Power stage cooled transformer with vertical offset

Abstract

The invention relates to a power stage cooled transformer with vertical offset. One or more structures and / or methods are provided. According to some embodiments, a transformer includes a substrate, a first winding, a second winding, and a core. The first winding has: a first leg connected to the substrate; the first supporting leg vertically extends from the first supporting foot; a second leg connected to the substrate; the second supporting leg vertically extends from the second supporting foot; and a third leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the first leg and the second leg. The second winding has: a third leg connected to the substrate; the fourth supporting leg vertically extends from the third supporting leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the substrate to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically away from the substrate from the fifth leg; and a pad connected to the fourth leg. A core surrounds at least a portion of the third leg and the fifth leg.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to transformers, and more particularly to power stage cooled transformers with vertical offset. Background Art

[0002] In device packages, the footprint is often determined by the components mounted to the printed circuit board. A transinductor voltage regulator (TLVR) includes a transformer with series-connected secondary windings. The power stage electronics for a TLVR include a switch that selectively enables the transformer's primary winding to regulate the output voltage. The inductors of the primary and secondary windings are loosely coupled and store energy during voltage regulation operations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] According to some embodiments, a transformer includes a substrate, a first winding, a second winding, and a core. The first winding includes: a first leg connected to the substrate; a first leg extending vertically from the first leg; a second leg connected to the substrate; a second leg extending vertically from the second leg; and a third leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the first leg and the second leg. The second winding includes: a third leg connected to the substrate; a fourth leg extending vertically from the third leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the substrate to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the substrate; and a pad connected to the fourth leg. The core surrounds at least a portion of the third and fifth legs.

[0005] According to some embodiments, a voltage regulator includes a power supply voltage terminal, a first circuit board, a first transformer, a second transformer, a second circuit board, an interconnect, an output terminal, and a power stage electronic package. The first transformer includes a first secondary winding connected to the first circuit board; a first primary winding including a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first serpentine body connected to the first leg and at least partially overlapping the first secondary winding; and a first contact pad connected to the first serpentine body and vertically offset from a top surface of the first secondary winding in a direction away from the first circuit board. The second transformer includes a second secondary winding connected to the first circuit board; a second primary winding including a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second serpentine body connected to the second leg and at least partially overlapping the second secondary winding; and a second contact pad connected to the second serpentine body and vertically offset from a top surface of the second secondary winding in a direction away from the first circuit board. The second circuit board contacts the first contact pad and the second contact pad. The interconnect connects the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding in series. The output terminal is connected to the first primary winding and the second primary winding. The power stage electronic package is connected to the second circuit board and includes a first switch connected between the supply voltage terminal and the first primary winding and a second switch connected between the supply voltage terminal and the second primary winding.

[0006] According to some embodiments, a method includes: connecting a first winding to a first circuit board, the first winding including: a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first leg extending vertically from the first leg; a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second leg extending vertically from the second leg; and a third leg connecting the first leg and the second leg; connecting a second winding to the first circuit board, the second winding including: a third leg connected to the first circuit board; a fourth leg extending vertically from the third leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the first circuit board to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the first circuit board; and a solder pad connected to the fourth leg; connecting a second circuit board to the solder pad; and connecting a die including a power stage electronic package to the second circuit board.

[0007] To achieve the foregoing and related purposes, the following description and accompanying drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are merely indicative of a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a diagram of a transformer according to some embodiments.

[0009] Figure 3A 4A-3C and 4C are examples of transformers with different couplings according to some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 5 is a diagram of a transformer illustrating coupling variation based on core placement, according to some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a trans-inductor voltage regulator (TLVR) according to some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 7 FIG12 is a diagram illustrating a power stage cooling transformer according to some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 13 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for manufacturing a power stage cooling transformer apparatus, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The claimed subject matter will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to refer to like elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be apparent that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate description of the claimed subject matter.

[0015] It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the embodiments or drawings described below, which are to be considered illustrative only. The drawings are to be considered schematic representations, and the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Rather, the various elements are represented so that their functions and general purposes become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0016] All numerical values ​​in this detailed description and claims are modified by the term "about" or "approximately" as the indicated value, and take into account experimental error and variations that would be expected by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0017] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a diagram of a transformer 100 according to some embodiments. Figure 2 is an isometric view, and Figure 2 The transformer 100 includes a core 106 ( Figure 1 1 and 2. The primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104 are surrounded by a circuit board (not shown). The primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104 may be mounted to a substrate 105 (such as a circuit board).

[0018] In some embodiments, primary winding 102 includes a leg 102F, a leg 102L extending vertically from leg 102F, a horizontal leg 102H at least partially overlapping secondary winding 104, a leg 102V extending vertically from horizontal leg 102H, and a contact pad 102P extending horizontally from leg 102V. Leg 102V provides a vertical offset between contact pad 102P and secondary winding 104. The area of ​​contact pad 102P can be increased by increasing the length of the winding to reduce conduction losses. Primary winding 102 has a serpentine shape. This serpentine shape resembles an S-shape and is referred to herein as a square S-shape.

[0019] In some embodiments, the secondary winding 104 includes a leg 104F, a leg 104L extending vertically from the leg 104F, and a horizontal leg 104H connecting the legs 104L. In some embodiments, the secondary winding 104 has a box shape.

[0020] In some embodiments, the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104 are formed by stamping and bending a planar sheet of metal (such as copper, hard copper, a copper alloy, or some other conductive material) to form the shapes illustrated herein. Therefore, the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104 are referred to as planar windings. Although the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104 are illustrated as having square corners for ease of illustration, the bending process forms corners having radii. In some embodiments, the core 106 comprises a soft saturation magnetic material.

[0021] exist Figure 1 , leg 102F is illustrated as facing outward, while leg 104F is illustrated as facing inward. However, depending on the specific geometry of transformer 100, legs 102F, 104F may face inward or outward, and leg 104F may not face the same direction.

[0022] The coupling between primary winding 102 and secondary winding 104 can vary depending on the geometry. According to some embodiments, the coupling can be configured to provide a desired level of leakage in transformer 100. Transformer 100 can be used in a voltage regulator, not to convert an input voltage to an output voltage, but rather the primary winding 102 and secondary winding 104 can be used as inductors to store energy according to a switching scheme to convert the input voltage to an output voltage using input and output capacitors. In some embodiments, the voltage regulator can be a trans-inductor voltage regulator (TLVR).

[0023] Figure 3A -3C and Figure 4A -4C is an embodiment of a transformer 100 with different coupling degrees according to some embodiments. Figure 3AFIG. 3C illustrates an embodiment having secondary windings 104 of different sizes to affect the coupling of the transformer 100. The size of the secondary winding 104 and the overlap and coupling between the windings 102, 104 are determined by the following equations: Figure 3A Increase to Figure 3C .exist Figure 3C , there is coupling between the horizontal legs 102H, 104H and the vertical legs 102L, 104L. Note that the orientation of the legs 102F, 104F may vary depending on spacing requirements.

[0024] Figure 4A -4C is an embodiment of a transformer 100 having primary windings 102 of different sizes to affect the coupling of the transformer 100. The length of the horizontal leg 102H of the primary winding 102, and therefore the overlap and coupling between the horizontal legs 102H, 104H, is varied from Figure 4A Increase to Figure 4C .exist Figure 4C , there is coupling between the horizontal legs 102H, 104H and the vertical legs 102L, 104L. Note that the orientation of the legs 102F, 104F may vary depending on spacing requirements.

[0025] Figure 5 is a diagram of a transformer 100 illustrating the variation in coupling based on the placement of the core 106, according to some embodiments. Figure 5 In some embodiments, the core 106 does not completely encapsulate the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104. For example, a molding compound 108 (such as an epoxy) can be provided below the core 106, above the core 106, or both, which does not significantly promote coupling between the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104 (compared to the core 106). The distance D1 or D2 can be varied to affect the degree of coupling between the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104.

[0026] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a trans-inductor voltage regulator (TLVR) 600 including the transformer 100 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the TLVR 600 includes a IN The input capacitor 604 at the output terminal V OUT604 and an output capacitor 606 at a voltage of 100 V. The embodiment of the present invention provides a plurality of phases 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D connected between an input capacitor 604 and an output capacitor 606 at a voltage of 100 V. Each phase 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D includes a transformer (such as transformer 100) having a primary winding 608 and a secondary winding 610, and a switch 612 for selectively coupling the phase 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D to a path between the input capacitor 604 and the output capacitor 606. Each switch 612 may include a first switching element 614 connected between the input capacitor 604 and the primary winding 608 and a second switching element 616 connected between the primary winding 608 and a reference voltage terminal (such as ground). The control signals for the switches 612 for the phases 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D may be interleaved so that only one phase 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D is connected at a given time, thereby reducing ripple.

[0027] In the TLVR 600, the secondary windings 610 of phases 602A, 602B, 602C, and 602D are connected in series. In some embodiments, a terminating inductor 618 is connected between the secondary winding 610 and a reference voltage terminal, such as in phase 602A (as shown) or phase 602D. Alternatively, the coupling between the primary winding 608 and the secondary winding 610 can be selected, as described herein, to provide a desired level of leakage, thereby eliminating the need for the terminating inductor 618. The current flowing through the secondary winding 610 is reflected back into the primary winding 608 of the active phase 602A, 602B, 602C, and 602D.

[0028] Figure 7 FIG12 is a diagram illustrating a package 300 for implementing a power stage cooling regulator according to some embodiments. Figure 7 12 includes views illustrating various embodiments, such as a top view, a cross-sectional view, and a bottom view. TLVR 600 may be implemented in a package 300 that integrates transformer 100 with a power stage electronic package (such as a vertically oriented switch 612) to provide a power stage cooling configuration. Figure 7 The transformer 100 shown in FIG12 can be used Figure 1 -6.

[0029] refer to Figure 7, the package 300 includes: transformers 100A, 100B mounted to a bottom circuit board 302 (e.g., substrate / circuit board 105), a top circuit board 304 (e.g., circuit board 110) above the transformers 100A, 100B, a vertical connector board 306 connecting the bottom circuit board 302 and the top circuit board 304, a ground rail 308 connecting the bottom circuit board 302 and the top circuit board 304, and a power stage electronic package 312 (e.g., package 112) mounted to the top circuit board 304. The power stage electronic package 312 may include a plurality of semiconductor devices embedded in the package material. The power stage electronic package 312 may be mounted to the side of the top circuit board 304 opposite the side on which the transformers 100A, 100B are mounted. Discrete circuit elements 314 (such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, or other circuit elements) may be mounted to the bottom circuit board 302 or the top circuit board 304. For example, the input capacitor 604 may be mounted to the top circuit board 304, and the output capacitor 602 may be mounted to the bottom circuit board 302. The contacts 315 on the vertical connector circuit board 306 are voltage rails (V IN 、V CC ) or provide a path for signals exchanged between the bottom circuit board 302 and the top circuit board 304. The contacts 315 may have different sizes. A cooling module may be mounted on the package 300 to cool the power stage electronic package 312 and the transformers 100A, 100B.

[0030] Package 300 is a dual-phase package that includes two transformers 100A and 100B with separate cores 106. Each transformer 100A and 100B has its own associated power stage electronics package 312. Each transformer 100 can be associated with a different phase 602A, 602B, 602C, or 602D of the TLVR 600. Input current flows from the bottom circuit board 302 through the vertical connector circuit board 306 to the top circuit board 304, and from there to the power stage electronics package 312. Output current flows from the power stage electronics package 312 around the top circuit board 304 to the primary winding 102, and from there to the bottom circuit board. In some embodiments, the bottom circuit board includes edge plating 316 and 317. An electrical connection 318 is provided between the edge plating 317 and one leg 102F of the lower transformer 100, and an electrical connection 320 is provided between the edge plating 316 and one leg 102F of the upper transformer 100. Electrical connection 322 connects secondary winding 104. In some embodiments, electrical connection 322 is formed in bottom circuit board 302. Edge plating 316, 317 facilitates connection to other packages 300 to implement other phases 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D of TLVR 600. In some embodiments, power stage electronics package 312 includes switch 612, switching elements 614, 616, and associated gate drivers, as well as other integrated circuit components for TLVR 600 (such as temperature, current, or fault reporting circuit components).

[0031] refer to Figure 8 The secondary winding 104 of the top transformer 100B includes multiple taps to select the degree of coupling between the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104. The secondary winding 104 includes legs 104F1, 104F2, 102F3, each of which is connected to a horizontal leg 104H at a different point on the primary winding 102 via a leg 104L1, 104L2, 104L3. Leg 104F1 provides the greatest degree of coupling, leg 104F2 provides an intermediate degree of coupling, and leg 102F3 provides the least degree of coupling. Legs 104F1, 104F2, 102F3 can be electrically connected to separate areas of edge plating 316A, 316B, 316C. Having a secondary winding 104 with multiple taps provides flexibility to the end user, where the degree of coupling can be configured by the user and even changed dynamically by selecting the appropriate legs 104F1 , 104F2 , 104F3 .

[0032] Reference Figure 9, the secondary winding 104 of the bottom transformer 100A also includes a plurality of taps to select the degree of coupling between the primary winding 102 and the secondary winding 104. However, because the legs 104F1, 104F2, 102F3 of the lower transformer 100A are not near the edge plating 316, additional connections 324 will be required in the bottom circuit board 302 to connect the secondary winding 104 of the bottom transformer 100A to the secondary winding 104 of the top transformer 100B.

[0033] refer to Figure 10 , the bottom transformer 100A and the top transformer 100B are enclosed by a common core 106. The core 106 couples the primary windings 102 and secondary windings of each transformer 100A, 100B, but does not significantly cross-couple the bottom transformer 100A and the top transformer 100B. If the size of the bottom circuit board 302 is the same as in other embodiments, the use of a single core 106 reduces the footprint of the transformers 100A, 100B, thereby allowing additional discrete components 326 to be mounted to the bottom circuit board 302. For example, the discrete component 326 can implement the output capacitor 606. Figure 10 The common core 106 may be implemented with other embodiments, such as Figure 7 -9. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The embodiment shown.

[0034] Reference Figure 11 , the electrical connection 322 between the secondary winding 104 of the bottom transformer 100A and the secondary winding 104 of the top transformer 100B is made by the interconnection leg 104I. For example, the secondary winding 104 of the bottom transformer 100A, the secondary winding 104 of the top transformer 100B, and the interconnection leg 104I can be formed by stamping and bending a single strip of conductive material.

[0035] refer to Figure 12 , the power stage electronic package 312 is at least partially embedded in the top circuit board 304. The power stage electronic package 312 can be coplanar with the top circuit board 304. This allows for more efficient contact between the cooling module and the package 300. In addition, the embedded arrangement of the power stage electronic package 312 allows the output current to flow through the top circuit board 304, rather than through the top circuit board 304. Figure 7 The diagram surrounds the top circuit board, reducing losses and noise.

[0036] Figure 1313 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 1300 for manufacturing a power stage cooling transformer device, according to some embodiments. At 1302, a first winding 104 is connected to a first circuit board 105. The first winding 104 includes a first leg 104F connected to the first circuit board 105, a first leg 104L extending vertically from the first leg 104F, a second leg 104F connected to the first circuit board 105, a second leg 104L extending vertically from the second leg 104F, and a third leg 104H connecting the first leg 104L and the second leg 104L.

[0037] At 1304, second winding 102 is connected to first circuit board 105. Second winding 102 includes a third leg 102F connected to first circuit board 105, a fourth leg 102L extending vertically from third leg 102F, a fifth leg 102H connected to third leg 102L and extending parallel to first circuit board 105 to at least partially overlap third leg 104H, a sixth leg 102V extending vertically from fifth leg 102H away from first circuit board 105, and a solder pad 102P connected to fourth leg 102V. At 1306, second circuit board 110 is connected to solder pad 102P. At 1307, power stage electronic package 312 including power stage circuitry is connected to second circuit board 110.

[0038] According to some embodiments, a transformer includes a substrate, a first winding, a second winding, and a core. The first winding includes: a first leg connected to the substrate; a first leg extending vertically from the first leg; a second leg connected to the substrate; a second leg extending vertically from the second leg; and a third leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the first leg and the second leg. The second winding includes: a third leg connected to the substrate; a fourth leg extending vertically from the third leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the substrate to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the substrate; and a pad connected to the fourth leg. The core surrounds at least a portion of the third and fifth legs.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg define a box shape, and the fourth leg, the fifth leg, and the sixth leg define a square S-shape.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the substrate includes a circuit board.

[0041] According to some embodiments, a first distance between a bottom surface of the core and a bottom surface of the third leg is different from a second distance between a top surface of the core and a top surface of the fifth leg.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the first winding includes a fourth leg connected to the substrate and positioned between the first leg and the second leg, and a seventh leg extending vertically from the fourth leg and connected to the third leg.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the first winding includes a fifth leg connected to the substrate and positioned between the fourth leg and the second leg; and an eighth leg vertically extending from the fifth leg and connected to the third leg.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the transformer includes a third winding, which includes: a fourth leg connected to the substrate; a seventh leg extending vertically from the fourth leg; a fifth leg connected to the substrate; an eighth leg extending vertically from the second leg; a ninth leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the seventh leg and the eighth leg; and a tenth leg connecting the fourth leg to the first leg.

[0045] According to some embodiments, a voltage regulator includes a power supply voltage terminal, a first circuit board, a first transformer, a second transformer, a second circuit board, an interconnect, an output terminal, and a power stage electronic package. The first transformer includes a first secondary winding connected to the first circuit board; a first primary winding including a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first serpentine body connected to the first leg and at least partially overlapping the first secondary winding; and a first contact pad connected to the first serpentine body and vertically offset from a top surface of the first secondary winding in a direction away from the first circuit board. The second transformer includes a second secondary winding connected to the first circuit board; a second primary winding including a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second serpentine body connected to the second leg and at least partially overlapping the second secondary winding; and a second contact pad connected to the second serpentine body and vertically offset from a top surface of the second secondary winding in a direction away from the first circuit board. The second circuit board contacts the first contact pad and the second contact pad. The interconnect connects the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding in series. The output terminal is connected to the first primary winding and the second primary winding. The power stage electronic package is connected to the second circuit board and includes a first switch connected between the supply voltage terminal and the first primary winding and a second switch connected between the supply voltage terminal and the second primary winding.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the power stage electronic package is connected to a first side of a second circuit board, and the first and second contact pads contact a second side of the circuit board opposite the first side.

[0047] According to some embodiments, a voltage regulator includes an input capacitor mounted to the second circuit board and connected to a power voltage terminal; and an output capacitor mounted to the first circuit board and connected to the output terminal.

[0048] According to some embodiments, a voltage regulator includes a core surrounding a first primary winding, a first secondary winding, a second primary winding, and at least a portion of a second secondary winding.

[0049] According to some embodiments, a voltage regulator includes a first core surrounding a first primary winding and at least a portion of a first secondary winding; and a second core surrounding a second primary winding and at least a portion of a second secondary winding.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the interconnect includes an interconnect leg above the first circuit board and directly connecting the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding.

[0051] According to some embodiments, the first secondary winding includes: a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first leg extending vertically from the first leg; a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second leg extending vertically from the second leg; and a third leg extending parallel to the first circuit board to connect the first leg and the second leg.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the first secondary winding is connected to a first edge plate of the first circuit board, and the second secondary winding is connected to a second edge plate of the first circuit board.

[0053] According to some embodiments, power stage electronics are embedded in the second circuit board.

[0054] According to some embodiments, a method includes: connecting a first winding to a first circuit board, the first winding including: a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first leg extending vertically from the first leg; a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second leg extending vertically from the second leg; and a third leg connecting the first leg and the second leg; connecting a second winding to the first circuit board, the second winding including: a third leg connected to the first circuit board; a fourth leg extending vertically from the third leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the first circuit board to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the first circuit board; and a solder pad connected to the fourth leg; connecting a second circuit board to the solder pad; and connecting a die including a power stage electronic package to the second circuit board.

[0055] According to some embodiments, the method includes connecting a third circuit board between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the method includes connecting at least one of the first leg or the second leg to an edge plate of the first circuit board.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the method includes enabling a connection in the first circuit board to connect to one of the first leg or the third leg.

[0058] Various operations of the embodiments are provided herein. The order in which some or all operations are described should not be interpreted as implying that these operations are necessarily order-dependent. Those skilled in the art who have benefited from this specification will understand alternative orderings. Furthermore, it should be understood that not all operations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that not all operations are required in some embodiments.

[0059] Any aspect or design described herein as an "example" and / or the like is not necessarily to be construed as preferred over other aspects or designs. Rather, the use of the word "example" is intended to present one possible aspect and / or implementation that may be associated with the technology presented herein. Such an example is not required or intended to be limiting of such technology. Various embodiments of such technology may include such examples, alone or in combination with other features, and / or the illustrated examples may be modified and / or omitted.

[0060] As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, "X utilizes A or B" is intended to mean any natural inclusive permutation. That is, if X utilizes A; X utilizes B; or X utilizes both A and B, then "X utilizes A or B" is satisfied in any of the foregoing cases. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" used in this application and the appended claims can generally be interpreted to mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or clear from the context to indicate a singular form. In addition, unless otherwise specified, "first", "second", etc. are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an order, etc. Rather, these terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. of features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first element and a second element generally correspond to element A and element B, or two different elements, or two identical elements, or the same element.

[0061] In addition, although the present disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alternatives and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based on a reading and understanding of this specification and the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure includes all such modifications and variations and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. Specifically, with respect to the various functions performed by the above-mentioned components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), unless otherwise indicated, the terms used to describe these components are intended to correspond to any component (e.g., functionally equivalent) that performs the specified function of the described component, even if structurally not equivalent to the disclosed structure that performs the function in the example implementation shown herein of the present disclosure. In addition, although specific features of the present disclosure may be disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other implementations, which may be desirable and advantageous for any given or particular application. In addition, with respect to the terms "include," "have," "with," or variations thereof, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising."

[0062] Although the subject matter has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the present disclosure, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this specification. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A transformer, comprising: substrate; The first winding comprises: a first leg connected to the substrate; a first leg extending vertically from the first foot; a second leg connected to the substrate; a second leg extending vertically from the second foot; and a third leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the first leg and the second leg; The second winding comprises: a third leg connected to the substrate; a fourth leg extending vertically from the third leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the substrate to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the substrate; and a solder pad connected to the fourth leg; and A core portion surrounds at least a portion of the third leg and the fifth leg.

2. The transformer according to claim 1, wherein: The first leg, the second leg, and the third leg define a box shape; and The fourth leg, the fifth leg, and the sixth leg define a square S-shape.

3. The transformer according to claim 1, wherein: The substrate includes a circuit board.

4. The transformer according to claim 1, wherein: A first distance between a bottom surface of the core and a bottom surface of the third leg is different from a second distance between a top surface of the core and a top surface of the fifth leg.

5. The transformer of claim 1 , wherein the first winding comprises: a fourth leg connected to the substrate and positioned between the first leg and the second leg; as well as A seventh leg vertically extends from the fourth leg and is connected to the third leg.

6. The transformer of claim 5, wherein the first winding comprises: a fifth leg connected to the substrate and positioned between the fourth leg and the second leg; as well as An eighth leg vertically extends from the fifth leg and is connected to the third leg.

7. The transformer according to claim 1, comprising: The third winding includes: a fourth leg connected to the substrate; a seventh leg extending vertically from the fourth leg; a fifth leg connected to the substrate; an eighth leg extending vertically from the second leg; a ninth leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the seventh leg and the eighth leg; and The tenth leg connects the fourth leg to the first leg.

8. A voltage regulator comprising: Supply voltage terminal; a first circuit board; The first transformer comprises: a first secondary winding connected to the first circuit board; The first primary winding comprises: a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first serpentine body connected to the first leg and at least partially overlapping the first secondary winding; and a first contact pad connected to the first serpentine body and vertically offset from a top surface of the first secondary winding in a direction away from the first circuit board; The second transformer comprises: a second secondary winding connected to the first circuit board; The second primary winding comprises: a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second serpentine body connected to the second leg and at least partially overlapping the second secondary winding; and a second contact pad connected to the second serpentine body and vertically offset from the top surface of the second secondary winding in a direction away from the first circuit board; a second circuit board contacting the first contact pad and the second contact pad; interconnecting the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding in series; an output terminal connected to the first primary winding and the second primary winding; and a power stage electronic package connected to the second circuit board and comprising: a first switch connected between the supply voltage terminal and the first primary winding; and A second switch is connected between the power supply voltage terminal and the second primary winding.

9. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, wherein: The power stage electronic package is connected to a first side of the second circuit board, and the first and second contact pads contact a second side of the circuit board opposite the first side.

10. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, comprising: an input capacitor mounted to the second circuit board and connected to the power supply voltage terminal; as well as An output capacitor is mounted to the first circuit board and connected to the output terminal.

11. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, comprising: A core surrounds at least a portion of the first primary winding, the first secondary winding, the second primary winding, and the second secondary winding.

12. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, comprising: a first core portion surrounding the first primary winding and at least a portion of the first secondary winding; as well as The second core portion surrounds at least a portion of the second primary winding and the second secondary winding.

13. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, wherein: The interconnect includes an interconnect leg that is above the first circuit board and directly connects the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding.

14. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, wherein: The first secondary winding comprises: a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first leg extending vertically from the first foot; a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second leg extending vertically from the second foot; and The third leg extends parallel to the first circuit board to connect the first leg and the second leg.

15. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, wherein: The first secondary winding is connected to a first edge plate of the first circuit board; and The second secondary winding is connected to a second edge plate of the first circuit board.

16. The voltage regulator according to claim 8, wherein: The power stage electronic package is embedded in the second circuit board.

17. A method comprising: Connecting a first winding to a first circuit board, the first winding comprising: a first leg connected to the first circuit board; a first leg extending vertically from the first foot; a second leg connected to the first circuit board; a second leg extending vertically from the second foot; and a third leg connecting the first leg and the second leg; Connecting a second winding to the first circuit board, the second winding comprising: a third leg connected to the first circuit board; a fourth leg extending vertically from the third leg; a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the first circuit board to at least partially overlap the third leg; a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the first circuit board; and a solder pad connected to the fourth leg; connecting a second circuit board to the pads; and A die including a power stage electronic package is connected to the second circuit board.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising: A third circuit board is connected between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

19. The method according to claim 17, comprising: At least one of the first leg or the second leg is connected to an edge plate of the first circuit board.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising: A connection in the first circuit board is enabled to connect to one of the first leg or the third leg.

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