using a joining material such as solder. In this case, in the capacitor 1B, the connectivity between the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb can be improved without using a joining material such as solder.

Furthermore, when the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb are mechanically connected, the connection points of the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb can be held firmly without using a joining material such as solder, improving handling (assembly workability) when assembling the capacitor 1B, for example, when storing the capacitor element 10 to which the pull-out terminal 21B is connected in the exterior case 30.

Furthermore, when welding the first and second pull-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb to strengthen the connection points of the first and second pull-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb, if the first and second pull-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb are in surface contact when connected as described above, it is easier to weld the first and second pull-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb. For this reason, it is preferable that the first and second pull-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb are welded at points where they are engaged so as to make surface contact.

As described above, in the capacitor 1B, it is sufficient that at least the first pull-out terminal 20Ba and the second pull-out terminal 20Bb are engaged so as to make surface contact, and it is preferable that the first pull-out terminal 21Ba and the second pull-out terminal 21Bb are engaged so as to make surface contact, but they do not have to be engaged so as to make surface contact.

Furthermore, when the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb are engaged so as to be in surface contact, the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb is preferably the same as the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb described above, but may be different from the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Ba and 20Bb. For example, the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 21Ba and 21Bb may be the same as the engaging manner of the first and second drawn-out terminals 20Aa and 20Ab described above.

The capacitor of the present invention is useful, for example, as a smoothing capacitor that constitutes a power conversion device (e.g., an inverter) for in-vehicle use.

The following is disclosed in this specification:

＜1＞
a capacitor element having an element body and external electrodes provided on end faces of the element body;
A lead terminal electrically connected to the external electrode;
an exterior case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the lead-out terminal protrudes outward;
a filling resin filled inside the exterior case so as to embed the capacitor element,
the lead-out terminal includes a first lead-out terminal and a second lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead-out terminal,
The capacitor is characterized in that the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are engaged so as to be in surface contact with each other.

＜2＞
The capacitor according to <1>, wherein the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are welded to each other at a location where they are engaged so as to be in surface contact with each other.

＜3＞
one of the first and second lead-out terminals has a first claw-shaped portion and a second claw-shaped portion located at a different height from the first claw-shaped portion in a first direction;
The capacitor according to <1> or <2>, wherein the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal is sandwiched between the first claw portion and the second claw portion in the first direction.

＜4＞
The capacitor according to <3>, wherein the first claw portion and the second claw portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction.

＜5＞
one of the first and second lead terminals further includes a third claw portion located at the same height as the second claw portion in the first direction;
The capacitor according to <3> or <4>, wherein the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal is sandwiched between the first claw portion and the third claw portion in the first direction.

＜6＞
The capacitor according to <5>, wherein the first claw portion and the third claw portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction.

＜７＞
A capacitor described in <5> or <6>, wherein the first claw-shaped portion is located between the second claw-shaped portion and the third claw-shaped portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed from the first direction.

＜8＞
a notch portion is provided in the other of the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal,
The capacitor according to any one of <3> to <7>, wherein the first claw-shaped portion is fitted into the cutout portion.

＜9＞
one of the first lead terminal and the second lead terminal has a claw-shaped portion,
the other of the first and second drawn-out terminals is provided with a slit portion penetrating in a first direction,
The capacitor according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the claw-shaped portion is inserted into the slit portion in the first direction and hooked onto an edge of the slit portion.

＜10＞
The slit portion includes a first slit portion and a second slit portion connected to the first slit portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
The capacitor described in <9>, wherein, when viewed from the first direction, the first slit portion is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion, and the second slit portion is not capable of containing the claw-shaped portion.

<11>
The capacitor described in <10>, wherein the claw-shaped portion is slidable in the second direction between the first slit portion and the second slit portion when inserted into the slit portion in the first direction.

＜12＞
The capacitor according to <11>, wherein the claw-shaped portion is hooked onto an edge of the second slit portion.

Reference Signs List 1A, 1B Capacitor 10 Capacitor element 11 Body 12a First external electrode 12b Second external electrode 13a First metallized film 13b Second metallized film 14a First dielectric film 14aa First main surface 14ab of first dielectric film Second main surface 14b of first dielectric film Second dielectric film 14ba First main surface 14bb of second dielectric film Second main surface 15a of second dielectric film First metal layer 15b Second metal layer 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B Lead terminals 20Aa, 20Ba, 21Aa, 21Ba First lead terminals 20Ab, 20Bb, 21Ab, 21Bb Second lead terminals 25, 25' Claw-shaped portion 25a First claw-shaped portion 25b Second claw-shaped portion 25c Third claw-shaped portion 26 Notch portion 27 Slit portion 27a First slit portion 27b Second slit portion 30 Exterior case 31 Opening 32 First outer surface 33 Second outer surface 40 Filling resin D1 First direction D2 Second direction D3 Third direction

Claims (12)

a capacitor element having an element body and external electrodes provided on end faces of the element body;
A lead terminal electrically connected to the external electrode;
an exterior case in which the capacitor element is housed so that the lead-out terminal protrudes outward;
a filling resin filled inside the exterior case so as to embed the capacitor element,
the lead-out terminal includes a first lead-out terminal and a second lead-out terminal electrically connected to the external electrode via the first lead-out terminal,
The capacitor, wherein the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal are engaged so as to be in surface contact with each other. The capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the first pull-out terminal and the second pull-out terminal are welded at a location where they are engaged so as to make surface contact. one of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal has a first claw-shaped portion and a second claw-shaped portion located at a different height from the first claw-shaped portion in a first direction;
3 . The capacitor according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal is sandwiched between the first claw portion and the second claw portion in the first direction. The capacitor of claim 3, wherein the first claw portion and the second claw portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction. one of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal further includes a third claw portion located at the same height as the second claw portion in the first direction;
5 . The capacitor according to claim 3 , wherein the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal is sandwiched between the first claw portion and the third claw portion in the first direction. The capacitor of claim 5, wherein the first claw portion and the third claw portion do not overlap when viewed from the first direction. The capacitor according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first claw portion is located between the second claw portion and the third claw portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed from the first direction. a notch portion is provided in the other of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal,
The capacitor according to claim 3, wherein the first claw portion is fitted into the notch portion. One of the first lead-out terminal and the second lead-out terminal has a claw-shaped portion,
the other of the first and second drawn-out terminals is provided with a slit portion penetrating in a first direction,
The capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the claw-shaped portion is inserted into the slit portion in the first direction and hooked onto an edge of the slit portion. The slit portion includes a first slit portion and a second slit portion connected to the first slit portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
The capacitor according to claim 9 , wherein, when viewed from the first direction, the first slit portion is capable of containing the claw-shaped portion, and the second slit portion is not capable of containing the claw-shaped portion. The capacitor of claim 10, wherein the claw-shaped portion is capable of sliding in the second direction between the first slit portion and the second slit portion when inserted into the slit portion in the first direction. The capacitor according to claim 11, wherein the claw-shaped portion is hooked onto the edge of the second slit portion.

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