Small-size inductor

Claim 1

A small-size inductor comprising: a base member defined by a base plate having first and second opposite faces separated by at least one side surface which lies generally perpendicular to said first and second faces, a core projection extending from said first face of said base plate generally perpendicular to said first face, and first and second terminals deposited in a spaced relation with each other on said second face of said base plate, said first and second terminals being located on said second face only and being entirely spaced from the outer periphery of said second face, said base plate having at least first and second recesses formed in its peripheral face, said first and second recesses extending to said first and second terminals, respectively; a coil mounted on said core projection, said coil having first and second lead wires extending therefrom, said first lead wire extending through said first recess and connected to said first terminal and said second lead wire extending through said second recess and connected to said second terminal; and a cap member fittingly mounted on said base member to enclose said coil in a cavity defined by said cap member and the base member, said cap member being formed of a metallic magnetic material having a permeability greater than that of said base member, said cap member including a top plate in contact with a top surface of said core projection and further including at least one side wall extending down from said top plate and tightly contacting said at least one side surface along substantially the entire perimeter thereof.