Component forming at least two inductances
The component with dedicated flux paths in inductor designs addresses decoupling and energy storage issues in DC/DC converters, enhancing efficiency and performance in voltage converters and vehicle systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2019726453
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2018-06-08
- Filing Date
- 2019-05-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2039-05-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing inductor designs for DC/DC voltage converters, such as those used in EMC filters, lack effective decoupling and energy storage capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in magnetic flux circulation and energy management.
A component comprising a magnetically conductive structure with a base, cover, and legs, where magnetic flux circulates through dedicated first legs without gaps and second legs with air gaps, allowing for separate inductances that store magnetic energy and enhance decoupling.
The solution provides improved decoupling and energy storage, enabling efficient magnetic flux circulation and enhanced performance in DC/DC voltage converters, particularly in applications like 12V/48V converters and hybrid/electric vehicle systems.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a component forming at least two inductances. This component may in particular, but not exclusively, belong to a static electrical energy converter, such as a direct / direct voltage converter, the component then providing all or part of the inductances of this converter.
[0002] The DC / DC voltage converter is, for example, a 12V / 48V voltage converter. In such cases, the inductances thus obtained are used, for example, to create an EMC filter.
[0003] Application GB 2 442 090 discloses a component comprising a structure made of a magnetically conductive material on which several electric wires are wound, so as to form one or more inductances.
[0004] Application WO 2007 / 123564 discloses a single-block structure forming an inductance.
[0005] There is a need to further improve the realization of inductors, particularly for DC / DC voltage converters.
[0006] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this, according to one of its aspects, using a component forming at least two inductances, this component comprising: a structure made of a magnetically conductive material, comprising: a base, a cover, at least one first leg extending continuously between the base and the cover, and at least two second legs, each second leg extending between the base and the cover such that a magnetic flux circulating between the base and the cover via this second leg crosses at least one air gap, and an electrically conductive element, in particular a ribbon, defining an electrical input for the component and an electrical output for the component, the electrically conductive element and the structure cooperating so as to define at least two inductors, each inductor having a magnetic flux circulating between the base and the cover: in a first leg, and in a second leg dedicated to this inductance.
[0007] According to the invention, the magnetic flux associated with each inductance circulates in a first leg which extends continuously between the cover and the base, so that no air gap exists between the cover and the base for this circulation of the magnetic flux via the first leg. This first leg can be dedicated to a respective inductance or common to the two inductances. On the other hand, the circulation of this magnetic flux between the cover and the base via the second dedicated leg involves crossing at least one air gap. The presence of the air gap allows the storage of magnetic energy. The second legs differing from one inductance to another and an air gap being thus dedicated to an inductance, the decoupling between these two inductances is favored since these air gaps are used to store the magnetic energy of the inductance.
[0008] The inductances can be defined successively in the component.
[0009] For the purposes of this application, an air gap is not necessarily a void filled with air. An area occupied in whole or in part by a material whose magnetic permeability is lower than that of the structure made of magnetically conductive material also defines an air gap.
[0010] Still within the meaning of the invention, “consecutively” is assessed along the electrically conductive element, from the electrical input for the component to the electrical output for the component.
[0011] The value of the inductance can be any, for example between 50 nH and 500 mH.
[0012] The magnetic structure is made, for example, of ferrite, iron powder, or even nanocrystalline material. This structure can be a single piece or made up of several separate pieces, the latter being rigidly fixed to each other, or not.
[0013] The electrically conductive element may have a flattened shape, being a ribbon also called a "leadframe" in English. This ribbon is for example made of copper.
[0014] The electrical input for the component is, for example, connected to a voltage source, for example a 48 V voltage source, and the electrical output for the component is, for example, connected to consumers of the voltage network or to the switching cells of a static converter such as a DC / DC voltage converter. Electrically conductive tape is for example different from a coiled electrical wire
[0015] The component is, for example, installed on a printed circuit board. The component extends, for example, on either side of this printed circuit board, with the base of the component then being located on one side of this printed circuit board, while the cover of the component is located on the other side of this printed circuit board.
[0016] The first leg can be made in one piece with at least one of the base and the cover.
[0017] The first leg may be devoid of an internal cavity. No air gap then exists within this first leg.
[0018] The electrical input for the component and the electrical output for the component may be formed by two respective portions of the electrically conductive element, in particular of the ribbon, which extend parallel to each other.
[0019] The base and the cover may belong to separate parts, but not both belong to the same single piece.
[0020] According to a first example of implementation of the invention, the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, extends in a rectilinear manner and the structure comprises at least two first legs, the magnetic flux associated with each inductance circulating between the base and the cover: in a first leg dedicated to said inductance, and in a second leg dedicated to said inductance, the positions of the first and second legs relative to the electrically conductive element being in particular reversed between two consecutive inductances.
[0021] According to this first example of implementation, each inductance thus has: a first dedicated leg and a second dedicated leg.
[0022] The inverted position of the first and second legs relative to the electrically conductive element between two consecutive inductors allows the cover to be stably mounted on these legs.
[0023] All the first legs can have the same shape and dimension according to this first mode, and all the second legs can also have the same shape and dimension according to this first mode. This allows for different inductances of the same value. For example, three or four inductances are formed by the component.
[0024] According to a second example of implementation of the invention, the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, extends so as to provide at least one round trip, two consecutive portions of the round trip of the electrically conductive element being separated by a first leg, this first leg being traversed by the magnetic flux associated with each of the two inductances.
[0025] According to this second example of implementation, two inductances, notably consecutive ones, thus share the same first leg.
[0026] Still according to this second example of implementation, a round trip of the electrically conductive element can define two consecutive portions separated by a first leg and framed by two second legs, in which case this round trip portion successively defines two inductances, the flux associated with the first inductance circulating between the base and the cover, in the first leg and in one of the two second legs dedicated to this first inductance, and the flux associated with the second inductance circulating between the base and the cover, in the first leg and in the other of the two second legs dedicated to this second inductance.
[0027] According to this second example of implementation, the electrically conductive element can provide several round trips, portions of this round trip element can be separated by a first leg and portions of this round trip element can be separated by a second leg. In such a case, the separation distance between two round trip portions defined by the presence of a second leg can be greater, for example be double, the separation distance between two round trip portions defined by the presence of a first leg.
[0028] According to a third example of implementation, the second legs define a peripheral wall of the component, so that the base, the cover and this peripheral wall together define a housing of the component, the structure comprises a single first leg and the magnetic flux associated with each inductance circulates between the base and the cover: in the first leg, and in a second leg dedicated to said inductance.
[0029] According to this third implementation example, the first leg is traversed by the flux associated with each inductance, this first leg being shared by the inductances. This first leg being devoid of an air gap, this ensures decoupling of these different inductances.
[0030] The first leg may define a central beam around which the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, is arranged. The first leg is then exclusively inside the housing.
[0031] Alternatively, the first leg may define an internal wall of the housing, for example delimiting two separate compartments in this housing. The ends of this first leg may, or may not, be flush with the periphery of the housing, depending on this variant.
[0032] According to this third example of implementation, the peripheral wall can be made in a single piece with at least one of the base and the cover. When the peripheral wall is not made in a single piece with one of the base and the cover, the fixing between these latter elements can be carried out via glue.
[0033] According to this third example of implementation, each air gap can be provided by a void between the peripheral wall and the cover of the housing. This void can, in whole or in part, be occupied by the aforementioned glue which is used to fix the peripheral wall to one of the base and the cover.
[0034] The above-mentioned vacuum can be achieved in two ways, for example: the cover has, in a first way, a face facing the flat peripheral wall, and the first leg extends in the direction of the cover over a dimension greater than that over which the peripheral wall extends in the direction of the cover, so as to provide the air gap by this difference in dimension, the cover has, in a second way, a face facing the peripheral wall with a flat peripheral zone and a central zone projecting towards the first leg, the peripheral wall and the first leg extending along the same dimension in the direction of the cover, so as to provide the air gap by the absence of projection at the peripheral zone of the face of the cover.
[0035] Still according to this third example of implementation, at least one cavity can be provided in the peripheral wall, so as to delimit two second legs between them. N cavities are for example provided in the peripheral wall, so as to define N+1 second legs. All the second legs can have the same shape and the same dimensions.
[0036] Each inductance can then have the same value, according to this third implementation example.
[0037] When such a cavity is present, a protrusion of the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, may extend into this cavity, this protrusion being able to be connected to a capacitor to form an LC filter. The connection of the protrusion to the capacitor is then made outside the housing. The capacitance of the capacitor is for example between 1nF and 100mF. The inductors may be connected in series and each protrusion may correspond to an area of the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, arranged between two inductors connected in series.
[0038] When multiple cavities are present, each may be occupied by an outgrowth of the electrically conductive element, in particular ribbon, and each of these outgrowths is then connected to a capacitor to form an LC filter. Another capacitor may be electrically connected to the electrical input for the component and / or another capacitor may be electrically connected to the electrical output for the component. Each capacitor is thus connected on the one hand to the electrically connecting element, and on the other hand to ground.
[0039] Each cavity made in the peripheral wall can communicate with: an associated cavity provided in the base, and / or an associated cavity provided in the cover.
[0040] The presence of these associated cavities in the base and / or the presence of these associated cavities in the cover can reduce the parasitic inductances caused by the connection of the capacitors to the electrically conductive element.
[0041] According to the first and second implementation examples: a void may be provided between each second leg and one of the cover and the base, this void being where appropriate occupied in whole or in part by glue allowing fixing between these elements, and the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, may comprise protrusions each capable of being connected to a capacitor to form an LC filter.
[0042] In all of the above, the base and the cover may have the same shape, in particular polygonal, and the ratio between the height of the component and the square root of the area of the base may be less than 1, in particular less than 0.5.
[0043] When the base and the lid have the same polygonal shape, the second legs can all, or at least some of them, be positioned on the vertices of the polygons.
[0044] Still when the base and the cover have the same polygonal shape, the electrical input for the component and the electrical output for the component can be arranged on the same side of this polygon and the first leg can comprise an extension, forming in particular a thinned zone of said first leg. This extension can extend continuously or not between the base and the cover, so as to form a magnetic screen between this electrical input and this electrical output for the component.
[0045] In all of the above, the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, may extend exclusively inside the component, that is to say, according to the third example of implementation, exclusively inside the housing, between the electrical input for the component and the electrical output for the component. For example, magnetic fluxes in the same direction can thus be generated in the same first leg.
[0046] Alternatively, in all of the above, the electrically conductive element, in particular the strip, may comprise at least two alternations of a portion extending inside the component, in particular the housing, and of a portion extending outside the component, in particular the housing. These alternations may allow magnetic fluxes of different directions to be generated in the same first leg.
[0047] In all of the above, the electrically conductive element, in particular the ribbon, and the structure can cooperate in such a way as to form exactly four inductances. When each inductance is associated with a capacitor, in particular via the aforementioned protrusions, the component can allow an order 8 filter to be obtained.
[0048] The invention is however not limited to a precise number of inductances formed by the component, any value between 2 and 10 being possible.
[0049] In all of the above, the base and cover of the structure may each have a rectangular, square or triangular section.
[0050] In all of the above, the inductances formed by the component may or may not be connected in series.
[0051] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a static electrical energy converter, comprising the component as defined above.
[0052] The converter can be a voltage converter. For example, it is a DC / DC voltage converter, allowing for example: increasing a voltage from 12 V to 48 V, or increasing a voltage from 300 V to 800 V.
[0053] The switching frequency of this converter can be greater than 1 kHz, for example between 1 and 100 kHz, in particular being of the order of 20 kHz.
[0054] When the voltage converter is a 12 V / 48 V converter, this converter can be part of an electrical circuit having: a 48 V part for electrical exchange with a 48 V alternator-starter and, a 12 V part for supplying consumers of the vehicle's on-board network.
[0055] When the voltage converter is a 300 V / 800 V converter, this converter can be part of an electrical circuit used for the exchange of electrical energy between an electrical energy storage unit and an electric motor of a hybrid or electric vehicle, or be part of an electrical circuit used for the exchange of electrical energy between an electrical network external to the vehicle and an electrical energy storage unit on board the vehicle.
[0056] Alternatively, the static converter can be an inverter.
[0057] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to an electrical circuit for a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising: the above converter, and an electronic card, in particular a printed circuit card, defining a plane, the structure of the aforementioned component being arranged on either side of the plane of this card so that the base of this structure is on one side of this plane and the cover of this structure is on the other side of this plane.
[0058] Housings exist for example in the card, in particular in the printed circuit card, to allow this card to pass through the structure, for example through the peripheral wall of this structure according to the third example of implementation mentioned above.
[0059] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting examples of its implementation and by examining the attached drawing in which: there Figure 1 schematically represents a component according to a first example of implementation of the invention, the figures 2 to 5schematically represent different variants of components according to a second example of implementation of the invention, the figures 6 to 11 schematically represent different variants of components according to a third example of implementation of the invention, the figures 12 And 14 à 16 represent a concrete realization of the component according to the figure 8 , there figure 13 represents another concrete realization of the component according to the figure 8 , there Figure 17 is a model of the electrical circuit equivalent to the component of the figures 12 to 16 , and the figure 18 represents an example of assembly of the component according to the figures 12 to 16 on a printed circuit board.
[0060] It has been represented on the Figure 1 a component 1 according to a first example of implementation of the invention. This component 1 here forms several inductances intended to be part of an EMC filter of a 12 V / 48 V direct / direct voltage converter.
[0061] This component 1 includes: a structure 2 made of a magnetically conductive material, and an electrically conductive element 3 which is here an electrically conductive strip 3, and which defines an electrical input 4 and an electrical output 5 for the component 1. Other examples of electrically conductive element are possible, for example a conductor of circular section.
[0062] In the example considered, the electrical input 4 is for example intended to be electrically connected to an electrical energy storage source with a nominal voltage of 48 V and the electrical output 5 is intended to be electrically connected to the switching cells of the 12V / 48V direct current / direct current voltage converter.
[0063] The electrically conductive tape 3 has in all the examples below a flattened shape, being different from a wound electric wire. This electrically conductive tape 3 is for example made of copper.
[0064] Structure 2 is for example made of ferrite. In the examples below, the structure is formed by several separate pieces assembled together. Structure 2 is thus formed by: a base 7, a cover 8, at least one first leg 9 extending continuously between the base 7 and the cover 8, such that a magnetic flux circulating between the base 7 and the cover 8 via this first leg 9 does not cross any air gap, and several second legs 10 extending between the base 7 and the cover 8 such that a magnetic flux circulating between the base 7 and the cover 8 via this second leg 10 crosses at least one air gap. Each second leg 10 is here dedicated to an inductance.
[0065] In the examples described, the base 7 and the cover 8 each have a planar surface defining an end surface for the component 1. These end surfaces may be parallel and have the same shape and the same dimension. The ratio between the height of the component 1, i.e. the distance between these two end surfaces, and the square root of the area of one of these end surfaces for the component 1 may be between 0.5 and 1. The component 1 thus has a flattened shape.
[0066] In the example of the Figure 1 , we see that the electrically conductive strip 3 extends in a straight line within the structure 2 between its electrical input 4 and its electrical output 5.
[0067] We also note in this example that the structure has three first legs 9 and three second legs 10 and that the cooperation between this strip 3 and this structure 2 here defines three successive inductances 12.
[0068] The flux associated with each inductance circulates between the base 7 and the cover 8 on the one hand via a first leg 9 dedicated to this inductance, and on the other hand via a second leg 10 dedicated to this inductance. No leg 9 or 10 is thus shared by several inductances according to this first example of implementation.
[0069] In this first example of implementation, each first leg 9 is for example made in a single piece with the base 7 and each second leg 10 is for example made in a single piece with the base 7. Each air gap existing at the level of a second leg 10 can come from the void existing between the end of this second leg opposite the cover 8 and this cover 8. This void is for example due to the fact that the distance over which a first leg 9 extends from the base 7 towards the cover 8 is greater than the corresponding distance for the second legs 10. In a variant, this void is due to the fact that the surface of the cover 8 has a face opposite the base 7 with projections at the level of the first legs 9 coming into contact with these first legs 9, whereas these projections are absent at the level of the second legs 10.In another variant, this void can be occupied by material, for example glue allowing the second leg 10 to be fixed to the cover 8.
[0070] We also note, according to this first example, that from one successive inductance 12 to the next, the respective positions of the first legs 9 and the second legs 10 alternate. Thus: for the inductance 12 closest to the electrical input 4, the first leg 9 is located on the right of the electrically conductive strip 3 when traveling along this strip towards the electrical output 5 and the second leg 10 is located on the left of the electrically conductive strip 3, while for the immediately following inductance 12, the first leg 9 is located on the left of the electrically conductive strip 3 when traveling along this strip towards the electrical output 5 and the second leg 10 is located on the right of the electrically conductive strip 3.
[0071] We will now describe with reference to the figures 2 to 5 various components 1 according to a second example of implementation of the invention.
[0072] According to this second example of implementation, the electrically conductive strip 3 no longer extends in a straight line inside the component 1.
[0073] This ribbon 3 extends according to the figures 2 to 5 so as to provide several round trips, and the structure 2 comprises a plurality of first legs 9 and second legs 10.
[0074] For example, we see on the Figure 2 that the ribbon defines a round trip, two consecutive portions 20 and 21 of a round trip of the ribbon 3 being separated by a first leg 9. Two successive inductances 12 are thus defined by the cooperation between the ribbon 3 and the structure 2, namely: a first inductance 12 at the level of the portion 20 of the strip and having an associated magnetic flux which circulates between the base 7 and the cover 8: in the first leg 9, and in the second leg 10 which frames this portion 20 with the first leg 9, and a second inductance 12 at the level of the portion 21 of the strip and having an associated magnetic flux which circulates between the base 7 and the cover 8: in the first leg 9, and in the second leg 10 which frames this portion 21 with the first leg 9.
[0075] In the example of the Figure 4 , ribbon 2 defines three round trips, so that the cooperation between ribbon 3 and structure 2 defines four inductances.
[0076] We observe on the Figure 4 that ribbon 3 presents: consecutive round-trip portions separated by a first leg 9, such consecutive round-trip portions corresponding to two inductances and, consecutive round-trip portions separated by a second leg 10, such consecutive portions corresponding to the same inductance.
[0077] We also note that two consecutive inductances thus defined share a first leg 9.
[0078] We will now describe with reference to the figures 6 to 18 various components 1 according to a third example of implementation of the invention.
[0079] According to this third example of implementation, several second legs 10 are always provided, and these second legs define a peripheral wall. The base 7, the cover 8 and this peripheral wall thus define a housing.
[0080] Still according to this third example of implementation, the first leg 9 is unique and it is traversed by the magnetic flux associated with each inductance 12. This path of the first leg 9 by each magnetic flux thus constitutes a magnetic path without an air gap between the base 7 and the cover 8, which ensures decoupling between them of the different inductances 12.
[0081] Thus, the flux associated with an inductance circulates, according to this third example of implementation: through the first leg 9 which is shared with all the other inductances 12 defined by the component 1, and through the second leg 10 which is dedicated to this inductance.
[0082] In the figures 6 to 9 , the first leg 9 is a central beam which is substantially arranged in the center of the facing surfaces of the base 7 and the cover 8.
[0083] For example, we see on the Figures 6 and 7that the facing surfaces of the base 7 and the cover 8 can have a triangular shape and that all the second legs 10 of the structure 2 can be positioned respectively at a vertex of this triangle. Three inductances are defined in the cases of Figures 6 and 7 .
[0084] We also note on the figures 8 and 9 that the facing surfaces of the base 7 and the cover 8 may alternatively have a square shape. Here again, all the second legs 10 of the structure 2 may be positioned respectively at a vertex of this square. Four inductances are defined in the cases of figures 8 and 9 .
[0085] The shape of these surfaces facing the base 7 and the cover 8 is not limited to a triangle or a square, but may also be other, for example rectangular as shown in the Figures 10 and 11 , or other, not necessarily polygonal.
[0086] On the Figures 10 and 11, we also note that the first leg 9 of the component can be other than a central beam. On these Figures 10 and 11 , the first leg defines an internal wall which may or may not extend along the entire length of the facing surfaces of the base 7 and the cover 8, so as to delimit compartments in the housing. Six inductances 12 are defined by the cooperation between the strip 3 and the structure 2 in the case of Figures 10 and 11 .
[0087] It is also noted, similarly to what was described previously, that the ribbon 3 does not necessarily extend exclusively inside the housing between the electrical input 4 of the component 1 and its electrical output 5.
[0088] Thus, if the ribbon 3 extends exclusively inside the housing in the cases of figures 6 , 8 and 10 , this ribbon 3 includes alternations of portion exclusively inside the housing and portion exclusively outside the housing in the cases of figures 7 , 9 and 11 .
[0089] We will now describe with reference to the figures 12 to 18 concrete examples of the production of a component 1 according to the figure 8 .
[0090] This component 1 thus comprises a structure 2 defining a housing having: a base 7 made of ferrite and having a square surface, the side of which measures for example 24 mm, a cover 8 made of ferrite and having a square surface of the same dimension a peripheral wall formed by the meeting of the second legs 10, the latter being here four in number, and a first single leg 9, forming a central beam for the housing.
[0091] It can be seen that the electrical input 4 for the component and the electrical output 5 for this component are located on the same face of the housing, two straight and parallel ends of this strip 3 then respectively forming this electrical input 4 and this electrical output 5.
[0092] In the example of the figures 12 to 18 , the base 7 and each second leg 10 of the housing are made in a single piece, while the cover 8 is a separate part, assembled on the peripheral wall.
[0093] The peripheral wall of the housing comprises four second legs 10 which are delimited between them by cavities 30 arranged over the entire height of this peripheral wall in the example described.
[0094] In the example of the Figures 12 and 13 , each cavity 30 communicates with an associated cavity 31 formed in the base 7 and extending this cavity 30 at the level of the base.
[0095] In the example of the Figure 12 , but not in that of the figure 13 , each cavity 30 also communicates with an associated cavity 32 formed in the cover 8 and extending this cavity 30 at the level of the cover.
[0096] We note in particular on the Figures 14 and 15that the central beam forming the first leg 9 may have, in a section parallel to the facing surfaces of the base 7 and the cover 8, substantially a square shape, with the exception of an extension 35 arranged between the portions of the strip 3 defining the electrical input 4 for the component 1 and the electrical output for this component 1. This extension 35 may extend continuously from the base 7 to the cover 8 and then constitute a magnetic screen for the electrical input 4 with respect to the magnetic output 5.
[0097] Always on the Figures 14 and 15 , it is noted that the electrically conductive strip 3 has inside the housing a succession of rectilinear portions extending around the first leg 9.
[0098] Four inductances 12 are formed by the component 1, thanks to the cooperation between the electrically conductive strip 3 and the structure made of magnetically conductive material 2.
[0099] The flux associated with an inductance 12 circulates between the base 7 and the cover 8: via the first leg 9, without crossing an air gap, and via a second leg of the peripheral wall, dedicated to this inductance.
[0100] The presence of an air gap for each inductance 12 is obtained thanks to the vacuum existing between the cover 8 and the second leg 10 dedicated to this inductance 12.
[0101] This vacuum can be achieved in two ways, for example: the cover 8 has a face facing the flat peripheral wall, and the first leg 9 extends towards this surface of the cover 8 over a dimension greater than that over which the peripheral wall extends towards the cover, so as to provide the air gap by this difference in dimension, or the cover 8 has a face facing the peripheral wall with a flat peripheral zone and a central zone projecting towards the first leg 9 relative to the flat peripheral zone, the peripheral wall and the first leg 9 extending along the same dimension towards the cover, so as to provide the air gap by the absence of projection at the peripheral zone of this face of the cover.
[0102] We note on the Figure 15that the strip 3 may, in addition to the portions extending around the first leg 9, comprise protrusions 40 extending towards the outside of the housing, through the peripheral wall. Each protrusion 40 passes for example through a cavity 30 beyond which it extends to be electrically connected to a capacitor 41, these capacitors 41 being represented very schematically on the figure 16 . It is noted that two additional capacitors 41 are provided, one being connected to the electrical input 4 for the component and the other being connected to the electrical output 5 for the component.
[0103] There Figure 17 represents the equivalent electrical circuit of the component of the figure 16, considering the electrical strip 3 between the electrical input 4 for the component 1 and the electrical output 5 for the component 1. It can be seen that this component can allow the production of an LC filter of order 8, the inductances 12 being provided by the cooperation between the strip 3 and the structure 2, and the capacitors 41 being connected between the strip 3 and the ground.
[0104] Component 1 which has just been described with reference to the figures 1 to 17 is for example assembled on a printed circuit board 50, the structure 2 of the component being arranged on either side of the plane defined by this printed circuit board 50, as will now be described in the particular case of the housing of the figures 12 to 17 .
[0105] Housings 45 are provided in this printed circuit board, so that each second leg 10 and the first leg 9 can pass through this printed circuit board 50. These second legs 10 and this first leg 9 are then introduced through these housings 45 so that the base 7 secured to these legs 9 and 10 is arranged on one side of this printed circuit board 50. The ribbon 3 can be fixed, in particular by soldering, on the face of this printed circuit board 50 defining this side. The cover 8 is then assembled on the first leg 9 and on the second legs 10 from the other side of the printed circuit board 50.
[0106] The assembly of the cover 8 on the peripheral wall is obtained for example using glue 52, for example a glue of the “eccobond D125F” type which is applied to the ends of these second legs 10 opposite the cover 8. Thus, the void mentioned previously to define the air gaps is occupied in whole or in part by the glue.
[0107] As already mentioned, a possible application of the invention is the use for producing an EMC filter for a 12 V / 48 V DC / DC voltage converter.
Claims
1. A component (1) forming at least two inductances (12), the component (1) comprising: - a structure (2) made of a magnetically conductive material, comprising: a base (7), a cover (8), at least a first leg (9) extending continuously between the base (7) and the cover (8) and at least two second legs (10), each second leg (10) extending between the base (7) and the cover (8) so that a magnetic flux circulating between the base (7) and the cover (8) via this second leg (10) crosses at least one air gap, and - an electrically conductive element (3), defining an electrical input (4) for the component and an electrical output (5) for the component, the electrically conductive element (3) and the structure (2) cooperating so as to define at least two inductances (12), each inductance (12) exhibiting a magnetic flux circulating between the base (7) and the cover (8): - in a first leg (9), and - in a second leg (10) dedicated to said inductance (12), wherein the base (7) and the cover (8) do not belong to the same one-piece part.
2. Component according to claim 1, the first leg (9) being made in one piece with at least one of the base (7) and the cover (8).
3. Component according to claim 1 or 2, the first leg (9) being devoid of internal cavity.
4. Component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the electrically conductive element (3) extending rectilinearly and the structure (2) comprising at least two first legs (9), the magnetic flux associated with each inductance circulating between the base (7) and the cover (8): - in a first leg (9) dedicated to said inductance (12), and - in a second leg (10) dedicated to said inductance (12).
5. Component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the electrically conductive element (3) extending so as to provide at least one round trip, two consecutive portions (20, 21) of a round trip of the element (3) being separated by a first leg (9), this first leg (9) being traversed by the magnetic flux associated with each of the two inductances (12)6. Component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the second legs (10) defining a peripheral wall of the component, so that the base (7), the cover (8) and this peripheral wall together define a housing of the component (1), the structure (2) comprising a single first leg (9), the magnetic flux associated with each inductance (12) circulating between the base and the cover: - in the first leg (9), and - in a second leg (10) dedicated to said inductance. the peripheral wall being notably made in one piece with at least one of the base (7) and the cover (8).
7. Component according to claim 6, each air gap being formed by a vacuum between the peripheral wall and the cover (8) of the housing.
8. Component according to one of claims 6 and 7, at least one cavity (30) being formed in the peripheral wall, so as to delimit two second legs (10) between them.
9. Component according to claim 8, the electrically conductive element (3) comprising at least one protuberance (40) extending into the cavity (30), this protuberance (40) being suitable for being connected to a capacitor (41) to form an LC filter.
10. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, the base (7) and the cover (8) having the same shape, notably polygonal, and the ratio between the height of the component and the square root of the area of the base being less than 1.
11. Component according to one of claims 6 to 9, the electrically conductive element (3) extending exclusively inside the component (1), notably of the housing, between the electrical input (4) for the component and the electrical output (5) for the component, or the electrically conductive element (3) comprising at least two alternations of portion extending inside the component, notably of the housing, and of portion extending outside the component, notably of the housing.
12. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, the electrically conductive element (3) and the structure (2) cooperating so as to define exactly four inductances.
13. Voltage converter, notably DC / DC voltage converter, notably 12 V / 48 V DC / DC voltage converter, comprising a component according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. Electrical circuit for a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising: - the converter according to claim 13, and - an electronic board (50), notably a printed circuit board, defining a plane, the structure (2) of the component (1) being arranged on either side of the plane of this board so that the base (7) of this structure is on one side of this plane and that the cover (8) of this structure is on the other side of this plane.
15. Electrical circuit according to claim 14, housings (45) existing in the board (50) to allow the crossing of this board by the structure (2), notably by the peripheral wall of this structure.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Split inductor with fractional turn of each winding and PCB including same
WO2001022446A1